morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-01-17
From: NOC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

I didn't get started today until about 10:30am. I wasn't in any hurry since I was only planning on hiking to Sassafras Gap shelter. When I left NOC I could see a dusting of snow in a few places. As I progressed to higher altitude the trail became snow covered and there were a few patches of ice. Although it was cold out today it wasn't uncomfortable while hiking. One side of my face would get cold when the wind would pick up. This was easily remedied by stopping and facing the sun until my face was warm again.   I reached Sassafras Gap shelter at about 2:30pm. I had a snack and looked through the register. I decided it was too early and too cold to stop for the day. I knew I wasn't quick enough to make it to Brown Forks Gap shelter before dark. Camping at Stecoah Gap seemed to be a reasonable plan. I wouldn't have to worry about rain since it was too cold to rain and with Stecoah Gap being at a lower elevation it should be warmer.   I arrived at Stecoah Gap just before dark. As soon as I stopped to set up camp the sun went behind the mountain and I got cold. My hands were frozen by the time I had my tent set up. I decided to get in my sleeping bag and warm up before having dinner. After a few minutes I was warm again but I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag to eat. I just brought my food bag in the tent and ate some cold snacks. I know you are not supposed to bring your food in the tent but I decided to risk it for one night.I didn't sleep well last night. I wouldn't recommend camping at Stecoah Gap. It is right by the road and there is traffic passing by all night. I could handle that but also there is a small parking area and several people pulled in at different times in the night and early morning. My tent is too small to keep my backpack in and I was paranoid that someone would swipe it during the night. Whenever I heard a vehicle idling in the parking lot I would stick my head out and check it out. My sleeping bag didn't keep me completely warm. Most of my body was fine but I couldn't keep my feet warm. Also where my hip and shoulder pressed into my pad I could feel the cold coming up through the frozen ground. I probably would have been fine if I were in a shelter rather than a tent.In the morning I decided I didn't want to stay out in this cold for another night. I decided to hitch into the nearest town and wait for the cold weather to pass.
Date: 2005-01-29
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

   I was able to hitch out of Stecoah Gap to Bryson City. The couple that gave me a ride appeared to be dirt poor but they were still generous enough to help out a stranger. I called my brother in Atlanta to pick me up. He wasn't able to do it until the next day due to work obligations. I figured that might be the case since I gave him no advance notice.   I checked into the Sleep Inn. This is a pretty nice hotel although more money than I wanted to spend.($60) As I was walking back to the hotel after grabbing some supper I spotted a couple walking toward me. The fleece,boots, and the fact that they were walking made me think they were hikers. I asked them and found out they were Fal and Hercules who started a day ahead of me. I had been reading their register entries but wasn't sure if they were ahead or behind me now. I apparently passed them when they went into Franklin. I met Chris(Alpha) at the SORUCK so now the only Jan. 1 starter I haven't met is Heidi-Hydro. I've read that she is taking some time off due to illness so I might see her yet.   I've been in Atlanta for a week now. Kinda wish I would have stayed on the trail now. It has been nice staying with my brother and his girlfriend but a week off is too long. Oh well,I'll think twice next time I'm considering getting off the trail. I have decided to skip forward a little bit. I'm impatient to get to trail I haven't already hiked. I'll most likely get back on the trail at Davenport Gap. I'll give an update from Hot Springs.Update: I wasn't able to get back on the trail today due to the ice storm here. I'm hoping tomorrow will be ok.
Date: 2005-02-01
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

I'm in Hot Springs and getting back on the trail. I took a bus to Johnson City and then a shuttle to Miss Janet's. I spent last night there and she shuttled me here today. Also at Miss Janet's were Chris (Alpha) and Coyote. I hadn't previously met Coyote but she hiked some last year with Saltlick who I also hiked with some. She is getting ready to go to Ecuador for the Peace Corps. I'm not sure if I'll hike out of here today or wait until tomorrow. It is already 12:30pm. I'd like to get to Erwin by Sunday to watch the Super Bowl. I'll update my journal when I get to Erwin.After updating my journal at the library I went to the post office. FYI you don't need to sign up or show ID to use the computers at the library. The computers are a little slow but there is no time limit that I'm aware of.At the post office I picked up my maildrop which I had forwarded from Fontana. You don't need a maildrop in Hot Springs. It has a small grocery store which is adequate for resupply. I'm only doing maildrops where local resupply isn't available. I just buy food in a preceding trail town and mail it where I need it. The staff at the post office is hiker-friendly and they have a register for hikers.It was about 1:00pm when I hit the trail. There is a long climb out of Hot Springs but it has alot of switchbacks so it isn't too strenous. It was a pleasant temperature for hiking and there was no wind. I didn't make it to the shelter until about 6:45pm. I had to night hike the last half hour.About a mile out of Hot Springs I saw a Marmot Precip tent set up with a sleeping bag inside. I looked around and called out but no one answered. I'm assuming the gear was abandoned. About a mile before the shelter I found a bright red stuff sack with a Z-rest inside sitting in the middle of the trail. No one was around and there were no boot prints in the snow so I picked it up and took it with me.From Tanyard Gap on the trail was covered with snow. The snow fell on Saturday but I saw no boot prints. I'm definitely out here by myself now.This is a very old shelter. The middle of the floor was wet. The floor also had a large hole in it. There are numerous gaps in the floor and walls which allow wind to blow in. Not a problem for me since I'm the only one here I just take the best space available. Although this shelter is in bad repair I'm glad it is here. It is great to be back on the trail.
Date: 2005-02-02
From: Spring Mt. Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn't get started until 11:30am today. I slept pretty well last night. Having two sleeping pads is slightly more comfortable. I think I'll carry the Z-rest to Erwin and then decide which sleeping pad to keep. It was warm last night although it must have been a little below zero since there was some ice in my water bottles.   Spring Mt. shelter seems to be mouse free. I did hear some kind of animal scratching at the shelter floor. I ignored it since there wasn't much else I could do.    Today's hike was pleasant except when the wind picked up. The trail was easy until Allen Gap. Climbing out of Allen Gap was harder but not too bad.   I didn't see anyone on the trail yesterday or today. When I arrived at Little Laurel shelter however I met '98 thru-hikers Mightywind and Spirit(dog). They were doing a section hike heading south. It was 4:30pm when I arrived and it looked like they had already been there awhile. I didn't have enough time to make it to the next shelter before dark so I stayed here. That had been my plan anyway after my late start. I took a nice and easy pace today.   It was nice having someone to talk to at night. I talked with Mightywind for several hours. Spirit was a friendly and well-behaved dog. I'm going to sleep now so I can get an earlier start tomorrow.
Date: 2005-02-03
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mt. shelter
Miles today: 12.7

I got on the trail today at 10:38am. Earlier than yesterday but still not early. I just don't get around too quick in the morning.   It rained last night. I would have thought it was cold enough to snow. Apparently it warmed up some overnight. The ice was melting off the shelter this morning which it wasn't doing yesterday. There were strong winds last night and they were blowing directly into the shelter. I was pretty cold until I got into my sleeping bag.   Mightywind gave me some warm water which I used to defrost my filter bottle. I refilled his water bottle when I refilled my water bottles. He showed me his map so I had an idea of what was coming up today. He was still in the shelter when I left having decided to hitch out at Allen's Gap.   Today's hiking was tougher than usual. The first 1.3 miles were uphill. That was the only major uphill but the hiking was still slow due to my boots sinking a couple inches or so into the snow with every step. At the higher altitudes last night's rain had come down as snow. Occasionally the snow would come up over the top of my boots and they became soaking wet. There were also blowdowns and tree limbs heavy with ice blocking the trail. I saw a large tree branch snap and fall about ten feet away from me. That could have been bad especially considering I saw nobody all day and am alone here in the shelter tonight.   After leaving Jerry's Cabin shelter about 3:00pm I had 5.9 miles to hike to get here. I considered staying there since the shelter had a fireplace and someone had left newspaper and kindling. There were no dry logs though and it was still early. I pushed on although I knew I'd probably arrive after dark. I had been following Mightywind and Spirit's tracks in the snow all day. After Big Butt I noticed boot prints going in both directions. I began to wonder if I had somehow gotten turned around. About a half hour later I passed the Shelton graves so I knew I was heading in the right direction.   A short distance past the graves the trail went around the side of the mountain and started descending. The temperature must have been about ten degrees warmer. This lifted my spirits and I picked up my pace in order to make it here before dark. I arrived here at 6:30pm. I almost passed it up since it was almost dark and I wasn't using my flashlight. I saw a sign and pulled out my light to read it. The sign read shelter and when I turned and looked it was right in front of me. I would have easily seen it if it had been daylight. It was a good end to the day.
Date: 2005-02-04
From: Flint Mt. shelter

To: Hogback Ridge shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I was planning to make it to Erwin on Sunday for the Super Bowl. That is not going to happen though unless I hike a twenty mile day which ain't gonna happen. I'm considering hitching into Erwin from Sams Gap.   The weather was nice and sunny today. Much better than yesterday which was foggy all day. There were several scenic overlooks yesterday but I couldn't see anything. There was trail magic at Devil Fork Gap. There was a white bucket hanging from a tree. The bucket contained cans of juice and a variety of goodies. There was even a register to sign. The terrain today was fairly easy today other than the long climb out of Devils Fork Gap. I'm still not in good enough shape to take the climbs in stride. There was no signage after the gap so I wasn't sure how much progress I was making until I arrived at the shelter.   It was about 5:30pm when I arrived. I didn't get on the trail until noon since I had a short day planned. I bought a one dollar radio at Wal-Mart when I was in Atlanta. I sat and listened to it for a couple of hours in the morning. I also listened to it for about an hour while hiking. The radio has a light which has been handy since the batteries in my headlamp gave out two days ago. I've gotten my dollar's worth out of the radio already. The Johnson City weather forecast is for highs in the 50's and no precipitation the next two days. That will make it harder to leave the trail at Sams Gap. The lure of town is strong also. I'll make up my mind tomorrow when I reach Sams Gap.
Date: 2005-02-05
From: Hogback Ridge shelter

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 2.4

   I didn't see anyone hiking yesterday and had the shelter to myself again last night. I did have a mouse pay a late night visit. I forgot to put up my bag of food wrappers and left it laying on the shelter floor. I woke up in the middle of the night due to a strange noise. When I shined my flashlight around the shelter I discovered a mouse nibbling at an empty peanut bag. He had scattered the other wrappers all over the shelter floor. There wasn't anything in the peanut bag he must have just been licking off the salt and grease. The mouse just kept on eating while I shined my light on him. When I sat up he ran beneath the shelter floor. I gathered up the peanut wrapper and the rest of the trash and put it in my food bag. I don't think the mouse liked that. He showed his displeasure by leaving a little turd on my companion which I had by my sleeping bag. The mouse hangers do seem to be keeping my food safe from the mice.   I woke up to a beautiful sunny day. As usual I was in no hurry to get up. I sat and listened to the radio and just relaxed. It was about noom when I finally hit the trail. Not a problem since I had decided to hitch to Erwin from Sams Gap.   The trail from Hogback Ridge to Sams Gap is very easy. I covered the 2.4 miles in about an hour. That is very fast for me. On the way I saw a grouse and a day hiker. He was the first person I had seen since I left Little Laurel shelter.   It only took me about five minutes to get a ride into Erwin. It is only about fifteen minutes from Sams Gap. I checked into Miss Janets and did the usual town chores. She took me to the YMCA to get a shower since her bathroom is being renovated. It should be ready by the time the main hiker crowd gets here. I'll be staying here tomorrow also to watch the Super Bowl.
Date: 2005-02-06
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Erwin, TN (Miss Janet's House)
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was too nice of a day today to not hike. I slackpacked from Indian Grave Gap back to Erwin. This is some of the easiest terrain on the trail. I made the 8.3 mile in 3.5 hours. Much quicker than my usual pace. I had to wait an hour for Miss Janet to pick me up since I finished much faster than I thought. It was a pleasant hike and it is great to get in some miles while still having a town day.   In the evening we went to Johnson City to watch the Super Bowl. We watched it at Hooters. That was Miss Janet's daughter's choice but I didn't object. I had a good time but the game kept me up late compared to my usual hiking bedtime. When I got home I went straight to bed.   I've enjoyed the last couple of days here and look forward to coming back. Miss Janet is dropping me off at Sams Gap tomorrow and I should be back in Erwin on Wednesday. I'll have visited Miss Janet three seperate times on the same hike.   I've decided to go by my trail name from last year "Cocoon". If you see new entries by Cocoon that will be me. I should have new journal entries on Wednesday.
Date: 2005-02-07
From: Sams Gap

To: Bald Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Miss Janet dropped me off at Sams Gap at about 11:30am. It was cloudy when I first started but nice and sunny when I reached the first little bald. There was alot of mud on the trail. Despite the warmer weather parts of the trail are still snow covered. My boots are wet once again.   Arrived at the shelter about 4:00pm. I would have gone further and camped but rain is forecast for tomorrow morning. I saw three day hikers on the trail today but am alone in the shelter as usual. If I keep doing these low mile days Jaws should catch up with me soon.   This shelter is in good repair but people have left lots of trash here. There is easy access from a road. Also saw signs of someone riding their horse on the trail. The trail was really torn up. I wish people would have more respect for the trail.   It isn't even dark yet but I'm about ready to go to sleep. I don't have anything else to do. The register has just a few entries in it and I have read them all. My entry is the first in about three weeks. There are no books here. It seems people only leave books behind at shelters I arrive at late. Oh well, if I get to sleep early maybe I'll get up early and do the 16.9 miles into Erwin.
Date: 2005-02-08
From: Bald Mt. Shelter

To: Erwin, TN (Miss Janet's House)
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I forgot to mention yesterday that I was able to cook and eat at the picnic table in front of the shelter. I haven't been able to do that the last week because the tables have been ice-covered. My alcohol stove cooked quickly with the warmer weather. I have been able to get my stove to work in below freezing temperatures. It is a major pain though to get it to light and it uses much more fuel than normal. I usually don't bother and just eat some snacks. I have some esbit tabs if I ever absolutely have to cook.   I woke up just before 8:00am this morning. The sun was shining. It had rained during the night. The forecast called for AM rain. I was hoping the rain that had already come down was the AM rain. No such luck,by the time I had eaten breakfast and gotten ready to go a heavy fog had set in and it was lightly drizzling.   I was surprised that the section from Bald Mountain to Spivey Gap had heavy snow cover. I was constantly sinking into the snow a few inches and my boots remained soaked. There were a couple of drifts where I sank almost to my knees. The loose snow was very slick and I had a few spills. There were occasional patches of ice but none big enough to bother putting on my ice-walkers. I still haven't had a need to use them.   When I got to Spivey Gap the trail was no longer snow covered. I checked the time and realized I had a good chance of getting into Erwin before dark. I decided if I made it to the shelter by 2:30pm,I would hike on to Erwin. I arrived at No Business Knob shelter at 1:35pm. After taking a lunch break I got back on the trail and headed to Erwin. The trail between Spivey Gap and the shelter had been remarkably easy. It was mostly level with a few small uphills and downhills.   The trail from the shelter to Erwin remained easy. It was very level for the AT and had a nice descent at the end into Erwin. I did 6.3 miles in 2 1/2 hours, much faster than my average. I walked about a mile towards town without getting a ride. I called Miss Janet from the service station by the Holiday Express and I was picked up a few minutes later.   I'm going to do all my town chores and head out early tomorrow afternoon. I have a short hiking day planned so it should work out fine. I've enjoyed staying at Miss Janet's and am glad I was able to stay here on three separate occassions. I should be in Kincora in six or seven days and I'll update from there.
Date: 2005-02-09
From: Erwin, TN (Miss Janet's House)

To: Erwin, TN (Miss Janet's House)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

   I ended up taking a zero today. I thought I could get everything done in the morning and get started hiking in the early afternoon. It didn't work out that way. LSAC has lost one of my letters of recommendation and some of my law school applications were being held up due to the missing letter. I couldn't get the LOR form to print and had to call their technical assistance line to finally get it printed out. I contacted my recommender to let her know the form was coming and to ask her to please send the letter again. I didn't get the stuff mailed until almost 3:00pm. It took much longer than I thought but I am releived to get that done and hope it will lead to more law school acceptances.   I was going to get my pictures developed here and put on CD. Unfortunately, the photo place can only put pictures from a digital camera on CD. I really wish I had gotten a digital camera. Anyway I mailed my camera to my brother in Atlanta and he is going to upload the pictures for me. This will cause a delay in getting the pictures up but they are coming. Also my brother won't know what the pictures are of so the pictures might be up for a few days before I can put the dates and descriptions on them.    I've been spending more money than I planned. Looking at my finances I won't be able to finish if I keep spending at this rate. I'm going to try keeping to a budget of $50 a week from now on. I know that will be difficult but it should be possible at least through Kincora and Damascus. If I find this budget too limiting I'll adjust it. I originally planned on having to get off the trail to make more hiking money but I want to delay that as long as possible.   Today was a beautiful day I wish I was hiking. Snow is predicted for tomorrow. I hope it isn't much since I'll be crossing Roan Mountain soon. FYI:I've started using the trail name Cocoon.
Date: 2005-02-10
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light snow

Miss Janet dropped me off at the trail a little before noon. I only had an eight mile day planned so there was no rush. Snow had been predicted for Erwin but there were only a few flurries. Up in the mountains though there had been plenty of snow.   Today's hiking was not so great. There was a strong wind so I just kept my head down and kept moving forward. I passed Beauty Spot which is supposed to have spectacular views. Today was overcast so there were no views. I hiked past it quickly because the unobstructed wind was bone-chilling.   When I arrived at the shelter I discovered a covering of snow over the entire shelter floor. I swept all the snow off but could see it was soon going to accumulate again. The wind is blowing into the shelter and this shelter was built with a gap all the way around between the wall and the roof. It is not the place you want to be when there is wind and precipitation. I set my tent up like a bivy in the shelter. This is one reason why you should always carry some form of shelter even if you plan on always staying at the shelters.
Date: 2005-02-11
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Iron Mt. Gap
Miles today: 2.7

   I woke up last night to discover a thin layer of ice inside my tent. I thought with the rain fly off I shouldn't have any condensation problems. When I looked outside of my tent I saw the entire shelter floor was covered in at least a half-inch of snow. I brought one of my water bottles into my sleeping bag so it wouldn't completely freeze. There wasn't much else I could do but try to get some sleep before daylight.   When I woke up it was sunny but cold. My water bottles were frozen solid. The weather forecast on my radio said it was going to be down to 22 degrees in Johnson City. It must have been at least ten degrees colder here. The forecast also said it was supposed to warm up to the 40's today.   I sat and listened to my radio while waiting for it to warm up. I bought new headphones in Erwin. It didn't seem right to get $6 headphones for a $1 radio but that's all they had. I was comfy in my sleeping bag but it didn't seem to be getting any warmer. I finally had to get up and get going to allow myself enough time to make the next shelter before dark.   The hiking today was very slow. Much more snow came down during the night. The snow was coming up over my boots with every step. Also the loose snow was making it difficult to maintain my balance.   It took me almost 2 hours to hike the 2.7 miles to Iron Mountain Gap. There I saw a truck idling in the parking lot. I talked to the couple inside and found out they had been dayhiking. They advised me against going up Roan Mountain and offered me a ride into town. I readily took them up on the offer. They were going to drop me off in Unicoi where I could call for a ride into Erwin. Then they suggested since they were going right by Hampton,TN they could drop me off at Kincora. That would put me past the Roan highlands and allow me to continue hiking north. The trail between Kincora and Damascus is mostly below 4000 feet. I'm now warm and dry in the hostel. Today was true trail magic.