morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Tricorner Knob Shelter

To: Campsite in the Woods
Miles today: 19.2

Start: 08:45stop: 20:30Let me start off by saying the mileage for this entry doesn't jive. I'll explain later in this entry. Quincy Girl and I started out this morning on a mile long sheet of ice. The day warmed up very nice with some wonderful views. We were planning on hiking to Davenport Gap but at lunch Quincy suggested we go on into Standing Bear Farm. The thought of a warm bed and hot food I didn't cook myself sounded good to me so we headed out.When we got to Davenport Gap we were out of water and my feet were killing me but I decided to keep going. We came to a stream and I filtered a quart of water, which I figured would last me to the hostel. Somehow we got messed up as to what road we should turn down to get to the hostel. When I finally realized we had missed the turn it was too late to turn around and go back. At 8:00 I sat down on the trail and told Quincy I wasn't going another step. We ended up compromising and deciding to go 30 more minutes to find a flat spot.   I was pretty much ready to sleep in the middle of the trail. We found a spot and pitched our tents.Lynnette, my sister-in-law, was going to meet us in the morning for some trail magic so I decided I better call her and tell her I was already ahead of our meeting place and to just forget about coming until another time. I was really surprised to find out my wife was at Lynnette's house and coming to see me tomorrow so the decision was made to head back to Standing Bear Farm in the morning. It took me about 30 seconds to go to sleep knowing I would see Natalie in the morning. It was a long hard day, some good hiking a little frustration and a great surprise at the end.
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Campsite in the Woods

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Start: 08:00stop: 09:00miles: 2 miles the wrong wayStarted out this morning heading south instead of north to fix my screw up last night. Got to Standing Bear really thirsty since Quincy and I didn't have much water. I immediately drank two sodas. They were some of the best I have ever had.I then called my wife to see if she was on her way. She said she was just leaving her sisters and would be there in about an hour. I'll skip the whole fiasco about my bad directions and my wife getting about to the point of divorcing me. In the end after everyone calmed down things were great. She had trail magic for everyone and after we all ate our fill we headed to her sisters to do some laundry, eat a lot of pizza, shower and have a good nights sleep in a nice comfy bed. Not to mention quality time with my very sweet understanding wife.One last comment about a thru-hikers appetite: It doesn't compare to a teenagers. I had 3 plates of pizza and my nephew had about 6. Love you Adam! Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

start: 10:45stop: 16:00Natalie and I started the day with breakfast at Waffle House then on the road the trail. When we got to Standing Bear Farm I had just missed my hiking group by 15 minutes. I went to change my clothes and realized I had left my hiking shorts and t-shirt at my sister-in-laws house. Since it was a little to far I just put on my long sleeved shirt and zipped the legs off my pants with nothing underneath. I hope this doesn't cause any problems. Nat drove me to the trailhead for a sad goodbye. I always miss her immediately when we part. She is so much a part of my heart.In about 20 minutes I caught up to Rex who I haven't seen since about day three. I had been wondering if she was still on the trail. We had a mini reunion and headed on up the trail. Next I caught up with Wolf Cookie and Dances with Wolf Cookie, aka Jan and Tom. After another mini reunion we started hiking toward the shelter and ran into K-less doing what he does best, sleeping on the side of the trail.I took a break with him for about 30 minutes and caught up on some trail gossip. We then hiked for about 20 minutes and caught up to Jan and Tom were we took another break. We soon realized we weren't getting anywhere fast today so we headed into the shelter and called it a day.Later a new hiker we hadn't met showed up. His name is Tail wind. I have come to realize that out here everyone is a friend that you just haven't met yet. I got a signal on my phone and called Nat to make sure she got home okay then hit the hay.Had a little trail magic on top of a hill by an FAA tower. Two guys were playing a guitar. They were unknowing trail angels and they gave K-less and I beer. Great day of hiking with old friends and new.
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

Start: 08:00Stop: 16:00Nice day for hiking. Hiked with Dances with Wolf Cookie most of the day. It really makes the day go by fast when I have a hiking partner. Dances told me some of his mountain bike racing stories. He is a great guy to talk with. We climbed to the top of Max Patch and had picturesque views in all directions.After Max patch we had to take a short stop to re-bandage Wolf Cookie's blistered heels. She is a real trooper to keep going step after step with all the pain she must be suffering. Her heels are completely stripped of skin. I suggested a different way of putting the bandages on and she later told me it works very well.Just before the shelter the forest service had done some controlled burning. The whole area was black with ash and soot. When we got to the shelter Tail Wind was already there and cooking his dinner. I walked down the hill and got water from the smallest source yet. It took me about 20 minutes to collect about 4 liters. No one felt like having a fire so we talked for a while and crashed. Everyone is excited about getting to Hot Springs North Carolina tomorrow to catch up with friends and have a few hamburgers.
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Start: 07:20Stop:15:30Woke up to rain. Seems like it just started as we got out of our sleeping bags. No one wanted to get out in the rain but Hot Springs was calling. We packed up quick and hit the trail with no breakfast. It rained on and off all day. There were a few tough climbs but most of the afternoon was downhill. We stopped by a forest service road and had a quick snack during a short lull in the rain and then headed on. About three miles from Hot Springs it started coming down pretty hard so we ducked into Deer Park Mtn. Shelter for about 20 minutes until the rain slacked up.When Rex and I got into town we ran into Lopaca and Kinlock and they gave us the lay of the town. We figured Wolf Cookie and Dances were at Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn so we headed there first. They had got there about an hour ahead of us and had already checked in. Rex and I talked to Elmer and he told us he was full but he said we could stay in the staff quarters since the summer staff hadn't arrived yet. The rooms are over a little workshop attached to the house. You have to climb up a steep ladder and through a trap door to get to the rooms. It is actually pretty cool.We then went to eat and to do laundry. I went to the outfitters in tow to get a new pair of hiking shorts since I had left mine at Lynnette¢s house. This town is made for hikers. Everything is within a couple blocks so it is a favorite among thru-hikers. We saw a lot of familiar faces. Some we hadn't seen since the first day on the trail. Later we all gathered at the Paddler Pub for a little socializing. I think I can truthfully say we all had great fun. We closed the place down but that isn¢t saying much since they closed at 9:30. Then it was back to Elmer's and to bed.
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Day at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn Hot Springs, N.C.Had a great day catching up with all my new friends. Met a couple hiking the AT from Columbus, Ohio. They live in German Village. We live not more than 10 miles apart.Had breakfast and dinner here at Elmer's. Both meals were fantastic. Elmer is the chef and cooks only Vegetarian food. I didn't know vegetarian food could be so filling. The house Elmer so graciously opens to hikers is 160 years old. I suspect the room I am staying in might have been slave quarters at some time in the past. The house is full of books, everything from philosophy to building timber houses to organic gardening. We played trivial pursuit, chess and cribbage. We also took a stroll down to the hot springs that give the town its name. Wolf Cookie, Dances with Wolf Cookie, Rex, Tail Wind and I shared a soak in the hot mineral water. The temperature had dropped so after the soak we headed back to Elmer's. Today we saw Willow and Sweet Cheeks heading for the trail. We were really surprised to find them at Elmer's when we got back. I guess it was just too wet, cold and miserable for them to give up the comfort of town. I really can't blame them.Got to talk to my beautiful bride today. I really miss her.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Zero Day

To: Warm Bed
Miles today: 0.0

Got up this morning after a very cold night at Elmer's Sunnybank Hostel. I had every intention of getting back on the trail but it was raining and very cold. I learned later that there was 14 inches of snow on the trail. Everyone who left this morning was back by noon because the trail was so bad. I guess I made a pretty good decision.Wolf Cookie, Dances with Wolf Cookie, Rex and I moved to the hotel for the day. Kless joined us later and we spent the day watching movies out of the weather. Not a very productive day but at least I was warm and dry.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Campsite
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

Day 33start: 11:30stop: 14:30Finally broke out of the vortex surrounding Hot Springs. The day was nasty with rain and cold but we decided we had stayed in town too long. Right outside of town is a long climb up to Lover¢s Leap. The weather cleared for a few minutes and I got a couple good pictures of the town. After that the weather turned against us and we almost turned back.   When we got to Pump Gap we were cursing ourselves for leaving town. We decided not to turn back because of the weather so we pitched our tents and called it a day.About 5 pm the rained stopped and it started to clear up some, but it was too late to continue to the next shelter. So after we cooked dinner we all turned in. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Pump Gap

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 34start: 08:45Stop: 16:00The weather had cleared this morning so we headed out in better spirits. I had lunch at a pond with Kless and Satori. Saw a couple of salamanders in the pond. Kless and Satori talked about going swimming but realized it was way too cold. I'm glad they didn't because I didn't want to have to jump in and save them if anything happened.The trail was pretty steep and slick so we didn¢t make it as many miles as we would have liked. I hope I start making more miles soon. We finally got to Spring Mtn. Shelter and couldn¢t go any farther. The shelter was full so we pitched our tents. We had a very nice warm fire tonight with lots of laughs. Met some new friends, Flora and Fauna (sisters from Kansas), Honey Pie, Hoss and Rambling man.I¢m very tired tonight so I guess I¢ll curl up in my sleeping bag and get some rest. Good night Natalie. I love you.
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 35start: 10:30stop: 15:45Didn't want to get out of the tent this morning. Finally I rolled out packed up and hit the trail. I hiked in the snow most of the day. Very cold. After I got to the shelter we all ate and then built a fire. A group of Boy Scouts showed up and set up tents around the shelter. They were miserable to say the least. They had hiked 8 miles through deep snow. I'm sure I would have felt the same. It's very cold tonight so I'm heading to bed.
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 36Start: 09:00stop: 15:00Miserable day. Don't even want to talk about it. The trail was either mud, rocks or snow. By the time I had hiked to the shelter I was wasted. Rex, Wolf Cookie and Dances were already there and about ready to move on. I think the days off in hot springs and the lousy weather really got me down. They wanted me to go on with them but I was bushed. I got water and built a fire in the shelters fireplace. Honey Pie, Hoss, Mo, Condor, and Hop Lite showed up later. I ate and then went to sleep. This was the first day I had thought about giving up. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 37start: 09:00Stop: 18:45Today started with a lot of snow on the ground and hard hiking. I got a great picture of a snowy bald with a path stomped in the snow from all the hikers. There must have been 14 inches in some spots. When I finally got out of the snow I took my pack off and sat beside the trail for about 45 minutes and thought about why I have been moving so slow the last couple of days. I'm thinking it might be because I am behind all the friends I made back in Georgia at the start of the trip. I decided to push on for the next few days and try to catch up with them. Hopefully I can catch them in a week or so.Today had a lot of tough climbs and it really wore me out. The last mile to the shelter took me over an hour. I plan on making it an early night and getting up early in the morning to try to do about 15 miles tomorrow. I hope to get in Erwin sometime on Thursday
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 38start: 09:15stop: 18:30Had a pretty good day of hiking today. Started out slow but sped up in the afternoon. Met up with Mickey One Sock, Woody, and G.G. They had been slack packing out of Erwin and Miss Janet was picking them up at Spivey Gap. I decided to stay with them for the day and go into town and do some slacking myself. We got into town and Miss Janet had made arrangements at a restaurant for everyone to have dinner. We practically filled up the restaurant. Thirty hikers were there and Tacoma Ted entertained us with songs and his guitar.We went to Miss Janet's house after dinner and caught up with Willow and Sweet Cheeks! I'm going to slack pack from Spivey Gap to the Nolichucky River and get my pack back and hike on to Curley Maple Gap Shelter.I got to talk to my wonderful wife and we both cried a little. I really miss her. I hope the distance between us doesn't cause me to give up my quest for Maine. I can see missing her as the only reason for getting off the trail.   Will have to reevaluate my situation when we get to Harpers Ferry, WV.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Spivey Gap

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 11.2

Day 39Start: 12:00stop: 17:45Today was the first time on the trail that I slack packed. I just carried the top of my pack with a bottle of Gatorade and a couple candy bars. I hiked with Mickey-one-sock, Woody, G.G., James the wandering Nunn, and Fabian, Miss Janet¢s dog.It was a fabulous hike. I felt almost weightless without my pack. The hills hardly slowed me down. I might have even skipped a little.Got back to Miss Janet's and went to dinner with 7 other hikers. James had his first chicken and dumplings. I had always assumed they ate that kind of stuff in England.After dinner I had a nice long conversation with my wife and turned in for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Nolichucky River

To: Curly Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 40start: 14:15Stop: 17:15Got a late start today because Miss Janet had a very busy morning. A camera crew from the local TV station came to do an interview with her about her hostel and the A.T. I went to breakfast at Hardee's with a couple of the guys and then back to the house to wait for a shuttle to the trail. Our group was just about the last to the trail so we decided to go to the first shelter since we didn't have enough time to go farther before dark. At least we got out of town.Tonight I am with Wolf Cookie, Dances with Wolf Cookie and Rex. Once again Willow and Sweet Cheeks are ahead of me. I'm sure I will catch up with them again. They are two of the nicest people I know. When I got to the shelter I set up my new tent. It is a good thing to have a tent you can sit up inside of and it¢s very roomy.   I am pleased with it so far. Will have to wait see how it works in the rain. But that is something I can definitely wait for.Since I haven't got much sleep in the last couple of night I'm turning in early. I'm going to do a little over 12 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Curly Maple Gap Shelter

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

Day 41April 10Start: 09:15Stop: 17:15From: Curly Maple ShelterTo: Cherry Gap ShelterI had a nice hike today. Only one tough uphill section. Crossed a place called Beauty Spot that wasn't as beautiful as a lot of others I have seen already. Maybe it was because of the clouds, I couldn't see too far. Met several day hikers today and they all talked about the rain we are supposed to get tonight. So far it is just cloudy. I'm in my new tent again tonight. Want to see how it does in the rain. I am prepared to run to the shelter just in case. I saw Mickey-One-Sock today and he told me to check out his trail journal because he wrote some nice things about me. He is a great guy. I hope to get to hike with him farther up the trail.Tonight at the shelter we had a nice little fire and roasted the rest of my marshmallows. I met two new thru-hikers today, Rumbler and Foot Loose. They started after me but have taken only 1 zero day. In my book that is hardcore.Well tomorrow is Easter so I want to tell everyone reading my journal Happy Easter! Hope you think of me when you are eating your Easter ham. I will be having Mac and Cheese. A special Happy Easter to Natalie. I promise this will be the last Easter we are not together. Love you bunches.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: moderate rain

Day 42start: 09:15stop: 15:15It was a cold rainy day today. Decided to top early because of the long climb up Roan mountain tomorrow and because I want to stay at Over Mountain Shelter.It rained on and off most of the day but it wasn't enough to put on all my rain gear. Just wore my jacket all day.Got to the shelter and ate dinner and went to bed. Not much to talk about. Met two new thru-hikers. Gear Guy and Gumby and Gumby's dog Gumbo. Also met a section hiker named Rick from Atlanta.Long day tomorrow so I'm off to sleep.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: moderate rain

Day 43Start: 08:15Stop: 18:15Started the day in a light rain that continued all day. The hike up Roan Mountain was pretty tough. Took about 4.5 hours to hike 6.4 miles. Stopped for lunch at Roan High Knob Shelter. I was about half frozen. I got out of my sleeping bag and ate my lunch while trying to warm up inside it. After I ate I curled up and slept for about an hour and a half. When I got to the shelter Stumpknocker was there. He had given me a ride into Hiawasee back in Georgia. It was good to see him again. After my nap I put on some warmer clothes and headed out. The trail was about 2 inches deep of running water from all the rain and snow melt. I climbed over Round Bald in a driving rain with the wind blowing so hard it would push me off the trail.   Was sure glad to get down from the top even though the trail was very muddy and choked with exposed roots. I fell three times before getting to the shelter.The Overmountain Shelter is an old barn that would probably sleep 40 people. There are 12 of us here tonight and since the shelter is pretty drafty most of us have put our tents up inside. It looks like an outfitters tent display area.Heading into Elk Park, NC tomorrow to get my maildrop and call my loving wife. It will be good to talk to her. I have tried several times with my cell phone over the last couple days but haven't been able to get through. I'm beginning to think Sprint stands for "Stupid Phone Rarely Intercepts Network Tower."Time now for a good nights sleep after a tiring day.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 8.2

Day 44start: 10:15stop: 14:30Started out a wet and miserable day. The hike over Little Hump and Hump Mtn. was very windy and cold. It was hard to leave the dry shelter and walk into the rain but I dressed for terrain and took off. The wind was blowing so hard it would blow me off the trail and the fog made it hard to see more than 20 feet ahead. Good thing the trail was worn down so I could tell where was going.When I was climbing up Hump Mtn. there was a place where the fog cleared for about 15 minutes and I could see ahead to the top of the mountain. I could see two groups of hikers one in front of the other but there were probably 15 minutes apart. I think it was the farthest distance I have been able to see ahead on the trail.I caught up to Flora and Fauna after about a half an hour and when we got to Doll Flats the weather broke and it was a good day of hiking after that. When we got to the shelter I laid out my sleeping bag to save a space in the shelter and then Carefree, Freedom and I walked to the road and into town for dinner. Very seldom in ones life does a cheeseburger taste so good.On the way back to the shelter we got a ride in the back of a pickup truck. When the guy dropped us off he told us it was going to snow tonight. In the half mile walk to the shelter the temperature dropped about 15 degrees. Back at the shelter we talked for a while and then went to bed. Hope the snow holds off because I plan to do 18 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Hwy US 19E
Miles today: 0.5

Day 45Start: 11:30stop: 12:00Today was my shortest hiking day so far. Woke up this morning with about 1 inch of snow on the ground and more coming down. I was the next to the last one out of the shelter. Rick, a section hiker, isn't carrying a tent so he decided to stay instead of having to camp in the snow. I weighed my options and decided I could think better with a good meal inside me, so I packed up headed for town. I have never had much luck hitchhiking alone and today in the snow was no different.I got to the restaurant and had the second best tasting meatloaf I have ever had. My wife makes the best. After I ate and drank about a pitcher of tea I was thinking more clearly. I decided to head on into Elk Park and check my mail drop. I figured I would just take things one at a time. When I got to the post office it was closed for lunch and while I was waiting two other thru-hikers came in. We talked about who we knew on the trail and other such things hikers talk about when they first meet while we were waiting. Their names are Green One and Squish.When the post office opened we took care of our mail drops and while we were there the postman got a phone call. He picked up the phone and then asked if any of us was Dave or Jeff.   I had never seen the look of wonder in anyone¢s face as in Green One's when he said: "Yeah, I'm Dave". It was a guy they had been hiking with who had arranged a shuttle to Laurel Cheek Hostel. It was like a sign for me to have a short day. I got to the Hostel, ate a big cheeseburger, did laundry and went to bed. I plan on slack packing 23 miles tomorrow.