morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Hot Springs

To: Elmers Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Birthday Tim!!!Decided to move to Elmers after a night camping by a busy railroad track and roosters that coo at 3am! This hostel is beautiful. Wish my mom could see this place. Old victorian house built in 1840 somthing, I think. Most of the house is furnished with antiques. It is just the coziest place.Picked up my maildrop. Cards from Grainger and Taylor. Thank you both. thought the card from Taylor was wierdly perfect. "If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking." ~ Buddist ProverbGlad to hear that Grainger and Melody celebrated by birthday in style. Back on the trail tomorrow to hike to a dentist appointment. Yuck.Missing Fahmah and Joe. Where are they?? 10 pmThis trail really is all about making dreams come true. Just had the opportunity to listen to my two favorite instruments pay together, the banjo and fiddle. They are two guys that have been helping Elmer point his house. Great musicians. Can't wait to learn how to fiddle!!
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Elmers Hostel

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

Full shelter. Church Mouse, Sapera, Sailor, Skip, Jim, Nice Enuff, Rafiki, Achelles are here. Good laughs around the fire tonight. Glad the sun is still around. Lazy hike today. Had many rests with the crew at water sources. Very hot today in the south. Heat rash on the legs from too much sun.Joe showed up this morning at Elmers. So glad to see him. Now we just need to see Fahmah.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

So the minute my mind starts to get bored, I find myslef climbing up a hell of a mountain and coming to a sign that reads "Bad weather trail, Exposed ridge line", giving us the opportunity to blue blaze around the peak. Even though it was raining, I decided to go for it. I hadn't heard any thunder all day and with my eyes on the sky, couldn't spot any dangerous clouds. The ridge was really exposed and made the climb worth while. Climbing up into the clouds and just at the peak, the clouds parted to the valley below. Reminded me of the mountains in Colorado. Then as quick as the clouds went away, I was in the clouds again. Got down as quick as possible with the fear of lightening still lingering in the back of my mind.So here I am, once again surrounded by the male species. I had the oppprtunity to have a conversation with Fal, a fellow female, today. Fal and Hercules (AT 1999) were inviting hikers into their home for a feast of belgian waffles, pork stew, and cherry cobbler with ice cream. Ate so much I though I was going to puke. They had the most beautiful log cabin home. Hercules greeted us at the door, "Welcome home" and sent us on our way with a hug. We've been so spoiled. Stayed and visited for about 2 hours. Hit the trail again and 2 lovely woment sang to us. What another great day.It rained most of the afternoon. Thought about the many reasons shy I'm glad I cut off my dreads. Reason #1: They sucked in rain. Couldn't fit a hood on my head to protect them from getting wet and they took forever to dry.Off to sleep. Here with Sapra, Nice Enuff, Bear Killer, Scout and Rafiki.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

This is the first day in a long time I haven't met anyone new.Pretty amazing.Missing my Hempie. The picture I have of him makes me miss him even more. I also kept the paw print that my mom sent me in a card. I just hope he doesn't chase cars this summer and I get to see him again. I still believe it was a wise choice not to bring him. It would have been hard.My feet are aching after two 15 mile days back to back. Today was a tough one. A couple big mountains that were steep and deep. Was happy to see Waterfall at the shelter. She't a Manitoba woman and has great energy. Also enjoy have female energy around. All these boys around have made me think about all the girls in my life. You all know who your are and thank you for being who you are. Love ya.Off to sleep again. My sleeping bag is growing a funk to it. Pretty bad when I can smell it. But reality has it, it fits right into the scene of a thru hikerReason #2: In such close sleeping quarters with other hikers, I don't have to worry about my dreads getting out of control and strangling my neighbor.**I can't figure out how to turn the photo. So everyone's head to the left!!
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 13.4

3:30Fell short today due to the weather. Wet and cold by lunch. Wish we could of had a view from the bald. Hearing that it is one of the bestI've decided......if I see the sun by 5pm, I'm walking on. Ok, I think I'm packing up and movin' on.9;30pm Walked another 3.4 miles to Whistling GAp. Saw the weekenders, Chris, Brian, and Brent again. What a long strange trip its been. We are at 320 miles or so I hear. Unbelievable. The days of hiking are easily becoming a daily routine. Lots of routine. From waking up, eating lunch, setting up camp. Routine for everything. Makes me think about Grainger.The walk was beautiful. The sun shining on the lush forest. The wild flowers are everywhere and gorgous.On to Erwin tomorrow for a damn dentist appt. Grrrrr....
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Whistling Gap

To: Uncle Johnnys Hostel
Miles today: 13.5

I have ate so much food in the last 3 hours it is disgusting. Well, even last night. Ent from a Mountain House meal to the rest of my oatmeal, to the rest of my snacks but had to stop to save some food for the trek into town today. Upon arriving at Uncle Johnnys, 1 snickers bar, can of root beer, and half a bag of popcorn. Then we took the shuttle into town. Ate Mexican. No cilantro in anything, it was great!! I've never seen 8 people go through so amny bowls of chips and salsa. Then a enchalida meal. Then to top off the nigh, we all feasted on ice cream. A few of us had root beer floats out of our cook pots. My belly feels like it is going to explode. I've been thinking about root beer floats for 3 days. But now I don't feel so good.We planned to stay at Miss Janet's but came down the mountain and this place was right here, welcoming, and cheap. Plus there is a sign out front taht ready $.40 Snickers. Who can pass that up. Walked up and saw Barking Spider, Oreamos, AT70, Catchup, and Rafiki all hanging out on the deck drinking beer. Needless to say I stayed and took part. Going to try and meet Miss Janet tomorrow after the appt. Also met Warren heel, Plodder and Doodle today. And a gentleman from Janesville but I didn't catch his name. Saw Genesis here as well. He has a bum foot. Mine started bothering me today. Hope it is nothing serious. A days rest will help it. Off to catch some zzzz's if all the sugar in my system allows it. Reminds me of a dream last night. It involved a jumbo snickers to be shared with Kris. I've never thought about food so much in my life.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Uncle Johnnys Hostel

To: Uncle Johnnys Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Oh, how I love zero days. Just wish this one didn't involve my face being numb. Note to all Minnesotians: Never go to the Smile Center. Just don't do it. The dentist had to drill some more of the tooth away to rough it up a little. He wasn't very happy with the work done prior. Doesn't really surprise me. He had the most steady right hand, left not so steady and a twitch with his head. Great guy though. Very friendly. Pretty cheap as well. Off to enjoy the rest of the day. Going to go and meet Miss Janet and to tell her that Retread says hi to his next ex-wife.Thanks for all the interest. It really does mean a lot. And just in case you are wondering, I'm not quitting anytime soon.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Uncle Johnnys Hostle

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Is it a stress fracture? the question of the day. Pretty sure it is. Planning on keeping the miles down for now. Well below 15. Thought about alot of things today. On thing is for sure, even if this gets me off the trail for 4-6 weeks, I will be back on. We'll see what happens. Feels pretty good right now. It was only tender during the day. Back to one step at a time... and being grateful for the moments I have!!Went up Beauty Spot this afternoon. Waited for the sun to go down some. Someone said it was 87 degrees.... TOO HOT! Nice-Enuff and I took and hour plus break under a tree; took a nap and had some laughs. Was having a great dream and an ant crawling on my leg woke me up... DAMN ANT.Met Miss Janet yesterday. What a great woman. She knew exactly who I was talking about when I said "a friend of mine wants to say hello to his next ex-wife!" Gave her steves contact info upon request and she gave us a ride back to Uncle Johnnys. Really Glad i got to meet her!
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Deep Gap

To: Jerry Clyde Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

Here with Nice-Enuff, VanDyke and O2. Definately not much of a wilderness experience. Tough day! Up and Down all day. Tough Climbs. Feet are feeling okay though. Question of the day: Are stress fractures like womens nylons.... once a run is started it keeps going? Tee Hee Hee... The best part of the day was the grass hoppers. Hundreds of them jumping all over. When you would move, they would jump like crazy and when you stopped, they would stop. Funny little things! Were missing some of our trail friends;Joe, Fah-Muh, Rafiki and others that we've spent time with lately. Today was the first day that I started to get into my own head. The hiking thing has become so normal, pain while hiking has become normal, nothing else to do but think. I realized that I have quite a jumble up there!! Plenty of time, fresh air and steps to figure it out!
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Jerry Clyde Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

what an adventure! Started the day climbing Roan Mountain... Beautiful climb. Did not mind it at all. Legs are feeling strong. When we got to the shelter on top it started to thunder. By the time we got to Carvers Gap Roan Mountain was engulfed in a thunderstorm. Started up the balds. Beautiful but hard to appreciate it when you are trying to beat a thunderstorm. Got over the bald but still on very exposed ridges. The lightening was way to close for comfort for me so I went down the side of the mountain and put my tent up in the midle of some trees to wait out the lightening. A couple of the strikes were less than a second away. I offically HATE lightening.... it is official now! I waited for an hour and a half and the storm died down some and i could hear another coming right behind it. I knew I had a small window of opportunity to climb the peak and drop down the oher side. Got to the shelter and no one was there, they had all moved on because the rain would have blown right in. This shelter is beautiful; an old barn overlooking a valley. TONS of room. I hear it was in a movie but no one knows which one... Typical!My foot hurt alot this morning climbing Roan.... but felt much better later on... weird. I had one of my favorites for dinner.... homestyle buttery instant potatos and tuna. YUM, and filling too!
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Camping by a River
Miles today: 14.9

Hello All!!! Spent the morning up in a ridgeline going over little hump mountain then hump mountain etc... Beautiful Balds! Thunderstorm to our left and sky of clouds to our right. With the breaks in the couds, there was quite a view. Able to see miles of the trail with clouds filling in the valleys down below. After about 5 miles the trail dropped down finally into the trees. Much more comfortable place with lightening threatening (note official dislike). Worked our way along the huge slippery rocks, almost fell on my butt 5 or 6 times. Made me think about PA. Oh what an adventure that will be. Stopped at the shelter before 195 and Mike was there. We saw him at the dam in Fantana, just getting on the trail with an 80+ lbs. pack. After one day in the smokies he went back and dropped 35 lbs then skipped ahead. I was just thinking about him and all the other people we have met but haven't seen again.Well, I can hardly keep my eyes open. Off to sleep with he pider patter of rain on my tent. Hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow... P.S. Met Henry and Flyer today
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Morehead Gap Shelter

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: broken clouds

What another fabulous place we have found. Very welcoming. They put nice-enuff and I up in the tree house!!! How exciting. Easy walk here from the shelter. Lots of people here... CNN (Charlot Nancy), Trodd Along, Kimchi, Van Dyke, Henry, Mountain Man, Hikemutt, Golden Chad and Bro and others. Thinking about doing a slack pack tomorrow 8 miles from the other side of pond flats or taking a zero day. We will see what happens in the AM. Received a letter from mom today with a copy of the article about me in the Pine Journal. Thats Crazy! Pressures on now. Talked to her and my dad on the phone. Also received treats from G and Melody... Should be fun! Mail drops are fun. Doing it again I probably would not do so many but maybe. Met Mountain Squid yesterday at Mountainier Shelter. Had heard his name several times. He took a picture of us with the chain saw bear at the shelter. Supposed to post it on whiteblaze.net in the shelter section. Also heard that a picture that was taken by Ron Haven in Franklin NC is on appalachiantrailservices.com. Check it out!!Funny Day... so many hikers crammed into one bus... one small bus!   Off to sleep, hopefully the wind wont blow too much... Could be a rocky night if so! I thought of Kurt.. Janines man instantly when I saw it!!
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Uncle Johnnys Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Lazy zero day. Slept in until 9:30. Woke up too late to catch shuttle for slack pack. The tree house was great. Stayed up until 2am with Nice-enuff giggling like 12 yr. olds. Felt good. Lounged around all day talkine to Middy, Golden Child, and Trodd Along. Planning on slack packing 8 miles tomorrow, finishing off with a dip in a local swinnimg hole suggested by Bob. Bob is the owner of the hostel. He is a jolly, funny guy with a love for the AT. He coordinates the maintene for the trail in the area. And he has a laugh that I'll never forget. Its more like a chckle. Him and his wife Pat are very generous people and its no wonder hikers have been taling about this place for months.Just ate some of the best BBQ in the south yet. Some small place in Hampton, TN. Yumm.... I love any food but trail food
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 8.9

Easy slack pack. Sitting at Laurel Falls. Beautiful wide cascading falls. Hopeing to take a dip in the river upstream. Bob told me to go over 3 bridges, count 5 white blazes and take a right. Not quite as warm as I hoped it to be to jump in cold river but must sieze the opportunity.Debating whether to slack pack into Dumascus. Would be very cheap and have the opportunity to stay at Kincora an extra night but it would mean 20 mile days. Probably just head out tomorrow morning loaded up. It really doesn't matter anyways. Junebug, Shiver and Nice-enuff are slacking with me. I expect them to be here soon.Pretty boring lunch. Rye Crisp and peanut butter. Wishing I had some fresh crisp veggies. But I do have butter toffee peanuts. Yum. I love butter toffee peanuts.Later.....Well, no dip in the river. Too far off trail. Its amazing how we'll walk hundreds of miles but hate to walk around town or anything more than 1/4 mile off trail.Met a large group of people today. Lets see if I can remember anyones names, Willie goat, Ginger Snap, Lucky, Patches, and that about it. Met a rec. major form Radford University. She didn't have the opportunity to study under Mark Wagstaff but met him when he replaced one of her favorite instructors. Looking forward to heading out. Going to miss sleeping in the birdhouse. Kincora hospitality as well. Onward I go. Virginia here we come!!
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Kincora Hostel

To: A gap in paradise
Miles today: 12.4

Gorgous weather, beautiful views, good company, what more can a thru hiker ask for. Well, maybe the trail magic we missed out on Watauga Lake. Arrived to early.Had some hot climbs away from the lake. The breeze off the lake was priceless.We said good bye to Bob and headed north with Junebug and Shiver. Those two are a perfect match for hiking buddies. Nice enuff and I celebrated the mile mark 420 with a few treats from Melody and Grainger. They were tasty and much appreciated. So then we wandered. I was able to talk to a bird today with a bird call. That was exciting.Finally arrived here, to a gap in paradise whre we will call it a day. I hear that there is some easy hiking for the next couple of days. The profile looks inviting but I won't hold my breath.Hear word that Joe is right behind us a day or two. Wonder where Fahmah is??Bed early tonight. Tired and nothing better to do.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: A gap in paradise

To: Double Spring Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Too hot. Too hot. All day. Even right now. Too hot for this northern girl.The terrian is finally giving us a break in Tennessee. Was a relatively easy 16 miles. Sore feet at the end of the day though.Nice enuff wanted to move on another 2.9 miles to the shelter but my feet said no way. Could of if we had to but we are only 12.9 miles away from Dumascus as it is. I don't like crabby hiking buddies. He know he has to hike his own hike. That is why we are not sharing equipment. Only bear rope.It was quite a day for wild life. This moring I had a snack in the company of 2 white tail deer. 3 bear were spotted 100 ft. ahead of us and numerous copperhead snakes were spotted Watch your step!! Would like to see one from a distance.Cold beer tomorrow. Hopefully we can find some good beer in VIrginia. Virginia already. It is going to be the longest state. Almost 500 miles I think. I figure out within 5 weeks.Update on foot: Feeling better. Need to work on insoles. Feet are too fat and are hanging off the edges creathing other problems. Like Oreamos wrote in a shelter register, "Shelter mice are like trail aches, once you get rid of one, another appears" So true.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Uncle Johnnys Hostel

To: Dumascus!!!
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Finally in Dumascus. Never thought I would see this place. Wonderful hike. Arrived at about 2:30, found a place to stay, at the Place, washed clothes, bought a new pair of boots, and now drinking beer. Good beer as well. A little buzzed up actually. We've finally arrived in Virginia. The state where we will spend 500 miles. It is so exciting. Went and talked to someone about my feet. Walked in and told them that I have the ultimate challenge for them. They looked at me like they hear that every day until I showed them my feet and explained to them that not only do I have wide and fat feet but a jacked up toe. He did the best he could and I am off with a new pair of boots. All the hikers are so excited to be here. We are just before Trail Days and the town is definately getting ready. Kind of the lul before the storm.Off the drink some more beer. Yummmm.... Thank you to everyone sending good energy to my foot. The pain is not gone but it is not getting worse.Melody....seriously search "nice-enuff"
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

One of the best yet today. Grayson Highlands are magical. Easy hiking, beautiful views and awesome ponies. Woke up sad this morning. Good dreams last night! Easily popped out of it. About 1.5 miles down the trail a doe came running towards me. Soon we popped out of the forest into the highlands. Reminded me of the tree line, my favorite part of the rockies. Then there were the wild ponies. The first we saw were off in the distance. A couple miles later there was a herd right on the trail... they instantly came up to me... licked my hands and started to eat my trekking poles. Awesome creatures. I wish I knew the story behind them. Or the real story....We must take our time hiking back into Dumascus. Its been great hiking south and running into many people we know... Kimchi, Radar, Skip, Trail Dancer, Willie Goat and others. About 95% of the hikers are going back for trail days. Its going to be a shocker with all those people... especially spending so much time in the woods. I presume it will be hard to get back on the trail afterwards... taking that many days off.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Was very tempted this AM to hike north with Skip and others. Yesterday was such a beautiful hike. Happy to see the sun this AM... Had a hard time warming up last night and falling asleep. I will be happy to be at lower elevation. Hike was relaxed and easy.... Now drinking beer at a trail magic spot by 11am... it is sponsored by 65 and Alive, Class of 04. Havent had any magic in awhile...Met Luna at magic site. Cool woman from Connecticut. She is way ahead of us mile wise though. Arrived at shelter at 5. Not Guilty, August, Lucky, Tennessee Jed, Orange Moon and Gingersnap were all there. August is a trip... Confrontational about everything!Tented out back of the shelter to get away from thenoise. Had a nice quiet fire with Bob and Rod... two section hikers. Found out that joe is only one shelter south. Probably camped in between. Excited to see him tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Mountain Shelter

To: Dumascus - The Place
Miles today: 13.8

Nice-Enuff woke me up this AM because he heard Joe humming outside the shelter. I quickly crawled out of the tent to say HI so we would not miss him, then leisurely got on the trail. We decided to cheat and take the creeper trail into town... cut off 2 miles and the grade was no more than 3%. Beautiful trail. Got into town before we wanted to but I think it was a good call... the place was filling up fast. Everywhere there are tents and people already and trail days doesn't start until friday!Downpoured on us the last 4 miles... Once we were drenched it was fun. Did some puddle jumping... on of my favorite past times... if it is raining that is!We've seen so many people already. Awesome to see them. We've also met so many more people. It going to be a good one.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Dumascus - The Place!

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Trail Days was fun but cant express how happy I am to be back on the trail. I feel like I can breathe again. We listened to some good music, drank alot of beer, met alot of people, hiked in the hiker parade and ate alot of food. I was dissappointed with the seperation of tent city and events in town. Wanted to hang out with people at tent city but listen to music in town... Saw Fahmah and met his family, one of the highlights for the weekend. He's doing great. Gave blood and had some laughs in the blood mobile. Finally saw Mate Sing, Coach, Genesis, Mate entered the talent show. Awesome!!! Not everyone I wanted to see made it back.... Birdlegs, Moongoat and Otto, Bad Influence, Lala, Noodles, Sardine, Bushwack, Will, Ironlung (Bullwinkle) and Sarah (Fishstick).No JD, still have his damn hat. Heard word that he is geting off for a couple weeks so we may see him again. Nice-enuff and i have carried this hat all the way from the Smokies not even knowing if its his!The Cool Bus gave me a ride back to Troutdale this afternoon. It was wierd getting dropped off all by myself and everyone waving to me as the bus drove away. I walked into the woods by myself today, Nice-Enuff is doing hard core 2 days of trail maintenence. He'll catch up eventually.I felt like a Torpedo today when I got on the trail. My legs were ready to take off... it was great. But now after doing 14.5 miles in 5.5 hours I am Beat!