morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Hot Springs

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

Left town at 1045 for an easy day. Well maybe not so easy, it was all uphill. Only climbed 2000' but it sure seemed like a lot more. Nice to get to town and get all the news from home and talk to your wife. In town, we met up with Gonzo, Mighty Mouse, Luke Skywalker, Fish, Two Paws and a bunch of the others.Although we are at a shelter that sleeps 5, there are at least 15 people here although most are tenting.Perhaps, as tonight, we are at a shelter that has a picnic table, it is time for some "thank you's"Thank you to:My wife , Nancy, who has supported in this adventure.Shannex, my employer before I left on this trip and their employees union who both gave me a gift certificate that I used to buy a tarp that saved my bacon during the first snowstorm we had.My previous fellow employees at the Nova Scotia Dept of Transportation and Public Works, who gave me when I left a set of hiking sticks.All the people who have worked [not necessarily for pay] to make the trail what it is by building or maintaining it.All the trail angels who never fail to amaze us with their kindness and generosity. Whether it is a 25 mile drive when you are sopping wet and cold or bars and cokes when you least expect them.Our transcriber, Dipper, who fits this into his busy schedule somehow.And last but not least "Trail Journals" who make this communicating thing so easy.Thank you to Bob and Laurel russel for the little polyprop hat that keeps me warm at night and in the early mornings.A special "thank you" to all the people who have sent in notes and best wishes to Trail journals. We do read every one and it is nice to hear so many are following our progress, albeit very slow.Thank you to either my mother or brother or sister in Winnipeg who gave me fingerless gloves/mitts which have saved my bacon on the cold days.
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Great day. Off and running at 0730.Saw Woody Woodpecker today, or at least the woodpecker that he is based on. Also saw a chameleon/lizard that blended into a tree so that if he didn't move, you wouldn't see him. His body must have been 5" long. Nice day, high 70's and mostly slightly overcast.A little bit buggy here in the shelter tonight, so it might be time to start tenting again
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 17.1

Great day 50's and 60's and overcast. Left Jerry's Cabin Shelter at 0700 Hitched a ride with a young female Baptist divinity student into town. Miss Janets Hostel was full, but she is going to shuttle us back up to the trail so that we can do a 24 mile slackpack day. At 4 it had started to rain so we pushed on the highway, with the hope of the chance at doing 25 the next day. It looks like it should be a breeze. If you can do 17 miles with a pack, surely we can do 25 without the pack. We'll let you know. Some of those who have been hiking with us, include Mighty Mouse, Mountain Dew, Nuke, Hatteras and Mylo. Just a quick note. Today was the first day that we smelled th flowers on the trail. It was a continuous scent as we hiked
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Sam's Gap

To: Nolichucky River,Chestoa Bridge
Miles today: 24.5

Wow what a day started with a cool rain when we got on the trail at 0745, but by the time we had started down from Big Bald, it started to get warmer. We lunched at Spivey Gap and were out back to Erwin by 6:30. The last mile was steep downhill. You could look over the edge and way down to the Nolichucky River. It was a tough finish to a long day.
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Nolichucky River,Chestoa Bridge

To: Curley Maple Gap
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Breakfast at Miss Janet's. Everyone helped cook 4 dozen eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and pancakes. Of course, the coffee was on continually. It probably took an hour and a half before we all sat down The hostel sleeps 12 but I am sure there were 20 for breakfast. Did our laundry as we were waiting. After breakfast, we went for our mail drop. Oops, wasn't there, so left a forwarding address, and went to the local grocery to resupply.We were back on the trail by 1 with a short day of uphill. At the shelter the local rodent control officer [5 ft black snake] was on duty. Goat moved him 40 yds away, so hopefully we will be gone by the time he finds his way back. Beautiful sunny day.Gonzo caught up to us at Miss Janet's and was going to stay the night.She"ll probably never get out of there, Easter dinner with all the fixings tomorrow might just keep a person in town one more day.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Curley Maple Gap

To: Cherry Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Had wild ramp last night with our dinner compliments of a couple of section hikers.Pleasant onion taste. Nice easy day in to shelter by 3 PM. When we went over the topof Unica Mtn, it was almost like home. Completely softwood forest with a nice moss covered ground. Got off at 0710 and had breakfast at 1030 for a nice break for the day.Eucher dropped in, had supper and continued on to try and catch the 3 Wisemen. Spent the night with Nez, Black Sheep, and 2 Paws.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Cherry Gap

To: Roan Hign Knob
Miles today: 15.1

In Roan Hign Knob Shelter,15.1 milesGood day Started out raining, but stopped at 11 AM. Of course that was after we had a nice breakfast in the rain.Had lunch at Clyde Smith Shelter, and Goat just had to get movingso Scrounger and I took our time getting to this shelter. It shouldbe noted that after lunch we climbed 500', dropped 900', climbed 1400', dropped a couple of hundred, then climbed the last 800' in less than a mile. When we arrived at the shelter, Goat had just beat us, as he went flying by the shelter and missed the turn. Of course that meant a short 2 mile backtrack to give him a really good workout. This shelter is at elev. 6285' the highest on the AT. This is a nice 2 story log cabin that used to be the fire wardensresidence. It probably sleeps 15 but only 2 Paws and Kevin are with us. Gonzo and Bodie passed us at lunch and are down the trail at the next shelter.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Roan High Knob

To: US19E
Miles today: 15.4

The people in N.C. say that the weather on Roan Mtn is as bad asMt Washington. They could be right. Left cabin at 0800. Cold mid 30'sBlowing 50mph and cloudy/misty. There were 8 to 10 miles of balds today but we could only tell for about an hour when it was clear. Goat lost us for about 40 mins when he went for water. He said he knew where he was. When we came out and hitched to Elk Mtn, we found the hotel had closed, so ate at the restaurant and got a lift farther down the road.
Date: 2003-04-23
From: US19E

To: Dennis Cove Rd
Miles today: 23.1

Left Elk Park at 0815 We could see the rime frost on the hills that we had passed over yesterday. Today was a beautiful day for a walk in the woods. High 60's slight breeze and sunny.Passed 2 Paws in te first hour. Then Fire angel at about 3. and Eucher and Brad [ one of the 3 Wisemen] at about 3:30 You sure move quicker without a pack. We probably were going 2.25 mph Came out on the Dennis Rd and walked the half mile down to this place. It looks like we will try and make Damascus in the next 3 days with a 13, 16 and 21 mile day.Oh that would be without a pack as we have negotiated a bit of a shuttle deal here.
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Dennis Cove Rd

To: Watauga Dam Rd
Miles today: 13.1

Johnny of the hostel shuttled us over to the Watauga Dam Rd and we slecked back to the Hostel. Well almost to the hostel because as we came out to the road Johnny was driving by and picked us up and drove us. Beautiful day cool in the am and sunny 60's later on. Passed lots of thru-hikers as we were going south for a change.In the last hour, we passed the Laurel Falls, certainly bigger than any we've seen in Nova Scotia.Finally chased down our food parcel, including a box of cookies from my mommie. Wow what would we do without a mum? thanks, mum.We are onto a new map #5Somewhere in here we have now gone over 400 miles hitting 421.5 today.As we came down today, 1800' in 2 miles, we actually dropped so fast my ears popped because of the pressure change.Supper tonight is cheeseburgers. It does sound better than trail food somehow
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Watauga Dam Rd.

To: TN91
Miles today: 15.6

From TN91 sobo to Watauga Dam Rd. Great day for a hike. Going south you pass all those that are at about your schedule but slightly ahead or behind you. We passed Ian [In the Red], the 3 Wisemen, Eucher, Typhoon, Zero, Yo-Yo, Dread, Yogi, and Bodie, before picking up Mighty Mouse and going back to the hostel. Stopped in town and bought a whole BBQ Chicken and a Pizza to do our supper thing. The day was supposed to rain [ weathermen here are the same as home ] but there might have been 10 minutes of rain[?], the rest of the time was just overcast and great for hiking. Tomorrow 22 miles into our 4th state, Virginia, and a night in one of the more famous trail towns, Damascus. The whole afternoon we looked down on Watauga Lake from 1500' to 2000' above it. Quite impressive. Tinight, we have to start to pack up as when we leave this hostel tomorrow, Johnny will shuttle us back to TN91 and take our packs on to Damascus.As you walk the trail, you solve all the world's problems. We have found the solution to the weight problem that faces so many. You don't need any of those fancy diets. It is really amazingly simple. Calories in must be less than calories out. Simple, we are presently burning about 5000 calories a day and eating about 2000 calories a day. This means we are burning about 3000 calories more than we are taking in. Net difference, we are losing weight at a phenomenal rate. Our packs are falling off us. I am sure I have lost 20# so far, and Goat and Scrounger are also down about 10% also.
Date: 2003-04-26
From: TN91

To: Damascus
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Another slack pack day. John shuttled us over to TN91 and we were off at 0945. Into Damascus at 6:20, big bike rally on this weekend so no rooms in town. Gonzo's dad had a car and drove us to Abingdon, 13 miles down the road.Pretty good day as the weather called for rain and we only had sprinkles for about 30 minutes and rain for about 10.when we got to town, we saw Buddha for the first time since Fontana Dam.We are now into our 4th state, Virginia.Looks like it might be a zero day tomorrow, as the only slack pack options are 17 and 24 miles. We think that might be a little much after the last 4 days. We have to stay till Monday to get our food drop
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The Place in Damascus. I am not quite sure how to do this and not get everyone confused. 16.9 miles. We got a shuttle from Damascus north to US58, Summit Cut. We then hiked back to Damascus. So we started in Damascus and finished in Damascus but travelled the next 16.9 miles albeit from North to South. We started at 0830 and made it back to Damascus by 3:10. Warm [70's] all day and sunny. There were 7 of us doing the trail backwards on this section.Made it to the post office for our food drop finally.I met up with Mighty Mouse at the post office so she has caught us although we are really a day ahead having snagged 16.9 today.The outfitter in town is awesome as he will hold our parcels until we come back for trail days. Fuel is only 5 cents an ounce, and his shuttle today was only $5. Hard to beat that.Before I forget, we must thank Gonzo's father. He drove us to Abington, at The Cracker Barrel and treated us to supper. I think he was checking out what kind of guys he was leaving his daughter in the hands of.Tomorrow, sad to say, we might just have to put our packs back on and do some real hiking.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Damacus

To: Summit Cut
Miles today: 0.0

The Place in Damascus. I am not quite sure how to do this and not get everyone confused. 16.9 miles. We got a shuttle from Damascus north to US58, Summit Cut. We then hiked back to Damascus. So we started in Damascus and finished in Damascus but travelled the next 16.9 miles albeit from North to South. We started at 0830 and made it back to Damascus by 3:10. Warm [70's] all day and sunny. There were 7 of us doing the trail backwards on this section.Made it to the post office for our food drop finally.I met up with Mighty Mouse at the post office so she has caught us although we are really a day ahead having snagged 16.9 today.The outfitter in town is awesome as he will hold our parcels until we come back for trail days. Fuel is only 5 cents an ounce, and his shuttle today was only $5. Hard to beat that.Before I forget, we must thank Gonzo's father. He drove us to Abington, at The Cracker Barrel and treated us to supper. I think he was checking out what kind of guys he was leaving his daughter in the hands of.Tomorrow, sad to say, we might just have to put our packs back on and do some real hiking.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Summit Cut

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

In Thomas Knob Shelter, 11.9 milesProbably 3000' of climb today as we are now at 5400'Started out with rain within 5 minutes of getting out of the shuttle at 0850. The rain only continued for about 15 minutes but long enough for us to stop and put on the pack covers.We hiked today with Doulous, Deja Vu [who did it 28 yrs ago] and his wife Songbird, and Zero.When we left The Place, we left Footslogger and her injured sister Chocolate Foot and Two Shoes who we had spent some time with at Laurel Forks. Two Shoes has already lost 65# and gone from a 85# pack to a 37#. He started the trail with two pair of shoes - one for uphills and one for downs.Today with all the ups and the full pack was tough on my hip. Didn't even know if I could make this shelter but it did get better by 2:30 and we made this shelter by 3:10.We are now sitting on a rock bluff behind the shelter looking out and down a huge wooded valley, with the sun shining down on us and a nice breeze. Between us and the valley are fenced pastures, but we see no animalsThe Grayhounds - Gimp, Goat, and Scrounger
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well guess who showed up as we were having supper last night? Gator and Gonzo. Gonzo had 27 to catch us and still made it inby 6:00.This am were up and off by 0720, as soon as we redidected Goat to head North from the shelter not South. What a great day. The first 3 or 4 hrs were across the tops of big hills that were mostly old fields. We stopped and fed the wild horses at Grayson Highlands State Park. Goat tried almonds and we gave Gonzo an apple to really sweet talk them. They really are pretty sociable. Very shortly therafter we went through Fatman Squeeze, rocks that are so close that for someone who hadn't been hiking for 6 weeks it might have been a squeeze. From 1:00 on, we could hear thunder and see big storm clouds heading our way. It started to drizzle by 1:50 and as we made the shelter at 2:10, the skies opened up. Perfect timing. Innto the shelter a little later but much wetter, came Doulous, Zero, and Deja Vu and Songbird. Pretty cozy now, 7 people in a 6 person shelter. About 5, Highlander came by for supper and left to get in a few more miles. About 6, Rustling Leaves and her husband came by and set up a tent in the clearing in front of the shelter.The Grayhounds - Gimp, Goat, and Scrounger
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 10.1

Another day like yesterday acccording to the weatherman, and he hit it right on. We left the shelter at about 0715, and it was cool and the sun was trying to get out. We hitched into Troutdale at about 12:20 and as we were having cheeseburgers at about 1:30 the skies opened up and there was RAIN and hailstones the size of marbles. This place is fantastic, games room, laundry, tv, breakfast, and a ride back to the trail. These 10 - 12 mile days and quitting before 3 do have a relaxing ring to them. The Grayhounds - Gimp, Goat, and Scrounger
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Ox Hill Inn, Troutdale, VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Friday May 2/2003In Partnership Shelter, 14.5 mWow, that was a great B&B. Certainly every bit as good as the best ones we stayed at in Ireland. The breakfast was pecan and blueberry wholewheat pancakes and bacon and melon and oranges and grapefruit juice and scrambled eggs and coffee. Mark, the innkeeper had got as far as Woodstock, Vermont 6 years ago before breaking his ankle, so knew all about thru-hikers. Satellite TV and a great AT library. He then shuttled us out to the trail to start at 0845. Probably our best day hiking yet. ,p style="text-align : justify;">In the morning we crossed a few fields, that, with the sun shining, we could actually see. As we entered them, we could smell the dogwoods.Later after lunch we crossed some some nice ridges, that again with the sun, we could see the farms in the valley below us. We saw about 6 deer todayand as we were having lunch on the ridge 2 bounded across the trail 20 yds from us. We also saw 4 wild turkeys at the Fox Hill Inn as we got up this am.We are now sitting at the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area waiting for our pizza to be delivered. Not bad at all. The shelter here is a new log one with two stories and a HOT shower. We sit here and hear the thunder off in the distance. Each day, the rain arrives a little later. The Grayhounds - Gimp, Goat and Scrounger
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Subject: Sat., May 3rdIn Davis Path Shelter, 14.3 m That was a nice shelter. Two story new log bldg would sleep about 18 or 20. Went to sleep with the usual sounds of owls and a new one - spring peepers, first time we have been at a low enough elevation and with enough water near by to bring them out.Up and out by 0720 for a good early start. Was overcast and cool till about 1:30 when the thunder started again. Made the shelter by 3 and it had only just started to drizzle. Passed our first open rhododendron today. Had lunch at Dairy Queen as the trail crossed the I81.
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Davis path Shelter

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 14.3

Sun., May 4thAt Lick Creek, tenting.A good day, up and out to the tune of the whipperwill at 0705. Beautiful, sunny, low 70's, nice shade from the now leafing out hardwoods. Oh yes what's that joke What's out every spring? Why the leafs of course that's the Toronto Maple Leafs. We went through some nice fields and did get some sun. Today was one of those days with what hikers call PUDS or MUDS. The UDS stands for Ups and Downs and the P or M stands for Pointless or Mindless. They weren't big ones - just 500's or 1000 footers but they do sort of get you down. We decided to go 3 miles past the shelter as we arrived there before 3 and it will make tomorrow a lot easier, with only 27.2 miles to do in the next 2 days. We still got here at a little after 4. At the same site, are Deja Vu and Songbird.Oh, a big day, a milestone, today we have officially done more than 25% of the trail. So that's it, 1/4 down 3/4 to go.
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Lick Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

Mon., May 5thIn Jenkins Shelter, 16.9 milesWoke up to rain. Were off at 0710 with an easy[?] 2 mile warmup and then a 2000' climb in 4 miles. We had breakfast at Chestnut Knob Shelter, a huge masonry bldg that sleeps at least 15 in a pinch. On the way there we had winds and rain and temp in the high 40's. By noon the rain had stopped and we had sun and low 70's. As we stayed on a ridge we had great views down into the valley on our left to the nice, neat farms of the community of Burkes Garden. Tomorrow an easy 11.5 and into town to resupply. In the shelter tonight are Ian in the Red, Songbird,Deja Vu, and the Commander-in-Chief. Sleeping outside are Scamp, Greylock, Josh and Peaches.
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Tues., May 6thIn Helveys Mill Shelter, 13.8 mGreat day, started out raining and about mid 40's, then just haze and mid 50's. When we got to the highway, we sent Goat on to the shelter to reserve 3 spots, Scrounger hitched into Bland to buy groceries ie lunches and I hitched the other way into Bastian for our food drop. Scrounger was picked up first and I waited another 20 minutes before getting a ride. When I got dropped off at the PO, I had a food drop as well as my video memory card for my camera. I packed my pack with the food box and was just putting it on my back when the post man came out the back door of the PO and offered me a ride back to the trail. I waited for Scrounger for about 35 minutes and we walked on to the shelter 4 miles away. The shelter is 1/4 mile off the trail, so I guess that is a extra half mile that we don't get credit for. Tonight in the shelter are Frog Caller, a south bound section hiker, High Octane, who left Springer April 3rd and is really flying and Songbird and Deja Vu. Outside, in his tent, is Smokin' Joe and his dog, Kincora. The sun has been out since about 4 so it is a nice warm evening.A couple of hiker jokes. What's the difference between a thru-hiker at a hostel and a person at a bed and breakfast. At the bed and breakfast, when the customer drops the fork on the floor, they wait for the hostess to get them another one. A thru-hiker just picks it, up wipes it on his pants, and continues eating. When a day hiker sees an M&M on the trail he just keeps walking. When a section hiker sees one, he thinks "Gee next time I'm in town I should get some M&M's, but when Thru-hiker sees M&M's on the trail he picks them up and eats them. Enough trail humour
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Kimberling Creek
Miles today: 16.3

Wed., May 7thVA606,Kimberling Creek, Tenting, 16.3m Great day, high 60's, hazy, bit of sun. Made Jenny Knob Shelter, 10.0 miles, in about 4 1/2 hrs counting a breakfast break. Met 4 Bears there and had a brunch. We lay on a ridge and watched finches[?] flitting about in the trees above us. One was a pretty red colour. Yesterday some rhodos were out but today we didn't even see any. The pretty pink flowers that we saw on bushes for the first time today were Gaywings.At the last shelter, it seems to have come to a head. We have this "thru-hiker" Al and his dog Sugar [who has already bitten at least one hiker] who are travelling about the same pace as us. We met up with him before the Smokies when he was going to hitch around them as they wouldn't let his dog in. That should have put him about 5 days ahead of us. Well, when we got to Damascus, he was at Dave's Place. He has hitch-hiked along with us always leaving after us but hitching and making the next shelter ahead of us. It is starting to get on the nerves of some of the hikers and when he brings his not well-behaved dog into the shelte.It is too much. There were many nasty words in the Jenny Knob register. Ah well, he hasn't really impacted us yet. Tonight, we are tenting at a campground that has a restaurant at the entrance. $3 a head for the campground and hot showers. There are about 7 trailers here but no one has moved in for the summer yet. We have the place to ourselves except for other hikers, Deja Vu, Songbird, Spot, and Scotland. The sun is even trying to break out. We are now on Map #8, so we are slowly moving northward.