morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, TN - Holiday Inn Express
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Overnight ice formed in my water bag 1/4" thick. Our boots are frozen stiff; the shoelaces are like icicles. We can see our breath. No one is talking; we're simply moving and packing up as quickly as possible to get to a lower and hopefully warmer elevation. Last night was frightening for me as I became claustrophobic in my tent. I reached out and over my sleeping bag and thought it was soaking wet. It wasn't, only freezing cold. I struggled to get some fresh air and had trouble filling my lungs because the air was so cold. I began wondering if the air was too thin at only 5100'. Now the adrenaline rush began; I was shivering and starting to panic. I turned myself and my bag around so I was looking out my tent's front door instead of into the side wall and immediately started settling down. Odd, but at that point I was able to bury my head into my bag completely -- so much for claustrophobia! But I was still dang cold!!The human body is a miraculous machine. It took all of five minutes of hiking for my feet to thaw out my boots, my hands to dry my mittens, and my body to feel comfortable. It wasn't a pleasant five minutes though. I felt I was walking on blocks of ice; nothing would bend. I'm so very glad we chose to stay up there even though we learned later that another hour of hiking last night would have made for a much more comfortable night. But I learned some things:#1) I can't put my tent up in a shelter -- it takes up far too much room.#2) A 40 degree bag doesn't quite do the trick in 20-25 degree weather. But I was aware of this prior to this trip and had expected to be wearing every layer of clothing to stay warm some nights. Others have 15 degree bags and still freeze! #3) Frozen boots don't stay frozen for long.It was not a pleasant night but it definitely was a learning experience and part of the adventure.Last night was the first time none of us hung our food from a tree. This morning we saw bear prints on the path leading to the shelter.Today's 17-mile hike into Erwin was beautiful. Much of it was on a pine needle path and the forest was rich in pine perfume. The terrain was easily negotiated with only a couple uphill pulls. It was a great day for long mileage. The final descent wasn't kind to my knees but tomorrow is a zero day so I'm not concerned.Erwin burritos for dinner: burritos the size of a fist, vegetarian and scrumptious. I yogi'd a ride with guests of the hotel as we were getting no answer from Uncle John's Hostel or Miss Janet's Hostel. Whoever you are, if you are reading this, we are extremely grateful for your kindness and generosity. You saved three famished hikers from starvation.The hot tub and the free pint of Ben & Jerry's helped us forget the misery of 12 hours ago! We deserve this treat and we're loving it.
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Holiday Inn Express - Erwin, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings all from the hot tub in Erwin! lolJust want to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has sent me e-mails and signed my guest book. You can't imagine the smiles you bring to me .. please don't stop!Need to make a couple comments: my friend who suggested Ann not embellish my journals ... she's not! She's actually transcribed only a few days' worth as I've been able to get on computer and post them myself. So this IS me talking. Perhaps it doesn't sound like me because, knowing this is being widely read and portions of it are being published, I'm trying to sound intelligent for a change! LOL Probably what is happening is that I'm writing a letter to all of you each day instead of keeping a personal journal; thus the style is not what you might be expecting. Regardless, the pages Ann posted were done after you signed so I know for a fact that it was my writing, not hers. I'm sorry .. and I hope I can take your comment as a compliment to my writing???? Secondly, my e-mail address is still valid and I do check my mail each time I have opportunity. So anything of a more personal nature you would like to share with me indeed can be sent to my e-mail and I'll get it!I'm truly having a blast out here. Having met up with two superb hiking partners has increased each day's delight tenfold. The thought of starting out uphill again in the morning with a full pack doesn't sound so delightful at the moment however. Ugh! Sending all my love to everyone who is reading this. Keep us all in your prayers. Every day is an adventure and I can't imagine being anywhere but out here right now. We've a rough terrain here to Damascus but then, so I've been told, the most difficult is behind us until we hit the Presidential Mountains in New England. No reason why I won't make it that far, and then I'll be close enough to Maine, I'll crawl there if I have to!Ben & Jerry's is calling. Love, peace, blessings, joy, and good health to all!
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Holiday Inn Express - Erwin, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in Erwin Holiday Inn ExpressComplimentary breakfast, a yogi'd ride to the post office, grocery, and outfitters, laundry, lunch, computer, another hot tub, another pint of Ben & Jerry's, a couple of phone calls and our zero day is complete. Received my first mail drop from home base. It was full of great nutritional surprises and packed with lots of thought, care and love. Thank you so much Meghan and Jared. Can't wait to taste all those goodies, especially the dried fruit. That and trail mix are the two items I was going to request. You sent both and I'm oh, so very happy.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Holiday Inn Express - Erwin, TN

To: Unaka Mountain Summit
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Man, I eat way too much in town. I fear I'm not getting enough calories, fat and protein on the trail so I pig out in town. The scale in Hot Springs showed me having lost eight pounds. Assuming I've developed some muscle in 360 miles of mountain climbing, and knowing muscle weighs more than fat, I can deduce that I've probably lost as much as ten pounds. However, the sources I've chosen to replace those pounds are not good choices: cookies, sticky buns, ice cream, chocolate, peanut butter, pizza. Bottom line is I leave town feeling sluggish and lethargic. On the other hand, it takes only a mile of hiking to feel back in form once again.Today's miles were pretty comfortable with only a few significant pulls uphill. We crossed a bald in sunny weather for a change; no sleet, no snow, minimal wind. But there's something a bit disillusioning about climbing from 1700' to 4437' and then seeing a vehicle parking lot at the top! Impulse was napping up there; made for a great picture. He was planning to stay up there for the night to enjoy the sunset and sunrise.We proceeded to climb to the "wooded summit" of Unaka Mountain instead. This, by far, is my most favorite mountain. The summit is a true Hansel and Gretel forest with huge pine trees and a shady floor. The pine needles make a super soft bed. The three of us had a great time, although April Showers and Ursa Minor thought the woods were far too spooky. They insisted all three tents be in very close proximity one to the other. We even had a Kodak moment to show everyone how frightening "Gretel Land" was in the dark.We were baffled by the fact no one else showed up or passed through.Today we learned there was huge trail magic back on the bald last night. Hot dogs, sodas, s'mores, beer, a huge campfire and lots of people. That's the third huge magic I've missed. But it's okay. I wouldn't have eaten most of it anyway, and while hiking, would not have had a beer....well ~ probably not.After getting up once to make certain our food bags were still elevated and safe, and to assure April Showers what she was hearing was not the bad witch coming to get us for gingerbread cookie ingredients, we settled into a quiet and restful night's sleep.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Unaka Mountain Summit

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

In attendance: Java, Gefilter, Don't Mind/Don't Matter, Section 8 (south bound section hiker), Half Full, April Showers, Ursa Minor, Swan, and just now at 9 p.m. Dreamer pulled in and says there are a few more coming in behind him.Today was probably the most uneventful hiking day so far. We had intended to travel further, but knowing tomorrow includes a 6200' mountain we decided to be prudent and stop early. It was a good decision; some hiking friends from days past have caught up. April Showers has set up her tent; Ursa Minor and I are in the shelter. It is so nice to enjoy an evening without shivering. Spent some time reviewing and dating my first set of pictures. Beautiful sunset to end the night.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

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

Don't Mind / Don't Matter, Java, Rooney and many others, week-end, south bound section hikers etc. are with us tonight. We attacked out last 6000'+ mountain until we reach the Whites in New Hampshire. Unanimously we voted today's climb as the most difficult of the journey thus far. The three of us are ever so glad we chose not to add 5.5 miles yesterday. Facing us this morning were two large mountains. First was Beartown at 5480', then a drop to Ash Gap at 5340' where we had originally planned to stay last night. The Beartown was a beast of a pull up. The degree of incline was very steep with a minimum of switchbacks. We could constantly see the lengthy hill in front of us. From Ash Gap to the summit of Roan Mountain we had a similarly challenging pull, but it was ten times more interesting. We entered more evergreen forest for shade, scooted up and around more large rocks and had fun turns all the way up. Once again, there was a parking lot at the top. There was actually a couple up there walking their dog! In the 1800's there sat a luxury hotel on the summit, advertised as the cleanest, healthiest air and most stable weather east of the Rockies, all for only $10 a week. The walk down Roan was a relocation of the trail, adding four miles sometime in the last three years. I passed about 25 kids and an adult, obviously out for a school educational trip of some sort. Carvers Gap was next, where April Showers yogi'd some trail magic from some bikers. They asked if there was anything they could do to help. She asked for a soda; in lieu of soda they gave her candy and power bars.Three balds with some challenging uphills followed and then it was a beeline to a shelter or campsite. Passed by the first shelter and paused at the second. We learned from a couple at the first exactly what ramps look like. Shelter #2 was an old barn renovated into a hiker shelter and .3 miles off the trail. Originally we planned to bypass this one for a campsite further up. Did a pee stop, found some ramps for supper, visited with day hikers and heard thunder. I was selected to make the decision: stop here or go forward and chance getting caught in a thunderstorm. If you all recall how frightened I am of lightning and strong winds, you'll know this was a no-brainer!!We figured we'd be alone down here. NOT! There are 10 of us in the second story loft and at least 8 - l2 downstairs. What a beautiful setting. The storm came over us in full force. The first treat of the evening was a full double rainbow, brighter than any I've ever seen. It lasted for an hour or more over this valley. Half past hiker midnight (9:30) and thunder is still rolling in the far distance. But all is peaceful, warm and cozy in our barn. Once again, I thank God for his perfect timing, bringing us into this shelter to the safety and care of building and other hikers. It's been another incredible day. Blessings abound.
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: some secluded campsite
Miles today: 20.0

The adventure continues. The first climb of the day is always tough, but it's doubly difficult when it's on the blue blaze, the path between the shelter and the AT, so it doesn't even count as AT mileage. The majority of the morning was spent climbing Little Hump and then Hump mountains. Both are balds, or perhaps more descriptive for midwesterners, pasture with a few huge rocks scattered around. The view from the top was another 360 degree panoramic vista of the surrounding NC/TN mountains.Sometime between 11:00 and noon April Showers put on the speed. She wasn't at the next shelter so I had a snack and waited for Ursa Minor who reminded me that some overnight hikers (with whom we shared the shelter last night) were going to leave some sodas a little ways further up the trail. So, expecting to see April Showers there, we boogied on very quickly to that potential point of rendezvous. No April Showers. We had asked two hikers to tell her if they saw her that we'd stopped at the shelter for lunch. By the time we reached the sodas she was gone and we were baffled.After contemplating possible scenarios and our options we just kept moving. An hour or so later we started seeing notes for us scratched in the dirt. Quite a while later we finally caught up. Rain had started to fall and we all were in proper rain attire. She waited in the rain at the junction of the AT and a short blue blaze to a beautiful waterfall. Because of the rain I didn't snap a picture but I'm certain this isn't the only waterfall we'll see.Granite told us last night there was a lovely tent site by the river, our 15.7 mile mark. However, it was very grassy and very wet after the rain. We chose option # 2, a campsite 2.2 miles further. It was very small so option # 3 came into play, a campsite one mile further. It wasn't very accommodating either so option # 4, another 1.8 mile. This site was supposed to have a water source but we saw none. I tooled on up the trail for a look-see for a water source. But when I turned around I saw April Showers, Ursa Minor, CJ and Harry all following. So, with the blind leading the blind, it was onward, forward, march. About 7:00 we crossed another stream, but if this was Laurel Creek (none of us really knew exactly where we were at this point), the water was contaminated, so said the handbook. After some consideration we decided it wasn't Laurel Creek; we filled up, the boys went back to the "dry" campsite, we gals forged ahead. At 7:30 we found a very suitable site, made quick work of setting up our tents, inhaling supper and hanging our food. It is now after 10:00. We hiked 5 miles further than planned and are more than anxious to complete the remaining 12 miles tomorrow, getting us to hostel and showers!
Date: 2004-05-10
From: some secluded campsite

To: Laurel Fork Hostel
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: scattered clouds

6:30 A.M. Happy Birthday, Susan! This is the first time I've written in the morning. Just awoke after my best sleep in the woods so far. The birds are singing in full voice, there is a crow hollering close by, the rhododenden leaves are dripping morning dew on my tent -- what a sensational symphony to awaken my senses this morning. The coyotes and owls were part of the night's cacophony. Something halfway between human and animal timbre was very close last night bringing both Ursa Minor and me upright in our bags. We shone our headlamps into the dark but saw nothing. We think now it was a mama bear braying for her cubs.Because of our spurt of energy at yesterday's close we have only 12 miles (we think) to reach the hostel today. That should give us plenty of time to do laundry, pick up my box, resupply, eat, sleep and be out on the trail at our ideal hour tomorrow. Only 50.6 miles more, 13/day, gets us to Damascus and Trail Days by Friday late afternoon -- perfect!
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Laurel Fork Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.1

Night #2 at Laurel Fork Hostel -- an incredible facility and highly recommended by all who are here. I had a great night's sleep. The three of us are in a darling little cabin; the property is beautiful with blooming azaleas and lots of individual gardens. John has been a superb host. Last night's town run was futile for retrieving our maildrops, but fruitful for grocery supply. We have full kitchen facilities available so we treated ourselves to fresh fruit and veggies and frozen pizzas. John cooks up cheeseburgers and side orders each night. I bought veggie burgers ~~ he accomodated my whim by cooking them up for me.My attitude at the start of today's hike was a mixed bag of emotions. A thru-hiker by definition is an individual who hikes every mile of the AT in one season. Whether the person travels north to south or vice versa, wears a pack or not, flip-flops or continues in an uninterrupted line is unimportant. Today I slackpacked for the first time and traveled north to south. I carried my pack but left most of my gear in the cabin. It was a perfect opportunity to give our legs and knees a break and still make mileage progress. But it was difficult for me to accept the idea that this truly isn't cheating. In fact nearly everyone has slackpacked at least once or twice by now. After meeting hikers who traversed these 13 miles today south to north, I'm really glad we did this. Their uphill (our downhill) was as vertical a climb as anything we've done thus far.Yesterday was a perfect example of PUDS, pointless ups and downs. We climbed, descended to cross a stream, climbed and descended again. I figured we climbed the same 900 feet about five times. Today was a bit of the same. Laurel Falls was lovely but the AT took us down and back up and down at least twice and the rock steps out of the gorge was a challenge indeed, especially at day's end. We were all exhausted and famished when we returned......and we were slackpacking to boot!! Ten minutes ago we looked at a profile map of today's hike. Now I don't feel so defeated -- it was a beauty of a mountain we crossed.John just brought us our maildrops. Loon collected them for us on his way through town after his day's hike. Bless you Loon!! Another gift of unexpected trail magic just landed on our doorstep.Tomorrow we will do a 16-mile north to south slackpack, thanks to John's generosity. That allows us to spend one more evening in this hospitable scenario, do one more load of laundry, take another shower, and try to consume all the groceries we bought last night! Then it's an easy 21 miles to Damascus putting us into Virginia, completing six weeks and 460 miles. Another landmark on this journey is in view.
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Laurel Fork Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.7

And once again we land at Laurel Fork. Today's nearly 16-mile hike was rather uneventful. There were a few nice vistas looking down over Watauga Lake but aside from that it was simply a pleasant day in the woods. Traveling the opposite direction of the crowd, we met many of our fellow hikers so we spent a good deal of our time socializing. In addition, we crossed paths with thru-hikers in whose wake we've been traveling and whose notes we've been reading in the shelter registers. Tomorrow night many of us will be staying in the same shelter 10 miles this side of Damascus. Some are hoofing it in already Thursday night.Trail Days in Damascus is an annual affair especially for hikers. I've been told 15-20,000 past, present, and future hikers will congregate in this small town for the four-day event. We have no desire to party hearty into the wee hours of the morning but we do want to visit the multitude of gear vendors. I'm hoping Dave from Mystery Ranch will be there; I need a small tweaking/adjustment done on my pack.It's nearly 10:30 p.m. If in the woods, we'd have been tucked in for the night for two hours already. Tomorrow should be a relatively easy and short day. We'll do only 11 miles to the shelter. On the other hand, we've been slackpacking and carrying only 10 pounds for two days now. The packs are going to feel monstrously heavy. But I'm looking forward to geting back into the routine. I love sleeping outdoors, I'm enjoying preparing my evening meal over a small alcohol stove. I crave the challenge of relying on just what I can carry. My diet off the trail changes drastically and I don't feel balanced and wholesome. Yeppers ~~ it's time to return to the woods. But first.....some sleep. 'Nite all.
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Laurel Fork Hostel

To: Abington Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Farewell to hostel living and a welcome return to camping in the woods. The backpack felt so good on my back this morning. That first step into the woods generated an audible sigh of delight and relief to resume my journey as intended, wearing a full pack, heading south to north. Today was an easy day with very gentle elevation changes in a short 12 miles. Slackpacking has definite advantages but for me it also changed the emotional tapestry of this hike. I think it's because the last two days had a definite beginning and end. We hiked from point A to point B, a nice day-hike itinerary. But today we began at point A and although our probable destination was this shelter, we had the entire trail open ahead of us, a bit like an open-ended plane ticket -- go home when you want. In this case, hike as far as you want, sleep where you want. Physically and emotionally I regained the essence of freedom this trail offers. The town/hostel pleasures are part of the experience but I very much want to minimize that part!We began the hike walking through an old homestead. The home obviously had burned but a three-door, low-roof horse shelter still stood, as did the wooden fencing outlining several small enclosures. I wondered about the history of this locale. I felt the pride the homesteaders must have had at completion of the corral and shelter; I spent time trying to imagine the details of the lives of the pioneer family who lived there.Right about lunch time we crossed a road where we encountered Hammer and his trail magic of hot white bean soup. April Showers remembers him being at this same spot two years ago when she hiked this section. The rain stopped long enough for us to enjoy his treat, then resumed for the remainder of our day's hike.We've dried out over a campfire next door, courtesy of overnight campers heading to Damascus. We're sharing the evening with the Don'ts, Saffron and Froggy Pete. Aswah and Daytripper headed on a few miles so they wouldn't have to share ribeye steaks and corn on the cob!!Right now I'm writing in nearly total darkness. Hope I'm still writing on paper and not the picnic table!Virginia tomorrow!!