morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: stealth 2m from Erwin
Miles today: 15.1

It was very cold last night, of course the shelter was at 5100 elevation brrrrr. So I got an early start to warm up. It took a while to warm up, my finger tips were frozen for about the first 45min of the hike. I was actually glad to see the first uphill just so I could get that blood pumping.Today the trail was amazing, there were short steep climbs, flats, ups & downs. A perfect hiking day - made it to the next shelter in record time at 2:30pm. I was going to stay there but I felt good and wanted to go farther. I didn't want to go all the way in to Erwin but wanted to get closer so I would have a short hike in. I hiked about 5m more and camped 2m outside of Erwin. I camped with KY, Kappy, MaryBeth, and Rainbow Monkey joined us later.I fixed Asian noodles, sitting by the fire-this is the life. I can see Erwin all lit up from up here it looks amazing. The more time you spend out here you truly realize how much every one is perfect the way they are, no changes necessary.Well will watch a little caveman TV (the fire) and off to bed.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-19
From: stealth 2m from Erwin

To: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel
Miles today: 2.0

Up and on the trail by 7:30am, town is always a motivater. It will be a short hike today 1 hour in.Short trail, pretty though, downhill, switchbacks all the way down. Came out of the woods and Uncle Johnny's was rite there. Got a bunk in the bunkhouse, jumped in the shower (lots of hot water) wow it felt great, and still made the shuttle to town for breakfast. I ordered lg. biscuits/gravy, they forgot my order, so they refunded my money and made me the order to go. So I got breakfast on the house, cool beans. Then the shuttle picked us up ran to the post office and then back to the hostel.I am chillin in the back area of the hostel, waiting to do laundry. There are about 15-20 tents set up. So many hikers and believe it or not I am beginning to remember some names. I am planning to ride a bike back into town to upload some pictures at the library. Did laundry but somehow lost my camisole, how does this happen (now you know how I got my name, this happens to me all the time). Now I need another or a bra of some sort. So I grabbed a bike and off to town I go - no bras to be found here. Went to the library to upload pictures but need a usb cord, ugh. I went to Walgreens and found a usb card reader, so hopefully I can plug my sd card into the card reader to upload pictures, will try that tomorrow. I am excited to try this out. Rode back to town and am waiting for the supper shuttle.A large group of us decided to eat Mexican again. I never get tired of mexican, did some resupply, caught the shuttle back to the hostel. I organized my food, updated some journal entries and off to bed early. I am tired even though I only hiked 2m this morning. We'll see what I do tomorrow depends on the weather.Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel

To: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel
Miles today: 0.0

To answer some of your questions in my guest book, which I love getting and reading all of your positive encouragement. It helps believe me, we are doing this trail together all of us.Olge you asked about my hammock set up I have a warbonnet Blackbird which i just love, I use a superfly tarp also warbonnet and I have doors though I don't use both sets only one to block wind when it is really cold. I have a big Agnus insulated air core pad, it moves around so I am putting some stuff on the bottem of it to help hold it in place when it is in between the layers of silnylon in my hammock. And yes I have a underquilt Mnt Washington 3 from Jacks R Better. I made my own Top Quilt and it is nice and warm, I did buy a silk liner though but haven't used it in my hammock yet. Keep the questions coming if you have any more.And to everyone else who worries about me, remember I can only update when I get to a computer which can be as long as 7 days or more if the town doesn't have internet access. But I will try to stay on top of it. It is comforting to know you all worry, but I am doing great minus a few falls.Having the adventure of a lifetime, more than I ever could of imagined.Last nite there were 59 hikers here at the hostel. This morning I caught the shuttle to town and went to the library-uploaded pics and brought journal entries up to date. By the time the shuttle picked me up @ 2pm, I had lost my motivation to hike and it was raining so I decided to do a zero here.Met a few more hikers today Bird, Shorts, & Licious, most everyone else has left for the trail. Quiet around here tonite, just hanging out watching old movies and waiting for the supper shuttle. Went to KFC ate to much, I think greasy food didn't agree with me. Got back to the hostel made a early nite of it. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel

To: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel
Miles today: 20.1

Today Red Robin, Nap time, Shorts, and myself slackpacked from Iron Mountain back to the hostel. One big climb and the rest was down hill. It was a rooty or a rocky trail. But on top of Unaka Mountain is was a pine forest, it was beautiful, with a lot of good spots to camp. It was a nice change of scenery. We made good time today. It was foggy and rained in the morning but started to clear up in the afternoon. At the end of the day I was ready to be done though, 20m is a long day.My intestines were rumbling as I hiked and I was pretty gassy, but I didn't think much of it I felt fine, but after I ate supper I felt awful. Went to sleep to avoid the sick feeling. Hope I feel better.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel

To: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel
Miles today: 0.0

The icky feeling did not go away, in fact I was up throughout the nite getting sick. So i decided to zero-to rehydrate, sleep, and get my strength back. My tummy feels okay but I am completely drained.Waiting for the lunch shuttle want to update my journal at the library. I also though I would pick up some soup. Bought some power ade, vit B-12, soup, & jello. I also popped over to the pizza joint and ate a very small salad. Hope it stays down. I will rest when I get back to the hostel, hope I feel better this sucks.Back at the hostel met new people Carol/Jim Canadian Geese, Blue Meanie, Whamo, Ms. Joy, Cody, ran into Doodlebug & Didjeridude again and fimally Blue Sky (who I started with). The hostel is full again and people are tenting in the back.My stomach is feeling better and I seem to have more energy, I ate 2 jello's. One of the hikers that slackpacked today just got back, asked how I was feeling. He said on the trail today he ran into at least 4 more hikers that were feeling the same way I was and they all stayed at the hostel, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I will get out of here in the moring. However the forecast is for rain and Tstorms but oh well, it is time to move.Thanks to all that have been following my journal, I enjoy hearing back from all of you. Will update as soon as i can.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Erwin Uncle Johnny's hostel

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

What a climb today Roan Mountain, it was a beautiful climb but is was long and it was steep. The trail was everything from rooty, scaling rocks, pine needles. It had it all, and it was all up. Made it to the shelter around 5pm, I knew I was staying, everyone else moved on. I think they were worried about thunderstorms or cold at this elevation. This shelter is the highest shelter on the AT at 6200+. In fact there was snow on the ground on the trail up to the shelter, I took a picture of the snow, weird huh. But I am here, "Eddie" the German also showed up so he is a brave man too. Also three section hikers showed up and are tenting. Eddie and I built a fire, ate and I got to know him better. Eddie your a cool guy, I'm glad your out here. I felt pretty good today considereing I had been sick. The virus now has a name the "nolichuckys" that is the hostel where we all stayed before wo got sick. It turns out about 20+ of us got the "Nolichuckys". Glad it was short in duration.It was suppose to rain today but turned out to be a perfect day, 30% rain chance tonight, 60% tomorrow isolated thunderstorms but I'm heading down tomorrow but still a lot of exposed ridge lines. I hope the thunderstorms hold off. I will bandage my toe and get an early start - unless its already puring. Guess I wait and see.Going to try to get a good nights sleep.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 15.4

No thunderstorms last nite or rain for that matter. But it did look like rain this morning so I packed up and got an early start. Oh by the way, I had the whole upper lever of the shelter to myself last night pretty cool, stayed plently warm. Today is downhill until Overmountain shelter. It was a gradual downhill, lush green forest nice trail. I got to the road hoping it was trail magic - it was not. It was a support crew for 35 charity hikers hoofin it 30 miles today WOW.After the road was lil hump and Hump Mountain. Both humps are balds (grazing fields). I left Overmountain shelter aroun noon, cool shelter. It is a barn that has been converted to a AT shelter for hikers. It had a great view but it was to early to call it a day. Plus the sun was out and there were blue skies. So on I go.Up lil hump I go - the ups still are hard some days and today is one of those days. I feel like Heidi going up these grassy balds. Then after lil hump and downhill and on to Hump Mountain. I saw it; the hump, the trail, and yes the dark skies blowing in. I stopped to put my rain jacket and pack cover on. I glanced up to the top which was now totally socked in by clouds. Oh well, up I go. The wind 50 - 60 mph blowing me off the trail if I don't place my trekking poles in the ground. It was a big climb and the wind was nuts. At the top the fog/cloud was so bad I lost the trail and could only see 2' in front of me. Finally I got into the woods (no wind), as I ran into other hikers they asked me if I saw the long horned steers that were grazing on the trail. I told them I saw nothing due to the fog, I could have walked into the butt of one of those steers and not seen him. To bad though, it would have made a cool picture.I finally made it to the shelter, it is spitting a little but that is all the rain we got. Tomorrow into the hostel overnite - wait for the Post Office to open on Mon. Just a few of us at this shelter, I hung my hammock. I munched on junk for dinner to tired to cook and will be in town first thing in the morning. Well going to chill and then turn in for the night. Good nightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Roan Mountain/Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 0.5
Weather: clear sky

Rained las nite and was very windy. Blew the stakes of my tarp out a couple of times. I had to get out of my dry comfy hammock to fix them. It was not raining in the morning, so at least I did not have to pack up in the rain. I was on the trail by 7:22am. Only .5 to US19 and .3 W on 19 to the hostel.Fantastic place,the hostel. I got there and went up to the main house, everyone that I knew was there, it was breakfast time. I asked who to talk to they said Mary, she is a very special, sweet woman. She told me they wouldn't turn anyone away and to grab a plate and eat some breakfast. After visiting with everyone, I hung out on the huge wrap around porch watching the hikers, goats, horses - waiting to find out were Mary was going to put me. In the main house, extra RV, or the hostel. Too Much gave me the book "In to the Wild" by Jon Krakauer. So I'm hoping to get that read while I'm here.Most everyone left today to hike on - a few did a 24 mile slackpack and a few took a zero. The "Nolichucky's" are still a big topic a few more sick but on the whole I think we are approaching the end.I met Dr. Evil, he is an atty (retired) grew up in Goshen, IN. We had very similar lives, it was fun talking with him. I hope I run into you again Dr. Evil. We spilt a pizza (which got to done, thanks Eddie you told us to long lol) but I will eat anything. I called home, hung out in the common area to visit and around 9pm crawled into bed.Oh by the way, Mary put me in the RV, I had my own side - my only private lil room. I was very happy with that. So I curled up in bed and read for hours. Now it is time for sleep. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Roan Mountain/Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Mountaineering Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up at 6:00am, breakfast wasn't till 7:30am, so I journalled and brought it current. Slept good last night. This is a very comfortable place. The generosity of Mary/Terri is unbelievable, every hiker becomes a part of their family and all are welcome. Incredible people.Packed up started hiking around 9:00am. Pretty good hike, the weather was good in the moring. It started raining about 15 min before I reached the shelter. Good timing. This shelter was swank, it was built 2 yrs ago. It had 3 levels. It was only 1:30pm but it was raining harder so I decided to stay and do some more reading. I hung my hammock in the loft and changed into dry clothes and spent the rest of the day reading and visiting with hikers as the came and went.It's about 7pm and cooling down to the point of getting into my sleeping bag. Good nightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Mountaineering Shelter

To: Dennis Cove/Elizabethon, TN
Miles today: 15.6

The loft was very comgy, a few more hikers came to the shelter after I went to bed. I slept great, woke up around 6:30am and on the trail by 7:23am. The plan was to hike to Kincora hostel approx. 15 mile day. The forcast is for rain but it wasn't raining this morning so I wanted to take advantage of the dry weather. Today the trail was gentle ups and downs, it spent quite some time down by the stream beds crossing the meandering creeks. The forest is beginning to really fill in with lush green and small coating of small wild flowers throughout the forest floor. The smells of pine and spring are beginning to fill the air. The dry weather lasted again until lunch time. This time, however, I hiked in the rain. The funny thing is I actually lind of enjoyed hiking in the rain, it gave me more focus and I think it sped me up some. The rain only lasted about an hour.I came to a creepy area in the woods today. There was a section where sticks formed a circle very "Blair witchy" I didn't investigate that circle.Arrived at Kincora hostel it was full so Kappy, Cookie, & Tic Tac got a shuttle to Elizabethon to the Travel Inn and got a room for the night. I ordered pizza, showered, laundered, journalled, and watched TV. Late to bed tonite becuz I can sleep in tomorrow. The shuttle isn't picking us up until 1:00pm to take us back to the trailhead. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Dennis Cove/Elizabethon, TN

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Slept good last nite. It was nice to be warm and dry. Woke up this morning early - walked over to Ingles (grocery store) to get breakfast (fresh fruit salad) and to resupply. Kappy is staying another night to let his calf feel better. Cookie, Tic Tac, and I headed back to the trail. We arrived at the trailhead at 1:23pm.Today was, I think, the most enjoyable day tus far. The trail followed a river with falls that were amazing. Rustic wood bridges, rock climbing up and down. I had one climb early on not to bad - ok but wait, it(the trail) always saves the best for last or what we think is last. The climb was 3 miles 2000 inc. in elevation and the last .5 mile very steep. But I powered up it. I was feeling good, I started downhill and uh, oh but wait there is another climb to the real top. I had no more gusto but there it was another climb in front of me. Up up I go and yes it is freakin steep. After another .5 mile I made it to the top - no fanfare, no reward, just a downhill which my feet/knees don't like so much. But even with all that this day was great. Beautiful weather, forest was friendly today. I enjoyed being with her. Finally I got to the bottem which opened to Lake Watauga. Took my shoes off and waded in the lake, cold cold water but still felt good. It's about 6pm 2 more miles to the shelter, pushing on.Made it to the shelter not to crowded, good. Croft, Silverback, Graye, Hightower, and someone else didn't get his name. I pitched my hammock, cooked mac n cheese. Stoked the fire and talked with High tower. Now tucked away in my hammock journalling. I think I will read for awhile and then doze off. Good nite all.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENA!!!!Today was a hard day for me, not sure shy. Maybe cuz I was tired or maybe cuz I am used to measuring my day by climbs and downhills and today there was nothing significant just a bunch of rolling ups and downs. There weren't a lot of views - so the day kinda drug on and on.I reached the shelter about 4:30pm. Silverback, Graye, and TJ were here. Licious also here taking a nap (she didn't feel well), she ended up staying the night.I ate a lot of junk trying to lighten my pack, finished my trail mix (cashews, dried mango, papaya, cranberries, blueberries), some sour balls, mini oreos, hash browns with spam & cheese, and a fresh grapefruit.Several more hikers came into camp, we also have a stray trail puppy, if he sticks with us we'll have to take him to the shelter in Damascus.The fire we started burnt fast, really dry wood. Its not suppose to get too cold tonite but away from the fire it gets chilly. So I crawled into my hammock to do my journalling. I think tonite I will take my jacket off so I don't get to warm and sweat during the night.I am going to look over my data book, then go to sleep - Good nite all.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: stealthing camping in the Gap
Miles today: 20.0

On the trail at 7:30am, when I left Maxi (the trail pup) came with me. she stayed with me till I saw another hiker coming the other way. She must of gotten spooked cuz I lost her at that point.The trail has been great today and I am feeling much better today. I made the rite call stopping yesterday and resting. Cuz today I was making good time. Reaching my destination at 3pm, 15.9 miles, not bad. I got water, waited till 4:20pm and headed out for the gap another 4 miles - which will make a cool even 20 miles, Woo Hoo. I am even camping alone - a first for me out here. I built my fire, cooked dinner, hung my bear bag and crawled into my hammock to journal. I set my alarm, want to get an early start, trying to get to Damascus to the Post Office before 11:00am (closing time on Sat). Well going to do some reading and drift off to sleep. It is only suppose to get down in the upper 50's or 60's tonite, sweet!! Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-01
From: stealthing camping in the Gap

To: Damascus, VA - Hike Inn
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: few clouds

Didn't sleep great last nite - could of been because I was extra achy from the 20 mile day, or maybe cuz had the heebie geebie's from camping alone, or maybe my overnight temp. wasn't just right, Most likey it was a combination. Anyhow I am up at 6am packing up. On the trail at 6:50amKappy caught up to me, had a taxi error and missed 11 miles but we are sharing a room tonite, its good to see him again, his leg is better he did a 28 mile day yesterday. But he did get turned around and was headed the wrong direction so I set him straight!!The trail into Damascus was generally downhill with a few bumps. I crossed into VA today 3 states down, (which sounds really impressive, until I finish the statement) 11 to go!! VA is by far the longest state, we do 524 miles in VA.The forest is really green today and filling in. I saw a very large deer butt running up the mountain side. Well what I saw was a white color (like that of a deer butt) moving up the mountain. I also saw a turtle on the trail which I got a picture of. It only took me 2 hours to get into Damascus, so I came to the Hike Inn (where I had made reservations), Suzanne double booked the hostel private room so she bumped me up to the private room off the main house for the same price - cool beans - Thanks Suzanne you awesome. This hostel is for sale - would love to but $$$. Then went to the Post Office before they closed to pick up my bounce box. Got back to the hostel showered and went to Subway - then Dollar General to resupply. Yippie my food bag is done!Saw Kappy told him where my room was. Went to MoJoe's to use the computer, since the library closed at 1pm today and will be closed on Sun. Not sure about dinner yet but no worries as I sit on this beautiful wrap around porch watching the cars, people, & bikes go by. The Virginia Creeper Trail is right here lots of bikes do that trail. I could definitely retire here.Ended up going to Quincy's for dinner. I had the 1/4 lb smokehouse burger with fries - walked back to the hostel and spent the rest of the night voice captioning my pictures.Tomorrow I hope to get my journal entries posted at MoJoe's and maybe some pictures.Again sitting on this wonderful porch adding a lil to my journal - then off to bed for me. Good NiteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Damascus, VA - Hike Inn

To: Damascus, VA - Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Tossed and turned a lot last nite - not sure why. Was up early and at MoJoe's to put in journal entries, no pictures yet. Trying to get all stats correct will take some time.Today is my zero. I didn't do much, ate some ice cream talked with my sister, worked on detail tasks, and relaxed. Back at Quincy's for dinner, then I will have to start packing to hike out tomorrow. On one of my many walks to MoJoe's I thought how self-fulling to be ab le to carry everything you need to survive on your back. Other than people I think about every thing at home that i am living without for 6 mo. and I don't miss or need any of it. So why do we have all of this stuff - how does society convince us that we "need" to have this crap. Amazing. I'm not going to have a claring hour or anything but I will be more thoughtful about what i choose to have in my lifeDinner tomite is southwestern chicken salad and loaded potato soup, maybe some dessert we'll see. No dessert! There are some kids in here eating they remind me of my grandbabies - I miss them so much.Tomorrow I need to mail some stuff home and bounce a box ahead, not sure where yet - will figure that out tonite.Swift and I stayed up quite late - really tired now, time for bed. Good Nite allGearbomb