morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Brich Springs Gap

To: Spencer Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: few clouds

Nice fire in the shelter fire place tonight. Bloomer*, Sleepy*, Single Malt* and myself. The hike up was easy because the trails in the park are so well groomed. The smokies are different than I expected. Not many views even though we are walking the ridgelines.The hike thus far has been an interesting trip. Small things don't go unnoticed but there is a definite routine. The daylight passes in a flash. I mean as you hike it seems like hever time you look at your watch another hour has passed. Daily concerns are things like "What's for dinner" and "where's the water located?". Complicated stuff. The crew here in the shelter tonight have been on and off companions. Bloomer gets ahead often but somehow we keep catching back up. Sleepy* pops in late but we have shared many camps with him. I actually met him at hiker hostel before I started walking. Single Malt* showed up for hours after I got in today. We all hike at different speeds.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Spencer Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Full shelter tonight, most of the people did the 17 miles from Molly's Ridge. Trail legs come earlier for some I guess. For all its fickle tendencies the weather so far in the Smokies has been bout as good as it gets. Sunny but breezy. No smoke in the Smokies to speak of. Tomorrow is expected to be good as well, which is great! Because we will cross the highest point on the AT, Clingman's Dome. It's all down hill from there...yeah right. Let there be no mistake to those of you readers who are considering this journey. It's up, way up and it's down, way down many times during a given day.We are all starting to talk about food. It's sort of funny because we knew it would happen but didn't see it coming. We are still at least three days out from real food so the noodles and bars just have to suffice.It's cold enough outside that I crawled into my bag at 6PM. I'll be up at dawn, such is life on the trail just shy of the 200 mile mark.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took a short day but the next two will be longer. Up and over Clingman's Dome. It started out a nice day but up on the observation deck it was windy and rainy. Still there wer excellent views in all directions.Coming down from Clingman's Dome was nothing I would call difficult. There were a few patches of snow and a tiny bit of ice but we have been blessed with good weather through the Smokies. Really nice weather, but it is supposed to storm tonight and being in a shelter is good for that, no wet tent. I saw a white tailed deer today and we are seeing more flowers and birds. Spring is coming. The trail wasn't difficult today. Even the climb up Clingman's wasn't difficult.Single Malt* and I are hosting a group of 8-13 year old girls and two adult leasers tonight. They were nice enough to offer us dinner which was great! Burrittos go down real well after days of noodles . Thanks Nicole and Joni for the trial magic.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Longest day yet and my body is fully aware of it but it was a great day none the less. We climbed out of Newfound Gap, resisting the draw of Gatlinburg. Cooked a hot lunch of boil in bag rice (courtesy the girls from last night) at Ice Water Spring shelter and then the Smokies gave us a magnificent treat...Charlie's Bunion, a rock outcropping with an incredible view. Clearly the best spot on the AT so far.Then we traversed the Sawtooth Ridge. About 6 miles where most of the trail is 6 feet wide, or less and sheer drops of hundreds of feet on both sides. The Smokies impressed me today. Even the weather was terrific. What a day!We caught up with Routested* and Fish* today and only 5 in the shelter makes for a great end to the day. T-snake* is also here. He's a younger fellow (27) who has hiked the trail before so we got some good stories out of him. Some where today we passed the 10% of the trail mark, no sight, just a note to self. Tomorrow a 13 mile day. Two more and we leave the park. Good thing cause I'm running low on food.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Trial by weather. Severe thunderstorms last night produced pea sized hail and it hasn¢t let up all day. I made the trek from Peck¢s corner in 6 hours. Trudging throughout the 2 inch deep stream that was the trail. Everything is wet and this shelter has a tarp for a room since it is in process of restoration so tonight we have a leaky shelter.Yesterday¢s beautiful weather has turned into the opposite. Wet, cold, foggy. Six weekenders showed up and the shelter is filling up fast. As I write it seems that four of them have moved on to a tent site. T-Snake* and Bloomer* have tried unsuccessfully to start a fire. If it wasn¢t so miserable it would be funny. I guess we¢ll all manage. Tomorrow it is supposed to clear up. I¢m hoping that Single Malt*, Fish* and Route Step stopped at the previous shelter. It would have been a smart move. Tri corner Knob was a far better shelter.It¢s not all sunny days and views.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day coming out of the Smokies. The drop out off the ridgeline was a knee buster but I¢m managing pretty well. After the thunderstorms last night in the leaky shelter the sky cleared and the heat left and all that was wet became solid. The ice on the trees was a beautiful sight. The ice on the trail, yesterday¢s stream was slippery. I stepped on a black ice covered root and nearly took my first fall, but I did a crazy balancing act and came out knees intact. It was good. Coming out of the Smokies was a psychological boost to me. Although I got ahead of Single Malt* I caught up with some friends from day 1-4. Here at Standing Bear Farm the atmosphere is incredible. The proprietor, Curtis, is cool as can be. The whole hostel including re-supply is on the honor system. I was able to get a 3 day ¢unorthodox¢ short term re-supply to Hot Springs where I will visit a grocery and get a little more traditional trail food. But in regards to this hostel¢s supply cache, some unique bars and such that I will be trying to find in the future, 300 calorie Iso flex bars, that I will use as breakfast.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Curtis, the proprietor of Standing Bear Farm, handed me the reins today and said he had to help a friend. My zero day turned into a work for stay in a hopping hostel, but it was a beautiful day and sorta fun to be ¢in charge¢. People moved through during the day, some stayed some went on.Feng Swai*, Enuff* and Too Much*, Jodi Foster* and She Bear* all came into stay so it was another cheerful reunion. Standing Bear Farm is truly an oasis in the hills. Although I-40 is only a mile away, here it seems that the busy world of highways and power lines doesn¢t exist. It¢s peaceful. Regardless of the flow of thru hikers that comes and goes, it¢s peaceful here. An oasis from the hard rocks and roots of the trail.We are free now to camp where it suits us and most of the gang express a sense of relief at that. Beyond the park boundaries there are campsites along the trail that show minimal use. Even fire wood is abundant at these camps which gives testament to the failed policies that govern the Smokies. The forced shelter camps were a burden that we are happy to be free of. We are half way to Damascus and getting our trail legs. Tomorrow starts the 3 day trip to Hot Springs, NC.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

A short but nice day out of Standing Bear. Left a note at the road for Single Malt* but it is getting late and looks like she may not catch up. Thought for a while I might spend my first night actually alone on the AT but Pokey* showed up about an hour ago.There is this really cool looking bug here. It's brown flat and furry like a flat bee, has long legs and a long proboscis, and black wasp like wings. I think it's really an alien just checking out the planet, but I could be wrong. Talking to Beth, my wife, twice is the past two days has done wonders for my spirits. I'm not going to sugar coat it. Home sickness happens out here. And coupled with the rigors of the trail, the sore feet, the cold rain, the want for a cheese burger . It can get to you. Many folks bring cell phones and I sort of enby them, but I'm glad I don't have to carry one. There are purists wo are highly vocal about the awfullness of cell phones, but they are not hiking their own hike. For me a call once a week is like a shot in the arm. So don't think it's all fun and games out here . However, my quotes did provide some entertainment around the campfire last night .Late note, Single Malt showed up and eventually about 8 other people showed up so I decided to tent.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Bluff Mountain Summit
Miles today: 15.3

Another great day on the AT. Trail magic at Broway Gap by Apple* hot chocolate and donuts . Lots of other goodies to choose from. Then a group of senior hikers met us along the trail toward Max Patch and gave everyone cookies. Thanks Apple* and "Happy Hikers".Max Patch was an incredible bald that went on and on. It looked like the mountain meadows in Sound of Music . The rest of the trail was good and had very little rocks and good switchbacks up the mountains.Enuff* and Too Much are camped just below in the gap but Single Malt* and I stopped on the summit. We got a cool sunset and it may be a good sunrise tomorrow. Anyway it's neat up here on top of a mountain. We can see the light of Hot Springs, NC where we will resupply tomorrow. so it was a good day with decent miles.Hoping to find a cheeseburger tomorrow .
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Bluff Mtn Summit

To: Sunnyvale Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Awoke before sunrise so we could catch it. When one camps on a summit one should catch both the sunset and the sunrise, mission accomplished. The pictures may not turn out, but I asure youthe sights were spectacular. Even the moon got into the act, one day from being full, kept me up at night, but it was pretty cool anyway.So as I strolled into Hot Springs today I hear "Conductor!!" shouted from the balcomy of this really cool house. It was Rasta Legs* & 42* and before I knew it we were making plans for a 1 month trail reunion. At the exquisite vegetarian dinner the Elmer's kitchen is known for we had Rasta Legs*, Enuff*, Too Much*, Feng Shui*, 42*, Single Malt* and myself all from the first night at Hawk Mountain. Jodi Foster*, She Bear*, Moe*,Paunch* and Pokey* were also there; our extended family There are three options for re-supply in Hot Springs. The outfitter, the grocery and the Dollar General. My recommendation is the Dollar General as a first stop.Single Malt* is pressing to stay another night in Hot Springs, but I'm for moving up the trail to Erwin. The trail has it's own way of deciding things. Back to the trail tomorrow, with a heavy pack and a steep climb. Sort of the standard procedure out here.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Sunnyvale Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Breakfast at Elmer's was as wonderful as last night's dinner. We ate our fill of rice pudding, pancakes and cantalope then sat around sipping coffee and tea. The bill for dinner, bed, shower and breakfast came to only $30. Shoot, dinner alone was worth twice that. And Elmer's staff treats everyone like family. Truly a fine place to stay.It was a very steep climb out of Hot Springs, but there were some great views. The sun got down right nasty today and with the leaves still not out there was little shade, which made the hike kind of tough.Climbed up Rich Mtn to the fire tower for some more good views, but I think the pictures just won't do it justice. Tooks lots of wild flower pictures though. Some really gorgeous species are starting to come out.Anyway, I'm out of hot springs and back in the woods. Next town is Erwin, TN. Maybe I'll break down and finally get that cheese burger
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

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

Note to self... Just because the profile on the map looks flat, the trail can still be a rock scramble. That's pretty much what happened today. I was thinking this entry would be boring when I come to a sign post that reads "Exposed Ridge Line" with a blue blazed route available for bad weather. OK, it was good weather, so I took the the ridge route. Well the views were awesome, but the trail was on the redline of the difficult scale. It was worth it though... Breathtaking!It was a long day. I took a 2 hour break from 1-3 during the hottest part of the day and got in to camp around 7 PM. Some other folks showed up after dark, but no Single Malt*. I just hope she didn't attempt that ridgeline route in the dark.I had bought a bag of marshmallows in Hot Springs and brought them out tonight since the section hikers at the shelter already had a fire going. It made for a cheerful evening after a long day's hike.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

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

Another long hot hike. The sun these last few days has been relentless. At least there is a col breeze and we passed a really cool waterfall and a couple of valley views with their neat little farms nesteled in the hills.I wanted to thank all the people who have signed my guestbook. I havn't sat at a computer terminal since the day I left so I havn't had time to personally answer the entries. I'm sure I will eventually find a terminal.I'm pretty tired and tomorrow will be my first 20 miler, so I'm going to cut it short. Erwin, TN in two days!!
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

First Twenty! And I'm not much worse for wear. Not a bad hike but it did rain twice and hail once. Pea sized hail, wind, rain... but at least no lightening. I don't like hiking in lightening much As we came over Big Bald the wind was probably 25 mph. It was really cool coming up to Big Bald. From the trail you could see this huge montain that was devoid of trees. I passed by this fellow on the trail who was obviously struggling and in passing conversation said that's where we're going. He fell behind and I never saw him again. Shoot, it wasn't that big of climb I stopped at Bald Mtn shelter for midday break. It's a habit I have gotten into since I tend to skip every other shelter. They are typically around my half way point each day give or take a few miles, but what's a few miles to a thru hiker The 20 miles took me 10 and a half hours, so I guess I stopped for about 30 minutes today at the midday shelter. I limit my enroute breaks to 10 minutes though. Into Erwin, TN tomorrow. I guess I'm officially in Tennessee now Sight set on Virginia by the end of the month, but doing the math that goal may be too easy. I'm only 120 miles from the Virginia line with eleven days to go.
Date: 2006-04-18
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiya Folks! It's actually me ~Conductor, writing to you from the Holiday Inn in Erwin, TN. If I get time later this evening, I'll go a head and do the updates myself, or at least the ones I'm caring with me tonight.This is actually the first opportunity I have had to get online since the start, and Michelle has been doing an excellent job of keeping up, given my poor hand writing. Thanks Michelle.I'm here, re-suppled and showered and feeling somewhat human and ready to head out again tomorrow morning. Route Step* and Fish* are here sharing a room, so we got a good deal ;-) Ate at the Erwin Burrito --ya gotta put some sauce on it Boomerang -- Got the picture disk in the mail, so maybe some pictures in the coming weeks if Michelle can find any that are good enough to publish, and we got a ride back to the hotel by a hiker gentleman, sorry didn't catch his name. It's all good.I've got my trail legs, so look for some longer miles being logged. I've Damascus in my sights and my goal of reaching that VA state line by May 1 is all but achieved. I think I'll actually be ahead of the game. The days out here are long and foot sore, but it goes away in the camps at night. Lots of great views, and I even welcomed the two thunderstorms during my first twenty miler yester... oops, giving away the previous entries, or maybe being redundant depending on when you read this. In hot pursuit of Bushwacker, only 10 days behind and I think it's possible, but I don't want to push these old knees too much.I'm in good spirits thanks for the thoughts and well wishes. I'm trying to get all the guest book entries personally answered, but many don't have the reply addresses, so here is a word of thanks to those folks.Cheers!!
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin Tennessee
Miles today: 0.0

Well, we woke up this A.M. with severe thunderstorms in the area and the rain continued unattenuated throughout the morning. A Zero day just sort of gripped us and here we sit. So far it has been a well spent zero day, and the return to the trail will be with renewed strength.I caught up my journal entries, except for the ones in the mail that I'm sure Michelle will enter soon. I am also caught up with the guestbook replies. Those of you considering doing this will note it is a spiritual lift to read guestbook entries. Thank you all so much.OK, I am here to attest that hiker hunger does in fact exist. After a cheeseburger at the A&W next door, I just had to buy a half dozen donuts. They are almost gone, but hey... more than one person has commented on the changes they notice in the thinness of my face, so I felt a need to stuff it. Truth is, zero days are necessary. Particularly in the early months. Back to the trail tomorrow, handing the journal reigns back to Michelle.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Erwin TN

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

Another nero. I could get used to this , but not really. It just makes the next 4 days work out to decent miles so that Beth, my wife, can meet me at Route 19E. Actually, the rest is doing me good. I'm still strugglig with the foot problem and I am down to replacing the boots. Thing is, out here changing footwear is a sensitive issue and it needs to be dead nuts on target or you could end up with worse problems.I think I'll find what I'm looking for, then test them while showing Beth some of the trail. There is a really cool area (Roan Mtn) in this vicinity, so that's the plan.Expecting more t-storms this PM, so the shelter it is. Frankly, it's not my preference because the ground is much softer, but folding a wet tent isn't something I really enjoy either.Lots of people have come by today; slack packing from the north back to Erwin. Rasta Legs*, Jodi Foster*, Cohiba* & Otter* & Marco Solo*. It was nice to see them again, as always and catch up on the news of our now dispersed trail family. Someone, I believe it was Route Step* suggested the mataphor of a long slinky. In the daytime, we spread out and at night we all bunch up. It's kinda funny because that's partly the way it is. I now have friends as much as 4 days ahead and as much as 3 days (some 1 week) behind, so on any given day, I can run into someone I know. :-)This is truly one of the best aspects of the journey because everyone gets along so well. OK, there are some minor conflicts, but about as serious as it gets is encroaching on an already crowded shelter. Hardly worthy of note.It's been so quiet and peaceful here this afternoon. Alone for the most part and even during a hiking day, that is rare. I'm just enjoying it and writing a double pager to celebrate some peace of mind. Moments like this are priceless. It's just me and the birds. :-)
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: moderate rain

Half past hiker midnight and I have been asleep for the past four hours. Another beautiful rainy day began just before dawn. The rain didn't let up until just before I reached Cherry Gap around 4 pm. I was soaked so I hastily made dinner, set up my tent and shut down for the night. On a day like today, all I want to do is crawl into my bag and snooze. I managed to keep some essentials dry, but that's about it.I hiked over a place called Beauty Spot today. Even as the fog/clouds washed over the open fields it was indeed beautiful. I can only imagine what it must be like without the rain. I hastily transitted the open bald; moving from post to whiteblazed post thanking God that the lightening was staying up in the clouds today.Next I transitted Unaka Mountain, which had a dense coniferous forest at its summit. The trail was so thickly coated with needles that it made the trail hard to follow. Tonight severe thunderstorms; tomorrow maybe 9, maybe 15. Stay tuned.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: moderate rain

Another day begun in the rain. I stayed in my tent until 11 am because I knew it would be a short milage day. Started hiking at noon after breaking camp in the pouring rain and walked in it for three more hours before the sun finally peeked through.I'm losing ground on what's dry vrs what's wet. Got to the shelter around 4:30 and strung a clothesline, but nothing got dry. I'm just glad it's not too cold. Temps have been in the 50's so as long as the sleeping bag is dry, it's OK.Tomorrow up and over Roan Mountain, then on to Over Mountain Barn/Shelter. Been looking forward to that one.Most of today's hike was in a fog shrouded forest. When it wasn't raining, it was kind of neat. I sorta like fog. I'm hoping, however, that tomorrow will be clear for the views from Roan Mountain.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

OK, here I am in my tent again :-). There is this really nice grassy area near the shelter and I decided the ground sleeps better. The shelter itself is an old barn and it's got a great view. The lower platforms look right out on the view, but they are made of some rather weathered particle board. The loft is more typical of a barn, but I was a bit nervous to put my Thermarest pad down up there. Might be nails. Besides, the grass is nice and soft.Roan Mountain was a composite altitude gain of about 2500 feet, meaning there were a couple down hills in the mix. It wasn't all that bad and the dense coniferous forest of the top third was a nice break from the ever present rododendron thickets that dominate the trail I've covered. Tomorrow only 8.9 miles until I hit the road that Beth will come in on. But I'm gonna start early anyway.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: US19E Roan Mtn
Miles today: 8.7

Now, meeting one's spouse in the middle of nowhere is not unlike a rendevous between the Lunar Module and the Appollo Command Craft.At 0800 I began making preparations for departure from the Lunar surface. Grabbing a couple quick oatmeals to go..yum... I made sure everything was properly stowed and by 0900 fired the main burner and set a course for the US19E-AT intersection.Meanwhile, Commander Ridge navigated her command module in expert fashion, having only to ask for directions once. I topped two very windy balds, where the wind nearly blew me off course, but I managed to keep my bearings and by 11:00 I had begun the five mile decent. The timing was as good as any NASA operation because I had set my pack down not 10 minutes earlier than CDR Ridge zoomed by.... with a smile.Mission accomplished. Tomorrow is another Zero Day.