morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

I promised more about Bojangles and so here it is, although it¢s really Bojangles and Curly. They would both freely admit, however, that Bojangles is the talker of the two. So, when I mention him I mean them both. Anyway for the last few years they have been hiking and providing Trail Magic in and around the Smokies but this year they have found themselves with 130 days to do as much on the Trail as they can. While they didn¢t want to increase their hiking they didn¢t see why that should affect or decrease their Trail Magic. As a result they had packed in copious goodies to share with those they met north of the Smokies. My good fortune was to run into them just at that time (although I¢m sure many others will have similar good fortune). Bojangles opening line seemed not to be ¢How are you?¢ or ¢Hi there¢ but rather ¢Do you want a cookie?¢ and of course while I might turn down offers of a ride in a car I would never be so rude as to decline a cookie; which is a mighty good thing as the brownie I had last night was absolutely delicious.When I woke this morning I could hear the rest of the hikers complaining about the cold so I lay in my sleeping bag for another hour to let the sun start to do its thing. At around 8am I finally started to do my thing and when Bojangles heard me packing up he shouted across ¢would you like a hot chocolate?¢ That sounded very civilised indeed but as I do not carry a stove I also do not carry a cup and so to accept I also had to ask (beg) to use his. Needless to say it was no bother to Mr Bojangles and with the temperatures rising from the reputedly "just below freezing¢ Bojangles, Curly and I were in no particular hurry to break camp as we chatted and drank.I hadn¢t hidden my genuine appreciation of the brownie last night and so before finally hitting the Trail I was presented with another to sustain me during this morning¢s walk. I was delighted and it was the perfect accompaniment to a mid-morning rest and reading break.The day¢s hike done there were 9 of us in our little tented village behind tonight¢s shelter and once again we chatted, ate and drank; and again I ate and drank a considerable quantity of Bojangles and Curly¢s kindness ¢ vanilla cappuccino, cookies and some wonderful homemade jerky that had me reminiscing about eating biltong in the Roseburn Bar in Edinburgh many years ago ¢ good times remembered and lived.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today I headed into town although surprisingly I didn¢t feel ready for town.Since leaving Atlanta on the 22nd of April I¢ve spent 21 consecutive nights sleeping in either my tent or shelters and it feels good. I don¢t miss a ¢real¢ bed that is. I have my bed and my room ¢ I carry them on my back. Every night I¢ve tucked myself in; safe and sound; warm enough, if not always as warm as I would like; close to the elements but protected from them. I don¢t think I¢ll sleep better in a bed and not (at present) do I think I¢ll be any more relaxed or contented.Since leaving Atlanta I¢ve also only had two showers and washed my clothes once ¢ the last time for both being 10 days ago. Logically I probably should feel the need to wash and do laundry (and I¢m sure given the chance I would revel in both) but just at the moment I don¢t feel in need of either. For some reason I don¢t feel that dirty ¢ I just feel ¢normal¢. I think I¢m just in a really good rhythm right now and don¢t feel the need to mess it up. I feel like I could go on forever and I fear town might mess it up. That said I¢m letting the head rule the heart as I cannot help but think 21 days is long enough to spend my nights in my sleeping bag.That¢s my problem though ¢ I think too much.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Hot Springs

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

A few days ago Pete asked me if I ever got bored on the Trail. I replied that sometimes I get bored in the towns but never out on the Trail.On the Trail, if you bore of sitting down ¢ do some walking, if you bore of walking ¢ do some sitting down. If you bore of camp then go to bed. You can try reading, writing, listening to music etc to spice up your day if you are particularly ill at ease. If you are bored of all of these then go home, you probably shouldn¢t be out here.Towns are different. They promise much. They offer choices. They require prioritisation and time management. They can be fun, or they can be stressful or they can be plain boring. They can mess with your mojo.Fortunately (although I still think it messed a bit with my mojo) Hot Springs turned out to be fun - not super, great, fantastic but fun. Yesterday I did indeed revel in cleansing my grimy body (two showers yesterday and another today ¢ oh the novelty) and I did take the opportunity to rehabilitate my malodorous clothing. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience as the laundry was at L&K Deli. To me it was typical backwater Amerciana ¢ small store, pool table, arcade games, a wheel and tyre (don¢t ask me!), various bits and bobs, a couple of diner type tables and a wall of fridges containing beer. Looking back I probably didn¢t spend enough time there.Pete and I had some beers with Bojangles (Curly declined) and while we were whiling away the middle hours of the day they were offered a ride to Trail Days by a guy working for ¢NUUN¢. This was perfect for them as they could now skip up to Damascus, enjoy the fun and then head north from there ¢ a good compromise given their 130 day limit. I hope to see them again somewhere up on the Trail.Pete went off to soak in the Hot Springs and I suspect to have his legs waxed ¢ let¢s see if he is wearing trousers today ¢ while I spent an enjoyable hour or so at the Iron Horse Caf© drinking tea and coffee, but more importantly chatting with the good folks there.This morning was unexceptional apart from seeing Rocky again (that was exceptional). She had spent last night at Elmers and was looking for a new pack. She thought we might see here tonight at the shelter but then again we might not. I bought a book at the library sale where the librarian warned it was the time of year for afternoon thunderstorms. Eleven miles later, 20 minutes after arriving at the shelter and just towards the end of setting up my tent, her words echoed in my head as the heavens opened and the downpour began.p.s. Rocky never did turn up. Like Bojangles and Curly I hope to see her again somewhere up on the Trail.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another eventful enough day on the Trail I would say. The not unusual mix of the mundane, exhilarating, irritating and unpredictable that will never set the earth toppling from its axis but that does seem to provide that difficult to explain satisfaction that I often feel out here.It had rained most of the night, with quite a wild thunderstorm entertaining me around 2am, so I didn¢t rush to get up this morning. When I did it was just to the very last of the rain being blown from the trees and encouragingly to the hope of some emerging sunshine. Hope turned to reality although the pleasant morning¢s walk did become a little humid as the moisture evaporated as the day began to warm up.Lunchtime came around and Pete cooked some mac and cheese. He kindly planned to share it but that was before the thoughtfulness turned into farce. Firstly, he managed to spill half of it on the way over and secondly, as I contrived to tip out much of the rest before finally securing the remainder between to rather white knuckled hands lest any more Laurel and Hardy-esque mishaps could befall the offering. Only a very stodgy consistency saved what was left which was, I must say, most tasty and much appreciated.The afternoon¢s walk was a much more impressive affair. I stopped to rest, read and enjoy at Whiterock Cliffs. I was in no hurry although eventually the darkening skies and associated sprinkles, turning at first to spots and then to persistent rain hastened me on my way. The rain was still doing its thing as I reached the alternative of a ¢high¢ ridge route or a ¢low¢ bad weather route. Although the weather was threatening to storm I didn¢t remember anything to exposed from 2003 so up I went.Now, either my memory isn¢t what it used to be or they have been busy doing a significant, and most worthy, piece of re-routing since last I was in these parts. The route climbed up, and I clambered over a variety of rocks on to an exposed rocky ridge. On a good day the views would be spectacular and even today there was enough of a view to make it a real pleasure. A pleasure that wasn¢t in any way reduced by the continuing rain and my generally bedraggled disposition, but that was somewhat lessened by the now regular thunder accompanying it. I wasn¢t at all convinced that this was actually ¢Position A¢ during a thunderstorm as I willed the ridge to end sooner rather than later, but it stubbornly continued to meander on its impressive journey. There was nothing for it but to press on. To be honest, in the end I was affected only by my own fears as I safely made my way to the shelter as the rain stopped. I then made a spur of the moment decision to wander on into the evening with the intention of finding a spot to pitch up a couple of miles on up the Trail.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: moderate rain

Today I had no real plan with regards to my destination. It would all depend on tome, the weather and my general energy levels.In the end I decided to call it a day at Low Gap. I had been tempted to head on up Big Bald (as the afternoon¢s weather had been clear and fair) but it would have been a big, time pressured climb at the end of the day when I was already feeling a bit bushed. It was the right decision although I would now just have to hope for a nice morning tomorrow if I was to enjoy the promised views from the top.I still had one sample of water additive thing the guy from NUUN gave me when we were in Hot Springs. So, after eating I settled down to be ¢actively hydrated¢ by the wonders of modern scientific knowledge. Now, I don¢t know much about active hydration but I do know a thing or two about Cremola Foam and I cannot help but draw similarities between NUUN¢s Tri-berry Additive and Raspberry Cremola Foam. Only a hint mind as it is a long way off the high standards of my youth¢s favourite tipple but I couldn¢t mistake some similarities. The tablet (rather than powder) fizzes and bubbles away and although the flavour is significantly more muted than I remember of the original there is something unmistakenly ¢Cremola Foamy¢ about both ¢consistency¢ and flavour.Recent research on the internet reveals a convoluted and disturbing story of the sad demise of Cremola Foam amid reports of lost recipes and corporate short-sightedness. It also reveals a growing clamber from its devoted fans to reincarnate it. So, perhaps if the boys at NUUN cannot crack the active hydration market they should turn their attentions to the much nobler pursuit of resurrecting Cremola Foam.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Low Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

In the end my decision to call it a day early last night was vindicated, not because this morning brought beautiful clear views but because last night brought clouds and rain long before I would have reached the top. I ended up in my tent by 6.30pm last night and it seemed to go on all night (all be it, lightly).I broke camp in 20 minutes this morning and had an unbroken march of two hours up over Big Bald and on to the shelter where I finally got out of the annoyingly persistent rain and could pause for some much needed breakfast nibbles. It was nice to stop and draw breath but nicer to do it chatting to Raven, Marmot, Heather and Gracie the dog ¢ some sunshine in an otherwise murky morning.I headed out and although the rain eased it was never really dry and so the resulting constant motion and easy trails from Spivey Gap meant I arrived at my planned destination quite early. Normally, I would have considered heading on but I was only 6 miles from town and it would be better to do those miles tomorrow morning. This would give me a whole day to do town chores rather than push on now so arriving in time to pay for accommodation but with not enough time to achieve much more. One more night in the woods before showering, eating and trying to sleep in a real bed would not after all be a hardship.I turned in early and as I was about to put my head down I heard Pete arrive after a long day from Hogback Ridge. He sounded knackered and so he should be. It was nice to know that he had caught up as planned. I¢d catch up with his news tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It¢s probably worth saying something about Pete at this point.I first bumped into him at Gooch Gap Shelter on my third morning and spent the night with him (and others) that night. After sharing some snacks and chatting at Neal¢s Gap I then didn¢t see him until day 10.We were both going about the same miles (12-16) each day and stopping at shelters. Pete, as he preferred to sleep in them and, while I preferred to camp, I too was heading (initially at least) to the shelter where I could meet my fellow hikers and lay the foundations of the ¢shared experiences¢ that would hopefully litter my trip and would make it all the more memorable.Although making our own individual plans we compared, contrasted and as time went on discussed options. Sometimes our plans coincided and sometimes they didn¢t but it was nice when they did. We didn¢t walk together very often but by and large ended up in the same places and it was good to see a friendly and familiar face most nights. Anyway although we were both heading into Erwin today it was one of those cases where our plans would diverge again: me heading to the relative luxury of a hotel in town while he would spend the night at Uncle Johnny¢s Hostel. We would see each other whenever (if ever) as circumstances dictated ¢ a few possibilities discussed but nothing agreed as we would both ¢hike our own hikes¢.In Erwin I had a very successful town day. It¢s a bit of a spaced out town but once showered, into clean clothes and without backpack it¢s a town I thoroughly enjoyed. I ate pizza; got money; checked my e-mails (in connection with a potential trip to Lake Tahoe); did laundry (and had a nice chat with the lady there); shaved off my by now faintly ridiculous looking beard (where faintly should really read ¢absolutely, totally and really quite embarrassingly¢);had coffee, brownies, ice cream and strawberries at the Choo Choo Caf© (and had a nice chat with the lady there); went to the movies to see X-Men Origins (6 years ago I also went to the movies here ¢ that time to see X-Men 2 so there was a sort of continuation that seemed appropriate). Initially I was the only person in a 200 seat theatre ¢ I felt like Elvis ¢ then three other hikers came in - I didn¢t feel like Elvis anymore. I went to the Huddle House for an omelette, looked into flights on the internet, had a bath, wrote some journals, watched some TV and best of all I did all this while showered, in clean clothes and without backpack ¢ Bliss!
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Erwin

To: Curley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: clear sky

It was cold again this morning. Two nights ago had been my coldest night¢s camping when it was reportedly below zero. I had to curl into a ball whenever I woke to stay warm and to get back to sleep. Last night I had shivered my way back from the movies wearing only a t-shirt and this morning¢s news was speaking extensively about the near freeze and the latest date that a zero degree (centigrade) night had been recorded in these parts ¢ the 22nd of May if I remember correctly. So, although not quite uniquely cold it was undoubtedly unseasonally chilly. I was definitely in need of my fleece for the walk to the grocery store this morning.Yes, you have to love towns and while I wouldn¢t like to stay any longer that necessary. The heavy food load associated with leaving town doesn¢t exactly have you dancing off, all twinkle toed up the hills.I was definitely feeling uncomfortably weighed down as I hoisted my pack, now complete with 6 day¢s food, on to my back and headed off to do the last on my chores (notably to book my flights to Lake Tahoe to visit Mike who I walked with in 2003) and to begin the trudge out of town.I know that I will have to get in a car eventually but so far I have managed to stay true to my, admittedly misguided, plan of avoiding them wherever possible. Erwin to the Trail is around 4 miles and so while not advisable or particularly enjoyable it was possible to walk. So off I set in the mid-day sun: hot, heavily burdened, big headedly stubborn but with a cunning plan to stop at the Dari Ace for a shake and some lunch. I had stopped yesterday on the way in and I liked the place - what to this dumb foreigner seemed a particularly authentic little diner. The food and shake were great and I loved the ambience and just relaxing while I watched the other patrons going about their everyday life.So long Erwin, it¢s been fun.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Curley Gap Shelter

To: Somewhere after Iron Mtn gap Road
Miles today: 16.9

Today¢s high point (although not in pure elevation terms) turned out to be up on a mountain by the name of Beauty Spot. It was a smashing sunny day and the views (particularly to the south) were awesome. I¢d planned to stop here but had been a little disappointed to find a gaggle of other hikers apparently pretty well entrenched. My desire for solitude was soon forgotten, however, when they graciously offered me a beer. I wasn¢t that it was exactly what the doctor ordered but the first gulp certainly seemed to hit the spot, so I took the weight off and joined the throng for a relaxing hour or two ¢ sometimes speaking, sometimes not, regularly sipping and more or less constantly admiring the vistas. It seemed a near prefect view but I was given food for thought when Hobo mentioned that he liked it best when the blooms were out and the mountainsides were on fire with colour. I had never really considered the impact of the seasons before and the limiting nature of a thru like. The impressions we form of the places we pass through are dependant on the thru-hiking schedule and that inevitably we will continue to see them as they look just now, unaware and oblivious to the many different guises they may present during the year. Guises the north bound through hiker will never witness as at the time they will be somewhere else. Yes, Beauty Spot was awesome today, a real treat, but what about in two months, if that is when the flowers bloom; and what about in the fall or in the winter should the ridge lines be dusted in snow? Count your blessings, but how much more might there be?A through hike is a grand thing. A large scale undertaking in terms of distances and time but it is not without cost. I¢d always thought I was lucky to see these sights. I¢d never before considered different versions of them that I would never see.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Somewhere after Iron Mtn gap Road

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We had walked out last night and found a spot to call home 50 yards from the Trail ¢ me in my tent and Peter doing his cowboy camping thing (just lying out under the stars). It hadn¢t seemed a brilliant spot last night but it was great to wake up from a long unbroken sleep in such pristine conditions: by pristine I means untouched by humans. Unfortunately, the shelter and more ¢established¢ campsites invariably display the unavoidable ¢scars¢ of human presence ¢ graffiti, fire rings and litter. However, this spot was free of all that and I felt happy that once we left it would be very difficult to see that we had ever been there.On paper today appeared to be all about the climb up Roan Mountain. In 2003 I had climbed Roan at the end of a long day and it had left me shattered. Today it was still all up, up, up but fresher and with shorter miles planned it wasn¢t so bad, leaving me only ¢pooped¢ by the time I stumbled over the top.I then expected a few uneventful miles before calling it a day at the fondly remembered Overmountain Shelter but boy was I wrong. The afternoon¢s walk turned out to be truly phenomenal. Views out here can take may forms and on any given day, and at any given hour, you can get very different experiences and impressions.Sometimes the views are all dolled up in their party frocks ¢ putting on a show and demanding attention; sometimes they are more ¢smart casual¢ displaying a concern for their appearance and fully deserving admiring glances; and sometimes it¢s more sloppy joes and tied back hair ¢ they are ok but nothing startling ¢ not exactly head turning.In 2003 I can only assume that the whole area must have been misted in. I have no recollection of it at all and perhaps, to views, mist is the equivalent of the burkha - obscuring all, making the passer by unaware of what they might be missing (if indeed they are missing anything at all). 2009, however, was a very different story. Today I was being treated to the full red carpet glitz ¢ Liz Hurley in that safety pin dress if you like. I was gobsmacked.There were great 360 degree views from round Bald and Penny Bald. The elements played a part. The sky took on a slightly ominous tinge, the air cooled, the wind picked up. I drank it all in and was happy. The fact I was here 6 years ago and wasn¢t aware that I was missing anything at all also left its mark. It¢s a bit sobering to think I just marched through here then and that I might never know what I was missing.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

I had stopped at Overmountain Shelter but it turned out to be a bit too chilly to be able to relax and enjoy the excellent views last night. Thankfully, this morning was clear and it was indeed a fine spot to wake to, to break camp in and to pause for one last look before committing to that single deep breath that proceeds the unavoidable shouldering of the pack.It was nice to continue upwards on a grassy ridge and to look back towards the shelter, a red barn nestled at the foot of the valley, and then to arrive to find yet more scenery reminiscent of yesterday afternoon. I was thrilled.I stopped for breakfast. More often than not I find nice spots, sometimes not so, but this morning it was near perfect. It reminded me of a good day in Scotland. It was a little chilly and there was enough of a breeze to encourage you to put on another layer. The wind rustled the grass and I began to focus on it ¢ hearing it and feeling it. I was aware of nature imposing itself on me, if ever so gently, as I savoured both the views and my luck under the predominantly clear blue skies. The Trail went up but on a morning like this, with miles in my legs and wind in my lungs, it could have almost passed for flat. How things change! Now, following the ridge down I arrived to find 5 horses grazing the last of the Bald. I went to sit down and write but one beggar had other plans making a bee line for me, fluttering her long lashes and perhaps hinting that I might have some snacks for her. It was hard to refuse but fortunately I possess a heart of stone and had to let the poor girl down.The afternoon had its moments too, most notably a lovely apple thanks to Honey who was out on the Trail for the day with her sister; and a great stop at Jones Falls where Pete once again appeared out the blue ¢ this time with gifts. I politely declined the share of the subway sandwich so generously offered (way too many vegetables for my liking) but was more that happy to add a couple of Milky Way bars to my food stash thanks to his lunchtime town stop.