morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter, NC

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

Another good 13 mile day puts us into the town of Hot Springs. The AT goes right down one of the main streets. Makes it easy to partake of all the town¢s services. Thoughtfully there are special diamond markers imbedded in the sidewalk lest you lose your way.I need to pick up supplies and do some washing, so I¢ll be staying in a hotel tonight. First chore, off to the laundromat. There I find that many other hikers have the same idea. They make good use of the washing and drying time by passing around beers and cookies to everyone. The younger ones appear to be getting a roll on an all-nighter.I thought Tigger was a few days behind me, but to my surprise here she is in town tonight! She shuttled ahead because she needed medicine, and this is the only decent sized town for many, many miles. Tigger explained that Chuck was currently on the trail a little south of here. He and the others would be in Hot Springs tomorrow. On that information I decide to hang around for an extra day and wait for the gang to get reconstituted.We enjoy dinner at the Paddler¢s Pub. I choose a burger made from buffalo meat. Tastes ok, just slightly different from beef.Back at the hotel we find the party has moved from the laundromat to the hallway just outside my door! Our group joins in with theirs and we all share a lot of laughs. Hope the ruckus stops at a civilized hour so I can get some sleep.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is only the second zero day on my entire journey. In the afternoon Chuck Norris shows up. The original Over The Hill Gang is now officially reassembled. We catch up on trail news and gossip. Chuck and Montreal get going on each other, as usual, and soon we are all laughing so hard our sides hurt.Later I head off to Bluff Mountain Outfitters. Time for some new pants. My old ones have about 3000 miles on them from when I did this trail back in 2004. Off to the dump they go! I¢m able to buy a smaller size than the one I toss out. Great! And despite what I told Trainman about NEVER, EVER CUTTING MY ROPE, I just might have to trim off a 3 foot piece to use as a belt.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mt. Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.0

Everyone¢s pack is full this morning as we depart Hot Springs. The trail is a steady uphill for the next 10 miles. In this distance we climb 1700 feet in elevation, attaining Rich Mountain fire tower around 2 pm. After another hour of hiking we arrive at Spring Mountain Shelter where we stop for the night.On the subject of trail food, there are many opinions as to what¢s best. The factors are cost, convenience and quality. For years my mainstay supper meal has been an all-in-one freeze dried package of beef stroganoff, chicken with rice, black bean casserole, or something similar. Just add boiling water, wait 5 minutes, and eat right from the pouch. Very convenient, almost no clean up. Hikers generically refer to these meals as ¢Mountain Houses¢ although that is just one of many manufacturers. The meals are good, being specially fortified with nutrients and sodium for active outdoors people. There are dozens of varieties so you can eat these for a long time without getting bored.There are, however, a few drawbacks. One is the weight as each package (dry) weighs around half a pound. Carry 6 meals and you¢re lugging 3 pounds. Even more important, especially for hikers on a budget, is the cost. Each package goes for $7 to $11 and is rarely discounted unless you buy 10 packages at once. Let¢s see: 200 days duration GA-ME, maybe 150 days eating freeze dried food, average $8 per day, total cost $1200. Wow. This could break the bank of many of the younger hikers.The lower cost alternative is ¢grocery store food¢ meaning that you¢ll have to buy packages of noodles (Ramen¢s a favorite), spaghetti or whatever and cook it yourself. Much less convenient: now you¢ll have to both carry and wash a pot. Also way less nutritious ¢ there¢s no valid comparison between Ramens and Mountain Houses. I¢ve heard stories that kids have successfully made the entire 2000 mile journey eating nothing but Ramens. Amazing.So here I am this evening with some ¢grocery store food¢ to test out the alternative method. It¢s not that I¢ve never eaten Ramens before, actually I have many times. I just want to see how it works on this trip.It doesn¢t.I very quickly realize how nice it is to simply boil water, pour it into the pouch, wait and eat. This is a bunch of baloney cooking, stirring, burning, scraping, washing, FORGET IT! I¢m sticking with Mountain Houses! And I can afford them. After all, Trainman¢s back in Connecticut working his job right now, isn¢t he?
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Spring Mt. Shelter, NC

To: Fox Cabin Gap, NC
Miles today: 14.4

The day starts out as ordinary, but doesn¢t stay that way for long. After hiking for 3 miles we come to a crossroad. A sign says that 300 yards down the road is Trail Magic ¢ Hikers Welcome. The real enticement is the offer for home made waffles. Who can refuse?The waffles (and dessert, too; what a strange combo) are prepared at the home of Jodie and Jon Nelson (aka Fal and Hercules, GA-ME ¢99). It¢s only 2 hours since we had breakfast, but now Paul, Patches, Montreal and I are filling up on waffles and cake. They are great!We finally leave at 11:30 and start a 1300 foot climb to the next shelter. It starts to rain and the temperature drops off. In 3 hours we reach the Little Laurel Shelter, but it¢s too early to stop (also too cold). We all agree that we¢ll stay warmer if we keep hiking. So the group pushes on. Only 7 more miles (3 to 4 hours) to the next shelter.As we cross Big Firescald Knob, elevation 4100 feet, the sky starts to clear. We decide not to go all the way to the next shelter. Instead we stop a mile short of the shelter at Fox Cabin Gap. We pitch our tents here for the night.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Fox Cabin Gap, NC

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

A mile into the hike this morning we come to the oddly-named Jerry Cabin Shelter. We find out that this shelter has been maintained for 26 continuous years by one volunteer (and his name isn¢t Jerry!). That¢s some dedication. It certainly is one of the cleanest shelters we¢ve seen. Two more miles brings us to today¢s summit at Big Butt, elevation 4840 feet. Wonder what the story is behind this name?In another mile we have a spooky encounter with 2 Civil War headstones. The story is that two North Carolina soldiers, fighting with the Union, were ambushed here by Confederates on their way home to a family gathering during the war. Sad tale, but it certainly is a beautiful place to spend eternity.Not much conversation is exchanged for the remainder of the hike, we simply enjoy the mountain scenery.TRAINMAN¢S SIDEBAR COMMENT: MontrealApril and I first met Montreal a month ago while we shared the shuttle ride to Springer Mountain. He¢s been a continuous part of the Over The Hill Gang ever since. Early in the adventure Montreal relayed the circumstances of how he came to be on the trail. After doing extensive hiking in Canada (in the winter, no less), he decided to head south in 2007. He had a tough time with US Customs: they were real curious as to why he had only a one-way ticket to Atlanta. Had they never before heard of someone hiking for 6 months on the AT? Or did they just decide to jerk him around because of his French accent? Anyway, it took 4 hours before he was able to successfully run the Customs gauntlet.On the trail, Montreal started out slow, giving his body a chance to adjust to the conditions. For the first 4 days his hikes were limited to around 8 miles daily. He did not hesitate to stop early in the afternoons allowing the twenty-somethings to blow on by, dead set on gaining maximum daily mileage. (Note: a lot of the high-mileage kids were seriously hurting by day 4 when the over-exertion finally caught up.)His pack looked pretty full so we asked about his pack¢s weight. He said he started out at over 50 pounds. We asked him what the hell are you carrying? His response, ¢Two weeks worth of food, just like I always carry when hiking in the Canadian wilderness.¢ We explained that having so much food wasn¢t necessary on the AT; there are plenty of re-supply points along the way. ¢Yes, I realize that now,¢ confessed Montreal. Nevertheless, no one could convince him to dump any of the food, or to send it on ahead, so he carried the excessive food for the entire first 2 weeks. (Personally, I think he was reluctant to give up the French-manufactured food he had brought with him. He surely realized that his favorite box of French biscuits [cookies to us Yanks] would be the last he would see for a very long time.) Starting the third week, the 15 pounds of food was mostly gone. His pack then weighed 35 pounds like everyone else¢s. Montreal¢s disposition has much improved since the date of his enlightenment.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter, NC

To: Whistling Gap, NC
Miles today: 13.4

Today¢s summit is Big Bald, elevation 5500 feet. There¢s a strange history to this place. Two hundred years ago a hermit / lunatic named Greer lived here in a cave-like structure. He killed someone then a few years later someone killed him. Greer Bald was eventually renamed as Big Bald. Nervously, we move on.Another mile ahead, on the approach to Bald Mountain, we spy a large Trail Magic cooler just sitting there, out in the middle of nowhere. How can this be? Who leaves these things in the woods?Opening the cooler we see the unexpected: hot coffee, cream, sugar, even fresh-cut carrots. Of course the entire group stops to enjoy this treat. Many thanks Trail Magician, whoever you are!The top of Bald Mountain provides us with superb views. With sunshine warming us we all lay in the grass for an hour, relaxing.The group (Scuffles, Bug Shoe, Hong Kong Fury, Montreal and I) stops for the night at Whistling Gap. It is just a campsite with no formal shelter. As usual, we have to hang the food bags in a tree. We have a difficult time (actually, a laughing time) getting this task accomplished. It is always much harder throwing the rope up onto a tree limb than it should be. With all the practice we should be getting better at it. Sometimes I think it would be easier to hang the BEAR than to hang the FOOD.The mileage is starting to accumulate. I¢ve done 44 miles in just the last 3 days. Katahdin is in my sights!
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Whistling Gap, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

I¢m on my way to Erwin, TN, and the call of the town makes me hike fast and far. It really helps that the trail is mostly downhill all day. I desperately need to get out of these woods. The temperature this afternoon is 87 degrees. It sets a new record for springtime heat (aren¢t I lucky?). The sun beats down unmercifully because there are still no leaves on the trees. There is no water for the last six miles into town so I have to carry more than normal because I¢m drinking a lot. At a viewpoint 2 miles south of Erwin I see in the distance the Nolichucky River; it looks so cool and refreshing.I finally reach the river after a long thirteen mile day. The choice now before me is: stay at Uncle Johnny¢s Hostel, right here where I¢m standing (cheap, no A.C.) or hitch 2 miles into town and stay at the Holiday Inn (not cheap, with A.C.)? I don¢t have to ponder this one very long ¢ A.C. wins!The Holiday Inn is about 3 miles outside town so I must get my second hitch today. Surprisingly it takes only a few minutes to get picked up. In town I grab some groceries and have supper at Pizza Hut. For me, and probably for many other hikers, the first choice for ¢town food¢ is pizza.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curley Maple Gap, NC
Miles today: 4.2

As usual the trail out of town is up. We have to climb 1300 feet in elevation in the next 4 miles. It is still very hot. The trail follows the Jones Branch for a long ways. I cool off in the stream as much as possible. It helps to wear a wet bandana around my neck.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Curley Maple Gap, NC

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

The trail guide indicates we¢ll hike over Unaka Mountain today, elevation 5180 feet. It says that a large stand of red spruce on the top resembles the terrain of Maine. We¢ll see about that.The weather is very threatening as the day starts. Montreal and I hope to get to the shelter, a mere 12 miles away, before the rain commences. But we don¢t make it, getting caught in a rainstorm about one-half mile short of the shelter.This is my first experience seeing lightning up REALLY CLOSE. A lightning ball strikes the ground about 30 feet in front of me. It frightens me so much I hit the ground and get all muddy, but I survive. [Trainman note to April: next time hit the ground BEFORE the lightning strikes. Works better that way.]When we arrive at the 6-person Cherry Gap Shelter we find that it already has 5 occupants. Nevertheless, they are kind enough to squeeze in 2 more. Seven hikers in six spaces is a bit tight. Everyone has all of their wet gear hanging from the rafters. The gear drips, but there is no chance of its drying out. It¢s quite a sight, and quite a mess. Oh well, I¢m not doing this hike to stay clean and dry.By the way, what with lightning bolts and all, I'll have to trust the guide book that the terrain resembled Maine. I never did notice.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Cherry Gap Shelter, NC

To: Greasy Creek, NC
Miles today: 6.9

I¢m hiking in rain and thunder all day and I am not having any fun! After seven miles I¢ve had enough. We stay at the Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel, a short half-mile off the trail. It¢s an inviting place to stay and Connie is a great hostess. Other hikers joining us for the night are Church Mouse, Byte Code, June Bug and Montrail. To my surprise, Ken from the Hiawassee Inn (we stayed there April 5) is also here to celebrate his birthday. We all have a nice evening, staying dry.Connie has the brilliant idea to give us a southbound slack pack tomorrow from the top of Roan Mountain all the way back to Greasy Creek. We think this is a super idea because it will be almost all downhill. Much better to traverse the 2150 foot elevation difference going down than up! Of course, Connie¢s ulterior motive is to have us stay in the hostel for a second night. No problem, let¢s do it!
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Carver Gap, NC

To: Greasy Creek, NC
Miles today: 9.8

The shuttle van drops us off at Carver Gap in the morning. We are doing a ten mile southbound slack today. The thought of the downhill back to Greasy Creek has got us pumped. But first we have to climb almost 800 feet to the top of Roan High Knob, elevation 6285 feet. We note in the guide book that this is the last time the trail goes over 6000 feet elevation until it gets to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. Not that we have anything against mountain peaks, mind you, but that is good news for us.Near the top of Roan a small boy runs up to the group and asks ¢Are you guys hungry?¢ Stupid question! We follow him a short distance through the woods and find an amazing Trail Magic set up by Fix It, a 1998 through hiker. Although it¢s only 10:30 in the morning, we stuff out on hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda and cookies. Thanks a ton, Fix It!With full bellies we are especially glad that the remaining 7 miles back to Greasy Creek are downhill. As they say, just a walk in the woods.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Carvers Gap, NC

To: US Route 19E, NC
Miles today: 13.7

We¢re heading back in the proper direction today ¢ northbound. And we¢re also fortunate to be doing another slack. Just doesn¢t get any better than this! All day we hike the balds between 5000 and 6000 feet. The skies are blue and the views are amazing. We move along at a sprightly pace achieving almost 14 miles by day¢s end.Tonight we are at the Mountain Harbour Bed and Breakfast. Connie from Greasy Creek has delivered all the heavy backpacks from her place to the B&B. At Mountain Harbour, run by Mary and Terry Hill, we are served a complete steak dinner for $10. Best steak I ever had!Often in the evenings I listen to music on some kind of digital gizmo that is a family hand-me-down (from kids to parents, naturally). Recently I mentioned to son Patrick that the old device wasn¢t cutting it any longer. It only held about 2 hours¢ of music and the radio only picked up one station. Patrick instantly suggested that I needed an iPod. So just like that, a new iPod shows up in the mail, preloaded with thousands (maybe millions?) of my favorite songs. I¢ll send the old gizmo home to Trainman. He doesn¢t need an iPod, and he¢ll probably spend hours trying to fix the radio reception. Good thing he likes to tinker.TRAINMAN¢S SIDEBAR COMMENT: Trail Names (part 1 of 3)Every hiker, without exception, must have a trail name. I cannot ever recall hearing of a hiker who was referred to by using only his formal name. Just doesn¢t happen. Strange thing is that if you have not chosen a name for yourself, then you will likely acquire one by your actions on the trail. Problem is that the assigned name may not be one you appreciate. An example:A few days into our hike we were traveling with Tigger and Chuck Norris. Chuck started talking to a new hiker we met. He inquired as to the hiker¢s trail name, and regrettably the newbie had not yet chosen one. Chuck then asked why he was wearing a bandana on his head. The hiker answered that he had neglected to bring a hat, and with the clear Georgia skies and no leaves on the trees, he had gotten quite a sunburn on top of his head. Chuck (who plays this game as well as anyone) seized the moment and declared, ¢Well SCORCH, I hope you manage to pick up a hat when you reach the outfitter at Neels Gap.¢At that¢s how quickly it happens. Before anyone can put a halt to it, every hiker for ten miles up and down the trail knows your story and your moniker. As for our newly named acquaintance, I have no doubt that if this person is on the trail today he is carrying the name of SCORCH. Once so named, your trail name can never be changed. So beware, newbies, always pre-select a trail name you can live with, or face the consequences.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: US Route 19E, NC

To: Walnut Mountain, TN
Miles today: 10.4

We start off with a big breakfast courtesy of Mountain Harbour B&B. The trail guide shows that today should be easy, and it¢s right. Except for one not-inconsequential 800 foot climb just an hour into the hike, we walk all day with almost no elevation change. Seems strange that the trail can be so flat while we are still smack in the middle of the mountains. We spend the night at an unnamed campsite near Walnut Mountain Road.TRAINMAN¢S SIDEBAR COMMENT: Trail Names (part 2 of 3)I¢m fortunate to have used this trail name for over five years. I consider it permanently mine. But check out what might have happened if I wasn¢t prepared six weeks ago.Even from her first day on the trail a lot of people knew Aprilshowers, either as someone they had previously hiked with, or someone they had read about. But all wanted to know who was this big guy traveling with her? Well, some wag declared (and as strange as it seems, this actually did happen to me on two separate occasions) ¢If you¢re Aprilshowers, then this must be Mayflowers!¢ Lucky for me, I was ready with a retort they didn¢t expect. ¢Sorry, wise guys, that name is already taken by her cousin! I¢m Trainman.¢ Whew, close call on that one! If I had not started this hike with my own trail name I think there¢s a very good chance that right now you¢d be reading MAYFLOWERS¢ SIDEBAR COMMENT.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Dennis Cove, TN

To: Vandeventer Shelter, TN
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Our lucky streak of good weather continues. About a mile into the hike we come to Laurel Falls, and while it is only fifty feet tall, it certainly is beautiful.The trail throws a lot of elevation change our way. Along our 17 mile journey today we climb over 4000 feet, comprised of 2 difficult stretches of 1700 feet each. It helps, somewhat, to stretch the climbs out over a fairly long distance. This is my second highest mileage day so far.The Watauga Dam and its 16-mile long reservoir are constantly in our view. Later reading the guide book I learn that this TVA dam was built in 1948. It displaced about 700 people who were living along the river bank. All of the dams built in the South during this time displaced 75,000 residents, but in return they got flood control, electricity, jobs and recreation.Two miles south of the dam we come to a beach on the reservoir, and sure enough, there¢s Trail Magic waiting for us. This time it¢s provided by Jellybean, a through hiker from 2006. Thanks much, Jellybean, your hospitality is appreciated!The last climb of the day takes us back up to elevation 3600 feet. We stop at Vandeventer Shelter at the late hour of 6:30. There are hundreds of shelters along the 2000 mile length of trail, but very seldom do they offer a view. Fortunately, this is one that does. I enjoy dinner sitting on a big rock cliff, looking out in the distance to the reservoir and a small town.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Vandeventer Shelter, TN

To: Low Gap, TN
Miles today: 17.9

I get up early to watch the sunrise over the valley. It is incredible.I am 33 miles south of Damascus, VA, a town where I must pick up a package at the outfitters and mail some gear home at the Post Office. If I don¢t plan carefully I¢ll end up in town on Saturday afternoon, and nearly everything will be closed. This is, after all, rural Virginia. The stores close down Saturday PM to get ready for church Sunday AM.Even worse, I might end up in Damascus on Sunday, and everything will definitely be closed. No way can I afford to hang around waiting for the PO to open on Monday. I will think about an appropriate course of action while I hike.I put in another long day, accumulating even more mileage than yesterday. Doing the big miles is fulfilling, it really gives me a sense of getting somewhere. But I know that further up the line difficult terrain will restrict me to doing 6 or 8 miles a day.I¢ve hiked 15 miles so far today and when I reach Double Spring Shelter I have to stop to eat. It¢s only 3 PM and already I feel like I need a lot of food to set me right. Of course it¢s too early for supper, so instead I cook up some Raman noodles. I am just starving. I don¢t remember being this hungry coming through here in 2004.At Low Gap the trail intersects US Route 421. I decide that the best course of action is to hitch into Damascus, now only 15 miles to the north, and take care of business tomorrow (Friday) while all the stores are open. This plan works out well. We get picked up by the first car that comes by. Now that is pretty good luck! This driver takes us only to Shady Valley where, within 2 minutes of trying, we get another hitch the remainder of the way into Damascus.So within 30 minutes of leaving the trail I¢m checking into a comfortable B&B (with air conditioning!) and taking a shower. A short time later we¢re all at the Old Mill having beers and supper. This trail life is really tough, don¢t you know?The B&B proprietors offer to do a slack for me on Saturday. That¢s great! Saturday morning they will shuttle me back to Low Gap and, minus my heavy pack, I¢ll zoom northward into Damascus.