morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-25
From: Rufus Morgen Shelter

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Awoke with the sun and did the first .8 miles of our day to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) with Papa Nuke and Caboose. Papa Nuke was kind enough to buy Travis and I breakfast, I had whole wheat pancakes with eggs and sausage mmmm. Travis went to the outfitter for new shoes and I picked up a new dry bag to help me hang my food at night (so the bears & mice don't get it). The highlight of the day was meeting a guy by the name of Alpine, from the book, "Just Passin' Through." He assisted Travis with shoes, gave us some tips for the trail (he has done it twice), and talked about the book from his point of view. He was also nice enough to give us his card and the name of a trail angel that we should call when we get to Harpers Ferry, WV. We left the NOC by 11 and began a long steep 16 miles. We gained over 3,000ft of elevation in just a few miles and the remainder of the day had numerous ups and downs. With only 2.4 miles to go we his a stretch known as Jacob's Ladder. It was tough and it took about all that I had to move myself up that steep mountain. It felt so good to get to the top that we jogged the rest of the way to the shelter. At the shelter with us are some friendly section hikers from PA: Chutejam and Coalkraka.
Date: 2011-05-26
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

The most rewarding part of today was the faces of our fellow hikers and we trudged into the shelter with a 12pack of beers. Prior to the beer we had hustled from Brown Fork shelter and had the first 11 miles done by 11:30. A quick hitch into Fontana Village let us do some laundry and get a bite to eat. We also resupplied at the general store, where they sold a box of mac 'n' cheese for $2.59. I have never been more upset about the cost of a meal. We walked the remainder of the trail up to the shelter and enjoyed our cold beers with a side of good conversation.
Date: 2011-05-27
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

We woke up at the dam shelter to the sound of rain but by the time we had packed up the weather had turned around. The free shower at the dam visitors center was refreshing and necessary. Breakfast this morning was a muffin but not just any muffin. A banana nut muffin packing a whopping 600 calories! That is good hiker food. The overcast sky made telling time difficult so we just stop when we are hungry or need water. Lunch was had in the company of Pilgrim and 2-cents, with whom we had shared the shelter last night, and we received some PB & tortillas from a few section hikers. Although the trail was muddy from rain, we walked through a beautiful field toward our shelter for the night. After a few games of cribbage and a tasty dinner we enjoyed the company of some other hikers, joking about the rules of the smoky mountains and how much we are enjoying our respective hikes.
Date: 2011-05-28
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 19.87
Weather: few clouds

Today was a day of milestones. 200 miles into the trip, summiting the highest peak on the A.T., and our longest yet day of hiking. It was also a day of adventure. While eating lunch we heard about a fellow hiker, about a mile ahead of us, who had began passing blood. The news came from a ridge-runner (Trail caretaker) who asked us if we would catch him and make sure he was okay. As we left on our "quest" we heard the ridge-runner on his radio say, "Don't worry, I have two super-fast ultralight guys leaving to catch him." Needless to say we were flattered and our ego's grew slightly. In the end we caught him and everything was alright. Park staff arrived to take care of him and we went on our way. It is interesting to see how things change on the trail. People seem to be willing to help you without having a clue who you are. We have received food from hikers, rides in/out of town, advice and praise from complete strangers. This was our chance to give a little back to the trail and neither Travis nor myself though twice about helping out.
Date: 2011-05-29
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Springs
Miles today: 7.5

We slept in today, which was a treat, and did the 5 miles to Newfound gap. There we were fortunate enough to meet a man named Dorsey. He offered to give us a ride into town. Once in town we realized that the motel, which was supposed to receive our package, had been foreclosed upon. Alas it was Sunday and the package was at the post office. Furthermore, the box could not be obtained before Tuesday because of Labor day. The decision was made to eat our cares away and hit the grocery store to resupply. With a western omelet, biscuits and gravy, and a country ham biscuit in tow, we made our way to the grocery store. While enjoying our recently purchased chocolate milk we contemplated our dilemma of getting 3 miles across town to the outfitter. Out of nowhere our buddy Dorsey shows up and offers to take us where we need to go. That is what I call good luck. While at the outfitter, where we used the internet and took a shower, we discovered that our package had actually been rerouted to a nearby hotel. I walked a few blocks, got the package and returned to the outfitter, where Travis and I sorted through them. Since we had already purchased the necessary stores to get us to Hot Springs, NC, we forwarded the food to an inn in Hot Springs. Our next dilemma was getting back to the trailhead, located 15 miles up the mountain. 45 minutes of unsuccessful hitching and I was starting to get discouraged. Frustrated, we watched as some fellow thru-hikers got a ride into town. A few moments later, the same person who had given our friends a ride turned around and took us back to the trail. Sometimes the trail is good to those who walk it.
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Painter Branch Campsite
Miles today: 20.4

Today was the kind of day where you wake up expecting one thing to happen but the world sends you in another direction. We started our 15 mile day by doing the first 8 miles in about 2 hours (for non-hikers that is pretty fast), stopping at the Cosby Knob shelter for food, water and a quick break at the privy. We took our time getting to the shelter where we planned on camping but we still arrived with a substantial amount of daylight. The decision was made to press on to a creekside campsite we had heard about. The sun was hot and after we crossed a highway, we realized that we had managed to pass our campsite. Crap, well the next place to camp is only another 2.2 miles. No big deal right? Wrong, that 2.2 miles was all uphill and there wasn't much in the way of foliage to provide shade. After a grueling 20 mile day we trudged into camp covered in sweat and utterly exhausted. Our buddy 2-cents (I gave him his name) was already there and later in the evening we were joined by Raven, a seasoned section-hiker. At the end of our difficult day we were rewarded with a beautiful campsite. A small island with streams on either side, provided a suitable place for dinner to be made and good conversation to be had. I slept like a baby.
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Painter Branch Campsite

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We walked with raven today, a 24 year old entrepeneur from MN, and we really took our time. Travis and I generally push hard to get most of our miles done in the morning but today we walked at Raven's pace. At a shelter where we stopped for a break and water, we witnessed two 4ft rat snakes mate in the rafters of the shelter. I suggested we light some candles, put on some marvin gay and leave them alone :P We arrived at a place called Max Patch, a field-like mountaintop (photos coming soon), just in time for lunch and Raven shared his knowledge of plants and birds with us.
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

At home I am not a morning person and waking up is generally quite a chore. Since we started walking 19 days ago things have changed. It is as if my body has synchronized itself with the sun. The rising sun is my alarm clock and sunsets act like a strong sleeping pill. There is something very natural about that cycle and it feels like god intended it to be so. We awoke today at first light and wolfed down some oatmeal w/ dried fruit. Bags were quickly packed and we put shoes to dirt. Though the terrain was tough, lots of elevation gain and loss, we made good time. Because we started our thru-hike later than most, we have a bit of a time constraint and we tend not to take a lot of breaks. Today we took our time having lunch next to a spring and we arrived at our intended destination before 1pm. Since the shelter was only 3 miles before Hot Springs, we smelled pretty bad and hadn't done laundry in about 100 miles, the decision was made to try and find lodging in town. Using our guide book, we discovered that a local inn allows some hikers to work in exchange for their room and board. We called the Sunnybank inn and were told that such work was available. Our spirits were high and thoughts of ice cream carried us into Hot Springs. Built in 1840 and listed in the national register of historic places, the historic Sunnybank inn is a beautiful white victorian home. The proprietor, Elmer Hall, serves local organic meals and we were lucky enough to partake in a four course feast. Banana bread a'la mode safely tucked away in our tummies, we sorted out our cell phone issues and I caught up with my family. It was good to hear from home.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Housekeeping
Miles today: 0.0

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported me and believed in my dream. Friends and family have made sacrifices to let me do this and I cannot find the words to express my appreciation for everything that has been given, sacrificed, and tolerated so that I can do what I am doing. Special thanks go out to my supportive parents, my lovely girlfriend, and my encouraging friends. Karen Epp, Abbi Braegelmann and Laura Rapp your packages brought smiles to the faces of two smelly/hairy hikers. Jean and Bob Hopson, your gifts, kindness and contributions to my life will never be forgotten and will always be appreciated more than you know. Thank you Chad, Laurie, and Aunt Lorna for your contributions to my hiking fund and for tolerating a godson and nephew who doesn't call as often as he should. I would like to request that, if you have not yet signed my guestbook (located on the lefthand side of the website), that you do so and that if any questions exist that you post them there. I would love to hear from those of you who I know and from those of you I don't. I have also posted our next maildrop, for anyone who wishes to send a carepackage or words of encouragement.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

I feel very refreshed after our zero day, which was good because we had a long day planned. On our way out of town we stopped by the outfitter and weighed our packs. With 5 days worth of food and water I checked in at 29lbs, which I am happy with. The miles came fairly easy at first but the last part of the day dragged on for what seemed like forever. I think I have discovered a new disease: Shelteritis. Many hikers suffer from this terrible illness that includes symptoms like: fatigue, poor judgment of distance walked, mistaking trees for the shelter, and not having any clue how much longer you will have to walk. I began showing signs of the early stages of shelteritis but symptoms ceased when we did in fact find the shelter
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Little Laurel

To: Hogback Ridge
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Today started early and ended late. We set out for the day after a breakfast of oatmeal and blueberries. We made very good time and snacked on a barren ridge with Intern, Caboose, Chopsticks, and Simco. About 5 miles before the end of the day we began hearing thunder in the distance. We have considered ourselves very fortunate, as we have yet to be stormed on while walking. Our pace quickened because we were on a high ridge and luckily we arrived just as the light drizzle turned into a full out storm. We received some trail magic at the shelter in terms of fresh fruit and cold drinks. Lucky us!
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Hogback Ridge

To: No Business Knob
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: few clouds

Tired. 20.8 miles today, which brings our 3 day average to around 60 miles and we are not even in the flat sections yet Hiking is becoming more of a mental challenge than a physical one and sometimes the repetition and routine can drive a man nuts. Support from family and friends has definitely mad things easier. 7:30pm and I am already in bed! Hopefully will be uploading photos soon.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: No Business Knob

To: Deep Gap 
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was filled with literal and figurative ups and downs. We arrived in Erwin, TN early in the morning and got a shuttle to a little gas station with a breakfast counter. The biscuits and gravy were amazing and filling and were followed with a 600 calorie honey bun and a snickers. Can you believe that I am still loosing weight? When we left we had smiles on our faces and full stomachs. The stretch of trail was not too difficult today, the usual hills, but the end of the day is where things went sour. We arrived at our campsite to find it swarming with flys and tiny biting gnats, which are annoying enough, but combine the bugs with a lukewarm dinner and you have a couple unhappy hikers. Tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Deep Gap 

To: Greasy Creek gap
Miles today: 12.0

As I mentioned in my previous entry, the bugs last night were ferrocious. So bad, in fact, that we skipped breakfast just to get far away from that place. We walked our first 8 miles to a road crossing, where we had planned on hitchhiking to a post office to pick up a resupply box. But for that plan to work we would have needed someone to give us a ride. That did not happen. Fortunately, indeed very fortunately, a hostel with limited resupply was locatewd another 4 miles down the trail. Disappointed because our resupply did not go as planned and the meal we had been looking forward too was not going to happen, we trucked up the trail to the Greasy Creek Friendly. Once there we met the neurotic, obsessive compulsive, sweet and kind Cee Cee. Her motherly nature, insistance that we wash our hands 45,000 times, and inexpensive rates had us soon forgetting our troubles. We stayed in her bunkhouse and drove us to a local dive where i devoured a double cheese burger with bacon and a tasty milkshake. She also took us to wal-mart for resupply, let us make a salad in her kitchen, and lent us her copy of Lord of The Rings, which we enjoyed on her couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry's. It was the kind of day every hiker needs to make the mountains seen less harsh and the miles go by faster. Thank you Cee Cee!
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Apple House

To: Moreland Gap 
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

I spent a good hour this morning soaking my feet at the base of Jones waterfall. Frodo and I hiked with Simco and Caboose all day and we took our time. A long lunch break was needed and we timed it so we could sit and enjoy another large waterfall. The last few miles of the day dragged on forever and we got into camp much later than usual (7pm). After dinner the four of us made hot cocao w/ milk powder, which was a very nice treat. It is definitely the little things in life that can put a smile on a hiker's face.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Moreland Gap 

To: Wautuga Lake
Miles today: 16.7

Today was a blast, we walked 14.7 miles over a massive mountain to Hampton, TN and as soon as we arrived we hitchhiked into town. If you don't already know, hikers and all you can eat buffets go together as well as PB & J. So well in fact, that we spent 4 hours at the Pizza Plus, devouring all kinds of pizza and taking a nap to allow for much needed digestion. The pizza didn't stand a chance. We then planned and executed the first annual Wautuga lake beach party, on the shores of the lake. Pool toys, Coronas and some serious hiker tan lines made the beach party a success. It felt great to get in the water and do something other than hike for a while. Unfortunately a thunder-storm rolled in and ended the party prematurely. Fortunately we were able to get our things under the cover of the bathroom before it started pouring. The showers didn't last long and we were able to make our way to the shelter without getting wet.
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Wautuga Lake

To: Double Springs
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: few clouds

Todays Journal will be in list form.-Made s'mores for lunch and dinner -Pissed off a rattlesnake who didn't want to get off the trail -must have angered the gods, thunderstorms followed -walked through a cow pasture & chased some cows -Shelter was full of weekend hikers (nothing makes a thru-hiker angry like a shelter full of weekenders on a rainy day)-Sub-par tent spot = mediocre sleep
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Double Springs

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

State #4!!! Only another 1,800 miles and ten states to go The gradual downhill into town was done in wet clothes and soaked shoes, meaning we moved as fast as possible. Shortly after crossing the Virginia state line we took a break and started making phone calls about accomodations for the night. Out of the six hostels/B&B's that I called, only 2 answered. Fortunately for me Jeff, the owner of Ruby's Rest, picked up his phone. Jeff and his wife Nikki rent out the "shed" in their back yard to hikers and cyclists passing through Damascus. If that place was a shed I would hate to hear what they would call my college apartment. The shed was more of a small cottage, complete with a double bed and bunks, microwave, coffee pot, a beautiful bathroom and a mini-fridge stocked with cold beer. These amenities may not sound like much to you normal folks but things like this are really what help keep me hiking. Before we checked in we feasted at the local Dairy King (no that is not a spelling error) on country fried steak and a cold milkshake. Laundry was done, showers were taken and Jeff gave the other guys a ride to the store while I chatted on the phone. Needless to say they returned with a feast fit for a king. Frozen microwave burritos, additional materials for s'mores, a plethora of fruit as well as doughnuts for breakfast. We dined while listening to comedian Jim Gaffigan and fell asleep with full stomachs and smiles on our faces.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

I woke up refreshed and eager to dine on the doughnuts and fruit that had been purchased last night. They also acquired orange juice, milk and cereal and we made coffee. Fantastic breakfast. I spent some time at the post office mailing home things to make my pack lighter. I am no longer carrying any underwear (all of my shorts have liners), I am only carrying one t-shirt, the switch was made from a bladder hydration system to gatorade bottles, and I only have one pair of shorts. I also got on the internet at the library to update my journal and check e-mail. For lunch we attacked turkey, spinach, green pepper, and tomato sandwitches. Bags were then packed and the four of us (Simco, Caboose, Frodo and myself) headed out of town around 2pm. The four hours it took us to get to the shelter went by quickly and upon arrival we pitched our tarptent in a nice grove of pine trees.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We started our day with cornbread and honey and moved at a good pace. Some section hikers donated 20oz of summer sausage to us right before the end of the day. Climbing up to Virginia's highest point, Mt. Rodgers, we stayed in a log shelter in the upstairs loft and the wind is howling. It is going to be a cold night at 5,400ft.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Thomas Knob

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: clear sky

We woke up early with the hope of catching the sunrise but the incoming clouds made that impossible. Despite our disappointment, we witnesses the low clouds sweeping though the foothills of Mt. Rodgers, which was breathtaking. We entered the Grayson Highlands early this morning and walked passed the famous ferral ponies that reside there. Most of the trail was very well maintained and had a mostly downward slope, making our day much easier. Dinner tonight after a long day of hiking consisted of Taco-roni (mac 'n' cheese and taco seasoning) and salmon with a snickers and little debbie snack for dessert. Once we had settled in for the night a troop of noisy boy scouts tromped through our campsite and began setting up right next to us. pots and pans were clanging, crys for help cooking dinner (it was after 9pm) resounded, and loud conversations about water purification were being had right next to our tent. After several requests for them to be quiet I began to wonder if the boys had forgotten the part of their creedo that states "A boyscout is courteous." Thank the lord for ear plugs!
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

Todays journal entry will be done as a chronological list of events.6:45am Leave camp10:00 Arrive at Partnership shelter (10 miles from camp)10:00-11:00 Shower & Laundry at the shelter; it was a nice shelter 11:15 Simco, Frodo, Caboose leave to resupply and grab lunch11:16 - 2:00pm I play solitaire, organize my bag, play more solitaire2:01pm The guys arrive with 2 large specialty pizzas, 2lbs of chocolate cake, most of the available little debbie products, miniture pies, soda, a fresh pinaple, a carton of strawberries, and a pint of blueberries.2:01-3:30 Food domination and subsequent food comas occur.4:00pm annoying Boyscouts from last night arrive.4:15 Frodo and I slowly work our bulging stomachs up the 7 miles to the next shelter.
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Got an early start to the day and made our way the first 4.5 miles to a road crossing, where we planned on hitching into Atkins, Virginia. Unfortunately at 9am on a saturday not many people seemed inclined to give a lift to a couple of smelly hikers. Thus we started walking th 3 miles towards the post office. About half way there an old red van pulls over and offers to give us a lift, we thankfully accept. In the car were 3 people, none of whom had a complete set of teeth and although I did not count, I doubt they had a complete set between the three of them. Never the less we were happy to let them save our feet. We got to the post office a little early but Rick the manager grabbed our boxes for us and we spread out on the floor of the post office to sort our things. It is kind of funny having everything you own on the floor of a small post office in rural Virginia. I received a lovely package from my mother containin my favorite banana oatmeal cookies and 2 single serving bottles of Shiraz. Quite a treat. We stuffed out belongings back in our sacks and started making our way back to the trail, thumbs outstreched. Just as we started to get nervous that a ride was not in our future, a red truck pulled over and took us back to the trailhead. With about 13 miles to get to the shelter it started to pour. Soaked and tired we meandered to our temporary home.
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Knot Maul Branch

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

At 8am we left the shelter, which was a very late start for us, and by 10 we were making our way up through a mountain meadow. The clouds rolled in and brought with them low visibiliy and lots of moisture. The forecast was for rain and for once they got it right. Hiking in a cloud at 5,000 feet while it is raining it quite an experience. Seeking cover at the first shelter we came to, we waited out the rain and did our best to dry out. Once the rain passed we pushed on to the next shelter, where we stayed with Chopsticks.