morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Hemlock Hollow Farm

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, Happy Birthday to me! A trail side birthday was a neat experienceand I had a lot of fun. I woke up this morning to thunder and lightningoverhead and a nasty drizzle. Yay. I got a ride from the owner back upto the trail head and as we drove up a bolt of lightning struck in frontof us. Exciting, I thought, my first real sketchy hiking. Worst casescenario there was a shelter 3.5 miles up and I could dry out a little,or get hypothermia, whatever. A new adventure!I get there and eventually a bunch of others show up. I share a coupleof mom's homemade cookies to celebrate with Tully, Ninja, Recom,Ketchup, RLB and they all started singing Happy Birthday to me. It wasreally nice, but my real present was yet to come. It cleared up afterthat shelter and stayed sunny and 70* all day! What a great feelingafter fearing that the t-storms would last all day.I got a great view on top of this high, exposed ridgeline and I couldsee in every direction for miles and miles, certainly my best view in aweek of hiking. A little further down the trail we came to a niceshelter called Jerry's Cabin and basked in the sun to dry our stuff out,there is where I met up with EatsALot and Bee Man. Another nice hikebrought us to the summit of Big Butt Mtn, which kicked my but a little,being 11 miles into the day. But, I made it just fine and now I'm atthe shelter with Bon Bon and 4 others, including HighTech, a thru hikerfrom 06 (Justin, he remembers your name in the registers but nevercaught up).Tully saw a sign in Hot Springs that said a boy scout troop is going tobe doing trail magic at devil's fork gap tomorrow with burgers, hotdogs, sodas, and a whole bunch else. I plan on sleeping in tomorrow,squatting on the magic for awhile, and maybe doing a little bit of ashort day. There are shelters 9 or 19 miles from here, but I might justcamp somewhere in between. Hopefully the magic is actually there!Kick: Thunderstorms to start the day got me soaked.Kiss: A great birthday that turned into a beautiful day with good viewsand good company. I got purified water from Tully and half an airplanebottle of Marker's Mark from HighTech for my b-day presents.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, what a day of firsts. Let me first say Happy Mother's Day to myMom, sorry I didn't call but the phone died last night. I was thinkingof you today. Today was unique in many ways, starting with the factthat I completed my first 20 miler and it felt great to accomplish sucha feat over such rough terrain. This morning started out cold and wetat 6:30, and I got on the trail by 7:45 knowing I had a big day ahead.The fog soon burnt off and I had done nearly 6 miles by 10am. That's afirst.It blossomed into the most beautiful day, the next 3 miles were a climbto the day's high point, Big Bald. Although strenuous, it wasunbelievably worth it. A 5500' mountain with a completely grassy summitand panoramic 360* views, you could see 50 or more miles in everydirection. This was probably the best view I've had yet, anywhere.Crystal clear with just a slight breeze, me and the others ate andrelaxed on the summit for over an hour. Wow, what a sight, I made amovie with my camera but I don't know if it can do it justice. Moving on, we had to say goodbye to the view for we had 12 more miles togo. Athough mostly downhill, these miles contained a few tough climbs,including the climb up Little Bald (which sadly, isn't bald), the one toHigh Rocks which was very steep, and the last 2 mile climb up to camp;that one was very painful. My legs are feeling ok, but my feet arekilling me.I am now 6 miles from Erwin, where I will take a nero "half day" andrest up. I need to get food, eat some town grub, shower, and mostimportantly get some new insoles for my boots. The boots themselves areholding up fine, if you count all my practice hikes they have around 400miles on them. But the insoles are toast, paper thin and worn out, theywere never meant to last this long and I can feel it in my feet. Oh, and a day of beautiful sunshine? That's a first since Gatlinburg;there was no threat of rain, no worries, just beautiful views and hotsun. What a wonderful day on the AT. I am now here at the shelter withBon Bon, Ninja, RLB (who all did the 20, too), EatsALot, Bee Man, andtwo new people, Phatmandu from Australia and One Track. And, I'mactually in my tent tonight, a first since the night before going intoFontana! Looking forward to town to update you all and post some pictures.Kick: The trail up to High Rocks was brutal. My feet are really soreand I almost got a blister today.Kiss: Big Bald! The beautiful weather, laughing with RLB, Bon Bon, andNinja at the end of the day, knowing tomorrow will be full of rest, andcan I say it again? Big Bald!Happy Trails,TransitionP.S. If any of you feel like it, Google "Thru Hiker's Companion" andyou will find a link to a bunch of pdf's. Those pdf's are a copy of theactual book I've been using out here and you can access them for free!
Date: 2009-05-11
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Nolichucky Hostel
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

Here we are at Nolichucky Hostel, known around here simply as Uncle Johnny's. Uncle Johnny is a great guy and a real trail friend. His outfitter store is great and I got some "blue" Superfeet insoles for my boots. It's like walking on air compared to what it has felt like. A total change, it's awesome.This morning I broke down camp in the cold rain. My tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and clothes all got wet. It was a really crappy start to the day but RLB and EatsALot helped cheer me up, and it was only 6 miles to get to town. I made it down the hill and got 35 new emails on my Peek, thanks everyone for the birthday wishes and support. I arrived at the hostel and found Bill Breed and a host of others I hadn't seen since Hot Springs. On everyone's mind is a way to get to Trail Days in Damascus, a hiker hippie gear manufacturer trail life festival going on this weekend. Rocket is going to be there and I want to catch up with him.The plan is to hike the next three days with Bill and a few others to get the 50 miles to Roan Mtn, NC where there's a hostel that will shuttle us to and from Damascus for like $30 a piece; not bad considering it's like a 3 hour round trip. We should get there on Friday and will take a 0 day or two living it up with about 20,000 people in a town that usually has a few hundred. It will bring truth to the term "tent city".Today was nice, I ate 15 pieces of pizza at the AYCE pizza place, resupplied on food, and pigged out at the mexican place in town. Life is good and I was able to post some new pictures up today, hope you all enjoy. At this point I'm only 120 trail miles from Virginia, where things will hopefully get easier for awhile. After Roan Mtn the trail won't go above 6000' again until New Hampshire. Woo hoo.Kick: A wet and soggy start and never having enough time to do everything I want to do. Especially never having enough time talking to Dani.Kiss: A nice relaxing day, being able to hike with Bill the next couple of days, we should have a plan for getting to Trail Days, and the next two days are supposed to be really nice weather.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Nolichucky Hostel

To: Apple Orchard Campsite
Miles today: 21.4

A new record! Another big day today, this time it is my first day out of town with a fully loaded pack and an all day climb ahead of me. I was hoping to just make it the 17 miles to a shelter, but a with a nice campsite ahead and a clear weather forecast, here I am at the Apple Orchard campsite; today is Day 27 and this is the first time since I've started that I haven't slept in or near a shelter. Cool stuff.We got a 9:00 start out of Uncle Johnny's and I felt like I was flying all day. The new insoles have made a world of a difference. My feet feel so much better. Today's climb was long but moderate, and I've never felt so good on the trail. There's a lot of talk about getting trail legs, but trail lungs are just as important and mine have arrived. I feel like an athlete, and climbed the 1000' up Unaka Mtn without stopping at all. Unaka was very pretty and totally covered in white pine trees, very Maine-like. Me, Bom Bon, Photoshop, and Bill (out here we call him GoodWill) all made it to the 17 mile shelter at 5:30 or so. We ate dinner and decided making the extra 4.4 miles wouldn't be bad, and just might make tomorrow easier. I got here around 7:00.Tomorrow is Roan Mtn, our last chance to go over 6000' high until Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. The plan for making it to Trail Days has been changed, again. I am really only looking to be there most of Friday and zeroing on Saturday; I want to get back to hiking on Sunday. My best chance for getting a cheap and easy ride to Damascus is from Kincora Hostel, Bob People's place. From Erwin to Kincora is 73 miles, and I am planning to do it in 4 days, 21/18/18/15, with the last 15 being very easy and I can get in early Friday afternoon.Anyways, we'll see. Today was gorgeous weather and had some really great views. I felt great all day and I ate a ton of food. I left Erwin with 10lbs of food for 4 days and 3 nights. I am eating well, and have recently upgraded to the 2lb. jar of peanut butter. Oh, and the song of the day was "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles, a favorite of Dani and I and a source of inspiration for our pumpkin carving last Halloween.Kick: A LOT of climbing again today, at least 5-6000'.Kiss: Beautiful weather, hiking with Goodwill, having a plan for Trail Days, and completing a big day with relative ease!Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Apple Orchard Campsite

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I am staying at an awesome shelter tonight. It is a big red barn with two stories, a good water source, a beautiful view, and the first privy in 60 miles. We're in an area where Revolutionary soldiers once passed through the gaps here to march on over 170 miles to mount a surprise attack against the British army. The "overmountain" soldiers helped win a key battle in the war. Also, if any of you have seen the movie "Winter People", this barn was used for scenes in that movie.Today was very rough, climbs over Little Rock Knob, Roan Mtn, and Round Bald made for a long day. Roan was very difficult, but pretty and looked a lot like a New England hike does. Pine trees and skinny, steep trails reminded me and GoodWill of home. We bounced back and forth awhile, along with Bon Bon and Photoshop. I also met three new hikers today, Jungli from AZ, Blue Eyes, and Shades, who lives just outside the Bangor area.Although it was very challenging, we've now put most of the big climbs in this area behind us. And I must say, the balds are very pretty. Tomorrow will be ups and downs, but nothing like Roan. I am looking forward to getting to Damascus and checking out Trail Days and seeing all the other hikers. It is way past my bedtime (it's 8:45) and I am exhausted. Talk to you later.Kick: The 2000' climb up Roan in the middle of the day, climbing more once that was done, and the brutally windy, cold night we're about to have.Kiss: Hiking in dry weather, eating a ton of food today, and sleeping somewhere 'cool' instead of just another crappy shelter.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Spring Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, today was a pretty good day. It was certainly full of surprises.We started off at the old barn climbed out of the gap over two moregrassy balds called Little Hump and Hump Mtn. Very creative names.Right as I got to the top of Hump Mtn a massive cloud bank moved in;luckily it didn't rain, but I couldn't see more than 30' in anydirection and the bald was not marked well, that was interesting,especially when we came across the cattle.It was the weirdest thing ever, Bon Bon, Photoshop, and I were hikingalong when we suddenly see 4 big horns sticking out from behind a grassyhump. This must have been what 501 was talking about. He said the USFSbrought African cattle to the tops of these balds in North Carolina tohelp keep the balds bald. They were the only species they could find toeat the bramble and bush on top of the mountains. So here we arewalking along and see these 1000 lb cattle with massive horns grazingalong. Totally unexpected. I got some good pictures though.Then about 5 miles later I got lost for the first time on the trail.About a mile of the trail was really badly marked and I missed a turnand kept going up this old farm road. I walked in a circle for about 10minutes before I figured out what happened. Then after I got back onthe trail hooked back up with a different old farm road and somebodydrove and old Ford Ranger up there and left it parked in the middle ofthe trail. Calling it a road is an exaggeration and we're out in themiddle of nowhere. Suddenly I heard a voice in the woods a couplehundred feet off the trail and the banging of someone trying to cut atree down with an axe. Deliverance music started playing in my head. Ibooked it.For those of you following along, I've been weaving back and forth on TN/NC state lines since Fontana, I've almost literally had one foot in each state forthe past 220 miles. Well, goodbye North Carolina, it's 70 miles of pureTennessee left before I cross the Virginia state line. Now I'm at thenew, 20 person Mountaineer Shelter with Bon Bon and a guy namedFancypants. Life is good and I can spread my stuff out everywhere whilethe thunderstorm passes over us.Kick: 58 miles in 3 days. My body is tired. No reception tonight tocall home.Kiss: It rained last night, it's raining tonight, but it was dry andclear all day today. Only 15 easygoing miles to Kincora tomorrow to takesome time off for Trail Days. Oh and seeing those cattle was reallycool.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Mountaineer Spring Shelter

To: Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Today was a roller coaster both on and off the trail. The miles were fairly easy, no major mountains anyway, but just lots of ups and downs. It was painstaking but Bon Bon and I still made 3 miles an hour all day. I woke up this morning feeling groggy and exhausted, but we wanted to push it one more day to make it to Kincora. We hiked in dry weather all day, which was a real blessing, but I ended up soaked anyways because it was so humid. My legs and feet felt okay today, but my mind just wasn't in it and it makes it tough to hike when you're just zoned out.After 9 miles we stopped for lunch at Moreland Shelter and the water was a quarter mile straight downhill. Followed by a mile climb out of the gap, I was starting to get really tired. Just a couple more miles, I kept saying to myself.We finally get to the road and it's only a short walk to Kincora. We get there and no one's there, no Bob Peoples, no one. I am out of food because I just planned my days just right. There's no computer and I'm sitting in a dead zone. Bon Bon and I sat there for awhile, a little over an hour, and no one was around. Everyone's at Trail Days. Well, there is another hostel, I thought, about .5 a mile down the road on the other side of the trail. They have food and a computer, and when I saw ice cream on the list it sealed the deal.   We left, not knowing what might happen for our ride to Damascus, but at least I would have food.Laurel Fork is a nice place and I had a frozen pizza, ice cream, and cold soda. Bon Bon and I are the only hikers here. We're trying to get a ride from the owner's "shuttle guy" but he's not calling him back. Oh well, if I can't make it to trail days at least I'll have enough food to get to Damascus.The one saving grace is that Bon Bon has a mail drop waiting for her at Kincora. We're going to head over there first thing in the morning to see if she can pick it up, if someone's there we'll try to get a ride, if not at least she'll have food too. It's a little crazy but worst case scenario I'll just keep on trucking.Kick: Showing up at Kincora and having no one there, not knowing what to do or what was next.Kiss: Having a back up plan and being able to go with the flow.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Well, we made it to Trail Days after all. Bon Bon and I got up early and walked up to Kincora at 7:00 this morning. We made it just in time and got the last two seats in Bob's car. It was a winding hour and a half car ride on mountain roads to Damascus and I actually got really car sick from not being in a car like that in awhile. We got there at 9 o'clock, just as the vendors were setting up and long before many of the hikers had woken from last night's festivities.Damascus is a nice town and the festival was really cool. I think it most reminded me of the Clam Festival in Yarmouth. There were crafts and food vendors everywhere, and the town was flooded with hikers, both current and from years past. There was a lot of food to be had, and I had it. I ate a donuts, had a pancake and ice cream breakfast, a double bacon cheeseburger, an ice cream float, funnel cake, and fresh lemonade, and some other stuff. There was a hiker parade through town today, right down Main Street. It is actually a cover for the biggest water balloon fight ever. Townies vs. hikers, a few thousand water balloons and super soakers and hoses. It was a good time throwing and being thrown at.I got to see all kinds of people today, including Rocket, he hiked into Damascus on Thursday and has been hangin out since. We caught up, and it was fun to see him again. I also got to see No Thai, Voodoo, and Bluto before they all leave the trail for good. Chef, Nano, Wlaking Home, GoodWill, Photoshop, Jungli, Rooster, Tully, Ninja, Scavenger, and so many others were there it was great.I missed out on all the nightlife activities, which is probably for the best, some people had been there in a fog for the past three days. I heard from Ninja that there was a giant bonfire, drums, dancing, and all out fogheadedness that lasted from sunset through this morning. I got my poles checked out by the Leki dealer and they cleaned them, put new poles and tips on, and replaced one of my lower shafts for free because I bent it going down Big Bald. Bon Bon got a new $50 belt for her pack for free, Granite Gear was just handing stuff out today. Tent city was pretty cool, and seeing all the tents around town was ridiculous. Got some good pictures and it was a good time. Talk to you all later.Kick: We're going to try to make it back to Damascus in two days, 50 miles from here. Yikes, terrain is easy but we'll see how that goes.Kiss: Seeing all my trail friends, eating lots and lots of nasty town food, and getting to experience Trail Days for a day.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day, Bon Bon and I left Kicora around 8:45 in the rain. I blue blazed for the first time today, choosing to take the high water trail around Lauerl Falls. There's been a lot of talk about the trail being flooded around here, and it was a steep, rocky decent down the AT. Fortunately the rain stopped around 10:30. Did I say yesterday that the 50 miles to Damascus were going to be easy? I must have been kidding myself, Pond Mtn was first thing this morning and the 1500' climb sucked. It was enough to put me in a bad mood, cold, wet, and tired first thing.By the time I got to Watuga Lake and the shelter there 10 or 11 miles in, I was all but convinced that I was going to stop at the next shelter, 18 miles in. I climbed up from the lake to Watuga Dam, and then had a very painful 1000' climb out of Iron Mtn Gap. The cool thing is that I ran into the folks doing Hardcore Trail Days, an event Bob Peoples does every year right after Trail Days where about 100-120 people volunteer for 2 days and complete a major trail project. This year they were putting switchbacks in the trail so the climb out of the gap isn't so 'painful'. It was really sweet because they let me christen the trail, I am the first hiker to ever walk that section of trail. They were digging the dirt still, it wasn't even officially open. Another first.I made it to Vandeventer Shelter tired and all but ready to stop. But it was only 7 more miles, the easiest section of the day, and it was only 4:00. After a short break, I convinced myself to push on. Boy was it worth it, I made it to the top of the ridgeline so it was really easy ups and downs and I made good time. All in all I made it 24 miles in about 9 hours of hiking. An epic day, and tomorrow is even bigger (but MUCH easier) as I am now 26.1 miles from Damascus. If I take a short side trail to get water, I'll be doing my first "marathon" day. But, to do that I will need lots of sleep tonight. So, talk to you later.Oh, song of the day..."Who Do You Love" by George Thorogood, I was yelling it out loud the last 2 miles.Kick: Pond Mtn, the rain, the flooded trail, a much harder day than I bargained for.Kiss: Making it! And, the rain held off and the next couple days are supposed to be nice.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: The Place
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: clear sky

Well folks, I completed my first marathon today. I know it's far fromrecord time, but I did it in just over 10 hours. Not bad for being inthe hills with 35lbs on my back. What a cold night we had last night,the coldest since Georgia for sure. When we (Toubob, Bon Bon, Mapquest,and I) all woke up at 7:00 it was 32*. It was a serious mentalchallenge to crawl out of my warm sleeping bag and go out into the coldknowing I had 26 miles in front of me. I ate a couple frozen Snickersand an apple, put every piece of clothing on that I have, and triedgoing as fast as I could to warm up. I was on the trail at 8:00.The going was fairly easy today, at least in comparison to what I'm usedto. Bon Bon and I made it to the first shelter, 8 miles in, by 10:30.There we met a group of 5 high school seniors and their gym teachers whoare earning credit by going on a 5 day backpacking trip. Sweet. Pushingon, we saw a ton of day and section hikers out today, my only guess isthat a lot of colleges and seniors must be out of school by now? It wasweird, a ton of people.We made it over McQueen Knob and to the next shelter at 2:15. 16 milesdown, and 10 to go. There we met back up with Toubob and had somelaughs, all of us overtired and easily amused. I went on a .4mi trek toget water, which guaranteed that I would do more than a marathon today.Bon Bon and I were slapstick tired, so tired it felt like we were lupeyor drunk because everything was so funny. Oh well, only another 10miles.And then....VIRGINIA!! About 3 miles before town we crossed the stateline and said good riddance to Tennessee. Now it's on to VA, land of theprivies! It'll be so nice to have those again...3 states down, 11 togo, with one big ass one right in front of me. I'm so tired, my feethave taken a beating, my pinky toenail on my right foot is black andlooks like it's gonna fall off, and I just did 123 miles in a week,including the zero day on Saturday. Zeroing here in Damascus tomorrowand enjoying one of the greatest trail towns and licking my woundsbefore moving on.They say an average male thru hiker burns 4-6000 calories a day...Ithink today was on the 6000 side of the scale. What a challenge, andwhat a great feeling to be done with it. We hiked 50 miles in 33 hours,or about a mile and a half an hour including sleep.Kick: I now have a much greater appreciation for how long a marathon is,Dan, I don't know how you do it. Today went on forever, my feet hate me.Kiss: Zero day tomorrow, I completed the Damascus Challenge (50mi/2days), and I just ate a double bacon cheeseburger and a pint of Ben andJerry's.Happy Trails,Transition