morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Painted Spring
Miles today: 12.7

I got up early this morning, in the dark to walk to Standing Bear hostel..I needed a shower and bad ! I am now clean, fed and waiting for my laundry to dry. This is a very cool place with lots of private space for a hiker to relax. I am tucked in a swinging chair listening to the creek chortle by me and enjoying another day of sunshine. How nice ! I have blisters on my right heel, trying to dry them out before we head out later this afternoon. Ya want to know why we are leaving this garden like setting ? cuz. yes folks.. RAIN is forecast ! I want to get as close as I can to Hot springs if I am gonna get wet. Ya gotta love it. This trail gets quite an array of weather compared to its longer sister out West - the Pacific Crest Trail. In fact, I don't remember much rain at ALL when we hiked. Hmmm Lot of hikers are coming in. I just met Skeemer of 2003 He has a terrific journal online. He is out for a section this summer. nice guy. Well, gonna check my laundry, more later. We only hiked out 2 miles and we found Red and Tomcat .. yeah!! 2 very nice boys...both learning how to be good at this. As I was setting up my tent who strolls in but Juke box, B money and Spicy ! now we are having a little hiker party. This is a good size group.. perfect for me anyhow. All these folks are nice and the girls are just what I need right now. I need some company! It is a pretty night out... as soon as we came down into the valley spring showed off her green colors.. ! And it was warm... dont know how long it is gonna last but how sweet it is. Tomorrow is another long hike heading towards Hot Springs where I can use a phone and call ..hmmm... Brad ! PS- I am still having VERY WEIRD dreams...
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Painter Creek 

To: Unknown Gap
Miles today: 18.8

This trail has 2 sides to her let me tell ya ! Lets take today for instance... where shall I start? at 1 point in the morning I was just tooling along, admiring the hills with colorful flowers spilling chaotically down to my feet...I am thinking.. how pretty! I just love it out here.. oh this trail is so wonderful..I mean I was about to break into Bye Bye Miss American Pie for heavens sake!! that was how warm and fuzzy I was feeling ! and then out of nowhere, KABOOM. I have entered Knob Hell. There should have been a sign or something.... Warning !! I mean I was being jerked up and down, staggering. For you folks who are fortunate enough to have never climbed a knob.. they look sorta of innocent; these little peaks that soar up 2-300 feet..well they aint ! By about the 3rd one I was cursing the trail and certainly was not about to break into song. And just when my legs were growing weary, the trail spilled onto Max Patch.. and..well, a girl could get melancholly over such b!eauty. I sat up ther awhile and ate my lunch. There were 2 new hikers there also..Rocky and Hair Ball.. nice women in thier 50s. ??The afternoon proved much less traumatic than the morning and we covered the 18.8 miles by 5pm or so. I am here with Red and Dead Animal; we have a little fire going enjoying each others company. Only 12 miles to Hot springs ! We have come 270 miles.. I can't believe it...We have been on the trail 3 weeks now and beginning to get into a groove..getting strong! It is hard for me to concentrate right now 'cuz Animal is singing, rather badly, outside.. The owls sang me to sleep last night, hope they come back....
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Unknown Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

I am clean and stuffed ! This is 1 of my favorite trail towns..wasn't sure if I would ever be back -- so very cool to be here again. We are staying at Elmers.. very famous hiker Bed & Breakfast . I stayed here in '89 and he is still cooking up terrific breakfasts and dinners to ravenous trekkers. The rooms are sweet with old rugs, curtains and comforters on the beds.. The place --and the town-- is packed with hikers...I went to the outfitter and bought Montrail sneakers, liners (sending home my smart wools) and a light T-shirt. I am sending home quite a bit BUT I got my tent in the mail so done with the tarptent.. thank God... There is just too much rain on this trail for a tarp, to me.. I am glad to have my little Zoid. ??Anyhow, just as I got in who did I see ?? Sly! [transcribbler's note: who? did I miss something???] nice to visit with him for a few hours... I think he wishes he could chuck it all and come hiking with us. ??Well, gonna go eat dinner.. Oh yeah, did I tell you guys about the birds ? They create a day long symphony ...all for free...just for me.. Well, we just got back from dinner and I have to add what happened... It started with me ordering (like a complete moron) a plate of freaking beans...Duh ! I eat food like this every night... Yuck..! When she put the stuff in front of me I realised my mistake immediately and was horrified. By this time folks are chowing down on cheese burgers, salads etc. I watch them for a sec and kinda mumble to myself.. I don't want this. Well, poor Red, who is sitting next to me.. doesn't know me very well ..and looks askance when I ask him hopefully if he would like some.. OBVIOUSLY he says no..so I ask Dead Animal, who is laughing cuz he DOES know me and he says no too. Well, I precede to ask any hiker if he might want to partake and of course I heard.. "Why did you order that ? We eat that stuff on the trail al the time !" Enough already.. I KNOW We do ! By this time Red is cracking up but he is also nonpulsed by this. I am not very good at just leaving food..I feel bad for the waitress etc! ..I dont want them to think I didn't like it. Brad knows this very well so I am sure he is getting a kick out of this saga. I on the other hand am getting a headache over the Bean Drama. I am now forcing myself to eat the awful stuff and drinking water to gag it down. It was not a pretty sight. Poor Red was now gaping!! Which was making Dead Animal and I laugh rather wildly. Well, when I started sorta hiding it underneath my napkin.. Red, burst out laughing... but he did kinda leaves quickly and I think he might have jogged down the road to get away from me. I hope he wants to eat with me cuz I like his company.. and that my friends, is the Bean Story..good nite.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I am curled up under my bag enjoying some rest, finally. I tell ya 0 days are busy ! We mailed some things home and ahead. I don't think I lightened much as I now have my heavier tent, which I am very happy about. Hot Spring is a perfect little trail town with everyting close... don't need to do anymore walking ! The have a great diner and 1 of the best outfitters on the trail. Funny how we seem to congregate there.. looking at all the gear, discussing it endlessly.. and, of course, there is Elmers famous breakfasts and dinners to look forward to..that is about all for now. On to Irwin tomorrow...looking forward to walking to get there...PS- miss you Brad..hope you are missing me a million times over!
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Secret Hostel

To: Sugar Loaf Gap
Miles today: 20.3

happy birthday yappy ! What a day! I am pooped and Dead Animal hasn't made a sound since we got here... I am almost too tired to write this... We left Nean's house this morning after some good coffee and even better conversation. He is someone special and I am so glad I got to see him again. It was a terrific birthday present . This morning already seems so long ago I can barely remember it ! I started out strong, still high off Nean's cool energy (but like snickers bars you eventually run out!)The trail was hard, but what else is new? we did have gorgeous views of greenville and the surrounding hills, folding into themselves for miles. We stopped at Jerry cabin and chatted with Red, Houdini and Popeye. Everyone was talking about 6 more miles to the camp site which no one could find so Dead Animal and I started up frozen knob.. hoping.. ..hoping to find something. Eventually we had to load up on water and hike into the evening. I was ahead and looking hard for a place cuz I knew Dead Animal was tired and it was getting late. On weary legs I reached the gap and saw a place with just enough room for 2 tents.. "Totally Different Subject" was camped there and I could barely keep my eyes open. The last thing I remember was him chatting to me from his tent as I reluctantly drifted off to sleep.... sorry[transcribbler's note: it's a good thing we didn't know about yappy's birthday - anymore excitement and she may have not been able to handle it -- glad you're day was good, lady! -- now we'll have to change that "About" info, lol!]
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Sugar Loaf Gap

To: Whistler Gap
Miles today: 17.3

Lean on in, I wanna tell ya a secret but -shhhh! I don't want to jinx it. Ya listening? We have had 4 days in a row of sun! Yes, my friends... I am actually getting a sun tan... sorta.. We started out early wanting to get up Frozen Knob, but it was nippy out when I put my hand outside the tent. Yes, I did say tent ! and I am so much happier in it.. I call it my little condo..Anyhow, we got down to I26-US 23 and took a break with Radio and Crazy Katy before starting the long ascent of Big Bald..do ya notice how I am ALWAYS saying ascent ?? what is with that anyway ?.. The last mile was steep and draining, but then we streamed out onto the grass and stretched our legs..for lunch. It was beautiful up there..views for miles. I was suprised at the development, though. There seemed to be quite a few condos up there with roads criscrossing up into the high country across from us. Kinda sad to see. We went onto Bald Mnt shelter for a few minutes and then hiked down here to end the day. I miss the gang behind us.. wish they would catch up! On into Erwin tomorrow...probably just for an overnight. These last few days have been terrific! I have been out here almost a month, as has Dead Animal.. seems like a long time. I miss Alaska - Brad and the dogs. oh Lulu ! don't get old while I am gone, hear ?
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Whistler Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I am at Miss Janet's..and she is terrific! ..everything I have heard and more... We left at dawn and hiked down to Spivey gap. The morning was cool, clear and fresh.. yet another day of Spring sunshine. Fantastic ! The climbs were not too bad..or maybe we had town fever. I am passing thru tunnels of rhodedendrons.. can't wait 'til they bloom.. what an outrageous sight they are. Once we got about 4 miles out we had to do the required 3 knobs before we finally started our long descent [she did say DEscent, right?] into town. Erwin looks great from up high.. The river rushes and winds thru the valley and the hills are greening with Spring. My feet were killing me once we hit the pavement though. The first car I stuck my thumb out for gave us a ride right to her door. Thanks..! So, after Chinese food a shower and some cotton clothing to wear I am sitting outside at the picnic table... soaking up the sun and enjoying the sound of light traffic.. weird, I know.. Bramble is here ..still trying to change my name to Marge Simpson.. daggone him! PS - HELLO! to Julie and her 6th grade class following my journal... hope to see you in Mass..keep the coffee hot.. PSS- miss you Brad..always missing you
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Erwin, TN

To: windmills of yappy's mind (again)
Miles today: 0.1

This is not about the trail but something astonishing has happened that I just HAD to to write about it. I am at Miss Janets.. looking at my guest book and who do I see but my old and dear freinds from St.Thomas signing in.. tears welled up in my eyes even though I was smiling .For the folks who don't know I grew up in the Virgin Islands on a tiny island , at that time especially, a fantastically beautiful place. I had the most special of friends . A tangled and varied group of people that weaved a splendid cloak of friendship around me. To see those names....I can see those faces..those smiles..all those hugs over 26 years of island life. I MISS you guys !!.. Tears are blurring the computer screen right now... Wow, how I miss you all.....
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Erwin, TN

To: Miss Janet's
Miles today: 19.0

april 18 I have had more fun at the freaking dentist ...really! Ok, I had this silly idea that we should slack the 19 miles today and spend another night at Miss J. Sounds like a good idea right ? That is if ya get on the trail at a reasonable time.. Well, we strolled on around 12:30 and preceded to have a run stumble thru the 19 miles to get back before dark. I now have new blisters from feet that have betrayed me ! I was sitting beside the road wolfing down a ham and cheese sandwich and I swear I heard my feet have a sneaky, whispered conversation..It went something like this..right foot said to the left. I hate her man ! I mean I thought she was cool when she took those awful boots off and replaced them with the snazzy sneakers but NOW ...I dont know. I say she should pay.. what say you left foot ? I agree dude..I say blisters on both her heels and maybe a few on her toes.. ??Well, sorryyyy! How was I supposed to know it would be a rock fest ?? I mean, it was Miss Janet who said it was "easy"...and that is a quote....lol! She told us to take our time and soak our feet too..we would be back in PLENTY of time! Well, all in all it was sorta funny to watch the guys hurt as much as me...I hiked with Dead Animal and my buddies Red and Houdini.. You rock boys.. It is all part of the experience right ? I think I would rather have my teeth pulled then go thru that again...lol
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Iron Gap

To: Roan Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

After a 0 yesterday we went back to Miss Janets to catch the shuttle back up the mnt. Phoenix gave us a ride. He is a north bounder but broke his foot out here, so he will stay off it for a few weeks and help out at Miss J. He is taking it in stride, but I know he is very disappointed. We started out with Houdini, Rocky and Hareball. Red pulled out of Erwin yesterday.. I miss that kid! The hike today was grueling. First went over Rocky Top and then on to Roan Mnt at 6500 feet. 1 of the toughest climbs the first 1000 miles. It was hot out and took alot out of me and everyone else out here. Houdini went on but we caught up with Radio and Crazy Katy and are camped with them tonight. Nice folks. It is strange to behind our little group now. We have been ahead for so long..hope we catch them soon. Tomorrow we will hit up a small store and then the next day into Kinkora. I am looking forward to meeting Bob Peoples. Another terrific hostel on the the AT. I am gonna close my eyes now and listen to the music of the wind awhile. Goodnite. It is only 7pm but I am getting sleepy. The nights in town seem to be more tiring than the trail and I don't feel very well rested..lol!I smell a fire, might have to get up and visit...
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Roan Knob Shelter

To: Old Logging Road
Miles today: 19.4

april 21 Today was a sa-WEET day of hiking! I got up early, in time to see the first rays of sunlight filter thru the high pines, bathing the forest golden. The climb down was rocky, but soon I was crossing the highway and heading up the first of the balds. This has always been a favorite part of the trail for me and it proved to be again. There is something about crossing those high, grassy fields that just opens up your mind to possibilities. I love hiking high! [transcribbler's note: I am fairly sure she means the natural kind of high that comes from fresh air, mountains and excercise ] It actually reminded me of Alaska at times, almost like tundra.Anyhow, by the time we came off the Balds and down to Applehouse Shelter we were hearing rumors of heavenly cheese burgers in Roan. I needed groceries to get me into Kincora, so off we went. Guess who picked us up?? Phoenix! It was fun to see him again. It always amazes me how fluid this trail is.. changing and then coming together again. We hooked up with Spicey, B money and Jukebox again... Yeah! After we ate and visited with other folks we hit the trail again for 4 more miles and now are camped on an overgrown dirt road. There must be houses around, as I can hear dogs barking... Hiking this trail is such and intense, physical experience that it is a little disconcerting to realize how close we are to civilization and folks going about their every day lives. We go by driveways, see laundry drying in the spring sunshine and still we move on.... always keep moving... Tomorrow will either prove to be a long day to Kincora, or a short day and then into town the next morning. It is hard to believe that Damascus is --literally-- right around the corner!
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Old Logging Road

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 20.4

I got the gucci private room with the double bed ! Ok Ok... ya want to know about my day BEFORE I got here???It started out like every other day. I got out early and began the long traverse of wooded hills. This was the first day of no views.. just hiking in the green tunnel. I don't mind it though. The forest here is ruff and varied with plenty of twisted trees to admire. I didn't have any big climbs, but numerous small ones that can be just as tiring. Becuz of the blandness of the day I found myself doing 14.5 miles by 12:30. I found Red at the Moreland gap shelter! It was nice to see him again . That is when things got interesting. We had been hearing about the nasty weather coming and while we were in the shelter the sky turned a deep, nasty gray and a rumble of thunder voiced its opinion. Yikes! 10 minutes after I left the skies opened and the rain came down. Thunder and lightning exploded above my head and I began to do what I promised myself I wouldn't do again -- run! I barreled down that mnt knowing that my prize was this extraordinary hostel. (I did stop for a moment while it was raining and breathed deep the fragrant scent of Spring. Is there another smell quite like it?) This place is amazing. How can these hostels keep getting better ? This 1 is a small, tight log cabin, warm and compact. There are plenty of hikers here..and the soft sounds of conversation are relaxing to listen to. I got in here soaked and muddy and am now sprawled out in this little room..happy ! I got this room cuz there are not any couples here and I smiled hopefully..ok... ok.. I pulled the Girl Card . Hey I never said I was immune.. ????This experience so far has been superb. I get asked alot why I would do this trail again, mostly when things are tuff. Truthfully, it is a hard question to answer. I think people either understand doing something like this or they don't; there is no halfway. For me, the reason is blended in with the music of the folks outside, the sheer physical beauty of the challenge, being outside for days on end and of course the hills and valleys that the AT roams thru. Every day there is another reason that keeps me walking and, sometimes, no reason at all...
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Kincora Hostel

To: TrailFest & back
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up to rain, wandered into the kitchen and Hellboy was making pancakes ! It was barely light outside and the tinkle of silverware sounded nice. He offered me one and I ate it at the window, contemplating the dismal weather. It is hard to leave a warm, dry place when it is windy and rainy outside. Dead Animal, Hellboy, Spicy and others were doing a 9 mile slack, but I just decided to hangout with the girls and go to Trailfest in Hot Springs. I had a blast! Healer went with us and we all soaked in the Springs and I had Thai food.. Yum ! I saw Nean again and I met LiteShoe. Her journal is excellent [ http://www.trailjournals.com/liteshoe ] and it was nice to put the face to the writing. All in all a VERY nice day! Well, hope the weather is good tomorrow cuz as Tom Petty says.."Time to move on; time to get going,what lies ahead I have no way of knowing.. but under my feet baby grass is growing, time to move on time to get going..."
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Braemer Castle Hostel
Miles today: 8.9

I know you guys are thinking she went to another hostel again ! It was snowing when we left..fact is lots of folks just stayed in Kincora but a few of us wanted to make some miles north and still have an opportunity to be warm tonight and am I glad I did ! I left this morning with Houdini and Healer. Dead Animal had slacked yesterday so they are up ahead, probably out in this awful weather, poor suckers. I feel as if there are a ton of hikers behind us so trying to keep moving...although I heard that they have holed up in town themselves. The first couple of miles this morning were flat and not slick. We then went down to the gorge and had some slow going picking our way thru the rocks, they river kicking up its heels next to us . Dont fall ! From there we had a choice..take the FLAT blue blaze into town or hike up and over Pond mnt then into town. Well, like idiots we chose the trail.. which preceded to shove us straight up the snowy mnt. Oh well. The winter landscape was actually quite lovely. I was pretty comfortable until we started down but it didnt matter much cuz I knew I was going to be warm soon enough. We saw several hikers at the road trying to get in themselves including Lion King who had turned around to get out of the weather. We got a quick hitch and now I am nice and cozy.Here tonight with Houdini, Healer, KT, Hareball, Gray Walrus and Pathfinder..some of them coming from long hitches to get out of the mnts. I feel kinda bad for Animal and them. They are in for a cold one tonight...think I might go in search of a diet coke. ??ps- wonder what is going on in AK?? miss the dogs and Brad..always missing you..
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Hampton

To: Campsite above US 421
Miles today: 20.6

what a day ! We left at 7 30 and began the hike around Watuga lake. The day was cold and windy but the sun was persistant and warmed my face. I felt good and enjoyed the spectacular views of the lake and the snow dusted mnts. I stopped for lunch at Vantevender shelter.. what a glorious view ! The valleys in this area are graced with small rural towns that look idylic from up high...green fields and farms nestled below the rugged hills. Houdini and I started talking about doing a big mile day and getting close to Damascus. Lion King was thinking about night hiking til dawn...hmm.. No thanks ! The trail was kind to us and we cruised into Iron mnt shelter and decided to move on just a bit. After watching Houdini (with morbid fascination) gagging on some cold grits I was feeling sorta sick myself..yuck ! We camped late and the rest of the gang joined us in the evening. I am in my tent now,tired but glad to be here. I like pushing myself sometimes. I go deep inside, a place I rarely go to in my normal life..not in the purely physical sense. It is very cool what your body can do when you ask it to. Ps - Been missing Alaska lately.. [transcribbler's note: sorry, the dates were mixed up...]