morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Rich Mt. Fire Tower
Miles today: 8.2

Day #17 On The Trail!Well, I took the last two days off, both from hiking and from journaling. It was fantastic.Hot Springs is a sweet little hiker-friendly town with a population that hovers around 600. People even look you in the eye and say hello on the sidewalk.On Friday (I did next to nothing notable on Thursday) I did some laundry and waited for my friend Jessica to come to town, scoping the town out in the process. A music festival was being held in the town campground area all weekend, so lodging was fairly scarce. But, with the help of a local waitress, I discovered a sweet, free camping area, just down the river and across the state line.So, when Jessica arrived with 4 friends, we spent an hour in a hot minera bath at the hot springs resort spa, and retired to our lovely site on Paint Creek.And this morning, we mostly lazed around the creek, catching rays and soaking our feet, until the girls dropped me off in town, and I set back out late in the afternoon. And tonight, I sleep in a firetower after catching a long, hazy sunset.Next goal: make the 42 miles to Sam's Gap by midday Tuesday. Trail Angels will be slinging burgers. Oh yea.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Rich Mt. Fire Tower

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #18 On The Trail!Dear Diary-Last night I was oh so excited, laying down in my sleeping bag, writing my journal, eating an instant shepherd's pie thing my mom sent me, all while watching a sunset in a firetower with a 360 degree panoramic view. And then about half a dozen mice came out from their hiding places in the tower, and terrorized me until I fled below lay my tarp down on the grass and slept under the stars. Lesson learned there.But, when I opened my eyes this morning, I stared right into the sunrise, pink and hazy. So that was a nice way to start the day.The rest of today proved to be more or less ideal, with a thin cloud cover and cool temperatures. I realized that my math had been wrong about the distance to Sam's Gap and the Tuesday morning bbq provided my local 'trail angels,' and that I had 7 fewer miles to go than I had orignally thought. But my body is feeling agreeable to doing shorter diastances for the next few days.Towards the end of my journey today, the trail wandered along an exposed ridgline for about half of a mile. The footing was tricky, but it was very beautiful. I later learned that this was a recently cut 'addition' to the trail.When I arrived at the Jerry's Cabin Shelter, a trail maintenance volunteer named Cleaner was already here, keeping a nice fire in the fireplace and providing good area knowledge and conversation. Cleaner comes up about every two months and cleans out all of the rubbish from the shelters. Which is nice.There's rumors of some weather coming in over the next few days, and the temperatures could drop into the 50's during the day.Good thing I decided to wait a few more weeks before I shipped home my down jacket.Cheers
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day #19 On The Trail!(Posted Day 18 a few hours ago, so make sure to read that one too)Today was another great day of hiking. I forgot to realize that yesterday was the first day of May. Cool. Also, sometime this morning I passed the 300 mile mark somewhere near where the accompanying picture was taken. Which rocks!Notables of the day: probably saw the fewest amount of other hikers on the trail today, took notice of the higher percentage of trees that now have leaves on them, and passed the Shelton Graves Site, a neat civil war burial site atop a mountain in a lovely meadow decorated with carntions and other colorful flowers. (I got a pic with my other camera to be posted..... someday...)And now, arriving early, I sit at the Hogback Ridge Shelter, perfectly positioned to hike the 2.4 miles to Sam's Gap in the morning and acquire the advertised free hamburgers and goodies for all hikers. Let's hope it's not a rainout.Last night, my friend Daydreamer, recited a song written for him as a farewell present from his friends and family. One of the verses talked about wandering the woods and finding a new 'home' around very new corner. Just earlier that day I had been thinking, while enjoying a nice walking vista, about this sense I now have of really being 'in it.' And by this I mean, living on the trail, out in the woods, meeting new people, smelling like a campfire, and loving most every minute of it. I guess they say 'home is where the heart is.'And a cheeseburger every once in awhile doesn't hurt too much either.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #20 On The Trail!Another day, another rollercoaster. Both literally and metaphorically. Walking the AT can be flat at times, but averaging out trends over distances, it rarely seems so. There is always a hill to climb, followed soon after by a gap to drop down into, and then a climb up out of the gap... repeat ad infinitum. (Footnote: we did eclipse the 15% completion mark today)Last night, Daydreamer showed me how to properly identify Ramps, a wild type of onion. And they were very delicious, added in with my instant potatoes and tuna.Despite conflicting reports, we awoke to dry grounds this morning, and even saw patches of blue sky. So merrily we went down to Sam's Gap for a BBQ breakfast.In attendance at said BBQ: Brother of the Wind, Daydeamer, Stitch, Broadway, Metric, Low X, Fred, and a contingent of section hikers. There were comfy lawn chairs to sit in, an even a copy of the newspaper to pass around.Food was ready by 10:30, provided by a local cast of former thru and section hikers, all in their 50's and 60's. They sponsor such a feast every year around May 1st. They are awesome. By 11:00 I had finished my plate consiting of: a cheeseburger, a hotdog, two types of baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, three kinds of chips, 6 mini donuts, 3 cookies, 2 sodas and an ice cream sandwich. It was mucho fantastic really, and such a blessing to have the food and good company. From the gap, it was a steady 6 mile climb up and over big bald, another panoramic highlight of the trip so far. And then another 10 miles to the No Business Knob Shelter, the last 3 of which I hiked in the rain. But it was a lazy rain, with no wind, and the shelter is dry, with 7 of us keeping it nice and cozy.So, with the rain pelting our tin roof, I wander off into slumberland, dreaming of maybe just one more ice cream sandwich.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-04
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #21 On The Trail!(Picture is kinda lousy today, but.... it is a small glimpse into the shelter lifestyle)Well my friends, it rained last night and it was very cozy inside our little shelter. And this morning, our wet clothes from yesterday were still damp, and much colder. But, despite our sore state, my bunkmates and I managed a few chipper verses of 'Here Comes The Sun' as said object poked through the clouds for a brief moment.There was debate among us about whether to re-don our wet clothes in favor of keeping things in our pack dry, or to wear dry clothes in favor of being more comfortable. I chose the former, and an hour later into the day my shorts and shirt became dry, but my wool socks remained wet for the rest of the day. Can't win them all I guess.I made it down to Erwin around 10 or so, hoping to resupply really quick and get back on the trail in the early afternoon. Someone at the hostel where we left our packs had mentioned that the Food Lion in town had the best selection, so Daydreamer and I started our way in. A short while into our mission, we got held up at a train crossing for five munites as a freighter passed by. I gave Daydreamer a penny, and he deftly snuck it onto the tracks between cars. Now he has a neat souvenier.We quickly got picked up hitching, and our ride mentioned a cheap pizza buffet next to the IGA. 2 hours later, we had full bellies and food to last us through the coming weekend.And onward we went with Broadway to the Cherry Maple Gap Shelter. There we found a robust crowd, and it has been nothing but laughs for the last few hours. Rumor has it that it may snow in the mountains tonight.So, everyone is snuggled up in bed.... before 8 pm.But at least we have dry clothes for tomorrow.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Day #22 On The Trail!Today marked the beginning of week four of my journey. Wow.Last night, we had a full house at the shelter, and with the coldest night I've experienced so far, everyone was a little slow to rise in the morning. But, we were all in good spirits, as it proved to be a most lively bunch. Example: a quick flashback to the day before when we witnessed a young gentleman assemble a tortilla 'snack wrap' containing peanut butter, vanilla frosting, honey, crumbled chips ahoy cookies, and at the very center of it was a snickers bar. Delicious.Daydreamer, who has been my hiking partner of choice for a few days now, and I decided we would shoot to make it the 22 miles to the Clyde Smith shelter, and set out a little before 9. Withing a few hours we reached a nice little bald, and what with the weather being absolutely fantastic, decided to throw my frisbee around for a few minutes. Great call. I need to do that more often.From there we had a nice climb over the next few miles. The spruce trees on the mountain had apparently frozen overnight, because they were melting and dropping large globs of ice and water as I walked beneath them. It was quite musical really.We stopped for a quick lunch of apples, carrots and peanut butter. Always good to have some fresh food for a snack. And then the last half of the day proved to be fairly grueling, as I surged ahead of my pal, thinking he was not too far behind. When I got to greasy gap, I stopped to wait for him, as he had mentioned wanting to stay at the hostel there. But word came up the trail that he was having issues, maybe shin splints, so I left him a note on a tree, and gave some special K-tape to a friend to give to him at the hostel.When I arrived at the shelter, the area was pretty packed out, with several section hikers joining our ranks. But there was a nice fire going, and decent company, so it is all working out well enough. Somebody mentioned that it was 'Cinco de Mayo.' I asked him what that meant. Neither of us really knew a good answer.Tomorrow I summit Roan Mountain, the last 6,000 footer until New Hampshire. And it looks like a bear of a climb.But the view at the top should be glorious. A mere speedbump in an otherwise typical morning.Cheers
Date: 2011-05-06
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 23.0

Day #23 On The Trail!And today, on the 6th day of May, halfway between spring and summer, in the month of my birth, I got snowed upon. It almost made me laugh, but mostly it was cold.In my last post, I mentioned that the ever formidable Roan Mountain loomed ahead. It proved to be the most challenging climb so far on the trail, in my opinion. There have been longer climbs, and there have been steeper climbs, but this one was a combination of the two, gaining 2,200 feet in 3 miles. And, again, it was snowing.I actually got really lucky on this one. I was one of the first people out of camp. My intention was to get up and over the mountain as soon as possible, because I had heard some precipitous weather might be coming in. About halfway up the mountain fine little snow pellets started coming down. By the time I reached the top, it was snowing. But to be truly honest, it was barely snowing. And, here's the lucky part, it never once turned to rain or sleet. Talking to hikers who came over after me, I learned that most people had a miserable time due to sleety conditions and slippery roots and rocks.On my way down the mountain, I picked up a piece of gear left on the trail. 7 miles later, I caught up with three older gentlemen, and it turned out to be one of their Bivy Sacks that had fallen from a pack. He didn't even know he had lost it.I paused for lunch at the Overmountain Shelter, which was in quite a lovely spot. The shelter itself is an old barn with sleeping space on two levels. There was a gang of 6 section hikers there, and I engaged them in a round of frisbee throwing.And then, two long, but beautiful cimbs over little hump and big hump, and I found myself steadily dropping down into the Apple House shelter, where I pitched my tarp for the evening. (The shelter is said to be haunted, not that I believe in such things)In all, I think this is the most arduous day I have had thus far, with steep climbs and interesting weather. So, I rewarded myself with two dinners, a few handfuls of craisins and a bag of sour gummy worms for dessert.The terrain for tomorrow, and the next week or so, seems much more forgiving. Hoping to make it to the Kincora Hostel tomorrow afternoon. I have a feeling some familiar faces may be lurking thereabouts.And if not, I hear the owner is quite the story teller.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-07
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 24.9

Day #24 On The Trail!Today, I will keep my entry brief. The hiking was exceptional today with long stretches of relatively flat ground, and no extreme climbs. I made it the 25 miles to the Kincora Hostel with relative ease. The weather was very ideal, sunny in the morning, with a slow developin cloud cover to keep it cool in the afternoon. There were several idyllic streams and rivers along the walk today, and I lost count of all of the butterflies I saw.The Kincora hostel is in the middle of its busiest week, and it seems I have secured either a cot in the woodshed, or a spot on the common area couch. Tomorrow, I will probably claim one of the bunks in the morning, before we go into town for a store run. And then I will take the day off. From here to Damascus is only 50 miles, and camping for trail days doesn't open until Thursday.I ran into my friends Blackfoot and Smiley, and they seem to be well, and well rested. Smiley is making a meal of some fresh veggies, and it looks to be quite fantastic.Don't forget to be thankful for your mother tomorrow.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Day #25 On The Trail! (Kinda)Having busted out a few long days in a row, I decided to take the day off at the Kincora Hostel. This place is quite amazing, and like most hostels on the trail, very simple. Bob Peoples, the proprieter, is one of the most generous and giving individuals on the trail, and has aided tens of thousands of hikers in his days. The hostel consists of Bob's house and a bunkhouse with beds for 17 people that also has a small common space with a full kitchen. There is also tent space out back, two cots in the woodshed and a tree house that has been sequestered by close friends of Bob. Last night, I think close to 30 people stayed here, with 5 fellas sleeping cowboy style on the front porch. There is one shower, two toilets and a laundry room also. All very cozy and communal and nice. Bob's place comes at a recommended $4 donation, but most people give more.When I arrived yesterday, I took a shower for the first time in 8 days, shaved my 12 day old beard, washed my clothes , brushed my teeth for the first time in what seems like forever, and came out feeling rather stellar. (Just kidding about the teeth part mom, I brush twice a day, sometimes more). And Baltimore Jack gave me a slice of pizza and a Dr. Pepper.As soon as I awoke this morning, I made sure to secure a recently vacated bunk before heading into town for supplies. Some fellow hikers sponsored breakfast for everybody with bacon, eggs, donuts, cake, and cantaloupe just before the town shuttle left. And upon returning from town I had fried chicken, a banana, ice cream, popcorn and fudge for second breakfast. Later I had some cheez-its too.So, mostly it's been a lazy day, meeting new friends, and sme old ones showed up too. I think I will ease my way into Damascus for the weekend Trail Days festival, leaving tomorrow sometime and arriving early Thursday. I think I have secured myself a couch with someone on couchsurfing.org, which rocks.Tonight, I feast on spaghetti with sausage and sleep in a real-ish bed. Isn't life grand.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Day #26 On The Trail!Dear Diary-The Kincora Hostel was, to quote my friend Low Expectations, marvelous. Last night I was able to share some super spaghetti I had made with some friends who arrived too late for the town shuttle. It had spicy sausage, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, onions, and the Newman's Own Sockarooni sauce. Quite marvelous. A gal named DVD had me write down a list of everything that I ate throughout the day. Here it is:Scrambled eggsBacon1 Krispy Kreme donut w/ chocolate frosting2 Pieces of cake2 Slices of cantaloupe3 Pieces of Fried Chicken1 Glass of OJ5 Pieces of fudgePopcorn1 Box of Cheez-its4 Bowls of ice cream (3 cookies and cream, 1 neopolitan)1 Thai instant coffee3 Bananas1 Orange2 Slices of Digiornio supreme pizza1 Large plate of super spaghetti2 Oatmeal cookiesA handful of fritosMore popcornIt was a good day.This morning I took a shower, my third in as may days, said farewell to friends and hit the trail around 10:30. Within the first hour, I found myself at the bottom of the pictured waterfall. Nice. I hoped to go 10 miles to the Watauga Lake Shelter, but when I got there, it wasn't that nice of a site. And also, my friend Daydreamer had left a note in the shelter log book that he was going to be 1 shelter ahead, so I figured 7 more miles couldn't hurt.In this, I have learned that it is best not to make concrete plans on the trail, and to instead begin the day with a slurry of potential options. Having a plan on the trail is a lot like going to a new barber. It may seem like things are going well and as the should, but often at the end of the day you are left thinking, "what the heck happened?"Tomorrow we plan on hiking only 6 miles.But there are options.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-05-10
From: Vandevinter Shelter

To: Iron Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 6.7

Day #27 On The Trail!(Attatched photo is not from camping on Iron Mt., but I like the photo)Well, today was a pleasant day on the trail. Some people call it a near-o when you hike few miles in a day. But I feel like we accomplished a good amount of stuff today.First, we woke at 6 a.m. to watch the sunrise, which was a little on the lackluster side, but the thought was there at least. Then Daydreamer and I crawled back into our respective sacks until the more decent time of 9:30. By the time 11 rolled around two fellas, who are part of a group I call 'the four dudes,' sauntered into camp for lunch. So yea, it was time to move on.We got to camp around 2, and it was a lovely day of gathering firewood, eating and meeting all sorts of new people who had joined us in the area. I think I just counted 12 tents, in addition to the 7 of us in the shelter. Everyone's headed into the trail days, which should prove to be a most engaging time.I had the chance to call my couchsurf host on Monday, and he seemed to be most charitable and nice. He lives 2 miles out of town, and there is a walking/biking trail that leads right into town. Quite ideal really.Today we passed the 20% completion mark for the AT. Wow. Gotta love milestones.Cheers
Date: 2011-05-11
From: Iron Mt. Shelter

To: 2 Miles Shy of Damascus
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #28 On The Trail!(Just posted day 27 also, so check it out if you like)Dear Diary-Today I am writing from the great state of Virginia. For the last few weeks, ever since the Smokies really, I have been largely unsure whether I was in N. Carolina or Tennessee. But now it's official, and I can cross both states off of my list, on this the last day of my fourth week of hiking.After I wrote last night, a storm came in around 10:30, just after a few late stragglers wandered into camp. It rained heavily on and off all night, but me and my bunkmates were high and dry in our shelter. But the thunder was intense. Thunder so loud and near that it made the whole mountain quiver. And lightning so bright I could look out and see the entire camp illuminated. Fairly awesome really.This morning, I made a quick round talking to all of the fellow campers, and most people made out alright, with a few wet sleeping bags here and there.The hiking today went very smoothly. I think I felt the best that I have today since I got into Hot Springs. And I haven't needed to take any ibuprofen for the last four days for anything at all. Early on in the day, I came across the fabled 'orange box,' a cache of goodies stocked by a local church. So I had myself a nice cold Coca-Cola and a Little Debbie treat and I went merrily on my way. Thanks trail angels.From Iron Mountain to Damascus, VA is about 26.2 miles, and several people I was with were wanting to do the "Damscus Marathon," but with limited lodging in town and the beginning of Trail Days still a day off, I decided to camp 2 miles out of town, and mosey in sometime in the morning.There is a free food eating contest with prizes for the top 3 contestants at 2:30 tomorrow. I feel confident about my chances of victory. But really, it's a win-win situation.In all, I hear it will be a weekend of good times and lots of free shwag. And maybe there will be some Dr. Pepper too.Cheersblog directory