morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Grayson State Park

To: Damacus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we hiked over, or nearly over, the two highest points in Virginia: Mt Roger and White Top Mt. The start of the trail meandered through Grayson Highlands State Parks.The Highlands are beautiful: Ponies munching on the tundra grass, wind blown trees disperse unevenly among the boulder strewn tundra hilltops. But, the winds that had shaped the trees were attempting to shape us with occasional gusts of wind up to 50 mph. I attempted to take some photos and video, but when I grabbed my camera I had to hold my hiking sticks off the ground and the wind would push me off the trail. So I had to content my photo desires with occasional quick snap shot or boulder shots on the leeward side.We walked "into" several herds of ponies. They must know the "through HIKER smell" means salt as they approached Owl. We had to keep the dog back.We finally covered over 25 percent of the trail. 546 miles. This mile stone was somewhere on the windy meadows, so we waited until the "Narrows" for our photo shot.If I can get access to a computer I will upload some more photos soon.We finally reached Damascus. We did our first real blue blaze and followed the old AT trail, which is also on the Virginia creepers Trail. The distance is the same but with much more history. It was a trail Daniel Boone used; it was a railroad in the early 30ites for lumber cutting. It runs along a beautiful river that is full of trout and fly fishermen abound. We stayed at a B&B last night. We are resupplying and hiking 10 miles to Abington gap shelter.Keep Bouncing......Tigger HeyO.k. kind of got out Damascus. That town is super HIKER friendly, but it is starting to feel like ground hog day. We started hiking up and quickly spread out. Soaring/Carolyn and I quickly reached the Virginia/Tennessee border. Soaring turned on her cell phone to celebrate with her husband and instead got a text from Rabbit/Tammy: Owl was super sick.We regroup and Rabbit/Tammy got owl in a tent for the night. By morning she was not better. They return to Damascus and hopefully have been picked up by family. Soaring, Room/river and I continued on. We hope to reach Laurel fall Forge or Gorge. We hope that Rabbit and Owl link back up with us at Waggish Lake.Due to the need to reach Rabbit by phone....I will go back to Journaling on paper. I will do my next posting once we link back up.Oh Hey...It has not rained in the last 36 hour. .
Date: 2008-05-28
From: 19 E Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

HelloI think I left off journaling with our third attempt to depart Damascus. We joke about that town being our "Ground Hog" day. Our first encounter with Damascus was for trail day. Our second visit was when we properly hiked through the town. The third and we hope final time is when Rabbit/Tammy and Owl/Lydia return to wait for a ride...since Owl was very sick.Soaring and I went on...Our first stop was double spring¢s shelter. The shelter was trashed...probably due to all the hikers hurrying to Damascus...to bad they can't remember to pick up their trash.(Side note here: I used to think it was the occasional/day hikers that left trash on the trail...but after the last two weeks of passing North Bounders, I am convinced it is the twenty something through HIKER) The next day w cranked up the mileage and did a 20 miler. The trail was great a d soft. Watauga Lake came into view and we descended down and camped near the lake. The next day was walking around the lake and Laurel falls. It was not raining and the falls were beautiful. We spent the night at a hostel with mixed results.The hostel allowed dogs only on the porch, so I slept on the porch with River/Roo. But it was anything but a peaceful. Soaring had caught a ride to town and bought us some resupplying and she accidentally purchased a punctured tin of tuna...that attracted every feral in a 10 mile radius. If you think River/Roo was going to let those cats on the porch...haha...as I said anything but a quiet night.We departed early the next morning and made our way to the mountaineer shelter. The following day we got up early and race ten miles to reach showers, soft beds and LAUNDRY at Mountain Harbor B&B hostel. I recommend this to place to anyone!RABBIT AND OWL WERE AT THE B&B and waiting for us. That is all for now.Keep Bouncing......Tigger
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Good day everyone.We reached Hot Springs on the 5th of June. We departed Uncle Johnny's hostel (Erwin, Tn) as the weather started warming up. We spent an uneventful evening wild camping and the next night at Jerry's Cabin Shelter. We ran into three NOBO brothers; one had served in the USMC for 10 years and is running a music business and playing jazz, the other is a solar engineer and the third is going into his senior year of college. We had hiked over 18 miles that day so I crashed in my tent early. But it was to the sound of music from a string instruament and some good singing.The following morning we started out to reach Spring Shelter Mt, but it took us longer than expected. As the temperature inched toward the 90 mark and the humidity climbed with it....Tammy decided to stop and give Roo/River a break...after all we can shed layers of clothes, River/Roo can't shed her fur. Tammy told us to keep going, but I was in agreement with River/Roo and in need of a break. There was a small country store a short walk away, which Owl/Lydia and I completed and we came back with cold sodas. About 4 pm we push on and camped at Spring Shelter. In an effort to beat the heat the next morning, we start hiking at 6:30 am and reached Hot Springs around 1pm.We are staying at a Hiker hostel. It's nice and in a very historical Victorian Inn. It could be cleaner. On the 6th of June, we did a trip to the Spa. I had the deluxe foot treatment. It was wonderful. The weather is still very hot on the 7th, so we worked out a way to slack pack today which allowed us to be finished with 15 miles before 1pm. So we are back in Hot Springs tonight and I am writing this will enjoying an organic blackbeery milkshake.One last note. I had to retire my Keen Hiking boots. With over 900 miles of wear and tear it was time. But, I feel lilke I am parting with a good friend. The Keens have been kind and gentle to my feet...900 miles with no blister or injuries is a blessing.KEEP BOUNCING......TIGGER
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Hot Springs

To: All the Way
Miles today: 0.0

The renewal of childhood joy on the Appalachian Trail, 2008.I find it interesting that the childhood joy of discovery or fullfillment can be regained on the Appalachian Trail. It was a very hot day and we stopped mid-day to wait out the heat at Hemlock Hollow in Tn. As we settled down, we noticed signs for a country store less than half a mile away. Owl and I decided to mosey, slowly, along the gravel and dirt road and return with cold soda pop.   We passed a few hound dogs resting under the trees in an attempt to beat the heat and we listened to a couple of over achieving grass hopper. But for the most part, it was a slow moving, hot and humid day in the Appalachian Mountains.The country store lived up to expectations with plenty of ice cream sandwiches and root beer. Owl and I slowly drifted back toward the trail allowing our pace to be moderated by the steady eating of our ice cream sandwiches in between swigs of rootbeer.I was just about to lick the dripping ice cream from my fingers when I recalled a similiar moment of pure joy. . .I was six or seven years old and knew I had the best grandfather in the world. I don't know where we were not even the state, but we were driving along in his old blue ford pick-up with shovels and irrigation tubes in the back. He stopped at a small isolated country store. The building was white with metal signs nailed to the wall advetising cola and other goods and everything had a fine thin layer of dust. As we entered the store, Grand-dad looked down at me with a grin and told me to get two neopolaton ice cream sandwiches and he would get the root beer. I quickly located the floor freezer and jumped-up on the side and leaned down, into the cool mist, and grabbed two sandwiches. We drifted out to the truck and sat on the tail gate, discussing in-between bites ofice cream and swigs of root beer the best way to eat a neopolaton ice cream sandwich: do you eat the chocolate first or last....since the chocolate portion was the best part. As any 7 year old would, I ate the chocolate portion first...so it would not melt. My Grandfather, with more wisdom, saved it for last. We both licked our finger clean and then wiped then on our jeans and climbed into the cab. We drove away with him telling me what had to get done for the day, as all self made men of his time did.As that memory flooded back to my mind and emotions on the Appalachian Trail, the same smile and feeling of joy crossed my face. The one difference, I decided not to lick my fingers and just wiped my hands on my three day worn hiking shorts.Keep Bouncing, but remember to stop and check out the polywog in the nearest pond.Tigger
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Fontana Dam

To: Hiawasee Inn
Miles today: 500.0

Wow, it has been a while since I did a posting. So Let me catch you up.WE ARE LESS THEN 100 MILES FROM THE TERMINUS OF SPRINGER MOUNTAIN!!!!!? We departed Fontana Dam and had a fairly steep climb. Otherwise it took us three days to reach our pick up point with the Nader family They decided to be trail angels and do a quick family vacation at the Natahla Outdoor Center at Bryson, n.C. We did a couple of slack pack days with their help. But more importantly, we relaxed away from THE trail. We all went rafting one day. Then Tim and Nick teamed up and Anastasia and I joined up and did the class-3 river in 2-man inflatiable kayaks. We had a great time. We had wonderful meals, a soaking tub with jets and bubble bath and bath salts, real beds and ice cream. It was a wonderful three days spent with friends. We departed NOC and cranked our milage right back up to 15 and 19 mile days. The midway point is near and we are ready to reach SPRINGER mountain. Then all plans change. Due to scheduling, work and so on and so forth, we had to acquire my car in Hiawassee. We stayed at Hiawassee Inn where Ron and Sam lived up to the trail reputation of being wonderful hosts. Ron knew ahead of time that I was a beer snob and had ONE wonderful bottle of a German beer. Since we have the vehicle, we will slack pack these last few days. We thought about speeding up and reaching SPRINGER on the 30th or the 1st...but the plans for returning to Maryland and driving to Maine are already completed. So we ARE using the afternoons to see and enjoy the surrounding lakes. museum on the CCC and a local bluegrass band. We have set up a base camp at Vogel State park. I probably will not make another posting until 2 July. Keep Bouncing......Tigger
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Hiawasee Inn

To: SPRINGER MT
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

We are half way done. We reach SPRINGER MT on 2 July.   It was a 13, really 14-mile day. We dropped two hikers off at the Springer Mt Parking lot (1 mile from Springer Mt. Summit) and they started hiking north. Then I and another hiker drove an hour to find the AT crossing National Forest Road 42. We parked the car and started hiking south toward the other hikers. We met at the half waypoint, and gave the car key to the northbound hikers.   When they reached the car, they drove it back to Springer MT Parking lot.Soaring was soaring and took a spill on the trail. It was one of those strange falls that happen from time to time. She hurt her knee but felt she was able to continue. It was fortunate that we were day hiking with OUT full backpacks.   If she had fall that hard with a full backpack, she might not have been hiking with us any longer. We all arrived at the Springer Mt parking lot about the same time and walked up the last mile to the top of Springer Mt together. Two-day hikers were there and agreed to take a bunch of photos of us.On a different note: For two months, from Va. to Tn., everyone was telling us how hard the Georgia and N. Carolina Mountains were. That our 15 and occasional 20-mile days would come to a halt.   Every NOBO hiker went on and on about the rocky trail and the straight up and down. After we completed Mt. Abert in N.C. we were non-pulsed and came to a conclusion.   No matter where you start the trail, (Maine, VA, Georgia or somewhere else) that is the hardest part of the trail. That no matter where you are on the trail, once you have over 500 miles and have hiker legs the trail is not that bad. In fact Mt. Albert had rock stair, which the roller coaster in VA does not have. As for rocks¢¦. Northern VA, Maryland and Penn have serious rocky trails.   My conclusion is¢¦ Georgia is not harder, Va. is not flatter, and it is all about condition and how long you have been on the trail.We have a two week break while we regroup, see friends and drive to Maine. Meanwhile, I will have more access to my journal and will do updates; the following subject which might be entertaining:-        How to remove a moth from an ear canal.-        How to serious avoid knee and ankle injuries¢¦we are doing well and I think we might have a good approach.-        Random thoughts about long distance hiking-        Rediscover America in State Parks¢¦. it was fun.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: SPRINGER MT

To: Katahdin and further!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Hey EveryoneSorry I have not updated in a while. My break time was busier then I thought. I really enjoyed seeing everyone.We took two days to drive to Katahdin. We spent the night with Soaring's family and were treated to ribs and great ice cream.When we reached Baxter State park, it was raining and the park was not recommending anyone attempt to climb Katahdin. So we did the park out of "Order" and hiked from the base of Katahdin to Abol campground. Tue dawned sunny and we started up the Mt. It is by far the hardest day on the trail. There were some technical 5.2 or 5.3 sections. We all reached the summit and then we started on the slow decent. One of our hikers has a concern for heights so it took some time to find a good route for her. We have been joined by Rabbits husband and the son (14 years aka Road Runner)) of a good friend. Both will hike the 100 mile wilderness with us.Until next time "think less and bounce more." Tigger.
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Katahdin and further!

To: Monson!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

100 Miles of wilderness?!? I think the Maine AT club is making a mountain out of a mole hill.Don't get me wrong, it is a tough trail, due to the rocks and Tree roots and the bogs. It is beautiful passing by the rivers, lakes and ponds with moose and loons along the way. But it is not a 10-day, risk-of-running-out-of-food and-no-way-out, trek.Thirty miles from the edge of Baxter State Park is a great hostel/retreat private lodging area called White House Landing. It has resupply food, serves a 1lb cheeseburger (which I ate!), showers, cabins and a great breakfast. In addition, if you have the time , spend a day relaxing and/or paddling and fly fishing on the trout laden lake and river.   Besides Whitehouse Landing;, which can be accessed via hiking, 4-wheel vehicle or sea planes, we have hiked/crossed several well maintain gravel roads.We have 6 more days of hiking and we will be at Monson, Maine.Keep Bouncing!TiGGer
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Monson!

To: Moxie Balk Mtn
Miles today: 0.0

Well..the wilderness just keeps on getting tamer and tamer. I was hiking along, 6-days into the 100-mile wilderness and smelling like it, when I over take a 3 generation family ( Grandma to a 4 year old grandson) out for a nice refreshing day hike, wearing nice smelling white shirts. I felt like a wino next to a businessperson. I had to ask how they got there and didn't they know about all the warnings about the 100-mile wilderness!?!. There is a day use parking lot. Hmmmm.With that said, the 100-miles wilderness was the hardest portion of the trail that I have completed for two reasons. One, pack weight (I believed all those warnings about the trail and carried a lot of food. The second reason is the boggy, rooty, rocky, slippery and down right hard to walk swamp...I mean trail.We cut our milage to 11\12 a day and enjoyed every swimming hole we could find on the trail. Nic and Greg did wonderful!   I had to monitor Nic's food bag as every 14 year old man-boy tends to eat all the time. I think Nic aka "Hungry" finally realized we could not resupply when he ran out of Snicker bars on day 5 or 6. BUT what an accomplishment....his first ever backpacking trip and he does a 100 plus miles on the worst part of the AT: well done.We stopped at Monson and stayed at Shaws during a 4-inch downpour.The other hikers wanted a second zero and I was "jonesing" for the trail and wanted to save money...so I took off on Friday. ( we will link back up in Stratton before the White Mountains)I got a late morning start and was planning to hike a short 10-mile day. I knew I had two fords...but the locals thought it was doable..well I am now in camp at the 6.5 mile point and the first Ford.I started accross, slowly...I had to take my pack off and balance it on my head. Due to the rain, the water was cloudy and I could not see the bottom. About one-third of the way across the water was reaching my arm pits and more importantly, I was having serious problems keeping my feet in contact with the stream bed. The water was trying hard to knock me off my feet. I deemed it was wise to turn around.I attempted a second try and realized I could make it, but I would never make it with my pack. I waited until morning. I watched a north bounder just cross. He kept his pack on and used his poles to stablize his feet. The difference...he was 6 miles from Monson with washer and dryer and a warm bed in his future.   I am heading south and three days to the next stop. I road walked around the two fords on logging roads and picked up the trail 5 miles south.I am currently on Moxie Bald Mt with sun and a light breeze. It is a beautiful day.Keep bouncing Tigger
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Moxie Balk Mtn

To: Stratton
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hello AgainI reached 201 and turned right to catch a ride to Northern Outdoor Center. They have special rates for AT through hikers.   You can get a canvas tent/cabin for 10 dollars a night. Clean showers, pool, hot-tub and a shuttle ride back to the trail.The trail continues to be boggy. I spent a night at Bald Mt Brook Shelter after crossing the never ending Bald Mountain...which had bogs on top of the mountain. Topo and Methan (Father-son team) told me the bogs continue through Stratton. Oh well....I took a zero day at Northern Outdoor Center....For $10 a night I can relax and soak in the pool and hot tub.Take care....and keep bouncing everyone.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: NOC

To: Stratton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow what an interesting week..flooded fords, bogs, mountains, and wonderful people. I have been blessed with good decisions and just feeling God's presence.Even though I have a stubborn streak, I sensed I should NOT attempt the arm pit high fords...I was standing there wondering what I would do when a MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Conference) trail angel showed up....he agreed with my assessment of not crossing and showed me the road walk on the map.The Northern outdoor center was a great place to zero. For $10 I got a canvas cabin, a bed with a real pillow, hot showers, access to a free hot tub, pool, internet and $1 laundry. Oh did I mention it is also has a MICROBREW? I had a great day moving from the hot tub to the pool, to ordering a pint, to the internet computer...and starting all over again at the hot tub.When I departed I caught up with another HIKER and we did 14 miles with no rain or bogs. Two Mountains were looming on the radar. I decided I would do Little Bigalow mountain one day and Avery mountain the next day.I stopped at a camp site, not a shelter. and ran into the counselors from an outdoor program. A Christain version of NOLS or Outward bound.   Nine students are particpating in an outdoor leadership course based on Christain ethics. The students were doing a 36-hour solo of which a portion was a fast and prayer time.But the counsellors were not fasting and invited me to share their Thai food dinner. It was awesome! Besides great food, it was great company and I laughed until bed time.I departed that morning and again had one of those incredible moments. Ok..this may seem like a change of topics..but it's not....One of the reasons I run or moutaineer is to experince a single moment in detail...it is a time where you are aware of everything around you and yet you see or hear with extreme detail..the snow crystals actual shape, a drop of rain almost ready to fall from a pine needle, the three different types of birds singing...blending to a single melody but each in it's own song....I really thought I would experience those "singular" moment on the AT..but it has eluded me until this morning...as I climbed Avery peak and the mist moved in....I could sense God's presence and everything slowed down and I could see or was aware of his creation with incredible detail.As I summited the two peaks...I heard thunder and thought this might be a good day to pull up short and stop at "Horns Pond" lean to. I reached it by 1pm and almost decided to push on to Stratton. Glad I did not..as thunder, lightning and sheets of rain are pouring down. Hopefully it lets up and I will have a nice day tomorrow for the last 5 miles into Stratton.Thanks for all the prayers..it has been a safe and enjoyable week.Tracy aka Tigger
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Glencliff

To: South!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Well the bounce has gone out of my step.Maine has set a record for rainfall in June and July. It has turned a bouncey trail into a sticky, mucky, gooey, take-your-shoe-off muddy trail. In addition, it has turned cold.After much turmoil, I jumped (skipped) 150 miles of the trail: the White Mountians and am currently in Glencliff, N.H. Why skip the Whites? Cold, wet, and semi-dangerous.I thought of soloing them and attempting to catch up with Rabbit, Owl, and Soaring. But, the conditions in the White's are early winter conditions...so I reluctantly skipped them.I now have a mail box that I need to have work out and to have forwarded. I am also closely glued to any weather channel.I guess skipping is OK. We have been meeting Northbounders and Southbounders who are stopping or getting off the trail. I just pray that the rain stops.The weather is starting to turn nice. I am going to hike to Killigton and maybe go back and do the Whites.We did a whole 24 hours without rain!Tigger