morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Harmon Hill

To: Rutland
Miles today: 2.0

Today I said goodbye to Vagus, who still isn't getting a chance to walk by himself as Marten was walking with him when we parted ways.We hiked downhill for a couple of miles to highway 9, then said our goodbyes along the side of the road. We gave hugs wearing our packs -- Stride had insisted we take our packs off when we hugged her goodbye -- and I ended up giving the top of Vagus' pack a little pat. Vagus is a very self-assured person, who will undoubtedly be standing on top of Katahdin in a few weeks and will be a doctor in some yet to be determined medical field in a couple years. I am not sure if I will ever see Stride or Vagus again, but we will keep in touch.I hitched a ride into Bennington, spent some time at the library on the internet, then caught the Green Mtn. bus to Manchester Center and The Bus to Rutland arriving in Rutland around 12:30 p.m.Wanting some time exclusively to myself I checked into a Comfort Inn instead of staying at the hostel run by the Twelve Tribes. I bought some junk food, ate dinner at KFC and crashed on the bed watching TV most of the night, including the NBA playoffs (Boston beat Cleveland, Los Angeles beat Utah).* * *Skit's bits:* Cost of orange juice at gas station: $1.79* Cost of bus to Manchester (30 miles): $2* Cost of bus from Manchester to Rutland (30 miles): 10 cents (it usually is $2, but was lowered for national transportation week).* Riders on first bus: 3 (including me).* Riders on second bus: 5 (not including me).* Discussion topics on first bus: Moose, VD, Eskimos, being in the army in Anchorage, motorcycles.* Thing woman on second bus was terrified of: A caterpillar on another woman's pack.* Price of room at Comfort Inn without coupon: $100* Price with coupon: $54 (attendant grabbed a coupon for me).* Headline I thought I saw in today's paper: Fewer flies forecast for summer.* What the headline really said: Fewer fliers forecast for summer (so unfortunately the number of blackflies is not expected to be lower.)* * *This day in really bad trail poetry:My hike on the A.T. is done,but the Quadre is barely begun,the Long Trail, the CDT,New Zealand and the PCT,there are many more miles for my feetand many more people to meet
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Rutland

To: Rutland
Miles today: 0.0

I tried to do as little as possible today, including writing in my journal.* * *Skit's bits:* Number of Emergen-C packets I bought today: 32 (Wal-Mart only sold them by the boxful).* Percent of my daily Vitamin C I would get if I drank all 32: About 51,000% (each one has 1,667%).
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Highway 4

To: Green Road
Miles today: 8.9

Vermont is often referred to as Ver-mud-t by hikers as its trails are famous for being muddy, especially in the spring time. In fact the Long Trail guidebook requests hikers stay off the trails in the alpine area of the northern Long Trail until after Memorial Day. So I was a little concerned about trail conditions and wasn't even sure if I should do Camel's Hump and Mt. Mansfield and other alpine areas if I might damage the trail area. Fortunately the trail right now is extremely dry. There are four days of rain forecast through Tuesday so conditions might change, but right now I wouldn't feel bad about hiking any area of the trail unless areas higher up are muddier.* * *Skit's bits:* Stuff seen on the ski slopes of Pico Mtn.: Snow (if there is still snow here I can only imagine how much there is in Montana on the CDT).* Book I am currently reading on the trail: Shadow of the Giant. (It's part of the Ender's Game series. Ender's Game is one of my all-time favorite books, this one is only so-so so far.)* Other books that would make my top 10 list (these are off the top of my head and are ones I can read over and over again. They usually aren't too serious and generally the author has a fun way of using words): The Phantom Tollbooth, The River Why, In a Sunburnt Country, Into Thin Air.* Other books I like: The Life of Pi; The Alchemist; The Brothers K (by the same author of the river why - he has three first names and I can never remember the right order, maybe David Duncan James?); The Long Walk (Not King's short story, although i like that, too); Les Miserables (I'd like it better without some of the long, detailed tangents that have little to do with the main story); Into the Wild and Under the Banner of Heaven (I enjoy Krakauer's writing even if you can sometimes debate his presumption of facts); Bill Bryson's other books, including A Walk in the Woods; Alive; Isaac's Storm.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Green Road

To: Sucker Brook
Miles today: 16.0

I think I'm done hiking.Not 100-percent done. I'm still planning on hiking the CDT, NZ and PCT. But I'm done pushing on this part of the Quadre. Done trying to do 20 miles a day.My knee was bothering me again today as well as my left foot (it is sore in the same area I had a stress fracture in 2 years ago).I hiked 16 miles today, taking a long break in the sun. Now (it's only 5 p.m.) I'm going to enjoy the rest of the evening by sitting here and reading a book in the shelter.There are rain clouds moving in and if it is raining tomorrow I might only hike the 3.5 miles to the next shelter (it's part of a ski lodge I was originally heading to today and I'm interested in checking out) or, heaven forbid, I could take a zero in the shelter.Of course at this rate I won't complete the Long Trail, but I'm not really that concerned about it so I don't think anybody else should be.It has become increasingly difficult to succinctly explain to people I meet what I am up to. Take, for example, a conversation I had with a couple that was out dayhiking today:"Where are you heading?""I'm hiking to Canada.""You're thru-hiking the Long Trail?""Well I'm hiking from Sherburne Pass to Canada on the Long Trail.""So you came from Sherburne Pass?""Well, I came from Georgia, originally.""Where are you from in Georgia?""I'm from Minnesota, but I began hiking in Georgia. I hiked the A.T. from Georgia to Vermont and I'm hiking the Long Trail to Canada.""So you'll still have to hike the A.T. from Sherburne Pass to Canada?""I hiked the A.T. in 2004.""So you finished hiking the A.T. this year?""No, I thru-hiked in 2004 and I was planning on thru-hiking again this year, but I was running out of time, so I decided to do the rest of the Long Trail.""You're early, what do you mean you're running out of time?""I have to get out to Montana by mid-June.""What's in Montana?""The Continental Divide Trail, I'm hiking it southbound.""Oh, well have a nice hike.""Thanks, you too."And that's without even adding New Zealand and the PCT into the explanation of my hike. And of course now I'm probably not going to Canada either so I'm not sure what I'll say to the next person that asks what I'm doing.* * *Skit's bits:* Number of times I postholed today: 2 (there were snow patches on the north side of Bloodroot Mtn.)* Weather forecast for last night: Thunderstorms.* Weather forecast for today: Rain.* Actual weather last night: Cloudy at bedtime, it cleared overnight and the stars were out.* Actual weather so far today: Cool, but sunny, with the skies completely clear other than a few clouds off to the west. (Of course after I wrote this the temperature dropped drastically and rain clouds rolled in.)* * *This day in really bad trail poetry:The rain is gently falling,a hard pitter-patter on the shelter roof,a soft constant drone on the leaves of the forest,the sound crescendos and decrescendos,Birds continue to sing,peaceful and serene like in a sanctuary at the zooonly without wallsI sit content and satisfied,snug in my sleeping bag without a worry in the world.
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Sucker Brook

To: Highway 125
Miles today: 5.0

Part one of the Quadre has come to a premature ending, and that's OK.I walked from Sucker Brook to Highway 125 today and my foot and knee were bothering me, so when I got to the road I stuck my thumb out and the very first car that drove past pulled over to pick me up.I hopped in and they asked me where I was going? I told them I didn't know. I ended up in Middlebury.Middlebury is about 35 miles from Burlington where my friends live. I got ahold of Melissa, who was visiting her parents in New Hampshire, and then waited around for four hours for her to pick me up on the way back to Burlington.My flight doesn't leave until next Wednesday, but I'm going to check on moving it up a week so I don't overstay my welcome there and I'll have an extra week in Minnesota. This will give my feet three full weeks to recover before the CDT and I think they need it. So no thru-hike of the Long Trail for me, just a small 1,600-mile hike from Georgia to Vermont.If I can figure out a way to do it I'd like to surprise my parents. But they live more than an hour from the airport so I'm not sure how I would do that.* * *Skit's bits:* Amount of time it took me to hitch about 25 miles from the Long Trail to Middlebury: About 5 seconds.
Date: 2008-04-17
To: Bio Info
Miles today: 0.0

I have had a desire to hike the AT for quite a number of years but just didn't think it would ever be possible. Then quite unexpectedly events have occurred in my life that changed things. My house sold, I am between jobs, and I have the opportunity knocking. So, after much preparation and planning and with the encouragement of my parents, I'm going to hike the Appalachian Trail.I am a 28 year old hang glider pilot from Gatlinburg,TN...that's why I chose the trailname Skysurfer! In addition to hiking and hang gliding I also enjoy sailing, water skiing, snow skiing, and trail running.I bought a new Moyes glider and it was delivered right at the end of March. I couldn't just take off for several months without flying it so I made a quick trip to Wallaby Ranch in Central Florida and spent a week flying. This delayed my start on the trail so I decided to do a "Round Robin" and start at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. My plan is to hike to Maine, catch a bus/train back to Georgia, then hike back home to Gatlinbrg.I have hiked most of the trails in the GSMNP. Three years ago, my younger brother Rollie and I hiked 38 miles in two days with one night on the trail. He died in a car accident last year but I know he will be with me every step of the way.My gear is almost complete and the weather is good so I should be on the trail within the next few days.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The big day has finally arrived and I'm on the AT. I started at Newfound Gap and my Dad hiked the first seven miles with me. We stopped briefly at Charlie's Bunion, then stopped for lunch after another couple of miles. I gave my Dad a good by hug and now I'm on my way. It was a cool, clear, beautiful day with great visibility but lots of dayhikers. Stayed in Pecks Corner with 11 other hikers. Seems like a great community. 45-50 degree night. Slept well with rain hitting the shelter roof all night...thank God because there was lots of snoring!
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

Coffee and oatmeal this morning. Off at 8:40 am. 5.7 miles in 2hr. 20 min. It was 11am when I got to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. Hanging out all day chilling and meeting many thru-hikers. Shacking all day in the shelter trying to keep a fire going with wet wood and listening to rain hitting the roof. Hailed for about an hour...that was loud on the metal roof. Talk about Surround Sound! Watching the fire and listening to rain is the equivalent to watching TV to most people. I took several pictures of the shelter and "bear bags" hanging by the privy. The shelter picture has Forge sitting and Neon standing.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Tri Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early. It was snowing and very close to freezing. Maybe below freezing but not much because none of my stuff was frozen. Hiked 8am- 4pm with two 30 minute breaks. Ended up hiking 16.4 miles to Davenport Gap. It was a beautiful day. Made a side trip to Mt. Camerer Observation Tower. The two girls with me are Neon and Trout. I met them in Tri-Corner Knob Shelter and hiked with them today along with CC Rider who I've been hiking with since I left Dad.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Davenport Gap

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

Took it easy this morning at Davenport Gap. Hiked 3.5 miles to Standing Bear Hostel. Took many pictures around the Hostel. They loaded all the hikers in a broke down van and took us to Hartford, TN for beer and supplies. We built a fire and drank beer and roasted marshmallows. It was a great time, very diverse and interesting people. I took many pictures of the Hostel and did my laundry.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 14.5

Three fresh eggs, a half a block of cheese, and some biscuits for breakfast. Hiked with CC Rider, Neon, Trout, and a guy named Hair we met at the Hostel. Had some real steep climbs. Camping at Max Patch tonight to watch a meteor shower. Took many pictures of Max Patch, elev. 4,545 ft. Hiked about 3 hours, 6 miles, without water and finally found a stream. All of the spings in that area we either couldn't find or were dried up. This is the first night sleeping under my "tarp tent". Beautiful clear night. Trying to stuff as much food down my throat as possible to get ahead of the game. Even though my apetite has decreased, I know I won't be able to eat enough, soon, to satisfy my hunger. Everyone else is 3-4 weeks into it and can't eat enough. Washed my clothes at Standing Bear Farms and after hiking and sweating all day everything stinks again. I like having clean sleep clothes, it helps sleep!
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Max Patch

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 16.5

Long day. Blew my water bladder with my pump/filter. All of the shelters we passed had bear attacks in the regesters for the past few nights... so of course I tented out at the Deer Park shelter with 9 other people and 3 staying in the shelter. A guy named Carlton had a 5 liter keg of Heineken and a Tupperware full of chocolate chip cookies. I took pictures of the keg and all of the tents. ("Trail Magic" occiurs when someone brings food and goodies to hikers on the trail)
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: few clouds

To Hostel/Bed and Breakfast called Sunny Bank Inn owned and operated by Elmer. The town of Hot Springs is nice. The town folk are used to seeing hikers walking around in rain gear on a hot day like weird-o's would do while doing laundry and shopping. Yes, the Hot Spring was refreshing and fun.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Left Hot Springs around 10:30am. Climbed Rich Mountain in NC. Pisga/Cherokee National Forest. Got to Spring Mountain Shelter around 5:00pm. My pack is close to 45-50 pounds leaving Hot Springs. CC Rider, Neon, and Trout said my eys got too big...too much food. I had 3 days plus when I got to Hot Springs. Now I'm carrying more than when I started. They said when we get to Erwin, TN I can only spend $10.00 on resupply food seeing as I'll have more food left over.The weight was really an issue today as I moved very slowly and my knees felt it plus my feet sweat so bad. When I take my socks off after hiking my feet are pruned and white. I have two blisters, one on each heel that are pretty bad and painful. The weight of the pack isn't helping.I took pictures of flowers, the trail winding around a pond, bear bags, and camp set up at Spring Mountain Shelter. It was full 3rd night out under the tarp.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

Long day... the most strenuous yet. I really exerted myself going over Big Firescald Knob. Took a couple of pictures on top of Firescald Knob with a view. (Elev. 4,800) Took a picture of Trout climbing down a rock face with a white blaze painted on the rock. Some places on the trail today were as tough as hell! Staying around Jerry Cabin Shelter, but not in the shelter. 4th night tarped out. Hot days. (No leaves on trees yet.) Coool/perfect nights. (50 degrees.)
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

2nd half of day was very rainy and cold. Hair was shaking uncontrollably. I got worried about him. Staying in Hogback Ridge Shelter. The cold is an energy consumer, it made me hungry. Met two guys at the last shelter from Myrtle Beach, SC. Their names were Prospector and Trail Head. They were section hiking for one month a year. Feels so good to be dry. Putting on dry clothes is like getting out of the shower... feels fresh and clean.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 2.5

From Hogback Ridge Shelter we hiked to Sam's Gap (3760' elev.) and paid $30 for 5 hikers (Me, Neon, Hair, CC Rider, and Trout) to be shuttled into Erwin, TN. It was still raining today and everything was wet and very cold so the girls arranged the shuttle. The hot tub at the Holiday Inn Express sounded good at the time I was putting my wet clothes back on this morning. Got bad vibes from Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin who was the shuttle service. Did a resupply at White's Market in Erwin about 1 mile walk from Hampton. I could have went on but I'm having fun with this crew. Little bit of a party at this motel. There are quite a few hikers staying here instead of Uncle Johnny's Hostel... guess they got the same vibes. Well, I'm headed to the hot tub and then bed.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Took shuttle back to Sam's Gap and hiked to Spivey Gap. Easy day. Went over Big Bald and took many pictures in 360 degrees and some of CC Rider and Trout hiking trail 1/2 mile ahead on another smaller bald. Found "trail magic" on a snow sprinkled mountain top with a box of hot coffee and cup cakes. Snowy spots all over today. Bought sports tape in Erwin and used it over moleskin. It worked perfectly. Now my blisters may be able to heal properly. I should be able to do some real miles now. Today was the first day in the last few days that I have hiked with no pain in my feet. Plus, I think I'm starting to get my trail legs.I expect to wake up to frozen boots and frost in the morning. It's very cold right now. (35 ish) I'm in my bag with everything on including headgear and gloves. The wind would make it miserable, but luckily we found a camp spot at the bottom of Spivey Gap. Gaps are usully not windy. No shelter here... tarping out tonight.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Spivey Gap

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Very cold this morning, ice on the inside of my tent from condenstion. Bag was wet at the foot and head near the mummy opening. I assume it was from condensation because it was very clear last night. Tonight is probably 15 degrees warmer. Ate lunch today at No Business Shelter and took a bunch of pictures of Erwin as we came down the mountain into town. Also, got some nice pics of Mountain Laurel with the Nolichucky River in the background. Retrieving my bear bag this morning I about broke my thumb as it got caught after I unclipped my bear bag from the carabineer. I pulled it over the branch and it hung up. After trying to persuade it loose. I leaned with all my weight and the line stretched and the carabineer came loose and shot my thumb and index knuckle where I had grasped the rope. It broke my thumb nail off and cut the tip of my thumb and my index knuckle. Haven't been able to use the thumb.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice walk today. Had lunch at The Beauty Spot. It was nice but sunny. I got slightly sunburned, the sun was intense today. Sweaty and dirty, can't wait for a shower tommorrow at Greasy Creek Hostel. Took many pictures today. The one with everybody chillin' is on top of The Beauty Spot which is as nice as Grassy Bald. The pictures before that are of a knarly old burned tree that I thought looked neat. The other pictures of burnt forest are where the Forest Service is doing controlled burns. The Forest Service picked the wrong time of year for burning but I guess it's pretty weather dependent. There were many hot spots still going and it was very smelly at times.Climbed up and over Unaka Mountain today. (5180' elev.) Neat short needle pine forest on top, different than what I've been walking for the majority in, mostly hardwoods. Tarping out at Cherry Gap Shelter, nice night, probably 60 degrees. It was probably 50 this morning. I bet it will be close to that in the morning.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Got Trail Magic at about mile 3. The guy's name was Mango from Johnson City, TN. Stayed the night at Greasy Creek Friendly with th proprietor Cee Cee. Took a few pictures. Aired out my sleeping bag.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Went over Roan Mountain... hell of a climb. Took a lot of great pictures at Carvers Gap and the balds beyond. I would love to take Dad on an overnighter through that area. Went to Overmountain Shelter and wouldn't you know it... more Trail Magic. The barn for a shelter was cool enough but previous thru hiker Craw Dog (1999) had set up a pavilion with Chili Cheese and beer. Eighteen hikers, Craw Dog, and his wife drank 120 beers and ate 5 gallons of chili. Five seconds didn't go by and someone was farting in that barn all night! Probably Craw Dog's big joke. They do call shelters the snore and fart shack. Beautiful view from shelter. Fun Party!
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Biggest day yet. Went over Little Hump and Hump Mountain. Got some great pictures of Grandfather Mountain, Sugar Mountain, and all other mountains nearby. Got to 19E Highway, took a right, and hiked up the highway 1/2 mile to an "all you can eat buffet. Bad idea! Next 6 miles were uphill. CC Rider threw up. I almost did... definitely was regurgitating. Passed my first waterfall on the AT. (Jones Creek Falls) Took some pictures. Feel pretty good for an 18+ day, definitely need to stretch. Oh! Ran into a family of 4- wheelers.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.5

Cinco de Maayo! Stayed in a new shelter last night with 14 people, man was it crowded, had there been a flat spot for a tent I would have tarped out. Litteraly shoulders touching on both sides of me.Nothing special to the walk today, it was all dense forest but a lot of pretty Rhodedendrons. Got a good picture of a Trillium w/ flower. Saw my first snake so far. It was a corn snake. Got to Kincora Hostel. Resupplied in Hampton, TN. Ate Burritos and hung out with 15 hikers.
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Watauga Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Kincora to Watauga Shelter. Man, crossing US 321 and coming to a beach access/swimming area was salvation...laaaaah! After swimming for about 10 minutes I realized that the water was so cold I was burning precious calories. It took another few minutes to catch my breath after getting out. The only thing that could have made it better was if I hadn't showered for a few days, but unfortunately I took one last night at Kincora. Bob Peoples is a nice guy. (Kincora)Pond Flats Mountain sucked! Not only did it not have a pond, but there was nothing flat about it. Man, what a steep climb. Big surprise when I got to the top...no view and I went right back down just as steep of grade. The Laurel Fork River Gorge was absolutely awesome along with the Laurel Falls. I took many pictures in the gorge of flowers and rocks and bridges. There was a cool spot in the gorge where the trail wound along the river on a rock ledge about 2' wide. I took pictures of that too. Great day!