morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Last nights evening of rain and Hot Springs was full of hikers waiting for the weather to improve before moving North to Katahdin. Several had stayed a couple days hoping the rain would stop. DT and I had tried several places but all were full, and ended up at the Ducket House B&B. which was nice but more expensive.  I am still trying to keep to a ten dollar a day budget including food, hostels, equipment etc. BUT, I really needed a new alcohol stove (my 3 year old homemade soda pop can stove finally leaked) and had been borrowing DT's. So, only $30 later at the outfitters, I had a new superlite weight titanium one. I consider it my birthday present to me. I am 54 today and feel 154 years old after the wet long hike even though it was actually a short eleven mile day for us. We had dinner at the diner where I yogied a ride from a lady leaving the restaurant so we did not even have to walk the .5 miles back in the rain. In the morning we pigged out at the B&B All-You-Can-Eat breakfast as a birthday present from DT. Thanks Buddy! Then it was back in the rain for 11 miles of yuck and mud. We passed a beautiful camp site just at the top of the mountain north of Hot Springs; anothr place to return to in the future. As I lay in my tent now the rain continues but I have cell service, so am going to try to call every single one of my friends and family which will cheer me up.  It is so rare to get cell service in the middle of the wilderness. I miss everyone at home. I am so fortunate to be able to spend my birthday here on the Trail.
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

The rain continued, even after a cold wet night where I listened to the crash of thunder on the mountaintop more than slept. This morning, everything was wet as tents can only do so much. I tried for an hour to make a hot breakfast, but the wind and rain/mist kept it challenging. I settled for luke warm tea and headed off on my hike with the rain finally abating. After several hours, I came to Allen Gap where there was a TRAIL MAGIC sign telling hikers to go to a house only an extra 300 yards away. I left a note in the middle of the Trail for DT and went just to dry out if nothing more. What a pleasant surprise! Jodie and John Nelson ('Fall' and 'Hercules') and their friend Mike 'Bear' who had thru hiked the AT in 1999; then bought a home right on the AT to conduct a Christian Ministry. They provided hot or cold drinks, waffles, BBQ Pork sandwiches, hot soup, chicken Quesadillas followed by deserts including home made pies with ice cream! Yes, I tried it ALL! After all, I had to kill an hour waiting for DT, then he too ate for an hour. Just before we left Jodie brought out a big piece of apple pie with a candle on it for my "birthday". I almost cried.  Trail Magic is really something!Although the sun had come out, we stopped after only 8.6 miles as it was 3 p.m. by then and all our gear and packs were still wet. I am always laughing at those who have 'schedules' of their planned hike. It never works past the first day folks. Just go, hike your own hike, have fun and enjoy the trip.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain campsite
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

After bold talk about doing a twenty-mile day, (making up for our town food stop laziness) we set off at 7:30 a.m. Three hours of climbing up and up and up lead to Big Firescald Knob, which from its 4360 foot peak you could see at least 70 miles. It was so nice to have a clear day. Absolutely the best views and rocky climb yet. One worth coming back for on a three or four day hike in. Hot Springs to Sams Gap looks good. After passing Jerry Cabin Shelter, there were some Confederate Soldier graves right beside the trail. After the Flint Mountain Sheltr, DT and I felt like 20 miles was too much and stopped at a campsite on the Trail which was not a very good choice - A little room for slanty tents and that was about it. But, when you are dead tired you can sleep anywhere. I have been averaging 9 hours of sleep a night, usually 8 p.m. til 6 a.m. but wake up several times every night as I am drinking about 196 oz. of water per day including cooking water. Two multiple vitamin/minerals a day have also helped limit my leg cramps. When I have to get in the sleeping bag early due to cold or rain then I get leg cramps and so I try to exercise and stretch inside the tent to let my legs slowly adjust but sometimes they just cramp up anyway. It is painfull but not damaging except it leaves bruises sometimes they are that bad. My desire to average 15 miles a day is falling short but these mountains are so steep and high you just have to do what you can and let the plans be forgotten or you become miserable.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Flint Mountain campsite

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

A 7:15 a.m. start gave 'Dick Tracy' and I impetus to do a bigger day toward Irwin, TN which is our next re-supply in a town. Hogback Ridge was a tough long climb of 1500 feet and 7.9 miles of Trail, but noon found us ready to do the second half of the day. Unfortunately, I found the water source was more like a half mile off the Trail than as advertised at .03 mile. So, after going a mile total carrying water for DT and myself, I only got a 15 minute break instead of the hour I had planned. I am trying to take a longer noon break to let my body rest as I am dead at night when I finish. I thought perhaps a longer noon rest and better lunch might help and it has. At Sams Gap we were too early for Trail Magic which was posted for tomorrow and the day after. I am sure we will hear about how great it was later down the Trail. Oh well, we have had some great Trail Magic this year already. The plan was to stop at Low Gap which was 4 miles and a 3000 foot clumb less than what we ended up doing.   I missed the campsite as there was no sign. DT kept after me missing it too, and once we figured out what had happenned, we were too far north on the Trail and too late to go back. So, we made the extra big climb and reached the shelter with sore everything. A good meal of Ramen plus tuna and 4 cups of hot tea yummm! It is about 45 degrees and breezy up here tonight. DT made a roaring fire and we settled in for the night.   We met a section hiker who thru-hiked last year, 'Archaeeopteriz' (an early dinosaur), real name Jack, 52 yrs old former New Jerseyite who has lived in New Zealand for the past 7 years. He was an interesting person who had a lot to tell us about the NZ tribes, hiking there and his many adventures. Whether they were true or not didn't really matter, they were good stories to me.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The long cold night was mainly due to the incessant wind blowing into the open side of the shelter, right at us.  It would have been nice to have a tarp to cover the front which some shelters do have, it really helps keep the cold wind out. We awoke to 42 degrees and light rain that kept up until 10 a.m. High Rocks was a good climb and would have been worth it but saddly there were no views due to the persistent clouds and mist. The Trail turned mainly downhill and the sun came in and out regularly until I reached the goal shelter. I really wanted to go more miles, but we will be doing a short day into Erwin, TN tomorrow for re-supply anyway. Besides, there was no water nor campsites between this Shelter, the Nolichucky River and the road to Erwin. At the shelter we met a mom "Willow" and her 16 yr old son, Joseph (who has no trail name yet) from Black Mountain,N.C. who had come to hike a few days with her. I had seen Willows name in the logs along the trail and knew she was having major knee problems and had gone off the Trail for a few days rest. It is always great to meet up with someone so that you can put a face to the name in the logs. Nice family. We exchanged e mail addresses and photos. Another young couple that had stopped to chat last night joined us. They had gone on a few extra miles, got passed as they 'slept in' but caught us again at the shelter stop. That is frequently how it goes on the AT, you pass the same people, they pass you, hikers go on and off the Trail for a few days town stop, etc. so that you still move in a bunch along the way. Of course there are always those flyers like Butterfly that you see only once then they are gone to the end. Bronwin 'Dandelion' and her husband 'Social' (Brett) were thru-hiking and were stopping in Erwin for a few days so he could be a guest preacher at a local church. Obviously very good folks and we too exchanged photos and e mails. They are from TN so they are back close to home for now. The rain is starting again, but at least I am dry in the shelter for tonight, living for the now. It will be another cold night. My little tent and sleeping bag are home now and I am as content as I have ever been with life.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN Uncle Johnnys Hostel
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: broken clouds

An easy walk into a short town day to re-supply and try to make arrangements for a ride to the airport in Bryson, TN for next Thurs-Friday to go home for my daughter, Paula's College Graduation! I am so proud of her!I chose to stop at Uncle Johnnies and finally met John; a notorious Trail figure. Once settled in the rustic but nicely done private cabin for $20 a night (bath house 30 yards away with never-ending terrific hot water)I enjoyed a very long hot shower then we rode the free shuttle to the All You Can Eat (AYCE) buffet at Pizza Plus where Jesse, our waitress, was extremely sweet and refilled my large diet Pepsi at least five times. Jesse was the best and nicest server I have ever met. I made her take a photo with me just to remember that smile! After two plates of salad, fruit with cottage cheese, and five slices of pizza I waddled over to a Dollar General for snacks to carry out on the Trail; the hardware store for alcohol fuel, then on to White's grocery for my real food resupply. Back at the hiker hostel there was cold beer, gear to clean and dry out and Laundry Service at only $1.50 per load. Later a group of hikers got a ride into town (3 miles) to the Elm Restaurant where dinner was good and plentiful, but not truly exciting. Do you get the idea "real food" is a big deal for us hikers? The AYCE is usually favored over regular restaurants. I would opt for Pizza AYCE over the local restuarant fare.It was wonderful to actually sleep in a real bed again! Warm, soft bed. No one else snoring like in the shelters. Yawn. I just wish I had a sweetheart to share it with.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, the plan had been to do just 13 miles, but I felt soooo good after all that rest and food; and the rain was minimal so we just kept walking right on past Curley Maple Gap and up the next set of hills. The last five miles with Unaka Mt. was a series of 500 to 1000 foot ups and downs. Everyone was ready for a long nights sleep - 'Bare Bear', 'Dick Tracy', 'Willow', 'Donkey Love' and 'Corey' - when we reached Cherry Gap.   A good roaring fire cheered us up as the evening was once again cold and windy. What good company to spend an evening with. Everyone shares their experiences hiking and let you peek into their lives. Without a doubt the best part of thru hiking is the people you meet and get to know and I am sure some will become friends for the rest of my life.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

Another big miles day over very high terrain (over 6,000 feet several times) and very up and down.  Hughes. Sun, and then Roan Mountains all in one day. I bet we climbed up and down over 10,000 feet today! Totally exhausted but satisfied, as a hard goal was accomplished. I have heard that most hikers usually do three 10-mile days for this very difficult section. The group we had been with must have stopped short somewhere else but it will be colder for them in windy tents rather than a shelter. Shelters help a lot and this one is perfect. Here at the Roan Mountain Shelter, DT and I had the 1933 era solidly built CCC Fire Warden's (rebuilt twice since 1933) cabin-shelter all to ourselves. It has a door, with four real walls, and is chink sealed rather than the usual 3-sided shelters typical of the AT. That was good as there was no dry wood for a fire, the temperatures dropped to a windy 36F and we were able to wedge close the door to the cabin and cook inside which helped to heat it up a little. I slept with all my clothes on, my hat, gloves, fleece, rain coat, all inside my 15 degree sleeping bag. I was still cold. I have lost so much weight that I am cold all the time now unless I am hiking. The rain has continued for days now and none of our gear ever gets completely dry.  Again, it was a quick dinner, lots of extra cocoa to warm me inside then off to sleep early for a couple of very tired hikers.....Looking ahead to a short day tomorrow. It is going home time for my daughter's college graduation and party.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 1.5

An 8 a.m. start still had me downhill at Carvers Gap waiting for my ride back to Erwin, TN at 8:40 a.m.   I have had no cell service for several days so had been unable to update the pickup from the noon scheduled time, so I hiked up another mile onto the Grassy Ridge Bald, where I took pictures for 3 hours. 'DT' passed thru, then 'Willow'. I had saved 'Willow' some choice chocolate that she loves. I will really miss these great hikers and wish them well.  Hopefully, I can catch up when I return to the Trail next week. I met some day hikers including a lady from Bradenton, Fl a reporter named Dana Sanchez, cool! Back at Uncle Johnnys ($90 for the shuttle, including the trip to the airport on 5/5 and a cabin included tonight). I had a good shower, did laundry again then sat around talking to other hikers all day. 'Roni from Israel' whom I had helped out when he was doing the Florida Trail, showed up! He was not staying as he is "out of money" again. So he has been just hanging out on the hiker circuit since June 2002.   I am anxious to get home and see everyone there, but sad to leave the Trail too as I know it will be hard to go back to the hardships that are the daily life of an AT thru-hiker. It is difficult to describe the daily grind of walking mile after mile, day after day, in good weather and bad knowing you have to average 12 miles a day without any days off to make Katahdin, Maine by October 1st. Of course, hikers do take days off (zero days) or near- zero days off (Nero) where little mileage is gained. Thus, if you average 15 miles a day you "earn" a day off once a week. A lot of time and energy is spent going over the route yet to hike, mileages, plans, etc. but in the end it comes down to the individual. Do you have the persistence to work everyday at this job of the AT? It is a job and takes dedication and willpower. As the number of hikers who get off the Trail increases everyday in evidence of the harsh toll the trail demands I realize once again what an extreme challenge this is. Some hikers discuss 'getting off the Trail', others just disappear and you hear later that 'they went home'. Sometimes you can see they do not have the will to succeed, other times it is a total surprize because outwardly they seemed strong but disappear they do. Quitting is just not in me.I will not give up. I am determined to be one of the few that make it to Katahdin.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: 19 East flip flop

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 13.7

Due to a nice couple who needed a ride, I was able to flip flop from 19 East back to Carver Gap WITH my pack, although with no food, fuel or extra clothes. It was a very light 23 lb pack! Incredible views despite the rain and I felt like I was flying along at nearly 3.5 miles per hour which is almost twice as fast as usual. Great day and one less to make up later. I then drove the route from Carvers Gap back to Erwin, TN breaking a few speed limits; where I still made the AYCE Pizza and Salad Buffet before rushing to the Tri Cities Airport near Bristol, TN for the flight home. I made it with 45 minutes to spare and no security line waits in this airport! I am used to Tampa International which is bustling at all hours. Only three passengers getting onto an empty plane here in Bristol, Tn. The big load comes on board at the Charlotte Hub in North Carolina. I'll be back soon, still feeling full of energy from the relatively easy last two days.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: US 19 East, Roan Mt.

To: River campsite
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

Being home for five days was agonizing, wonderful, and definitely left me with mixed emotions. I wanted to be back on the Trail with my new hiker friends, but my daughter's college graduation was a once in a lifetime event. I am so proud of my daughter Paula and what she has accomplished so far. Flying out of Tampa, Fl was the slowest plane I have ever been on. After a late arriving US Air Flight, I was ready for the Trail at 12:30 p.m., but Ms. Janet (my shuttle ride) had not been able to pick me up until 1 p.m. so I had a large iced tea and organized my pack which is a good thing as I realized I had not replaced my toilet paper supply. The iced tea girl came to my rescue and fixed that minor problem by giving me a handful of paper napkins with a smile. You meet the nicest people on the Trail. Trail Legend and Trail Angel Ms. Janet was as kind as I had heard. She has been inviting hikers into her home, feeding them and shuttling them back and forth for years in and around Erwin,TN. It was nice to finally meet this Trail Legend. She did have some bad news though. She had a van load of hikers who were at the Johnson City Outfitters that she would have to pick up before taking me back to my ending point where I "got off the Trail". Hikers do not say someone "quit" they are just "off the Trail"....anyway it turned out we then had to go to lunch (Golden Corral). I did not eat as I had already eaten a salad at the Charlotte Airport so I would be ready to hike just as soon as I returned from Florida. BUT (don't you just hate those buts?) then one guy wanted to go to Walmart for new earphones, another wanted groceries, several wanted to go to a liquor store, etc., so I ended up not getting back to the Trail until after 4 p.m. (a very late start). That was driving me crazy but I tried hard not to let it show. These young kids (twenty-somethings) were all about PARTY and not much about TRAIL. Then, of course, the rain started - not real cold, just wet and uncomfortable. The big highlight of the day was a .2 mile detour to see Jones Falls which was as spectacular as advertised on the hikers grapevine in spite of the rain and growing darkness as night crept into the mountains. The original shelter goal of 15 miles was out of the question at this point, so I hiked late in the rain and reached a beautiful riverside campsite around 7:30 p.m. I still do not know exactly where it was. Two trail bars made up my dinner menu as I did not feel like sitting in the rain cooking; and a quick tent set up, bear bag hung and I got into the tent by 8 p.m. to dry out, write my journal, trying to pick up cell service...nope, then the mini-radio briefly for company while I relaxed back into Trail-mode once again after five hectic days off the path to Maine. Actually dispite the hectic day of flying from Florida back into TN, rushing back, all of the delays, it felt good to be 'home' again in my little tent.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: River campsite

To: Dennis Cove, TN Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 17.6

After a relatively rainy evening punctuated with shouts of kayakers going down the picturesque river until 9 p.m., I fell asleep to the sound of the rushing water and had a great nights sleep. Late at night I had heard another hiker come nearby and set up his tent but due to the rain I did not venture out. The next morning we met. I found out he had not even seen my tent in the dark and rain! He thought he was camping alone! The rain had abated overnight and I hit the Trail at 7 a.m. knowing the forecast was bad - rain for the next four days! Sure enough, by 9:30 a.m. it was pouring so I tried a new tactic by using a poncho over me and my pack. The commercial pack covers are all pretty much worthless in my opinion. I have tried several and they all work in a light rain but after that only gallon size Freezer Ziplock bags keep your stuff dry inside the pack. The 'poncho over the pack' worked to keep the pack and me dry but was hard to keep down in the harsh winds. The pocho material is thin and light and blows around in the wind. Heavier material would work better but would be ....yeah heavier. Weight is Everything. If I write a book about the AT, that will be the title! That idea is still under review. After five hours of steady hiking in an equally steady rain, I reached the Moreland Gap Shelter where I got a little dry and took an hour break to cook a mashed potatoes and tuna hot lunch. Unfortunately the rain, fog and mist kept the views to a minimum. There were a few nice waterfalls but again hard to photograph in the rain. After lunch I hiked on to Kincora Hiker Hostel run by Bob Peoples and his wife. Trail legends, they only ask for a $4 per day donation and this includes a bunk with mattress in a bunkhouse that has a shower, free laundry, phone and free shuttle to town. I was blown away and made sure to personally thank the Peoples who have been doing Trail maintenance and welcoming hikers to their home for 40 years. Bob is the coordinator for 'Hard Core', the Trail work by hikers for hikers associated with Trail Days in Damascus, VA. Awesome Guy!
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Dennis Cove, TN

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

Well friends, at least it did not rain yet...all day was gloomy, overcast and windy, but the rain held off so far. Last night was a long evening of fun talking to all the "floor space only" hikers at the hostel, listening to them talking way past midnight. I went to bed at my usual 9 p.m. (late night). I slept well and woke to sunshine for a few minutes, then the rain clouds rolled in once again. I finally decided to just go on and hope for the best. Many of the hikers were going to take another zero day at Kincora. The path was hard, but wonderful, filled with waterfalls, a skinny dip pool, and even a pond atop Pond Mountain which is a very steep 2k foot climb up to see it. At the shelter there was no view of the Lake, but the next shelter promises a better view due to the 1500 ft. higher elevation. Today I hiked with 'Janice' from upstate N.Y. Binghamton area. She has vetoed many trail names and still does not have one! I figure that earns her "Just Janice". She is 29 and a fast hiker, but slack-packed the first 9 miles while I carried my pack. Of the 17 people at the Hostel, I was the only one that left later in the morning that actually carried a pack. All the young guns slack packed until less than two miles from the shelter. To me it is a reflection of that entire generations less than stellar work ethic. Oh well, Hike Your Own Hike!   I am looking forward to "Trail Days" at Damascus, Va. May 19-21.