morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today, I woke up, walked ten feetm and watched the sunrise. The logistics where much easier for this one, no headlamp required. What a life.My goal for today was simple, walk enough miles to make it feasible to leave the park tomorrow. This is a nice park, but I am sick of it. I shall call it the Smokie Blues.Charlie's Bunion was nice. There was a low layer of clouds this morning, and the Bunion was above it. A change of scenery was nice.I noticed something interesting today. The TN side of the ridge was enshrouded in a thick layer of clouds that I was walking above, while the NC side had a thin, fog like layer, and the sky was a combonation of yellow and blue. It was a very interesting contrast.Today I also crossed over the unofficial 1/10th mark of the trail, which I deemed to be at mile 217.4Physically, today was not all that bad. Mentally, it was absolutely horrible. I was constantly stopping in a pathetic attempt to get my body and brain on the same pafe. I had no urdge or desire to leave trail, but I did not want to hike today.I also discovered my one quart Platypus had a small hole in it due to a varming-like species. This water proceeded to leak in my back and make the back of my shorts wet. I was quite angry.Tomorrow is a new day, and I am looking forward to it, I sent myself a mail drop to Standing Bear Farm, and tomorrow I shall pick it up.Tomorrow is a new day. I shall leave the Smokies, and descend below 4,000 feet, the first time in almost 70 miles.Tomorrow is a new day, and today is a day I will never miss.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light snow

The ground was white. Branches were icicles. It was snowing in southern Appalachia.This was my first experience with snow on the Appalachian Trail. The cold weather made things a tad bit more difficult. I eventually finished eating breakfast and packing up.There was nothing special about the descent into Davenport Gap. The trail was wet and slippery, and the trees were covered in a thin coat of snow.Once I arrived in Davenport Gap, I celebrated by eating crackers and a granola bar. I am quite happy to be done with the Smokies, I was becoming sick of that park quite rapidly.I then began the 2.4 mile trek tp Standing Bear Farm. Along the way, I came across trail magic. I was in the midsts of a road walk when I piassed a sign with a plastic bag attached to it. Within this bag were all sorts of snacks, I treated myself to one and walked on.At Standing Bear Farm I picked up my mail drop and tossed out my trash.The ascent up Snowbird mountain was uneventfull until I reached the summit, which is a blad. The summit is home to semi-decent views and a Federal Aviation Administration Tower.I then stumbled my way to Groundhog Creek Shelter, where I am currently tenting. Tomorrow I go over Max's Patch, and then to a shelter.I hope to be in Hot Springs by Wdnesday afternoon. It's looking like I will zero there on Thursday, and hime out Friday.The people I have been hiking with for about a week are now a half day behind me. I imgaine I will see them again, but I am out here to hike my own hike.I am not sure how far I will go tomorrow, it depends on how I feel during the day.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

Brrr! It's cold out here! There must be a cold front in the atmosphere.I awoke to frzen boots, frost on my tent, and snow on the ground. The frigid temperatures made it extremely difficult to get moving this morning. I spent a solid 10-15 minutes attempting to put my frozen boots on my semi-cold feet. Weather forcasts are pretty useless out here, but this cold front is supposed to cause mahem somewhere else soob. That would be delightful.I then began the six mile march to Max's Patch, the first place on this trip where I had a natural, un-ubstructed 360 degree view. I could see the Smokies to the south, and some randome mountains of Appalachia to the north, my destination of course.I then meandered my way to Walnut Mountain Shelter, where I shall sleep tonight.Tomorrow I shall descend into Hot Springs, NC, where I shall have some much needed rest and relaxation. I look forward to being clean once more.I also hope that the people I have been hiking with for about a week now catch me in town. I am at the point where I have settled into my own little group, and I was starting to get to know a lot of the people around me.I am also at the point where I become upset when I find out someone I knew pretty well left trail. It's almost as if a part of me has left trail.That's the way of the trail. You become really close to the people around you, and you learn to trust them, and they learn to trust you.I suppose it comes with the experience.I shall now prepare to eat dinner, and think about tomorrow.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC/ Elmer's Inn
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

I aoke with a funny sensation. I realized today the trail was going to take m3 right through a town. Everything I need will be on the trail. I am quite excited.I packed up quickly, eating oatmeal cold. I was on trail by 8:04AM. At 2MPH, I should be in town by now later than 3PM.The climb up and over Bluff Mountain was antu-climatic. I was relieved though, realizing that it was mostly downhill from there to Hot Springs.The rolling descent ended around 1PM, when I rolled into Hot Springs, NC. I immediately checked in at Elmer's with Elmer. He gave me a tour and laid out the rules of the hostel, and showed me my room.Elmer is a delightful man, pleasant and simple. He also cooks wonderful vegetarian meals.It turns out I am sharing a room with the General. He has been roughly one day ahead of me since Woody Gap. It was nice catching up on things and trading trail stories.I decided I was going to complete most of my town chores tomorrow during my zero mile day. However, I decided to get my laundry out of the way, and to treat myself to the Hungry Hiker burger at the Smokie Mountain Diner.I eventually went to the outfitters to check my email and buy some stove fiew. I should not run out anytime soon.I spent the rest of the day lounging around and talking to other hikers bopping arounf Hot Springs.Dinner at Elmer's was quite wonderful. We were treated to salad, soup, crackers, rice, and bean soup. It was delicious. Thank you Elmer.I then played the board game "Apples to Apples". That is a fascinating game, considering I am semi-pathetic at it.Well, I think I shall sleep, it is 9:17PM. I am looking forward to the comfy ned that awaits me.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Hot Springs, NC/ Elmer's Inn

To: Hot Springs/Elemer's Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Rest and relaxation are good for the soul. Walking zero miles is wonderful for the body and brain. Today, I got both.Today I was focused on getting all my town chores done as soon as possible, the more time I have for nothing the better.I had waffles for breakfast at Elmer's, which were wonderful. Elmer and his staff are wonderful cooks.I then walked the trail to the outfitters, where I resupplied on food for the next few days, I also purchased a platypus to replace my old one.After resupply I did a whole lot of nothing. I had lunch at the Smoky Mountain Diner.At 1PM I was at the library to update my journal. It took me two hours to add 13 days of entries. I also notified my dad that the journal existed.The rest of the day was spent relaxing and killing time until dinner. I enjoy doing nothing, it does wonders for the morale.Dinner was once again supurb. I have never left Elmer's table hungry. Thank you once again Elmer.I did, however, break a stool in my room today. I thought it was a sitting stool, but it was not. Luckily, when I went to tell Elme what happened, Cookie was in the room. Using his crafty engineering, we have managed to fix the table. I do feel terrible about it though. Elmer is a wonderful man, and I regert adding something to his already full plate.Tomorrow I shall hit trail, most likely 12 miles to the first shelter out of town.It is now time to rest and relax some more.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Hot Springs/Elemer's Inn

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

Leaving town is never easy. This is especially true for a town through which the trail goes. My objective today was to leave the comforts of Hot Springs and ascend into the mountains of Appalachia.I once again had breakfast at Elmer's. This morning we had granola,. cantelope, strawberry pancakes, apple juice, coffee/tea, and homemade soy milk. Quite delicious. Elmer and his staff make wonderful meals.I then packed up and cheked out. I wandered my way down the trail to the outfitters and purhcased a disposable camera for my next piece of trail.I was walking out of town around 10:04AM. The main reason the trail goes through Hot Springs is to get over the French Broad River. You are brought back into the woods almost immediately after crossing the river.I spent most of today hiking weith Cookie, from Arkansas. He is a very nice man, and I had some gerat conversations with him.It was tough to determine what mother nature was going to do today.Tomorrow I will aim fo 20 miles. I feel lazy stopping after 11 miles, but it might rain, and I don't want to tent in the rain.There are almost 15 people in the vicinity of the shelter tonight.Slowly but surely I continue my march north.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. You guessed it, mother nature was once again crying today. She seems to be crying a lot lately, and it does not look likew it will be stopping anytime soon.I packed up quickly this morning, knowing I had a long day ahead of me. I had cinamon toast crunch for breakfast, and was on trail by 7:55AM.Just before Allebn Gap, there was a sign with directions for trail magic. I was wet and miserable, so I gladly followed the directions.The directions lead me to the house of Fal(free at last) and Hercules, and couple that thru hiked in 1999. At their house, I was able to dry my clothes. I was then terated to coffee, Belgium Waffles, corn bread, corn muffins, beef stew, and a banana split ice cream. ALl of the food was delicious.We then had a fascinating conversatin about absolute truth VS. personal truth. It was based around whether what happens afte death is an absolute truth, or a personal truth.Towards the end of that conversation, we talked about Christianity related books. They were kind enough to loan me "Mere Christianity", by C.S. Lewis. I mostly disagree with the Christian religion(respectfully), but I thought it would be interesting to read the opposing perspective on things.I would like to thank Fal and Hercules foe everything they did for me while I was with them.I was back on trail by 10:35AM, with about 17 miles to go.I spent the rest of the day hiking with Ken Anderson, from Roanoke, Virginia. We talked about many different things over the course of the day. He is a very inteligent man, and I enjoyed hiking with him.There was a section of trail today called the "exposed ridge trail". It was a fair amount of hiking on exposed rock on a ridge. It reminded me of hiking in Maine and New Hampshire.Today I also went over Big Butt, which according to my guidebook makrs the 300 mile mark on my northbound journey. I celebrated by writing 300 in rocks on the trail and taking a pictuer of it.I pulled into the shelter at 6:45PM to find a full shelter, mainly because of a Boy Scouts Troop, so I am tenting tonight.When I was making my attempt to hang a bear bag, my stuff sack got attached to a small knob, and I was unable to get it off. I luckily recovered the rope, I only lost my tent stuff sack and my pack towel in it.That caps a very long day, I am looking forward to sleeping tonight, and starting a new day tomorrow.I have not decided where I will go tomorrow, I shall decide tomorrow morning.Until then, good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,. children of all ages. This, is what we like to call a very trying day, physically and mentally. It goes a little something like this.I once again awoke to a mosit ground and a damp surrounding. I ate breakfast in my tent, and then began the process of packing up and moving out.The first three miles were mentally difficuly. I decided to take a snack break at Devil's Fork Gap, this is where the General caught me, I ended up hiking for the rest of the day with him.We spent a lot of time talking about British military and their governing style in contrast to that of the United States. It was a wonderful way to pass the day.I spent most of the day cursing the Carolina Mountain Club as I kept going up pointless ups and downs with little to no switchbacks.Eventually I stumbled upon Hogback Ridge Shewlter. I took my lunch break there and mapped out my attack plan for the remainder of the day.I determined I did not want to stop after only 8.8 miles, but I did not want to do another 10.1 to the next shelter. The General and I decided we would camp at Low Gap, roughly six miles north of the shelter.After some ups and downs, we arrived at Low Gap. However, the spring listen in the guidebook was dry, and we both needed water, so we continued our march north.About two miles later, we came across a spring. I packed up five liters, and set out in search of a place to camp for the night, we could not find anything on the windless side of the ridge, so we walked o. We eventually came to Big Bald. On a clear dayu, I iamgine there are great views of the surrounding peaks of souther Appalachia. Today, I had a wonderful view of the clound I was walking in.I have been walking in clouds for the past two days now, it is really quite a thrill. At any given time, you can see ten feet in each direction.By the time I reached the bald, I resolved to make it to the next shelter, as I had lost all motivation to set up my tent for the night.I am now at Bald Mountain Shelter with the General, Ken Anderson, Cookie, and Kuda, a fellow Mainer from Jay.Tomorrow I shall walk 16 miles to Erwin, where I shall split a room at the Hoilday Inn Express with the General.This has certainly been a rough patch in my hike, I will be the firast to admit it. I still have my complete resolve to see this journey to the end. This is the key tp thisd journey. One must have a strong physical and mental will to see this to the end. No matter what happens, one must continue their journey north.The American spirit is alive and strong in this hiker.Tomorrow is a new day, and today will be rememered as the day i found my resolve.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, Tennessee/Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 16.7

"Face down, I count sheep, I count heartbeats. The only thing that matters is that I won't sleep, I count down, I look around." Who Needs Sleep by the Barenaked Ladies.I slept pathetically horrible last night. I was rarely asleep for more than an hour at a time. So nauturally, I was up and moving once it was light out.One seems to have more motivation when town is what's waiting for you at the end of you r day.Today I had a rolling descent into Erwin, TN. There were many little ups and downs that eventually lead to a final dwescent into the outskirts of Erwin.I spent today thinking about many different things. I thought about how everything was on the homefront, and tried to figure out how I want to live my life when this thing comes to an end.I rolled into Erewin at 3:20PM, where I promptly checked into Uncle Johnny's Hostel, my home for the night.After checking in, I hung up my tent so it could air out and I did some laundry.I then gave my dad a call. He informed me that Sprint charges an arm and a leg for roaming calls. I spend a lot of time roaming because Sprint has a pathetic network down here. Verizon is the best network out here. Lesson learned. We hope to drop Sprint quickly and switch to Verizon.I then received a ride to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. I also completed my resupply. My next resupply will be Kincora, 70 trail miles north.I have not decided what I will do tomorrow, I have been too busy thinking about other things.My mind is a mess, right now. Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Erwin, Tennessee/Uncle Johnny's

To: Erwin, Tennessee/Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 8.3

April has arrived, the book of March, 2008 has been closed. Today is day 32. I have officially been on trail for more than a month. That is an awefully long time.You may be wondering how I start and end at the same location, and still cover miles. That is the phenomenon known as slackpacking.Slackpacking requires a backpack with little in it, and two roads, start and end. Today, I started at Indian Grave Gap, and walked south to Erwin. It was mostly downhill, and it was quite wonderful.There was little noteworthy on the hike today, I walked an interesting ridge on the side of some mountains, and passed some places that would be delightful to camp at. I walked a nice looking steram that I wanted to swim in, but did not.Once I was in Erwin again, I did a whole lot of nothing. I layed in the sun and learned how to set up my tent properly. My hope is that a bear tears a giant hole in it so I have an excuse to buy a new one.Tomorrow I shall continue my journey northward from Indian Grave Gap. As far as how far I shall go, who knows. Take the punches as they roll, climb the mountains as they come.Until then, I shall walk on.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Erwin, Tennessee/Indian Grave Gap Road

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: few clouds

The moutains were calling this morning, and I answered. It was time to say goodbye to Erwin, TN, and to begin my march to Kincroa, which will represent the start of the final approach to Damascus, Virginia.I was on trail by 9:50AM thanks to Uncle Johnny, it was a good time to hit trail.The weather finally cooperated today, it was the first time in almost three days that I was not walking in a cloud, it made for a delightful day on the Appalachian Trail.I did a lot of uphill hiking today, or so it seemed. Beauty Spot was quite nice, it was my first decent view in three days. It was a balmy 55 degrees when I rolled through.I also walked through a 100 year old Hemlock(maybe Fur) tree foresy. The terrain and scenery reminded me of some of the "flatter" sections of the "100 Mile Wilderness" in Maine. The tall trees had enough leaves upon them to block out the sun. It was incredible.Once I arrived at route 107, seven miles south of the shelter, I met a man by the name of Kurt. Kurt was waiting for his brother, the Preacher. Kurt offered me some soda and water, which I gladly accepted. Trail magic is quite wonderful. Thank you Kurt, and I wish the Preacher all the best on his section hike.I should mention that I spent most of the day hiking with Ken Anderson. We spent most of the day discussing somewhat random things and cursing the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing CLub for not believing in switchbacks. They must have received trail maintaining advice from the Maine Appalachian Trail Club.I rolled in the shelter just before 6PM to find that Cookie was the only person there. It seems we have found a void in the thru hikers, which was our objective when we did some of the larger mile days previously.Tomorrow I shall march to Overmoutain Shelter, which is actually a large barn. 12 miles is my sentence, giving my body a little rest.Mother natures looks like she is preparing to unleash her fury, which is fine by me because I am in a shelter.I am on trail until furthur notice, my dad has assured me everything is fine for now. We are on the same page, and he knows to tell me straight up if he thinks I should leave trail.Attention future thru hikers:If you are currently a Sprint customer, I suggest you switch to Verizon before hitting trail, you will have a much easier time getting a non-roaming signal.Well, I think I shall try to call my dad, then I shall do some reading.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

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

I awoke to the sound of other hikers rustling around, preparing for the day ahead. It was 7:20AM, and I was still tired due to the lack of sleep I received last night.I knew I had a long climb ahead of me out of the shelter, so I treated myself to a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch for breakfast. I then packed up and hit trail by 8:20AM.The climb up Roan Mountain was long and hard. There were many false summits, it also did not help that I was ascending into a cloud, where I would remain for the remainder of the day.Roan High Knob Shelter struck me as a miserable place to stay, I ate lunch and moved on.Walking in a cloud is never enjoyable. All your gears becomes soaked quite rapidly, not to mention that the wind today sent this cloud slamming into my face. It was a lovely way to spend my day.The climb out of Carver's Gap was quite windy. I was walking along a bald, and every now and then I would be slammed by a 50MPH gust of wind. I was walking at an angle at times to help keep myself on trail.After some random ups and downs, twists and turns, I arrived at the junction for Overmountain Shelter, my home for the night.The shelter is currently situated in a cloud, which means it is windy and wet outside. Luckily, the loft of an old barn has four sides, protecting me from the wind. I would hate to be tenting tonight.The shelter holds 20 people, but there are only three here thus far, some more could roll in later.I called up a former AT thru hiker back in Portland, Maine to find out the weather for tomorrow. I was told thunder storms, rain, and I am assuming strong wind gusts, walking 18 miles in that tomorrow will be quite interesting.It has taken me a while to write this entry because my right hand is not cooperating. I am thinking it will be a cold night here.Time for dinner and hot chocolate.Good night, and good luck.Kirby