morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Old roaring fork shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC (Elmer's Hostel)
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Planned on an early start but our biggest day yet has taken its toll, so we had 30 more minutes than we expected. We should make it in to Hot Springs but not sure how Slip n'Slide is going to feel..It's hot again today and still no shelter from the sun. Big climb which started in the shade of the mountain but naturally ended up on the sunny side..The ground beneath the trees is now covered in a bed of wild flowers and the smell is wonderful, we are noticing when thing smell good, and BAD!! some one had measured 82F that's 28c before midday..(in the shade) WE are working our way down slowly as Slip n'Slide is in a bad way, but does not complain. I suggested going ahead and dumping my pack and coming back for his but he won't let me go.We did manage to get a signal on the blackberry so booked into the place to stay "elmer's sunnybank INN" walk with Brad, Bravo and Mud hen. Finally we started to hear and see the town. It's the first of a few towns that the TRAIL passes straight through, with White Blazes on the road in the town. We made it to the poat office before it shut, it was next door to the Pub,which was handy. Also the first one we have been in since on the TRAIL. Magic the outfitters had Vegan IceCream, well it was a hot day, walked back to Elmer's to check in, The Inn is amazing it's a house build in 1840 last restored in 1870 and it would take 6 months to see everything that's on the walls or in the bookcases.. It could tell a few stories I bet, missed booking in for dinner so we went back to the pub and ordered food and a few drinks, we sat there most of the night and the group just got bigger and bigger, we kept meeting hikers we had lost for a few days as most had take a zero here.. And we caught up with Iron Foot even if it was only for a night.. Back to the Inn, we actually had a double bed.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Hot Springs, NC (Elmer's Hostel)

To: hot springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day. Nice sleep, finally we got up for a fantastic breakfast. I got vegan waffles..And afterwards I was really full, we wandered to the post office and the outfitters. We did the usual, Laundry, caught up with some other hikers, arranged for a new filter to be delivered to Erwin, so only 4-5 days of adding drops and therefore horrible tasting water. Back to Elmer's and chilled in the garden on the porch, this house is truly amazing, seeing different things every time we look around it. We went down to the "Hot springs" to have a soak in the 102f water, and after I had a massage that Slip n'Slide had bought for me (late birthday present) It was fantastic and he sorted my leg out....for the moment anyway..Think I will try to have one every 270 miles!! ...If possible.Back to Elmers for Dinner via the pub, Vermont. Dinner served on the dot of 8pm .There was a full guest list, Again the food was fantastic and some of the meat eaters could not believe it was VEGAN.. Went to bed very very full..
Date: 2005-04-21
From: hot springs

To: Little Laurel shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke a few times during the night,think it was the full belly.We got up about 7am to pack as we are leaving Hot Springs. Great food for breakfast. the only problem was that we were still full from Dinner last night.Think my body has forgotten already what real food is, and so when we set off it was tough climbing out with 4-5 days food and very big bellys..oh and it was hot.Crossed the french broad river which is in madison county! more flowers growing as is the posion ivy. We stopped at the first shelter for lunch and moved onwards and upwards. Had planned on a 17 mile day wild camping when we find a suitable spot. The thunder rolled all afternoon but stayed away from us, but it was getting humid and even hotter, wish the leaves would hurry up and grow to provide some shade from the suns rays. About 15 miles we arrived at a road with a sign for Trail magic from thru-hikers from 99, so we turned away from the trail and walked on the road to this beautiful log cabin style house, they have provided Meat stew, cakes and soda's to 270 hikers so far this year. They had moved to live by trail as they missed it so much after their hike.Thanks FAL & HERCULES, We finally left and were back on the trail at 1840.. kept going and did not find any good spots so we decided to keep going till 2015 then we would camp as we would have 10 minutes of light, then moon light as the sky was still clear. At 2017 and we arrived at the Shelter, took a minute to select a site then to our left where the sun had gone down the clouds rolled in along with thunder and lightening . One look at each other told us we would be in the shelter tonight, just got our gear out when the rain started, and it was HEAVY, is there any other type.. naked son,York and Clearwater arrived and started to settle in but Naked and York went back to look for OX. Managed to get some food and then into sleeping bag (both put ear plugs in, hope the mice are staying in their own beds tonight)..
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Little Laurel shelter

To: devils fork Gap( Erwin, hotel)
Miles today: 15.5

Storm did not last that long, and it was warmer than the last time we stayed in a shelter, but the ear plugs were needed to hide the mice scratching and the snoring..Packed and set off, it looked like it was going to clear up but that did not last very long.Thunder started again.. we made it to Jerry cabin after a scramble up and along the ridge line with beautoful views into Tennessee to our left and North Carolina once again to our right.We stopped for lunch for about 30 minutes with 2 section hikers, AT3, Mud Hen, Clearwater, Brad and us.. 15 minutes after we left it started to rain and the thunder very quickly caught up with us. We got our rain coats on but deciced against the leggings as it was still warm.. Spent the next 2 and a half hours hiking in another storm, with two lightening rods each, we were walking on standing water as the ground beneath our feet was now rock, Hail oh and just as we reached a bald spot I could not count past one !!! then when we did get some shelter from the trees we were walking on a trail wide enough for two that was lined with very tall trees..We passed a few graves and at one spot just as Slip n'Slide was finished reading the inscriptions he moved his bad leg (which had been better for the last two days) he let out a scream as it went again. So he thinks someone from one of the graves reached out and grabbed his ankle (someone at the last shelter was telling of similar stories about the graves in the area from the American civil war) We had to slow our pace, even in the storm. We had planned on getting to Devils Fork gap to say hello to Naked son's parents that were driving down to see him and push on 2 miles or so to camp but now we will have to get off the trail..So his parents very kindly shipped us (7 in total) to ERWIN in two batches.. got rooms and out to dinner. There are at least 100 hikers in town as it is going to snow tomorrow and be 30f in Erwin so it will prob be 15f up in the mountains.. good move. We met the couple from Bristol we had emailed earlier in the year.. small world.. sharing a room with 4 men now..!
Date: 2005-04-23
From:  Erwin Hotel

To: Erwin Hotel
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Birthday Ingrid.........woke early but lazed in bed, eventually got up when we realised breckfast was included, you don't have to tell a hiker twice about food.. There are so may hikers in town because of the snow expected today and tonight. Slip n'Slide is not moving anywhere, met the couple we are been chatting to on the internet before we left and made up some ground on Iron Foot, he is 7 miles ahead of us and in the same hotel with Wanderer and 3 cats.Off to do some laundry, then stopped by the post office, Clare and Sarah thanks for the Green and Blacks and S n'S will enjoy the cadbury's. Sitting in the Library now up dating with Mud Hen, have sent a few more entries to Dad so hope by tomorrow to have filled the gap from earlied in the month and may even get a few photos on to the journal soon. No doubt I will come back to this date to add the evening activities..By the time we went back to laundry Ox and clearwater had collected it and were back in the hotel so we followed.. Got food at supermarket real vegetables!!. Let Slip n'Slide walk 200m to fast food joint (well I can't call them restaurants) but on way we upset some guy as we were standing outside his window for more than 6 seconds!!!Clare and the kids phoned and as per usual HAL was the first thing on Sarah and Conor's minds.. movie or two on the box with weather during the adverts..will we be here tomorrow, I hope not..
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Erwin Hotel

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Slip n'Slide got up early to get breakfast, then back to room for another cat nap while watching the weather station. Got up intime to say good bye to Naked's parents and York, he is off for a few days and they are dropping him back. Lazed about watching the snow come down while we decided what to do, Martin phoned and I phoned Jason to check on the house, when I phoned a second time I got to chat to Scott, I see that Hamish is using the HAL word shame that he is not there for him top hear.The snow is now coming down vertically so we booked in for another night.We are moving tomorrow!!! one way or another....Starting to go stir crazy so we headed out for a walk in the snow. Most things are shut ,but we pass a cinema so we may come back to try it out later.Stop by MISS Janets a Hiker hostel and a load more HIkers just came off the trail, got a lift to supermarket where we got lunch (fresh fruit and Veg) back to hotel to eat, caught the end of the SAN Marino GP. Aidan & Ingrid phoned, had a long chat then headed out to Erwin's finest cinema,2 choices went to the Interpreter which was OK, Did not think I would be at the flicks..3 cats, Ironfoot, Spry and One Thing crashed into the cinema just before the end to see the next showing.At times we could hear the other movie as it was much louder than ours..Left the cinema and there were blue skies all round but we could also see plenty of snow on the mountains where we are heading tomorrow. Wandered back to hotel.. congrats to the blamires on the new arrival, still no word from the Prices..and while I am at it hope Emma is doing well..We better leave tomorrow or other wise I think We will go mad. now sharing with 5 men!!
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Devil Fork GAp

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy birthday DAD 21 again..Just having breakfast and on interet so can fit a quick up date in, We ARE leaving, but it will be cold, Record low in Atlanta last night for April... think we may not get a lift back to gap till noon so if we are trying to get to a shelter it may be tricky..Walked over to Miss JANET's to wait for our lift. (it's a hiker hostel and Miss J. runs around looking after Hikers, she is a real Trail Angel). We finally set off from Devil Fork Gap just after 1300, looking doubtful that we will get to second Shelter...Trail Magic as we left the Gap, some one had left Apples and Soda's in the back of their pick up, Thanks.. The snow had melted at the lower elevations but as we climbed up there was more and more, on the trail itself it was mainly running water or slush, this made it tricky and very slippy, Luckly Slip n'Slide did not live up to his name..today. Even though there was so much snow I was feeling very hot as I was hiking in my heaver top again, so 1 hour in I had to remove my wet weather gear.. S n'S was happy to be in a sauna. Arrived at the first Shelter after 6 miles in good time had a very quick snack break, glad to be back in the woods we definately had cabin fever in town. Set off with Mud Hen intending to see how far we could get before the sun set, We left behind Ox and Clearwater,they were going to stay there but Naked son had not decided where he would be sleeping tonight. We pass by a camp ground 4 miles from the shelter, so far today no signs, so we are guessing our distances by the speed we think we are walking.. Big climb up to Big Bald where the sun is 15 minute from setting, hope we got some good photos. We Think we can make the shelter, just have to hope after all this that there is room as we expect showers tonight and as it late we would have to pitch our tent in the dark. It starts to get very cold and the snow under foot is now frozen again. At last we see a sign and turn off to the shelter.(16 miles in just 7 hours 20 minutes including breaks, and most of it was up) Glad I put my jacket on at the top of the Bald which was at 5516'..The shelter is still high 5100' so it will be cold. We are in lucky only 4 others there, including Vermont, we had not seen him since Hot Springs. The 3 of us set up in the shelter as the light faded, S n'S went to filter water (thanks to Mud Hen's Filter) and I start on food, we were a tad hungry and Very cold as our boots and feet were wet, we quickly got into our bags, I made sure I had lots of clothes on, oh and EAR plugs in, think it is even too cold for mice tonight but I am definately becoming less aware of them, either that or I just don't care. S n'S has been ok with regard to his shin splints so maybe the snow was a god send to make us take the time off. Only now he says his knees hurt..
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Nolichucky River (Miss Janet's Erwin)
Miles today: 16.9

As we arrived late it was hard getting up this this morinig, the others in the shelter were getting ready to leave so I wrote my journal and looked at what we could do today. We had thought there was a Shelter a few miles out from Erwin (we have to collect a bounce box, A package from New York, Slip n'Slid is expecting new Boots and a new filter, but it's 6 miles from town so I think we will try to get to the road to town and hitch to the post office. But it closes at 5pm so it will be tight. Mud Hen and us 2 leave before nine. The night was not as cold as I expected but I did have lots of clothes on and my rain jacket was wrapped around my feet..It was easier going today and we were always going to end up going down to the lower elevations as Erwin is at about 1700'. Made good time (still no signs on this section of the trail so we are guessing again). We finally cross a road where we realise we still have 11mile to go and only 4 hours so we leave Mud Hen and push to see if we can make it. 4.7 miles at about 3mph pace so that just may do it. We arrive at the second shelter out of water. But the water is back down the trail and we can not afford the time so we will have to go without for the last 6 miles..there are a few last up's before it levels off and soon we can hear the train from ERWIN.. the river is below us but we are still about 1800' higher than the road. We have to slow down as both our feet are sore (just realised we have done 33miles in 26 hours, no wonder they are a bit tender) finally get to the road (at 1522) and get a ride into the post office , so with 63 minute to go we get our packages, all that is except the one that my brother sent express, very expensively, to arrive by 3pm yesterday.. decisions decisions.. walk to miss Janet's but they are full, leave our gear and walk to shop to get food, get a lift back and an offer of the porch or a floor at Miss Janet's..which is why I am getting to write this today.. see it really is hard to leave Erwin.. Will stop by post office in the morning to see if it's in ..Martin has tracked it down to a nearby town, not sure why its at a nearby one and not this one.. (Sorry to hear about your loss Mary) we are both thinking of you, if you are stuck for ideas to do with your summer you could join us!!!!
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Nolichucky River (Miss Janet's Erwin)

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Happy Birthday Ruth! It rained during the night and I felt I was in a KLF video as we could hear the trains all night.Up before 8, Breakfast and off to Post Office, Parcel in, Bounced it to Roan Mountain as we got supplies yesterday. Chatting about the previous day's events.. Clearwater Naked and OX arrived just as we left. Got a lift back to the river and Jonny's..Started out in wet weather gear but had to stop and remove it within an hour. First 40 minutes was beautiful walking by the river. Past the first shelter and the trees are back to brown and leafless.. By 3pm it had started to snow hard, hiked into a very dark forest of fir trees at 5200'. took a short break, we want to get to a shelter before they all fill up as it will be cold and may snow all night.The new filter is working well. Did not like those tablets they make the water taste horrible..Evian it is not!, but filtered water tastes just as good if not better. A Deer crossed our path and just ignored us, also saw two Ladybirds on the trail. Down to Low gap and it started to snow for the third time today! last climb up and over to the shelter for tonight (and it's before 6pm), Mud Hen was there with two going south bound for a section hike. Cooked dinner and straight into our bags in the shelter. Chatted as the sun briefly put in an apperance before it set! COLD. Full shelter by night fall.
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Start of 2nd month.......Happy Birthday Colleen! oh and 3cats..Very very cold, did not sleep much at all, up at 0630 as we think we are going to have a Big day. We slept last night at 3900' and if we wanted to only do 15miles we would be sleeping at 6200' (highest shelter). I don't think so.. not with it so cold, saying that it was a beautiful morning and the sun was up with only blue skies all around us. Set off at 0740, walked quickly for the first 2.7 miles to Iron Mountain Gap. Removed outer layer and on to 1st shelter, we made good time and had at least 30minutes for lunch, still cool even in the sun. another layer off and we were now hiking in shorts and tech top. bit of a scramble over Rock knob @4920' where we all compared our altimiters on our watches.. 6 hard miles to top of Roan high, we made good time to start with but then the wind picked up, stopped and put on our rain gear, (10 minutse before this I said I would need sun screen soon for the first time in two weeks). We entered a dark forest and soon there was ice and snow on the ground, and you guessed it, Snow, at first pretty snow grains, then it got harder as we climbed higher, very slippy under foot. needed two short stops , but soon we were at a parking lot near the top where there once stood a hotel.The Tennessee- North Carolina border ran right through it and they sold liquer on the Tennessee side!.Too cold to hang about so on to the shelter at 6200' kept going, the next 30 minuteswere very pretty as the trail stayed flatish. It felt like christmas, but after crossing the road an on to Roan Bald was not so good, the snow was now wet, very cold and horizontal with winds of about 30mph. So it was a long slog over 3 balds. There should be Steer here but I guess they have more sense than to be out in this weather..Kept plodding on past the first of two shelters, no one there anyway. MudHen stopped there for a bit to adjust his pack but I was too cold to stop. We both slid in the wet mud. COLD DAMP WET.. finally see a sign for the last shelter. It's an old cow barn so I expect it to be in a semi sheltered spot.It houses 20 hikers and we must have ended up with nearly 30. No one wanted to sleep at over 6000'.We also finally caught Iron Foot. Changed clothes quickly and started getting warm food into us, felt much better. A few bats were flying around during the night. So biggest day so far and will not be this high again(6200) until New Hampshire.
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: US19E (Roan Mountain Buck's Place)
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: moderate rain

Slept on and off but better than the previous night, Up 6 ish to make a call of nature and the mist was rising up the valley, 20 minutes later it was raining. We got an early start with some warm food in our bellies, not long after we left the barn it was hose pipe rain again, then we were convinced that we were walking on the other side of yesterdays bald.. We started up little hump and once again the rain was horizontal, only this time the wind was about 50mph with gusts over 70. I could not stand up to hike over so I had do bend over using my poles like legs.. Got blown off the trail many times, and after little hump came Big Hump which, unsurprisingly was even bigger, These were both bald mountain tops. We think that every bald we have gone over has been wet & windy or snowing. The book says 'Vista' but we could hardly see each other. Feet very wet, but I can't stop my brain from trying to avoid big puddles. This went on for about an hour so my back was screaming by the end, but there was only one way out. I was even tempted to pick up a big rock and put it in my pack to see if that would help me stay on my feet. Finally we got to a shelter but as my feet were soaking we had to continue as they were getting too cold. Rain/sleet eased as we got to a really lush section of forest, we were pushing 3mph on levelish ground when Mud Hen took a big fall, he tore his rain Pants and knee, not 10 minute later on an even flater piece of ground I stood on a log and also tripped, no damage done, just a sore elbow and a small cut on my hand.! Never Never Step on a Wet log..Iron Foot caught us as we got to the road gap and this really nice man took us in the back of his NISSAN Titan V8 into the town of Roan Mountain. Thats when we knew the wind was at least 70mph on the balds as we were doing 50mph in his truck and it was nothing like the wind on the mountain. Got to Buck's Place where he was letting hikers stay in an appartment for free, with food and A BEER WASH next door!Never knew there was such a thing.. it was a drive thru Beer wash and yes they sold beer and yes you could do laundry. Mud Hen and I walked/hitched the 2.5 miles into the centre of town to go to the post office and did the same on the way back.. It's amazing how good a hot shower, dry feet and warm food makes you feel.. It's heavenLater the lady that gave us a lift back to Bucks place was in a car accident right in front of the diner as we watched, it got very exciting with fire trucks, ambulances and at least 5 different types of police/sherrif's cars around. They were all ok, its was just metal that was damaged. Few drinks at the WASH (well you never know if you will see one again) chilled and warmed up after 3 days of snow, where is the spring!!