morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-21
From: Big Rock Spring

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

It got down to about 32 degrees last night and I got started on the trail at about 7:00. I made it into Hot Springs around 11:00. I had heard so much about Elmer's Hostel, that I decided to stay there. You got a real bed with linens, a hot shower, and everything in town is located nearby, all for only $15. Elmer's is an old victorian house that is listed on the National Historic Registry. There was a music room with different instruments available if you chose to play some music. A library with a wide variety of books to read, three bathrooms, one with a tub, and numerous bedrooms with two beds to a room. Elmer is also famous for his gourmet vegetarian fare, but while I was there, not enough people signed up for the meals, so I missed out on what I hear was quite a feast. Hot Springs is a small trail town with a couple of restaurants, a bar, the Paddler's Pub, and an outfitter, small store and laundramat. I dislike going into towns because it is so much work. You have to do your laundry, resupply, repack, and do body maintanence. I got my care package that I was supposed to pick up in Fontana at the Post Office where it was forwarded to, and enjoyed the messages of support from Michelle C. Thanks, it brought a smile to my face. Bought some gaiters and a slab of cheese from the local outfitter and had a great hamburger and a couple of beers from the local pub and retired for the night.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Hot Springs around 6:30, it was nice to get an early start. The weather was pretty nice all morning but very windy. As soon as you leave town you start climbing about a thousand or more feet and the view of the city from above with the river running through it was beautiful. The weather changed about 1:00 and it started raining. I kept going because I wanted to get some miles in my first day out of town so I would have less mileage to do for the rest of the week when I would meet up with Merlin on Friday. I got to the shelter @ 5:15 and I was wet, (even though wearing a rain suit,it blocks the wind and keeps you warmer)and starving. There was one other person at the shelter and his trail name is Gel. He was already in his bag, nice and dry. He said he had a short day and got in befor the rain started. We started yakking while I prepared my evening meal, and found out we had quite a bit in common. We were about the same age, and carried the same tent, and could relate to past events that we both experienced. It rained and stormed all night long and it was good to be in a shelter even if we had to share it with the mice.
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Spring just past Low Gap
Miles today: 15.6

An uneventful day. Hiked with Gel and we went about 16 miles and decided to set up our tents. It took a while to find a flat spot, but we finally did. Well, it looked flat before we set out tents up. Just before dawn it started raining but it did not last. By the time we got ready to break camp the rainflys were mostly dry.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: Spring just past Low Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Finally Friday and I get to meet with my bride and spend a couple of days off the trail. It feels almost like Christmas. I started hiking @ 7:00 and at 7:10 I heard a crashing noise in the woods and looked up in time to see a deer running full speed through the forest with a coyote hot on her hooves. They appeared and were gone in an instant. I went over Big Bald after about three miles and the views were awesome. Big Bald is at an elevation of 5500 feet. After that I came to the Big Bald shelter, which is one of the highest on the AT. There were two section hikers there that were getting a late start. They were from Atlanta, although originally Chicago and New York. While I ate a snack there, Gel showed up. He wanted me to stop by a cabin with him that was located on a side trail, where he was going to meet up with his wife on Sunday. I agreed because I knew Merlin would not be at our rendovous point for a few more hours. Two of Gel's friends met us on the trail, Pat and Michael, and hiked with us to the cabin. Pat owns the cabin and Michael is his son, and they are from Florida. What a great spot for a cabin, about 300 yards off the trail. At the cabin I also met Gary and his wife Deborah. They fixed sandwiches for Gel and I and provided us with some liquid refreshment. We talked about hiking, the trail, hiking gear, snakes, coyote, and bears, while Michael shot clay pigeons with Gary's 100 year old shotgun. The weather was around 70 degrees and sitting on the porch in a rocking chair relaxing and shooting the breeze was just what the doctor ordered. I was getting antsy to get going though, so I could meet up with Merlin. I only had about three miles to go to get to Spivey Gap, and I was anxious with anticipation. When I got ready to leave, Gel and Michael decided to hike with me while Pat, Gary, and Deb would drive around to the gap and pick them up. At the gap, they gave me an ice cold pepsi to drink while I waited for Marilyn to show up. They said if there were any problems I could always hike back to the cabin, where I could spend the night. Great people, I am very glad I decided to go to the cabin with Gel. Pat and Michael are planning to do some hiking with Gel in the future; I hope I get to seem them again. Marilyn arrived about 5:30, and I can't tell you how good it was to see her. She had put in a long day on the road so we headed for Erwin, where we plan on spending the week-end.
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

March 26th, resupply food, clean up back pack, trim beard & hair, do laundry, update journal, check out the town of Erwin. We went out for dinner at Backwood's BBQ & Ribs. The chef at the BBQ told us a story about Erwin being the only place in the U.S.A. that has hung an elephant for murder. The circus came to town and one of the elephants stomped it's trainers to death. So, in fear that it might happen again, the circus decided to destroy the elephant. No one in the town had a gun powerful enough to bring the pachyderm down, so they decided to hang the beast from a large crane. They think it might be buried were the McDonald's resturant is now located. The chef also told us that if you smell a strong odor of fresh cut cucumber in the woods while hiking, that a copperhead snake is to close, and its time to move on. We are enjoying our stay, the grass is green, daffadils and some fruit trees are in bloom, it's like a taste of spring. The town folk are very friendly.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Erwin

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Good Mornin' everyone! I am still in Erwin living in the lap of luxury. It was 75 degrees with partly sunny skies yesterday. A hot shower every day, Starbucks coffee, and a warm loving wife next to me each night; What more could a man ask for? I'm going to keep this entry short because I have many other things to do today. I want to thank everyone for their guestbook entries, I really enjoy reading your comments when I get the chance, and I appreciate your support and encouragement. I would like to respond to each entry, but I just don't have the time. This will probably be the last entry for a few days because Merlin heads back to Michigan in the morning, and I go back to the trail. Again, I wish to thank you for your support and kind words.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Erwin

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Monday, March 28th. He's back on the trail! I reluctantly dropped T-Rex off at Spivey Gap at 7:45 A.M. I talked to him later, he had hiked 15 miles to Curley Maple Gap Shelter in the rain, 50 degrees, elevation 3070 ft. lots of ups and downs. He's going to try and increase his daily miles now that the weather is improving. Tuesday, March 29th I just talked to Rex, he hiked 17 miles today, cool and sunny, all is well. He's sleeping in his tent tonight off trail.
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Rock Spring Overhang

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

The shelter is a large converted red barn once used as a backdrop for the movie "The people Under the Stairs" elevation 4,682 ft. its one of the nicest shelters so far, the shelter also has some Revolutionary war history. Today he crossed over Big Roan Knob, elevation 6,285 ft. there was snow at the top otherwise it was a pretty nice day. Saturday he made some equipment changes; a new backback, Granite Gear Ozone Nimbus, weight 3lbs. 3800 cubes, more hip padding and hip support also a thermal rest inflatable sleeping pad, and he traded his two man tent for a one man tent, 3lbs lighter. With his new pack fully loaded, icluding water and five days supply of food it weighed 39lbs, aprox. 6lbs lighter than with the old equipment. Maybe that will help get him home sooner, he should be able to run up mountains, skip over knobs, gaps, licks and trails. We love you Rex, happy hiking. Merlin
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Waterfall
Miles today: 0.0

Got on the trail @ 6:30. It rained for the first hour. Went over little Hump and then Hump Mountain. The wind was blowing so hard I had to use my s5ick to steady myself. As soon as I dropped in elevation the wind stopped. Went to J's Grocery on 19E to resupply. Couldn't hitch a ride, so I ended up walking an extra three miles. Later in the day I took a one tenth mile side trip to a place called Jones' Fall. A very pretty waterfall. Did 17 miles for the day not counting the three mile hike to the grocer.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Mountaineer Waterfall

To: Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started hiking at 6:40 and did 17 miles to make it to Laurel Fork Shelter. Went past Laurel Falls, which wasn't as pretty as Jones. Five college students from ETSU showed up cooked burgers, and gave me one with two bottles of water. Very considerate. Maybe I looked like I needed some food. It rained and blowed most of the night.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Vanderventer Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: moderate rain

The rain turned to snow, very windy, cold, blizzard like conditions. Made it to Vandeventer Shelter. I made a big mistake. I decided to stay in the shelter instead of puttting up my tent. I put a large garbage bag over the bottom half of my sleeping bag and I was still very cold. Bag got wet. Very cold, wet, and miserable night. I did a total of 15.6 miles for the day. I left early in the morning without breakfast, I was in a hurry to get warm. That is the wettest I have been since starting the hike. I called Sunday morning to let Merlin know I made it through the night, not much sleep. I was concerned about hypothermia because of the wet sleeping bag.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 54.7
Weather: clear sky

 Sunday morning I decided to keep going ahead, rather than back-track ten miles to a small town. I hiked about seven miles, to Iron Mountain Shelter. The snow was a foot deep in places. The sun was out and it was warming up, so I was going to try and dry out my sleeping bag and other equipment at the shelter. After I dried out my clothes and bag I continued on to Double Springs Shelter, where I spent the night. Prior to Saturday the hiking and weather had been great, the terrain is starting to change, its more rocky and there's lots of waterfalls. I hiked over 85 miles in five days.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

Monday, April 4th, Talked to Rex at 5:30 p.m. he's in Damascus, Virginia, staying at the United Methodist Church Hostel. Monday morning he hiked to Abington Gap Shelter, had breakfast and continued his hike into Damascus where he will resupply, do laundry, eat lots of food, and get clean, he may spend an extra day. He did a total of 18.3mi. today. Still a little snow on the trail, but the conditions are much improved from the other day. There was another hiker staying at the Hostel by the name of Tumbleweed.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I walked a mile to the grocery where I bought enough food for another five to six days on the trail. Beautiful day today, it's amazing what a couple of thousand feet do to the climate. Today is a what they call a zero day, even though it involves a lot of work and preparation for getting back on the trail. I will get started hiking again in the morning. The weather tommorrow is supposed to be nice, but turning to rain tommorrow night and continuing for the next several days. I had breakfast with Tumbleweed this morning, then he packed up and hit the trail. Today several other hikers came into town and are staying at the Hostel. Included in the group are Scarecrow, Snappy, Cat, The Great Wazoo, and Headlamp.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

Left the camp-site hiked over Mt. Rogers, at 5,520 ft. this is Virgina's second-hightest peak. It was raining, windy and foggy. I looked for wild horses that roan in this area but didn't see any. I stayed alone at the shelter.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: light rain

Went from Old Orchard to Parnership Shelter, which is also the north entrance to Mt Rogers Rrecreation Area. The shelter has a warm-water shower and sleeps 16. Met a couple, KB & SB at the shelter, enjoyed talking to them. It was a nice day for hiking, cool with light rain later in the day.   Additional information for hikers; several hikers became sick with a "stomach bug" while in Damascus or just after leaving the place, eat at places that are clean, filter your water or use iodine tabs around that area, some hikers were down for two to three days with this "bug" which may be food or water contamination.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Camp site

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

April 10th, hiked 16.0 miles to Chestnut Knob Shelter, elevation 4,410 ft. lots of hard climbing, temp. 80 degrees, ate lots of food, must have been the warm weather stimulating my appetite. Met several hikers at the shelter, Pine Tree, Happy Long Stockings and Tripod, Tripod gave us a beer. The shelter was once called "the cave" beause of no windows, it now has plexiglass windows to let in the light. The vanderbilt's were going to build there mansion on the top of this mountain because of the view, but changed the location instead to Ashville, Tenn.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

April 11th, hiked 21.5 miles to Bland Va. nice day for hiking, elevation 2,920 ft. left the trail to go into town. Met a minister who was out in his yard, I was talking to him and asked if he was going to town, he said, "no way", so I started walking and trying to hitch a ride, about a mile down the road he picked me up and gave me a ride in to town. Staying in a motel tonight, I had to resupply, wash some clothes, get clean. Back on the trail tomorrow. In the morning a young couple picked me up and gave me a ride back to the trail it was 7:00 a.m. they were drinking Miller Lite and smoking cigs, they give hikers a rides all the time. That's scary.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Bland, VA

To: View Point
Miles today: 28.7

4/12 Back on the trail. I talked to Rex this evening, he saw three deer and lots of partridges on the trail today. Cold rain all day, he missed the Wapiti Shelter and had to set up the camp in the cold rain, it was hard to find a place to stake his the tent, because under one inch of black dirt was rock, he had to move around to find a good spot, He said, his fingers got so cold he couldn't bend them. The clothes he was wearing got wet, he took them off and put on dry clothing and got into his sleeping bag to get warm. Elevation 3,800 ft. Hiked 28.7 miles today.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

T-Rex called, left Pearisburg and hiked 23 miles to Bailey Gap Shelter, nice day for hiking. That night at the shelter there was lots of critter activity and noise outside the shelter, it was to dark to see them, later heard deer snorting, something was bothering the animals.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Went from Bailey Gap to Sarver Hollow Shelter, 21 miles, came across "trail magic" a cooler with four cans of coke and a can of sardines, had a coke ate the sardines, thank you! trail magic person. Met a southbound hiker who warned about the "dragons tooth" a mountainous area with lots of continuous ups and downs that he will be going through tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Camp Site
Miles today: 23.0

Rex called, he went from Sarver Hollow Shelter, hiked 23.0 miles, to a camp-site, stayed off trail in his tent, the last shelter was full. Went through the "dragons tooth" area, it wasn't any harder than hiking through Georgia. Saw lots of lizzards about six inches long, that means the snakes will be out also. Rex took a side trail to the Audie Murphy Monument. Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of World War II. After the war, he became an actor, starring in many western movies. He died in a 1971 plane crash near this spot.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Camp Site

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Sunday 12:00 noon, Rex called, he was at Catawba, VA. at the general store pay phone, he was going to get some supplies and go eat lunch at the Home Place Resturant, AYCE meal for $12.00, I talked to him after his lunch and he was so full he had to turn down dessert. He was back on the trail and finding it difficult to hike with such a full tummy. He had beautiful veiws of the valley from McAfee Knob and Tinkers Cliffs ridge where he was hiking.Afternoon call back, Rex said, it was a great day for hiking, and best of all he saw four black bears on the trail about fifty feet in front of him, the last one looked right at him, he coughed loud and they ran down the hill, he wasn't fast enough to get a picture.Evening call back, He is at Lambert Meadows Shelter with other hikers; Boomerang, Bronco Billy, Bayley, Ameba and Spinner, he has enjoyed talking to them, they will all stay at the shelter tonight. They are taking precautions and hanging their food up high because of the bears. There have been other bear sightings by hikers this past week. Stay safe, Love Merlin
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Rex Called, he hiked 10 miles to Daleville, VA. met two hikers on the trail, Kato and Wells. It was 80 degrees today, it was very warm hiking. Staying in a motel in Daleville, time to re-supply and get clean again. His appetite has increased lately it seems like he needs food supplies more often. He is enjoying the landscape and views from up on the ridges, also talking to the other hikers.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

T-Rex Called today at noon, he was at Wilson Creek Shelter having lunch, he said his pack felt very heavy today. I think his appetite has increased, he's packing more food, he'll eat his way out of the extra weight in a day or so. A hiker named Wells came into the shelter when Rex was talking to me, they seem to be going about the same amount of daily miles, and see each other at the shelters. After lunch he continued hiking to Bobblets Gap Shelter where he is spending the night. There's a spring near the shelter, the sound of running water is very soothing. Kato and Wells are staying at the shelter tonight also, they had a little rain today and it was very warm again. Today Rex has hiked one third of the trail, 720 miles, some of it hard, some of it easy, but he's done every step. Isn't that great! Keep up the good work Rex. We love you.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked to Cornelius Creek Shelter, 18.3 miles. A Dad with his two Children were planning to spend the night at the shelter also, they were out behind the shelter splitting wood when a peice flew up and hit the man in the head leaving quit a gash, they had to leave and go to the hospital for possible stitches. I hope his wound was not to serious.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Rex Called, he left Cornelius Creek Shelter, the family from last evening didn't come back to spend the night. He hiked 18.5 miles to Matts Creek Shelter in the cold rain, lots of thunder and lightning, the shelter has been taken over with mice and bees. After dark he could hear the bees buzzing around him, later could hear them buzzing inside the wall of the shelter. The wilderness is coming alive! The snakes better get busy and clean the mice out of the shelters, and maybe the bears will go for the honey and get rid of the bees, or is that only Whinnie the Pooh who likes honey. Merlin
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 21.8

Left Matt Creek Shelter, dropped down to 600ft crossed over James River on the James River foot bridge, the longest foot-use-only bridge on the A.T. After the river I climbed back up to 3000ft, light rain, hiked along a ridge with nice views of Pedlars Dam & Lake. Hiked along a stream singing and whistling, reached Brown Mt. Creek Shelter, total miles 21.8. At the shelter built a fire, the bugs are out in force, it started raining hard and put the fire out, no other hikers came to the shelter, good night to all!
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Brown Mt. Shelter

To: Montebello, VA.
Miles today: 18.0

Rex Called, good hiking most of the day, at the highest elevation, 4000ft it started snowing. Met a couple, Rufus and Daisy, from Washington that are section hikers, they gave Rex a ride from the trail to the Dutch Haus B&B, also to the store for re-supply. He met Lois Arnold, who owns the B&B. Lois did his laundry and cooked him a delicious meal with chocolate cake for dessert, (they won't get rid of him until the cakes gone). After breakfast on Sunday, Rufus & Daisy gave him a ride back to the trail. He has enjoyed his stay, and conversation with Lois. Thank you Lois for all your help.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Montebello, VA.

To: camp-site
Miles today: 20.0

Rex called, back on the trail Sunday morning. It was cold, very windy & snowing. He made it 20 miles to a shelter, which was already occupied with five college students. The wind was blowing snow into the shelter which was reminiscent of a few weeks ago when he had problems keeping warm. He decided to keep going and look for a camp-site off the trail and out of the wind. He found a spot on a ledge overlooking the valley and the road, which was less windy.   He met three southbounders, Hawk, Sherpa and Tenderfoot, who were doing a flip-flop.