morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Campsite in Unnamed Gap

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning was one of the warmest thus far. I only needed my fleece to get up and moving. I was packed up and on the trial at 8:00 am, so I could get to Hot Springs, get my town chores done and still have time to socialize. I was very excited to have my new town clothes. Having them meant I could check into my motel room, take a shower first, then go to the laundromat in my town clothes. Before I'd wear my rain gear in town until I could get my laundry done, then shower. To those of you living in the civilized world, that may not seem like a big deal, but believe me it is. Trailfest is going on in this very hiker friendly town this weekend. It just happened to be at the same time that I'm passing through. Not sure what all is going on besides hiker feeds, but I just had my zero on Tuesday and am happy to be moving on tomorrow. There is a huge group of hikers, many of whom I know who were a day ahead or behind me. It is great to see everybody. It feels like a mini reunion. You constantly get separated and reunited with fellow hikers. It's just the nature of the trail community. Many of us hung out at the local BBQ over beers, then went to a hiker feed put on by the community center. I had a fried catfish sandwich at 4:30 and a full plate of spaghetti at 6:00! I cannot party like these 20 something's, nor do I have any desire to. I am happy to be in my motel room for the night. Not that I didn't fully enjoy my 2 beers, but I want to be in shape to get back on the trail in the am. I'm meeting Shark for breakfast and maybe Maverick too. A big breakfast in town before hiking is a great way to start the day. My knee was better today, even after a lot of downhill. I practiced "down with the bad," the way my fellow PT's teach stair climbing. My knee is tight and it's most likely my IT band, so I've been doing some deep friction massage. I have to organize my mail drop and resupply, and get to bed. I'm noticing that hiker midnight is getting later. When I started, it was dark at 8:00. Now it's more like 8:30. So late....
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0

Well, why bother making plans if you can't change them. After much deliberation, weighing the pros and cons of zeroing today, I decided to stay in Hot Springs until tomorrow. It was a beautiful day, more like summer than spring, with a hot sun and high of about 80 degrees. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same. I really need to start putting on sunblock and wearing my new lightweight, very packable hat. Hat hair isn't an issue in the woods. Caroline, AT hair puts Acadia hair to shame!I convinced myself, rightly so, that my body and mind would benefit more from a day off, then from pushing more miles. When I got up this morning, the thought of hiking out of town felt like a burden to bare, not a feeling I liked. I am in a much better place tonight for having rested and spent time with friends. I had breakfast at the diner with Shark, lunch on the river with Long Bow, and dinner at the hiker feed at Laughing Heart Hostel with many of my hiking compadres. I walked around town leisurely in my croc's without my pack, stopped and talked with hiker friends that I haven't seen in days or weeks even, and generally relaxed. I even got to sit in a rocking chair on the porch of The Hiker's Ridge Ministries Resource Center and use their WiFi to do some emailing, including sending Houdini journal entries to post. I have no cell service here (more the norm then the exception with AT&T). Thank you Queen Diva for your hospitality.Towns are usually in the valleys (or gaps as they are referred to down here), which means hikes out of town are usually long uphill climbs with a heavy resupply of food. There is always a sense of excitement and anticipation coming into town. My pack is lighter because I've eaten most of the food, and a shower, clean clothes, a bed and real food are close at hand. And on the other side, there is always a little angst for me as I anticipate the inevitable exhausting miles with a heavy pack, back out of town. It is like the movie "Groundhog Day" out here. I am getting stronger and doing more miles, but the feeling is always the same, because I expect more of myself as the weeks go by. I do love the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day though, and I love settling into camp every night. As exhausting as the days are, they are rewarding too. Tomorrow there is a hiker feed pancake breakfast, but I want to hit the trail early, so I'm going to be at the diner when it opens and on the trail by 8:30. At least that's the plan...
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Hot Springs NC

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

It was hot today and my pack was heavy leaving town so the climbs seemed long. My shoulders didn't bother me for a change because I took my pack off so often to drink. I stopped at 2 springs for water, one of which had a PVC pipe. The pipes are placed at random streams, and often at shelter water sources. It just makes it easier to collect water. I've been using the Aqua Mira since my Sawyer Squeeze filter presumably froze. The Aqua Mira weighs nothing and takes up no space, but I'm drinking lots of "swimmies" without the filter, so I ordered a new Sawyer Squeeze Mini which Houdini is sending in my next mail drop. I'll probably use the filter primarily, and go back to using the Aqua Mira as my back up. I'm trying to figure out my mileage for the next few days and it's tricky. I have to factor in the distances between shelters, the upcoming rain on Tuesday which makes tenting at a campsite between shelters less inviting, and how my body feels. I'm definitely favoring my left knee on the downhills right now and it's slowing me down, so it's further complicating my mileage estimates. My friend Randine from Asheville, NC is picking me up Friday night in Erwin and taking me to her house for a zero on Saturday, so I need to get the miles in to get there by then. For as simple a life as I am leading right now, it doesn't seem like it should be this difficult. Sigh...It's still warm out, but the wind is howling outside my tent at the top of this mountain. Just another day on the AT.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

The wind howled all night. The bear cables that squeak when you hoist your food bag up them, squeaked all night. I headed out thinking I would camp somewhere in between the first and second shelters, because the second shelter was farther than I really wanted to push for the day, but I also was aware rain was in the forecast.I leap frogged Tortoise and Just Paul. Voodoo passed me just as light rain started and Long Bow caught up with me. He too was considering stopping before the 2nd shelter, so we made a plan to camp together. As we pushed on and got miles behind us, Long Bow and I decided we could make it to the 2nd shelter. According to Awol, the final few miles did not seem that tough. Well, I neglected to read the fine print about the strenuous rock climb. We were committed by this point and went up and down endless wet, slippery rocks, reminiscent of New England climbs. I really like that kind of hiking, but doing it with weary legs at the end of the day was a challenge. It was foggy and we had no views for most of the climb. Somehow, just as we got to the top, the fog cleared and we were rewarded with a view of the mountains. Long Bow stayed with me, as slow as I was, and we arrived at the shelter at 7:30. We cooked our dinner using our headlamps, and then crawled into our respective tents. It was a very long day, but I was glad to get those tough miles behind me. Thanks Long Bow for being my hiking buddy today. Oh, and the fall count is now 5. I was moving along nicely over wet leaves 1 second, and sprawled on the ground the next. I just got back up and kept walking.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light snow

Today was a 3rd degree flinch kind of day. It rained more during the night, so I packed up a wet tent, damp clothes and wet stuff sacks. I have a pack cover, but it doesn't really keep my pack dry. The forecast was for the rain to end early afternoon. So much for forecasts. By the time I got to the first shelter the temperature had started to drop and it had started to lightly hail. I had lunch and debated what to do. I'd only hiked 5.6 miles and it was only 12:30, so after eating lunch there, I decided to push on to the next shelter. Well, after what seemed like a break in the weather and a brief brightening of the sky, the weather deteriorated. It went from rain to hail to snow pellets to sideways snow and wind. I stayed one step ahead of hypothermia all afternoon until I got to the shelter at about 6:30. I was warm enough in my 4 top layers and 3 bottom layers as long as I kept moving, but if I stopped to drink or try to rest my weary legs, I got cold. My gloves were long since wet, but kept my hands warmer then no gloves. I pushed on for what seemed like forever. I was exhausted by the time I got to the shelter. There was room for me in the shelter, so I got myself settled as fast as I could and into my sleeping bag for warmth. As much as a hot dinner would have tasted wonderful, it was too cold to cook. For dinner I had a Cliff Bar, Peanut M&m's, and Fig Newton's right out of my food bag, curled up in my sleeping bag. Misery on the AT, but I'm still here and kicking. David Bidler, it was your physical and mental training that got me through today and all my toughest days. Thank you again a million times over. By the way, how is it that just 2 days ago it was 80 degrees, I was hot and sweaty, and today I could have died of hypothermia? The weather in the mountains is so unpredictable. Some hikers sent home winter gear in Hot Springs. First Gear and Toretto told me to keep mine until Pearisburg. I can assure you, I will. Happy Birthday Peeg!
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

What a difference a day makes. What a difference 4 hours makes. I woke up in the shelter this morning with frozen boots, water, and socks. I dropped my socks on the shelter floor and they literally made a clunking sound! I put on my 2nd pair of hiking socks instead. They were wet, but at least pliable. It is so hard to get out of your sleeping bag when it is the only warm place, but get out I did. Staying in the shelter until warm weather arrives is not an option. It was slow going and I didn't leave camp until 9:30. The very good news is that it was sunny. I warmed up as I hiked and my boots thawed out. Just over 2 miles into my hike I came upon trail magic at Sams Gap. There were chairs to sit on and pizza, beer, soda, fruit, and home made cookies! Thank you Charlie, Nan, and Wayne. I lay out my soaking wet tent on the blacktop parking lot to dry in the sun. I've been carrying it wet since the previous night's rain. My food bag was getting lighter, but not my pack with the added weight of wet gear. I pushed onward another 8 miles after the trail magic. It only got into the 50's, but the sun was warm and it felt wonderful after yesterday. I had magnificent views at the top of Big Bald and shared it with Tortoise, Just Paul, Voodoo, and Stray Wet Dog. Someone left trail magic on the Bald. I had a hard boiled egg with some of Voodoo's salt. Ah, the simple pleasures. I know, Agnes, a hard boiled egg would not be trail magic to you. Tonight is going to be another cold one. I'm in my tent and in my sleeping bag with me are my water and clothes.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have had 2 relaxing zeros at Blue's and Randine's. Here also are Miss Janet, B Man, Joe Cool, The Rock, Mountain Man, Nomad, Donali, Uncle Fool, Safety with Koda, Boucher, and Swamp Donkey.Blue and Randine were gracious hosts. Blue did my laundry, and did what seemed like endless loads of towels to keep up with the demand. Randine arranged a massage for me (my body thanks you Tami at Amazing Sensations in Weaverville), showed me some of Asheville and the arboretum, shuttled me to the grocery store and ATM, and fed and mothered me (even though I'm older then she is!).I was spoiled on my birthday by all. A special thank you to Uncle Fool for organizing, ordering and doing the footwork for last night's delicious take out BBQ making sure there were plenty of dry ribs for this birthday girl, to Miss Janet and The Rock for making a huge batch of yummy slaw, and to B Man for making sure I had coffee and a celebratory large chocolate cupcake. It's amazing that except for Randine and Blue I knew none of these people 6 weeks ago, and today I was fortunate to celebrate a special birthday with members of my trail family. I enjoyed my girl time with Randine and listening to trail wisdom from Miss Janet who has been part of the trail community since she was a child and her mother 1st started helping out hikers in her home. Tomorrow morning Rosie and I are back to the task at hand. We have a few mountains to climb.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap campsite
Miles today: 12.7

I was in a bit of a funk when I got on the trail this morning. I'd had 2 zero's at Randine and Blue's house with all the comforts of their home. I'd been well taken care of and was rested. Why would I want to give that up to hike up mountains with a once again heavy pack from my food resupply?Randine drove Blue, Uncle Fool and me back to Erwin from Asheville. The rest of the crew was heading back to the trail later with Miss Janet. We got talking about our food bags in the car. I have a 13 liter food bag, but all my food doesn't fit in it after a resupply. I end up putting food in the side pockets, brain, and hip belt pockets of my pack. I thought I was the only person that was a "closet food stuffer" suffering from having too much food and not enough space in my food bag. Turns out Uncle Fool and Blue do the same thing. They stuff food everywhere including their pockets. So if the 3 of us do it, lots of hikers must. We all can't wait to eat it to start getting our pack weight down again. I always eat the heavier food first. I got on the trial just after 10:00 am. The trail was relatively flat and followed a stream for over a mile and it was lovely. At one point it followed alongside train tracks and a long freight train happened to be passing through as I hiked. The trail crossed the tracks further up the trail, and I had to stop and wait until the train passed before I could cross. It seemed odd to be in the middle of the woods on foot and stopped waiting for a freight train to go by. Only on the AT.My funk dissipated when I stopped to talk to a SOBO slack packer who had just left the shelter up ahead and said Long Bow had been there. I had a reason to push on to catch up to one of my trail buddies. When I stopped at the shelter for lunch, Tortoise and Just Paul were there and we were really glad to see each other. Now reconnected to trail compadres, I was back in the groove. I did catch up to Long Bow, where he had stopped after meeting up with the crew I'd spent my zeros with at Blue's house. I'd decided earlier to go with Tortoise and Just Paul to a campsite a mile further down the trail which is where I am settled for the night. It was warm and sunny in the 60's today. I watched the sun set from my tent and tonight for a change their is no wind. It's passed hiker midnight. Goodnight.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Deep Gap campsite

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

I am bone tired. It was a long day, but a good day. I hiked the whole day with Just Paul and Tortoise, a father/daughter team. We usually leap frog, but today decided to stay together. Tortoise is nursing shin splints and they have slowed their pace and are taking more frequent rest breaks to avoid aggravating her injury. It was a fine pace for me, and we enjoyed each other's company. We came across trail magic at one of the gaps. Thank you Rob Bird for the soda, bananas, cookies, and candy. Tomorrow, I have a big climb over Roan Mountain with rain forecasted beginning mid day. Depending upon how I feel and the weather I may do the climb over 2 days instead of one. Can't plan too far ahead out in these woods. The woods today included a magical dense spruce forest at the top of Unaka Mountain. It was a forest where fairy houses should be built. I'm in my tent tonight at the shelter, banking on the rain not starting overnight. Besides Just Paul and Tortoise, I'm here with Puddle Duck, Dregs, and Spice. I met a lovely young German couple today, Little German and German One. There is a German documentary about the AT that all the German hikers have seen. They say it makes no mention of the misery on the trail, only it's idyllic side. They learn soon enough first hand!
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I headed out of camp this morning at 8:30. Tortoise and Just Paul caught up with me within an hour and we hiked together up Roan Mountain, a long climb over 2,000 ft in elevation. It had everything from a steady ascent interspersed with switchbacks, to a rock scramble over Little Rock Knob, to lots of log steps up, up, up. It started to rain around 1:00, and was foggy at the summit. Roan Mountain is the last 6,000 footer until the Whites. We stopped at the 1st shelter at 2:00. By then we were wet, tired, and chilled, and Tortoise and I decided to make it a short day. Just Paul was very accommodating. I've been warm in my sleeping bag and happy to rest my weary legs for the afternoon. Adequate muscle recovery time just doesn't happen out here. I took 2 ibuprofen for a treat. I take it sparingly, but once in a while I take it to take the edge off the ongoing muscle soreness. There is a full shelter tonight and more squeezing in. This shelter is enclosed (has a real door and a couple of windows), so we will be warm even though we are at 6,000 ft. Donali, Boucher, and Swamp Dog just rolled in. Safety, Koda, The Rock, Wrecking Ball, Double R, and others are here too. It's rainy, windy, and cold so no one wants to pitch a tent.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Doll Flats campsite
Miles today: 13.3

t was a great day on the AT. I got up this morning and put on my cold wet clothes. It was one of those nights when my clothes were too wet to put in my sleeping bag to dry out and have warm in the morning. If they are damp, that works. From the rain and sweat yesterday, there was no way.Our decision yesterday to hike a short day and stay in the shelter at the top of Roan Mountain was the right one. It was cold and windy this morning when Tortoise, Just Paul and I set out at 8:10, but the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. We had magnificent views as we came off Roan Mountain and from two grassy balds. The climb up and over the second bald, Hump Mountain, was an entirely open, grassy expanse, and the wind was gusting to 40 mph! The trail went up forever, with several false summits. Gusts of wind knocked me sideways several times. We had a tedious, rocky descent the last two miles, but arrived at our campsite at 5:00, early enough to hang my sweaty clothes on a tree branch to dry while the sun was still shining. Here with us is Wrong Way whom I haven't seen in a few days, Toto, Double R, and Boomerang. We sat around a wonderful fire tonight. Thanks Wrong Way for making it. I'm taking a nero tomorrow and heading to a B&B/hostel to pick up a mail drop Houdini has sent, and to sleep in a bed, take a shower, do laundry, and eat some real food. Life is good in the woods.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Doll Flats campsite

To: Mountain Harbour B&B (US 19E)
Miles today: 2.5

Just Paul, Tortoise, Boomerang and I left camp at 8:30 this morning for a rocky, rooty descent to a main road, and said a final goodbye to North Carolina. Two states down! Rain Cloud and Happy Feet were setting up trail magic so we took a break for some goodies before a short road walk to Mountain Harbour Hostel and B&B where Just Paul, Tortoise and I are sharing a room in this lovely B&B. Vagabond, Wrong Way, MC, Turtle, Jazz Man and others are here as well. The owners did our laundry while we relaxed on the grass in the sun, and sat on the porch in rockers and the hammock. We so deserve and relish these breaks from the hours and hours of hard work on the trail. They shuttled us into town for resupply and dinner at Bob's Dairyland where I attempted to down Bob's thru-hiker Holy Cow burger. It consisted of (3) 5 oz burgers, 3 slices of cheese, bacon, ham, chili, onion rings, and lettuce and tomato. I devoured about 2/3 of it, but alas could not finish. I tried Randine. On the return shuttle ride I sat in the back of a pick up truck, another rite of passage on the AT. My mail drop Houdini sent has not arrived. It likely is sitting at the post office, but I don't want to wait for it's delivery to the B&B tomorrow because that would mean a late start to our hiking day, so I am having it bounced to Damascus. It is a minor inconvenience, but I made do with a resupply at the small grocery store in town. I'll be up early for a hearty breakfast here, before the next big push to Damascus where Houdini will make his 2nd appearance. Goodnight.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Mountain Harbour B&B (US 19E)

To: Upper Laurel Fork
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

It was another great day on the AT. It started with a fabulous breakfast at the B&B. I highly recommend Mountain Harbour Hostel and B&B. Mary and Gerry are the owners. Their son David helps out and shuttled us into town yesterday. Vagabond tends to the hostel. Our room and the house are beautifully maintained, and the animals (several dogs, a cat, and goats) added to the charm of the place. It was a wonderful brief respite, and Just Paul, Tortoise, and I hated to leave, but it was time to get back to the business of hiking. It was a day of relatively easy ups and downs as mountains go, but I still always arrive at camp at the end of the day tired, and can't wait to lie horizontal in my sleeping bag after fighting gravity all day. Just Paul hiked ahead with MC for part of the day. We figured he deserved some "bro" time, after hiking with 2 women for so many days. We all stopped and took a break at majestic Jones Falls, a short blue blaze trail. MC is a camera buff and pulled out his fancy camera and tripod (!) he carries. It is still fun to see what different hikers are willing to carry in their packs in spite of the added weight. We are tenting next to a roaring brook tonight and I love its sound. It is so peaceful tonight. The weather was fickle today. Showers threatened on and off much of the day and we kept putting on, then taking off rain gear, as the weather changed over the course of minutes. We were dry for the most part, and tonight the sky is clearing and the winds are calm. It is a perfect night to sleep in the woods. It was hard to leave the B&B this morning, yet I love these woods and the simplicity of my life out here.Oh yeah, I crossed the 400 mile mark. Wahoo!
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Upper Laurel Fork

To: Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

It was sunny today and hot by this afternoon. It was another day of relatively gentle ups and downs except for the last mile down to the falls which was steep and rocky and nerve wracking, especially at the end of the day. I am sleeping in the shelter tonight with Tortoise and Just Paul. Sasquatch is the only other hiker here and he is in his hammock. We got to the shelter at 7:00, and there really weren't any flat areas to pitch a tent. Sasquatch fell probably 20 ft down slippery rocks going for water and was dazed when he found his way back to the shelter. He was scared, had multiple abrasions on his ribs, hip, shin, and ankle, and had a lot of hip pain. We pooled our first aid kits and Just Paul and Tortoise doctored him up. It was unnerving to us all. We were glad we were there for Sasquatch. We all take care of each other out here. It is past hiker midnight and tomorrow is a long day