morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light snow

I pushed hard all day to get to the shelter. I know you are as tired of hearing about it as I¢m sick of seeing it, but it was snowing again today. The trail conditions were the worst I have seen so far. I had a mix of ice, snow, mud, running water, and slush. It was a mess. On top of all that, it was COLD again. I started hiking with just my light wool gloves I use around camp and they seem to do the trick. At first I first had light rain, then freezing rain and then snow. All of which managed to get the gloves wet. Worst yet, I thought I was done with the cold weather and had packed my heavy gloves in the bottom of the stuff sack. I finally gave up when my hands were too cold to feel and stopped to unpack the heavy gloves. Eventually my hands warmed up again.The next issue was that because of the wet trail feet got soaked. It just wasn't a fun day. I pressed on to the shelter, put on dry clothes, and got into my warm sleeping bag. I was not the only one, everyone that was there ahead of us had done the same. As did the people who came in after me.The saving grace for the day was that it snowed. The fresh snow covered most of the ice and allowed for solid footing. I¢m just glad I did not have to deal with a lot of the ice. It was very treacherous. Blackbird was using crampons to make it through so he did not have a problem.As everyone was settling in for bed we had a heavy freezing rain. That will make tomorrow a interesting day. I just hope it¢s not like today. I¢m planning a short day so we can get to Mountain Momma's and have one of her famous hamburgers the following day.In spite of all foul weather and bad luck, I am having the time of my life!
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was the day of the Ice Bombers. With all the freezing rain the night before, all the trees had built up with layers of ice. When I left the shelter it was 29 degrees with clear skies. It started warming and with the wind all the trees started loosing/dropping the ice off of them. Hence the name ¢Ice Bombers.¢ The snow from the day before still had the ice covered so it was easy hiking.Knowing the distance to the shelter, I took it real slow and just enjoyed the views and took lots of pictures.I made it in around 1:00pm set up, and hung out my clothes to dry. Then I hung out with Cracker and Blackbird updating our journals.Time to eat and get warm!
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it out of the Smoky¢s and I am staying at the Standing Bear Farm hostel. I¢m here with Blackbird, 4 Brits, Porter, Cracker, Red Rover, and four other thru-hikers. I was hoping for a warm shower, but the hot water was gone by the time I took mine. At least I don't smell anymore. Cracker and I both did our laundry and now have clean/dry clothes.The highlight for the day was getting out of Smoky¢s and also getting to try the famous hamburger at Mountain Momma's. Blackbird, Cracker and I hitched a ride for the 1.3 miles from the trail to Mountain Momma¢s. We all had the hamburger and resupplied. There was a loose plan to either camp out past Standing Bear or stay here depending on the time we got to the site. We got to the hostel at 3:30pm so it was an easy decision¢Standing Bear Farm it was.It still seems strange to me that two days ago we were hiking in snow and today it is in the 70¢s. I had to change into shorts after about two hours of hiking.Here are my thoughts on the Smoky¢s: First, because of the time of year and the weather I did not have very good hiking conditions. As I've said earlier I encountered just about everything you could hike in: freezing rain, sleet, snow, ice, running water, hail, mud, slush and anything else that could make hiking miserable. Because of the conditions, most of the vistas only had views of the clouds. I saw more on my last day in the Smoky¢s than I did during the first six days combined.In spite of all the crappy conditions, the snow was in some respect a saving grace because it covered the ice. This made hiking a little easier and I only fell twice. The ice/snow also was beautiful to look at. The trees sparkled when the sun light would finally shine through. It was kind of fun as you walked along and the ice bombers came after you. I¢m enjoying the hike more and more every day and look forward to going for my daily walk in the woods.I was told by Jeff at the Hike Inn that there would be a bunching up of hikers through the Smoky's. In one shelter we had people that started a week ahead of me and a week after me. Now that I¢m through the Smoky's people will start to spread out. We will no longer have to stay in shelters and can camp where we want. The two factors to deal with will be weather and the distance the trail allows me to hike each day.The next major stop will be Hot Springs, NC. I should be there in three days.It¢s 7:30 and past my bed time. My sleeping bag is calling.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Campsite at the old fence line
Miles today: 14.1

The day started with a yet another very long climb. It was long but not as steep as the some of the climbs had been in the Smoky's. The overall climb took over two hours. The rest of the day was made up of short yet steep climbs. They seemed to go straight up the sides of the mountains for the most part.There was some light rain early in the day so I put my rain gear on. It was threatening to pour all day, but no heavy rain ever came down. The sun even came out for awhile!The group of us really wanted to camp out on Max Patch. It¢s a large bald with a full 360 degree view of the area. It would have been great to camp out there and stargaze. As it was Blackbird, Cracker and I had to pass it by. We just couldn¢t risk the chance of getting caught in severe weather on top of a bald. It¢s too bad the weather has been so poor, I am missing some things I would like to have seen or done. I should have gone a little farther today since it¢s getting dark later. Then again, some real dark clouds were forming and I wanted to be sure to miss the rain if it started.A lot of the young hikers have passed me by and are opting for the next shelter 4.2 miles away. They are all trying to make it to Hot Springs in two days. I'll be happy getting there in three. The young ones just fly by Cracker and I, but that's the way it goes.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Campsite at the old fence line

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

I did 19.3 miles today. However, as before, the high mileage was not planned. I was expecting to stay at Deer Park Mountain Shelter and hike the 3.2 miles into Hot Springs on Saturday. The 4.4 miles to the first shelter was real flat and I made it in less than two hours. Next, there were two major climbs and I got through them both in a little over two hours. I reached the Dear Park Mountain Shelter at 2:23pm and was told by Porter that everyone was going to skip staying at the shelter and hike into town. It was an easy choice and I opted for the hot meal, bed and shower. After a hot shower I can stand to be around myself again.The day was a little chilly since a cold front had gone through. I hiked in light rain until mid afternoon. After the rain, I stuffed the rain gear away and hiked in my shorts and short sleeve shirt. It was a bit cool at times, but as long as I kept moving I was all right. I made it into Hot Springs at 3:50pm. It¢s one of the few places where the trail actually goes through the town. The first place I came to was a restaurant, so I stopped and had a late lunch. The waitress was very nice and did not complain about my smell. Then again she didn't stand real close to take my order either.Because of the rotten weather again I took very few pictures. I may take a zero day tomorrow because the weather forecast is calling for showers and snow above 3500 feet as well as 40 MPH winds. I'll decide after I resupply, go to the outfitters, and try and find a computer so I can send home some more pictures.Cracker and I are sharing a room and Blackbird is in another room here. We got the last two rooms and some of the hikers are having to tent at the camp grounds.This would have been the first time I could have looked at TV, but the cable company went bankrupt and there is no service unless you have your own dish. The hostel doesn't so it¢s time for bed. A late night for me, it¢s 9:10pm.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

The weather forecast for today was right on the money. It started raining last night just as I went to bed, and it hasn¢t let up all day. The town is full of hikers and every room is taken. Cracker, BB and I had breakfast with Old Yeller and he said there were upwards of 15 to 20 having to camp at the camp grounds. Unless they have a reservation, everyone that is arriving today is not going to get a room. The one pub in town is going to do very good business tonight. Some younger campers headed out today and called the outfitter from the Spring Mountain Shelter letting them know it was snowing. All in all I m glad I made it a zero day. However, with everyone else doing the same thing, I may not get to sleep in the shelter tomorrow night. I walked all the way to the library only to get there and find it was closed. I was hoping to send some more pictures home, no such luck.Cracker got a new tent and pack and shaved another 4 lbs by sending some winter gear home. He will be around 30 lbs with food tomorrow. I¢m definitely going to do the same, I just don't want to take the chance and send winter clothes home yet. Cracker has to keep moving or be in his bag to stay warm.The outfitters recommended that you not get rid of winter gear until Pearisburg. That won¢t be for another 350 miles for me or 25 days from now.Not much else going on. I will be back on the trail tomorrow. The forecast calls for clear weather for the next four days I hope they are right.While having dinner tonight Figaro & Tofu showed up. They got caught on top of Max Patch and were in white out conditions. Tofu could not see Figaro when he was 20 feet ahead of her. They had gale force winds and snow drifts hip deep. They could not see the trail to continue and backed tracked to the Max Patch road. It was opening day for trout fishing and some one had come out to try it. They picked them up and brought them into town. They are going to take a shuttle back tomorrow and slack pack into Hot Springs and then take a zero day.After hearing that I'll carry my heavy pack and keep my winter gear. It¢s truly unbelievable how fast the conditions change even at the 3000-4000 foot level.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

I was told that I have three more real hard days in this stretch and then its suppose to get easier before getting into Erwin on Friday. Getting out of Hot Springs was one long hard climb. I climbed from 1290 feet to a high of 3550. Even though it was a day after the hard rain, around 2500 feet we ran into snow. It was not snowing but the ground was covered and there were drifts in a lot of places. They weren't deep, but you had to post hole in places. The second problem with the snow is that it melts were someone else has stepped and you end up walking in slush. The slush was not too bad and I was able to keep my shoes dry. It did make for slow going because I was slipping, sliding and sinking in the snow. I was real glad I did not have to hike in it the day before when it was snowing. Despite the snow, the day was real special. At the bottom of Allen Gap there was a sign inviting thru hikers to come down the trail 300 yards to a house for some trail magic. FAL and Hercules, thru-hikers in 99, have a house just off the trail. Cracker and I opted for the magic and it was well worth it. They had Sloppy Joes, chips, but the best part was they had apple pie for desert. I've wanted apple pie and ice cream for a month. Every time I was at some place that had it, I ate so much that I didn't have room for desert. I had a big piece and it was great! They said the next two days were going to be tough hikes. They also warned us about a real bad section where we would have to do some rock climbing to get thru.Because of the magic I did not get to the shelter and I tented with Cracker at Allen Gap.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Allen Gap

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

All the snow that we had on Saturday was still on the trail today. The drifts were much higher then the day before which made for terrible hiking conditions. We had slush, water or snow to hike through. All this made for a day with wet cold feet and a very slow pace.The area I was warned about having to rock climb was a section of exposed ridge. They did have a warning for bad weather days to take the alternate blue blazed trail. I wish I would have taken it, it was a very hard section and at one point I threw my poles down to an area below me and climbed down like you would a latter. It was the only way to get down.Because of the snow and slow pace I arrived late at the shelter. Fortunately it was not full and I had a place to stay. I was not done cooking and eating till after 8:00pm. It was already dark and everyone else had gone to bed.With the long distance covered and the hard conditions it was my hardest day yet. I¢m sure I'll feel it tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

I was right. Yesterday¢s distance really took it out of me. It was generally one long climb to Frozen Knob and I climbed for over two and a half hours. Yes, it was also more snow, drifts, slush, running water and wet shoes but you've heard that before.With that I¢m taking a short day and hope to recover from yesterday. The guide book said that if I hitch a ride from Sam's Gap there is a restaurant about 2.5 miles off of the trail. I hope to make it there for breakfast or lunch tomorrow. I¢m planning to go 10 miles to Bald Mountain Shelter tomorrow. Once there I will evaluate the conditions and decide on a campsite. They have also predicted rain tomorrow evening which would mean more snow at this altitude. I hope not, I've had my fill of snow.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I took another easy day and was in early at 2:30pm. With the climbs I didn't feel like I wanted to push to the next shelter. It would have meant we had to camp and again rain is forecasted for tonight. I don't know if that would be snow at our elevation or not.The high for the day was getting to the top of Big Bald which had a great view at 5516 feet, for a full 360 degrees. In one direction I could see a development but have no idea what it was. I saw this Big Bald off in the distance wwwaayyy up there, I was thinking I sure hope I don't have to climb that. As always if you see a huge climb off in the distance you can be sure you will be hiking up it.Two of the young fellows, Buttah and Leviathan took two Beagles that had followed another hiker into the shelter last night to a farm house. The owners said they would take care of them. That was real nice of both on them. Especially since the smaller dog was so weak they had to carry it part way.When I got to the highway at Sam Gap where I was counting on getting a ride to the restaurant, not one car came by. I waited over a half an hour. Now no real food until Friday, I can't wait.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 16.9

The trail was nothing like I had been hiking so far. It had only three short climbs and the longest only took about 30 minutes. There trail ran along a ridge then down to the river. I guess I don¢t have a good hiker face for getting a hitch. I had to walk about 45 minutes heading into Erwin before I got a ride. He was going to let me ride in the truck cab but I told him it had been six days since I showered and I didn't mind the truck bed. So that is where I went. He was real nice and took me all the way to Miss Janet's hostel. The hostel was full so I ended up at the Super 8 Hotel splitting a room with Cracker again.I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to stay in the hostel since she is one of the best known, biggest hearted people on the trail.I did get a chance to ride with her when she shuttled people from Erwin to Johnson City to the outfitter there. Porter, Red Rover, and a married couple named The Tennessee Walkers were already there and needed the ride back. Miss Janet was full of interesting conversation. She was real proud of was how many different people her children had gotten to meet from the trail and all the things her children learned from it. They have met hikers from all over the world, all nationalizes and back grounds.I needed a ride from Miss Janet's to the hotel. A kind fellow gave me a ride however we missed the turn to the hotel and went about 7 miles out of town. As we talked I found out his trail name was Skeemer. Turns out I had read his trail journal during his thru-hike and I even put a note in his guestbook. He said he remembered it. I thought that was really neat to have read his journal then to run into him.The 4 Brits made it into town also and stayed at Uncle Johnny¢s Hostel. It¢s right at the river when you get off the trail but three miles from town. He doesn't do much shuttling but instead gives you a bike to ride into town. The Brits were riding the bikes but were having a hard time riding on the right side of the road. They do it backward over there you know.The last bit of news is Blackbird is getting off the trail because he has a badly swollen left foot. He lives about three hours from here and is going home to see the doctor. Depending on the diagnosis he is planning on getting back on the trail. He will do a flip flop if he has to and start hiking from Maine southbound. I hope he doesn¢t, he has been good company the last two weeks.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Nolichucky River

To: Zero Day in Erwin
Miles today: 0.0

With today being a zero day I thought I would fill you in with things I've missed in other journal entries. Or since it was more than two days ago and I forgot what I wrote about, I'll just tell you again. It comes with age.During the trail magic lunch at Allen Gap. FAL had a picture of Max Patch Bald with icicles that had frozen horizontal due to the wind. FAL snapped the picture on a winter hike they took. It really brought home what kind of conditions you may deal with here in the mountains.People really seem to go out of their way to help a thru-hiker. Thanks to Matt and Lee who gave us rides back to the trail from Mountain Momma's. They had to take the four of us in two separate trips.The owners of the hostels also take very good care of you. They are willing to shuttle you around town and wait for you to get things or make arrangements to meet you at a certain place and time to pick you up. Everyone works together when you are camped or in the shelters by making more room, discussing what might help if you are having a problem. Everyone gets along real well even with such a large difference in age between hikers. Despite age, we are all dead tired and 8:00pm is considered a late night.Finally, you can not believe how nice a warm sleeping bag is to climb into on a cold night. Or how hard it is to get out of that same warm sleeping bag in the morning.It may seem strange but as nice as it is to have a hot town meal and sleep in a bed; by the middle of the second day in town, I¢m really ready to get back on the trail.That¢s it for now. Back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Unaka Mountain Summit

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 9.6

I hiked hard to get the jacket and it took a lot out of me for the remaining day¢s hike to the shelter. With everything that happened the day before I went down to a hostel instead for a good nights sleep. I had hardly slept the night before worrying about everything. They said they had Ben & Jerry¢s ice cream and hot meals. I needed it.The next two days are going to be hard and I wanted some positive reinforcement before I set off. So here I am
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was a much better day than yesterday. I had two cheeseburgers and five cokes last night at the hostel. I needed the calories! When I got up this morning it was eggs & bacon with another coke. Apparently the food did the trick, and I made it thru the climbs and to the shelter at a little after 7:00 PM. I had a late start because I had the breakfast and did not get going until 8:30am. Overall not a bad day on the trail.I don't know what happened to the 4 Brits today. They usually pass me during the day even when I leave an hour or more before them. They were getting ready to leave when I left this morning. I¢m only guessing but I may have contributed to their late start. They were short money at the hostel so I loaned them $40, in the sprit of international relations. This way they could eat at the hostel and not have to use their hiking food. They all ate and still had enough for some beer, 12 to be a little more accurate. This may be the reason for the late start. I think one of them (name withheld to protect the innocent) drank most of them and may have a hangover. They will catch up with shortly and I'll see what the story is.Not many pictures, but on Roan High Bluff which is at 6,150 feet there was that old white stuff again. Not a lot, but in a couple of places it covered the trail.I¢m staying at the Overmountain Shelter which is an old barn. It has about 20 hikes staying in it tonight. For entertainment two of the hikers had musical instruments and played for everyone for about an hour. It was real nice and relaxing and everyone enjoyed it. Now I¢m listing to the crickets and frogs while I type this. One person is already snoring.I almost forgot, I saw my first mouse on the trail. I was eating dinner and one of the three dogs that are with different hikers caught one right at my feet. So before I see any more it¢s time to go to sleep.