morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-25
From: High Rock

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 12.9

I didn't get much sleep last night. Seemed every gnat bite itched at the same time. Anybody out there having a remedy that repels gnats and/or stops their bites from itching let me know. Seems I've tried everything, but nothing works. I'll always try something new. It was a beautiful day with no threat of storms so said the Weather Channel. Today's hike took me over Big and Little Bald. The hike to just get to Big Bald was brutal. From Big Bald one can see hundreds of miles in all directions. Last time I came over BB it was raining of course. Second time¢s the charm. When I get into Erwin this weekend and get to a motel computer I'll talk about my gear and some of the mental aspects of long distance hiking especially how it affects me in general. Like what I think about during a day's hike. I'll also talk about some of the others hikers I've met this year. Longtrail & Luncheon headed toward Big Bald View from Big Bald View from Big Bald Longtrail & Lunchbox taking in some sun on Big Bald
Date: 2011-05-26
From: Whistling Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night the wind blew hard in the high tree tops, but only slightly at ground level. I guess that's where Whistling Gap gets its name. Again I didn¢t sleep much because of all the itching from gnat bites. Saw one female hiker today with scores of gnat bites on her legs. Just nasty.I hiked into Erwin today so I could get some medication for my insect bites. I¢ve got some bites that are not gnat bites because they have swelled up much more than the gnat ones. Still they all itch like hell!I was off early today (8 am) for me. On warmer mornings I can muster up faster than cold ones. Had some early climbs that got me soaking wet from perspiration, but most of the hike to Erwin was downhill. I made the 13.5 miles to Erwin in 6.5 hours. The first place a hiker runs into just of the trail is Uncle Johnny¢s. I stopped in and Uncle Johnny was nice enough to give me a cold Blue Moon beer. Longtrail and Lunchbox arrive at Uncle Johnny¢s just shortly after I did. I met Birch and his dog there, formerly the Colorado Kid who I had last seen at Neel¢s Gap before he got off the trail for a wedding. Rain threatened so Uncle Johnny gave me a ride into Erwin to the Super 8 motel where I¢m writing this journal. My plan is to slack pack on Friday the 20 mile section from Iron Mountain Gap back to Erwin. I saw many blow downs today. Nolichucky River from a ridge above Erwin. The spread out town of Erwin. Birch, formerly the Colorado Kid at Uncle Johnny's
Date: 2011-05-27
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

It poured rain all night and with it still raining hard when I woke up so I decided to postpone my 20 mile slackpack hike until Saturday. So today was one of those in-town work days doing laundry, planning food resupply and picking up my replacement ULA OLM backpack at the P.O. Office. The pack was there so I mailed off the damaged pack back to ULA. Thanks Brian from ULA.I also went through my pack contents in efforts to decide on what items to send home that I no longer need. The key to items is duplicity. Items I decided to send home are my silk sleeping bag liner, light weight gloves, neck gaiter, lower half of convertible pants, compression shorts, 2 liter platypus, 6 liter platypus water tank and Marmot Wind Jacket. Close to two pounds my guess. It's almost June and I've been plenty warm in my tent at night the last week which is critical for me on item selection to send home. You only hope you make the right decision.The ULA OLM backpack has been superb aside from the manufacturer flaw that was corrected with the new pack just received. My NB MT811AT (they don't make this model anymore)have been great. This model has a wide toe box which NB changed with subsequent models released. They are now up to the MT814AT model. When I have to get new shoes it will a difficult decision on what to go with.Other standard gear are Smartwool expedition socks with a liner, Officio hiking shorts and a Capilene 1 shortsleve hiking shirt. I'm still keeping a pair of light weight longjohns and a Capilene 3 shirt for sleeping in case I still incur some cool nights. My ditty bag includes Ipod Nano for music and TV video (have not used much), extra HTC Thunderbolt phone battery, medication, ear plugs, and head lamp. My key piece of clothing is my down jacket which was my best piece of gear in 2009.Got some medication for my gnat bites. Feels better already. I must mention that the HTC Thunderbolt has been great with apps for radar,GPS to locate town places and more.Hikers just came in the hotel, I'll write more tomorrow............. New Balance MT811AT with Orange superfeet inserts. Stream Crossing
Date: 2011-05-28
From: Erwin, TN

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Got an early morning shuttle to Iron Mountain Gap which is about 20 miles north of Erwin, TN on the trail. This would be a slackpack back to Erwin today. The weather was absolutely beautiful; however, there was only one small minor problem. In my haste to catch my shuttle for today's hike Ileft my cell phone charging in the hotel room. Not a big problem other than I would not be able to take photos for today's journal entry. Bummer!I did this slackpack in 2009 with Phoenix, so I pretty much knew the details of today's hike. It started off easy enough going past Cherry Gap shelter. Then past Unaka Mountain which is a large stand of red spruce which is suppose to remind hikers of of the Maine woods. It didn't for me.It was a picture perfect day for pictures at Beauty Spot, but again I had no cell camera to pass on those photos. I did take a picture of Beauty Spot as I was coming down into Erwin. If you look closely at the top of the featured photograph you will see a kind of bare spot on top of the mountain in the center. That is Beauty Spot. It's just a large field on top of the mountain as you head down toward Erwin.Some people ask what I or other hikers think about during the day while hiking. When the hiking is easy or downhill I think about what's coming up next or around the next bend in the trail, things I can send home to make my pack lighter, my next trail town, things to ward off those pesky gnats and more. It's pretty much across the board. I have noticed that when hiking up steep climbs where I have to stop and rest that I tend to go into a day dream for seconds while resting for the moment. Perhaps it's because the the intensity of the climb and the endorphins are kicking maybe. It maybe the bodies way to divert the mind from the pain being incurred to something more bearable. Don't know, but I do know I experience these day dreams while hiking up steep hills all the time.My plan is still to meet Tagless on Monday at Overmountain shelter. From there we will hike into Damascus. Must stop while in trail towns. Must stop while in trail towns. Must stop while in trail towns.
Date: 2011-05-29
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Ash Gap
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

It was another beautiful morning with predicted highs in the 90's. I prepared myself mentally for one of the toughest climbs on the AT, Roan Mountain. I've been told that Hardcore has been working on Roan Mountain in efforts to install switch backs to make the climb up RM easier. There was evidence of Hardcore's work, but I don't think it diminished the severity of the climb up Roan. Should have left it just the way it was. The AT is suppose to be tough or everybody would be out here hiking it.I just took my time considering the heat of the day and took baby steps up the rocky mountain top. I had decided earlier that I would tent on top of the mountain in Ash Gap. It was a nice little meadow area at the top of the mountain.Tomorrow I just need to hike about 8 miles to Overmountain where I will meet Tagless who should arrive around 7 pm. New ULA replacement pack........................................... Side view of pack.................................................
Date: 2011-05-30
From: Ash Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy Memorial Day to all military personnel and their families and especially to those who gave their lives so that the rest of us could and can enjoy the freedoms we do today. Didn't sleep much last night, but I made up for it in the morning as I slept in not having to make many miles today in efforts to meet Tagless at Overmountain Shelter. When I got to Garvers Gap there must have been 200 tourists and 50 cars. Lines for the rest rooms were everywhere. I just kept hiking and was clear of the mob after a few miles up the trail. Got to Overmountain Shelter about 5:30 pm and set up my tent next to a smoldering fire pit. I put a few branches in the pit and had a nice fire going in no time. There were only two other hikers around in the shelter. Nice!I had some dinner while I waited for Tagless to arrive. He arrived right on time despite taking a wrong path for a while. He set up his tent and had dinner by the fire. It was a nice end to the day. It's nice to have some company for a change. It's hard to make out, but the two top bumps are Little Hump and Hump, mountains that we climb tomorrow. Deep green everywhere. Overmountain Shelter Tall iris splendor
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: US 19E - Mountain Harbour B & B
Miles today: 9.2

It was a muggy night in the tall grass 30 yards from the barn shelter. By morning my tent was drenched from condensation as if it had rained all night. Even my sleeping bag was wet from the knees down.Tagless and I packed up and headed towards Little Hump and Hump mountains. It was a perfect day. In 2009, it was dense fog for me and high winds for Tagless. Today was a different story. We reached Little Hump within an hour. Both of us could not recall some of the path that the AT went through between the two mountains. Hump Mountain was steep, but Tagless and I conquered the mountain in no time, but we saw no long horned steers that are suppose to inhabit the fields.Tagless and I made it to US 19E by 12:30 pm. We proceeded to make our way to the Mountain Harbour B & B a place both of us stayed in 2009. Life is good on the AT. Going up Little Hump Looking towards Hump Mountain from Little Hump Tagless Looking back down Hump Mountain
Date: 2011-06-01
From: US 19E - Mountain Harbour B & B

To: Campsite 2 miles south of Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

After a fantastic breakfast at the Mountain Harbour B & B Tagless and I walked the .3 miles up the road to the AT. We had a few early climbs over Buck Mountain which caused the sweat to start flowing. Temps were headed into the 90's today which would later be an issue for both of us. Luckily, most of the hiking today was relatively easy, but even the easy parts made us perspire a lot. We both drank as much as we could, but apparently that was not replacing what we were losing. Both of us felt by mid afternoon that we were on the edge of dehydration. I slowed down to accommodate the fatigue I was experiencing.We finally made our target destination by 5:00 pm and decided to put up our tents and begin rehydrating. We were both feeling better after having dinner by the fire, but we were tired. It's 6:52 pm and I hear Tagless snoring in his tent while I type this. Tagless Setting up camp Dinner by the fire
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Campsite 2 miles south of Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 7.8

Uneventful evening other than Tagless' snoring. It started out hot in the tent, but eventually cooled off enough that I finally crawled into my sleeping bag. Got started hiking about 8:20 am. Another nice morning with hot temps forecasted again for today. We only had a short 8 miles to Kincora Hostel where we planned on spending the night and resupplying in Hampton, TN., before we make our way to Damascus.We had a few ups, but mostly down hills which a few were steep. Otherwise, it was an easy hike into Kincora Hostel. Tagless and Bob Peoples
Date: 2011-06-03
From: US 321

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Bob Peoples from Kincora Hostel dropped Tagless and I off at Lake Watauga around 8:20 am. It was a nice sunny day with no chance of rain. Today's hike takes you around the entire lake which is large and you get views of the lake all day on and off. It was one of those days that you just go up and down around every bend. No steady ups or downs, just a roller coaster. It was a long day for both Tagless and I. Not much water in this section so with the heat and all the sweating we had to pay particular attention to the locations of our water sources. Luckily, our last water source was good so we had plenty of water for the night. It's tough to go through a night in your tent with no water. Right now we are a day and a half out of Damascus, VA (25 miles). Tagless by the lake. View from Watauga Lake Dam More of Watauga Lake Far end of Watauga Lake
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

It was a nice warm evening, just needed a loose sleeping bag top for comfort. I never fall asleep until after midnight even though I'm tired and in my tent by 7 pm. Where's the drugs when you need them. I¢m just missing out on a whole lot of sleep time opportunities.Today's hiking was really pretty easy as hiking days go. Water was still an issue and some of the water sources were not running or stagnant. Passed by the Nick Grindstaff Monument. Nick traveled west to win his fortune, but was robbed of all his money during the journey. He returned to Iron Mountain where he lived as a hermit for 40 years. He died at age 89. Today we passed through some TN fields and were afforded trail magic in the form of cold sodas along the way. All in all a very pleasant day on the trail Trail through TN fields More TN landscape Tagless and hiker from Germany at Double Springs Shelter Plaque for Nick Grindstaff
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Abingdon Shelter

To: Damascus, VA 
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

After a nice evening in the tent, Tagless and I were up early and hiking at 7:13 am. We had just over 10 miles downhill to Damascus. I was out of water so I had to make today's journey without aqua. I took my time on the mild up hills so I would conserve sweating too much.We made the 10 mile trek to Damascus in just 3.5 hours. We even scared up a bear just outside Damascus which we briefly saw scamper into the woods. Since tomorrow is my 60th birthday I decided to splurge a little and rent a cabin by the beaver pond in Damascus. Tagless and I had lunch at Quency's after which he got in his car and headed for the 5 hour drive home to Lookout Mountain in Georgia. We had a good week of hiking together. Thanks Dane!I'll show pictures of the beaver pond and my cabin tomorrow. Mount Rodgers Park sign Tagless at the Welcome Damascus sign Me at the sign
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Damascus, VA 

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

Today was my 60th birthday so I decided to treat myself to a day off. I'm staying at a picture perfect location at Damascus Cabins so I enjoyed doing nothing all day. This will be my third time hiking Virginia so I will likely skip a few boring sections along the way. Yes, not all of the AT keeps your interest. Still searching for a scale so I can determine how much weight I have lost. Still have no idea.Photos are where I'm staying in Damascus...............................
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Elk Garden, VA 600

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I jumped ahead a bit. I had intended on slack-packing the 20 miles from Elk Garden back to Damascus; however, I did not want to spend another night in town. MRO dropped me off at Elk Garden and I started walking north at 11 am. I would be hiking through some pretty country today, Rhododendron Gap and Grayson Highlands State Park where wild ponies roam the hills. It was a great day with a nice cool steady breeze. I passed Thomas Knob Shelter and entered Rhododendron Gap. The rhododendrons were in full bloom everywhere. It was a sea of purple in every direction you looked. The scenery was spectacular. It was a rocky trail, but I was taking a lot of photos. Made it to Grayson Highlands State Park and the ponies did not disappoint. They were everywhere. Some wanted a handout, but I was not about to feed them like some hikers do. It was a long day and I made it to Old Orchard Shelter about 6 pm. I set up my tent. No one else was here. Just as I was preparing to eat dinner thunder cracked overhead. I had a quick hurried dinner and ran from the shelter to my tent as the rain began to fall. It is still raining as I type this. Virginia countryside More VA scenery Fat man's squeeze, the Trail goes through there. Ponies Another pony One last scenery shot.
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

I heard people at the shelter last night, but they were gone when I got out of my tent this morning. It was another tough sleeping night. I got perhaps 3-4 hours sleep at the most. No reason why, except my feet has a tendency of keeping me awake. Shooting pain from the irritated nerve endings I suppose. Even though it rained last night the outside of my tent was completely dry by morning. I started hiking by 9 am. I had Hurricane and Iron Mountains to go over. They were easy now that I have trail legs and wind to go with them. I went by Comer Creek Falls. Nice!As I reached the top of High Point Mountain I heard a loud snort of air as a white-tailed darted off down the mountain. Thunder in the distance chased me into Trimpi Shelter where I'm the only one here right now, but it's only 6:12 pm. As I went down to the water source there was a pair of black snakes mating by the stream. I took a few photos and let them have their moment. Black snakes Black snakes
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Got a .50 cent bus into Marion, VA from Partnership Shelter. Resupplied and caught the .50 shuttle back to the trail early. Did the quick 11 miles to Atkins, VA by noon. I¢ve been here twice already at the Relax Inn. The Relax Inn is pretty much a dump as a motel, but it has a captive location on the AT. Had dinner at the Barn, but still could not finish dinner. Still no hiker appetite! Where the heck is it?I¢m fighting sore feet and boredom. Nice combination.
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Atkins, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After some serious contemplation I've decided to take a week off from hiking. My feet are really sore and hiking Virginia for the third time is not generating a whole lot of interest in my mind. I'm getting a ride 100 miles to Roanoke, VA and flying to Dulles where I'll spend a week with my nephew in Leesburg. After some time off I'll make a determination whether to continue hiking or call it quits and go home to Texas. Stay tune. Thanks to all for following me this far. VA countryside
Date: 2011-06-28
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I realize many of you are wondering what the heck I'm doing. We'll, after a week of deliberations I made the decision that I had enough hiking for the moment. Yes, my feet were sore, but I could have hiked on with no problem. Also, this was my third time hiking Virginia and I must admit that knowing whats around every turn of the trail was getting somewhat uninteresting.So I'm back home in Texas enjoying the 100 degree heat! Hiking without the purpose of thru-hiking was different this time around. I enjoyed the wonders of the trail and all the people I met along the way. However, that inner motivation I had while hiking in 2009 was just plain different. Also, hiking seemed harder to me this time around for some reason. In 2009, I was packed up and hiking by 7:30 every morning. This time around it was nice to sleep in and get started around 9:00 while stopping early in the day as well. The summer is too early to stop hiking. Some hiker friends of mine from 2009 are hiking the JMT in August. I've told them I will go if a permit opens up in their group. If not, I will likely head up to Maine in August for several weeks of hiking. When Tagless hiked with me for a week into Damascus we discussed the Camino De Santiago trail with Bob Peoples from the Kincora Hostel. Bob hiked it in 2009. Tagless and I agreed that hiking several months every year was probably in both our plans.I especially want to thank my journalist, Phyllis, from the great state of Texas and Sam Houston State University. She did an outstanding job correcting my text and uploading the countless photos I sent her from my HTC Thunderbolt. Thanks Phyllis!!!!!!I also want to thank all my journal followers. It was always nice to hear your comments while I was hiking. The most difficult part of stopping was the thought of disappointing you guys.Thanks to Frank and Brent from AP, Rafflequeeen, Waterboy, Bronco, Nancy, Red Hat and Razor, Batman and Tivo, Wishbone, Hermit Crab, Cliff S, Harrison, M.A. Sheffield, Inch Worm, Carty, Rick R, Cookerhiker, Jersey Girl (yes, I remember), Sailor J, and Trillium. Trillium, you seem to always be there when I hike. Thanks to all and more.I'll discuss my gear in the next post. I by far had the lightest pack out there.
Date: 2010-11-28
To: The journey continues
Miles today: 0.0

We want to continue our north bound hike to Katahdin. We started as thru hikers in 2009 and had to leave the trail at the 1520 point due to injuries. We restarted our quest in 2010 and accomplished 152 miles before another injury made us leave the trail again.We have both had arthroscopic surgery this fall Old Goat for the right knee and Check 6 for her rotator cuff. Our recoveries are progressing as well as can be expected and should be fully recovered by next spring. We hope to continue our quest for Katahdin should continue in May or June 2011. We'll re-enter the trail in Vermont and our first mountain will be Killington. Once over the mountain we'll hit the Maine Junction and we'll be on our way. Unfortunately the remaining mileage will be tough with lots of mountains. The good thing about it is this is the best part of the Appalachian Trail. We'll be above tree-line a lot and the views are spectacular. Good things come to those who wait and persist. These three states are the reward at the end of the trail.Happy Trails
Date: 2011-01-23
To: Jo-Mary
Miles today: 0.0

For AT passes the Jo-Mary lakes in Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness. The name got my curiosity going and I found the following Down East Magazine article:Who Was Jo-Mary?Jo-Mary Mountain2,905 feetJo-Mary was a chieftain of the Penobscots and one of the most athletic men ever produced by the tribe. It was said he could outrun anyone and could swim farther and faster than anyone, both above and below water. He was also a champion wrestler. He and his family had fishing and hunting rights to a large area west of Pemadumcook Lake.Jo-Mary Mountain, lying in the middle of his domain, was named for him, as were three water bodies¢Upper, Middle, and Lower Jo-Mary lakes. A nearby ridge, called Potwaywadjo, also took its name from his family. In 1933, a man named Joe Potter cut a trail to the summit of Jo-Mary Mountain, which, from a rock perch on the northern side, is said to have had one of the best views in the region. The trail was abandoned a few years later.Joe Potter constructed his Antler¢s Camps on a peninsula on Lower Jo-Mary Lake in the early 1920s. The name was inspired by the huge set of moose antlers mounted above the door of the camp lodge. Supposedly, the antlers had been found nearby more than a century before, in the early 1800s. The camps were later moved down the lake, and Antler¢s Camps is now one of the most picturesque campsites on the Appalachian Trail in Maine.Excerpted from Mountains of Maine, published by Down East Books.ONWARD to FORT RELIEF