morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up very early to sounds of some early bird hikers getting ready at 5 am. I really think my shelter days are coming to an end, just too many people and no space. The weather today was very nice. On the way here I took the .6 side trail to the summit of Mt. Cammerer, what a view. It had a gazebo perched on it with a 360 degree view. Only several other hikers from the night before took the side trip. I try to go to as many scenic spots as possible. When I reached Davenport Gap I decided to walk to Mt. Momma's (1.5 miles) for the cheeseburg, I also got a chili dog, fries, Mt. Dew and a Gatorade. A hiker named Blue Eyes joined me for the walk. We never saw a car so we walked the whole 1.5 miles. Mt. Momma's gave us a ride back up to the trail. I got to Standing Bear Farm about 4 pm and decided to stay. It was either here or a campsite that was another 2 miles, which was probably full. Curtis, the owner of Standing Bear Farm is a cool guy. His wife owns a Mexican Restaurant and he shuttled us to it for dinner. The catch was we had to hang around there until closing to get a ride back (11 pm). Glad to be out of the Smokies!
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Campsite near Max Patch
Miles today: 14.1

I got a late start this morning. It's tough getting started out of a hostel. The terrain today was mostly climbing, I kept running into Red Hat and Blue Eyes. I hiked with each at different times. I am noticing Spring is starting to come to life. Lots of little flowers and greenery starting to poke out from under the leaves. I made it up and over Max Patch today. I wanted to camp on the summit but rain is on the way. I took plenty of time going over it and took some good pics. I made it down to the campsite on the lower edge of the summit. Blue Eyes and Red Hat a couple section hikers are here too. It turns out this is my longest day yet. I had Beef Stroganoff for dinner. I'm getting a chance to try out my new Tarptent too. I hope I don't get wet tonight. Once I was in my tent Blue eyes was walking around and came across a Copper Head Snake on the trail. I took a picture of it using the zoom on the camera, I didn't care to get any closer.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Campsite near Max Patch

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

I got real lucky last night, no rain which was good because I haven't mastered setting up my Tarptent yet. It stayed up, but was kind of shaky with all the wind. Just after I got everything picked up this morning it started to sprinkle. The hard rain held off most of the day. Today was my longest day (16.1 miles) so far and I felt it! I hiked on and off with Blue Eyes. By the time I got to the here to the shelter it was raining pretty hard. I ended up not using my rainsuit, I was sweating too much with it on. This is a small shelter and it looks like only 3 of us in it, 2 are tenting. When I get to Hot Springs tomorrow I will be meeting Julie and I'm taking a couple day off. I plan to master the Tarptent so I will practice setting it up then. I'm nearing 1 month on the trail and have adjusted to it quite nicely. As of now I have switched stoves from white gas to alcohol, I have also switched tents going from the Hubba to the Tarptent. Everything else seems to be working out so far. Still no blisters.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Cody House Hostel - Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: light rain

I woke up bright and early today and beat the rain. I entered Hot Springs just in time for breakfast at the Smokey Mt. Diner and it was very large and very good. After breakfast I went to the outfitters and arranged a Hostel stay at the Cody House for 1 night. Julie will be here in the morning and I will stay at the Broadwing Farm Cabins for the next 2 days. When I got to the Hostel I did an equipment check and noticed a defect in my pack, one of the stays was starting to poke through. I called Mt. Smith and they are going to send a new one for me to pick up at the outfitters here in town on Friday. I'm glad I noticed it. When you come to town you really notice how hungry you have become and can't get enough fresh food, you eat and then 2 hours later you're ready to eat again. I don't think I have lost much weight yet, but definitely have toned up some. It seems as though food is the most important thing most of the time. Food makes up most of my weight in my pack, food drives me to the campsite at night, food pulls me to town, food makes me happy. Today is my brother Tom's birthday, he would have been 39, I miss you Tom.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Cody House Hostel - Hot Springs, NC

To: Broadwing Farm Cabins - Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

What a hot night last night was, I tried to open the window but it was nailed shut I think. I guess I'm not used to sleeping indoors. Julie pulled into Hot Springs around 10 for a grand reunion. I guess you don't know how much you miss somebody until you see them again. It feels good to see her for sure. We spent some of the morning meeting hikers that I have been hiking with that were just coming into town. We also went to the library so I could look at the Trail Journal website. After noon we went to the Broadwing Farm Cabin that we are staying at. This is so nice, hot tub and all...VERY NICE!!! Julie has good taste! KTR, Cupcake, Hairball and Snow Bunny are in town, so I had a bit of a reunion with them. It's good to see some of the folks I first started with. I spent the night relaxing under the moon and the stars in the hot tub with Julie. The adventure keeps rolling and I'm loving it.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Broadwing Farm Cabins - Hot Springs, NC

To: Broadwing Farm Cabins - Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning and immediately jumped into the hot tub with my darlin beside me. This is a great way to start the day. Today we poked around with my food and equipment and just lounged around. This afternoon we went for a ride into Marshall and got some food for the little get together we were having to celebrate my one month on the trail anniversary. My new pack arrived as promised and I tried it on at the outfitters just to make sure it would fit. All systems go with the pack which is a redesigned one. We invited Hairball & Snowbunny, Cupcake & Mr. Crumbles and Snowman & Icicle up to the cabin for a cookout. We had plenty of food: burgers, hotdogs, porkloin, salad, apple pie and ice cream. It was tons of fun! After everyone left we finished the day the same way we started by floating in the hot tub. You got to love it!
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Broadwing Farm Cabins - Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

I woke up this morning and had an awesome breakfast at the wonderful cabin that Julie rented for two nights. I had to pack up the new pack which is going to take some getting used to. I went down to the outfitters one last time to purchase a new pack cover because the new pack is longer that the old one. Julie walked me to the woods and we had to do the very hard to do, good bye thing. Today was an 11 mile day and it was hard to shake off the town dust. Checked out a fire tower on Rich Mt. on my way to the shelter. I'm in the tarptent tonight and glad too be, shelters are getting old, but in rain conditions I can deal with them. I plan to tent as much as possible. I have forgotten my spork but Socks had an extra plastic spoon, just a basic throw away, which will work until I get to Erwin.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Spring Mt. Shelter

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

Nice night in the Tarptent. It takes a little longer to pack up but it is like a condo. I got a good start but it took a while today to warm up. A few miles into the day I got hooked up with some Little Debbie's and Mt. Dew sodas. There was a little cabin and NEAN set us up with magic. Had some good climbs and I went up another fire tower and took some pics. Lots of views, the ridge was exposed for about a mile, it was a taste of what New Hamshire is like. I got here to this shelter later than I wanted but didn't rush today to get here. In the Tarptent again and loving it. Very tired and sore, time to sleep.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

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

I slept pretty decent last night and had a good start this morning. My food bag is becoming a managable weight. It is amazing how much you can notice 2lbs on your back. The terrain was a mix of about everything. I'm glad to be hiking with Hairball and Snowbunny. Cupcake and Tree Trunks have been going at the same pace as well. This shelter site is like a tent city, probably a dozen tents set up here. I'm glad to be in my condo, just wish there was some level ground for once. I have broken the 300 mile barrier and so far mind, body and soul are still going strong. I'm really likin this hikin!
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

Early to rise, actually I was the first one awake this morning. I thought I heard something trying to get a food bag last night. I got up but didn't see anything. Nice leisurly day today, made Big Bald fairly early and enjoyed the summit with many other hikers. I had the shoes off and the breeze felt great. I'm at Bald Mt. Shelter tonight and staying in the shelter because there is no camping around it. It was so nice doing a 10 mile day for a change. We had fun watching Hairball and Snowbunny hang their food bag, what a laugh it was. Great sunset I'm watching as I write this.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Bald Mt. Shelter

To: No Buisness Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Coffee for breakfast was very nice. I had a leisurly start today. I'm still hiking with Hairball, Snowbunny, Cupcake and Tree Trunks. We don't always hike together but we have been ending up at the same shelter at the end of the day. Lots of laughs and great fires. Today I noticed my hunger start to grow. Definitely have an appetite with a vengance! Today I stopped and soaked my feet and dunked my head in an ice cold stream. Very easy day, another short day and I'm definetly getting stronger. I'm in my tent tonight. Tenting is great for me, I like it much better than the shelters.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: No Buisness Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN - Holiday Inn Express
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I tried for an early start but didn't get going until after 7 am. I hiked the 6.3 miles in 2 hours. Once in town I decided to split a room at the Holiday Inn Express with Hairball and Snowbunny. Just after we checked in we were able to hit the contenental breakfast where we devoured a large amount of food. A small group of us shuttled into town to do chores, visit the Post Office, shop and eat. I got back to the hotel quite later than I expected. I got all my food arranged and the pack packed up. It feels very heavy again. I still need to work on the food, I think that is what is making my pack so heavy. My laundry is done, time to sleep.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Hike Inn (unexpected stop)

To: Nolichucky Gorge Campground
Miles today: 1.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up in a bed this morning! It kind of sounds funny to me when I realize it. I'm not used to beds anymore. I hit the continental breakfast and did my internet chores. Today I decided I would try to replace my pack (the new one I had sent to me in Hot Springs) with something else. I arranged a ride with a guy I met on the trail named Cedar. He was going to Johnson City so he said he would take me. I got to the outfitter Mahoney's and it turns out they didn't have the pack that I wanted. I really don't think they were that interested in helping me so I didn't get anything there. I got a ride from a college student who went way out of his way to me bring back to Erwin. I'm going to get the pack in Damascus. Time was getting late, it was raining lightly and both hostels were now full so I headed out of Erwin. I got 1.3 miles and saw this place and decided to get out of the rain. I'm staying in a cabin with bunks at a campground. I'm the only one here so far, so it's real quiet. I ordered a pizza, took a shower and now I'm just chillin.
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Nolichucky Gorge Campground

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

I ended up last night with the cabin to myself, so I got plenty of sleep. I had an early start and I could see patches of blue but that didn't last long. It started to rain just as I reached the Curley Maple Gap Shelter. I changed shirts, put on the wind/rain pants and got out the overmitts. It looked like a cold wet one ahead. I soon was walking in sleet, ice and falling snow. When I got upon the 5180' Unaka Mt. there was a 1/2 inch of snow on the ground. I made it to the shelter fairly early, it was a full house and tent city all around. There was very high winds, but I managed to get the condo up, it is very chilly inside and out. I hope this western mountaineering bag keeps me warm tonight. It is still snowing off and on. I hung my food bag which I hope is high enough off the ground. It doesn't look like many others hung theirs. It doesn't take long to get a chill once you come out of the bag. I also wanted to say I fell today. It was my first really hard fall. I landed just below my right knee, luckily there was no damage. I have to watch those roots.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Friendly - Bed
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light snow

I have to say last night was a wicked night. It was a good test of survival. It snowed about 3 inches but the winds were bringing the temps way down into the 20's. I stayed warm but didn't sleep too well. My shoes were frozen along with my water when I woke this morning. I managed to get the shoes on and everything packed and I was the first one out. I hiked to this place non-stop and luckily I was able to get one of the two beds inside the house. I reserved the other one for Tree Trunks. I like this place, it is just like I've known these people for years. They also do some cooking and have other food available to hikers. There are a lot of other hikers here tonight, some will sleep in the unheated bunkhouse and some will sleep on the sofa and chairs in the house. All my stuff is dry now and I'm all re-grouped. I might wait for the snow to melt some before leaving here, I'm not sure yet what I am going to do. I'll sleep on it and decide in the morning. All I know is I'm glad to be out of the cold and snow! I really feel like home at this place, CC and Pac Rat are very friendly people.
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Greasy Creek Friendly - Bed

To: Greasy Creek Friendly - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I decided not to hike today and took a zero. I needed to go to an ATM and I wanted to wait for some of the snow to melt. It's very sunny today! Everyone else except Tree Trunks is gone. I plan on leaving early tomorrow to try to beat the expected rain. Today CC gave me and Tree Trunks a tour of the land they own. I need to remember this place, it's by far the most hiker friendly place to stay, although the Holiday Inn Express in Erwin was very hiker friendly too. I don't think I can handle more than one day of not hiking. I start to get hyper just hanging around. I got all my stuff dried out though and I think it will pay off waiting a day. I didn't use any of my food here, so I'll still have enough to get to my next mail drop. The thing about this trip is if you take a day off you can make it up by hiking more miles, so the plan is always changing. Time seems to fly by, probably because I'm not using a watch at all. The battery died in the one I had. I still know the date and day of the week though. How will I ever be able to adjust to time when I finish this hike?
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Greasy Creek Friendly - Zero Day

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I said my goodbyes to CC and PacRat. I got a fairly decent start, not quite as early as I wanted because I decided to sew my shoulder straps in one position. I'm tired of them slipping. Today I think was in the "One of my toughest days" catagory. There was a lot of snow on Roan Mt. and it was very very very windy. It was also threatening to rain most of the day. I stopped for a quick peek at High Knob Shelter which has the highest elevation of all AT shelters. Seems like I'm caught in a big clump of hikers and most of them I don't know. They must be coming up from behind me or I'm catching up with some of them. I didn't quite beat the rain here, it started about 1/2 mile from the shelter. What a surprise when I got here. I'm not sure why, but all those hikers have their tents set up in the shelter which is an old barn. They are taking up all the space. I grabbed a small space on the side of the railing and put my bag and ground cloth out. I hope this tenting in the shelters isn't going to be a problem. I would normally be tenting but it is windy, cold and raining. Up at this elevation you have to be careful. I am at 4682'. I really can't wait until the trail thins out. There are way to many hikers clumped up in a bunch.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 391.7
Miles today: 14.9

Once again I was the first one up. I made my coffee with a bagel and cream cheese. What a zoo that shelter was. I packed up and got out of there pretty quick. Once I hiked up the side of the mountain from the shelter I looked back and saw 3 deer running and playing around in the field next to the shelter. There was some nice balds today, good views and I beat the storm that I could see coming. I'm at a campsite tonight. I'm set up under the pines. There are 5 or 6 others here right now but we are all spread out. I had enough noise last night. I'm so glad there is lots of room here. I took a side trail today to see this awesome waterfall, it was well worth the walk. About this campsite, it is at a point where a small stream intersects with a larger river, I'm right next to the stream so I should sleep well tonight. My body has definitely started to adjust to the daily workout. It gets easier by the day to walk 15 miles. I still get tired, but I know I can walk it and I don't usually get in too late.
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Campsite at mile 391.7

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a frosty night last night but dry. I was the last one to roll out of the campsite. The sun was out most of the day but the clouds started to move in by mid-day. The terrain was real mild and the time went by fast. I don't think the guide book was accurate, it seemed like this section was longer than it said. I managed to get a space in the shelter. Soon after I settled in it started to rain and then the crowds started to come in. The shelter filled up and lots of tents went up as the rain continued to fall. There are so many people out here it is amazing. I have been hiking mostly alone and most of the people I am meeting are new to me. Today I reached the 400 mile mark! So far so good.
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Fork Lodge/Cabins
Miles today: 6.0

I woke this morning to pouring rain. It rained hard all last night as well. The tempurature seems to have warmed up. It was hard to deliberatly walk out of a perfectly dry shelter into the pouring rain but I did it. Once I got going and got totally wet it wasn't bad. I don't care what any clothing manufacturer says, nothing is water proof, NOTHING when it is raining like cats and dogs. Once I got to the road I had a .5 mile walk to this place. I decided to get a cabin, I just needed a little space to myself. I ordered a couple pizzas and some bacon cheese fries from a local pizza place. I shared some of the pizza with other hikers. I had a food drop here and after calculating my food needs to Damascus I realized I had extra. You never have trouble getting rid of extra food, especially the quality of food I'm eating. I gave it to some hikers, Dave & McKay. I have dried out all my stuff, did my laundry and had a hot shower. I needed it badly. When you start to smell yourself it's time! It looks like lots of rain in the forcast so I might be wet for a while. The way I look at it is everything just keeps adding character to my adventure. Things like people, weather, and food are constantly changing just like the trail, so at the end of it all this hike will have some awesome character. I hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am. I do miss my Darling though!!
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Laurel Fork Lodge/Cabins

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

Raindrops on the roof of the cabin woke me this morning. I decided to wait a couple of hours before leaving. The rain stopped but it was still overcast. I hit the trail about mid-morning. Once in the woods the trail took you down to Laurel Falls which was raging. The trail then looked like it went right into the water but there was a small ledge inches above the water that you had to walk on. I took a picture of it. I was walking along and right before reaching a road there was an ice cold gatorade sitting on the side of the trail. It was awesome, made my day! I got here to this shelter and there was only 2 here. I decided to set up the condo and wouldn't you know it, it started to pour. Now the shelter is full as well as all the tent spaces. I'm glad I'm in my tarp tonight, rain or not. Lots of hikers are doing big miles the next 2 days to make it to Damascus. I have no desire to do to much up over 15 miles a day and 13 is just right. I'm also seeing more and more hikers "slack packing" which in my eyes doesn't count for a thru-hike. I believe you need to carry your gear the whole hike, but everybody has their own ideas about thru-hiking. You know what they say about opinions.
Date: 2005-05-01
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 13.6

It turned out to rain most of the night last night but the condo survived it. I had to pack it up wet, though by the time I left the shelter this morning the sun was out. When I got to the Watauga Lake Dam I dried out all my gear. This part of the trail that I'm hiking is called the Tennessee Turnpike. The terrain is mild all the way into Damascus. I stopped at VanDeventer Shelter today for some food, what a view of the lake from the back of that shelter. I'm in my tent tonight, there are 3 others here with tarptents, 6 tents total and only 2 in the shelter. I can't remember the last time there was only 2 in a shelter. Today I tried Vienna sausages with cheese and hot sauce wrapped up in a tortilla wrap. A trail cat followed a couple to the shelter I stopped at today, I gave it my Vienna sausage juice. It was very tame and seemed to be very healthy, just strange to see it out here.
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Iron Mt. Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a cold but clear night last night and very chilly this morning as well. The terrain was very mild but my feet sure felt the 15.9 miles. Lots of other hikers decided to push the last 10 miles to Damascus, I'm staying here in my tent. I'll get an early start in the morning and try to make breakfast. When I was walking today I was thinking about the different catagories of people out here. I'm going to list some.There are the Gear heads who talk about gear most of the time. There are the food people who concentrate on their food so much that they forget about their hiking.We have the serious focused on a schedule type,and the I just don't care people too.We can't forget about the partiers, the ones who spend all their money on partying and are always short on food and $$.There are also the mileage people who push all the miles they can possibly walk in a day, they don't stop to smell the roses.There are also the whiners and complainers.So what do I fall under, I think it would go something like this; I'm a somewhat focused, gear head who likes to party once in a while if I'm with the right crowd. I'm sure there will be even more catagories before this trip is over.