morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Tremendous storm last night ¢ wind, rain, hail, thunder, lightning. Everyone stayed warm and dry. Rain had stopped by morning. Started hiking a little after 9:00. Took one 10 min break and made it to Cosby Knob at 1:30. Walked the last 5 mi in blowing rain. Shortly thought about going on to Davenport Gap Shelter (7 more mi.) but the rain really started coming down. So, we decided to change into dry clothes and warm up. Bloomer, Andy Dufrense (pronounced ¢dufrene¢ so we call him Shawshank), Otter, Paunch, Mo, Sleepy the Arab, and Squarl here for the night. I¢m over 10% done and at this rate I expect to make longer mileage days in VA. Only 1947.7 mi to go!p.s. The rain really came down hard for over an hour at 2:30. Small hail fell -several times bouncing into the shelter. Staying here was a super decision.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 11.6

Very cold when we got up. The rain had stopped but most everything is frozen. All of the wet clothes handing in the shelter were frozen. Beautiful sunrise though, the ice on the trees glistened in the orange early morning light. Took the side trail 0.6 mi to Mt. Cammerer lookout tower. Excellent views ¢ took a lot of pictures. Hope to make a panoramic picture with them. Left the Smokies at Davenport Gap. Spent the night at Standing Bear Farm hostel. Pretty much the same crown here again. The owner gave us the keys to his van and we all went to Cosby for a beer run and dinner. Had a full rack of pork ribs, salad, bread, and potato wedges. Pigged out again ¢ ugh! Retrieved our mail drop and prepared to leave in the morning. Just another near-0 day. On to Hot Springs. Only 1937.3 mi to go!p.s. It smelled like Christmas coming down out of the Smokies ¢ love those Frasier firs!
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Green Corner Road

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 10.1

Lazy morning. Left Standing Bear Farm hostel at 11:00. Warmed up quickly. Was hiking in shorts and short sleeves. First climb was about 2400¢ in 4.7 mi up Snowbird Mtn. There was a VOR transmitter on top that is used for aircraft navigation. Fantastic views from there. Took a 30 min break there. There were thousands of small flowers along the trail down from Snowbird Mtn. Hope my pictures do them justice. Got to Brown Gap at 5:00 after another 900¢ climb. TRAIL MAGIC at the gap. ¢Apple¢ from Austin, TX gave us hot dogs, sodas, and let us sleep in his 8-man tent, equipped with propane stove and lantern. Fish and Routestep are here with us. Sure do appreciate the trail angels. Only 1927.2 mi to go.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Brown Gap

To: Catpen Gap
Miles today: 11.8

Had a delicious breakfast of coffee, oatmeal, and fresh doughnuts. Said thanks and adios to Apple and began the 1130¢ climb to Max Patch Bald. Fantastic 360 degree views. Spent 30 min on top of bald. Walked past the new Roaring Fork Shelter on 1.8 mi from summit. It was made of logs and appeared to be very old even though it was built in 2005. The old Roaring Fork Shelter about 5 mi from the summit is still in use, but not mentioned in the Thru-Hiker Companion. We climbed Walnut Mt, got water at the shelter, and continued to Catpen Gap to camp. We are tenting in an open grass field. After dinner we walked up to a bald about 0.3 mi above our tent site and took some great pictures of the sunset. The weather has been great ¢ cool mornings and warm days with lots of sunshine. Routestep and Fish (they are brothers-in-law) are here too. Looking forward to a 0-day n Hot Springs just 11 mi away.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Catpen Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Mostly downhill to Hot Springs after a short 400¢ climb. Got to town at 2:30 and got a cold soda at the first store we passed. Elaine had made reservations at one of the hotels, and since we were not sure which one, we ordered lunch at a local restaurant, and ate outside so we could watch for the arrival of our wives. They drove up just as we were about to finish our lunch. We all went to dinner at Magnolia Inn ¢ a restored 19th century house. The food was excellent (much better than what we had eaten the last 2 weeks). We stayed at the Bright Leaf Junction Hotel and Restaurant.
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Ate a hearty breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner. Elaine washed our ¢stinky¢ clothes at the laundry while I attempted to update my journal on the Internet. I was told that the library at the school had public Internet access so I walked up the hill to the school. I entered the school and informed a teacher who I was and inquired as to the location of the computers. She directed me to a media center with 20+ computers. I was amazed and sat down to update my journal. After about 20 min, the principal walked in and asked who I was and what I was doing. I explained everything to him. He was very polite in explaining that the public access computers were at the PUBLIC library and not the elementary school. He directed me to the public library behind the school and I thanked him for his understanding. There was a waiting line of other hikers wanting to use the 3 computers so I left. I did get a haircut in town at a one of the two beauty salons (no barber shop). Should be somewhat cooler hiking for a while. Ate dinner at the restaurant in the hotel ¢ very good food. The price was great since Steve, a friend of Otter, paid for it (he drove 4.5 hours from near Nashville, TN to Hot Springs just to visit with us).
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Very slow getting packed. Had to go through the food boxes Elaine brought to Hot Springs. Replaced filter in water pump. Switched our two 2-man tents for my 3/4 season 2-man tent. It added about 1.5 lbs, but should be much warmer if we hit colder weather. Ate a huge lunch at Smoky Mtn Diner: country style steak with gravy, tater tots, fried okra, rolls with butter, and sweet tea. Just what I needed for the day's hike. Since we are gluttons for punishment, we waited until we were stuffed with lunch to start hiking at 1:00 in the heat of the day. The hike out of Hot Springs was torture. The trail was very steep with many switchbacks. It felt like it was 90°. Our water was hot and did little to quench our thirst. It was over 4 miles and over a 1000' climb before we found a cool spring. We made it to the shelter at 8:00 and are tenting just up the trail from the shelter. The total climba today were about 4000'. Only 1892.9 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

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

Our first 15 mi day and what a day it was. We started hiking at 10:00 after a slow start (we slept late). The 1st 3.7 mi to Allen Gap was pretty fast as it was mostly downhill. The climb up Camp Creek Bald was another story. By the time we started up it had warmed up a lot. It was 4.9 mi to Little Laurel Shelter which included a 1400' climb. We took a break and got water. It was another 1130' climb form the shelter to the top with some fairly steep parts. According to our map profiles the remaining 5.5 mi to Jerry Cabin shelter was relatively easy. There had been a trail relocation which "allowed" us to walk the ridge of Firescald Knob. It was very rugged with many stone (boulder) steps up and down many times on the ridge. The view from the top was amazing and made the relocation worth the extra scrambling over the boulders. The old trail was a blue blaze to be used in bad weather so as to avoid the open, exposed cliffs which would be very dangerous. We finally made it to Jery Cabin shelter at 8:30. Tomorrow starts my 6th week on the trail. Only 1877.5 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up to a beautiful Easter morning. Did not do another 15 but have done 30.2 in the last 2 days. Have decided to break up the scheduled 20 mile day into 2 10's. Our feet will thank us. We will do a near-0 in Erwin instead of a 0-day. Not sure how we keep doint it, but we seem to do the long climbs in the hot afternoons. Today was 1500' starting at 3:30. Sitting here eating dinner at 9:30 - much too late. Have got to do better. Others here: Marco Solo, Paunch, Mo, Andy Dufrense (Shawshank), Conductor, Slick B, and several others. Passed the 300 mi mark today. Only 1862.8 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

We were the last ones to leave this morning - 9:30. Were not in a hurry because we were only going about 10 mi today. Took a side trip 0.5 mi down Street Gap road to visit Tom, the man who built Otter's log cabin. He was not home, but his wife Eloise treated us to a Mountain Dew, apple, banana, oatmeal bar, and ice water for our water bottles. After hiking back UP the road to the trail we began the 1400' climb up Big Bald. It began rainng on the way up. Then the lightning and wind started. Everything but the high winds had stopped when we reached the bald. The visibility was about 75' - so much for the views and photo-ops. Glad we took a picture of Big Bald from a distance earlier in the day. Shelter crowded tonight: me, Otter, 4 section hikers, Marco Solo, Holly. Nate and Nate and their dog Arlo are tenting. Only 1852.8 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-18
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to a misty, cool morning. We were last out since we slept in the upper section of the shelter and had to wait for the lower occupants to get out of the way. Started hiking at 9:45 with plans to only go 10.6 mi to No Business Knob shelter. It was tough putting on the wet clothes from yesterday especially since it was only 40°. The fog burned off by 11:00 and the temp stayed in the 50's the rest of the day. The thru hikers, Brain & Brawn, were getting off at Spivey Gap because Brain had gotten some sort of bug. She ws up half the night throwing up. They had caught a ride into Erwin to get a bus home to see a doctor. We made it to the shelter at 4:00 and decided to get water, eat dinner, then hike on for another hour or so. Met One World at the shelter. After hiking for about an hour or so, we passed on the first possible campsite. After failing to find another suitable site, we decided to hike on into Erwin - a 16.9 mi day. We are staying in a cabin at Uncle Johnny's - only $20 each, free shuttles to town, and $3 for laundry. Got shuttle to A&W convenience store for beer, potato chips, and a large bacon cheeseburger. Watched the video "Southbound" while we ate in the cabin. Video about a girl hiking the AT N to S (as if we don't get enough of the AT every day). Only 1835.9 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Erwin, TN

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

Decided to take a 0-day since we pushed on in yesterday. Got breakfast call at 8:30 for shuttle to The Elms resturant. Ate a huge breakfast with real perked coffee and meat (good old salty country ham). Walked from resturant to Miss Janet's to see Andy Dufrense and get the cookies he promised in a note in the shelter register 6 mi before Erwin. - good chocolate chip cookies. Got lunch shuttle from Uncle Johnny's to Pizza Plus to partake of the $4.99 all-you-can-eat buffet - pigged out again. Bought provisions for next 5 days and reutrned to hostel. Need to get dinner shuttle so I can bet a knee support. The long downhills had caused my left knee to ache a bit. Feet are in excellent shape. Only one small blister on one toe and one on the side of my right heel, both easily taken care of with moleskin and duct tape.Ate dinner at KFC to load up on fat for next section. Bought an Ace knee wrap to see if it would help with the knee pain. Arranged for a shuttle to Beauty Spot so we could slack pack (our 1st) 10 mi back to Erwin then be shuttled back to top for the evening. This avoids another 2000' cllimb after a lazy 0-day.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day with a hot shower and a large breakfast (3-egg omelet, biscuits & gravy, coffee) at The Elms Resturant. The slack pack was great. We got to walk downhill from Beauty Spot - 1734' in 10.6 mi. We passed a lot of sweaty friends on their way up. We got large double bacon cheeseburgers and drinks on the shuttle back up to Beauty Spot. Was a bit hard to start backpacking with such a full stomach. The 1080' climb up Unaka Mtn was particurally difficult, but we made it without stopping. We got to Cherry Gap Shelter at 8:20, just before dark and found a good tentsite a couple of hundred yards down the trail. Not a bad day really since we did over 16 mi between 11:15 and 8:20 with a 1.5 hr break for the shuttle back up. Trying to decide how far to go tomorrow as we hate to start the 2200' climb of Roan Mtn after the 11 mi to Hughes Gap. May stop at Ash Gap or go all the way to the top. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Only 1819.5 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: moderate rain

The stars were out at 4 AM (potty break) but it started raining at 5:00. Cooked breakfast (oatmeal & coffee) in the vestibule and ate in the tent. Hurriedly packed in the light rain. The wet gear (especially the tent rain fly) added about 5 lbs to my pack. It rained, hard at times, until 3:00 We decided to stay at Clyde Smith shelter since were were wet and cold. We were able to pretty much dry everything after it stopped raining. Hope it doesn't rain tonight as we are tenting again. Plan to hike to Overmountain shelter tomorrow. Dreading the 2200' climb up Roan, but we'll Git-er-Done. Only 1809.9 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: moderate rain

Well my hopes didn't come to be. It starteed raining at 2:30 AM and didn't stop until 3:00 PM. It was also cold all day again. The climb up Roan was as hard as I remembered, but this time it was very muddy. It took about 4 hrs to get from the shelter to the top of Roan. The hike down was in 2-3 in of water flowing down the trail. The sun tried to break through the clouds as we climebed out of Carter Gap and over Round Bald and Jane Bald. Took some pictures of flowers that were beginnning to bloom. Not sure what they are, but were pretty. Also saw the largest earhtworm ever, over 1' long and someone had stepped on it and cut off part of its rear. Got to the shelter at 6:45 after stopping for for water on the way in. Another milestone less than 1800 mi (actuallly 1797.8) to go!
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Elk River
Miles today: 15.4

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEHAPPY BIRHTDAY TO MEHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CO-HI-BAHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEWoke up to a sunny rainless day because it was my birthday. Got a late start (9:50) - could not get my water filter to work (it sucked because it would not suck). Had to use my iodine for the 1st time. I had forgotten how good it tasted! Used Otter's filter the rest of the day. The climb up Little Hump and Big Hump was quite a challenge. The wind was blowing at least 30 mph with gusts strong enough to blow our walking poles and almost blow us over. The views were great. We could see Grandfather, Grandmother, Table Rock and Hawksbill (Linville Gorge), Roan, and many other mountains. Didn't stay on top too long as it was fairly cold in the wind. Took a break at Apple House shelter then contined to the campsite beside the Elk River. We took the 0.1 mi side trail to see and photo Jones Falls - quite spectactular. Tenting up on the hill. Several others here tonight including Fire Hazard (set his sleeping bag on fire way back in GA). Starting to see more flowers blooming (see pix) and trees starting to leaf out. Only 1782.9 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Elk River

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

Left at 9:20 with tent fly wet from heavy dew. Only 2 of the other thru-hikers there were up. Stopped about 2.5 mi down trail and ate breakfast - toasted cinnamon/raisin bagels and instant OJ. Passed site of new shelter - we did not see anything of the stockpiled material (TEHC maintainers we met on the trail told us about it). Roundstep and Fish came here from Apple House shelter, 18.2 mi. They had an old book and map which said it was only 14.1 mi. Got a Coke at Walnut Mtn Road from Mary from MA., wife of Arthur who is day hiking road to road for a couple of weeks. Shelter is full and a few others are tenting and 1 in a hammock. Only 6.3 mi to Kinkcora Hostel for a shower and shuttle to Hampton, TN for dinner. Thinking of slacking from Kincora to US-321 (over Pond Mtn) since my cousin RC Hunt ant Otter's friend David Bean will be at US-321 to hike with us for a few days. Haved completed over 400 mi. Only 1771.4 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 6.6

Got an early start for us - 8:05. Made it to Dennis Cove Road by 11:00. Decided to go to Laurel Fork Lodge instead of Kincora Hostel. Everyone we talked to the last 2 days were going to Kincora. There were only 6 of us at Laurel Fork Lodge: me, Otter, Ork, Bean, Railroad, and Critter. Heard that many were being shuttled from Kincora to Hampton because they were full. Ottter and I had a small cabin with 2 beds - much better than bunks in a hostel. Got a quick shower and a shuttle into town for a good lunch at the Copper Kettle Resturant: country fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, and sweet tea. Bought some snacks at Dollar General and starter lookng for a shuttle back up the mtn. Got sucked into an internet cafe, paid for 30 min of time to check email, etc and just missed a shuttle. Took another hour to get a ride from someone in the auto parts store. Snacked on chips, salsa, and beer the rest of the afternoon, then ate a pizza for dinner while we wathched A Knight's Tale video. Finally got to bed about 11:00.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Watauga Dam
Miles today: 12.8

Woke up to a slow rain. Ate some pop tarts and coffee for breakfast waiting around for the rain to stop. Well, it didn't. We decided to slack pack to US-321 (9.2 mi) becuse my cousin RC Hunt and Otter's Friend David Bean were to meet us at the hwy and they would be able to drive us back to Laurel Fork Lodge to get our packs. We made it to US-321 in 4 hours - not bad considering the 1800' climb and descent of Pond Mtn. David and RC dropped off RC's car at US-91 and picked us up at 2:45. RC is only going to hike the 20 mi to his car (he has to be home Friday evening for a prior engagement) and David is going ot hike the 42 mi to Damasvcus with us. RC and I took the tents and hiked to the dam wihle Otter and David drove to Damascuis to leave his car and get a shuttle back to Hampton. RC and I set up the tents not long before Otter and David arrived - just before the rain started. Timing is everything. Hope these are just late afternoon showers; the weather report said the next 2 days were to be cool and sunny. It is raining harder now (9:45 PM). Anyway, only 1753.5 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Watauga Dam

To: Campsite past Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Slept until 8:30. Climbed back up to Watauga Dam, and cooked breakfast: sausage (in cast iron frying pan RC was carrying) oatmeal, and coffee. Went back dopwn to the campsite and packed up the tents. Started hiking at 11:00. RC started first while I took care of "morning business". Took about an hour to catch up with him. The climbs from the dam were fairly steep and the going was slow. Once we were on the ridges of the Iron Mtns, we picked up the pace. Took a long lunch break at Vandeventer shelter - great views of Watauga Lake and the town of Butler, TN. Got to camp about 5:00. Cooked hamburgers in foil (brought by RC) on a fire and prepared instant potatoes. Went well with the crackers & cheese and wine. Everyone else is asleep as I write this at 9:45. Going to sleep as soon as I finish the next crossword puzzle that Elaine sent me. Only 1744.0 mi to go!
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Campsite past Vandeventer Shelter

To: Low Gap US 421
Miles today: 14.1

Another perfect day, almost. Noticed that mice had chewed the grips on my hiking poles sometime during the night. Temp about 50, slight breeze, and sunny. The terrain was also very easy. Paid a quick visit to Nick Grindstaff - bruial memorial of a man who became a hermit after being scorned by a woman. He lived on the mountain, died, and was buried there. RC left us at TN-91. Really enjoyed having him hike with us for 2 days. We took our time hiking the next 6.5 mi to Low Gap. Tenting here with Routstep and Fish. Everyone thinking about going 14.8 mi into Damscus tomorrow. Brawn passed us today. Brain who got sick a few days earlier is planning on joining back up with Brawn in a few days. Three young hikers also passed us today. They were going for the 24-40: hiking the 40 mi from Watauga Lake to Damascus in 24 hours. More power to them! Only 1729.9 mi tyo go.!
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Low Gap US 421

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we did it - hiked over 15 mi to Damascus. Got here about 3:45. Noticed a sign about free ice cream for thru-hikers and section hikers but failed to read enough to know where it was. We hiked thru town to the Dairy King and inquired about free ice cream. They did not know what we were talkig about but gave us free ice cream cones anyway. Since David had his car here, we drove to Abington to get a motel room. The Holiday Inn Express was charging "race rates" ($160/night) because of the NHRA drag races in town so we went back to Damascus and got rooms in Dancing Bear and Appletree B&Bs. Ordered take-out pizza from Sicily's and dined with bear and wine at Dancing Bear.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zeroed today. Went thru the "supply" boxes that Davis brought from Raleigh for us. Stocked our food bags to get us to Atkins, VA and prepared mail drops for Atkins and Bastian, VA which should get us to Pearisburg, VA. David will mail these for us when returns to Raleigh tomorrow after he drops us off at VA 601 for a 17.1 mi slack pack back to Damascus. We will then spend another night at Dancing Bear. On Tuesday morning I will retrieve a "survival kit" package at the PO from Robert Kolar of TX (thanks, Robert) before we are shuttled back to VA 601 to continue on our quest.Sending our cold weather gear home with David, replacing it with the warm weather gear he brought. Purchased some lightweight polypro (replacing my expedition weight polypro) to get me through the upcoming 5000' mtns the next few days. Hoping my pack will be a bit lighter!Grilled steaks tonight to go with the salad and wine. May be the last "real" meat we ger for a couple of weeks.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Damascus, VA

To: VA. 601 Beech Mountain Road
Miles today: 17.1

I couldn't sleep last night- only about 3 hours. Woke up with a cramp in my left leg. I ate breakfast at Dancing Bear ( B & B ) with Otter and David. David drove us to VA 601 so we could slack pack back to Damascus. Started about 8:20 and finished at 4:30. Our feet are very tired. I took a short nap there and then went to dinner at Baja Cafe - large chicken fajita burrito. Otter and I are staying at Dancing Bear one more night. We have a shuttle back to VA 601 tomorrow at 10:00. Only plan to do a 11 mile tomorrow. Only 1697.0 miles to go!