morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Hot Springs and Asheville, NC

To: Campsite after the AT crosses US25/70 overpass
Miles today: 7.8

Have got to learn to repack the night before. Barely got out of the hotel even with a noon late checkout. Gonna do better next time. That is way too stressful. Especially after a long hot bath. Don't need stress getting back on the trail. It is hard trying to decide how much food to bring. This is one of the longest stretches without a good resupply along it. Other than the 100 mile wilderness or so I'm told. Probably have way too much but I ran out last week so we will see.Got back on the trail around 3pm and am taking Nahla our 4 year old small shepherd mix with me. Got her a pack stuffed with dog food. This will be an interesting week. I've done a lot of hiking in the woods with her but no camping. She already growled when Panoramic hiked by. Got to break her of that. She was fine once she smelled him but she looks mean with her fur standing up. It is about 70 miles to our next Resupply Girl visit. And about 6 days to get there. Weather looks warmer but there could be a bit of rain. Made the miles today with not much difficulty. She managed to ditch her pack half way up some steep stairs. Came passed me looking very pleased. Had to hike back down and get it and then tighten it up a bit. Going to be keeping a close eye on her!Broke a tree limb trying to hoist the food bag up with the dog food stashed in it. Hope it doesn't rip out tonight! What are the odds of a bear trying to get into a tent that has a dog in it? This I do not know.For now Nahla is laying under the tent vestibule. We will see how long that lasts. Time to try to get some sleep.
Date: 2005-04-25
To: Resupply Girl
Miles today: 0.0

Well - Another successful pickup. We are now 5 for 5. If you know about my sense of misdirection, you will also find this amazing!Picked up Brutus in at very small town, Hot Springs, NC, a "resort" town. The name sounded promising. I'm thinking "Ahhhh..." hot natural spring. What a weekend it will be. I even packed my suit. Got there and learned it's a Hot Tub with natural spring water put in it. OK, that's not worth $10/person. Next...Had fun with Brutus doing laundry and going through all supplies I brought. Making me a new list of what to bring next time. His solar panel (battery recharger) stopped working about mid-week and I need to go exchange it for one that's working. Given the fact it's how he lets us all know what's going on, it's important to me as well as him to get it replaced. Well, I went to Fry's tonight to do an even exchange. They did it, but also let me know, since it's been 2 months since the purchase, they didn't have to "be nice" and complete this exchange for me. Fry's has a strict 30 day return policy. After that, too bad - contact the manufacturer. Hope this new solar panel works for the remainder of the hike. I'm sure Coleman would be slow to send a replacement.I brought the up dogs with me as well (pet friendly hotel). Nahla stayed with Brutus to hike with him for a week. She has her own pack to carry her food. Everyone must carry their own weight - not even the dog gets a pass. Kalie was just along for the ride. Since she's nine, she isn't very interested in hiking, but she's very interested in going for rides. Next weekend we'll see if I take Nahla home with me, or if she stays on the trail for another week. I'm sure most of the decision will be based on how she is around the other hikers. She tends to be very protective and sounds threatening.On the way back home on Monday, I was cruising along at a nice 75 mph when I was pulled over, of course, for speeding. Apparently it was a 55 mph zone. I was hoping for a ticket of only 10 over. Can't they put you in jail for 20 over? I was out of state, and it's close to the end of the month (don't they have "quotas" to reach?) and he let me off with a warning! Wo-ho! Life is good... Can't wait for next weekend.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Campsite after the AT crosses US25/70 overpass

To: Campsite by spring at mile 293.3
Miles today: 14.8

Well, Nahla was good all night. Got out from under the rain fly and curled up in the leaves. Seemed fine with it. On the trail by 9am. She then growled at every one she saw. Not cool. Usually had her tail wagging while she did it but nobody likes a dog that growls at them. An AT dog needs a good personality. She has been the guard dog around the house too long. Not sure how to break a dog of that habit.It was cold and windy all day. Sun came out a little and I thought we were going to luck out and miss the rain. Passed up two trail magic stops because I didn't think they would appreciate a dog with an attitude. They were both off the trail at peoples houses.Then Cricket passed me and said 100 percent chance of rain in the evening. He was right. It started about an hour before we got to the next shelter that had water. We needed water before we could make camp. Shelter was full with lots of tents around. Got water. Nahla was not happy to sit in the rain while I filtered water. Whined the whole time. Pushed on up the hill to find a site away from all the people. Turned out to be a very long hill up. High winds and rain and a killer climb. No campsites anywhere. The other side of the mountain was not any better. Rocky and steep. Passed 3 southbound slack packers who said it just got worse ahead and more muddy till the next shelter. And that shelter was full too. Was about to put the tent up in the woods when we finally found some campsites by a spring. I was really cold and getting worried. At least it stopped raining for a while so I got the tent up out of the rain. Changed into dry clothes and felt much better. Hippy and Lefty made camp here too. Nahla is under the rain fly and leaning in on the tent wall. Got clothes jammed under her to keep the wall from collapsing. I think she really wants to be in the tent. With what I put her through today I really do owe her. Hopefully tomorrow goes better.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Campsite by spring at mile 293.3

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

Well, it rained hard last night so Nahla got to sleep in the tent with me. My pack rain cover is her bed. Very cold night. Around 8am it was sunny and I hung up clothes to dry. Half hour later it was raining. And sleet. Didn't get on the trail until 12:30pm. Almost was ready to take a zero. Didn't get a lot of miles in but they were tough ones. Lots of mud and rocks. Then took the white blazed "Exposed Ridge Trail" over maybe Big Firescald Knob I think. That was something! Started snowing/sleeting hard. When it cleared the view was incredible. Just high up on this thin ridge. Wow. Rock steps with one drop of a wall at least 6 feet high. Took Nahla's pack off for that one. She made it down fine. It took me a lot longer with both packs. She leads the way most of the time. After the summit the sun came out so had a nice lunch. Almost warm even. The 4 miles took almost 4 hours. Slow muddy going.Got a nice campsite a bit passed the shelter. Nahla still growls at everyone. Every time Hippy and Lefty pass me she growls and they give her loving and the next time it is back to growling like she has never seen them before. Bummer. Saw Easy Does It at the shelter. I think this is his 5th hike. He is always nice to Nahla and she growls at him too.Had a good bit more sleet after I got the tent up. Much nicer to be in the tent reading than out in the soup. Nahla is sleeping next to me. Trying to any ways. It is going to be cold tonight. Looks like we will get a hard frost up this high. I will pile some clothes on Nahla to help keep her warm.Burrr. Lots of miles to make tomorrow so got to get an early start. They are calling for rain again tomorrow afternoon. Want to miss that if we can.
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

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

Cold - Sun - Warm - Rain - ColdThat was how the day went. Beautiful sunny morning with hikes through grassy fields high up in the mountains. Noon was nice. Then it got cloudy. Then continuous rain and cold and windy. Hiked too long in the rain and got too cold again. Gotta stop doing that. Rough on the dog too. Finally getting a little warmed up at 9pm in the tent. Didn't even feel like cooking any supper. Just ate cold stuff. And they are calling for more rain for the next two days. Hope they are right and it gets warmer or it is going to be really hard getting out of the tent.One happy thought, over 300 miles on the AT!
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain in the morning. Was just about to break down the tent when it hit. Waited it out. It was a good morning for reading in the tent. "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. Wow! Excellent book to be reading on the trail. Very motivating.Great privy at this shelter. Faces away from the shelter and has no front so your knees are just hanging out and you overlook the valley through the trees. Hmmm, guess you just had to be there... Got a late start and it was a little warmer but still a bit cold for me. Didn't want to get up on Big Bald so camped in a valley with Kong and a guy who camps under a sheet of plastic. Didn't get his name but he is roughing it. I still love my heavy tent! Got set up and made supper before more rain came. A dry dog is a good dog!
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Low Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: moderate rain

Had an early breakfast and then had to wait out more rain. Long muddy hike up to Big Bald and then it was just a hike through a very windy cloud. No good views with that weather. Was just nice to get over it.Hiking down hill is better even in thick mud. Had lunch and the sun even came out for a bit. By the end of the day Nahla was tired. She was sitting with her pack on while I was filtering water at a stream. I was watching her eyes get heavy and then she almost fell over. Dozed off. She looked kinda suprised. Was starting to look for a camp site before the next shelter when I caught up with a troop of Boy Scouts who had set up camp at the last possible spot before the drop to the next shelter. Probably wouldn't have taken that spot any ways because it was right next to the trail. And I thought there was one more spot coming up. Nope. Was starting to wonder when we finally got to the next shelter. Jersey Girls were there so didn't want to bug them with Little Miss Growler so set up camp a ways away from the shelter. Had supper before the rain hit. That is so nice! Rained all night. It was good after a long hike.
Date: 2005-05-01
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 6.3

Damp cold morning. Took my time and made breakfast. Didn't want to get to town too early and not be able to check in at the hotel. Played fetch with Nahla for a while. She was wired and ready to go. One sore on her front leg. I think the pack was riding too far forward so I loosened the strap up. Didn't bother her at all. Did find one tick on her. Been looking for them. She is on Sentinel so it is not a big deal but it finally bugged me enough to dig out the tweezers and managed to get the whole thing off her in one piece. Put in in a zip lock and it ran around until I got to show Resupply Girl. Being from Michigan originally we don't get much of them critters. They really are nasty and I found it takes a LOT to squish one.The hike down the mountain had super views of the valley and cliff overlooks of the river. The hike to the Holiday Inn Express took less than a half hour. Kong got off the trail right behind me and scored a ride instantly. I wasn't looking for one with the dog and it was such a nice day. The hotel is great and allows pets and has a hiker box and gives ya a pint of B&J ice cream every day you stay there. Internet computer and laundry on site. Life is good. Got unpacked and waited for Resupply Girl. She did not have a happy trip up here this week. She can tell that story. It was so good to see her though! She brought Kalie so we had a regular zoo. Took a drive around town and gave a thru hiker a ride to Miss Janet's. They were full so took him to the Super 8. He seemed happy not to have to hike the 3 more miles into town. A little Beagle dog had followed him in and he left it at Miss Janet's after they called her. Hopefully it is not too much trouble for her to find a place for it. It is hard to know what to do when a dog starts following you. This town has signs up saying it needs an animal shelter. Yep, it does. Hope they get one.Stayed up way too late working on gear. 2am or so. Should have done laundry but other hikers were using the wash and I didn't think I'd be up that late. Oh well, got up at 5:30 to start laundry. But that is Monday¢s story...
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Nolichucky River

To: Holiday Inn Express, Irwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Laundry is done. Resupply Girl and the dogs are gone. All quiet. Got more sleep and washed the pack straps and hipbelt. And the pack rain cover that was Nahla's bed. That was dirty and still looks dirty. Brown was a good color for it!A tub is a good thing for sore legs and feet.Gotta go check out the gas station next door for food and then "Men in Black" is on HBO. Oh, and gotta look into more ice cream. 1,000 calories in one pint. Mmmmm. Down over 25lb. Gotta slow that down. Still not much appetite. The pictures are of the truck parked behind the hotel. It didn't glow in the dark so hopefully we are ok.Life is Good!
Date: 2005-05-02
To: Resupply Girl
Miles today: 0.0

Well, all this traveling on weekends and working during the week is wearing me out! I wish I could be ¢beamed up¢/over to Brutus instead of driving for 4 hours. That hurts. It hurts even more when you get pulled over for speeding less that 5 miles from your destination! $158.00. Ouch! With out getting into too many details, but the officer was nice enough to tell me if he didn¢t pull me over, I¢d be pulled over in the next county and they charge more. I didn¢t bother to tell him I wasn¢t going to the next county, just the next exit. Oh well...Getting a ticket was just the beginning of the end. Mapquest had misdirected me and said to get off at exit 12. It really was exit 15. I was lost, recently pulled over (should have asked the officer for directions) and I¢m still not sure how I found my way to the Holiday Inn.I found it and then couldn¢t get in. Apparently the door ¢sticks¢ I thought it was locked. You can¢t see the front desk from the front door, so I¢m thinking: maybe there is another ¢real¢ front door. Can¢t find it. Call Brutus and he lets me in. I collapse on the bed crying about all the bad things that have just happened to me in the last 15 minutes and he unloads the car (that was a nice trade off...)Once there, I had a great time. Too short. Got there late afternoon and I had to leave by 8:30 the next morning for an appointment at home. Needed time to drive back - without speeding mind you.Took Nahla home. She was sacked out for all 4 hours in the car sleeping. Stopped in SC somewhere for Strawberries. They are delicious.I¢m taking next weekend ¢off.¢ Need a break from the travel. He¢s fine with it, thinks resupplying in a week will be OK since there will be a town nearby to go to. Hope it works out. I¢m going to stay in bed all weekend.Also - just so you know, I'm the one updating Brutus' journal (he emails me and I update online). Photos are filled in later (i.e. visit the photos section or revisit pages you have already read to see visuals). If you know me, you know I think it's the best part. I'm trying to have a photo for almost every day. If it's emailed to me it's posted with the entry, otherwise it waits until I have the XD card and I can go through all the picts from the past week or two and update.
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Nolichucky River

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Checked out of the hotel at noon. Holiday Inn Express at Irwin, TN treated me Very Well. The 2 pints of B&J ice cream were really sweet! Cherry Garcia and Phish Food. Mmmmm.Back on the trail around 12:30pm. Perfect weather all day. Sun and cool with some breeze. Hiked a lot farther than I had planned. Started getting late and cold and there is a big mountain ahead. At least 5 others are camping here by the spring. The spot that was left is not close to level and I will probably be rolling sideways tonight. I'm so tired I probably won't care. Bundled up because it is supposed to freeze tonight. I am so done with being cold.Long John Silvers and all that town food really has my tummy talking to me. Gonna pay for all that junk food.Passed about a dozen south bound slack hikers who were putting in a 19 mile day. They all seemed to be having fun but I don't think they will have made it to Irwin before dark. Saw Panoramic and met Saxy Lady. Everyone was dressed up in costume and some had their faces painted. A real wild bunch.Other than having a heavy pack from so much food, it was a good hard day of hiking.
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Deep Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept good even on the uneven ground. Got a late start on the trail. Around 11am. Nice day. Sunny and cool. Right away was Unaka Mtn. 1000' climb but the pine tree forest at the top was beautiful. Tall trees and green moss everywhere. No wind and really quiet.I had just gotten water at a spring and was walking back to the trail when Panoramic, Redbeard and Zen came by and stopped to say Hi. Hiked the rest of the day with them. Found out Redbeard is from the U.P. Of Michigan. Just north of Houghton. Since I spent 6 years going to school up there he considers me a fellow Yooper. It was good talking to him about it. A lot has changed in the last 10 years up there. We really need to take a trip up there to see it all. And it turns out Panoramic is a PLC programmer too. It is a small world. Oh, Zen is from Sparta, Mi. Just north of where I grew up. Very small world!Kept hiking and ended up camping out at a shelter. It is full and there are a lot of tents. Big climb tomorrow up Roan Mtn. It is over 6000' high.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Another slow start of a morning. Cooked breakfast and on the trail around 10:30. Light rain and cool. And then the hardest day of climbs so far. Roan Mtn is one tough climb. It just keeps going up and up and up. At Ash Gap you think you have got to be just about to the top but it is only half way. Much more like mountain climbing than hiking. Most of the climb was in a windy cloud. Very cold and wet. There were a few people in the shelter at the top. I was told it is the highest shelter on the trail. Three stoves going warmed it up a little. Ate lunch but then everyone got cold and we left. Chilled to the bone. Then a couple more gaps and balds. In the clouds for most of it. Made it to Overmountain Shelter around 7:45pm. It is an old barn that was converted to a shelter. Someone said it was used in a movie. "Winter People" or something like that. Going to have to look it up. Around 20 people in it. A lot set their tents up inside of it. It is much nicer out in the field. Although a guy who didn't want to bother the people in the shelter with his snoring put his tent up next to mine. So I got to enjoy that... Right now he is coughing up a lung. Maybe he should quit smoking. Redbeard just told him that is Gods way of telling him he should quit smoking. There are way too many people bunched up here before Damascus. I've had enough of the crowds and we are still 85 miles out...
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Campsite past Jones Falls
Miles today: 12.8

Nice morning. Cooked breakfast and got a late start again. Almost 11am before I hit the trail. The sun, wonderful sun came out and it was warm! There were some good climbs up Little Hump and Hump Mtn. More great views. There was another hunter hanging out on Hump Mtn by the info plaque. Full camo. On the way down there were Longhorn cows. A half dozen or so. They were laying by the trail just watching us go by. Glad they were friendly! Or at least used to hikers.It was about 5 miles of downhill hiking to Apple House Shelter. Very Nice! There were a lot of people hanging out there and Zen and Redbeard were there with their packs on. They were game to hike the half mile up to King of the Road Steakhouse. Had supper with them there. Ribeye steak and onion rings with mayo and salad. Veggies, real veggies. All Mmmmm! Then a snowball for desert. Ice cream rolled in coconut and covered in chocolate syrup. That was my splurge for the week but man was it good. As we were finishing up about a dozen more hikers came in who had caught rides up. I bet that restaurant gets a lot of hikers.At 5:45pm we were back down on the trail. It goes through private property for about 5 miles and there is no camping allowed we were told. Wingfoot doesn't say anything about it but there is a 4 wheeler path that follows the trail and I guess it is to make sure there are no people camping. So we ended up doing some night hiking. My first. It was kinda fun. Would have been scary by myself. Redbeard found a spot for our tents on the side of the trail about 5 miles from the restaurant. We were all beat.A sunny day, even if it is cool and windy and sometimes cloudy is so much nicer than a rainy day! It was a good day of hiking.I think we are now done with North Carolina. Two states done. It is all Tennessee for a few more days until Virginia. Today might just break 400 miles on the trail. Slowly getting there!
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Campsite past Jones Falls

To: Campsite after mile 401.8
Miles today: 12.2

Slept great in the woods and woke to a sunny nice warm day. Took my time getting around. Said goodbye to Redbeard and Zen because I wasn't planning on pushing on as far or as hard as them. The trail was a lot easier today and I didn't push hard at all and still knocked out over 10 miles. That is nice! Might hit the campground at Dennis Cove to clean up a bit tomorrow.Made camp early tonight and cooked up Notta Pasta Mac and Cheese. Mmmm! Good! It looks like I'm less than 2 miles to the next shelter. Some solo camping sounded good. Even hung up my food bag. Been getting lax on that when there are other people around.Even with a headache this morning, probably didn't drink enough water, it was a good day of hiking. A 1 1/2 hour siesta in the sun didn't hurt either. And it is over 400 miles on the trail! Woo Hoo!