morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light snow

Zero day was a hectic day for me, catching up on journals, cleaning body and clothes, resupply at the outfitters and chillin' with the other hikers at the local watering hole. I'm beginning to not like trail towns; the noise of the civilized world, the fast pace of individual lives, I prefer the woods, where life is simple and quite. You walk, drink water, eat food and either find a campsite or shelter to sleep. Boo Boo was walking in town when a young woman asked if he was a thru-hiker and if he would like some work. Boo Boo does not sit still long enough for a mosquito to bite, so of course he said yes. Boo Boo came back from his day at work and informed Bear Tracks and I that he was staying a couple of days to work. Bear Tracks and I decided to hike until Friday where Miss Janet (another well known trail person from Erwin, Tenn) and Paddler will pick us up and bring us back to Hot Springs for their 9th annual Trail Festival. After the festival Miss Janet will drop us off where she picked us up so we can continue north. Boo Boo will stay in town and will only be 2.5 days behind us and 1800+ miles to catch up. Bear Tracks, Fire Marshal and I left town in a drizzle with snow in the higher elevations. Crossed the French Broad River and began the ascent up the mountain. Great views of Hot Springs and the river from rock cliffs. Soon the drizzle turned into snow flurries and the ground held 1-2 inches from last night. Spent the rest of the day in light snow. Reached Spring Mountain Shelter. One by one, as hikers came to the shelter, they would drop large rocks from their hands or pockets and ask about the Rich Mountain monster. I heard it too. As you approached Rich Mountain fire tower you could hear a loud guttural sound that varied in pitch, coming towards you then fading. The sound was loud enough to be heard throughout the valley. Each hiker had a different interpretation on what was making the sound: bears or wild boar sounding the dinner bell - "meals in hiker boots approaching," Big Foot was angry, the wind going through cables holding the fire tower, the wind monster, a cousin of the water monster. To me the sound was beautiful, coming from an instrument the Australian aborigines twirl around their head calling the earth spirits. No one went to investigate, so it will remain one of the unknown mysteries of the AT.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

"Nature has always something rare to show us...and the danger to life and limb is hardly greater than one would experience crouching deprecatingly beneath a roof." John Muir Yesterday I was off. I was not sick but I was not myself. Fire Marshal stayed with me and saw to my needs. At the shelter I could not get warm even in my sleeping bag. Fire Marshal got my water for the evening and fixed a hot cup of Apple Cider to warm me up. Thru-hikers look out for one another, a nomadic family. Thanks, Fire Marshal. Woke up to the sun rising above the mountain in a clear sky. Today, was going to be one of those days that made you sing, something magical was going to happen, I was happy to be hiking the AT. Left the shelter, first one out. I was having a great hike through the snow covered valleys. I was even getting my hiking legs walking in the snow melt mud. After lunch the hike was a steep ascent that seemed to never end in the Bald Mountains. The magic began when I approached a junction in the trail. To the right was the white blaze that followed an exposed ridgeline. To the left, a blue blaze to be used in bad weather. I took the right trail. At first the climb was through rocks and boulders covered in snow. The climb got steeper. Huge boulders were cut out to make small stairway switchbacks. Higher I went, climbing over, around and sometimes in between the rocks. I've heard stories about the trail looking like this in Maine. Did I have one long daymare, missed 1800 miles of trail and now here I am hiking in Maine? A noise behind me and it's Fire Marshal. We climb until at last we reached an open area with 360 degree views of mountains on one side and farmlands on the other. Another noise, its Pegasus. The three of us shared the moment and gazed in silence at the world before us. This was better than Rocky Top in the Smokies. One by one we headed north on the exposed ridgeline, working our way back down hand over feet on the rocks. Exhausted we finally made the shelter, hungry and satisfied.The day did not fail me.
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Devil's Fork Gap
Miles today: 8.7

Bear Tracks and I left the shelter at 8:00 so we can be at Devils Fork Gap to wait for Miss Janet and Paddler to pick us up for Trail Fest in Hot Springs. At 11:45 we made the gap, smokin' the 8.7 miles. As Bear Tracks and I sat by the road, one by one Kelley, Courtney, Fire Marshal and Pegasus showed up and stayed with us for lunch. A contest soon developed as to who could make the best animal sounds by blowing a piece of grass between the thumbs. You had to be there to hear the different sounds. Some really good, but the funniest were the sounds of mostly hot air and the noise of a wounded animal. While we were waiting for our pick up we met several New Zealand folks on a visit for two weeks. Great people. Told them if they wanted some good views to go to Max Patch. Finally picked up late in the afternoon, missed the spaghetti ayce (all you can eat) dinner. Just set up camp for the fest, going into town to see the happenings of Trail Fest 04. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Devil's Fork Gap

To: Hog Back Shelter
Miles today: 6.0

Woke up in the morning, cleaned and policed the campsite then we all went to the Sunday ayce breakfast at the community center. After breakfast Boo Boo began his hike out of Hot Springs and Miss Janet took Bear Tracks and myself back to Devil's Fork Gap to continue our journey north.We entered into a small valley plush with green vegetation with a stream running alongside the trail. As I gained elevation the stream ran a series of beautiful waterfalls. I walked through an old homestead with abandoned roads and paths now covered with plants. At 3:00 we reached Hog Back Shelter and decided to spent the night. During the late afternoon a woman came in by the trail name of Socks. Around her neck was a titanium spork (a combination fork and spoon). I asked Socks why she wore the spork around her neck and she said it was because "she is the high priestess of the Holy Order of the Titanium Spork."After reviewing the map and guide book, Bear Tracks and I decided to do the KrispyKritter Challenge - hiking 26 miles into Erwin and Miss Janet's tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Hog Back Shelter

To: Erwin, TN - Miss Janet's B&B Hostel
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: overcast clouds

"A = r+p (Adventure equals risk plus purpose)" Robert McClure Woke up at 6:00 to pack and get on the trail early for the "KrispyKritter Challenge".   I know I told some folks that I would not do a marathon, but things change constantly on the trail.Instead of following others and doing the Maryland Marathon or the Damascus Marathon I wanted to pick my own. My reasoning was simple: it was a challenge; I wanted to know what my limitations were since I've never really pushed myself to the limits of physical failure. Sure there were risks involved mentally and physically but the challenge was formed in my mind and my mind was made up.I left the shelter at 7:00 and was on my way. Bear Tracks was still in his sleeping bag and said he would catch up with me. Made Big Bald at 11:00 and saw, what else, beautiful views. Had lunch at 11:30 at Bald Mountain.Shelter. 10 miles down, 16 to go. Took an early afternoon siesta during the hottest part of the day. Woke up refreshed 40 minutes later and continued the challenge. Passed Spivey Gap and still no Bear Tracks in sight, I continued. At 5:30 I reached No Business Knob Shelter. I saw Grizzly Dave and Fritz as well as some other hikers, but no Bear Tracks. Fritz was getting ready to push on to the last 6 miles to Erwin and Miss Janet's. We waited until 6 for Bear Tracks who didn't show. Left word with the shelter residents of my intentions. I wrote in the shelter registry "20 down, six to go and I will Take AT Trivia for $100, Alex. Wait a minute too much cowboy TV (what hikers call a fire)-reality check, I have a Challenge to finish," so off we go. As we descend from the mountains we have gorgeous views of the Nolichucky River. We arrived at the river 1 hour and 57 minutes from the shelter. Fritz and I congratulated each other for doing six miles under 2 hours. Caught a shuttle into Miss Janet's and surprised everybody by yelling "Lucy, I'm home"! Fire Marshal, Kelley and Courtney now known as Bonnie and Clyde (Kelley is Bonnie), Mad Scientist, Gaia, Pegasus, Paddler, Beatbox were all there greeting me with hugs and warm welcomes. I was glad to be home with my trail family.
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Erwin, TN - Miss Janet's B&B Hostel

To: Erwin, TC - Miss Janet's B&B Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Every morning Miss Janet provides breakfast before sending the hikers back out on the trail. The morning started out so sunny that we had breakfast on the back porch with over twenty people. Everyone pitches in with the coking, setting of the table and the cleaning up afterwards. Once everyone has finished eating, Miss Janet talks about the trail and asks each hiker, one at a time, to give your trail name, real name and where you are from. You must then answer the morning's question that Miss Janet has. Today's question was "If you could be anybody in this world who would you want to be?" My reply was Mork from Mork and Mindy, because he was out of this world and living with the pleasures of this 3-D world. Plus he had the Nanu Nanu. If it was a real person, I would be Jeremiah Johnson, a mountain man who left the civilized world to live like the Native Americans and be one with Mother Earth.After breakfast, Bear Tracks arrived and everyone was glad to see him. He told us he stopped at Spivey Gap and camped using his new hammock. Throughout the night coyotes visited his camp sniffing around the bottom of his hammock. We all laughed at his adventure.Everyone left today to go back on the trail, except Kelley, who is helping re-build Miss Janet's bathroom. Kelley, Bear Tracks and myself will do the hiker hobble out tomorrow for a 16 mile rendezvous with the others. We all feel the magnetic pull of wanting to stay here, some do for a period of time. As much as I love being here, the trail calls and I must continue my search for the last northern white blaze.
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Erwin, TC - Miss Janet's B&B Hostel

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

¢Continuous effort-not strength or intelligence-is the key to unlocking our potential." Liane Cardes The comfort of Miss Janet's was tempting to zero another day, but the woods were calling and I had to make a choice. Stay and nurse my ankle or, leave and continue my quest to find the last white northern blaze. There really was no choice; I could still walk with a hobble, as they say "No Pain, No Maine." So I packed my backpack and was ready to leave with Kelley (now known as Bonnie, Courtney is Clyde) and Bear Tracks after breakfast. On the trail at 11:00 and followed a beautiful stream up the mountains. Several sections of the mountains came out to overlook the river below. Most of the morning was going up until I came to a bald called Beauty Spot. Met Gaia and Mad Scientist on top and the three of us just stared at the vistas before us. Met up with BeatBox and hiked together until the shelter. Before the sun went down we had a birthday party for Pegasus. Bonnie (Kelley) made Brownies at Miss Janet's last night and he and I packed them to the shelter in cereal boxes. I bought a card, had everybody sign it. Bonnie and I came out from behind the shelter with three burning candles on the brownies and me blowing my whistle and everyone singing Happy Birthday. The plan worked as Pegasus was completely surprised. The rest of the evening BeatBox did his beatboxing and we sang songs around the campfire while watching the April Lyrids meteor shower light up the clear night sky. What a great night in paradise.
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

"What saves a man is to take a step then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it." Antoine de Saint-Exupery Woke up this morning with my left ankle very sore and swollen. Gaia looked at it and said it was a bruised muscle, she even named the muscle so I guess she knows what she is talking about. It will take awhile for it to heal. I just need to be slow and careful. It is more of a discomfort than a sharp pain. Clyde (Courtney) walked several weeks with a muscle pull in the knee. Clyde said to take it one step at a time and at the end of the day, plan for tomorrow. And so I hobble once again out into the woods. Going uphill is fine, it's the down hills through rocks and roots that twist and turn normal ankles. I knew today was going to be especially challenging because my hike today began with the last 6000 ft. mountain until New Hampshire. This section of the AT is considered by most hikers to be the toughest hike until the White Mountains. Made good progress until Hughes Gap elevation 4040 ft. The next 3.4 miles would be, in hikers¢ term, straight up. The first mountain to cross was Beartown Mountain, elevation 5480 ft. The final push was to Roan High Bluff at 6150 ft. I was the last one in Roan High Knob Shelter, elevation 6285 ft, the highest shelter on the Appalachian Trail. I was glad to accomplish today's goal. Tomorrow a new challenge, what goes up must come down so the hike is mostly all downhill.As I travel through the different elevations I have become aware of Spring trying to come out. Down in the valley in the town of Erwin, the landscape flowers are blooming and the trees and bushes have small green leaves. In the lower mountains the forest floors are beginning to develop green communities with new leaves and tiny flowers of white, purple, yellow and others a very light shade of pink. It seems to me the first flowers are small because they are poking their heads out to see if Spring is really here. The trees are budding and in a couple of weeks things will be in full bloom. Even the scent of the air is changing. In the mountains in late winter the air was cool, crisp with a refreshing scent. As one descended into the lower elevations the air was earthy, musk-like, from the decay of last season's vegetation. The last couple of days in the valleys where the colors are beginning to explode, the air contains a sweet fragrance, a fragrance of a new cycle of life. This hike lets me chase the Spring north, to experience this rebirth of nature longer. For now I am no longer a visitor in the woods but a resident of this paradise.
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

"If you are willing to take the punishment, you're halfway through the battle. That the issues may be trivial, the battle ugly, is another point." Lillian Hellman Left the shelter early in the morning so I could hit the next shelter before the predicted late afternoon spring thunderstorms. As I crossed Hwy 19E I saw the worst case of garbage actually thrown from moving vehicles onto the trail. This particular section is, at times, not hiker friendly. Continued on and walked into my first valley with its floor covered in a carpet of green, flowers blooming and butterflies abound. The trail then followed along a mountain river called the Elk River, with more green grasses, flowers and butterflies. The walk along the river reminded of similar walks Jacquie and I took in England. At the lower elevations all five senses were aware Spring is busting out. Stopped for water, quick rest and picture taking at Jones Falls. Throughout the day we crossed many beautiful streams.Ankle starting to bother me in the afternoon , but I needed to press on because the were clouds building and we still had 4 hours of hiking to go. In the distance I heard the thunder, the sun was disappearing, I was going to get my first taste of hiking in the rain. Soon the lightning was striking in the area and I could not continue due to the trail crossing over a summit. I took refuge on the down side of the ridge in the midst of a rhododendron thicket under my umbrella to keep me dry. The first thunder shower passed, I humped over the summit in the rain. The trail was wet and slippery, I pushed on. The descent coming off the summit played havoc with my ankle. At the bottom is the shelter, already full of hikers. The occupants of the shelter tell me of spiders descending from the ceiling. I pitch my tent in the rain and settled in for the night feeling safe from the weather and spiders.
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 6.1

Everyone in and around the shelter are up early for we know the hostel is not far. A chance to dry clothes, dry soaked equipment and the camaraderie of fellow hikers. Left the shelter at 7:45 and arrived at Kincora around 11:00. The Hostel is a two story log style structure. The bottom floor is a small living room with a kitchen and a bunk room on the side. Outside the covered porch contains a picnic table, bathrooms, shower and laundry room. The whole second floor is a large bunk room. Scattered throughout the interior are magazines, paperback books and photographs of thru-hikers that made it to Katahdin.The owners, Bob and Pat Peoples, are great folks and are well known in the AT community. Bob not only runs and maintains the hostel, but is also the Trail Maintenance Coordinator for 134 miles of the trail. More info on the Peoples in a later journal.While I'm in the telephone room talking to Jacquie, my wife, suddenly the door opens and someone is trying to give me a hug. It's Boo Boo. He caught up with us and the hiker family is together again.There is concern because the swelling in my ankle has not gone down and I¢ve been told that I should seek a medical opinion. I do not think it is broken and could be a type of sprain. I'm afraid that seeking medical advice will take me off trail, however, I could be doing permanent damage if I continue to hike. My hiker family consisting of Gaia, Fire Marshal, BeatBox, Bear Tracks, Boo Boo, Mad Scientist, Pegasus, Beast, Bonnie and Clyde are doing their best to lift my low spirits.
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

It rained most of the night and this morning. Left in the morning with Bob Peoples who drove me to the medical center. I was impressed with the facility and its personnel. Three doctors looked at my foot, including a doctor from the Army Special Forces. The consensus of opinion is that I have soft tissue damage with no broken bones. A couple days of rest followed with low mileage days should take care of the injury. I am relieved the injury is not serious and my trail experience has not ended. As the car pulled into the driveway of the hostel, everyone was waiting on the porch to hear the results. After answering everyone¢s questions, I was getting hugs and expressions of relief that it was not as serious as it looked.The quest for finding the last northern white blaze will persist.Kincora HostelBob Peoples is in the elite group of AT names that you should meet. Bob and his wife Pat built Kincora Hostel knowing it would be a hostel for hikers. Kincora means "kinship of the heart" and that is the feeling you get when you leave. Bob treats everyone the way he likes to be treated; friendly, willing at a moments notice to help, ready to laugh and useful information on the trail. At least 3 to 4 times a day he takes hikers into town for mail drops and resupply or special needs. Bob and Pat will shuttle hikers to pick up or drop off points on the trail. They do this not to make a living. but to make a home away from home for the hikers. All they ask for is a donation so they can continue with the shuttles and keep the hostel operating. Bob also is maintenance coordinator of 134 miles of trail. Kincora Hostel is one trail experience that should not be pasted up by a thru-hiker. I will return to Kincora to say hello and a heartfelt thank you.
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

This morning everyone was up early to either hike out or to help Bob Peoples do maintenance work on the trail. The bottom floor was a beehive of activity of getting together lunches and fixing breakfast. Those doing trail work needed to bring their lunch and enough water for the day. Bob needed to leave at a certain time to meet other crew members in town. Trail workers trying to cook their breakfast didn't have time and had to leave without eating. Bob assured me I could still be helpful on the trail maintenance crew and if my ankle started hurting I could rest at the truck. So off I went. Arrived at the trail head and we were told the task today was completing a re-route of the AT that would be opened when we finished. The group was split into three teams, each having an assignment.I was assigned to Bob's team who had to construct a trail down a small hill into a culvert and then extend the new trail into the existing AT. After completing the culvert, Beatbox, Bob, Crusty and I went to the south end of the re-route to join the AT with the new section. My job was to hike the old route and remove all the white blazes and any AT signs. I was therefore, the last official hiker to walk the old section of the AT. At the completion of the re-route we each had the distinction of painting a white blaze. The first official hiker to walk the new section as we painted the white blazes were Yoda and Lucy (John and his dog Lucy - who I met and walked with my second day on the AT). At the end of the work day Bob handed each of us (Pegasus, Gaia, Beatbox, Bear Tracks, Boo Boo, Crusty and myself) a patch along with a brown ball cap with the wording "Kincora Maintenance Crew" written on the cap. We all felt good knowing we gave back something to the AT that has given us so much.