morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Old Barn 3 mi.N Flint Mtn. Shelter

To: Whistling Gap Campsite
Miles today: 19.0

Day 31 Avg mls/day 10.5Weather: Ditto yesterday. Beautiful blue sky Sunny cooler at high altitudes.Charlie, Goldberry and I all started breaking camp around 5:45. I slept really well in my tent last night. Goldberry took off about 6:45 while Charlie and I walked out about 7 a.m. On the Trail on a hill overlooking the barn we slept next to, was several grave stones. One read "Dorothy Hensley May 2 1865 Apr 3 1965" Lived 100 years, not bad. Must have been her farm. Later on down the Trail were a couple of more grave markers.We started climbing right away over 1600' to Frozen Knob (4579'). Charlie and I hiked together off and on during the day. We both got to Hogback Ridge Shelter for a break about 10 a.m. Goldberry was there and a young man, Denny, who had stayed the night before and hadn't left yet. Charlie got water; we both ate a snack and took off behind Goldberry. It was the last I saw of Goldberry. It was somewhat of a grueling day as we continued to climb on and off all morning and early afternon. We did stop along the path about noon for lunch and a short break. There were a couple of hikers including Euchre, the guy who gave me 4 leftover beers in Hot Springs. So we caught some guys who had left town a whole day ahead of us. After lunch Charlie got ahead of me and I hiked around Euchre for awhile. About 2:30 I reached Big Bald (5,516'). It was spectacular, not unlike Max Patch of last week...only bigger. It offered 360 degree views. There were 4 other thru-hikers playing cards and a group of 7 day hikers there. I chatted with a couple of the day hikers, Bucky and Bear Charmer. They had me take some pictures of their group. Soon, Euchre walks up and I have him take my picture. I was tired and could have laid there in the sunshine all afternoon, but I had to move on. A little over a mile past the Bald was Bald Mtn. Shelter. I was at the intersection of the trail to the shelter. I was talking to Bear Charmer when we heard someone yell "Skeemer". I went back to the shelter and it was Charlie. He suggested we stay there for the night but I wanted to tent 3 miles or so down the Trail. It was snow covered and muddy around the shelter and I wanted to get to a lower elevation where it was drier. We were both tired from an exhausting day so we took it easy from there on. Got to the campsite about 4:30 and it was a relief. Charlie and I set up camp, cooked, ate, did water and hung the bear bags. I'm tired and should sleep well tonight. We are the only ones here. It is supposed to be an easy walk tomorrow athough we will have to hitch a ride to Erwin. I am staying at Miss Janet's as her hostel has a wonderful reputation. However, they have a Holiday Inn Express which I loved in Haiwasse.For those of you hiking this section in the future, some free advice. Don't stop at Flint Mtn Shelter...go on for the 3 easy miles like we did. The next section is tough enough and you will need the time to get over Bald Mtn. As I read in one of last year's journals, it was one exhausting day!Thought for the Day: It is a good tired.
Date: 2003-04-14
From: Whistling Gap Campsite

To: Nolichucky Gorge (Miss Janet's Hostel)
Miles today: 13.5

Day 32 Avg mls/day 10.4Weather: Still beautiful, warmer in low 80's coming into ErwinCharlie and I were the only ones at the tent site last night. It worked out really well and we both got a well needed night's sleep. We were both up and on the Trail by 7 a.m.Let me tell you a little about Charlie. He is a 64 year old retired pattern maker who runs biathilons, triathilons, and bike races for fun. He is also a skilled craftsman who make guitars as a hobby. He wants me to come to Maryland in November and do the JFK 50 mile run. You have 14 hours to do the 50 miles and if successful you get a medal. If you get 5 medals you go in the record book which Charlie has done. He says hundreds of people try it and it is a lot of fun....I don't know. Anyway we hiked together this morning into town. I had a mail drop at Miss Janet's so I'm staying there while Charlie wanted to stay in a motel.To finish the part about the hike, I think we both were tired from the last 4 days. We basically dropped down in altitude all morning but had a few short hill climbs. We stopped for a snack at 9:45 and a little later at No Business Knob Shelter. We reached Nolichucky river around 12:30. There at the road next to Uncle Johnny's Hostel was Dag, Mag and Border Riever trying to hitch into Erwin. Charlie and I got a cold pop out of the machine and took a break. Charlie walks out, sticks out his thumb and the first guy by in a pick up gives us a ride to town. When I get to Miss Janet's she is taking a pickup load to Pizza Hut for lunch. I do my laundry and take a shower. There's a house full of hikers here. Miss Janet basically opens up the downstairs of her home to the hikers. You have the run of the place, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, phone (when you can get on it) etc. She is so nice and just loves the hiker community. I saw Skittles on the way in, he said he's been here for 4 days. We stayed in the shelter together my first night out. Dag, Mag, Border Riever, Goldberry, and 7 or 8 more I haven't met yet are here. It should be a fun place to stay.Miss Janet called a dentist in town and got me in 9:15 tomorrow. After that I will go to the library and run some errands. I hate to take another zero day so soon and when the weather is so nice. It won't help my average.I got my drop boxes from home (with the Sun Chorella, Mom). Miss Janet is going to try and repair the ripped seam in my guide pants.Personal Message: Dave, thanks for the box with the single servings and popcorn. We will have the popcorn tonight and I can use the condiments. Hope your hike goes as well as mine has so far! We will have to get together sometime after Maine.Thought for the Day: I hope towns and zero days aren't my downfall.
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Day 35   Avg Mls/Day 10.6Weather: Morning, partly cloudy Later increasing clouds then overcast and rain showersSort of a different day in that I was probably alone more on the Trail today more than any other day since March 14th. I slept pretty well last night...first time I could remember having a dream in some time. Got up and about at 7. Had a cold breakfast as I really don't like to bother with cooking in the cool mornings. Took off hiking a little before 8...Nick and Cosmo Kramer were asleep in the shelter. A 3rd person joined them sometime in the night. It wasn't long before I met the SOBO "slackpackers" heading into Erwin. I was pleasantly surprised to meet Mule and Neely about 8 o'clock. I was surprised to hear they weren't staying at Miss Janets...sounds like they parted company with Noah and Tunnel Vision. Passed a few others and that was it until I stopped at Clyde Smith Shelter for a snack at noon. Two guys were there, one a SOBO sectioner; the other a NOBO thru-hiker. I didn't write down their Trail names. The NOBO had a large bag of blueberry bagels that he was trying to get rid of so I took one off his hands. The hike so far had its climbs and wasn't too bad, but definitely wasn't as easy as yesterday.I was planning on staying at Clyde Smith because the next shelter was a long steep climb. However, I just couldn't quit for the day and felt I had it in me to reach Roan Knob-the highest shelter on the AT at 6,275'. It was a long steep climb of over 2000'. It reminded me of the Adirondak High Peaks where all you do is climb for several hours. When I got above 5,500 there were still patches of snow on the ground and the Trail was muddy in spots. Just after I got there it began to rain..how's that for timing? I added some warm clothes...my long underwear, stretch top and vest; fixed a nice hot Mountain House chicken & noodles dinner and settled in. Just as I was finishing in walks another NOBO, Redeye...a nice young guy carrying a 60# pack. Not long afterwards in walks Eli. Eli is a writer for The Nashville City News and is out here doing stories while hiking the AT. Wow! getting paid to hike the AT...pretty good deal. He seems like a good guy even if he is part of the media. We don't think anymore will show...it's just me upstairs in the loft and Redeye and Eli downstairs. I didn't mention that this shelter is 4 sided...more like a cabin. The windows and door shut tight. I should be tired enough to get some sleep tonight. It doesn't look like it's going to change to snow, although it is cold.Thought for the Day: My great luck with weather may have just ran out.
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Elk Park NC

To: Dennis Cove (Kinkora Hostel)
Miles today: 23.4

Day 37 Avg Mls/Day 11.0Weather: Partly Sunny Pleasant Temp in mid 70'sHad a nice stay at The Shady Lawn. The shower was great...the best water pressure I've ever had in a motel. Had breakfast with Charlie, Dag and Mag. Dag said the doctor told Border Riever to stay off the Trail for a week so he quit and went home to Scotland.The hotel manager took us to the Trail and we were all hiking together by 8 a.m. We stayed close for an hour or so. At one point I was in the lead, following a well worn path up a steep meadow. We got to the top and the trail literally went in 5 directions...none of them had a visible white blaze. We all looked around and backtracked until Dag spotted the white blaze about 100 yards back down the hill. We had all missed the blazes as we had our heads down climbing a hill while following a path.It wasn't long before I pulled out in front and left them behind. I never saw them again, nor anyone else on the Trail until I stopped for lunch at stream about 1. I may not have mentioned this before, but new relocated sections were added to the Trail I have been hiking on over the past few days. I would say that 75% of today's hike was on "new Trail." Also, there were no shelters on the new section, only tent sites. Consequently, the Trail went over 18 miles without a shelter. It made it seem like a very long day. It took me until 3:30 to arrive at the only shelter, Moreland Gap. Drifter was there preparing to stay the night. I made a 5 minute stop leaving a note in the register for Dag, Mag and Charlie; telling them I was hiking on to Dennis Cove. I was pretty sure they were staying here the night. Another young hiker, Ben had just stopped and left for Dennis Cove also. I was tired but had heard so much good about Kincora Hostel that I was determined to get there today. It wasn't long before I came upon 3 guys taking a break in an open field along the Trail. One was Gambler, who I last saw leaving Hot Springs as I arrived. The other 2 were Ben and Nathan. They hiked on while I got water. I caught up with them at a tower at the top of a forest service road. We got to talking and I came up with trail name for Ben....SOS...Sack of S...! They liked it...we'll see if it sticks.The first thing I did after limping into Kincora was get a shower. The hostel host then shuttled us to a nearby town where we ate at an AYCE chinese buffet and picked up some groceries. I am tired and should sleep well. Some of the hikers here are De Ja Vue, Songbird, Fido Dido, Cool Foot, Gambler, Ben, SOS, Scamp & Greylock and Eli. Not everyone has completed the Trail to this point. In other words, some were shuttled ahead and have to go back and make up skipped sections. Tomorrow, the Trail is supposed to be particularly steep for us NOBO's. In fact, some are planning to "slack pack" it, be picked up and returned to the hostel for another night. Not me, I'm still hiking thru with a full pack. BTW, Goldberry is a day ahead.Well, I am tired as this was my longest mileage to date. Going to get some rest.Thought for the Day: New Trail needs new shelters.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Dennis Cove (Kinkora Hostel)

To: Campsite past Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 38 Avg Mls/Day 11.3Weather: Partly Cloudy warm. Highs in the low 80'sI am tired! Two 20+ mile days in a row. I didn't plan it that way; it just happened. I think I mentioned the hostel was packed last night. Some of the hikers stayed up well past midnight and most of us didn't get a lot of sleep. De Ja Vue and Songbird were up at 6:30 to be shuttled out to do the 20+ mile section I completed yesterday.   Fido Dido, Scamp and Greylock were "slackpacking" the 9 mile section NOBO. Eli and I ate a quick breakfast and hit the Trail after 7:30. We saw no one on the Trail all day except a few weekend hikers/campers and the slackpackers we passed. Eli went before me and we hike separately all morning. The first part of the Trail was very scenic...Laural Falls and the river the Trail paralelled.   Reminded me of State parks like Cumberland Falls KY. At one point the Trail was a narrow ledge consisting of several inches of rock over the river. You had to keep your balance. And of course, there was climbing...I believe my Suunto showed over 1500' after leaving the river valley. Got to the Watauga Lake Shelter about 12:45 and had lunch.   Watauga Lake is a beautiful recreation area. The Watauga Dam was one of the many TVA projects back in the 40's. Then there was more climbing...had to be over 2400'. Later in the day the Trail overlooked the lake many times for some magnificant views. Just before noon Eli and I began passing each other again and did so a number of times the remainder of the day. We both got to my planned stop of Vandeventer Shelter at 4:30. I was tired and ready to quit for the day. Eli needed water and the closest source to this shelter was half a mile downhill.   I probably had enough to get by. Eli took off for the next tent site with water, almost 6 miles further. I thought about it for a minute and said "what the hell!" and took off hiking. About a half mile later, I regretted that decision.   Every time the Trail went uphill I was swearing at myself. I caught up with Eli and we hiked and chatted until we finally reached the tent site at about 6:30. Boy, was I glad to see an end to this day. I am tenting on a hill next to Goldwing, who I hiked with in the snow one day a week or so back.   He gave me his extra water and let me hang my food bag on his bear line. A real nice guy. I didn't feel like cooking so I fixed the packet of freeze dried egg salad....adding tuna. It wasn't bad over crackers. Had a snickers for desert.I think I'm going to sleep well tonight. Day after tomorrow, I will be in Damascus and ready for a liesurely zero day.Thought for the Day: I'm too tired to think of anything.
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Damascus

To: Damascus (Zero Day) 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 41 Avg Mls/Day 11.2Weather: Sunny but cool High in low 60's late in the dayHad beer and a nice dinner yesterday at The Sidetrack Cafe with Eli, Jersey and Gambler. You may recall I first ran into Eli at the Roan High Mtn. Shelter the night of the storm. I may have errored in referring to him as a "reporter" when he is actually a writer for The Nashville City Paper. He said he is mentioning me in a story on the first Monday in May. He won't tell me what he said about me...I'll have to read it. It can be accessed on the internet at www.nashvillecitypaper.com. The other two guys, Jersey and Gambler are young college types...really two of the classiest young men..very intelligent, well spoken and a lot of fun.Had a great zero day today. Got up early around 6; enjoyed a bath and shower then a nice continental breakfast in the room. Walked outside and ran into Eli. He has been working on his articles.I went to the local grocery and spent an hour combing the store for just the right food items. I bought too much and can't get it all in my food bag. I think I spent $22 and that didn't include the 3 freeze dried meals I bought at the Outfitter later. I like too many heavy things like, cheese, salomi, snickers and cookies. The next stop was the library where I spent a couple of hours on the internet; mostly visiting hiker journals and sending a few messages. When I was through there I had a bacon cheeseburger and milkshake at the Dairy King; picked up some things at the Outfitter and went back to the room. Julia called about 4; after which I ran into Eli and hung out with him while he shopped for his groceries. We decided to have dinner together at the restaurant where we were staying...The Old Mill Inn. On the way to the Inn ran into Dag, Mag and MULE....Yeah, said he just got into town after doing 29 miles today. Says he's doing fine although he's "slacking" a SOBO section tomorrow back into Damascus. Since I'm heading out tomorrow, I will pass him on the Trail. BTW, tomorrow is supposed to be okay weather wise, but rain is coming Friday and Saturday. Eli is leaving in the morning also.We had a great dinner...both had trout and homemade pie. Like I said before, this has been a great stop.Came back to the room and packed up for tomorrow. Called and talked to Mom and had a nice chat. It's back to the hike after a nice rest.Thought for the Day: What am I out here for...to have a good time or to hike?Personal Mesage to Bill Capece. Ben Jersey and Gambler say hello to you and your family. They thank you for your awesome Trail Majic...boat, beer and fun on the lake. They wish you the best. {Where the hell were you when Eli and I were hiking around Watauga Lake?)
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 43 Avg Mls/Day 11.4Weather: Overcast in morning, foggy, dreary in afternoon. Cool, High temp in upper 40's maybe 50.I'm not going to complain about the weather. Before I left Damascus, the weather channel said rain today and showed this area of the map in dark green. So, today was sort of a gift. You might say the cool temps with no hot sun is almost perfect hiking weather. On the down side, we crossed one of the areas the hikers rave about as far as beautiful views...we had none to very little.Charlie, Liteshoe and myself started moving around at daybreak. Charlie is always the most efficient and the first out of camp. Liteshoe was next and I was 3rd at around 7 a.m. The youngsters were all still in their bags. I caught Liteshoe in about a half hour and we took some pictures on a meadow and hiked together for part of the climb 2000' up Whitetop Mountain (5,080'). It really wasn't a bad climb..pretty gradual...like switchbacks. It was just a long climb...took about an hour or so. I had on my schoeller guide pants thinking it would rain sometime today. It sprinkled on and off in the morning and was so cold at times on the open area before Whitetop that I wore my parka. I hiked alone all day, but caught up with Charlie just as we got to Thomas Knob Shelter at 12:30. We both had lunch, did the register, and Charlie left about 15 minutes before I did. The rest of the hike wasn't too much fun. It was cold and foggy...you were lucky to see 20 yards in front of you. When we entered Grayson Highlands State Park the blazes were hard to read...some were old and faded; some were painted over with orange...the Trail just wasn't well marked. I managed to find my way without getting lost. The high meadows area is famous for its wild ponies. I only saw 3; 2 of them I walked right by and they glanced up at me without moving. Other hikers have told stories how the ponies would nudge them for food and follow them around.When I got to Wise Shelter at about 3 Charlie was already settling in for the night. He said it was just too foggy and crummy for him to go any further. I agreed to call it quits too. I put my long night clothes on underneath, and we both cooked and ate dinner. After dinner we both gathered up firewood for a fire later on. The area was picked pretty clean, but we found enough. Charlie said it was more work than the hike. Nice surprise...about a quarter till 6 up walks Liteshoe. She had gotten lost in the Highlands. She said she had to get here to defend herself against what I had written in the Thomas Knob register. All I said was, "It was great having you (Liteshoe) partying and sleeping with me last night." Well, it's time to burn some of that firewood. Most thru-hikers don't build fires...too tired and too much bother.Thought for the Day: Weather can make a difference, but only if you let it.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Atkins, VA (Relax Inn)

To: Pond Campsite 2 miles So.of Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 21.1

Day 46 Avg Mls/Day 12.1Weather: Cool morning. Sunny, warm high 70's light breeze.Today was a good hike...not so easy but kind of what the trip is all about. Charlie and I were up at the truck stop Barn for breakfast at 6. We had the "big breakfast" special...2 eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, pancakes, sausages and coffee. Geez, no, offense intended, but no wonder truck drivers are over weight and suffer more attacks than any other profession. We figured we'd burn all those calories and more today...and we were right.The Virginia landscape today was just what I expected. It started out as rolling meadowlands and grassy hills. It later went back to forrest and mountains. It was an up and down day. We did several mountains...Gullion (3,300'), Big Walker (3,500'), Brushy (3,500') and Lynn Camp (3,000'). The climbs varied of course depending upon the valleys between. The worst today was over 1400' of continuous climbing. Several miles of the Trail had signs indicating we were on easements passing through private property. There were several beautiful farms along the Trail and we must have climbed a dozen of those "step ladder" over the fences. It was quite cold for the first half hour or so as I had on my long sleeve stretch top and gloves. The temperature rose quickly and I'd say I stopped and drank more water today than any other so far. I hiked by by myself until noon when I caught up with Charlie, having lunch at a shady creek crossing. We pretty much hiked together the rest of the day. In the morning I passed another thru-hiker, Camelleon, I hadn't seen since we had lunch together weeks back at the NOC. I first passed him at his campsite and then we passed each other several times during the day...usually at water sources. We did over 20 miles and were happy when we got to the spring-fed pond after a long hard climb. I didn't feel like a hot meal and ended up eating an 8 oz. salomi and some cheese on crackers. Tomorrow, we plan to do over 20 again but end up in a little place called Bland. It has one little motel and restaurant that we hope to take advantage of.Oh BTW, today I went over the one quarter mark. It doesn't seem like I've been out that long. Thought for the Day: The hike has not lost its appeal...I'm still loving it.