morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Stonestep Campsite

To: Erwin, Tennessee
Miles today: 11.3

Up early, leaving Stonesteps campsite at 7:40, hiking to Uncle Johnny Hostel in Erwin and estimated time of arrival is 1:00 pm. Today no major climbs, only a few small ups and downs.The weather was perfect, saw 2 deer and countless number of wild flowers. When I arrived, Pension and I hiked to a laundry to wash clothes. It was an easy hitch to and back. The hostel provided a shuttle to town where we had supper and re-supplied. Staying the night were Gaiter Girl, whom I haven't seen in awhile, Sierra Marmot, Spiderweb, Frier, Weeble and Tonque Tied, Pension and myself, Mushroom. Well it is way past my bed time, 9:00 pm, so good night.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Erwin, Tennessee

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

7:20 am leaving Uncle Johnny Hostel, after 2 hours of hiking it started to rain, put on my rain gear. Rain stopped around noon and the Sun tried to come out but too cloudy. I arrived at the shelter at 5:30. A major climb to day was Unaka Mountain, 2000 ft climb amd 6 miles. I thought that I would never get to the summit. The forest was foggy making the trail as if invisible, fog so thick you couldn't see the ground and had to rely in the white blazes on the tree marking the A. T.. Well if you keep going sooner or later you well arrive and I did so at 5:30. Boy, was I glad to see the shelter. Some new faces tonight at the shelter, didn't get the names of everyone. Gaiter Girl and Pension were here, shelter full and 2 tents. Looking for a short hiking day tomorrow and then on Sunday, a big challenge hiking to the top of Roan Mountain.
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

I'm planning a short mileage hike today, getting rested for the 2 1/2 mile, 2000 ft. climb up Roan Mountain tomorrow. Well,it's first light and the routine begins again; the sound of zippers from sleeping bags, some mild stretching while still in the bag, someone already up and moving around, as I remove myself from the horizontal position to the vertical. The routine is simple. You get up, put on some clothes, most likely the clothes you wore yesterday, lace your boots and retrieve your food bag hanging from a tree ( hoping it's still there), put your stove together (if your wanting something hot to drink or eat coffee & oatmeal), clean your pot and cup and dismantle the stove. Almost finished, next pack up and strap on your pack, grab your trekking poles and walk.Well today its raining again, which means that it's cloudy but the rain is light and not worthly of putting on rain gear. Throughout the day were several small climbs, not too difficult or as tiring as these climbs can be at times. Everyone that stayed in the Cherry Gap Shelter headed to Roan Knob Shelter, 14 miles. but, I decided to stay at Clyde Smith and hike to the Overmountain Shelter tomorrow. At the Clyde Smith Shelter, I entertained myself ( being the Greeter) as hikers came by moving on to the next shelter and for those staying the night.Banana hiked through, I haven't seen her since NOC. Wild Man, he hiked thru the A.T. last year and doing some section hiking this year. Kickstand and another hiker passed through. Gabe and his wife, Shadow are setting up their tent. Turtle Dan has just arrived. Dave and his dad, Sierra Marmot are here and coming up the trail is Rap Dog. Tonight there are 5 in the shelter and 6 tents set up behind the shelter.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

I left the Clyde Smith Shelter at 7:30, the sky looked as if rain on it's way so I dressed for the weather, rain gear. After 2 hours on the trail, it started to rain. Now, a 2200 ft climb up Roan Mountain, started at elevation 4100 ft. and top off at 6300 ft., after a 2 1/2 mile hike. Let me tell you this,it was one tough climb. I sure was glad I saved this one for a morning climb, being rested, well rested and eager. Roan Mountain is one of the premier Mountains in Tennessee outside of the Smokies. It is known for the prolific rhododendron and views. But at the summit, no views and too early for the rhododendron blooms, it was foggy and in the clouds. Now the GOOD PART,decending from Roan Mountain into Carver's Gap onto Highway Tn. 143/ NC 261 ( depending on which side of the road you are standing)a Trail Angel left 6 cokes, I, of course, drank one as if I never had one before. Now, the FUN PART,as I hiked out of the woods and onto the road, the wind had to be blowing 40 miles per hour, it was raining and because of the force of the wind the rain was coming down horizontally ( something like the tornado that went through Wood River in the late 40's remember that? Well, I don't recall all the details, after all I was just a little kid.) Well, it felt like sheets of sleet hitting me, especially when I was hiking up Jane's Bald. Due to the force of the wind, my rain cover for my pack blew off. I didn't realize it. Mayaques, who was behind me chased it down. By the time, I decended Jane's Bald and in the cover of the woods, I was soaks. This experience I will not forget. I finally arrived at the Overmountain Shelter, which is an old barn renovated for hikers. It has a loft with plenty of space and covered decks along the outside with tremendous views looking down into Tennessee. The place is a popular stop and about 20 hikers here tonight drying out.Tonight, after eating, I popped into the bag, nice and warm, 7:30. What a day! No views today, only rain, clouds,fog and wind, but this is part of the hiking experience and I am still having a great time. This is really enjoyable. Maybe the Sun will shine tomorrow. Good night to all.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is a rather unusual hike as I will be hiking on Balds most of the day. I left the shelter at 7:30, it was cloudy and foggy. Looks like another rainy day so I put on rain pants. Chilly this morning with all the dampness, I pulled out my fleece shirt and off I went. Today 2 climbs all above treeline, Little Hump and Hump Mountain, I'll be walking at an elevation around 5500 ft. My starting elevation at 4200 ft. The last time I hiked these Balds, Hawkeye was with me and it was a clear day, you could see for miles. But, not today. No views but the walk was interesting, have you ever walked in clouds? It didn't rain and I reached the campsite about 4:00. The campsite is along the Elk River, a beautiful location. The site was flat, covered with the most green grass you'll ever see and mountains in every direction. Tonight, the hikers are Little Chicken, Smoky Mountain Steve, Spiderweb, Sierra Marmot, Frier, Mayaquez, Rap Dog and Myself.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Campsite

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 17.4

I woke up this morning with frost on the tent and rain fly, the sky was clear and no rain. At 7:40 started hiking, almost stepped on a brown colored snake, not sure what species,but I jumped and it scared the " bejesis out of me". Long hike today and I arrived in Dennis Cove at 5:00 and headed off to the Kincora Hostel, about a half mile off the trail.It was full so back tracked to Laura Creek Hostel and Campground. This was a great place and I'm about to tell you why. The place was clean, after several weeks on the trail "clean takes on a new meaning". I had 2 cheeseburgers and the greasier the better, and the sodas were out of this world. After loading up on the above, I showered and shaved. Well, I spent the night with some familar faces as Little chicken, Stands with Fist, Diesel,whom I haven't seen since Geogia, Gabe and Shadow. Mayaquez and Rap Dog.Tomorrow I'll head for Damascus, Virginia and I'll be there in 3 days. I will be entering my 4th state, only 10 more to go ( I guess I'm ahead of myself as I have 50 + miles to go). I can't believe it, it's 9:55, way past my bedtime.
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I had a pleasant night sleep and now heading off to the trail, it's 9:00. I'm starting later than usual as the Laura Creek Hostel served breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast and coffee, something I haven't had for awhile. It was worth the late start. Back on the trail and a tough climb after an easy 2 mile walk. The climb was Pond Flats, 1800 ft in about 2 1/2 miles, good views on the way up. Once you top Pond Flats, you can look back and say " that was not so bad" but it is a challenge. When you go up, then you must come down. It was a 2 mile. 1700 ft decent, not bad and rather easy. Walking on a pine needle forest floor and easy on the feet. I stopped at Watauga Lake Picnic Area for a break as well as the Watauga Lake Shelter. Decending from Pond Flats, I had views of the lake and surrounding mountains (picture perfect). At 7:00. I arrived at Vandeventer Shelter. This shelter sits on a ridge and behind the shelter are some of the most uniques views of the lake and mountains. It's, when you dream of having your own cabin in the mountains and off the back porch the aforementioned view. Tonight I could see the lights of a town in the valley below. It was intriguing, as the only lights I've seen from a shelter have been flashlights. Today was a hard hike and long day. In the shelter tonight are Little Chicken, Hobbs, Machine and Water Bo, Mayaquez, and Rap Dog is sleeping in his tent tonight.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Up and at it by 7:00, hiked 3 miles from the shelter and stopped at a campsite to filter water. Last year Hawkeye and I camped here with several Thru-hikers.We had a grocery store amount of food so we provided supper for ourselves and a thru hiker " Swift Sandles", he was From Florida. We cooked up Parmensan Cheese and noodles, 2 big pot fulls mixed with tuna, three cheese mashed potatos, and for dessert pop tarts with your choice of peanut butter or jelly. This was a break stop and the water source is a small stream, easy to get to and less than 50 yds. from the trail. No more than 2 miles to the Iron Mountain Shelter, where I took another break, as I arrived Little Chicken was leaving. I arrived at Double Springs Shelter at 3:30, the weather has been nice and blue skies all day. Afternoons are getting warmer, actually hot. Maybe this is a sign that spring weather is here to stay and I might send some of my winter gear to Hawkeye. Only two of us slept in the shelter tonight, Mayaquez and myself. Rap Dog outside tenting, he will be getting off the trail tomorrow. He is section hiking and will be home tomorrow night. All the other hikers at the shelter last night have moved on. Tomorrow 18 miles and I will be in Damascus, Virginia. Tomorrow I enter my 4th state.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

I arrived in Damascus at 2:00, I have hiked 459.8 miles. I guess I'm a fourth of the way. Early start this morning, left at 6:20, feeling eager to get into town. Last night Spiderweb arrived at the shelter at 11:00 pm, she had to be walking a couple of hours with the aid of her flashlight. It gets dark in the mountains, especially in the woods and I mean dark. She said Frier and Sierra Marmot are staying at Iron Mountain Shelter tonight and they will marathron into Damascus tomorrow, 26 miles. I'm leaving that kind of hiking to the young people. Where was I 30 years ago? My legs and feet would go on strike if I attempted such. I'm staying at a hostel called the "Place". It is operated by the Methodist Church and the cost is $4 / night. Yes, it is based on the "Honor System". It is an old house renovated for hikers and cyclist. Damascus is a starting off place for cyclist as a bike trail runs for 26 miles to Mt, Rogers. The Appalachian Trail runs right "mack dab" through town. The "Place" is accomodating. Rap Dog, who has been hiking with us since Carver's Gap, will be going home tonight. Pilot, Little Chicken, Mayaquez and myself staying here tonight. Hey, Rap Dog, thanks for the dinner. I'm sure the other guys appreciated it as well as I did. We'll miss you.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I checked in with Hawkeye, retreived my mail and sent some equipment and clothes to Hawkeye. No hiking for me today as this is a zero day. Time to do laundry and re-supply and give the foot world a break. Damascus is known as the "Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail". It host the annual "Trail Days" sorta a mass gathering of old timers and other Thru-hikers and just about anyone interested in hiking or even have no interest at all. It is a "Big Deal", I'll probably be here next year. Damascus is a small town , about 900 population and as I said before the trail runs right down main street. Just follow the "white blazes". That reminds me of something " just follow the yellow brick road. Tomorrow, I start my 400 mile journy through Virginia, headed for West Virginia, my 5th state and meet up with Hawkeye in Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Well, it's good bye Damascus, hiked out at 7:30, but decided to treat myself to one more luxury by stopping at the Convenience Store for coffee and a donut. You never can tell how long it might be until a good cup of coffee and a donut shows up.I walked a mile, then a 1 3/4 mile 1200 ft.climb, followed by a 2 1/2 mile 600 ft.ascent. Not done yet. Another climb, 3 1/2 mile climb of 900 ft.,and another one mile, 600 ft. hike to Lost Mountain Shelter. Today was nice hiking, as the morning stroll was along a fast moving stream, water rushing over and around rocks creating a white water effect. As I climbed,you could look down and see and sometimes hear the roaring stream. This was a view that had all the wonder and facination of nature's beauty. The purple rhododendron are in bloom, I believe the rhododendron is of the Catawba variety and numerous wild flowers.I'm going to be hiking for a long time in Virginia,500 miles +, but I believe I'm really going to enjoy this section of the trail. Back at the shelter, there are 11 hikers and the camp fire is burning. My company tonight are C Biscuit, Frier, Mayaquez and myself. There are 6 tents set up and one of the section hikers is staying in the shelter.Tomorrow I have a 17 mile hike planned, which will include a 5 mile 2100 ft. climb to Whitetop Mountain. So, I'm headed for the bag. Chef just arrived so add one more to the count.I been thinking about you all, especially Jason, Terra, Lance, Bethalto Maintenance & Transportation, and Value City Associates. See you all in Sept.
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

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

Up and headed North at 6:45, to make a long story (hike) short I arrived at Wise Shelter at 6:00. On the way to Whitetop MOuntain, there were to challenging climbs, in 4 miles, I started at the elevation 3760 ft. to 5400 ft., walked 3 miles then a dip to lower elevation and a 2 1/2 miles from 4500 ft. to 5500 ft. Now, I,m at Whitetop Mountain, the second tallest mountain in Virginia. The trail does not cross the summit. But, not to be out done, the tallest mountain in Virginia, Mt. Rogers, 5729 ft was next on the agenda. The trail does not cross the summit here as well, so no fantastic views, you might say "viewless".I arrived at the Thomas Knob Shelter about 3:30 and it looked like a covention as there were 15 hikers waiting to see what Mr. Weather was upto. It was cloudy and the thunder was roaring in the near distance. Thomas Knob is at 5400 ft,and the northern part of the trail was all open territory, no trees, etc. This would be a hike in the open for the next 2 miles. Thunder, lighting, way up there, open space , it doesn't take a meteorologist to figure out this hike could be ending up "fried". Well about 3:30, I decided to move on, after all I got places to see.Thomas Knob Shelter, has something all of you are going to be interested in," a solar composing privy". I thought you all would be interested. Something you got to know to appreciate modern plumbing. I might suggest that Value City invest in dealing with this concept when I get home. I thought you would be interested. Well, back to the trail, the next interesting stroll was through a place called "Fatman's Squeeze". This is a natural rock formation about 30 ft. long, high enough to walk through. No, I didn't have to detour, I have lost a few pounds while on the trail (probably due to my cooking rather than my will power). I made it through with no problem, no problem at all.Grayson Highlands State Park was a magnificient experience, it is said to be like the grasslands of Montana with extravagant rock outcroppings. Saw some Feral ponies (wild beast),now they are said to be wild, but I was able to walk up to one of them.Crowded shelter tonight, lotta new faces and they were heading back to Damascus for Trail Days tomorrow. Today was a long day at the shop, but it was truly interesting, It's time to get back into the bag. Good night all.
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Look, really, look at today's miles, my 1st 20 mile day (this is a mile stone all hiker try to achieve, especially the "let's say older guys and leave it there").Well, my chest is all puffed out, congradulations to me. At 7:00, I left Wise Shelter and triumphantly marched into Trimpi Shelter at 5:00. On the way, I took a 15 min. break at the Old Orchard Shelter and after another 3 miles stopped for 30 min, now it's about 2:30. All afternoon, thunder in the distance, but it didn't rain on my party. It looked like it was going to rain, but it didn't, which pleased me immensly. I met quite a few hikers going South, headed for Damascus. Trail Days festivities this weekend. Their plan was to catch a shuttle from Damascus to Dickey's Gap, hike back to Damascus, celebrate and shuttle back to Dickey's Gap and head North. As for myself. I will keep the nose to the grind and think about attending Trail Days next year. Maybe, I'll be able to talk Hawkeye in hiking a section into Damascus and we'll both celebrate together.I met two day hikers today, man and wife. They inquired, well she inquired, you know women more inclined to ask than men,(it's a woman's thing).She asked what part of the Appalachian Trail, since she knew I started in Georgia, what part did I think was the most beautiful section? Pretty hard to say, it's all beautiful.One big climb today, 2 1/2 miles, 800 ft.up Iron Mountain, the other climbs were short and not much of a challenge ( I liked that!). There is a place called Scale's Place. The story goes like this...before the government bought the land, farmers would turn their livestock out to graze. Of course, this would be prior to their shipping the herd to market. The livestock, I bet they were cows, the livestock would be weighed on a set of scales. Yes, at this spot called "Scales Place" right where I was standing. Therefore, you guessed.hence the name Scales Place. What a lesson in history.It was, for no better way to describe it, a lovely hike today in the forrest, but that's how it always seems to be. Lots of room in the Inn tonight. As Frier and myself the only residents in the shelter. Traveling Jack in his tent and Hans in his hammock. 8:00 time for bed.
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Rural Retreat, VA.
Miles today: 22.2

Today has been nice hiking, I departed the Trimpi Shelter at 7:20 and there were no big climbs. I started at an elevation of 3000 ft. and in 6 1/2 miles elevated to 4000 ft. This is a real nice walk. At noon,I arrived at the Partnership Shelter. This shelter sleeps 16 people, but this you will not believe, it has a hot water shower. By now you probably have guessed what hikers do when they arrive. Wrong !!! You were thinking they take a shower. Nope, it gets better. About a 100 yds. farther to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Headquarters, you can order a pizza from an outside phone booth. You do that 1st., then take a shower. When I arrived there were 6 hikers waiting on their pizzas. It takes 2 hours for the pizza to be delivered. Well, I skipped the pizza and treated myself to 2 cokes and then I moved on. I kept telling myself that I really didn't won't pizza, but I was just kidding myself. I showed up at Rural Retreat, VA. about 7:00. I shared a room with Frier and Hans at the Relax Inn. The name fits the experience as I had finished 22 miles. I cleaned up via a shower, did laundry, ate a cheeseburger, fries and had a coke served at the Cumbows Country Store. Phoned Hawkeye to check in. Not a bad day, 22 miles and easy terrain. Time to hit the bed, not the bag tonight.
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Rural Retreat, VA.

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

I left the truck stop at 7:30 after a breakfast of coffee and two donuts. As I was leaving Rural Retreat, I spotted two Meadow Voles. You know the rat-like creatures, cousins to the muskrat, pretty exciting. As you might be thinking it doesn't take much to excit an Appalachian Trail Thru-hiker. It gets more exciting as I walked between 15 cows,yes,I counted them. The highest climb today was from 2600 ft. to 3500 ft.in 1 1/2 miles. For the past 3 days, it looked like it was going to rain at any moment. But, looks are everything, no rain. I guess, I spoke to soon, this afternoon rain. I, almost dressed for the occasion as I put on my rain cover for my pack, but not the rain pants and jacket. It only rained for 20 min. but I was soaked. By the time I arrived at the shelter, I was almost dried out. This is part of the experience - you walk in the rain and if you are lucky you dry out. But the bright side is, it rains, you get soaked, it's like you get a bath and your clothe get washed. Sorta like a two for one deal.Three hikers at the shelter tonight and 4 tents just up the trail. Take note: I saw many Flamed Azaleas and purple rhododendron in bloom today. Blueberry Bert and Good Tyme were at the shelter, I haven't seen them since North Carolina, NOC. They moved on when I arrived to find a campsite. Sheltering tonight were Frier, K-2, and another hiker. Outside tenting were Polar, Pilot, Hotrock,and Polar's dog "Jack Rabbit". When dogs start having trail names, you know that you are with serious hikers. It's getting late, so good night.
Date: 2004-05-14
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkin's Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

At 7:00, on my way, one big climb today, a 4 1/2 mile 2000 footer to Chestnut Knob Shelter. This area was a former fire warden's cabin, and the place was once called the "cave". But with some modern update, plexiglass windows were installed to lighten the place up. I arrived at noon, took a short break and moved on. In this area of the trail there were some good views of the Virginia countryside, so I pulled out the camera and captured some of the sight. You had to be here to really appreciate the the beauty of the area. I saw two snakes today, a garter snake and a black snake. Later that evening at the shelter, a deer came upto the shelter, but didn't hang around as Jack Rabbit scared it off. Tonight, same hikers as last night but Meanderthal has joined us.