morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: broken clouds

Due to time constraints, I may be limited to one bulk entry per town, at least for now.100 so miles down, one state down, 13 to go, I AM PUMPED!After a good rest in Hiawassee, we pushed forward onto North Carolina; welcomed by a vicious uphil, unforgiving steps and bitter cold. Passing the oldest tree on the trail, it was seemingly uphill the entire time. Made in into Muskrat Creek shelter, however the shelter was full and we chose to tarp out on the ridge. Beautiful sunset, we couldn't resist. The bugs prove to be quite an issue, and the fire didn't seem to do much. That night would prove to be the most frightening experience of my life.Around 1am, gail force winds began to rip thru the ridge, yanking stakes up and sending the tarp into a free for all. I leaped outa my bag to stab them back in as Bryan did the same. Then the downpour came, it seemed as if rain was coming from all directions, sideways, from the ground, from the sky. It wasnt soon until we we soaked. Lightning crashing all around us, lighting up the entire wilderness. I layed rocking back in forth in the fetal position not knowing what to do or where to go. About 30 minutes of enduring the deluge, we decided to throw everything under our pack covers, grab our sleeping bags, stuff them in their sacks, and run for cover, about 300 yards to the full shelter. We made it down to seek safety on the ground aside the sleeping platform. It wasn't til 6 hours later until we could finally get some rest as the shelter hikers cleared out. Taking a zero day was much needed, both to dry out our down bags and recover from that restless night. It was this day where we met a great group of hikers we have been with for the past few days. You see people on the trail for several days, then due to many different reasons, they seem to disapper to hike ahead, fall behind you, or leave all together. We have been fortunate wnough to develop a great relationship with the nobos we have been staying with. Radar, Wrongway, floyd, dan, the twins, doomhammer and many others have shared the same campsites for the past half week. This is community and family of the trail, and just when you think you have experienced the generosity and magic of fellow hikers, someone goes above and beyond to lend a helping hand.As with the hostels and motels we have stayed at, including the Hiawassee Inn and Saphire Inn at Franklin, the owners are the most generous and accomodating individuals i have ever met in my entire 20 years. They go out of the way to give you great rates, shuttles, food, advice and good spirits just because they know who you are and what you are doing, they are the true trail angels of the AT.I miss you all dearly back home, but know that I am safe and following my heart. I wouldnt dare think of being anywhere but right here. Ill say it again, I am exactly where i want to be, doing what i love, and learning to love life even more each day. Peace, Love, and HIKE!Peace! go hug a hickory
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Franklin, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 55.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on a slow connection with limited time, so it might be a cut short entry again.Ill be blunt about it, we are starting to haul, becoming virtual hiking machines (acording to to wingfoot). You wake up in the am, no sore muscles, and almost like muscle memory, you instinctively throw on your boots, pack up your gear, and just hike. We're getting up at 7am with the sun, setting our goals high, however, frequently falling short. Now, figure its a better idea to set slightly smaller goals, then shatter them and feel good about it.Got to the NOC a little slower than expected, didnt have profile maps to check with, so according to the trail book, it looked all downhill, oh yeah.... it wasnt, so instead of taking an easy downhill from 7-noon, we got there around 2pm instead, bit of a let down. Busted out the next day and it was a crazy haul uphil all day. 9 miles staight uphill, but it felt gooooooood. Hiking uphil is just something you do, you just set your mind to it, and hike. I am beginging to hate the downhills, bc you just can't hike fast enough down safely. Did a little bouldering at the rock faces past the NOC. The Nantahala river runs right thru the gorge, its controlled rapids by the dam further up the river, so around noon time, they flood the whole thing, and you can watch the rapids get larger right before your eyes, as well as the whole thing rise several feet. The next couple days past the NOC were gruelling, Stecoah gap was un believable, it was something like a 1100 elevation change up over less than a mile, no switchbacks, just straight up, whole thing took about an hour. But it was worth it. Saw some great balds, great skylines. Pushed on for a 22 mile day with some night hiking down to Fontana Dam. The entire dam was lit up with almost "encounters of the third kind" lights. Fun village town, ran into all of our old friends.The weather down here is crazy, and I thought up north was something. Wake up, its 32, gets real windy on the ridge, eventually rains for like 30 min, then it hits 78, gets real windy again, rains, and the night will settle anywhere from 50 down to single digits.The way the trails are designed here are also quite different than what we have back home in the whites. The trail builders cut right into the side of the mountain and blaze the trail, around peaks, so many times you can hike right up the mountain and have no reqwarding view. Other times, the trails totally go around the peak, so you stand at the base of a mountain, get excited to hike up it, and just hike around the base instead, bummer.Times up, ill catch you cats later, Im entereing the great smokey mountains today, 40 mph winds, snow drifts and radical temperature changes, wish me luck! PEACE!
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 107.1
Weather: overcast clouds

So as to not create confusion, the calculated miles are from town to town, unless that entry is on a day to day basis. However on that note, I hiked about 65 miles in 3 days! Thru the Smokys! It was a blast, we just woke up one morning and said, hey, I bet we can hike to hot springs by Wednesday monring....hey I bet we can hike to HS by Tuesday night! yeah...we did.We made a stop in Gatlinburg after leaving Fontana, due to our miscalculation of where Hotsprings was, basically we just needed food, or we'd run out. The Dam at Fontana was pretty cool, especially at night, you could see every single star in the sky, no artificial light for miles, spectacular. The stay at the Fontana Hilton was great, all of the old faces were there. Doomhammer had to get off the trail that day though, taking a few weeks off to let the knees heal, we will see him soon though, probally past Parisburg.The first stint thru the Smokys were alright, but it didnt really feel, or look like what youd think the smokys would be. It wasnt until we hit the treeline at 6000 feet that the smell of spruce and crisp mountain air truly made you feel like you were in that majestic national park. The trees were beautiful, running along the jagged rocky ridges. Hiking up to Clingmans Dome was a trip alright, 2nd highest mountain east of the Mississippi river. Just as we got to the observation deck, we could see the black storm cloud move in, we thought it was rain, until we were hit with hail..then snow...then wind.. all the way down the several miles to the next shelter. White out, blizzard conditions. The morning we were hiking in warm green conditions, by the evening, the ground was covered with 4 inches of snow.Our trip to G-Burg was basically straight forward, get groceries, small resupply. We got some ice cream cones too though. BK for lunch, KFC for dinner, and a grape soda for dessert, what else did you expect in town?Back on the trail, the ridge walks were amazing! Beautiful views!! Cascading mountains blanketed in green, offset by rocky faces and landslides. I was walking in front of Bryan on one of the ridges with 100 foot drop offs on either side, i got too close and my foot slipped. I fell a little bit down... then more, to the point where my leg was hanging off and my body was hugging the trail, heart punding for dear life after such a close encounter. In that split second I went from fear to laughter after coming to terms with the event that just occured.The next 3 days were hell, long hot days hiking from sun up to sun down. 20 miles, then 18, then 25. Last day, started around 7am and didnt stop hiking until 1115 at night, but we pulled into the first true trail town of Hot springs. Great town, great people, good drinks, good food.Ill be in touch with all of you soon, the hikes only going to keep getting better... everyday.PeaceRed Arm
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 189.3
Weather: scattered clouds

My feet hurt.I hiked 40 miles in 24 hours from Watauga Lake, starting at 3 in the afternoon, thru the night, couple hour nap, then thru the morning into the sunrise and finished at Damascus around 3 the next day. It was worth every step, despite the fact my heels are raw and bloody, it was a very enjoyable hike. Thats what worn out boots will do to you, but I just picked up my new Namches at the PO at 9am today, and have an epsolm salt soak waiting, so Ill be in good shape. Well, it makes sense to start off where I left off...Past Hot Springs was tough, not physically, but mentally. It was the first stretch where I felt a drop in motivation. I attest that now to it being 90 degrees and 85% humidity. Trying to time our arrival in Erwin to meet Andy also proved to be tough, after doing long days and big miles, chopping them down to between 10 and 15 miles just makes you ansy and leaves you feeling undfulfilled. I felt as if my AT cup was half full, but the views on top of the upcoming green ridges would fill until it overflowed.So Erwin, we met up with Andy and made sure he was ready to go, as far as gear and food was concerned, but there was no way we could force him to hike the same pace we were going, thus making it a challenge to find that medium between higher miles for him (just starting on the trail) andlower for us (cutting our average in half). It just didnt end up working out, he got blistered and tired, and we got restless. He hooked up with a slightly slower group and took a few days off to heal at a hostel, we pushed on. Im sure we will meet up with him in towns, which will be great, and now we've found that medium, even though it means we cant hike together.After 19E, we picked up the pace and really started hauling. Big days, night hikes and that unholy 40 miles into Damascus. We couldn't find the rope swing at Watauga lake but we did camp right on the beach, about a foot from the water, made the sunset and sunrise to die for. Can't say enough good things about hostels, Miss Janets, Uncle Johnnys, Kincora, Laurel Lodge, the Place... all have owners that will do anything for you, accomodate your every need and operate on eithe a donation basis or very inexpensive. Props to Hostels, save your money for pizza.Saw my favortie views on the trail! Up onto Roan and past it, the green ridge hike, rolling hills around 3-5000 feet up, bald tops, rocky patches, almost looked like Ireland. The hikes were not too tough, the sun does drain you a bit, but other than that, just beautidul. Fluffy white clouds in perfect blue skies. I want to take everyone I meet back with me to these mountains to show them the beauty of the South.Who knows whats next... Ill be pulling 25-35 miles a day coming up, in order to get back home in time and not run out of cash. The future is unknown, its a day to day thing, so youll be just as surprised as me when I make my next entry. Until we talk again, peace and loveRedArm
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Damascus, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 172.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Continuing my tradition of night hiking into trail towns, I rolled into Pearisburg this morning around 230am, only after a solid hour chilling on top of one of the rock overlooks for the town. Looking down about 1500 feet, with fog moving in, the lights of the city seemed to glow like stars on a cloudy night. The plan was to hike into town at night and hang out at the Food Lion supermarket, which mr wingfoot stated to be open 24hrs, so it was to our dismay to stroll into town and be greeted by a closed food establishment. On a lighter note, the aquafina machine outside spit out a free bottle of water for me, so... CA CHING!Trail days was mindblowing. 25,000 people in the small mountain town of Damascus, all of your friends you've meet over the past months, and have either moved ahead of you or fallen behind... it was like a big family reunion for this family youve only been a part of for 6 weeks. So you only belong in this family for 2 months, but it feels so much longer, the bonds you build out here will last a lifetime. It doesnt matter where you come from, when youre on the trail, everyones the same. The AT, the great equlizer.So in about a week, we pumped out 160 miles! Its great to be able to haul and get some good miles behind you, Im gettin the miles, so here come those smiles!Dismal falls was amazing, great great swimming, frolicking in the waterfalls, and not to mention natural "slip and slides" on the top rock faces. I had never really seen waterfalls til this hike, and seeing so many they started to not feel special anymore; Dismal Falls changed all of that. Definately one of my favorite places thus far.Hiked thru the Grayson Highlands this week, and boy were we fortunate as far as weather goes. Blue Skies. Bright Sun. Big fluffy white clouds. PONIES! This week started off with rolling green hills, scattered with rocks and glacial aratics. It was compared to Montana by one man, but never having been there before, I couldnt say much... except that the couple of miles in the Graysons were breathtaking.Tried to ride a wild pony, i lost.This week started our campaign to find more wildlife. We gave up after about an hour... but then our luck changed and over the last week, Ive seen more living creatures than the rest of the trip combined. Good things come to you when you stop looking for them. 7 foot black rat snake x2, 2 does, a buck, 2 tortoises, a mountain goat, tons of ponies, a psycho ruffed grouse, some horses, way too many creepy cows, topped off with tons of trout, sunfish, frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, bats, ravens, crows and some bird that had at least a 6 foot wingspan.Feel free to shoot me an email or leave a message in the guestbook, i love hearing messages from home and do my best to respond, but believe me that i think of your messages on the days of hike that get me down, you guys keep my up! thegrandtetons@hotmail.comandddddddcheck out some of my pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/elow-on-the-trailUntil we talk again, have a happy healthy day, im gonna go eat some crab rangoons! peace!!!!!
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 226.0
Weather: overcast clouds

UghIt always seems that when it comes time for me to be able to update my journal, its after a long reflection on how this hike is going. Luckily, Im in a good mood now, so this entry should be a little fluffier . Its not that I get into bad moods, but when you have torrential downpours, thunderstorms, 90 degree weather and 50 degree nights, every day... for a week, and then get sick and have to zero... and since youre sick, you cant really relax on your day off, you cant help but think sour thoughts about how everythings going.Im really sick of Virginia!!!!!! Every view is the same, the water sources are all of sub par quality, the weather is the same everyday (and its never good). Im SO happy that the Shenandoahs are here, I know theyre going to be awesome, Im going to see some of the best views yet, and thats what keeps me going, is knowing that something better is yet to come. Briarpatch and Mandy, the two BEST trail angels EVER! Seriously they rock. They took us in and treated us as part of the family, shared their home and neighborhood to us hikers in need. Coming off of Dragons Tooth, totally dehydrated and frustrated with hiking, we saw this tatterd sign, saying something along the lines of "Hiker in need of a cold shower and dry bed?" So we took down the phone number, walked the .4mi to the store to get a coke, and just for kicks, gave em a call, and got the answering machine. Left a message and tried to figure out how to get to the all you can eat down the street. Out of the blue, Briarpatch drove up in his awesome Honda Element and took us under his wing. The rest is how you say, history. Giving above and beyond what any of us expected, we were shuttled to and from the restaurant back to their house where showers, tv, and cold beverages awaited. Best thing? Venison burgers (WOW). ONE MILLION THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO BRIARPATCH AND MANDY!Without the love of trailangels, theres no way as many hikers would stay as happy as they are. Also, they always seems to hit you on your worst day, and turn it around into something unbelievable. I cant wait to finish my hike and someday turn around and give onto future hikers the magic I recieved.Hey, PS... Homeplace Restaurant, advertized in trail guides as the best food on the trail, lived up to its reputation once again. ALL YOU CAN EAT! Family style, you get these big heaping bowls full of potatos, beans, biscuits, ham, roast beef, chicken, cole slaw, mac and cheese, ice tea, lemonade, green beans, mmmmmm, what a place it is. They even allow hikers to camp on the lawn when theyre done eating, because no one can hike out of a place like that.Well, the hike has had its ups and downs so far, recently, yes, it has seemed like its had a whole LOT of rough points, but Im still out here, and still finding ways to keep having fun and meeting new people. The messages from home really help, I couldnt do it without all of your support, you guys rock! All of my love.PEACE! drink some water, dehydrations a dragRRRREEEEEDDDDDDDAAAAARRRRMMMMMMM!!!!
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Mass.
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everybody, surprise! Im home! Well, for a little bitHopped a train back up north, needed to take a week off, and neither time nor money would allow me to shack up in Harpers for any longer. I'll be resting up in good old Northboro, MA until next monday, 7/9, when I will be getting back on the trail to section together most of the north. Hoping to get in CT, MA, most of VT, and most of NH in the rest of my summer months.It wasn't an easy decision to make to get off the trail, I had planned this as a thru hike, but as things change, you roll with the punches right? Now I hiked half of the trail intending a thru hike, but now I will get to enjoy the pleasures of section hiking on my home turf! woohoo!The money was getting low, time was getting short. Id be able to make the money stretch and summit by end of August, but by pushing myself real hard and not being able to enjoy any meals in town, I don't see it being too enjoyable, and I came out here to have fun... not to turn my hike into a job. Hiking should be stress free, and as soon as that stress hits you, you need a change of pace. I chose to come home and rest, and section hike the 2nd half over the duration of this summer and the following summer.Wow, coming back home is weird, I live in a very flat area of MASS, the way the clouds were formed today made the blue skies bellow look exactly like rolling mountains along the horizon... alas there are no mountains in view. Furthermore, I drove by a torn paper sign stapled to a tree... it resemebled a white blaze so much, I almost ran someone off the road (ps driving skills don't disappear if you don't drive for 3 months, still an ace)As soon as I set foot into my house, I knew I had to start planning my return to the trail, I could hear it calling to me... my time wasn't up, it has a hold on me... I set the date, and its only about a week away. ATTN HIKING BUDDIES! When you get up to Massachusetts, and even up into VT and NH, drop me a message so we can hook up, Ill bring the sandwiches and my hiking boots, lets have a reunion!Sorry to all my friends on the trail that I will not see for a while, you're in my thoughts... love you all
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Home

To: Mt. Everett
Miles today: 0.0

BACK ON THE TRAIL AND COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!Starting my section hiking up north today, my sister will be joining me for this Massachusetts stint. Good to be back on the home turf. Hope to see some of my homies on the trail, show the big sis what all the fuss about hiking is. Can't wait to see a white blaze again!I'll let you know how it goes next week! LATER!~RED ARM!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2007-04-11
To: welcome
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Welcome to my journal. 16 days and counting till we take our first steps on the AT. My feet are already there waiting for me. I'm very excited, this has been a dream for years, and I'm glad to see it finally turning into a reality. The next few days are going to fly by, and before I know it I'll be out there. Thanks for everyone's support.
Date: 2007-04-11
To: gear
Miles today: 0.0

I've been getting all my last minute items for the trail. It's hard to believe that these will be my only possessions for the next five months. Thirty five pounds (I hope no more than that!) of provisions to keep me warm, fed, dry, and energized for twenty plus weeks. Everything still has a fresh novelty to it. Yesterday, Jodi and I took the dog for a walk in the florida afternoon showers, me decked out in the only clothing I'll have on the trail, my goretex boots, quick drying pants and shirt, and rainproof jacket, and of course the synthetic socks to keep my feet nice and dry. There are a few purchases left to make, but I have to keep reminding myself that I don't need the newest gadget on the market. These outfitter shops have a way of putting a big smile on your face to make up for your empty pockets.
Date: 2007-04-13
To: ktaadn
Miles today: 0.0

"Nature was here something savage and awful, though beautiful. I looked with awe at the ground I trod on, to see what the Powers had made there, the form and fashion and material of their work. This was that Earth of which we have heard, made out of Chaos and Old Night. Here was no man's garden, but the unhandselled globe. It was not lawn, nor pasture, nor mead, nor woodland, nor lea, nor arable, nor waste land. It was the fresh and natural surface of the planet Earth, as it was made forever and ever,-to be the dwelling of man, we say,-so Nature made it, and man may use it if he can. Man was not to be associated with it. It was Matter, vast, terrific,-not his Mother Earth that we have heard of, not for him to tread on, or to be buried in,-no, it were being too familiar even to let his bones lie there,-the home, this, of Necessity and Fate. There was clearly felt the presence of a force not bound to be kind to man. It was a place of heathenism and superstitious rites,-to be inhabited by men nearer of kin to the rocks and to wild animals than we... What is it to be admitted to a museum, to see a myriad of particular things, compared with being shown some star's surface, some hard matter in its home! I stand in awe of my body, this matter to which I am bound has become so strange to me. I fear not spirits, ghosts, of which I am one,-that my body might,-but I fear bodies, I tremble to meet them. What is this Titan that has possession of me? Talk of mysteries! Think of our life in nature,-daily to be shown matter, to come in contact with it,-rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks! the solid earth! the actual world! the common sense! Contact! Contact! Who are we? where are we?"-Henry David Thoreau"KTAADN"