morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

I think everyone woke up this morning @ the same time. There were distant sounds of dry heaving from an overly intoxicated hiker. Goliath and I hiked quickly to the Cheese Factory Site. Hiking in front of Goliath is like being chased by the gigantic boulder in "Indana Jones." Tomorrow is shower day in Hiawassee
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Cloud 9 HostelBrand new Hostel!!!Nobody seems to know about this incredible find.There was a buzz last night @ camp about this brand new Hostel with jacuzzi, showers, and laundry. Nobody mentioned you can catch dinner in the trout ponds, or how incredibly hospitable Fran and Laura are. We have been in sensory overload with all the activities to choose from. We can play pool @ the house or ping pong, or just relax with cable TV(with "V" chip). I had to add the "V" chip part because Heald and I were trying to watch a PG13 movie that was off limits. I don't know if I can leave this place tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: ZERO
Miles today: 0.0

Nobody could leave today. We had pizza, and I hit the jacuzzi.Tomorrow I think I will do 100 miles. If I can make myself leave. The trail will end @ Hiawassee Cloud 9 Hostel for most people, I can just see it happening. Heald, Lil Annie the Wonder Dog, Pie (3.14), Luke, Coyote Beck and Gumby, the Gov and Polecat are staying tonight. Bear Bill, Swamp Dog, and Stinger left this morning for the Blue Berry Patch.Pie and Fran, aka "The Wizard" had a chess match and Pie actually won. I was so lost in the game I had no idea who won.I feel like hiking.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked with Heald and his dog Annie today. We started out with Pie but lost him at Muscrat Creek Shelter. I hope he catches up tomorrow but we have been having some rain and the temps are supposed to drop so hiking might get tougher.Nothing monumental happed other than a quick laugh at Heald shaking out Annie's pack and getting dog hair on some section hikers while they were eating. We left immediately, while they were picking hair out of their teeth. We got in to the shelter tonight with it slam full of hikers. Time to tent!
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night was freakin cold! Sheets of ice broke of my tent this morning. Its all better to get moving quickley to get the blood moving.Tonight Heald and I are tenting in Rock Gap a few feet from a NO CAMPING sign. It okay Man, we're thru-hikers.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Rock Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Resupply in Franklin, NC. We were in and out by 2pm. We met back up with Goliath at the shelter.I Called home tonight. I have that feeling of home-sickness creeping in which in not good for only a couple weeks on the trail. I need to hike it off.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

I got my carrot at the NOC but the remainder of the day was tough. The last part going up Sweetwater (I think,around Stecoah) was a steep bastard. However, if I had not stopped for a breather I would not have noticed this owl perched on a limb just watching us. I snapped a pic just before it swooped off silently.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Village Resort
Miles today: 11.6

So Fontana Village Resort is getting a makeover. Labowski, Boffis, Heald, and I are splitting a room for the night.Today I also met Walkabout and Kaboose, Coach K and Miss Parkay, The Maine Train which consists of Dudley, Lotus, Mufasa(later named), Blista, and Hotrod.The highlight of the eavning was going to the restaurant which is a nice tablecloth establishment and watching Labowski and Boffis have a contest to see which one could finish their ruben and chowda the fastest. The waiter had to ask if the group had been doing anything illegal tonight and if we will be doing anything that he would have to clean up after. Yes and No. Drops on the table counted in the contest so they clean those too.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Clingman's Dome
Miles today: 21.8

Since Hiawasee I have been hiking with Heald and his dog Annie. I have been calling them my tour guides. Heald is a long time veteran of the AT as well as his dog Annie. Annie celebrated 15,000+ miles hiking which is probably a record on the AT. She needs an odometer. One advantage to hiking with veterans is finding great places to shelter for the night as well as timing great views. The weather was warm causing more slush on the ground which is why we pushed through all the way to Clingman's Dome.The trick to getting used to wet shoes is getting used to wet socks.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Clingman's Dome

To: Gatlinberg Microtel
Miles today: 7.9

This morning I watched the sun break over the horizon from the tallest point on the AT. I do not believe many people get to see the sun rise from Clingman's Dome. I think it is my 1st sun rise on this trip.This is another advantage to hiking with Heald.We hiked with "Tarpenator" and Adam today and hitched into Gatlinburg.The "Tarpenator is springing for a room at the Microtel so we can all squeeze in tonight. Thanks for the stay "Tarp", can't wait to see ya in Damascus.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Gatlinberg Microtel

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: broken clouds

I think we peeled the paper off the walls in our room. Imagine, a 12x12 foot room with 4 hikers and a dog and the window did not open very much. If it was not for the pot smell coming from down the hall, I think the 3rd floor of the Microtel smelled like it needed to be quaranteened.Today was a WASH! Heald and I spent most of the day enjoying the 70 something degree temps in Gatlinburg hoping for the rest of the snow to melt.Gatlinburg is a freakshow of a town. It is like the Major Leagues for Carnies. Although everyone was very nice (because we are still in the South), people did recognize us as hikers and did not bother with trying to get us to come in to see their show. Everything in this town is expensive. The best value I saw was miniature golf for $9.00. Heald came up with a cheep thrill for us to do in this town. We crazy glued some quarters to the pavement and watched as people tried to pick them up. I learned that you can have a couple hours of fun for just a couple of dollars.In doing this gag, watch out for kids with tiny fingers and Mexicans with cowboy boots. Old people and hot women are the best to watch. FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. I almost split my side watching people get frustrated. Next is the old dollar on the string bit. Oh what fun!
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

To: Old Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Max Patch Day!!! SOooooo worth the hours sitting on top. I flew my Henry Shires Tarptent like a kite. A boyscout troup was amused. There was also a wedding. Congradulations Mr. and Mrs. Blackley.About 2 minutes after I set up camp and got into bed to read. Heald comes by and says there is a storm coming. 5 minutes later we leave.He stayed at Standing Bear hostel last night waiting for me while I went to Mountain Mamas and had a burger. HA HA!
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Little Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my first day in trail runners and superfeet. Instead of the shoes breakin in, the shoes broke me in, or rather the superfeet did. I have somewhat of a club foot going. Short, wide, and chubby. The superfeet insoles came out and all is well. Its too bad because the insoles are the nicest I have ever seen. Damn my club foot!
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Alas, there was no tornadoes last night. Other than the nasal respritory inhailation assault that occurs during hibernation or snoring from one or more of the 10 of us packed into the 8 person shelter last night.Hermes left at 2am during the storm and camped out about 2 miles up the trail. I admit the snoring was harsh and the close quarters did not make the sleep better. Goldilocks a.k.a "the guy that puts it in your ear while you sleep" as he signs in the shelter registers, would just stare at people that were sleeping. I guess all is par for the AT.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Miss Janet's Hostel
Miles today: 16.9

I left the wrong way out of the shelter again this morning. I went about 1/4 mile before I knew where I was. It was just to get my blood moving before I hiked out.I finally got to Miss Janet's and started to relax. Ajax, Train, Curly Rambo and his girl friend Ball-n-chain (but not around Miss Janet), Da Bear, and Bushwhacker have all been staying the past couple of nights.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Miss Janet's Hostel

To: Miss Janets (again)
Miles today: 0.0

The morning breakfast at Miss Janet's is great, it's no wonder people stay so long. Redneck and I went to Spiveys Gap and did some Trail Majic after breakfast. I did not see nearly as many people as I thought I would. I must be pretty far ahead the waves of hikers that get bottle necked in towns like Hotsprings. Also, Goliath's parents were suprising him with some trail magic.Anyways, later in the eavning I went to a Woman's Club meeting with Miss Janet to help her spread the word throughout Erwin that hikers are not crazy people. I don't know how convincing I was. Though I do admit I was hoping that a Woman's group would have 20 something year old women to hit on. NO DICE. Dang! I have been on the trail too long.Miss Janet thought of a work for stay for me to do. I am going to build her a green house planter. We spent a good chunk of the day finding material. I hope I know what I am doing.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Iron Mountian Gap

To: Nolichucky River (slacked)
Miles today: 19.1

Oh yes, a slack pack! "Suffering Bastard" and I hiked South on a section and it was great. We walked almost 4MPH in some parts. I saw everyone today that has been hiking around me the past couple weeks. I felt like a salmon swimming up a stream of hikers. I saw Maine Train, Coack K, Miss Parkay, Buttercup, Sleeper, Train, Ajax, Bags, Goldilocks, and Monk (Water Monkey). Slack packing makes one feel invincible hiking, and then you still have a nice place to sleep at night. What a good idea!
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Miss Janet's Hostel

To: Miss Janets (again)
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero, time to earn a nights stay. I finished building the green house with the help of Rat Puke, Squirell, Suffering Bastard, and the Hobbitt. An upside to staying this long at such a popular Hostel is I have been able to see people that I havn't since Neels Gap. Now there are plenty of people to hike with. The Leprachaun (for example) and I went to the ELMS to have the big burger. Yes, I did finish the burger it was worth an extra stay in Erwin.
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Carver's Gap

To: Iron Mountain Gap (slacked)
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yes another slack pack. Freefall, the Senator, Patches, Novicane, and I enjoyed another easy day on the slopes. Slackin is great because a 6pack of beer becomes a necessary hiking provision. MMMMMMM Beeeeer!
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Carvers Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a day of high hopes, with the intention of doing more than 5 miles. However, according to Ms. Janet the Overmountain Shelter is a must stay. So we did.The full moon from the side of the shelter made for a bright night at a memorable location.Also, I learned my pack cover makes a great football.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 28.5

Long day to Kincora.I met up with Freight Train and Night Rider. We invented freestyle hiking, which involves body checking and clipping like in Roller Ball.Helmets are necessary and you call your own fouls, which is a great game when you do 20+ miles because getting an elbow to the ribs makes the pain in your feet disappear (sarcasm).When we got to Kincora, Hotrod had a B-day party with the MaineTrain, Monk, Ajax, and the Wrens.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Kincora Hotel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Easter Sunday.The Maine Train cooked and cleaned breakfast for everyone then left. Freight Train, Patches, Night Rider and I stayed till noon then hiked to Watauga Lake.The lake was COLD! My leg muscles seized up in the water at ankle depth and I realized how much they hated me for the miles I have been doing.There were muscles, tendons and nerve protests in every tissue from my calf down. So, I got out of the water. Actually, I fled from the water with a girlish squeel.
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 29.5
Weather: light rain

(Sarcasm) My legs felt so good at the lake yesterday I thought it would be a great idea to do 30 miles (end sarcasm).Actually the intention was to hike to Damascus (40+ miles). It was almost a unanimous descision to stop @ Abingdon Gap Shelter. However, Freight Train did do the 40+ miles. I pretty much do not remember anything at all from the day. I seperated my mind from my body in a basic survival instinct during a riggorous day.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a great night last night. Good beer (ice beer).OKay, not good beer but still good company. We consumed some beverages at a covert location because Alcohol is not allowed @ The Hostel. So in a 2am moment of genius, to avoid bringing alcohol into the hostel, someone had the bright idea to throw the leftover beverages into the bushes outside the front door. THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HOSTEL! and it was left there for most of the next day.Until another hiker disposed of the leftovers. Though it was a waste of good beer...Um okay, not good beer, but the lesson was learned and the losses were cut.We went to the softball game instead that night.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

After another zero (though not needed, but necessary because rumor had it Heald was coming to town to work @ the Outfitter, and I wanted to see him.So after another zero and not seeing Heald, it was time to go. We had officially overstayed our welcome.It was blatantly clear when some of the older former hikers who lived in town (coinsidently the same former hikers who disposed of the beverages in the bushes) made frequent visits this morning and yesterday evening by the hostel to check if any wrong doings were going on. But the hint was clear that we should go soon.3 guys swinging tree branches like they were warming up for batting practice is a subtle way to get a point accross. We left town via the Creeper Trail, which is a very pleasant walk by the river.Up the trail a few miles we stopped @ the Creeper Cafe for lunch.9 hours later we left the Cafe. Why? because it was Bluegrass night @ the Cafe. Sweet!We fished for trout @ the river and listened to some tunes. Good times! We left the Creeper Cafe @ 10:30pm with about 8 miles to the shelter.I had picked up new headlamp at The Sundog Outfitter earlier that day so I was excided to night hike and test it out.About 2 miles up the trail the 3 guys that helped "motivate" us to leave the hostel were camped out by the trail. Maybe they wanted to see us again or maybe they just wanted to make sure we left town. But the next 6 miles were exciting to thinkthat we were being followed by (start banjo music) long bearded mountain folk with missing teeth and overalls (end banjo music).The adrenaline got us to the next shelter.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The day started out normal but imagine a slight rain starting to trickle when you are about 20 yds from the shelter. What should a seasoned thru-hiker do in such circumstances but to tread on. Well not us. Novacaine, Freefall, Night Rider and I ran back to the shelter while the others continued on. So for the next 4 hrs we played spades while it rained.Heald would be so ashamed of me. However we did finally leave just so we could hike the days miles at night. Everyone at the next shelter loved the fact that we got in at 1:30am and they had to make room for us. I definitely don't want to make this a habbit.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

We left the Thomas Knob Shelter @ about noon to go to a very nice well built shelter. Again for some reason we stopped at another shelter when it started to rain and played spades for a couple of hours. Therefore we hiked at night to Hurricane Mtn Shelter. At least we were very quite this time.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Hurricane Mtn. Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today was long and lfat. Very flat.The Partnership Shelter pizza party was happening. Freight Train had a knee blow out so he and Niht Rider yellow blazed to the shelter.Honestly, they did not miss very much. The shelter is incredible and the shower was great.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Loni and Rieds house, Lake Norman
Miles today: -2.7

Now there is a definite trend starting with the rain in VA. When it rains we look for other things to do besides hike.I know this is not the resiliant state of mind one needs to complete the trail home or when the option is presented to hike in the rain or go to a lake house 150+ miles from the trail to relax, what should one do. Night Rider's friend Josh drove 2 hrs and picked us up and took us to Lake Norman in NC.A vacation from our vacation.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiking tip:Make sure you pay attention to the miles between points you wish to stop. I thought it was 4 miles when it was actually 6 to the next shelter, then I thought it was 8 miles when it was 10 to the next water. Not to forget the sign that showed 2.2 miles to another shelter but was actually located 2 miles before the 2.2 mile point where I thought the sign was (where I thought I was) before I got to the next shelter. If your confused now, imagine how I was without water. Plan out your water stops.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Campsite after Rice Field Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The best thing about having a map is finding what we call "warps" like in Mario Brothers on Nintendo. A "warp" is a magical trail that is not infested by white grafitti on trees and deliberately cuts off long pointless stretches* of insignificant Appalachian Trail Miles. There was a rather large warp (5-9 miles that one would not have to walk) between Pine Swamp Branch Shelter and War Spur Shelter. Neither Night Rider nor I have a Map. Therefore, we could not take the short cut. However, we were very suprised to see Da Bear show up at the shelter 20 minutes after we got there considering he was a looooong way back earlier that day.Hiking Tip:Old ass trail signs might not be acurate. Especially if the letters are wearing off. If it says 1.3 miles to next shelter it might actually be 2.6 because of added pointless switchbacks. But one can use this knowledge to his/her advantage. Seek out the "old AT" it will be shorter.* I had to emphasize "pointless" because if you are warping past great views or important sites then the AT miles would have a valid significance and therefore should be walked. HYOH
Date: 2006-05-03
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Trout Creek, VA 620
Miles today: 27.1

HIKING TIP:Eat dinner before you finish hiking for the day it makes a HUGH difference in how you feel.THere was an additional mile+ of steep ups and downs to get water at Sarver Hollow Shelter. The shelter was one of the best on the AT or should I say off the AT .4 downhill, .5+ to water.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Trout Creek, VA 620

To: Pig Farm Campsite
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Today we ate at the Homeplace restaurant in Catawba, Va after a short-long cut to get there. Yea, I know that does not make sense but when you go to take a short cut and it turns out to be longer than the short cut that you intended but still shorter than the long way, it is a long-short cut. Ummmmmm, now I'm confused! They should put blazes on the trees for warps.After dinner Freight Train and I night hiked up McAfee Knob and I went on to the Pig Farm so I could walt .6 miles the next morning for photos on the knob.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Bobblets Gap via Blue Ridge parkway

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Cold Rain day. I lost Night Rider, Ajax, and Freight Train on the Parkway. I think they went into town when it started raining. I heard they stayed in a jail. I don't know the whole story yet, just what Lowkey told me.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Mom and Pop's Motel Glasgow Va.
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I hit my randevoux point for my ride home for a friends wedding 2 days too early. Oh well, 20 miles to Buena Vista, Va. and I have 2 days to do it.Hey "Fog" thanks for the stay at the Motel.Hey "Lowkey" and family, thanks for the Trail Magic.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Damascus

To: Post Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Everybody left in a rush this morning. I took my time and failed to meet the rides and had lined up to get back to the trail in Buena Vista, VA.It was frustrating to go by the Baja tent and have Monk and MilkDud and Baja tell me people were looking for me and I had just missed them.Oh well, live and learn.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Buena Vista

To: Cow Camp Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: broken clouds

Everytime I take a perspective step away from trail life and view my experiences with fresh eyes, I am amazed (I need to find a better word to describe it) to discover another level of generosity and kindness of the people and the culture on the Appalachian Trail."T" said it best that the AT may be the closest to a Utopian Saciety that we may ever be.This morning I had no plan that would reasonably get me to my desired destination, Buena Vista. I spent much of the day researching one. I talked to locals who were very willing to help though I know it would have been over generous if someone took me all the way to Buena Vista @ a reasonable price.Flippy was very helpful in keying me into what would work in town finding rides. I must have walked from one end of town to the other about 7 times. Finally at the Sun Dog Outfitter a former thru-hiker Swamp Fox saw my sign and offered to ride me up to Roanoke which was much closer to Buena Vista then I was @ that current moment. He and "Rocky" were @ the Sun Dog Outfitters helping the "Librarian" find a new pack. They came down from NH to do some section hiking and "Hardcore" trail maintanence with Bob Peoples. So they dropped off the "Librarian" and picked up "Dirt".I was finally on the road again making progress. Then there was traffic and BAD.I think we moved 8 miles in 1 hour. Then Rocky looks over at a truck next to us and sees an AT maintainer bumper sticker. Rocky has a personality which few possess, so she boldly gets out of the car on the highway in deadlocked traffic and taps on this guys window. She asks, "Are you coming back from Trail Days?" The gentleman repsonds "No, I have been working Konnorock in GA doing trail maintanence". She tells him about my situation and the next thing I know I have a ride to Buena Vista VA and the AT where I had left off 11 days ago. My new ride, Keith is an avid trail maintainer.Who is now an even bigger supporter of the trail community after picking up a complete stranger in traffic just because of affiliation with the AT.Thank you Keith, Rocky and Swamp Fox for being part of the AT community.