morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Cosby Knob 

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

We set out for a 10 mile day, V8 as advance scout, and Bananas and me following up.   V8 was done in 5.5 hours, and we were done hiking in 7. Hoping the gap will continue to close.    Standing Bear Farm is a hoot. If you have read Ken Kesey or Jack Kerouac, you have the general idea! I fell into memories galore from spending my youth in the late 60's and early 70's. Its an old Tennessee farm house with out buildings, including a bunk room, guest cottage, small open kitchen and table area, laundry nook with washboard and set tubs, and another nook with dryer and internet. They designed a firepit arrangement between these buildings, with benches surrounding it. Rough cut siding that had weathered over time added to the rustic atmosphere. I could almost hear Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Grateful Dead wafting over the heads of the cribbage players and visiting hikers.    I noticed how much more advanced the season was down at the lower elevations, such that trees and bushes were blooming furiously. After the relative austerities of the Smokies, Standing Bear was quitethe welcome interlude. We tented in the mowed back yard, which turned out to be a lucky break, as there was music and socializing gong on into the wee hours around the fire.   Exiting the Smokies, the trail wound downhill for about a mile, paralleling the Pigeon River. Waterfalls and moss covered log sluices tumbled and gushed, to our great delight. The air was moist and warm, and the breezes more than usually welcome. I had missed streams and brooks, although the views and remoteness up above were unforgettable.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Brown's Gap 
Miles today: 10.1

So... word has it that Curtis at Standing Bear calls Snowbird Mountain, "Our own little Shuckstack" as we had to do a 5 or 6 mile uphill pull today heading back north on the trail. Steep and relentless.   I hiked with V8 today, feeling awed by my body's ability to adapt to the work being asked of it. I kept up with her quite well, and the aforementioned gap is definitely closing. I do notice the added mileage has left me a bit more stiffness in the knees, but trust that will ease over time.   Brown Gap was a memorable camping area; a low spot with dried swamp as itsoutstanding feature. It was late in the day when we got in, so we camped there, but   it lacked a lot in aesthetics, being basically an unimproved gully betweenmountains. Last season's ferns and mosses covered the lumpy ground, and our water came from a trickle that may once have been a drainage path for the heavy rains we had seen recently. We did have friends in nearby woods who invited us to a campfire, however, which made my night, and gave us a little sense of connection in an otherwise weird and uninspiring night. Thanks, Malmut and Quattro! Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Brown's Gap 

To: Big Rock Spring
Miles today: 14.0

Excepting the 2 miles up out of Brown Gap, and the 2 miles up out of Walnut Mtn shelter, this was the most beautiful hike of the trip.    We experienced a big shift today,as we decided to do 14 miles. We completed the original 10 mi. by 3:00,and since we had a little gas in the tank still, added 4 more miles to cut down the Fri. hike to Hot Springs.    Mid afternoon we arrived high up on a bluff of sorts at Walnut Mtn. The sun wasn shining, and several small groups of hiker buddies were drifting in. V8 made a fourth attempt to get through to town on her cell phone, and actually connected. She arranged a room for us for Fri night at the Bridge St Inn and Cafe in Hot Springs. I felt a lot of relief, because the town was going to be full of hikers and rooms were growing scarce.   We climbed up onto the venerable Max Patch today, lending us a view to rival those of the Scottish Highlands or the Swiss Alps. Of course there was a steady stiff wind blowing, but we sat for a bit with our backs to it, basking in the sun.    We camped tonight at an old gravel roadbed,high up on a cliff side wooded thinly with oaks and beech. We faced the western sky and saw the sun sink as we cleaned up from making our suppers. A screech owl called out its distressing plea a few times after dark, and there were some rhythmic, odd rustlings among the leaves, which might have been turkeys, but which we fantasized could also have been wild boar or bears. Later we thought about deer, which was far more likely.       No matter how muchtime we spend outdoors, the night can be a little scary. Right now, the collective mind is fixed on Hot Springs.   I am feeling some tightness in my knees, as I could plie down to pick up hiking poles more easily a couple of weeks ago.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Big Rock Spring

To: Hot Springs , NC
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today we hiked to Hot Springs by 12:30, possibly a record for our little band.   Bananas really rocked her way downhill, as she discovered that she could literally jog several of the long downhill switchbacks leading to town. It was fun to watch her play with the trail, a new level of comfort with this peculiar sport.    Some physiological shift has struck us all, actually, as 10 miles per day is the new minimum. Its heartening to see this growth happen with minimal side effects.   It was hot out today. I was sweating and complaining, but happy to know that cooler air was cominng in behind the heat. A little reminder of things to come.      Coming in to Hot Springs felt triumphant, as the AT is marked by bronze markers inlaid along the sidewalks. Of course, no one paid much attention to us, being part of a little parade that streams in most days throughout the spring.    We found our way to the Bridge St Inn and immediately kicked off our boots and socks. Phew! Time to get organized for wash, showers, food supply and meals.   Bridge St. Inn is nicely renovated with 4 sweet bedrooms above a classy little restaurant. As a shared accomodation, it was doable. The owners are new as of this winter and are gracious, welcoming folks. The food served in the Cafe is some of the best I've had, and was consistently so across the courses. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Hot Springs , NC

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

Bluff Mtn Outfitters served as the nucleus of the influx of thru hikers in Hot Springs. Nicely stocked outfitter with enormous patience for people wandering in and out. They accept and also mail out packages for hikers, sell a lot of gear and clothing, stock great hiker foods, and offer internet access by appt. Nice, huh?    They also have an enormous scale in the shop, upon which we weighed ourselves today. They said it was accurate, so if that's the case, I have lost quite a bit of weight.   13# so far. Who would think that could happen so quickly? On the other hand, I have never been this physically active day after day before. Its quite amazing to see.   Now we are strategizing our approach to the miles needed to complete the trail this season. More to come on this as the weeks unfold.   My internet access was nil this weekend, so please be patient as it may be another   week before I can reply to you or otherwise update this journal.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Spring Mountain shelter

To: Little Laurel shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

The plot thickened today, as dry, wind blown bits of snow continued to accumulate under foot. I had heard it might snow some, but cheerily went into denial about that, so was quite surprised to find it becoming a situation, as they say.   Clouded skies and colder temps have a big influence on my mood and thoughts, and it got a tad grim as we hiked along with worsening weather. I reflected on the historical human plight of people who had been driven from homelands, or forced into unbearable marches under duress. I felt such a wave of compassion, and vividly pictured women of all ages trying to care for others and themselves in truly terrifying conditions. I could imagine being a father or brother who could not prevent harm to his family. For us, the walk was elective, and the difficulties short lived, but for far too many, it had been nothing of the sort.   Little Laurel shelter was a welcome sight, stone back facing the trail. I rounded the corner to see Last Minute and Atreya tending a world class fire in front of a small, somewhat bleak little structure. The ground around it had been pounded to a fine dust over the years, and was fast becoming a slurry of ice and mud. Last Minute extended a warm invitation for us to join them in the shelter, which we accepted gratefully. The guide books label this shelter as "sleeps 5", which we had constituted upon our late afternoon arrival. By nightfall, we had 10 hikers sleeping in the shelter itself, and 3 or 4 tents set up near the trail. Last Minute kept inviting newcomers to share the space, and share it we did!. Mango, a competent and attractive young hiker, probably had the least savory situation, as she was bunked across the front of the shelter at nine peoples' feet. She said she worried about rolling off the platform all night, which was easy to understand.   It grew colder, and the snow continued well into the night, increasing my appreciation for being in even this crowded stone and cement hovel as I slept.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Little Laurel shelter

To: stealth site, near summit of Big Butt Mtn. 
Miles today: 9.2

V8 scraped and scraped the icy surface of the picnic table as the morning dawned. We were some of the first to waken and get moving on this surprisingly clear new day. The blustery threat of the days before was now a crunchy layer of new snow, hardened overnight by the 20 degree temps. It was stunningly pretty outside, although colder than we liked. It put me in mind of some wonderful winter camping trips I've been on, but also reminded me of how crucial the wall tent, titanium wood stove and toboggans are for comfort.   We got out on the trail later than usual, due to the chaos and general confusion created by hikers around us as well as my own need to shift gears for the unusual morning cold.   We followed four or five sets of footprints up out of the shelter area, slipping some and proceeding more slowly than usual. I was constantly pulling off then putting back on the Turtlefur neck warmer that was standing in for the heavier zip neck shirt I had sent ahead. By afternoon, the trail was showing through the snow, giving us a grip and smoothing out the walking.   After 9.4 miles, with the sun slanting now from the west, we hunted for a place we could put up two tents without too much mud or ice, briars or rocks. We found a pasture on both sides of the trail, tucked in a slight hollow, and V8 scouted us out a hill top site overlooking the swale and the western sky.    It's often a little spooky when I first set up camp in a new spot, especially when its a stealth site. This was no exception. I got out my folding scissors to cut down some briar sprigs that were in the way of the tent,and noticed the rising, almost full moon.    Once the tents were up, we went back down to the old dirt road/trail to do our cooking. No need to call attention to ourselves up where we planned to sleep, now, was there?! The last of the day's sun streamed directly on us as we set up stoves and cooked our various meals. It was hard to believe that 24 hours ago it was snowing and blowing and being a generally hostile environment. All night I could trace the path of the moon through the thin tent wall, and all three of us slept unusually well.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-16
From: stealth site, near summit of Big Butt Mtn. 

To: Hogback Ridge shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

I awoke to crunchy receding snow among the winter's dry oak leaves around the tent. It was another clear and beautiful sunrise. I love this about the hike, how big a part the sun's presence, its rising and setting and clarity, plays in the quality of my days. It never gets obscured the way it does in my more customary life. Here, I know why people worshipped the sun.    I pushed a bit more today, over 12 miles, and came into Hogback Ridge site to find two experienced, pleasant section hikers, Heath and Mark, and one fellow thru hiker, Brushstrokes, who was finishing his dinner. They offered to get water for us, which is a nightly chore, ranging from simple and quick, to time and energy consuming. I went myself.    This source turned out to be a quarter mile below the site, along a winding path. I should have been upset by this, as I was certainly "done" hiking for the day, but somehow the walk itself put me in a kind of trance, and arriving at the spring, stepping over the mossy, leaf covered stones to the place where the water gushed from a thin white pipe; well, I felt as if I had become every woman who had ever walked to a distant water source to lean over and catch the common but mysterious fluid on its way from a hidden source.    I filled three 2 liter platys, and two pints, and bundling them all into a sack in my arms like a sleepy toddler, walked back up the zig zagging path to the shelter.   New hikers had come in while I was gone: Bananas, Shiloh, Pack Animal, Cannibal, Pyro and others. They built a nice fire with Mark and Heath, and I enjoyed a little social time after supper, before turning in for the night around 8:30. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Hogback Ridge shelter

To: Whistling Gap camp site
Miles today: 13.5

A 14 mile day. Hmm. The last few days have felt different on my legs and feet, not exactly bad, but different. Like they are being used in new ways. Today we walked briskly and with purpose over Big Bald and Little Bald, over hill and dale, in a sense seeing what we could do. To get to Maine this season within our time limits will require some major upgrades on our pace and mileage. There are options short of summiting Katahdin this summer, but that still remains the essential goal. Jan and I are in agreement about not injuring ourselves in the attempt, so are continuing to develop as much endurance as we can at this stage. I have to admit, its tough to see some hikers springing by on an uphill that has me almost whipped, but then I notice that they are considerably younger, or carrying lots less weight, and I surrender to reality. Its weird to not be thirty something anymore, as I think my identity sort of hovers around there somewhere, until I look in the mirror. Yikes! What happened? Oh yeah...   So, while absorbing the reality of being on the other side of the midline of life, I also began to see this hike as the best possible world tour I could get. I know the Appalachians aren't the whole world, but in some ways the microclimates and environments they include have brought me into a much deeper relationship with this planet. My whole body has been absorbing the landscapes and like a kind of complex radar dish, pulling in and interacting with the plants and animals just below the level of consciousness.   Whistling Gap was on the map as a tent site only, with water source, four miles closer to Erwin than we had originally planned. We went for it as it would make it possible for us to get to town the next day. Always longer than you think it will be, we trucked along at a good clip until we saw a green plastic lawn chair sitting under a huge pine tree. There was a metal box next to it, with a 2175 sticker on it. I burst out laughing! Someone had carried that new chair in, and I was going to have a seat, a glorious thing on the trail.    The area was a large old campsite, with that soft, pulverized dirt underfoot, and some lovely flat tent sites. Bananas came in shortly after we did, and Barley and Rain arrived a little later still, making for a good community that night.    The weather held steady with clear skies and warm temps, and again the moon shone down upon us through the night.   I am so grateful to have the chance to do this, both the time and resources, and the loving support from my family and friends. Its a grand tour for the mammal in all of us, a part of the self that gets short shrift in industrialized America. Namaste.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Whistling Gap camp site

To: Erwin, TN ( town)
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

It's 2 a.m., and I am wide awake after a 10:30 bedtime. The likely culprit appears to be a huge cup of iced sweet tea that I drank with my supper. It's another acquired taste from the southern sections we have been hiking. I should know by now not to drink that stuff late in the day. But boy, was it good. As was the Coney Island hot dog, Bacon Cheeseburger, chips, popcorn and ice cream sundae I had as well. Amazingly, I am starving again, as well as clearly losing more weight. So, the good news is, its less of me to carry, but the bad news is that I need to carry more food to keep in some kind of balance. I never thought this rather typical hiker scenario would happen to me, but it is.   V8 and made the 14 mi trek in 8 hours today, arriving at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel around 3 pm. We were cooked. But Johnny very graciously gave us a ride over to the Holiday Inn Express, and offered to fetch us tomorrow when we check in at his place. We rode in The Beast, a tricked out, fat tired Chevy Suburban that I imagine could go just about anywhere.   Summery heat had the hostel guests lounging about in sleeveless shirts on the deck out front. It's the first establishment you come to as the AT enters Erwin. I rushed over to the cold drink machines and got a lemonade, which went down like an elixir of the gods. Uncle Tom had sent me a package there, with a surprise inside. He had made up some business cards for me with trail name and website details, to use on the trail here and there. Thank you, sweetie for the beautiful cards!   It feels so good to sleep,or not sleep, in a bed with sheets and a bathroom right there. I got a load of wash done when we got to the Holiday Inn, always a satisfying accomplishment. Water on the trail this last leg grew scarcer and less predictable, making routine cleanup harder, and giving me an idea of what we could be facing if this does turn into a drought year. Fantasies of soaking hot feet in cold streams did not happen, either due to time constraints or lack of streams. We will have to see how the water situation plays out as we head north, definitely the element with the largest bearing on our ability to proceed.   For those hiking in March and April, sunscreen is a must, as there are still no leaves on the trees and the sun is very strong. It may become the long green tunnel eventually, but it's nothing of the sort right now.    Back to bed, and best wishes to all, wherever you are sleeping. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Erwin, TN ( town)

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

No miles today, but lots got done. I woke up at Holiday Inn and savored having a big bed to myself. Most zero's I have shared rooms with others and usually shared a bed with Jan. We have been sharing a tent, too, so having my own bed was a luxury. I had bits and pieces of the hotel breakfast, while organizing gear to move over to the hostel. I was able to get a little time on the house computer, which was also an unexpected treat.    While waiting for the Beast to shuttle us back to the hostel, Jan and I ran over to Long John Silver's next door and got shrimp and fish baskets, which we devoured outside on the park bench. Hot, fresh, and full of calories, yummm!!Back at the hostel, a warren of small campground type buildings, we moved into our tiny bunkroom. It had a queen bed with a single bunk over it, and just enough room to walk on one side of the beds. Now was the time to start getting the bounce box cleaned out and repacked, a somewhat complicated task as I was sending it 120 miles ahead to Damascus. I use it for my chargers and some food staples or extras, some town clothes and so on. It saves carrying an extra 2 to 5 pounds, and so far, it works well for me.   New hikers were arriving in droves, and tents were springing up on the flat grass wherever it could be found. It rained heavily this afternoon, drenching the campers, who seemed undaunted by the deluge.    At 6, we were told to assemble for the shuttle to dinner and the food store. A crowd formed on the front deck, rain jackets on, and were quickly counted up and herded into the vehicles. Hostels often have to squeeze a lot of bodies and packs into the vans or SUV's, something I have gotten used to by now. We had four in the back, four across the middle seat, and two in the front seats and the Beast took off for Azteca, a Mexican place that served us large burritos and quesadillas. I went to the food store after that, and was running around trying to gather my list of food and supplies in 35 minutes, in a store that was new to me. But we did it.   As night fell, mandolin music began to issue forth from the cabin porch next to ours. Hikers were playing and singing old tunes, laughing and having a great time. I was in bed by 9, bushed, and the party wound down around 10. For all the guests there that weekend, Johnny seemed to have everything under control, a real art with this population! Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap stealth site 
Miles today: 12.0

V8 and I finished packing up food for the next leg, topped off the bounce boxes and tidied up our room. The hostel was shuttling folks to breakfast, so we hopped on board, and went to JD's, a tobacco outlet and convenience store with short order food out back. Let me tell you, this place is a sleeper. I had a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit that Julia Child would have swooned over, a plain biscuit with butter and jam, and two cups of coffee. For $4. I am going to learn to make those, as soon as I get home!   The hiking day was cloudy, with rain for about an hour around noon. We started at 11, and hiked until 6, getting in 7 hours and making about 12 miles.      V8 and I are hiking together this week, still building endurance and pace the best we can. She has a new tent and now we have some greater autonomy while camping. We have been a partnership for so long, that we have a pretty good feel for when to back off, joke around, stick close by, etc. I do love having a hiking buddy whose skill and interest is so close to mine.   Neither of us was full of energy today, probably gearing up from a day off, but we made the miles and allowed for a slightly later start tomorrow. I continue to be amazed at how much my sore feet can heal overnight, and what a long night in the sack can do for overall rejuvenation.   Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame