morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

There were 6 of them at the shelter including a 70 year old woman and her boy friend. They are through hiking to Maine.Trail Magic - Teachers from the NC Teacher association were hiking and sharing their lunch, passing out apples and sandwiches. They gave them more than the 4 kids could eat, so they left some for other hikers. (They are still hiking with Heather and Aaron [almost lucky]).
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC - Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Ryan pulled a muscle and was particularly happy to pull into the NOC at 2:00. The hostel was full so they are staying in a cabin ($14/person). There are 5 total in the cabin. Liz says it is very nice. I just got to speak to her for a minute so I will be adding to this journal after the call tonight.She did say that they got the packages and that they enjoyed opening them. These packages are the first ones they received that Tom and I filled. Ryan had us send him a different backpack. I haven't heard if he has sent his existing backpack back yet. The weather was beautiful and very warm.They ate in town around 3:00. Liz had a buffalo chicken wrap.There are bees at the NOC!Liz's trail name is 'milk' she apparently pronounces milk, 'melk' and people like the pronunciation. I have never noticed that but I grew up in SE Mass, and people say we pronounce many words strangely.Ryan's trail name is 'one month'. He is saying he is staying on the trail at least one month. He isn't ready to say 6 months yet. Who can blame him.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: NOC - Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Stecoah Gap, NC
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

This is Nancy again, on 4/23/07. We just spoke to Liz who is now in Fontana Dam. After leaving the NOC, they had a very tough climb, 7 miles and up 3300 feet to Cheoah Bald. I had assumed that with Ryan's (One Month's) leg, that they would have stopped at the Shelter there. But they then walked another another 6.5 miles, down 2,000 feet and pitched a tent. And, they said they were going to take it easy.They did see lizards as well as birds, but that is it for wild life.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Stecoah Gap, NC

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Liz got to Fontana Dam before the packages arrived. They haad a long day with a 2,000 foot climb down. But the kicker was that they were looking at the dam for 4 miles but when they got there, they realized that dam was not their destination. They had to climb up 1.1 miles to gt to the shelter. The shelter is called the Fontana Dam Hilton. It is suppose to be the best shelter on the AT. There are showers at the visitor center and shuttle services into town.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

They took a zero day to recooperate, pick up mail and just re-group before they enter the Smokies. Ryan has had a job offer, so he has something to think about. His leg is better; Liz's ankle is still swollen as well as knee. Heather, who they have been hiking with for several days now, is taking time off the trail because her feet are swollen. Meanwhile the plan is to take the shuttle to town tomorrow morning to get the premits to go into the Great Smoky Mountains. Then to shuttle back to the trail head and head up to the first shelter. The first 3 miles will be very tough and the shelter is 10 miles in. They start at elevation 1800 and the shelter is about at 4800. So here's hoping that they get a good start and have a good day. Thunder storms are forcast.There is no phone service in Fondana Dam. Ryan bought a phone card which Liz used long enough to give us a number to call her back. There was a wasp nest in the phone booth so that was not good.We are not expecting to hear from Liz until she gets out of the Smokies, in another 70.5 miles. I do hope she will have phone service then. She thinks she will be out in 5 - 6 days. I will be updating the ETA on the mail drops.
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The start of the day was tough. The weather was more humid and they were immediately hit with a climb from 1700' to 4,000' in the first 4 miles. After that it was filled with ups and downs but no more significant ascents. The shelter was at 4400'.Heather (hiked with her for several days prior to Fontana Dam) has a friend that works for the ATC locally and recommended the best shelters. This one had a bear fence. (Mom thinks bear fences are a must for a shelter to get a good recommendation. No privy, though. That would be a negative.)
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We heard from Liz tonight for a quick call with poor reception. She is in the Smokies, 4.6 miles from Clingmans Dome. Clingsman is the highest point on the AT, 6,643'. We talked long enough for me to tell her that they are predicting stirong storms tomorrow. I am hopeful that she will get to Clingman while the weather is good and be at her evening's shelter before the strong storms begin. However, her next shelter probably will be at an elevation of 5800', so she will be fairly high.I also looked up the details. If I am right about her next shelter, there will not be a bear fence! Does that mean it is not needed or they haven't gotten around to installing one?I will return to these journals, when I get more details from Liz.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

We heard from Liz from Gatlinburg, TN. The day was a very bad weather day. Ryan and Liz went over the highest point of the AT without being able to see anything. She said that it had just begun to rain and it was a mess up there. I am assuming that the fog continued from the previous day. When they got to the sign for the TN state line, the weather was so bad they couldn't even take a picture. She was in a hotal (The Grand Prix), hoping that her mittens (that Laura gave her) and her hat would dry before morning. I was surprised that she was still wearing mittens because I am seeing temperatures for the Smokies in the 70's. But, she said the rain was cold and the temps were more in the 50's. At the Silers Bald Shelter there was a wild turkey that was said to be a resident at the shelter, sort to speak. Maybe loitering might be a better term. Other than that she has not seen much wild life. (Maybe she will see bears tonight. See Yellow Jacket's 2007 journal.) As far as terrain, Silas Bald shelter is at elevation 5400' and Clingmans Dome is over 6600'. There are ups and downs but it looks like yesterday was not as severe as the first day's climb into the Smokies. The road that passes through Newfound Gap is at about 5200'. That is pretty high for a road. Liz did say that the terrain continues to be kinder than NH. They are more apt to be walking on dirt paths than rocks. Some portions of the trail are open for horses.They had been hiking for several days with people that were leaving the trail with their car parked at the pass. They gave Liz and Ryan a ride to Gatlinburg and out of the rain.Their spirits seemed excellent.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

The good news is there were no bears.   The bad news is there were no bears. The Smokies are absolutely beautiful. Liz was having trouble with her digital camera and sent it home. She is using a disposable camera. So, we had to have a serious discussion about cameras. Unfortunately, the cell phone coverage was very poor. We¢ll discuss again when she gets to Hot Springs.The shelter was full which the book says is 12.I think they got a later start today. There terrain looks like it had ups and downs but nothing severe either way. They would have started their day at about 5200'. Pecks Corner Shelter is at 5800'.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

The Smokies are still beautiful. The day was cold. The shelter was full. There were no bears. The phone service was poor as you can tell by this journal. Pecks corner shelter is at elevation 5800'. The climb included Mt. Chapman (6218'), Guyot Spur (6360') ending at the shelter at 5000'. The climb up Mt. Chapman looks like it could have been tough.Mt. Guyot is named after Guyot(1807-1884), geologist and educator who measured and mapped many of the pecks on the AT. Mt. Guyot in NH is also named for him. (This info is here for Laura.)
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The weather has changed and it was very warm today. It is suppose to be warm tomorrow as well. This hostel is on the AT near Davenport, NC. Next stop is Hot Springs, NC, 36 miles north. This is where Liz called from to cover the last few days. The reception was poor and the connection was dropped again and again. She also does not think there is a way to charge her phone, so she is shutting it off.Today's climb went from elevation of 5,000' to elevation 1,975'. I did not get a chance to discuss it, but that must have been a challenge.I received the below email from Liz when she was in Hot Springs referring to the Standing Bear Farm Hostel. I had read that this fellow every year picks a weekend to camp at a road crossing of the AT just north of this hostel. He offers great meals to the thru hikers. Apparently, at the end of the weekend, he brought the leftovers to the hostel. The culture of the trail is wonderful."that was the coolest hostel, and we got trail magic in the way of burgers, steak, chocolate cake, and fresh fruit!!!!"
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

After hiking 14 miles, they had supper at the top of Max Patch summit (4629')and watch the sunset. It was a magnificent, 360 degree view and a splendid sunset. They left the summit at dusk and walked another 1.8 miles to the Roaring Fork Shelter. It was a long day. Liz¢s feet were tired and especially hurt going down hill.For supper they had hash brown (dried potatoes) with Ramen noodles with Thai sauce, peanuts, and bacon all in one pot. Liz said it delicious. 'Chester Cheetos' had brought hot dogs and they were passing them out but Liz and Ryan had thought they had had enough sharing the package of bacon. There were 3 others at the shelter when they got there with 2 more camped near by.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

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

There was 'Thumper' (very nice), 'Fuzzy Monkey' (IT guy from Chicago and is now hiking the AT), 'Wooly', 'Rosie', 'Flax Seed' (70, very nice) and another person tenting near the shelter.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

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

They arrived for breakfast. They dropped off their packs at the Sunny Bank Farm Hostel and headed out to the diner for breakfast. Liz called me at 9:17 AM to tell me they had walked 3 plus miles, been to the hostel, and on their way to breakfast. She sounded very happy. Later Liz bought a new one person tent. It is a Big Agnes tent and she loves it. She also bought a big brim straw hat. Her baseball cap blew off and into a ravine some where. And we mailed Liz her she own backpacking stove and she has bought a fuel canister at the very nice Outfitters store. She is very happy with stove. Although John gave it to her last year in preperation for the trip, this is the first time she has really tried it. Until now, they have been using Ryan's stove.She spent time at the Outfitters and bought a pint. I was surprised they sold beer at the Outfitters but it tiurned out to be a pint of Ben and Jerry's, mint with chocolate pieces. They had supper at the hostel and had excellent carrot soup.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Liz had a zero day today.   They moved from the hostel to Spring Brook Cottages because the hostel was full for the night. Hot Springs is very busy with hikers.Ryan is leaving the trail and hitching a ride to Ashville and then possible to Boone where is dad will be picking him up this weekend.Meanwhile Liz will be meeting 'Rosie' tomorrow morning at 8:30 to get back on the trail. 'Rosie' has been hiking with them for a week or so. Liz has lost touch with time so she things it is about a week. 'Rosie' not only is hiking the AT this year, but has previously ridden across the country on a bike (for charity). Liz is having a blast. Her feet are feeling rested but she thinks they will be hurting again by tomorrow night.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Erwin, TN/Nolichucky River/Miss Janet's Hostel

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

I am guessing at this location!! We had a brief phone call on 5/10 but didn't cover this stop. I do know Liz had Velveeta Mac and cheese and she thought it was wonderful. She bought that herself, because we have not sent that to her. I hope I will be able to fill in the gaps with future calls.Yes, this is the correct location and Liz used her new tent. More later on this, I hope.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Deep Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Liz is in Clyde Smith Shelter with two others, Tuna Bag and JB. She said it was a tough day and she is tired. Further more tomorrow is also going to be tough. She had Spanish rice and tuna for supper and said it was OK. (I could tell it did not measure up to the Mac and cheese of the night before.) They are predicting thunderstorms but Liz said there are no signs of them yet. She said it is hot but not terribly so. She feels safe and secure.Her day started at 8:20 and she got to the shelter at 4:35.This was the first time that we have heard Liz question whether or not she would be a thru hiker. It probably has always been a question but I have not heard it before.Clyde Smith Shelter is about at elevation 4500'. Erwin is about at 1700'. It looks like there were big ups yesterday and today many ups and downs. Tomorrow looks awfully tough. She will be climbing Roan Mountain which as an altitude of 6285'. Of course there is a knob at 4918' followed by a gap at 4040'. Thunderstorms are predicted for mid afternoon tomorrow, so I am hoping Liz will be off the summit. There is another shelter near the summit and then 11.2 miles from this one which is at elevation 5050'. I am hoping she gets there before tomorrow's storms do.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Moutaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove/Kincora Hiker's Hostel
Miles today: 15.3

I just talked to Liz from the hostel. She is playing Trivial Pursuit and having a blast. The hostel has 20 bunks plus there are more tenting in the back. She is certainly not alone on the trail. (They are all on schedule to be in Damascus next weekend for trail days. I hope there will be room for all!)Her feet hurt but are feeling better right this minute. Liz had her package that was sent to Elk Park forwarded to this hostel. It has not arrived yet. Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow. The back pack company also set a buckle to Elk Park and it has not arrived yet. It will work out, some how.Liz has a wedding to go to in SC in June. Her friends from RI are driving down and are going to pick Liz up in VA. So, she will be getting off the trail for a few days then.Meanwhile, her spirits are high and she is still headed North.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Dennis Cove/Kincora Hiker's Hostel

To: U.S. 321/Kincora Hiker's Hostel
Miles today: 8.9

Liz slack packed this section backwards. She was dropped off at lake and walked backwards to the Kincora hostel. The falls were beautiful and hiking without a pack is a breeze. She had pizza for dinner in town. She got back on the trail the next day at route 321.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: U.S. 321/Kincora Hiker's Hostel

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

She hiked 23 miles to Double Spring shelter this day. She stopped at Iron Mountain shelter and ate some chocolate and a bagel Peanut butter and jellY?) then hiked on and got to the next shelter after dark. Rather than distrube those in the shelter, she pitched her tent (on a hill) and slept well. Park Bench was hiking with Liz atleast from Iron Mountain Shelter.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Liz woke up and hiked into Damascus with rainy skies. She met up with Tuna Bags at the state line where pictures were taken by one and all (2?). Liz is staying at a hostel called The Place which is run by the Methodist Church. They hope hikers will make a donation of $4.00/night. She is lucky to have a bunk since Damascus is full to the brim with hikers for Trail Days.
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Liz is staying in Damascus for Trail Days and is still at 'The Place' Hostel. She is having great fun and what a grand party. I am not sure what else she has done but she walked in the Trail Days hikers¢ parade. The Mexican cafe in town is excellent with the food beating trail food by far.The package we mailed to Damascus arrived on Thursday. It had a new digital camera to replace the mal-functioning one. She has been using disposable ones since the NOC of which we have only received one. The new, lighter weight (one pound), 40 degree sleeping bag arrived from REI as well. (She is a little concerned that Mt. Rogers might be an unsuccessful test of the new bag. Mt. Rogers is the highest point in VA and has a reputation of being cold.)Today she was feeling as if it were time to get back on the trail but had several things to do. Her package that we mailed to her at Elk Park and she had had forwarded to the Kincora Hiker's hostel (3 days before) caught up to her today (Saturday). She needed to repack and get organized. The plan is to get back on the trail tomorrow (Sunday) morning for a 15 mile day. The trail should be very busy with many hikers heading out at the same time and for the same shelters.We might not hear from Liz for several days. She is having someone mail her package home Monday with her sleeping bag and hopefully a camera.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

I (Nancy) received this email from Liz at work 5/23/07:"I would give you a call tonight, but i dont have anycell service, so i'm just dropping you an email. I amin TroutDale for the night; we are having a reallygood time.I'm now hiking with J.B., Persistant, Fuzzy monkey,Sprocket, and young eagle. I plan to stay at Partnership tomorrow night and theshelter after Atkins the following night. The highlands that we just hiked through were amazing. At one point I had two ponies licking my arms (one ofwhich had just tried to bite my crock.)I fed them grass, but i wouldnt be surprised if othersfed them real food because some of them just about ranup to you to see what you had.Oh, which reminds me, I was wearing my crocks to hikein because my feet hurt to badly. I don't thinknike's will work because I need more toe room at thispoint. (So exciting that my already wide feet haveexpanded) Anways, the foot dr suggested i try a man'ssneaker size 7. It is a comparable width to a women'swide which is hard to find. Im hoping that i can finda shoe store really soon though because though my bodyfeels ready to do 20 mile days consistently, my feetjust hurt to badly.Tuna Bag had to take a few days off to visit hisfamily, and its odd not having him around. I justhave to keep reminding myself that there are a ton ofpeople to be hiking with always.Lets see... what else....I had a large burger and onion rings for dinner with acoke and then peach cobler and then for second supperi enjoyed some mozzerella sticks... i might get someice cream too... we'll see. food is good.Not too much else is going on... i miss you and can'twait to see you and dad in under three weeks!!!!"
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins/The Relax Inn 
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Feet are a little better and knees are bothering Liz some. But, her spirits are wonderful. They ended up staying at the Inn which we did use as a mail drop. It is right on the AT so it is a popular hikers' Inn. They had dinner at a nearby restaurant also on the AT.Tonight's call was mostly concerned with what has to be packed for the upcoming wedding she will be going to in a couple of weeks. I hope I get more detail about the hiking next time. I do understand that the hiking is a little easier than what it had been. The book shows that the terrain over the past 2 days is up and down but mostly between 3,000' to 4,000'. They are now at the intersection of route 81 and 11 around 2500'. That is about the lowest elevation they have been since leaving Damascus. (The highest was Mt. Rogers Tuesday at 5500'.)
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter via Bland
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Liz called us twice today: the first time at 3:30 from Bland where they were getting sandwiches from Subway and the second from Helveys Mill Shelter were she was tenting.She is hiking with Persistent, Young Eagle and Ronin(sp?). Today the wild life was limited to a black snake. It was very hot. Liz having heard that John's new bike was stolen John's, thinks John should leave life and come hike with her.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Helveys Mill Shelter via Bland

To: Dismal Creek Falls 
Miles today: 18.2

Although the book does not say there is camping at the falls, there are camp sites. Young Eagle, Persistent, Ronan and Liz camped there for the night. They went to Trench groceries on the way to Dismal Falls and had pizza, chicken sandwiches, chocolate milk and grapefruit juice and Liz felt sick on the way to the falls. There were many people swimming, drinking and relaxing at the falls which were not dismal but very nice.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Dismal Creek Falls 

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was actually a further hike than the 22.4 miles since the camp spot at Dismal Creek falls was off the trail by a half mile or so. They got into Pearisburg about dark. There were 3 miles of down hill at the end of the day. It was very difficult and not fun. The feet hurt terribly. The weather is very hot during the day but the nights are cool. Liz is wearing her fleece jacket to bed and for the first hour or 2 of the day. After that, the layers come off.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Young Eagle, Ronin, Persistent, and Melk (Liz) are sharing a room at the Holiday Motor Lodge costing them each $15/night. Liz says it is a very nice place. She received our package and is sharing the cookies Tom made. Young Eagle says he really likes them as does Liz. They did laundry this morning and shopped. Liz bought another pair of shorts at Good Will for $2.00. I hope they last. She also had to buy another SD card. This is good news since we have been thinking she should be taking more pictures. (I do have some to load and hopefully will get to it soon. For some great pictures of the ponies, look at Yellow Jacket's photos. She has some excellent ones including some of Liz.) Tomorrow they will be getting a late start so it will be a shorter day, probably just to the first shelter at 6.2 miles.No bears.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Pearisburg

To: Va. 635 Stony Creek/Pearisburg
Miles today: 21.4

Liz ended up taking another zero day yesterday, 5/31/07. Today they slacked backed from Va 635 south bound, back to Pearisburg. There was a lot of flat hiking. The weather deteriorated into thunder storms and heavy rain. They picked up the pace to get out of the rain. They got on the trail at 9:15 this morning and finished by 6:00.For supper they had Chinese and Liz's fortune was that she is a good friend to herself or something like that. She thinks she is on good terms with herself and I think it is a good thing since she is doing this hike!