morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-15
From: ERIWN, TN

To: ERWIN, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

From: ErwinTo:ErwinToday Miles: 0Total Miles: 371.8Well if we had to pick a zero day it would be today. I am sitting in a nice dry hotel room with Bonnie Carolyn watching the weather outside change from rain to sleet to snow! BC and I watched a Harry Potter movie on TV and I caught up with my journal.Today was a just relaxing day and I don't get many of those. I was also glad to see Calamity get some down time with Chase. I actually am ready to get back out there on the trail with my pack and head north I really do not like slack-packing that much except you can put in a lot more miles in one day.We have a shuttle scheduled with Miss Janet for around 10:00 AM and it is a 45 min. ride to get dropped off so it will be a late start. I think in the van will just be Bonnie, Calamity Jane, and me, as Flint and Hobo are going to Indian Garve Gap and start from there. Hopefully they will catch us in a few days as we miss their company. I am glad I do not have to go over Roan Mtn. in this snow, as it was hard enough the other day with ice and snow on the trail.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: CARVERS GAP

To: OVERMOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

From: Carvers GapTo: Overmountain ShelterToday Miles: 5 milesTotal Miles: 376.8Well we are either very adventurous or very stupid! Bonnie, Calamity Jane, and I sat around to around 12:00 waiting on Ms. Janet to pick us up. She arrived in a little red sports car and we piled in with our full packs. We had great conversation and it was good to finally meet someone who has done so much for Thru hikers for many years. In Erwin, it was very windy but all the snow had disappeared and the sun was out. As we got closer to Roan Mtn., the snow got deeper and the roads got worse. By the time we got close to the top we were riding on ice so we told Ms. Janet to pull over and we would walk the last mile or so. Well once out of the car we could barley stand with the wind blowing us and our packs all over, but off we went. We walked up the road for a mile and the only vehicles we saw were snow plows They must have thought we were crazy also. We finally made it to Carver's Gap and went over Round Bald, which was a site of a USFS experiment in which goats were used to keep briars and brambles from growing. I love the Balds, they are so different from the regular hiking through the woody parts and generally you can see forever. But today we were just trying to remain upright against the strong winds.We met Pebble and Sunny Side who were walking south and had gotten off the trail in the storm so were going to try and get back to Erwin. We pressed on. We were walking through drifts well over our knees and my new boots that are helping the blisters are not waterproof so my feet were soaked and cold. It took us 4 hours to walk 5 miles and I was very glad to see the shelter sign.Overmountain Shelter is a huge converted barn that was used as a backdrop for the movie "Winter People." I did not see the movie but will now want to rent it.But it was not what I expected. It might be nice in the warm weather, but tonight it is freezing in here and the wind is like a gale through the large opening. Drip Dry sacrificed her tarp to put over the hole but it is now torn in pieces. We are up on the second floor with everyone in their tents as the wind blows right through the walls. There are 14 tents total, and all but two are upstairs. I hope we do not blow or burn down as everyone is using the alcohol stoves. We were glad to see MA and Marshal here as they spent all of yesterday up in this place. Others here are Drip Dry and her dog Boris, Quarter Moon, Loner, Bonnie Carolyn, CJ, and many more that I can't remember or don't know.Hopefully tomorrow the weather will be better, I am definitely over the cold and wind.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: OVERMOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: APPLE HOUSE SHELTER
Miles today: 8.2

From: Overmountain ShelterTo: Apple House ShelterToday Miles: 8.2Total Miles: 385.0Well today was sunny and a little warmer but the wind was awful again. We went over Little Hump and Hump Mtn in the morning. They were balds so the wind would just whip across them. I would take one step forward and get blown two steps sideways. I never thought I would get to the top. The wind speed and force was the worst I have ever had to walk through, but the views were terrific.We met Drip Dry, Quarter Moon and Ohm on the top. After the balds, we went into the woods and snow and ice became a factor again. Everyone I talked to, including me, fell today; Marshal, MA, Rock Hound, Billy the Kid, Calamity Jane, and everyone else I passed. We finally came down low enough that the snow disappeared and the trail became better for the last two miles. Calamity Jane and I were going to try and do 18 miles today. That was a joke. We got to the shelter around 2:30 and could not go on any farther. I had no energy left so we just collapsed and enjoyed the sun and no wind. Here for the night are MA, Loner, Marshall, Calamity, Billy the Kid (Little Bear his dog), Bonnie Carolyn, Focus (and his dog, Katie) Tattoo (and his dog, Erwin, and a father and his two sons who are section hiking (we said it was a three dog night). We are also tying to understand the Virginia Tech tragedy that happened where 32 students were killed. I had people calling me to tell me they were safe as I taught school in Blacksburg the town where VT is located and I and both my sons graduated from Tech. I am glad to be on the trail and away from all the horror.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: APPLE HOUSE SHELTER

To: MORELAND GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Apple House ShelterTo: Moreland Gap ShelterToday Miles: 18.2Total Miles: 403.2I had two milestones today. One was I hiked 18.2 miles with my full pack on, and the second was I went over the 400 miles mark.When we started out today we came to a footbridge just before US 19. Marshall, MA, Billy, and Tattoo were standing there. Lying on the bridge was a dead rabbit. There were no marks on it and it was just dead. It was a little spooky and as Marshal said it could it be a warning? We were all glad to move on. Everyone, except CJ and I, went to get breakfast at a hostel, but Calamity and I pushed on as we knew we had a lot of miles to put in. Then we crossed a road and there was all this trash that had been thrown on the trail by the locals on purpose which scared us again. What a difference a day makes. The trail was so much better and the wind was gone. Calamity and I hiked together all day. We passed a lot of water today. We went by the 100 ft. Jones Water fall. Then we walked along the Elk River for a while and then crossed many streams.The first shelter we came to at 9.1 miles was the Mountaineer Shelter. It was built in 2006 and is the nicest shelter I have seen. It sleeps 14 and even has a loft. If you are planning this hike, see if you can get there. We were there at 12:30 so way to early to stop. Focus and his dog Katie were there also. It started to rain so Calamity and I left our rain gear on,but it felt like I was walking in a sauna. We finally stopped took jackets off but left the pants on which also was a bad idea.The second 9 miles was a lot harder and the last three almost killed me. I have new blister with these boots. I was very glad to reach the shelter. Focus had his tent set up when we got there at 6:30 and we did not think anyone else would arrive, but our favorite people MA and Marshall were right behind us. Then Stubble came in and Diamond (who I started with) and finally Mountain Man hiked in and the shelter was full
Date: 2007-04-19
From: MORELAND MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: Pine Tree Spring
Miles today: 8.8

From: Moreland Gap ShelterTo: US 321Today Miles: 8.8Total: 412.0The morning started out a little different. Stubble and I were up first and everyone else was still sleeping so I cooked myself some breakfast. I never do that, as I am always rushing to get on the trail. I always seem to take longer than Calamity Jane no matter how early I get up! The walk early was cool and sunny. It was the first day I have started out in shorts since I arrived in Hot Spring. Calamity and I stopped by the Kincorra Hiker's Hostel run by Bob Peoples as Virginia from Florida sent me a box of goodies. Thank you Virginia!As soon as we got there, it started to rain and thunder. We stayed there for lunch and everyone else we were with last night arrived and they are going to spend the night. But Calamity¢s mother is in Abington, VA and we are going on to meet her and go to town tonight.We hiked to Laurel Falls. Now, I have read Journals for two years and don't remember anyone talking about these falls. The trail down has large rocks that I had trouble getting down, as my short legs do not reach down to the next rock. The Falls roared all around us and filled the air with mist. We then kept following the trail and it just seemed to stop. Then we saw a white blaze go around the rocks on the river. We couldn't believe it! We had to cling to the rocks and move around them and then over them. If you slipped you and your pack would be in the water. Some of the rocks were so steep we had to slide down them. The rain got worse as the day went on but the trail got better. We came out on US 321 and just then Calamity Jane's mother drove by. It was very nice to be dry and clean as we are in a tonight and we got to go out to dinner.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: US 321

To: TN 91
Miles today: 20.0

From: US 321To: TN 91Today Miles: 20Total Miles: 432.0 Today I did my first south bound hike. I didn't think I would do one, but again the opportunity arose and it was actually fun. Calamity¢s mother dropped us off around 10:00 AM at US 91 and off we went with just water and snacks. We started meeting people right away. Here is the list of who we met today: Walking Cowboy, Pooch and Tom Dooley (dogs: Roxie and Pete), Rock Hound, John, a section hiker who was out of water and we gave him some, Magellen, Confusious and Minnie Mouse (dog: Mayhem), Buckett, Quarter Moon, Dude, Stubble, Boo Boo, Bonnie Carolyn, Diamond, Focus, and Loner, and four hikers we did not know. We hiked along a ridge much of the day with a view of Watauga Lake. The day turned out to be a unique experience. We also saw a chipmunk and a groundhog in a tree. As we walked into the parking lot where we were to meet Chase, Marshal was sitting on a picnic table. MA came across the road with Billy the Kid and Little Bear. Then Tattoo and Erwin arrived. Chase came and again Trail Magic was spread out on the grass. We all sat there for about 45 min just talking and watching the sun go down over the lake. It was one of those moments that mean so much on the Trail. No one was in a hurry to leave.But finally we did, and Chase drove us back to the hotel for a hot shower and pizza.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: TN 91

To: US 321
Miles today: 6.2

From: US 321To: US 321Today's Miles: 6.2Total Miles: 438.2Calamity and I had to go back and pick up a few miles we had missed when her mom had picked us up in the rain. It was a beautiful day and we just had to go up and over Pond Flats. It was quite a climb, but we kept meeting people and it made the climb a lot easier. We met Owl, who I had not seen since Little Laurel Shelter on Easter Eve when he suggested I take the blue weather trail around the cliffs, (which I did not do). It was good to see him again and hear about their Easter adventures at church!. We were up and over in no time and Calamity¢s husband, Chase, and her mom had set up Trail Magic at the Watauga Lake Picnic Area. It was great fun as everyone took off boots and shirts (the boys at least) and relaxed on the grass in front of the lake. Some of the Thru-hikers that stopped were: Owl, Secret Lover, Bus Driver, Moon Pie, Stretch, Granite, Pack Rat, Lucky, and others whom I can't remember.We went back to the hotel, did laundry, and went to Allison's again for dinner.I hope the weather stays like this for a while!
Date: 2007-04-22
From: TN 19

To: ABINGTON GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

From: TN 91To: Abington Gap ShelterToday's Miles: 11.2Total Miles: 449.5I hiked alone today for the first time in a long time and it did feel strange. I left Calamity to have some time alone with her husband and mom and my friend, Mary Anne, took me back to TN 91. It was really out of the way and we almost ran out of gas on this Sunday morning. We finally found a small gas station opened and we breathed a sigh of relief. I was glad to be back on the trail headed north with my pack on.Calamity and I play this game all the time called, "Dear AT." When we either don't like something about the trail or we do like something we will say, Dear AT could you please... OR Dear AT thank you for...It is fun and so I kept it up myself today, and it was mostly the Thank you part as the trail was great today.Again the day was beautiful, and I did the 11.2 miles by 2:30 and thought about going all the way to Damascus but it was 10 more miles and I am back in my old boots. So I am just relaxing and enjoying this beautiful spot and weather.I really don't know what to do about the boots. The high top trail runners I bought make my feet really sore on the bottom and give me blisters in my arch! So am I back in my first boots, but can already feel the toes starting to hurt in these first 11 miles. It is very discouraging to still be working on the boots 450 miles into the hike. I have tried every different sock, liner combination I can think of. I will again ask the outfitters in Damascus what they think.Focus (and Katie) and Mountain Mike were at the shelter when I arrived but they have gone into town.Here tonight at the shelter are Loner, Stretch, Tapper, Tray, Gorilla and others I can't remember.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: ABINGTON GAP SHELTER

To: DAMASCUS VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

From: Abington Gap ShelterTo: Damascus, VAToday's Miles: 10Total Miles: 459.5During the night people kept walking by, night hiking into town. Loner had us all up at 5:30 AM so that was good and I had the earliest start since I began this journey. (I think it made a few people made and I hope they get over it!) I had my pack on and was walking by 6:40. I really like the early start and hope to do more of it as the weather warms up. As I was walking along at quick pace for me, I almost stabbed someone in the head with one of my sticks. He was in his sleeping bag right on the side of the trail and I only saw him at the last moment. I just looked down smiled and said good morning. (I later found out this was Waffle, a young 18 year old Thru hiker. YEA! I am in Virginia. There are 535 miles in Virginia and many people get what they call the Virginia Blues. But I live here and near the trail, so I am hoping for a lot of support from family and friends and that might help with all the miles!I was with a group of younger hikers when we crossed the TN-VA state line and we had a little celebration.I arrived in town about 10:30 AM, not bad! 10 miles by 10:30! The trail runs right through Damascus and it is said to be the friendliest trail town along the way. I have been here a lot biking and think that is a great place to be. I am very glad to be here as a Thru Hiker and wanted to come in with my pack on!I am staying at Dave's Place, a hiker hostel across from Mount Rogers Outfitters. Only two people to a room and I am sharing one with Bonnie Carolyn so not as much noise.I met some of the people that had hiked through the night. Some had hiked 50 miles and some 35 miles. Neither of which appeals to me. Calamity Jane hiked in early afternoon and Bonnie, Loner, Mr. Easy, Calamity and I all had dinner at The Dairy King. It is a beautiful night here, as I sit writing at a picnic table at the entrance to town at the park.
Date: 2007-04-24
From: DAMASCUS, VA

To: LOST MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Damascus, VATo: Lost Mtn. ShelterToday's Miles: 15.8 Total Miles: 475.3Calamity, Loner, Bonnie, and I had breakfast at the Dairy King, and set off out of Damascus. You walk on the Virginia Creeper Trail ( a fairly flat trail as it is used by bikers and also some Thru hikers)to start, but the trail quickly moves up into the woods. It went up for a large part of the day, but I feel like I am really becoming stronger. I hiked this section a few years ago with both of my sons, but we were going south at the time and we just went from shelter to shelter. The day went well except again for the boots. I am so discouraged about my boot situation. The MRO guy spent a lot of time with me yesterday to fit me with new boots again, but after two hours of walking my feet are hurting me. I kept the new boots on until we got to Saunders Shelter. Calamity Jane and I stopped for lunch and then I put my "old, original" boots on and carried the new ones. I am going to try that for a while and see if I can get one pair that works. But I can't believe I have to carry an extra pair of boots!I was walking to Lost Mtn Shelter and the thunder started. I quickened my step and made it to the shelter just as the rain started.Here tonight are Stubble, Tapper, Dray, Bonnie Caroline, Diamond, Calamity, Hoosier (who had a birthday today so we all sang to him), Stretch, and a few section hikers. There is a fire burning and it feels good to be out in these woods with good company. In the privy here you can read the whole story of the Lorax by Dr. Seuss that someone wrote on the inside. Of course we were all just glad to have privies again.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: LOST MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: VA 800 ELK GARDEN
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

From: Lost Mt Shelter To: VA 600 Elk GardenToday's Miles: 8.0Total Miles: 483.3Today was a short day, as I was going to get picked up and go back to Damascus to see if I can exchange the boots I got there as they are just not working.It was another beautiful morning with the sun out and a slight breeze blowing. Calamity and I met some Mount Rogers AT Club members who were cleaning up trash. We told them about the trash in TN and they said it was lucky we didn't get shot at!We had to climb Whitetop Mtn today. It was about 4 miles up and I thought it would never end but as always it did. We stopped at Buzzard Rock and I took a picture. About three year ago I was backpacking southbound for the first time with my sons, Richard and Jason, and as we approached Whitetop a lighting/hail storm started. I could not even see the boys ahead of me. We ran to Buzzard Rock and stayed there until it started to let up some. We walked for the rest of the day to Lost Mtn. Shelter in the pouring rain. It was nice to actually walk across the bald and enjoy the view.We reached Elk Garden and stopped for lunch. My friend, Mary Anne, showed up and did a little trail magic for some other hikers. Calamity Jane set off alone and hopefully I can catch her in a few days. I went back to Mount Rogers Outfitters in Damascus and they actually took the boots back and I now have yet another new pair. I also got an extra small hip belt so now I can't get any smaller as there is no where else to go. They had one of Hot machines for the Osprey Belts that mold it to your hips. It feels really good. We will see how it works tomorrow. Mary Anne and I went to dinner and I got ready to go back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: VA 800 ELK GARDEN

To: WISE SHELTER
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Elk GardenTo: Wise ShelterToday's Miles:9.3 Total Miles: 492.6I started out today with new boots and a new hipbelt, both of which felt great. The boots did fairly well but I really won't know for a few days and many miles. I loved the hike up to Mt Rogers. It was in the woods, fairly gentle up, and many small white flowers on the ground. I took my time which I later regretted. I stopped for lunch at Thomas Knob Shelter. As I came out of the woods and began hiking across the balds, I looked at the sky and the dark clouds were gathering, and the wind had a definite cool bite to it. For the rest of the afternoon it was a race against the weather. I was on exposed rocks and balds for five miles and hiking as fast as my legs could go. I had not realized it was such a rocky climb. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I had not been scared of being caught in a thunderstorm out in the open. And I had not seen another hiker all day. Where is everyone! I was also thinking I would not see the famous wild ponies that roam these balds, but after I crossed into Grayson Highland State Park there they were. And for the next few miles I saw about 15 or so. One was even walking up the trail towards me and I got a good picture of him.Finally, I started to go down into the woods again. I was so grateful and almost fell, so I slowed down to a more careful walk. I walked up on Bonnie Caroline and we walked to the shelter together. About 1/2 mile out from the shelter it started to rain and I put my coat and pack cover on. It was really coming down by the time we got there. Bonnie Carolyn tried to convince me to walk on to the next shelter as Calamity Jane was there but I declined. I have a friend, June, meeting me on Saturday 15 miles away and don't need to push it. Mountain Mike came in and the two of them left. That was about 3:00 PM and it was still raining at 8:00 PM so I am glad I did not go. Besides I got to meet some new people. Pearls and Starving Marvin are Flip Floppers and they started in the Shenandoah¢s of Virginia and are walking south to Georgia. Then they will go back where they started and hike north to Katahdin. Also here tonight are Breadless Horseman, Yorky, and Larry. Yorky went out around dusk to meet a friend, Jessie Jackson and then will be back here to sleep. A full shelter again tonight. It is a very cool and damp night so I am now sitting here writing in all my rain gear and I am inside my sleeping bag.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: WISE SHELTER

To: HURRICANE MTN SHELTER
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

From: Wise Shelter To: Hurricane Mtn ShelterToday's Miles: 10.9Total Miles: 503.5Woke up to rain again this morning. Then the sun would come out and then it would rain. I was not in a hurry so I was the last one to leave around 10:00 AM. Some hikers left as early as 8:00 AM in the rain. That is the latest I have left a shelter in a long time, but I got to talk to Larry a lot. He is a very nice young man who is thinking of going into teaching. I think anyone who completes this Trail would make an excellent teacher as it certainly teaches you many life lessons, patience being a major one.I waited the rain out and then had a cool, windy rest of the day. As I came down from the last highland bald Thu Hikers from last year, Cohiba, Otter, Jic, and Garland, were setting tents up. They came to do trail magic for the next few days. They were not really ready for me so I just took a few cookies and a soda (which I carried but did not drink), and went on. The hikers behind me will enjoy the hamburgers and hotdogs for sure Today I saw a lot of day and southbound hikers out. One group had 19 in it! But since I left the shelter this morning, I have not seen any northbound Thru Hikers.I got to Hurricane Mtn Shelter around 4:00 PM. This shelter was built in 2004 so it is the newest one I have stayed at. It is very nice and sturdy and has a beautiful view of the mountains. I did all my chores for the night and at 6:30 PM I was still all alone. Maybe everyone got pulled in at the Trail Magic.. I crossed the 500 mile mark today. Sometimes it is hard to believe I have walked that far and sometimes I can't think about how far I have to go. One day and one step at a time I suppose is what I have to do.Owl just showed up so at least I will not be alone. And then the brothers, Pack Rat and Lucky also arrived. Beatbox, who is camping, came up to socialize. Owl attempted to make brownies but it was more like pudding. A nice night here onHurricane Mtn.