morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-11-13
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 17.7

Pretty good hiking today; it was misty and rainy throughout. My right knee continues to be sore everytime I bend it. It was fine for about 4 miles - than wammo.Well, anyway, this hostel is really cute. The owners, Terry and Mary, have rennovated the loft in the barn and they did a bang up job. The terrace looks out over the banyard with horses and goats and a meadow stream. I've got wood all ready for the stove tonight. And I bought 2 ribeyes - beef is so cheap here - 4.99 pound.Slacking tomorrow.
Date: 2007-11-14
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 12.4

There is something seriously wrong with my knee. I am embarassed to report that it took me 7 hours to do a 12 mile slack pack today. Yes, it was raining and rocky and rooty; mostly though it was the limping and wincing that slowed me down. I was starting to worry at about 2, I was in pain. I came up with a relatively painless Frankenstein walk to use on smooth ground. Put as much weight as possible on the poles, lift up onto the left toes and then swing the straightened right leg through or around to the front. Lots of obstacles though - so, this wasn't a complete fix. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about this.Tonight, I'm hosting a one-person Star Trek festival - they've got II, III, and VI on VCR - yes, VCR.
Date: 2007-11-15
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

It was raining when Terry and I headed out this morning. As we made our way into the mountains, the rain turned to sleet, then wet snow. It was clear he wasn't comfortable driving and the road up to Roan was increasingly white. I didn't particularly want to hike out by myself with limited water treatment and an ailing knee in snowy, icy conditions. So, I asked him to take me straight on to Erwin.Here I am - zeroing in the snowstorm - not too bad here - just flurries, but really windy and cold. They keep flashing shots of the snow and ice on Roan on the news - I'm glad I did a bypass. Been holed up in my warm little bunkroom watching TV all day and eating delivered pizza. What a slug I am. Hopefully though, this will be good for the knee. Everyone keeps telling me that for this to heal, I have to take a week off. That's definitely NOT going to happen. I think I've been talked into a second zero tomorrow though.
Date: 2007-11-16
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Today I really feel like a slug - two days off - not healthy. It has afforded me the opportunity to look around Erwin a bit. The little theater plays only G rated movies and the town is dry. The library is housed in the old train depot - pretty cool spot. I'm going to try to track down the legendary Miss Janet, who closed her hostel a couple of months ago. Apparently, the famous burrito shop closed down at the same time.Elizabeth, who works at the hostel, and I may take a road trip to NC this afternoon to fetch a 1/2 gallon of whiskey. Sooo bad, yet sooo good.I've been thinking about trying to get in touch with Uncle Silly for the past few days - I recall he said Roan was close to where he lives. No signal for days though. Now that I have one in town this afternoon - I'm past Roan and I'm not exactly hiking at my best. Oh well, just know I was thinking about you, Sil. I'm doing a 19 mile slack tomorrow from Iron Mountain. If the knee can't do it, I can call from Indian Graves Gap at about half way. If all goes well, I'll try a 24 on the south side...also with an emergency pull out at about half way.Uncle Johnny and Richard, the webmaster, are trying to fix my water filter today...YAY...they will be rewarded with the forbidden sour mash.
Date: 2007-11-17
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 19.1

Cool hike today. I backtracked North. The north side of Unaka Mountain still had snow from the storm. The top was dense old growth Spruce. Then, I had views the rest of the way! I covered 19 miles by 3:30. Knee report: some pain during the last 4 miles, which was mostly downhill. Otherwise, pretty good.Just hanging out in my room tonight. I had my fill of Jim Beam and scrabble last night.There is a spell check on the input page now - YAY!!!
Date: 2007-11-18
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 24.5

Tried a long hike today. My knee started bothering me about six miles in; so, I eventually got down onto the road. It was an easier walk - but, I ended up doing an extra three miles or so.Erwin now has the record for kind folks offering me rides into town. I had 8 offers in Pearisburg and 11 offers here. I resolved to roadwalk the entire way though.Elizabeth made chili and cornbread (on the grill) tonight - mmmm mmm - great fall weather food. It is supposed to be in the 70s the next couple of days. Only 43 miles to Hot Springs. I'll probably stay there for T day and then head to the Smokies.
Date: 2007-11-19
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather was not as predicted this morning - it rained all day.Great trail today though - smooth and wide with easy grades. This made my knee very happy - no complaints at all. Actually, I think it prefers my full pack. I hunch over some and my weight is distributed differently. Also, I walk a good deal slower. Only 11 miles - but, I'm feeling good. Need to get some bigger miles in so that I get to town before the holiday - post office and smokies permit.I passed Doom today. He spent a couple of days in Asheville and is hiking North to Erwin. He'll hitch back to Hot Springs on Wednesday. That means I'll have someone to hang out with on Thanksgiving.Connie, Julie and the Professor from Mississippi are here with me tonight.
Date: 2007-11-20
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

What a beautiful day - high 60s and sunny. I decided to continue taking things slow. Tomorrow looks like a fairly easy walk - but, I'll have to get up early.I'm getting a little nervous about the smokies. The weather is getting progressively colder. The cold in the fall is not like the cold in the spring. There's no anticipation of sunny warmth in the coming days. It's like the difference between night hiking in the early morning and night hiking in the evening. There's supposed to be freezing rain on Saturday and Sunday - don't think I want to tackle that at 6000 feet.I didn't see a soul today and am alone in the shelter.
Date: 2007-11-21
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Elmer's Sunnydale Inn
Miles today: 19.6

Today was an interesting day. I stopped for a break at Allen Gap and up walked a lady with a dog and a sign announcing trail magic. Former thru hikers Fal and Hercules fed me very well in their lovely home. I started off with an enormous waffle and coffee while they baked bread. 45 minutes later, I was served pulled pork BBQ, three bean salad, potato salad, pickles and homebaked honey oat bread with homemade apple butter. WOW! Then, we discussed the meaning of life (and death). I had no choice in the matter really because I was too full to move. I left with plenty of reading material. They were kind, generous folks though.Once in Hot Springs, I took care of essential business then found the bar and waited for Doom. When he showed we headed to the great gothic mansion on the hill (and across the street from the Dollar General) and made ourselves at home at Elmer's. Unfortunately, he and John were not serving their famous vegetarian dinner tonight. So, we headed back to the bar for dinner. I finally got the trout I've been craving since Maine.
Date: 2007-11-22
From: Elmer's Sunnydale Inn

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

After a breakfast of waffles and granola, Doom and I got to a late start. We decided to hike as there was really no reason to stick around town. The rain was supposed to let up, but it never did. We walked through a cold wet cloud all day. We are reasonably dry at the shelter now - but still cold.We feasted on mac and cheese, fig newtons, and the rest of my Jim Beam from Erwin. Twas a lovely meal - but damn cold! I'm glad Doom is with me - helps to keep the spirit up - a little ironic huh?
Date: 2007-11-23
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up to ice - ice everywhere...in the shelter, on the ground, on the trees. It might have been beautiful if it hadn't been so unbelievably cold. All of our water was frozen solid. Clothes, socks, boots, even the boot laces all rock solid. We finally broke camp about 10 after futilely trying to contact Standing Bear Farm for a rescue ride from the nearest road crossing.I was completely numb when I left- legs shaking out of control. It was a little scary. After an hour of furious hiking, and twenty minutes of intense pain, I had feeling back in everything.In the end, it was a beautiful hike - ice everywhere and the views from Max patch were magnificent. And I only fell twice! We made good time as breaks were not on the agenda for today.Doom got a great fire going tonight and I was able to thaw out my water filter which I was unable to use this morning. I was also able to thaw the water in the bottles. We are here with a father and son who are not at all happy with the temps. They were at 2000 feet last night and we were at 4500. Tonight we're about 3500 - so, it should be interesting to see how they deal with things in the morning.
Date: 2007-11-24
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up in the middle of the night and put a water bottle in my bag with me. There was enough melted by morning to make coffee - that was wonderful. Though I probably should have just drunk the water. The problem is that when the water freezes in the bottles, there's no where to put new fresh water. So, you end up not drinking a whole lot of anything unless you cup water from the spring with your hands- it works but is quite painful. The key is to empty whatever water you can at night if you can thaw it out and fill back up in the morning.The sun came out and blessed us this morning. It was not as cold as yesterday - it also helped that we were dry. Unfortunately, everything is still frozen solid. It is a real challenge to get feet into frozen boots. It took us a while to get to the hostel. We were both dragging - exhausted from yesterday and dehydrated. I'm getting more and more concerned about the smokies. Only three certain water sources along the whole stretch which is basically all above 5000 feet. Well, at least tonight we're feeling clean, drinking beer and eating BBQ from the gas station. We've got a wood stove between our bunks that is keeping us fairly warm - certainly warmer than we've been for a while.
Date: 2007-11-25
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Okay - I wimped out. Doom bit the bullet and took off early into the unknown. Last night I called the Hike Inn on the other side to make a reservation. They said they had to pick up Tortuga and shuttle him around. Apparently, he went up for one night and said "no way - too much snow - too cold". Then, I listened to the weather forecast: below freezing nights and two days of rain coming up. I'll come back and hike them in the spring - and I can make up my two other yelllow blazes then too; they all total about 95 miles.Anywaqy, to offset the cost of the shuttle, I offered to do a work for stay here at the hostel and Curtis agreed. That's a good thing because I probably would have spent the day cleaning this place at any rate. The Hike Inn received my maildrop today so we can head out early tomorrow.
Date: 2007-11-26
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Hike Inn, Fontana
Miles today: 0.0

Rainy day today. So, it's great to be in a room with a bathroom and tv. The last hostel had an outdoor privy. There's even a little kitchen here - so, of course I went nuts at the grocery store. I've eaten steadily for 6 hours and I'll probably walk out of here with 5 days of food tomorrow.
Date: 2007-11-27
From: Hike Inn, Fontana

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

It feels great to finally be hiking again after two days down. The pack was out of control heavy - you'd think I'd have learned by now.Lots of ups and downs today and the knee was fine. Didn't see any peeps and I'm alone tonight in the lean to reading Kafka.Seems that all water sources are still dry even after the few rainy days we've had. There was spring water trail magic at the last road before the shelter though - thanks!It's going to be a cold one tonight - I've already got everything uncomfortably tucked into my sleeping bag with me so that it doesn't freeze. I am stuck in this position until morning - no tossing and turning tonight.
Date: 2007-11-28
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Nahatala Outdoor Center Hostel
Miles today: 16.0

Jeez - what a difficult hike today - many steep ups and downs. I broke camp at 9 and thought I'd have plenty of time; but, I got to the center with just the faintest glimmer of dusk left. I had to hike through the woods to the bunkhouse in the dark after checking in. I am perfectly exhausted. I walked as fast as I could all day. Everything hurts - it feels like I might have the flu. Maybe I picked something up from one of Curtis' kids.Talked to Lisa - She's got to be back in Charlotte on the 9th. That means I need to summit Springer on the 6th or 7th. I promised her (and myself) a day in Hot Springs before we head back.I'm really glad I went around the Smokies now - since I would have had to have skipped something anyway to make the new schedule. I'm going to try to slack the rest of the trip and sleep indoors. It will probably get a little expensive - we'll see.
Date: 2007-11-30
From: Nahatala Outdoor Center Hostel

To: Franklin Motel, Franklin
Miles today: 14.6

Feeling better on this gorgeous day. Had nice views of brushy brown mountains - not so lovely, but views.Coming into Franklin was an adventure. Before I caught a ride, I had to walk a bit. Nature called, which is always a pain on the road. I ducked behind some trees in the brush and watched the road to be sure I was inconspicuous. A few cars passed. Then, the bed of a small pick up came into view. It was going in reverse. Then, pointing directly into my face was double barreled shotgun from the passenger window. Jeez - I sprung up with my hands in the air, pants half hanging off me. Apparently, I looked like a doe - albeit on private property, 10 feet from a state highway.Took two hitches to get to town - and get this - both were from Tallahassee - thanks Lauren and Jimmy.Tried to get to the library this afternoon before it closed. It has been relocated to a larger building in the burbs. There is no library downtown at all. I walked along the highway for an hour or so before I gave up and came back. It's great that they have a new building - but how many folks will be disenfranchised by this move?
Date: 2007-12-01
From: Franklin Motel

To: Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: broken clouds

Thanks to Kay from the local hiking club for the early morning shuttle to the trail! I did some creative navigating today including a blue blaze cut called Kimsey Creek Trail through the horse shoe curve that the trail makes over about 12 miles. I had to walk out of Deep gap to the main road though which took a while. I intended to road walk to Hiawassee from there, but got offered a ride right away from hunter and former cop, Chester. I scored another ride right into Hiawassee from couple, Janice and Garland King whose daughter thru hiked in 2003 - I think they said her name was Fuzzy. They have generously offered to shuttle me all the way beck to Deep Gap early in the AM for a slack forward to Dick's Gap- Thank you so much!!!This is, without a doubt, my best hotel experience of the trip. It's not quite conference quality, but darn nice. My room has two beds, a sofa, a little kitchenette, premium cable, and a hair dryer. There's a pool, jacuzzi, high speed Internet, guest laundry, AUCE breakfast, and bikes for riding around town. This all for the 59$ hiker rate - only 2$ more than the cheapest motel in town. Great deal folks!I've been feeling fat. I'm definitely putting weight back on. I'm still eating like someone hauling a full pack for 20 miles a day - everyday, when actually I've had several zeros and neros lately and I've been slacking at least half of the time. Unfortunately, my appetite rages on.
Date: 2007-12-02
From: Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee

To: Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

It turned out to be a gorgeous day - the rain held out till I got back. Finally got a hitch back to town from Cathy, an interior designer returning from a conference in Pheonix - Thanks.I passed many hikers today, including a new Nobo. At the gnarly tree near the Ga state line, I noticed someone shadow boxing in the brush. It was J-rock, just out of the marines, and decided to hike North till spring. Good luck.Doom called tonight- he's at Carter shelter and we should both be at Neel's Gap on the 5th. I'm going to slow down the slacks to Springer so that we can hopefully summit together.Seems that I missed a party in Franklin last night - oh well.
Date: 2007-12-03
From: Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee

To: Super Ocho, Helen
Miles today: 16.1

Back to a full pack- thanks once more to Garland King for the lift back to the trail. The winds got up to 60 mph today- pretty serious - my face is beet red. Otherwise uneventful until getting back to town.I had been hitching for nearly an hour and it was cold and almost dark. Finally, a van with tinted windows pulled over. I was a bit desperate at this point and went to have a look inside even though I should have probably passed it up. The van was empty except for some tools and a spare tire. The driver was a rough, dark skinned 50 something. He didn't say anything. Since there was no mattress in the back or blood on the van walls, I asked if he was going to Helen - he nodded and I got in.It turns out that he doesn't speak english; so, I got to practice my spanish for a while. He's an illegal immigrant from Chihuahua, Mexico; 4 children and a wife back home. He lives in an apartment nearby with his nephew and does construction. He dropped me at the Super ocho in Helen - muchas gracias, Francisco! You just never know.This is a crazy little gingerbread town meant to seem like an german/swiss alpine village with some windmill motiffs thrown in for good measure.
Date: 2007-12-04
From: Super Ocho, Helen

To: Walasi-Yi, Neels Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Long hike, but fairly easy and I got here with lots of daylight left. I'm on the home stretch now - only about 32 miles left!The hostel is pretty chilly and a little uncomfortable- but, the folks are helpful. I'm thinking I should try to find better accommodations for tomorrow. I doubt Lisa will be bringing her own linens or bag.There's another Nobo here, Patrick, who will be hiking through the winter. Hopefully, he'll catch J-rock. I can't imagine hiking through the winter completely alone.I'm eating up all of my trail food tonight and throwing away all of my precious zip lock baggies. That is harder to do than you might think. They seemed so crucial to a clean, comfortable existence just yesterday.
Date: 2007-12-05
From: Walasi-Yi, Neels Gap

To: Blood Mountain Cabins, Beaver
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Short hike over Bllod Mountain today - a fabulous view - and a great walk. Packed up and moved down the road to a cabin. I's really cute and comfortable - warm and clean. Doom and his buddy Von Moose arrived around 5:30 and Lisa got here around 7. I think she's a little overwhelmed by our stink. Sorry Lis.We ended up driving to Blairsville for dinner - one last AUCE chinese buffet. We all feel sick from overeating. That's not stopping us from drinking beer though.We're watching a bad remake of the Poseidon Adventure right now. It's pretty amusing.Two more days of hiking.
Date: 2007-12-06
From: Blood Mountain Cabins, Beaver

To: Blood Mountain Cabins,Beaver
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I had planned on doing a bigger day, but didn't get on the trail till about 2:30. I wanted to make sure Lisa could get to the Springer Mt parking lot for the summit tomorrow- she doesn't like maps, so a practice run seemed like a good idea. Jeez, those roads are rough and narrow, and windy...and poorly marked. She did great though - we only got turned around twice and managed to find our way back to something familiar.The road going to Hightower gap had just been improved with a layer of large rocks - probably not so great on Honda Accord tires. So, we backtracked, went all the way around the range and approached from the north. That way was a little better - not much. I got to Cooper gap and met Lisa on the trial about a mile from Woody gap. I wish she could have gotten more hiking in today. She wants to do the Smokies with me in the spring - she needs to get in all the experience she can. Ribeye and Ga Fat Boy wine tonight. Sleeping early since I have to get to the trail head by 7 to make the noon rendezvouz with Doom and the others at the road.
Date: 2007-12-07
From: Blood Mountain Cabins,Beaver

To: Super 8, Wanyesville?
Miles today: 11.6

Beautiful day for my final 11 miles. We watched the sunrise at the trail head and then I took off. There's an army ranger training facility nearby - much activity, hummers, camoflauged men with assault weapons, low flying helicopters. I was the first to get to the parking area. Then Doom and Von Moose. We all had friends meeting us and they were all either lost, or late or both. So, we waited and waited - staring at the path that leads .9 mile to our summit. It was quite frustrating. Lisa arrived around 1 and she and I took the final walk while the guys waited for the others. She got me a little drunk at the top with Knob Creek minis - so, coming back down was an adventure. YAY!!!We headed out to Hot springs, but didn't quite make it. Doom and Reggie met us at the Super eight somewhere along the way and we celebrated. One last game of Farkel and much alcohol. Finally around 2, I had to play mom and get everyone to go to sleep. I'm too old for an all nighter - I'm glad they finally gave in.
Date: 2007-12-08
From: Super 8, Wanyesville?

To: Charlotte, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Well, now what.A little hung over, we took a soak at hot springs, spent a great afternoon in Asheville and got to Lisa and Bill's early evening.I've been rummaging through boxes that I sent myself, mail, etc. My clothes don't fit. It's good to see my car.I've made a to do list and tomorrow, I'll start scratching things off it.Thanks again to everyone - this was not an adventure I could have completed without support from home and the good folks along the trail. I hope I can give back in kind someday.Best of luck to everyone still out there!I will make a few more entries in May when I return to finish the Smokies and head to trail days.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Tallahassee

To: Tallahassee
Miles today: 0.0

Hi all!I'm guessing that this will not get read since it's in the 2007 list. Oh well. I've been busy teaching, writing up my dissertation and looking for a job.I've prepped my makeup hike in the Smokies. Afterward, I'll be backtracking up to Hotsprings, then Catawba to make up a few short stretches that I bypassed for one reason or another, shuttling limitations mostly. I'm also planning to rehike a couple of stretches that I think will be fabulous in the spring. I've got a place in Damascus for Traildays. Hopefully, Lisa will be joining me at some point. I know that the campground will probably be the happening spot, but it will be good to have a bed and shower in the evenings. I'll be staying at the Carty Place - 419 Brook Street on Friday and Saturday nights. Please stop in and say hi, take a shower, get out of the rain, what have you.I'm really looking forward to seeing my 2007 cohorts again!