morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Neels Gab
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up late....again. It was either dogs barking or owls hooting or something but whatever it was, my alarm clock for the morning. Last one out of the shelter....again but my mid-day caught up to everybody. Early morning trail magic by a group of boyscouts. They had eggs, juice, fruit, rolls, sodas, the works and it was a very nice supprise/and much needed. Weather was overcast most of the day with mild drizzle but comfortable hiking. Arrived at slaughter gap and was tempted to camp there and save Blood Mtn for in the morning (the highest peak on the AT in Georgia. I decided to flip a coin and let fate decide. Heads i hike, tails i stay......heads (damnit!) It turned out to be a wise choice becase latter on in the night Mother Nature thru and few inches of snow and ice upon the trail. Not on me though. I sleep at the hostel in Neels Gab, hot a shower, ate pizza, and sleep in a bunk. Life is good!Peace and Health,Brian
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap/Helen, GA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Had to go into town to resupply so it was time to test out my hitch hiking skills. Remember, I'm 0 for 1 so far. Stood around by the road at Unicoi Gap and after about 10 Minutes, give or take, Trail Angel, I forget her name, and her dog, I forget his name, yelled accross the street to jump in! Yahoo 1 for 2 now. So me, two other hikers, and two dogs coast into to Helen in less than 9 minutes--that would have taken me 4 hours by foot, no thanks.Anyway, get into town, go to the post office, eat a triple cheese burger and fries, go poop, resupply, go poop again, call the family and attempt to head back to Unicoi Gap. Helen is a 'Bavarian' tourist community, kind of like disney world?, and I guess I didn't look like pleasant company. Meaning; 1 for 3 on hitching. I stop by Super 8 and try to find a shuttle when Parkay, Sidewinder, and Bumpkin show up (they got a ride with a couple Souther Belles) and I couldn't resist staying over. Between the heated pool, beer, and Bumpkin torching his stove, and nearly the hotel room, it was worth the couple of bucks.Towns are addicting.....cant keep going into them.Peace,BP
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: moderate rain

Hello everyone. This is Brian's sister. I just got off the phone with him, and he wanted me to let everyone know he is doing great. He is leaving Fontana Dam this morning (afternoon really). He is fixin to enter the smokey's, but says that it snowed tons there last night. So a change in plans because the shelter he wanted to get to tonight is 10 miles away and he doesn't feel like hiking in the snow all day. So he is just going to the next shelter which is just a short hike away, and get an early start tom. morning. He told me to say if anyone wants to send him a letter or some goodies he will be in Hot Springs on the 18th ish. You can click on mail drops and get the address for Hot Springs. That is all for now, but he should be getting his pocketmail at hot springs, so from now on the journal entries will be his own. Check back in a few days and there will be many pictures, as he is sending one of his disk cards home.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: hot springs

To: hot springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a way to spend a Saturday. Staying in Hot Springs at Elmers. Woke up about 7:30 AM and it felt so ggod to be in a warm and cozy house on an actuall bed! We (a group of about 10 or so) sat down and had a huge breakfast I ate untill I couldn't force another bite. Elmer knew that I was looking for a few hours of work to pay for my stay and arranged for SourMesh and I to work at a B&B down the road. Turns out that there is a wedding this Sunday so I spent 3 and a half hours setting up tents. Actually it was pretty tough work sledgehammering in all those stakes but it was fun learning something new and getting paid as well ($35). I am learnin that Thru-hiking is not just about walking 2000 miles eto Maine but about living each day unlike the last.I read this quote today and I realized how true it is and i hope to never forget it!"Life is what happens while we're busy making other plans" John LennonTrukin'
Date: 2003-04-19
From: hot springs

To: Rich Mtn. Fire Tower
Miles today: 8.3

The Cowbell rang and that means breakfast! Todays food was not as exciting as yesterday mornings apple pancakes but it filled me up all the same. Today I left Elmers and Hot Springs and am finally back on the trail. Usually I do a lot of miles straight out of town but today I am feeling lazy, lazy, lazy. At about 5 miles out of Hot Springs I came upon a pond/damn where Dirty Frank rigged his hiking pole and made it a fishing pole. I was not in the mood to hike so I sat around and dug up some worms for bait. There weren¢t any damn fish in there but it was fun none-the-less. I eventually made it to a campsite about 8.5 miles from the start of the day and I am calling it quits. I'll hike up to the fire tower tonight to catch the sunset and enjoy an early night. I sent my therma-rest home today and bought a z-rest in order to save 1 & 12 pounds so tonight I'll see (feel) if it was worth it.Trukin'
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Rich Mtn. Fire Tower

To: jerry cabin shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy Easter Family and friends. Not so happy of a morning though. I'll vent for a moment then move on. First, my new sleeping pad is nowhere near as comfy as my thermarest. I had a hard time adjusting to the smaller padding and not so full feel of my previous mattress. I am trying to lighten my pack load but this might not be the area to do so. Next, I didn¢t cover my pack last night so that was a bit wet and heavy, and to top it of my food bag got stuck in the tree so I wrestled with that for a while also. Not a good start to the day. I also bought a new pack cover in Hot Springs and it is crapy...also realized a mouse got into my pack a nibbled on my last homemade brownie, oh was I frustrated. OK, done being angry. The rest of the day went as planned. The weather turned out pleasant and there were good views all around. There were two good cliff lookouts about 100 yards apart. The one to the East was in NC and the next one to the west was in Tenn. I had my second snake encounter today, scared my to death, I don¢t think I will ever get used to those slime creatures! Spending the night at Jerry cabin shelter, or as I like to call it, Jerry Garcia Shelter...."Just might get some sleep tonight"Happy April 20:)Trukin'
Date: 2003-04-21
From: jerry cabin shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Just as I was finishing up the journal last night the rain started coming down. I suppose it lasted all night and thru the morning. I woke up a few times after sunrise and it was still raining so I kept on sleeping. The other two guys in the shelter (sourmash and goat) had the same idea. We finally rose at about 10 or so, my latest start so far. Two packs of Oatmeal and a granola bar and I was on my way. Through out the hike today I kept passing random gravestones. They were laid out right along the trail, kinda eerie. The first one was of a man who thru hiked the trail in 1968. Then a while latter there was one of a 13 year old girl, that was sad to see. There were two side by side, an uncle and nephew, who were Union soldiers heading back north and were shot by confederate soldiers. There were a few more along the way. It was odd placement for such a barrel ground but they all seem so peaceful as they were in the mountains. I didn¢t want to set up camp around them so I headed to Hogback Ridge Shelter were I'll set up camp for the night.Supposedly there will be a meterior shower to night and it seems to be clear skies above, hopefully I can stay up long enough to check them out. Two more days to Erwin, TN and an AYCE pizza and salad....I know what I will be dreaming of!Yesterday¢s dead and gone/tomorrows out of sight/all I'm asking for now/is to make it thru the night" W.NTrukin'
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter 

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

I wish I could write as much as I thought today but it is cold and getting late and I am tired. Although I thought a lot it was about one thing and one thing only, FOOD. Food got me up the hills and over windy big bald and down big bald and all over the AT and I am happy to be so close to Erwin and the all I can eat and eat and eat pizza. I have big plans for lighting my pack weight in order to carry more food. I don¢t know if everyone is so excited to be close to town but all we can think about is food. I was disappointed about the view, or lack of, from Big Bald but I will return at a latter time. Did I mention I¢m hungry?Goodnight!Trukin'
Date: 2003-04-24
From: ERWIN (Mrs. Janets)

To: Curly Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hey friends,I'm back on the trail again. Erwin was probably my most successful town stop so far. Mrs. Janet¢s was another great hostel/house stay crash in. Unlike Elmer¢s in Hot Springs, where they do all the chores, at Janet's all the hikers get busy in the morning getting breakfast ready, setting the table, picking up last nights trash, all under Mrs. Janet¢s direction of course. There is no way to understand how ¢with it¢ Mrs. J is to all whom hike but her life is to help and be involved with the hiking community. Very impressive!Left Erwin about 3 PM with more weight on my back then when I first began nearly a month ago, but o my food bag is full of goodies!! Short day to the shelter but I am happy to be at rest.Trukin¢
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Curly Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

My mind is not to vivid tonight so this journal wont be elabrite. Woke up, left around 9 AM, hiked until 3 PM to the shelter, ate, and now i'm going to read. End of story. Weather has been gloomy which might explain by mood.Peace,Trukin'
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

The plan is to do 20 plus miles today but lately our plans have not been accomplished. We did get up and out by 8:30 so it is due able. The weather is still foggy, cold and overcast but I am getting used to it. The hiking was not too exciting but once I got to the start of roan mountain things got going. Stepin' wolf, Sourmash, and I found a dog at greese creek gap who seemed to be lost and I have been wanting to adopt a dog to hike with me for some time now. The little mutt seemed thirsty so I took it down to the creek to get a drink and he seemed grateful. I got started hiking and it seemed the dog was going to follow me but the next time I looked it was gone. Oh well. Roan Mountain was my favorite mountain so far, with its grand pine trees and huge boulders all the way to the top. At 6285 feet it was a tough climb. I made it to Stan Murray Shelter at about 7:45 PM and was debating wither to stay or push on another 1.7 to Overmountain Shelter, or as it is called 'the barn'. Up comes Stepin Wolf and he is all gung ho so we cruize out. Come to find out Stepin Wolf made a trip into town earlier and nabbed some hotdogs, buns, and chili! We arrive to the barn and there was a fire! We can cook our dogs on a fire! EVERYTHING ON THE TRAIL JUST WORKS OUT! This is an amazing shelter with amazing views and I recommend everyone who hikes the AT to get to this place.Peace,Trukin'
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Watauga Lake

To: Kincora (slackpack)
Miles today: 0.0

So i broke down and went with the slack pack approach for a day. I justified it by telling myself that i deserved it after doing the trail maintenance yesterday. Good enough reason for me, i just hope i don¢t regret it latter, most likely i wont! At the lake where we were dropped of we walked around watauga lake to a rope swing and played there for some time. The water was so incredible cold but the more you swing into it the easier it was to handle! We all stood around contemplating how safe it was, how cold it would be, and all that stuff but Flash took the first go at it and was successful, although he skid on the ground after take off. We learned from his trial run and we ended up getting some good flying¢s into the water. Some folks wimped out (Lemming, Charity, Strappy, White lightning) but Hover, Flash, Switchback, and I had a blast.Later on back at the Hostel Bob and Pat Peoples (the owners) had been cooking all day because it was the Celtic New Years. About 15 hikers got treated to a feast thanks to Pat and Bob. Today was wonderful and tonight I go to bed with a full stomach! Tomorrow i begin to hike again and will be headed towards Damascus. I can¢t wait to get thru Tenn. and into Virgin. Peace,Trukin
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Dennis Cove

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy May! My favorite Month of the year. My most miserable day on the trail so far. I have come down with a virus and i feel insanely spent. This morning Bob went out at 5:30 to collect the morning due, for the Celtic tradition, which is sprinkled on people to promote good health for the coming year. Some coincidence that i am in horrible shape. After 8 miles to Vandeventer shelter it was 1 PM and i got into my bag and slept for hours. My whole body feels sore and i could barely walk 10 steps without feeling week. It is so frustrating to be in such good shape and have such strong legs and not be able to use them. The trail can be your best friend one moment and your worst enemy the next. I was so down, almost to tears. Once my body went down my mind followed and my spirit was crushed. Thankfully a fello named Healer showed up, someone i have heard lots about, and he took great care of me. First he fixed me a cup of hot water with lime and honey, followed by a cup of hot water and lickerish. He snapped my neck around (ouch!) and massaged out my body. After 30 minutes by temperature broke, which was at 102, and i was doing much better. Thanks to the trail family I should be feeling good enough to hike in the morning. In hope everyone back home is doing well/I miss you guys.Trukin'
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Vandeenter Shelter

To: Camp Spot
Miles today: 19.9

Definitally a better way to spend my May. I got some more sleep last night and woke up feeling much bettter. So much better that I was thinking that I might be able to pull of a 33 mile day. Unfortunally I 'misplaced' my rain jacket back in Kincora and so i was at the mercey of Mother Nature. Mrs. Nature decided she needed to provide water to the Earth at about 4 PM and this is when my hike ended. Moments before it started to pour I found a flat spot and pitched my tent (in about 2 and 1/2 minutes) and fell into a deep dark sleep and was happy.Trukin'
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Camp Spot

To: Damascus (The place hostel)
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Whats up everybody!Wanted to add a journal myself for a change. My sister, Allegra, has been very helpful in updating my journal as of now and she deserves a day of rest. I am alive and healthy in Damascus. I am in VIRGINA now! God knows the last 3 states have been fun but i am thrilled to be in VA. May is a bid month for me and I want to take a minute to wish all the May annaversieris well. Happy Birthday Chad, Creg, Micheal Y., Byron D., Dad (Bill), Myself. Happy annaversiery Mom and Dad, and most importantly Happy Mother's day to both my mothers, I couldn't do it with out you. Life has been amazing the last month and I cant wait for the rest. After a brief stint with a virus I am doing well and will dive full force into VA tommorow. So good bye GA, NC, and TENN., its been fun but its time to move on.Hi to all my pals in Denton, Dallas, Arlington, Burleson, Austin, Flagstaff, NH and the rest, I miss you guys and cant wait to reunite one day. If anyone wants to join me along the way please do, you wont regret it, PROMISE.Trukin
Date: 2003-05-15
From: Piersburg, VA

To: Piersburg, VA (holly church hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

I have taken a zero day here in town to let my bones relax and re-energize. I realize I have been very lazy about updating my journal as of late (actually I havent written my daily journal since leaving Damascus about 13 days ago) but I have been putting in long days and havent had the energy, or daylight, to do so. Tonight I am heading pack on the trail and will write one long journal for the past week and a half. This weekend is Trail Days back in Damascus and almost everyone is heading back to party down and check out the festivities. I have decided not to partake; 1. for financial reasons, and 2. because i have the hiking bug and am ready to be on the trail hiking and making my way further North! The trail should be fairly vacant for the next 3 days and I am looking forward to the solitude.So, hang tight and I should be getting back to the normal daily updates soon.Peace,Trukin'
Date: 2003-05-16
From: Piersburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

I have managed to escape from town without being persuaded to go back to Trail Days in Damascus. Usually I give in fairly easily to pear-pressure (and there was enough of it), but I felt pretty strongly about continuing hiking. For what I have missed (am missing) at the gathering i am glad to exchange for the pleasure of a crowdless trail. I virtually hiked all day without running into anyone, what a change from the norm. Last night was spent at the Holy Church Hostel with 6 other hikers, mellow crowd and a mellow night. I actually got to use a stove to cook on for the first time in about 2 months! What did I make with all this technology?--pasta of course! Mac & Cheese and some hamburger meat--yum yum.It was 12:30 before I finally got out of town and on to the trail but I managed to put in 19.6 miles by 8 PM. My mind was happy but my feet were pissed. It was a rough day for my 'dogs' but I am proud of them.Tomorrow i will try a new morning meal which is powdered milk with water and cereal. Should be nice to change things up a bit.P.S. I have to add a tid bit about the town guide, Melvin. This guy drives around Pearisburg looking for hikers who need a ride to this place or that. Pearisburg is pretty spread out so his service was very helpful, but that is not the point. The reason I bring him up is do to his character. The man is Nutty! He is a joke tellin', pervert talkin', cigeraret smokin' x-town drunk turned hiker driver. First thing he says when we get into his car, "wana see my gun?". He pulls out this wooden gun that has two naked people doing the nasty when he pulls the trigger. I rode in his car multiple times and he showed me that gun every time. Every town has their main character and Pearisburg¢s is Melvin.Trukin'
Date: 2003-05-17
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: moderate rain

And the rain has started. Yesterday I was able to do 19 plus miles even after starting at 12:30 so i figure i have only 18.5 to do today so there is no need to rush out of bed, right, right! So, i fix a bowl of cereal, ate, and went right on back to the sack, life is good. 10 rolls around, i yawn and creep out of bed and roll onto the trail. Slow steps and skippin' along through the day. The rain is typical Appalachian rain, ups and downs. The rain stared to come down just as i sense that the shelter should be around the bend, and it is (perfect timing). Some great trail magic today. Atop the last mountain of the day sat two coolers full of sodas and brownies! Good to be a hiker.Trukin'
Date: 2003-05-18
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

It was all I could do to get this far. When I woke up it was pouring rain so I decided i needed to sleep some more to wait it out. I fixed up a bowl of cereal, ate, and went back to bed. 11:00 AM rolled around, still raining, so i decide it¢s now or never. Dumb decision. I should have kept my dry body in the dry shelter because i got crazy soaked. EVERYTHING was drenched. This explains the low mileage. Fortunately the shelter i stayed at was spacious with lots of covered space to hang all my clothing out on. That is it for now.Trukin¢
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel 
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I hung up my clothes to dry and they were as wet if not wetter then they where when I hung them up! Go figure. Nothing like starting out a day by putting on wet clothes on a cold body. This is the life I am leading lately. Go to bed wet and cold and wake up dry and warm just to be back cold and wet again, and again, and again. This rain is putting a damper on everyone¢s mood. There have been a lot of people dropping out lately. I am not sure it is because of the rain, but I wouldn¢t doubt it has a small part in the reasons. Not me though. I am going to keep Trukin all the way to Maine. Trukin¢
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Four Pines Hostel 

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

It's amazing what a little bit of sunshine can do to the spirit, huh. Today we got a lot of the bright yellow stuff. Granite the day isn't officially over (its 8 PM), but there wasn¢t a drop of rain to be found or felt! I got a late start today after leaving 4 Pines Hostel at 1:45 PM (here i go again), mainly because I had to wait on Genesis to get to the road crossing because he had my pack cover. I was in such a hurry to leave Sarver Hollow Shelter, because I was wearing wet clothes and it was cold, therefore I left behind a couple of pieces of gear on accident. Thanks to Genesis and Medicine Man for the gear recovery!Another key to the day was getting to visit McAfee Knob on a clear day! This spot is very valued by many and said to be one of the best views in VA. It definitely lived up to expectations Well- here is my pledge to you back home. I promise to do a journal every day for at least 7 days in a row! That¢s going to be tough but I promise to follow thru. They might be bland at times but I'll scribble out something. Another thing I have done, for myself, is i made out a schedule for Central Virgina (224.8 miles). I haven¢t done this up until now and wanted to see if I could push myself for a couple hundred miles. I have set myself up for some big mileage days and no zero days until Waynesboro. So for me it has been 5 days and I am one day behind. I don¢t care for this plan much but I am going to try and stick with it for the next week and a half, kinda an experiment.It is getting late and dark so its time for the sleeping bag and a book (On the Road, by Jack Kerouac)Trukin'
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Campbell Shekter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: moderate rain

Today is a good day. It has started to rain again, i got a late start, there were limited views, and i fell on my butt in the mud. NOT FUNNY. I'm dirty, smelly, and bum tired, BUT i am in a hotel room and getting to watch my beloved Mavericks on TV! That is why it is a good day.I had all intentions of hitting town for fuel for my stove and getting a few groceries and getting back on the trail but i'm glad i've changed plans. My B-Day is in 5 days and i will be on the trail so tonight is my b-day celebration. The weather forecast calls for rain for the next 5 days! This weather has been playing havoc on a lot of peoples spirits, mine included, and this is another factor that seems to separate those who continue and those who go home. I will continue knowing that it will get warmer and brighter in the days ahead!Well-my Mavs are getting whooped so i must go to their rescue, vigorously. Go Shaun Bradley!Pray for sunshine,Trukin'