morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Daleville, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 150.0
Weather: broken clouds

Some of the decisions I wrestle with, I just have to sit back and be quiet for awhile (imagine that) and suddenly the answer just becomes apparent.I will be yellow blazing today. This is a term used by thru-hikers, that is not an affectionate lable, given to those who skip parts of the trail by getting someone to drive them to a point ahead.I have labored long over this decision, but because of my injury, the terrain becomes much easier after Waynesboro, and that alone will give me the ability to take it slow for a period of time and still advance along the AT. I will then, at a later date, come back to this area and hike the section that I missed.Mango, Stardust and I are about to load our backpacks into her Mini-Cooper and head to Waynesboro. The ride was available, my ankle is still sore, there is a really dry section comming up; it's just the right thing for me to do. Perhaps others will find it disturbing, but my hike is not about others, it is about me.It's all going to be okay.I am staying at the Grace Lutheran Church, in the basement. They have provided us with cots to sleep on, showers, TV and Internet access. The kindness that they have extended to me is heart felt. Went to eat at the AYCE Chinese buffet and it is truly the best that I have ever eaten at.Tomorrow I will enter the Shendoahs. I can't wait.Life is Good.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Amiclola Falls trail Amicalola State Park 

To: Stover Creek
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Top of Springer around Noon. Called home. Loggin in. Got to Stover Creek about 5:30. Camped with Jake "Yak." Dave from Rhode Island and Adam from Illinois "Peepers." Nice shelter. Slept in the loft. I decided to shave some weight so i am being called "Zeph" now or "Z."
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Stover Creek shelter

To: Gooch Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

9:36 am: On the way to Gooch Mtn. shelter. Met the trail maintenance guy. Very nice. Arrived at Gooch at 5:30. Took a bath near the brook shelter. Very crowded. Met Whiskers on the way. Saw Highway and Jake "Yak" at the shelter. Met a guy from Presque Isle, ME.
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Stover Creek 

To: Jarad camp site
Miles today: 11.0

After Stover Creek I passed by Woody Gap. It is a turn-out picnic area. Here, I got some Trail Magic from Michelle and "World Wide" tomato juice and some raisen bran bread.On the trail at 9:30. Got to Woody Gap at 12:30. Had a Trail Magic lunch of tomato juice and raisin bread. Awesome.I camped at the Jabrad camp site. Made 10 or 11 miles today.Set up my tent, cleaned up the camp site a little. Talked to a guy who was admiring my pulley system bear line. I walked around a little to get familiar then off to bed.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Springer Mtn

To: entry at Neals Gap Walasi-Yi center
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone,I have made it to Neals Gap Walasi-Yi center. I will be having dinner tonight with Arthur and Shelia who are traveling north fron Florida. Just a few aches and pains but i am walking thru them. Tell Mike Young thanks for the advice of using hiking poles. They are keeping me upright. Tell Fig I didn,t stop at Springer Mtn to find the ridge runner with a sister on Macomber Hill,Jay.Thanks for all the advice and help Wayne. Love to all "Zeph"
Date: 2008-04-10
To: entry at Neals Gap 
Miles today: 0.0

Hi,   I'm still at Neals Gap getting gear. I would also like to say we all need give a special thanks to Larry Gilbert for agreeing to decipher my notes and make some entries in this blog. Thanks Larry!!! "Zeph"UPDATECARUSO¢s was the Micro Brew Italian Restaurant in Dalonaga, we had our first dinner. Leigh Saint took us there on 4/8/2008
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Jarad camp site

To: Neil's Gap 
Miles today: 5.5

Up at 8, got water, talked to another hiker, Dan. Off at 9.Signed in the log at Blood Mtn. shealter. Tried to call Arthur and Sheila, but had no service.Got into Neil's Gap at 11 am.Met Arthur and Sheila after checking in. threw my pack on my bunk and talked and shopped for a while. Arthur and Sheila left to get a motel room while I cleaned up.We went to dinner in Blairsville Italian Restaurant. What a great reunion.Back to the hostel for good-byes and bed.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Neel's Gap 

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Got up at 8 for "Pirate's" pancakes and bacon breakfast. Went shopping to buy a new back pack. Sent the old one back home, as well as some other gear.After Neel's Gap "Mountain Crossings," I left around 11 am.I stayed at Low Gap shelter, tenting out. It started raining conveniently after setting up camp and eating. Then thunder and lightning came around 10 pm. Around 2 pm owls decided to start mousing and hooting for about 2 hours. They were then interrupted by wolves fighting over some food, probably beef jerky, that someonehad left.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Neel's Gap "Mountain Crossings

To: Tray Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

Up at 8, left at 9. All kinds of game sounds on the trail but I'm not seeing any animals or reptiles, yet. I've heard of sightings of bear,snakes, etc. I'm hiking with metal poles, so maybe I'm too noisy.Got into Tray Mtn. Shelter at 6:30 pm. The temperature had dropped to 35 degrees with the wind blowing at 15 to 20 MPH. "Van," a fellow Navy man, had hiked into Unicoi and picked up a 12 pack of PBRs. As soon as I walked up to the shelter he said, "Hey, Z is here! Hey, Z, want a beer?" Words from heaven!I got set up with the tent, water and supper, then got right to bed as it was getting colder.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Tray Mtn. Shelter

To: Cloud 9 Hostel Dicks Creek Gap,Hiawassii,Ga
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 7:00 today, out at 7:30 due to cold. On to Dicks Creek Gap and Hiawassii. As soon as I got to the parking lot, Frank, one of the owners of Cloud Nine, asked me if I wanted to go to Cloud 9 Hostell. Good timing.Cloud Nine is a house made into a hostel. As soon as you come in and they find out you're staying, you take off your shoes for the house tour. They showed me the shower and the town clothes and the bath robes you can wear after the shower. they have a wide-screen TV room, in which I started to watch "Unforgiven" with Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman, but I decided it would be a good Butt-Numbathon movie, so I didn't continue. Talked with Laura, the other owner, and did laundry.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Cloud Nine Hostel ,Hiawassii,Ga

To: Cloud Nine Hostel ,Hiawassii,Ga
Miles today: 0.0

Still at Cloud Nine, slept in the basement garage made into a bunkhouse. Up at 8 am and had breakfast. Caught the 11 o'clock shuttle to the trail head. I've lost the paper with the trail notes and map, so I'll try to recreate them from here.
Date: 2008-04-15
To: Muskrat Creek Shelter, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Stayed at Muskrat Creek Shelter last night. Very cold. The shelter was built nice but not maintained very well. No bear lines and garbage in the outhouse. I did not sleep very well as it seems there is an airplane flight path righ above the area.Met "Beetle Goose," a Rhode Island nurse that is through-hiking. Also met Peach and fuzz, a nice older couple. Kyle was working the fire.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap shelter 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 7 am. Very cold and needed to hike to warm up. Got to Carter Gap shelter at 5 pm. Found that I was the first there. Then Jeff from New York came in, followed by Peach and Fuzz, and finally Party Animal.I had macaroni and cheese and the remainder of alfredo plus tuna. Finished my last salami for lunch. I had the shelter to myself as every else tented out. Must be the smell.
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Carter Gap shelter 

To: Rock Gap shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 7:30. Peach and Fuzz said it was colder last night than before. I was comfortable.Off at 8 am to Rock Gap shelter, 12 miles distant. On the way I met Marty, who was sick at Cloud Nine. He is doing a lot better.I saw Peach and fuzz at lunch time at the Big Spring shelter after climging over the Albert Mountain. It was great! A hard climb but worth it. Thre was a fire tower and lots of water in the trail.Made it to Rock Gap shelter at 4:30. Marty and Jeff were already there. Then Kyle came in, followed by Peach and Fuzz. Next, Red Bull and Diesel made some macaroni soup and salmon. Very good!Went to bed early.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Budget Inn,Franklin 
Miles today: 0.0

First out, 3 miles to the highway. Baptist Church Trail Magic. nicely going on. Then Ron Haven , the Budget Inn owner, picked us up to take into town. Had a group picture taken and got room 11. Saw Erik from Connecticut and Buzzard checking in.I was doing laundry at 12:30. Jeff and McDee met Astro Girl in the laundry. Marty caught up with "Wave Pool," a guy he was hiking with before he got sick.Ron took Peach, Fuzz and me to lunch at a Mexican restaurant's all-you-can-eat buffet. I ate a lot. It was very good.He then took us on a tour of East Franklin, the rich section of town. He got us back at 4 pm to take all to the outfitters and grocery store.I got a small cup so I could get my large pot home.For dinner we went to the Roadhouse for burgers and beer. I drank too much beer and couldn't eat all my burger. I went back to the motel and watched TV till 11 pm.
Date: 2008-04-19
To: Cold Spring shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Up at 7 am. Had to get to the post office early to mail pots home. Took the shuttle bus at 9 am. Back on the trail at 10 am. Felt good.Hiked to cold Spring shelter and found buzz and Erik "Fred" from Connecticut there, also Astro Girl. Peach and Fuzz came in later.Started raining at 11 pm. The roof leaked and a mouse was running around on my chest. The bear line was broken and the outhouse was full of trash.I had ramen and garlic chicken for supper.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Cold Spring shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Peach said there was a pile of crap in front of her tent door in the morning that wasn't there when she went to bed. Fred took off early, then Astro Girl. buzz and I took off together and talked most of the way to the NOC.Got ther around 4 pm. Got a room and a shower and met some people, Shepoed, Jungo Dog, Parrot, Bo Jangles, Wave Pool, Marty, Fred, Party Animal, Yak, Diesel and Red bull.Walked around and drank beer. Watched the kayakers, then wend to BDR for supper. Had fried green tomatoes and crab cake appetizer and a fish sandwich for entre'.Celebrated Buzz's birthday. I bought him a beer. Bo Jangles bought him and everyone $250 worth of champagne.Slept really well.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: NOC

To: Brown fork Gap shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 8. Breakfast in the River Run Cafe. 16 miles to the Brown fork Gap shelter. Hard miles and got in late. Didn't eat. Met Stardust at the shelter, as well as Banjo, Fred and Buzzard. Slept on a side hill
Date: 2008-04-22
To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Slept in this morning, up at 10 am. Took my time getting ready. Of to Fontana, 12 miles away. Fairly hard stretch. Got my first blister but it didn't break. Put on some duct tape.Got to the boat landing at 6 pm. Got a ride with some section hikers to the village.Got a soda and a shuttle to the dam. Took a shower at the dam and then to the Fontana Hilton for an early bedtime.UPDATEAfternoon, arrived at Fontana Dam - saw Michelle at the Village with the Mayor and Bo Weevil Dog. Met Porcupine staying at the shelter. Hurt and Healing and GT trying to catch up with his brother Mike in VA.
Date: 2008-04-23
To: Birch Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Off to the post office at 8:30. My bounce box didn't arrive. Got my map and vest from home. Did some laundry, ate lunch and mailed my latest notes and picture card home.UPDATEAt Birch Spring Gap (6 mi) I met "Feather" Jessica and Zarmora "Freckle". They knew Che ¢ the guy with the golf hat. Up and out at 9 a.m. Weather is good, sunny but breezy ¢ trail is kind. Got to Spence Field Shelter at 4 pm. Had mashed potato and tuna. Met Ridge Runner & wife & family of kids. GT, Michelle, Diesel & Red Bull and a few more section hikers. Nice shelter.
Date: 2008-04-24
To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Hard miles, high elevation, weather is cool and cloudy. Met Jim, the Ridge Runner, Diesel & Red Bull. Went on ahead to Double Spring Gap, Also Yak & Needles, Bo Jangles. Had noodles & salmon for supper. Also 10 section hikers stayed at Silers this night. Met new thru hiker Butternut Squash.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Met new thru hiker Butternut Squash. & Blake. We summited Clingman Dome (205.3 mi) at the same time. All clouds 50 ft visibility. Walked to Newfound Gap. Hitched into Gatlinburg, back of a Dodge pickup, then a car with a nice older couple. They dropped me off at The Happy Hiker. Beetle was there, Michelle, Butternut Squash. They got a room together. I found a room at the GT. 12 miles Stayed at the Grand Prix motel . Beer, Ice Cream & a soft bed. Got clean and full. LIFE IS GOOD!
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Gatlinburg

To: Ice water spring shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Met Road Rash from Presque Isle, ME, at ice water spring shelter. He has a pink guitar with him. Beetle & Michelle brought hot dogs. Road Rash said he was at Tray Mtn when Van Sherpa (Dave) brought beer & rum to the shelter. Butternut Squash was here tonight. I think the birds I have been seeing are called black eyed juncos. I have been trying to get a picture for 200 mi. The sound I have been hearing that sounds like a one cylinder John Deere tractor starting - is a grouse beating its wings on a log.
Date: 2008-04-27
To: Tri Corner Knob
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

Started out at 8 am ¢ overcast. Got to Pecks Corner Shelter at noon. Had lunch in the rain. It rained hard to Tri Corner Knob, got there at 3:30. Got dry clothes and cooked ramen and tortellini. A ridge runner stayed the night. Met Shamrock & Conan -   who found my hat. (Editor: He lost his hat again?!) Rabbit, Thoughtfoot, Beetle, Michelle, Road Rash & Red Eyes were there. William the Ridge Runner said it was going to be cold and rainy tomorrow. 13 miles today.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Got up early at Pecks Corner Shelter (224 mi) at 6 am with the Ridge Runner. No breakfast, found the trail. Mostly downhill, rolled my right ankle on a wet rock. Still raining hard all the way to Davenport Gap. Then it let up. Walked to Standing Bear Hostel on Green Corner Rd. Nice people, nice supplies, rustic bunkhouse, but it had a nice woodstove. It was nice to get warm and dry. Met Stick Man, Newport News, RI. He is 66 and developed bad knees. The doctor pulled him off the trail for 7 days to get a cortisone shot. Saw Road Rash from Maine, Hobo Joe, Easily Distracted, Michelle, Doc, Peach & Fuzz. Met Shamrock from Wyoming. Thoughtfoot, Dirty Jersey Jeff, Rabbit & Red Eyes. Custis & Maria are the owners of Standing Bear and Rockhound was the manager. Yak & BoJangles showed up just as I was leaving. I had to pry myself away from the comfort.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Standing Bear Hostel 

To: Ground Hog Creek
Miles today: 7.0

Left late 4 pm to go to Ground Hog Creek. Got there at 7 pm ¢ 7 miles in 3 hrs. Dirty Jersey had a nice fire going. Red Eyes was there, Met Wing Ding & Spirit coming in late. Saw my first bear. Went to bed early.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Ground Hog Creek

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 23.0

Got up late thinking I would put in an easy day. Everyone left before me. The trail was not to hard to begin with. At 1 pm I got to Max Patch Summit (260 mi). Redwood and Serendipity, two 2006 thru hikers, were doing ¢trail magic,¢ bringing up a cooler of soda and a garbage bag to be nice. Thank you ¢Trail Angels.¢ Dirty Jersey was there and we started moving at the same time. Got to Roaring Fork Shelter to use the Privy and sign the log. The trail was wonderful from there to the Walnut Mtn ascent. Jersey and I planned on staying at the Walnut Creek Shelter. When we got there, it spooked us. There were food and dishes and clothes strewn all over the place. We figured ¢bears¢ so we kept moving. Bluff Mtn was one of those that keeps going up and up. Jersey and I kept saying we would stop at a campsite, but we never saw anything we liked. We hiked til dark (8:30 pm) then used our headlights to Deer Park Shelter in the dark at 9:30. Two local guys with dogs, Susie & Tobie. They had a great fire going as a beacon. 23 milesConan & Easily Distracted were there. We were grateful to be there and ate and went to bed.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Elmers
Miles today: 0.0

Up at 8 am and got ready slowly. In town at 10:00 (3 mi.) Stopped at the Smoky Mtn diner for breakfast. Then to Elmers to check in and did laundry. Called home about cell phone. Checked on bounce box that did not arrive and got some supplies. Went to the bar for beer & buffalo burger. Saw Red & Diesel, Doc, Wavepool, Rabbit, Thoughtfoot, Yak & Bo Jangles. Met Top Shelf, Spring Loaded, Powder River & Rawhide.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Elmers

To: Spring Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had breakfast at the Smoky Mtn Diner again. (Apple pancakes) Then called home again. Got more groceries. I¢m really loaded down with food this time. It was a pretty steep climb out of Hot Springs, but the river looked pretty and the River Festival bands were starting to play. 11 mi. to Spring Mtn Shelter. Saw Rabbit & Thoughtfoot, Diesel and Red Bull. Met Spirit Walker from CT and 50/50. You Go Girl had fallen on the trail and hit her head. I pumped her some water at the fire tower campsite and moved on. I also saw Slow Barbara. She was going to stay at the Fire Tower Campsite also.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

To: JerryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Cabin
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got to the shelter at 5:30. Jerry¢s Cabin, nice place. Met Solo and Spirit Walker & two people with dogs. 15 miles.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: JerryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Cabin

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

Sunday, got up late & took my time. The hiking was difficult. Allergies are bothering me. Met Zeke, a lady from Wisconsin and OHM (Old Hairy Man). Got to Hogback Ridge Shelter at 5:15 (14 12 mi) Cooked mac n cheese, not very good. Spirit Walker let me use his cell phone to call Curt to wish him a happy birthday.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Bussiness Shelter
Miles today: 21.0

Got up at 7 am, took my time getting ready ¢ I was the last one out of the shelter. The trail started out mediocre, then got easier. Had a lunch snack at a nice spring. Worked on the spring to make it work better. Then went up the trail 12 mi to some nice ¢trail magic¢ of carrots, cupcake & coffee, water and waste basket. Awesome! Met some section hikers. Met Johnny Thunder & Solo with a couple of girls. Got water at the first shelter. Went by OHM. Did not see Zeke or Spirit Walker.   Asked Johnny Thunder if he had seen Spirit Walker. He said he was ahead. Got to the shelter at 8 pm, no Spirit Walker. Had just enough time to put up my bear line & tent. Ate in the dark and went to bed. I don¢t know why I went so far. It was good trail and a beautiful day. 21 miles!
Date: 2008-05-06
From: No Business Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another glorious day. Only five miles to Erwin. Up at 7:30 am. Written on the back wall of No Business shelter ¢ESCAPE YOUR CIVILIZED PRISON¢. Hiked towards town through the burnt forest. It was a controlled burn area. Started taking pictures of trees with holes in them. Sat for a few minutes to try to set the date & time on my camera. Spirit Walker caught up to me to say he camped at Spivey Gap last night. I did not see his set up and walked by him. We walked into Erwin, Tn (340 mi) 50/50 met us at the road with hot cinnamon buns. Uncle Johnnies was just down the street. I got a room and 50/50 and Spirit Walker got a ride to the Holiday Inn. It has a hot tub!
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Erwin, TN,Uncle Johhnys' Nolichuckey Hostel

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

Today I did laundry and talked to folks. Yogied some pizza and beer for lunch. Waited for the shuttle to the P.O. expecting my cell phone and food box. Hilda the Red Tornado gave StarDust and I a tour of the town and I got my food box and some power aid and beer. Went to a Mexican Restaurant for dinner in Erwin with Spirit Walker and 50/50. Had Steak & Mex. Went back to Uncle Johnnie¢s and called home. Went to my room to pack.
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Iron Mtn Gap backwards

To: Erwin ,Uncle Johhnys' Nolichuckey Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Got up to get ready to slack pack 19 miles from Iron Mtn & back to Erwin. Spirit Walker, Low Gear and I got started after breakfast. CB - or (Colorado) dropped us off. It was my first slack pack and Spirit and I found that it takes a long time because of stopping and talking to all your friends along the way. We almost missed the supper shuttle. (19 miles) We ended up at the Mexican Rest again. We also had dinner with Peach n Fuzz and StarDust.Got back to Uncle Johnnie¢s and they put Spirit in my room with me. We packed for the next day and drank ¢Calvados¢ ¢ apple cognac. Then beer with Fuzz.
Date: 2008-05-09
To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Checked out of Uncle Johnnies and caught shuttle to Iron Mtn. Then started North again and hiked towards Roan High Knob. 50/50 did trail magic there - soda, chips & desserts. Halfway to Stan Murray Shelter it started raining. Walked fast to keep my feet from getting wet. Met Shamrock at the shelter. Spirit came in later. (17 miles) The wind blew and it rained all night. The mice were busy all night also! They started building a nest in Shamrock¢s backpack.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Mtn Harbour B&B 
Miles today: 0.0

Got up and packed wet, started moving toward the Hump Mtns. The wind blew so hard I thought it would blow me over. The rain was cold too. (10 miles.) Had lunch at Apple House Shelter. Spirit and I decided to get dry overnight at Mtn. Harbour Bed & Breakfast. Had a shower, then steak dinner at ¢King of the Road¢ steakhouse. Went back to hostel and talked and wrote in my journal.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Moreland Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Up at 6:30 am and packed before breakfast. Mary created the best B & B breakfast I¢ve ever seen. Then Spirit, Shamrock and I started out with me in the lead. It was a warm sunny day and we did 18 miles to Moreland Gap Shelter. Cooked some tortellini for supper. Micro, a girl from Ashville, came in after. She is a vegan so I shared my tortellini.. Shamrock tented out as he had enough of the mice. Micro did the same. Spirit and I stayed in the shelter. The mice stopped running around about midnight. We had no problems because we bear lined the food and mouse lined the packs.