morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-01
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I guess I should explain why I was able to skip the last 30 miles from Standing Bear hostel to Hot Springs, NC. Last year I met traildawg out here on the A.T. for a weekend and we hiked that section. So my parents and I decided that since I have already hiked it I could ship it to hang out with them! Good Choice!We decided to go to the "hot springs" and sit so I could relax my muscles a while. Our appt for the Hot tub was at 2:45pm and was set up to last an hour. We got there, changed out clothes and waited until our tub was ready. It was right on the river too! Very warm and very relaxing and I'm happy. Hot food to eat, a bed to sleep in and a hot tub to soak in...who could as for more?
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today my parents and sister left to go home and back to work. I was very sad(and started crying) to see them leave today. Usually my mom cries but today it was me.I decided to take another zero day(zero day means zero miles for those who are wondering) to try and get my errands done. While heading into town to get fuel,I ran into Mark who had just come in off the trail. He told me that he and his wife Jenny were going to be heading into Asheville and invited me along. I said okay and told him where I was staying so he and his wife could pick me up later. I went to the grocery store and then came back to my room to pack up. Before I knew it,it was 1:30pm and Mark was knocking on my door. He and Jenny and myself set out for Asheville to eat Sushi and to go to greenlift whole foods. Mark also bought a digital camera.We didn't get back to Hot Springs until 8:15pm or so and I still had to finish packing up. I flipped on the T.V. and got my things together for the next day. My last night in a bed for a while. Hopefully I'll sleep well.P.S.I forgot to tell you that I also got a skirt today to hike in. I'm really excited about this! No more chaffing!!
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Hot springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I got up and met many of the other hikers who were in town for breakfast and the local diner. I tried to keep it light because I knew I would be hiking later on and did not want to be sick. Mark and Jenny and I took some pictures at the Alpine Motel and then Mark and I set off for the trail. We left around 10:45am and hiked 11.0 miles to Spring Mtn. shelter What a nice day! The first day I've been able to hike in the sun since the smokies. The temperature is still pretty cold but the sunshine makes up for that. I've found a new group of folds to hike with Nate,Nokia,Terrapin,Tweeter,Topper,Shooter and Striker,Steppenwolf,Stove-pipe and Super trooper. Everyone is really nice and closer to my age. Topper keeps us laughing alot. I also have met back up with Diana,Drewand Vetter(now known as Pip,Baumer and Vetter) and plan on keeping up with them for a while! Well tommorrow is a 16 miler so i'd better get some sleep!
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

What a day I've had today! I got up to a beatiful sunrise and warmer(still like 50)day and hiked a great hike! Today I went up to another firetower and then out to some cliffs for lunch. After the Cliffs there was a nice ridge hike where the A.T. literally walks the spine of the mountain for about a mile or so! What nice views! My knee started acting up except this time it was my left knee and it was only hurting when I had to bend it pretty far to step down from some big rocks! My heels are also somewhat sore(my achilles tendon area) and I've been told that it is probably from my calves being so tight and overworked. I'm trying to massage and rub my feet and heels each night before bed and that usually helps them to feel better by morning. However, by about the 11th or 12th mile the pain creeps back up again and slows me down shomewhat. I guess this is still part of the breaking-in phase that many hikers go through. I think once the weather warms up it will help also. I'm pretty sleepy, so until tomorrow...goodnight.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Today was a tough day. I woke up with my menstral and to clouds with slight rain. I also appeared to be invisible last night in the shelter because both people sleeping beside me tried to squiah me all night! I felt somewhat claustrophobic but eventually fell asleep. The clouds stayed around all day and it sprinkled a little bit but not too bad. We had a hard climb(like 1,000 ft in a mile)up to the top of the ridge and then once we were up,it seemed like it took forever before we finally made it to the shelter. Along the way,I saw 3 chipmunks scurrying along some logs. They were so cute!While at the shelter,Seth got a nice fire going and we all sat around and talked for a bit. Some of our group decided to go on down to Sam's Gap for a cinco de mayo party that was being thrown for any thru-hiker that wanted to attend. I considered but declined because I want to try and get some good sleep tonight instead of camping in the rain. I might have made the wrong choice but it seems right now(I'm cozy and warm in my sleeping bag!) Tommorrow Mark is moving on and doing a 20 mile day while myself,Nokis and Nate are only doing like 14 or so. Hopefully I'll be in Erwin on Saturday! Hot Food and Hot Shower-oh boy!
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap(field)
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: few clouds

So this morning we all got up somewhat early to try and make it down to the breakfast trail magic at Sam's Gap. Well,we ended up making it and man was it worth it! Pancakes,coffee and scrambled eggs! Yummie! Just the pick me up I needed! Glen and Amethyst are the people running the farm(their picture is in the photo section) and are very nice to open up their home to all us hikers! We then left there and pushed on. The first climb was pretty easy. Once we got up to the top,it was a huge open bald! Like the "Sound of Music" and very inviting for a sit down-Koolaid break. Once I made my kool-aid everyone else wanted some too. Of course I shared and everyone was happy! We then pushed on to the next bald and sat to eat lunch. We were tempted to say at the Bald Mtn Shelter because it was so beautiful but decided to push on the Spivey Gap. We all tented in this awesome field because .1 miles away from the road. We made a fire and stayed up til about midnight. We tried to devise a plan to get up at 4am and hike the 11 miles into town(in order to beat the rush of people ahead of us) however that means only 4 hrs of sleep so we'll see how it goes. I'm guessing no one will get up that early.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Spivey Gap (field)

To: Super 8 Motel (Erwin, TN)
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Last night around 1am we were visted by a pack of wild coyotes! Kind of scary but cool to know that there are wild animals out here even if I haven't seen them with my eyes. We did get up early(5:30am) but it definately was not 4am! We made it into town around 12:30pm and decided to hit Erwin burrito for some lunch! I got a veggie burrito(that was huge) with a Mr Pibb. Soda is not something I drink on a regular basis but it sure tastes good after being in the woods for a few days. We then went to Miss Janet's House(a well known hostel in Erwin tn)to see if there were any beds available and there weren't. We then went to the Super 8 and stayed. It was actually a nice place. Myself,Timshel,Jka,Nokia all got a room together(only $17 a person) We all got our laundry together and Timshel and I went to CVS to get laundry detergent and fabric softner(I also finally got a razor to shave my hairy pits and legs-Kim I know you are very happy about this)and headed back to the toom. As we were on our way back, Timshel recognized a couple driving a green pick-up. They asked us if we needed a ride and me, not knowing that Timshel knew then I was hesitant however once Timshel told me who they were we agreed to a ride. They invited us to dinner at the pizza hut (I love pizza hut) I learned that there names were fal (free at last) and hercules and that they do trail magic! They are also Christians and spoke with Timshel (who is also a Christian) and I about their relationship with people and God. Very cool to hear about how God works and can bring people together. We then went back to the room and I finally fot to take a shower and become a girl again (instead of the smelly, hairy thing I had become). I was pretty tired and knew I was going to sleep good! I finally am ready to sleep and it's already 12:30am. Tomorrow we'll be heading to Miss Janet's House to say (because most of the hikers will be heading out) and taking a zero. A nice day to relax and chill and let my feet heal up.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Super 8 Motel

To: Miss Janets House
Miles today: 0.0

Today we got up and ate free continental breakfact and headed for Miss Janets. Beds available! yes! We have alot to do today. So I'll be writing back later on.HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM!I love you and miss you and wish I could be there to hug your neck.
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Miss Janet's House

To: Miss Janet's House
Miles today: 19.1

Yesterday ended up being a great day! I was able to talk to Mom and wish her a Happy Mother's Day as well as my Grandmorther, Aunts, and friends. It's nice to have my cell phone these past few days. I tried calling many of my friends back home too and it was so nice to hear familiar voices. Miss you guys!So today we(myself, Nokia, JKA, Timsel, Moss, Ziploc and Sweep)all did a 19 mile slack pack thanks to Miss Janet. She drove us north to Iron Gap around noon and we hiked south(back to Erwin)by 8:30pm. It was weird hiking south and passing other hikers that we know along the way. We also had to dress up in costumes(one of Miss Janet's rules for slack-packing)So everyone we saw on the trail wanted to take out picture. We all had a fun time laughing and hiking together.When we finally got back to Miss Janet's House, there were a ton of other hikers there. Some new faces and some old, Stump,Sherlock,Go,B-man,Captain Hook,Super Trooper,Mr fusion,Stove-pipe,Justin,Navigator,Nokia's friend Joe and Clock-Overall a pretty good crew but with that many people it got to be chaotic. Oh Well. I'm taking a shower and off to dreamland I go.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Miss Janet's House

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: moderate rain

So last night after I got out of the shower my friends Nokia and Timshel had gone to the grocery store and bought spaggetti and veggie tomato sauce with garlic bread for dinner. I was so psyched. I ate about 3 plates and felt so sleepy that I ended up going straight to bed. I slept pretty hard too because when I woke up my eyes were somewhat puffy.Miss Janet's ended up driving us back to Iron Gap around 12pm and off we went(me,Nokia,Timshel,brown tiger and the three blind mice). We started up the hill with our over stuffed packs(mine was so heavy due to food)and it started to rain on us. Then after about 15 mins of rain it started to hail! It kind of hurt too. It finally stopped after about 15 mins. We had all decided to meet up again at the Clyde Smith Shelter. Just as I came in from getting Water the rain came back and it was harder than before. As a group,we all had planned on going to Roan High Knob Shelter(another 6.4 miles)but once the rain started we all quickly changed our minds and opted to stay. Its nice to be dry. So tomorrow we will be climbing Roan Mtn. This is the last 6,000 footer until Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. Thank Goodness!
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I arose around 7:45am and stayed in my bag for a while. I finally got up and moving around at 8:15am or so and headed out for the trail around 9am.Roan Mtn was a tough one! It was 2,500 feet to climb in 2 1/2 miles. Once I made it up to the top,myself,ziploc and Sweep all gave each other a group hug for our "girl-power" effort we put into climbing the mountain. Today was the first time I have hiked with just girls since I've been out here! It was fun talking with them. We all had lunch on top of the mountain and as we were leaving another girl hiker arrived. I couldn't help but stare because she looked so familiar. Then it hit me. It was Scorch from '04 that I had met last year on Mt. Katahdin. We talked for a bit and she informed me that another girl named Mr. T was going to be in Damascus for traildays. I told her that Mr T had already emailed me and that I had her number to call her. We tald Scorch that we were heading out and that we would see her along the trail.As I got down to Carver's Gap(I was by myself at this point)I found my friends all sitting on the grass eating snacks and drinking sodas. It was trail magic from Silver Lining '03 and Hiker Biker Babe '03 We sat and chatted for a while. Scorch also came down and we started talking again about Mr. T. Scorch then informed that Mr. T. and London Lin were southbounding today to Overmountain Shelter! I was so excited! I had planned on going to Bradley Gap to camp but now that I knew Mr.T. was at the shelter I was staying there.I got to the shelter and talked with Mr. T. and London Lin(they both hiked in '04 with traildawg)for a while. This is so cool! Iam having so much fun out here! And the shelter is cool too! Its actually an old barn that has been converted to a shelter. The most amazing view too! I'm really glad we decided to stay here! Tomorrow I plan on going to Laurel Fork to camp...We'll see how it goes(It's like 18 miles or something...ugh)
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Campsite @ Laurel Fork
Miles today: 21.6

So today I got up early hoping for a nice sunrise from overmountain shelter but it was too hazy to see anything. I left the shelter around 8am and headed for Hump Mtn. Supposedly there are longhorned steer that roam around ontop of the mountain(it's a bald-this means no trees grow on top of the mtn. and it is usually covered with grass),but I didn't see any. The haze had cleared some,but the views were not that great.As I headed down towards 19e,me,timshel,nokia and ziploc found a gentleman by the name Jerry sitting down in the middle of the trail. At first glance I thought he had decided to sit and take a break,however when I got closer I noticed that his left shin was cut and bleeding pretty badly. He stated he didn't really know how he felt and it looked like he needed stitches. We offered to clean him up and help him carry his pack. Well,he let us bandage him,however he refused to let us carry his pack. After about a mile(we all were following him to make sure he was safe)We approached Apple House Shelter. Jerry then decided to hand over his pack and let us help him. Once we got to the road(19e)he walked to get his car and came and picked up his pack. I took down his info to make sure he makes it home alright. He lives in Marietta! What are the odds?Anyway,after Jerry was taken care of, Outrider,the trail angel offered us sodas and a ride to subway for lunch. I happily agreed! We took down some orders and brought it back for everyone. Once we finished lunch(about 2pm),we decided that we had better get moving.It was so hot! I think the temp got up in the 80's! We stopped at Jones Falls and all put our feet in for a while. It felt so nice!We finally made it to our spot around 10pm. That's right..I went night hiking. I actually really enjoyed it too. No sun beating down on me to make me hot and sweaty. I made some dinner and decided to sleep right under the stars. No tent needed tonight because it is so clear. Tomorrow we have 10.5 miles and then I get to see my Mom and Max! Yippie! Then we go on up to Damascus,Va for traildays. Should be a fun time! Hope it's not too crazy.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Campsite @ Laurel Fork

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: few clouds

Today I woke up to a strange buzzing noise above my head. As I opened my eyes I saw this big bee-like thing flying above me by about 1 1/2 feet. I was freaked out at first but once my eyes adjusted I realized it was a hummingbird. It was so neat! He floated there for about 5 minutes and then flew off. What an awesome way to wake-up! I am so lucky to be out here!I left camp around 7:30am and headed for Kincora. I made it to Moreland Gap Shelter (5 miles) around 10:30am and found Will just about to leave. He informed me that Timshel had just passed so I hurried to catch him. After about 10 min. I realized Timshel was further along than I thought and so I slowed down. Will caught up to me and he and I hiked together for the next hour or so. Just before we got to the Coon Den Falls trail,we stopped to take a break and Timshel walked up. He had taken a wrong turn on the logging road and had to turn back around to find the A.T. None the less he,myself and Will all set off for Kincora with about 2 miles left to go.We all made it to Dennis Cove road and were offered a ride to Kincora. We all hopped in the van and he dropped us off. My parents were already there waiting for me! We went to Subway for lunch and then headed out for Damascus. I hope its not too crazy. Probably a good thing my parents and i are staying out of town in Abingdon. We'll see.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Kincora Hikers Hostel

To: Trail Days (Damascus, VA)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was so much fun! We got into Damascus around 10am and I already started seeing people I knew. I ran into Hooky (one of traildawg's friends) early and spoke with her a bit and then my parents and I decided to go over to the vendors. Pretty interesting stuff. Good food and a talent show put on by hikers. I think a guy named crazy horse won. We stayed in town until about 6pm and then decided to go back to abingdon for dinner. Oh yea-last night I got to go to the movies and see Monster-in-law. Talk about hilarious! Me and my parents were cracking up!Well tomorrow I'm going back to Damascus for hard core trail maintenance. We (hikers and the ATC along with the eastman tennessee hiking club) are going to re-route part of the A.T. I might even get to paint a blaze! It's supposed to rain but hopefully not.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Trail Days (Damascus, VA)

To: Hard Core Maintenance (Kincora Hikers Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a hard day maintaining the A.T. We built some stone steps and new trail. The stone steps were cool to make because we first had to mine the rocks/boulders and then dig out the area to place them in and then put the dirt back around them to hold them in place. It did rain at first but then by midday it stopped.Overall, a fun day. We also fot free dinner(veggie burger and veggie baked beans)and homemade strawberry shortcake for dessert. Yummy!Bob Peoples(the guy who runs the Kincora hostel and Hard Core and is also a part of the Eastman Tennessee Hiking Club)presented each and every one of us with patches. Pretty cool. I feel like I am a part of the trail now and like I have given back in some way.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Hard Core Maintenance (Kincora Hikers Hostel)

To: Hard Core Maintenance (Kincora Hikers Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

Another day of hard work done making new trail. Today I got to work alongside Bob! He approached Timshel and I and asked if we could come and work with him. I happily accepted. We were assigned to make a sidewalk(this is where the trail needs a log alongside it along with dirt to make it level). We had to find the log,then find stakes to hold it in place, then mine rocks to keep it sturdy,then mine dirt/clay to fill it in. I felt accomplished! At the end of the day our whole group re-routed 2,300 ft of trail, built a rock trail across the creek and painted new blazes! I was lucky because I actually got to paint a blaze right beside where Bob,Timshel and I made our sidewalk! Awesome! We all went back to Kincora to sleep and Baltimore Jack(a legent on the trail-he has hiked like 17 times)cooked us dinner. Homemade Spaggetti and garlic bread with salad and then a variety of ice cream for dessert. Baltimore Jack can really cook up some good food!Well, I'm very tired now and tomorrow we are hiking out 10 or so miles. Until then, goodnight.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Hard Core Maintenance (Kincora Hikers Hostel)

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

So today ended up being a harder day than I had anticipated. People have been telling me that the hiking would be easy, however it was not.We (Timshel and I)started out around 9:30am and made it to Watauga Lake around 3pm. I must admit that I started to feel homesick due to the lake and realized that I would be missing an entire summer at home on the lake with my family. So I decided to call home. I talked to my mon and max for a while and then tried to call my sister. No Answer. At this point, I was really hot and sweaty/stinky so I decided to get into the lake to rinse off. As I did,the other swimmers that were nearby all got out of the water. I had to giggle at myself because I guess it hadn't dawned on me how dirty and nasty I looked!After about 2 hrs of hanging out, Timshel and I headed out. We made it about 1/2 mile and found a ropeswing. Of course we both had to do it. That was probably the most fun I have had in a long time. Pretty scary too because it was so high above the lake. The water was cold but at least I got my shower for the day taken care of.I am now at the shelter and I am camping out underneath the Rhododendron and stars. It is so beautiful! Tomorrow we have another climb so I should probably get some sleep.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Watuaga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.6

Today ended up being an easier hike than I thought it would be. The first climb up Iron Mtn. to Vandeventer Shelter was tough,but once we got there it was well worth the climb. This shelter had an amazing view that overlooked the lake and mountains. So nice! And I also got to meet Mr and Mrs Rosseau(trail angels)that gave Timshel and I a soda and some jello. They also told me that they knew Mt T. She is becoming famous I tell ya!We made it to the shelter(Iron Mtn)and found Stretch and Dutchman eating dinner. Captain Hook and his sister, Kate arrived shortly after we did and we all ended up sleeping in the shelter. Timshel and I were laughing so hard at the stupidest things but no one else seemed to mind. Stretch also chimed in with some funny comments which made me laugh even harder. My stomach aching-now. Any way,tomorrow we are headed for another shelter probably about 15 miles from here. Not too hard of a day but we'll see.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Iron Mtn. Shelter

To: The Place Hostel, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: overcast clouds

So today I did something a little crazy. I hiked 26 freaking miles! I know,I know but I felt good and the terrain was pretty flat so Timshel and I decided to go all the way to Damascus. It was awesome! We hiked in the dark and made it into town by 10:30pm. The last 10 miles we hiked in 3 1/2 hrs. That's insane! When we were walking through town we happened to notice that the pizza place was still open! Of course we went in! We got the biggest one they had and veggie all the way. We each ate our 1/2 and then I took a hot shower! ah! Ready for a nice sleep indoors with no bugs! How much better does it get?