morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-25
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Last night was interesting. We got in early yesterday (about 2:30) after only doing 11 miles out of Hot Springs. We thought about doing more but a storm was coming in so we put up our tent and ate lunch. We went to our tent to play cards, it was too windy at the shelter, but Santa took a nap instead because he didn't sleep well in town. I read my book . Had a few anxious moments because the trees were swaying violently in the wind and we were in this teeny tiny tent, but nothing fell on us and we survived the night unscathed. Santa woke at 5:30 just as the storm began. We foolishly didn't eat dinner-won't do that again.This morning we woke to a misty forest. It reminded me of a Winnie the Pooh episode our girls liked to watch when they were little.Some vertical climbs today which weren't appreciated. I really wish NC believed in switchbacks. We wanted to stop for ice cream at Mom's but got to the gap too early. From what other hikers told us tonight, it was a good miss. Two gaps later we walked a 1/2 mile to a hostel/general store only to find it closed. Not too excited about the extra mile!We lunched at Little Laurel Shelter- pepperoni, cheese, crackers and a meal (chicken, veggies and stuffing). Good thing we fueled up because there was another vertical climb! Then we got to the part of the trail that had a bad weather bypass because it was a ridge walk. It felt like hiking in New England except instead of stunted evergreens there were stunted rhododendrons. Then it was a relatively easy walk to our shelter for the night. Hung our tent, rain fly and footprint to dry, got water, cooked dinner, put up the tent and hung out and chatted with other hikers. It's going to be another long day tomorrow-15.1 miles-but we are feeling more competent and confident.
Date: 2016-03-26
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Quiet night at Jerry cabin shelter. We were with our usual crew- Large, White Rabbit, Clean Skittles, Magic and of course Cocoa Ken plus two section hikers.The morning started off tricky when we couldn't find the extra stakes but they were eventually found and we set off at 8:15. The first 6.3 miles flew by and we were sooo fast and started to make plans to go 21 miles. After a quick lunch we set off and the walking was good until a road crossing. We got to meet some section hikers with a ukulele which was fun and got some trail magic. AK had flown by us in search of ice cream. He's been disappointed two days in a row After the road crossing we started walking up and didn't stop for 4 miles where we went down for a mile and then back up for the longest mile ever! I never would have made it without the trail magic Starburst pack or the trail magic Thin Mint cookies I have been hoarding.Had a compliment from White Rabbit- as she passed she said "you smell good". Then at dinner tonight she said she hopes she has a marriage like ours. Made a tough day much better!A saying out here is HYOH (hike your own hike) but we are HOOH (hike our own hike). Sometimes it's hard when one wants to go further and the other doesn't or adjusting paces or expectations. But it's been almost 100 percent wonderful. It's great to hike with someone who understands and loves you. And who shares memories as you walk along and chat.Long walk tomorrow in the rain to set ourselves up to get into Erwin at a reasonable time on Monday.My one wish out here is for a female near my age. We have met some young women but no one in their 50s. A thank you to my friend Mary who email chats "girl stuff" with me.
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

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

Happy Easter! I had saved some of the Easter candy that the marcottes had sent us to give out to hikers today-they were most pleased.The weather was supposed to be terrible so we were quite happy that it wasn't raining when we woke up. We have had it rain in the night and have packed up a wet tent but we have not had to pack up in the rain-yet.Our plans today were to do ten miles to the next shelter and then depending on the weather the goal was 15 to a tenting spot but if we could go 20 to the second shelter that would be ideal to set us up for a Nero into Erwin. And we made it! The last mile was hard; not the terrain but our feet were hurting.A commentator on our blog asked if we could tell about the people we meet. I am going to try to highlight a hiker each night.Today's hiker is AK. He is a Steelers, Penguins and Pirates fan- and he's a Florida boy! He's awesome and very kind and thoughtful. He and Quick hiked in 20 double cheeseburgers for hikers. As we were finishing up our burgers, a day hiker came into camp thinking he could get food at the shelter. AK kindly took down his food bag and gave him the burger that he was saving for breakfast. AK also tried three times to hike in the ingredients for root beer floats but every store listed in his guidebook was closed or too sketchy to buy from. Unfortunately AK is not feeling well. Some section hikers went into Erwin today to rest up and get better.AK made some long hills seem easier for me yesterday by talking to me while we hiked. He wants to start a farm where people can pick fruit, plus a small farm stand and educational facilities.Off to sleep so I will be well rested for our walk into Erwin. We are all excited about the all you can eat pizza buffet for lunch and Hawgs and Dawgs for dinner. And showers!!!
Date: 2016-03-28
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.2

Yesterday was so hard. By the end of the day my feet and legs hurt. Large and White Rabbit came in later and Large and I commiserated a out the rocky, steep climbs and the length of the day. Thankfully the last miles were on the east side. Had a hard time getting to sleep because my feet hurt.It rained off and on but our tent is a champ. We woke at 5:30 to use the bathroom and then it started to rain- hard. Santa went back to sleep and I put in the iPod the girls sent me and listened to music and the rain. It let up about 6:45 so I woke him up and we quickly packed up and hit the trail. Awesome walk into Erwin. Hot shower, clean bed, restaurant food... what else can you ask for?Unfortunately we got a text from a friend recommending a place to stay after we had reservations with friends at a motel in town. Great dinner with Butter, AK, North Star and Cocoa Ken at Hawgs and Dawgs. Happy to have had a nap and lunch at Pizza Hut buffet today.Cocoa Ken has been hiking with us since right after Neel Gap*. We spend most nights at the same shelter or tenting spot and Nero or zero in the same towns. He has a girlfriend that is coming out to hike with him in NJ/PA. We hope we are still together and can meet her. She sounds like a fascinating lady.*Editor's Note: For the curious, Neel Gap is at mile marker 31.7 and they passed it on Day Five of their hike.
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Started this morning at the Super 8 in Erwin and walked about a mile to Hawgs and Dawgs for lunch. We were going to try the Choo Choo Cafe but they were closed for vacation. Hawgs and Dawgs was a good choice again- bbq quesadillas with sweet peppers and onions-yum!Lazed around, soaked the dirt out of my body in the tub (after another shower), watched Fixer Upper. A really relaxing zero day. Spent some time looking at AWOL's book. We are going to do 17 miles to a shelter or 12 to a camp site depending on how we are feeling on the long climb out of town. Our food bags are always full so the backpacks are heavy. We are sending some things home in about 8 days when we get to Damascus. That will lighten our load.Our contractor in NH introduced us to Russ and his 11 year old daughter who thru hiked last year SB. Russ has been very supportive and encouraging. My sister-in-law Martha is also one of our biggest cheerleaders. She always has positive words and advice for us. And my sister is just awesome. My oldest daughter has faithfully posted all our blog entries and our middle daughter has kept us well supplied with food and other necessities. We appreciate all the good wishes and support from friends, family and people we have met through our blog.*WARNING: Today's hiker highlight is the same people subject to the content warning in a previous entry. The following contains mature and upsetting content. WARNING*The hikers highlighted today are Optimist Dreamer and Baby Chicken. He hiked southbound after a series of tragedies. His dad died of a stroke, a brother died in an accident, a brother died of cancer, and his infant son was suffocated by the child's mother and boyfriend after a party. We were in a shelter with him when he revealed that he thought of ending his life there earlier in the year. He finished his hike and not knowing what else to do started hiking back to Maine. Along the way he met Baby Chicken whose husband of 20 years decided he didn't want to be married anymore. They are hiking together and trying to figure out what's next. We had some good conversations about God's purpose in our lives and how to seek answers.The hike is interesting but the people we are meeting makes it fascinating.
Date: 2016-03-30
From: Erwin, TN

To: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: clear sky

Relaxing night in Erwin watching Fixer Upper and rubbing Kelly's feet.Up early, ate breakfast at motel and off to trail by 7:30. We looked at a 12 mile day to a campsite or 17.1 to a shelter. It's always hard to tell how the climb out of town with a full food bag will go. Also concerned about thunderstorms that are predicted for tomorrow evening.When we got to the shelter, Cocoa had his tent set up but was looking over his book. We joined him and decided to head to a a campsite 4 miles away to give us more options for outrunning the weather tomorrow. Then we decided to go to the hostel because we had a maildrop and it wasn't that much farther. Those last two miles took forever!This is a very bizarre place but entertaining.I forgot to mention that as we came down into a gap we saw a man, a truck and camp chairs- trail magic! I got lemonade and a brownie. Santa got lemonade and an apple. We had an interesting talk with the trail angel. He is here in Erwin planting a Catholic Church. We discussed the various baptist churches in the region. Primitive (they use snakes in services), free will (once saved, always saved), and southern (very conservative). Gave Santa and I things to talk about as we hiked on.Magic is a young hiker that we have met from Ohio. His family owns a dairy farm that milks about 700 cows. We had some interesting chats about antibiotics and cows, grass-fed beef cows, and the humane farm movement. Magic has been a professional bull rider and gone to school for running farms. He's out hiking figuring out what he wants to do with his life. Very friendly and polite. He's fast so we won't get to hike with him for long but it's been educational and fun getting to know him.Long day- our longest yet and hopefully 17 miles to an enclosed shelter before the storms roll in.
Date: 2016-03-31
From: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The owner of the hostel made us a frozen pizza last night that was heavenly. We also drank two juices (me) and two sodas (Santa). The owner is eccentric but harmless. There were only two beds left inside and Cocoa kindly let us have them and he slept in the bunkhouse. In true Cocoa luck the door wouldn't stay shut so he wedged a broom to keep it closed and went to sleep. A hiker arriving at 3:30 am woke up the bunkhouse and Cocoa had to get up to wedge the door closed.Our goal today was the Over Mountain Shelter because it was a converted barn. The forecast is for thunderstorms overnight into the morning. Certainly didn't want to be in an open shelter or our tent tonight. We made it but it was a tough hike after our near marathon yesterday. Big, big climb up Roan Mountain. It was eerily beautiful and I think the views would have been fantastic if we weren't in our customary mist cloud.The climb over Jane Bald didn't look difficult in the book but it was steep and sooo windy. A couple hikers said they were actually blown down. It was close but both Santa and I kept our feet.We passed a shelter (open front) 2 miles before our end goal and it started to rain. We walked the last 2 miles in a very chilly rain. Not excited about putting on cold wet clothes tomorrow morning.We are sheltering with approximately 20 people in the second floor of a barn. There are lots of cracks and it's windy but the ceiling is good and no water is coming into the shelter. I am thankful again for my amazing sleeping bag.We made a mistake in our food drop schedule and have way too much food and food equals weight. Cocoa was not able to get a good resupply at Greasy Creek so we have the solution to both our problems. We are going to unload some of our food on him and he won't have to stop before Damascus for food and we will be able to close our food bags.Even though the hiking has been difficult and we feel slow, we are making incredible (for us) miles and are faster than we were when we started.Thankful to be warm and dry in my sleeping bag lying next to the man that has been my partner for almost 30 years!White Rabbit and LargeWe have been hiking with a father/daughter pair from Princeton, NJ. He used to make his girls walk the streets with him because they were "practicing to hike the AT". White Rabbit finished high school a year early, got accepted to Swarthmore and then took a gap year to hike. She got her name because she's fast, times herself and is obsessed with time. Her dad came with his trail name. She hikes in and gets set up then waits for her dad. He is usually in about 2 hours after her. White Rabbit makes him dinner and fusses over him. Some hikers have named them Large and In Charge. She usually determines how far they will go each day and he goes along with the plan. It has been really fun getting to know them.
Date: 2016-04-01
From: Overnountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

We met an interesting hiker named Red Bear. He seems to have all kinds of adventures. He really likes to night hike. Janes Bald where we were having trouble staying upright because of wind, he actually got blown over twice. It was hard to listen and actually hear his stories because of his vocabulary- he curses at least every third word. Very distracting. He and Santa were discussing the physics of who had a tougher time going over the bald. They concluded it was Santa because I have a lower center of gravity, have less surface area and my pack cover doesn't catch as much wind. I still think it was harder for me.Santa left trail mix in his side pocket to eat after dinner but forgot about it. As he was packing up this morning he noticed that a mouse had a yummy snack last night?Today's hike should have been easier. We started with a steep hike over a bald that had "numerous false summits" but then we had reasonable terrain. Santa slipped on such wet, slippery rocks and roots and strained a muscle in his leg, his boots are falling apart and we are tired after two big days. So we did 18 miles in 10 hours but it seemed really difficult.We would still do those big days because it got us up and over Roan Mountain (6000) feet before the storm, but our legs are tired.We pulled into the shelter and there is no tenting available. It's a nice, newer shelter with enough room for the people that are here. Our water source is a waterfall which is pretty special.Clean Skittles is today's featured hiker. He got his name because he forgot about a packet of Skittles and they went through the wash. They stained his clothes but the stain is fading. Clean Skittles's mom sent him Easter candy to Uncle Johnny's and a new shirt because she noticed his was getting too big. He's really fast but likes to get to shelters, build a fire and socialize so we hope to hike with him a bit longer.
Date: 2016-04-02
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Hampton, TN
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: broken clouds

Delightful night in a shelter near a waterfall last night. There were 4 of us on the lower level and 4 on the top- plenty of space. Great night's sleep.Today looked like an easy day and we were pretty excited. Semi big climb out of shelter and then lots of little ups and downs. We pulled into the first shelter for lunch and met a very negative man. He had started on Feb 14 and was disgusted by the cold, wind and rain. He also hates his relatives which is why he started so early. While Santa was taking care of some personal business, he turned to me and asked, "Are you afraid of me?" I answered "No, you seem angry but not with me." Who says things like that? Very happy to move on.We got to Laurel Falls and there were a lot of local people there since it was a sunny Saturday. The falls were spectacular.We climbed up to the shelter and it was kinda creepy. Very open and windy and too close to a road. So Santa, Cocoa and I made a mad dash a mile down the AT, a mile down a blue blaze trail and then half a mile road walk to Brown's Grocery and Braemar Castle Hostel. Nice place! Cocoa got a private room with shared bath and we got a private room and private bath. Clean sheets, a space heater and clean towels. So nice considering the places we have stayed lately.We walked into town and ate at a local diner, Laurel Fork Restaurant. Really delicious, well priced and good. And the waitress gave us a ride back to the hostel! I asked if we could call a cab and she volunteered to drive us to our home for the night.So I am fed, in a bed with sheets, showered, someone is washing my disgusting socks-all is well in my world!
Date: 2016-04-03
From: Hampton, TN

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Great night sleep at the hostel. Up and out by 7:40 this morning to walk the mile blue blaze to the AT. The plan was to walk 15.8 but we were feeling good and moved on.We saw a cooler on the side of the trail and were excited but it was empty Had our usual pepperoni, cheese and cracker lunch at a delightful shelter. It had been closed for two years because of bear activity.Moved on and crossed a road with printed signs proclaiming trail magic. Came in and there were burgers, brauts, lemonade, soda, beer and bean salad. Some of our trail buddies stayed for a couple hours and just ate and ate. We, who are older and slower, stayed long enough to chat and eat then moved on.We got to our intended destination at 3:40 and said, "we can do 7 more miles today." So ate a quick snack and on we went. We went about 3 1/2 miles and stopped at a gap to get water and cook dinner and then walked in to Iron Mountain. Long day, good terrain, and lots of miles. We caught up with Magic, White Rabbit, Large and North Star.We went past the Watuga Dam today. It was beautiful and Santa likes dams as much as I like waterfalls.We met Ash for the second time and had some time to chat. She got her nickname because her hat reminds people of Ash Ketchum, from the Pokemon tv show. He's the one with the Pikachu She isn't thru hiking because in May she needs to go to her boyfriend's graduation from grad school and she starts a job at a solar company in the Bay Area at the end of the summer. She's having a great time out here hiking.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 26.3

Last night Magic hiked in beer from the trail magic couple to share with hikers. We all joked with him because he and Quick were supposed to be hiking 37 miles into Damascus but Quick was still at the trail magic. Quick made it into camp about 8:40.Today we were hiking about 16 miles to the second shelter. It was a fairly easy hike and the shelter had so many black flies that we decided to move on to a campsite two miles from town to set ourselves up for an easy walk in. Then Santa says the magic words, "I think we are getting a thunderstorm soon." So I turned up the speed and we hiked our biggest day-26.3 miles in less than 12 hours. The last two miles into town were smooth and down Damascus is a quaint trail town. Lots of hostels and bed and breakfasts. But not very many places to eat Lots of hiker friends in town and we had a good dinner with Cocoa. The place we are is closed tomorrow night so we will have to do some exploring.Hiker highlight- QuickHe is a retired Navy guy. Joined out of school and went to college and then did intelligence work in Afghanistan. Very thoughtful and kind man who is going to law school when he's done with his hike.He rescued a couple who didn't know what they were getting into by flagging down a local to get them into town. The wife's plan of calling a cab to come get them when she had no service wasn't working.Quick met the woman from the trail couple at Spivey Gap. She had just finished an hour day section hike and was going to meet her friend who was going to pick her up but she had gotten lost. Quick stayed with her until her friend showed up (it was getting dark). So Quick's kindness was beneficial to all of us.
Date: 2016-04-05
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A zero day in Damascus Virginia. It's a strange trail town- a few hostels, bed and breakfast places but not even a cheap motel to be found. Meal choices are pretty limited. We ate lunch at a gas station food bar which wasn't terrible. Dinner at MoJos was great but they close at 5 so it was an early one- we got a salad to go for our second dinner Spent today doing our town chores. We moved from our first B&B- there was nothing wrong with it but she doesn't do laundry. The only laundromat in town is closed. So we moved down the street to a retired kindergarten teacher's B&B where we could get our laundry done (thanks for the suggestion Quick). She doesn't serve breakfast though. Our first place had breakfast but not enough for these hungry hikers. Our plan is to stop at MoJos for food on our way out of town.Santa went to the clinic today to have a minor physical ailment checked out. He was impressed by their care and he is totally fine.We also bought new shoes. Mine never dry out and I have been having problems with blisters. Hoping this help that problem. Santa's boots were falling apart and he's pretty excited about his new trail shoes. I also bought him a hiking pillow. He tried mine and decided he would like one also.We also picked up our mail drop (thanks Kristin). It's always exciting to see what special treats she adds. Today it was brownies!People have asked about our trail names. Santa got his because he has a big white beard, had a belly when we started (he's lost 30 pounds since then) and he wants to be a mall Santa when he grows up.My trail name came to me when we were section-hiking Mount Greylock, MA to Hanover, NH. I had taken a class on wondering- how to engage the natural curiosity young children have and use it to help them learn. I started a lot of sentences with "I wonder..." and the trail name Wonder was given to me.Tomorrow we head into the mountains of Virginia. We hope to slow down a bit and enjoy the trail more. But there is a storm coming in and we would like to be over and down Mount Rogers (about 5500 feet) before it hits. Also excited to see the wild ponies on this section.