morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Tri Corner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel Waterville School RD TN
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we leave the Smokies and it seem that, the views aside, nobody will miss them. We got up to snow and ice and frozen shoes and frozen water bottles. I did not sleep real well. Got up and made breakfast (oatmeal and Swiss Miss) and got on the trail at 8:50. Today I hiked for 8 and one half hours. It was another spectacular day. The sun was out and the views were like yesterday, but the footing was much better. You can look out and for miles nothing but mtn. after mtn.- unbelievable. I hiked for a time with Spruce and Half Brew. Lots of section hikers out,even a crew working the trail on horseback. By noon the temp was in the fifties and the going was great. It was a somewhat easy day with the last five miles to the end of the Smokies at Davenport Gap all downhill. I went three more miles and plugged in at the Standing Bear Hostel. Who did I see? You guessed it- Ron, Shakedown, and Cruise. I caught them. This place is basic and on the honor system. You get a shower, bunk, laundry for $15.00 . The internet is extra. There are about 10 hikers here for the night. (Shoulda coulda, Catfish, Ronan and wife?, Wendy and Drew, and Spook and Twigg, Ron and I) Another anecdote about the Smokies that I forgot to mention is that they have these 4 foot pens everywhere to keep the wild hog population out of certain areas in the forest. I guess they play havoc on the land and trees. More on this place later. To bed now. In three days I should be in Hot Springs. Happy Trails , Peace, Squire
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Standing Bear Hostel Waterville School RD TN

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Got up late- 8:45 or so- the crew came in from the tent -Spruce,HalfBrew, and Toad and start. I had Pop Tarts for breakfast. Hiked with Toad for a bit, and then Memphis T for 3hours or so. It was interesting as he is from Boston and a history guy. I continued to Mac's Patch alone. What a view! Mac's Patch is a mountain with grazing land on the top. It is like a Bald. The people in GA pronounce it like ball) They are on the tops on big mts. No trees. The Indians and later settlers would cut the trees and use the top for grazing the cattle or sheep. It was cooler up in the mountains so it was more conducive to growth. Today they keep the Bald cut by burning and trimming. It is a favorite place to hike out of Hot Springs. They are over 5,000 feet in elevation- amazing! I took a photo and will post it later. I met Halfway and Spruce at the shelter and there were two other people there from TN. Wendy and Drew were tenting below us. I got a fire going;it was cool and got colder. The AM was at about freezing. I did not get a particularly good night's rest but just being off my feet from 8:00 PM to 7:30 AM or so is good for the legs. Still wondering if my bag is adequate. Also, a gear note for you hikers: many of the hikers use a down jacket in camp at night and to sleep instead of the fleece like I have, but I am comfortable with the way I am doing it. They claim that the two fleeces take up more space in the pack. It is ok for me. My pack is much lighter than last year. I do not carry as much water but plan better and get it as I need it on the go. All is well. Happy Trails- Peace, Squire
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs N.C. 
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Easter to all!! Left At 8:30 and arrived at 7:45. Great time- great day. The hiking seems to be getting easier. I am also getting lighter.It was another good day- lots of down and level. Before we left camp, Toad came in. She was going to do sunset and sunrise on the Mac's Patch. Sunset was OK but no sunrise. She was with Memphis T and Josh and Riley. She left her poles and had to slack back to get them. Ron came in after I left; he wanted to surprise me, but I was gone. Met Spruce and Half Brew at the first shelter for a break. There was a Bible there. (There are many bibles in the shelters down here) So I did an Easter Service and read some Luke 23 (I think). The passage about the women coming to the tomb etc.. Not sure why but we had talked about sunrise service but missed it. Had good cell service today from Bluf Mtn down off and on so I called the family at Kathy Donahue's and talked to Dad and the crew. They gave me a "Happy Easter" yell into the phone. Nice. Then came the town. I could see it through the trees. This was the first town that I walked through on the trail. There are not many right on the trail, but when they come, they are special. Civilization. (Mass has a few towns- Cheshire and Dalton). It is always interesting coming down into a town. I could hear a rooster crowing and a dog barking, and the little main street with the stores and old houses. It is amazing looking at the town in the valley nestled among the tall mtns. all around. It is very much like we have in New Hampshire and Vermont and somewhat like in the Berkshires. It took me 30 min. to actually do the switchbacks to get down into town. That always takes longer than you think it will. Got to SunnyBank Inn (Elmer's Victorian) at 4:15 PM and checked in. What a place. The oldest house in town 1840 (I think). Yes, 1840. (Not real old to us New Englanders) But the place has all original stuff, bathtub fixtures etc. Elmer showed me around- music room, baths, sitting rooms, library with lots of environmental books etc. Elmer is an Obama guy with lots of anti Bush stuff on the walls. A little strange for N.C. Elmer told me that I had to sign up for dinner (Vegetarian) if I wanted and also sign up for breakfast (vegetarian). I was meeting the guys for dinner, so I declined. I went to the outfitters for insoles, but it was closing so I will go tomorrow. Also, did a laundry at the local store. I met Spruce and Halfway for dinner at The Bridge Street Cafe. Also Riley,Josh,and Start were there. Then in came Memphis T and, of course, Ron, "Shakedown Cruise',and Beatty. I can't shake that Ron. We had pizza and went back to Elmer's. Chatted for a time and got a good night's sleep. I decided to take a zero day tomorrow in Hot Springs. I really do not like taking them, but I guess they are good for you. I came to hike so when I am not hiking, I feel a little guilty. Ron say I should not. Relax and enjoy the town and the camaraderie. It's part of the trip and I guess it is. So tomorrow. Hot Springs again.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Hot Springs N.C. 

To: Hot Springs , NC Elmer's Victorian
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today is a rest or zero day. Got a good night's rest. Ron was my roommate. Got up and it was snowing a little in Hot Springs this AM. We went to the Smokie Mtn with Ron. He picked up the tab for us. He had two meals, the last was a pancake a la mode with ice cream and fruit piled on top. ice cream. They actually gave it to him for free. Great guy. Then Willie, Spruce, Memphis T, Half Brew, and Toad came in. She had spent the night in a shelter all alone. She did not seem to mind. I went back to get organized and went to the Dollar Store to get supplies. The library does not open until 11:00 AM. The next four days will be in the woods. There is no more chance to get food until Erwin,TN. I went to the outfitters and bought some new inserts for my shoes. My shoes are starting to break down and everyone seems to use these Super Feet. They are expensive but supposed to be the best. I am typing this from the outfitters now. Later, I will go to the library. I need to go to the post office and send some stuff ahead to Erwin TN. I am at the library with Ron. It is next to a small school. I have been wearing my new insoles and my heels hurt a little. I think I will have to break them in slowly but I did keep my old ones in case I have to alternate. This will be my last for a while. It will be 4 or 5 days to Erwin, and I am not sure about using the net. Next stop will be Damascus, VA,in about 10 days. I am back at the library. Left to restock for food and get my pack ready. Met a new hiker, Strides, a student at Colby College. He did not know Bisby or Bashaw. Ron, Toad and I went over to Spruce's to check on the HotTub idea and woke him up. Not sure he was real happy. Ron's friend Cynthia is arriving at midnight, and I will get to meet her at breakfast. I am having breakfast and dinner tonight (both vegetarian) at the Inn. Should be interesting but as I say NVNG. The crew is going to The Paddler's Pub (This is a whitewater area) tonight. I didn't go to the pub. Had a five course vegetarian meal at Elmer's with the staff Ron, Toad, and Matthew- carrot/onion soup, salad, pasta w vegggies, herbal tea, and pecan pie with ice cream- excellent food. I stayed in and bed early, got up for breakfast and up to the mountain. Take care Happy Trails, Peace, Squire
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Log Cabin Road

To: Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today I did not hike- I rambled and had fun. It was a great hike day. I took my time, kicked the leaves ,and enjoyed the trip. The highlight was Big Firescald Knob- a vertical granite, rock ridge line like we get in the North with spectacular views to the right, NC and the mtns. to the left and to the right in TN a valley with farms and villages and little houses with roling hills. Also, got a chance to stow the poles and hand climb for a bit- felt like hiking at home . I met two day hikers, Linda and Gene, and had lunch with them at Jery Cabin Shelters. Note: along the trail I have seen grave sites. One after the NOC for a firefighter who died fighting a forest fire, and four other sites of people who hiked the trail and died and whose ashes were spread on the trail. Another interesting one today was a grave of two brothers and a 13 year old lookout who were killed during the Civil War. The two brothers had enlisted in the Union Army and were ambushed by the Confederates on their way home for a holiday. They were William and David Shelton NC Mtd Inf at Cold Spring Mtn. (See movie Cold Mtn) Note: many mtn people from TN and NC had no affiliation with the Plantation South so they formed regiments and fought with the Union. A boy 13 years old named Hehir was also killed. The Mtn that I climbed today was part of the Andrew Johnson Mtn.- remember Lincoln's VP was from TN,a Southern state. Johnson and Davy Crocket were from Greenville, TN, where I stayed last night. Got to camp and Strider was there. After I ate, Start came in and 4 students from Missou with a dog. The dog caught a skunk at the shelter but avoided getting sprayed. 8:16 and going to bed soon. Nice night getting warmer- 19 plus miles tomorrow. Happy Trails, Peace, Squire
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Flint Mtn Shelter

To: Bald Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

One of the toughest days yet- two climbs dropped to 2900 then up to 4579 at Frozen Knob, then down to Sam's Gap (3850) and up over a 7 mile stretch to Big Bald (5516). The views from the Bald made it worthwhile- 360 degree views of TN and NC. Today was also the first day with no snow on the ground. Once again the trail skirted NC and TN. When I got to Devil's Fork Rd. on the left was TN Rt 352 and on the right was NC Rt 212. I came down between I 26, my second interstate crossing and the left sign said,"Welcome to TN." The right one said, "You are entering Madison County, Jewel of the Blue Ridge." Also, today I came across two more graves overlooking a stream. One was a Dorothy Hensley- March 2, 1865 to April 30,1965 100 years old. Today's Bald was the highest yet. I got to the shelter and Strides was there with Willy Boy from Chicago and Phoenix and Smokie (2 new people). Matthew came later and Josiah and Start after dark. Josiah kept hiking in the dark. Another anectdote. The gaps are all labeled with their names but the tops of the mtns are not. When you get to the top, there is rarely a sign. It would be a lot more gratifying a reward to see how high you went and where you were instead of how low you could go. Oh well. Happy Trails -Peace- Squire
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Bald Mtn Shelter

To: Nolichucky River Erwin TN
Miles today: 16.9

Out of the shelter early- 8:15 but last out today. Usually, I am the first one out. Passed Phoenix and Smokie, met Willie Boy and had lunch at No Business Shelter. Hiked with him for awhile. I had a fairly easy hike today, a couple of ups but mostly down to the river. You know what that means tomorrow- we will go up and up. I could see town, but it took an hour to get to it. Interesting as I was entering town, guess what? A train whistle went off and a train announced my presence in town. Freaky? I went to Uncle Johnny's Hostel and got a room with Willy. Uncle Johnny's wife took us to Erwin 3 miles away to get dinner (Mexican Axtecs) and to let us shop for our restock for the next five days or so. I did a laundry and the troops are watching a video. TV reception is not good enough to get the Sweet Sixteen. I miss watching the hoops. Oh, well. I bought a pizza for the boys while the video is going. We will go to breakfast then get back on the trail. Have to go over Roen Mtn. a 6000 footer and the last 6000 footer until New Hampshire. Great! Hi to all who read this- I hope you are enjoying it. Thanks to Joellen for the editing. Get out and go for a hike. Happy trails- Peace- Squire
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Nolichucky River Erwin TN

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up fairly early at 7:30 AM. I had to decide what to do today. It was raining so first we all went to The Huddle House for waffles. They say they are all over the South. This is an inferior version of the Waffle House. We went back to the hostel and Southside and Bull were there. Also, they said the boys Half Brew, Spruce, Riley (now Five bags), and Memphis T were in town. I decided to do a slack pack to Indian Gap. Johnny said he would drive me back tomorrow for $12.00, a standard fee. So I decided to hike with a slack pack and then hitch back to Erwin. It is pretty easy going when all you have in your pack is a gatoraide, camera, cell phone, snickers, tp, and some GORP. I also brought my raincoat, but it didn't rain. I made a pack out of the top of my regular pack. It doesn't have straps, butI used my 2 extra shoe laces that I carry to make shoulder straps. Because the pack is light, it works real well. The trail was a steep uphill to start and was slippery over the roots. There were quite a few craggy areas but,all in all, a pleasurable hike. When I got to Indian Gap, I put out my thumb, and the first car picked me up. Trail Magic. The kid was a graduate of JMU, and he had been kayacking on the Nolichucky River. His name was Kyle Welch from Winston-Salem .N.C. Guess where he took his kayak out of the water? You guessed it. Right at Uncle Johnny's. So I lucked out and got a ride and good company right to the door. I am going with Uncle Johnny to town to pick up the rest of the crew. He plans to take everyone back tonight for dinner, but I think that I will try and just eat some pizza. We have a TV that gets two stations, but one of them is CBS and the hoops games are on CBS, so tonight we will watch hoops, go to bed, and get ready to start again tomorrow. Johnny has me set for an 8:00 AM ride to the trailhead. That is good because I have had enough of hanging around. (More Later) Happy Trails - Peace, Squire
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 15.0

This is the next day and my plan,which of course could change,is to go 15 miles to Greasy Creek and stay in a bunk house for $8.00 (The Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel). I will let you know what happens later. This is later. Left Johnny's at 7:45 AM, and he drove to Hardee's for breakfast with Willy Boy. We got to Indian Grave Gap at about 8:30, and I started my day. I started the hike in rain gear, but it was very cold and windy. There was ice on the trees and on the trail. It was so cold I stopped to put on gloves, hats, and a fleece. On the windward side, it was very windy and the mist turned to ice on the trees and trail which made for tricky going. On the leeward side, it was muddy. As the day warmed, the ice melted and came down like it was raining as I hiked. Phoenix and Smokie came into the Cherry Gap Shelter as I was leaving from a lunch break. They told me that it was so cold last night that they could not open the zipper on their tents in the morning because it was frozen. I got to Greasy Gap at 5:00 PM and went down a dirt road .6 miles to the Greasy Friendly Hostel run by Cee Cee. Phoenix and Smoke were there and Spruce, Riley, and Travis came in . It is a nice place, but the bunkhouse has no heat. Cee Cee cooked us dinner. She had a menu with prices for us. The meal was great. I had a salad and a boca burger. I got a shower, and she plans on breakfast at 8:00 AM. One problem is her eccentric neighbor who does not like hikers and will run his motorcycle down to the mailbox at 5:00 AM just to wake the hikers. After that he starts up his lawn mower and cuts the grass over and over. It relly didn't bother us much we all had our shelter ear plugs in. The whole cost for two meals, shower, and the stay was $23.00. Today,s anecdote: The mountain tops after the Smokies are all accessible by car. The mtn tops and balds all seem to have motor vehicle or ATV access.There are lots of side roads and cart /logging roads like Wachusett, so people can get to the views. Examples are Wasser Bald, Roan Mtn, Big Bald etc. Tomorrow is Roen Mtn, the last 6,000 footer until New Hampshire. It should be a tough day. Happy Trails, Peace- Squire
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: YellowMtn Gap Overmtn Barn Shelter
Miles today: 14.8

Up at 10:00AM -Cee Cee made us breakfast. She waited until everyone was fed before I could check out. I finally checked out at 10:00. It took 30 min to get to the trail from her house. Tough day, big climbs Greasy Creek(4034) to Little Rock Knob (4918) to Hughes Gap(4040) up to RoenMtn (6285) (3rd highest on the trail) to Carver Gap (5512) then Grassy Ridge (6189) to the shelter. Today's weather was OK up to 5000 feet, but after that fog set in, and it got very misty and windy and cold. No views from Roen Mtn or Grassy Ridge. This was dissappointing. If you recall I was also not able to get views from Clingman's Dome in The Smkies because of the weather. Stopped for lunch with Spruce at Roen Mtn shelter but took right off because of the cold. Got to the barn shelter, and the wind was blowing thru the holes in the barn. Cooked dinner with Spruce, Riley, and Travis. This barn was used in the movie " Winter People" (ever see it?) as a backdrop. Very basic. We are sleeping up in the loft. The night was cool and windy and humid, nothing dried and the wind howled all night and it was tough to sleep. Note: The gap we came through ie. Yellow Mtn is where a group of mountaineers from NC, VA and later TN came through the gap and over Roen Mtn to go to Cowpens and King's Mtn in South Carolina to defeat the British in Sept of 1780.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: YellowMtn Gap Overmtn Barn Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter after breakfast at 9:40 AM. I hiked for almost 8 hours. Tonight we set the tents in TN only-no more NC. I say this because we leave NC after Dolley Flats. Today was a great day. I started climbing Balds right away and climbed them for over 3 hours mostly up hill. The area is known as the Roen Highlands. The sun was out and the views exceptional. Today's Balds were bigger than "Big" Bald and higher. Lots of ups and downs, but the views made it worth while. Much better than the fog and mist of the last two days. I hiked for quite a while with Southside (his son got injured and went on to Damascus, VA) We hiked beside a beautiful river for a while (flat). It was scenic and fun. The Mountaineer Shelter is new (2006) and was the nicest shelter yet. It was built by volunteers organized by Trail legend Bob Peoples of Kincora Hostel (We are staying with him tomorrow)and the Appalachian State students- hence the name "Mountaineer Shelter". They even diverted a stream to create a ten foot waterfall that you could get under to clean up. Of course,the water source for the shelter was above this fall. I was with the same crew as last night plus Southside and a couple from NY. One, a retired middle school teacher, the other a retired college professor from Cassanivia Colege. Great day overall. I was in for the night after cooking at 8:30 PM. Happy Trails -Peace- Squire
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove USFS 50 Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

Southside and I got out early and left the shelter at 7:45. Today we hiked for 6 hrs and 45 min. We did not cook today but had cold breakfast so we could get to the hostel. Another great hiking day. Southside and I left together and stayed together pretty much all day. We had lunch at the Moreland Gap Shelter with Spruce and Riley (now called 5 bags , because of the number of food bags he carries). We kept a good pace. Southside and I take turns leading. He is strong on the hills , I on the straight and down. Again we were ahead of our usual times for the hike. The day was great and fun. Sunny with some good views. We got to Kincora Hostel a 2:15 , showered, set up, and waited for Bob to take us to town. Bob it turns out is a U Mass grad as is his wife Pat. He was from Medford and played goalie at U Mass. Pat had just gotten out of the hospital but Bob still found the time to drive us to the store for restock. When he told us that his wife had just gotten out of the hospital, we felt bad about the ride, but he assured us if we made it quick, all would be OK. And we did. On the small world stroy side, Bob's wife Pat is from Worcester. They got married in St Bernard's Church by Father Link. Her brother, Paul Gully, and I knew each other and played basketballl together at the church on occasion. He, I believe , was a co owner of the old "Comic Strip' at Linclon Sq. Small World. We did laundry, called out for a pizza, got ready for the next day. Also,in the hostel were Dartman and Steps.