morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Laughing Heart hostel (273.9)

To: Laughing Heart hostel (273.9)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

After a good night's sleep on a soft bed, we got up early to have breakfast (huge) at the diner, then headed to the post office to pick up our boxes and packet. Thanks! The packet contained papers we had to have notarized, then mailed back...before the post office closed in two hours. So. We did the only sensible thing: ask the postmistress where we could find a notary on a Saturday morning. She sent us to "Jimmy" at the home and garden store a couple of blocks away. Thanks! Fortunately, he was working, so he notarized our papers, and we returned to the post office, signed our names on some other papers at least twenty-five times, and mailed them back, all by 10:30! And thanks, Greg, for making all this so easy for us! Next we headed for the laundromat, outfitters, grocery store, and town library. As I was typing in the library, Gary met Sean, who we'd last seen the second day in the Smokies hiking SOUTH. He'd found out he had a torn meniscus in his knee, not the achilles tendon that he had thought was the problem. He was awaiting an MRI at home to determine whether he needed surgery. Meanwhile, he introduced us to his wife Heather, and told about a party at the Ironhorse Bar that night. There was NO internet or Verizon phone service in Hot Springs, so I couldn't even answer the four voice mails on my phone. I just couldn't access them. We enjoyed the rest of our second zero day eating and relaxing! The party turned out to be quite the happening, with many thru hikers in attendance, including Lee Bob and Skunkape, Bookworm, Waker and Spidderman. We got to thinking that in the month of March we had hiked 273.9 miles in 21 hiking days, with 2 zero days, for an average of 13.04 miles per hiking day. Not bad for a couple of old folks! Life is good on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you're able to conduct necessary business in an especially friendly trail town, even on the weekend, and socialize with friends and fellow hikers!
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Spring Mountain Shelter 284.9

To: Jenny's Cabin Shelter 300.3
Miles today: 15.4

This morning we were out hiking by 8:05. We felt much more energetic today than we had yesterday, even though the packs weren't much lighter. (Random note: We always seemed to drag the first day out after resupplying. Not only were our packs heavier, but we generally hiked mostly uphill coming out of towns, since the towns were usually in valleys, and the trail usually followed the ridge lines.) At 3-1/2 miles there was a sign for trail magic up ahead on the road. Once we reached the road, we followed the signs, past some road construction, past a sign saying we were again in North Carolina, and finally up a steep driveway. Hercules and Fal (GA-ME'99) hosted us for pork stew and banana splits. They have a beautiful home with lots of AT decor, including a beautiful quilt of the trail, made by Fal. Thank you SO much. Once we were back on the trail, we climbed gradually up to the first shelter, where we took a break, then continued climbing steeply to a ridge line. It was fun to crawl around on the rocks. There was a blue blaze trail around it for bad weather, but our weather was GREAT, so we followed the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail. On the ridge trail we met some section hikers from the Outings Club at a community college on Long Island. At Jerry's Cabin Shelter we finally caught up with Dragin Tail. He had started his thru hike in February, and we'd been reading his log entries for weeks. Also at the shelter were Good Deeds and Mellow Yellow, Whitewater, Terra Nauta, Mandela, and Dego Thunder. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you come upon really great trail magic, get to climb some rocks on the trail, and end up at a shelter with friendly fellow hikers!
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Jenny's Cabin Shelter 300.3

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter 315.0
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today we followed a scenic ridge trail during the first part of the hike, then hiked a long stretch on a road past an old family grave site. There was a boy buried there who was born in 1850 and died in 1863. We wondered whether he was a drummer boy killed during the Civil War. If only gravestones could talk. We lunched at Flint Mountain Shelter, then hiked down into a gap, crossed a road, and climbed over a stile. (Random note: We crossed many stiles in the course of our thru hike. A stile is a set of steps or slanting ladder which go up one side of a fence and down the other. The purpose of stiles is to allow people to climb over fences easily, while keeping livestock in. Stiles are used instead of gates, and prevent the problem of gates being left open by accident.)We got water and climbed up 1000 feet, through beautiful wild flowers, including larkspur, violets, several kinds of trillium, and others. Good Deeds and Mellow Yellow saw a mama bear and two cubs. We felt a little jealous, as we hadn't seen any bears yet. We'd planned to eat at the Hogback Ridge shelter and continue on, but when we got to the shelter turnoff, we saw this sign: TRAIL MAGIC, 2.4 miles north, 8:15am to 2:30pm: Scrambled eggs, hash browns, muffins, oranges, orange juice, milk soda; turn left at the orange cone; uphill 200 feet at the cemetery, "Not down at the bridge." I'll be there as long as life allows. Since it was 27 miles to Irwin, we decided to go ahead and camp at the shelter with Whitewater. Good call. A few minutes after making this decision, we heard a clap of thunder and it started to pour. I mean a DELUGE of rain, hail, some thunder, and lighting...great show to watch from the comfort of the shelter. One flash was close, so we were glad we were not on a ridge like some of the hikers were. After I got water, Dickle, Draggin'Tail, Duffer, and Runoff came, then Mendela and Terra Nauta, all soaked. We felt bad that the shelter wasn't big enough to hold everyone, but it was stuffed to the gills. The rain stopped briefly, then continued again. The next morning we counted 11 tents near the shelter. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you make it to the shelter (and there's room) just before it starts to rain, and you get a great light show. Life is also great on the trail when you find out that you'll come upon trail magic for breakfast in the morning!
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter 315.0

To: No Business Knob Shelter 335.7
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We were on the trail, hiking, by 7:20, on a trail magic mission. David, a 2007 thru hiker, had set up a table with scrambled eggs, hash browns, muffins, oranges, whole milk and sodas... Just what hungry thru hikers like! We also picked his brain about ticks. (Random note: It turned out that David had been forced to get off the trail due to contracting Lymes disease. He said that he had most likely contracted it because of where he camped...at the edge of meadows. He suggested camping in the woods, where ticks typically do not live, rather than in meadows, or at the margin between a meadow and the forest. We followed his advice and had no problem with ticks.) While we enjoyed the trail magic, Good Deeds and Mellow Yellow arrived. Mellow Yellow had fallen the previous afternoon and hurt her ankle while running down the trail to escape the thunder storm. Bummer! We hoped she'd heal quickly and would be able to continue her thru hike soon. After half an hour of relaxing, we continued on. On the way out of the trail magic, we met some local hikers--Pokey Dot and Early Fire, who are 450 miles from finishing their section hiking of the trail. Our hats are off to them. (Random note: Throughout our thru hike we came upon section hikers, and always admired their persistence. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be to get physically ready and mentally motivated to hike a section every year. It would also be hard to leave new trail friends every year.) We hiked with Whitewater up the next mountain, and saw some deer tracks, and another track we couldn't identify. Did it belong to a bear cub? Big Bald turned out to be 3 balds, one after another. We had lunch at the shelter 10 miles into the day's hike, and decided to camp at the next shelter, 10 more miles north, since more thunder showers were predicted, and we really didn't want to set up the tent in the rain, especially with more rain predicted for tomorrow. We also heard there was more trail magic at Spivey Gap, 5 miles ahead. When we arrived at Spivey gap, there were candy bars and soda, provided by another former thru hiker. Yum! As we sat by the stream, enjoying a soda, we saw a bat flying back and forth across the stream, feasting on the insects we seemed to be attracting. Hmmm. Did we smell THAT bad? The last 5 miles of the hike were uphill, then contouring. When we arrived at the shelter, Dickle and Whitewater were waiting. Everyone was tired and had sore feet, so we sat around eating Fritos before making dinner- and waited for more people to show up. We were not disappointed. Metro North came, but continued hiking after eating. After we went to sleep it started to thunder and pour...a great night to be in a shelter. Life is great on the Appalachian trail when the day begins with trail magic and good advice, there's more trail magic later in the day, and the day ends with a light show viewed from a dry shelter!
Date: 2012-04-05
From: No Business Knob Shelter 335.7

To: Nolechucky Hostel (342.0)
Miles today: 6.3

We were lucky again...It rained at night, but by the time we woke up in the morning, it had stopped. Starting at 8:15, we hiked first up, then down to Ervin, Tennessee, to the hostel, in the mist. Amazingly, our legs and feet had recovered from the long day yesterday. We hiked downhill to the hostel in 2-1/2 hours, and again scored the Honeymoon suite. When we arrived, lots of other thru hikers were already there: Waker and Spidderman, and Jonas among others. We bought beverages, then sorted our laundry, then made a resupply list for the next few days. Once again, it amazed us how much need to be done on this "nero" day. We couldn't thank Uncle Johnny and his staff at the Nolechucky Hostel enough! They even drove us to another motel so we could receive a fax, and send another one. In the evening, there was a birthday party for a seven year old, and all of us at the hostel were invited to the feast of burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, and birthday cake. Thanks!! Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you can get to the day's destination, a hostel, in 2-1/2 hours, and the hostel is full of friends and trail magic!
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Nolechucky Hostel (342.0)

To: Deep Gap 354.1
Miles today: 12.1

We got a late start today, since we needed to shuttle to breakfast and resupply, and back to repack. We were finally out of the hostel at 11:00. Well, make it 11:30. When we reached the spot where the AT crosses the train tracks, the train was parked on the tracks. We tried to hike around the train, but it went all the way to the trestle crossing the river. So...we turned around and hiked back towards town. By the time we got back to where the engine was, the train was pulling away, so back we went. Once we crossed the tracks, the trail went gently up, along a stream. Since it had rained yesterday the stream was high, so we got wet feet fording it. Refreshing at the time, but cold by the time we reached our destination for the day. The trail continued up more steeply. We stopped for lunch four miles out, at the first shelter. Lunch was ham and cheese on crisp corn tortillas, a nice change of pace. At lunch we saw Boxhead, Dig-It and Dragon's Breath and two Eastern Continental Trail hikers. Dig-It is a thru hiker who is hiking to Damascus, getting off the trail for awhile before going to Maine to hike south back to Damascus to complete his thru hike. (Random note: This kind of hike is called a flip flop.) Dragon's Breath is hiking to Damascus with Dig It and wears a kilt. Soon after lunch we met some boy scouts. One had a trail name: Cookie Monster. We gave them a card so they could follow our blog, then continued up, then a little down, to where the trail crossed the road,where we found some trail magic in the form of a bag of flavored almonds. Thanks! We took a handful and continued. Eventually we reached a double bald aptly named Beauty Spot. We stopped just after the top at a stream to get water, and saw Dig-It and Dragon's Breath stopped to get water and a snack. We chatted about our respective hikes as we treated our water. Later on, as we prepared to camp, they passed by and I photographed Dragon's Breath in his kilt. (Random note: a few of the men wore pleated plaid kilts. Those who wore them said they were more comfortable to hike in than shorts or long pants. I couldn't argue with them, since I always hiked in a skirt, unless it was very cold.) By then it was COLD, and our feet were still wet from the stream ford, so we quickly set up the tent and ate dinner inside. (Random note: Since we were already chilled, and it was predicted to be a cold night...about thirty degrees, we were glad to have warm down jackets, down bags, long underwear, and warm sleep socks.) Boxhead and the two Eastern Continental Trail hikers were there as well. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you get to meet people who are hiking even farther than we are. and when you have warm clothes and gear to stay warm, even on the coldest night yet!
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Deep Gap 354.1

To: One mile past Hughes Gap 372.3
Miles today: 18.2

We left Deep Gap about 8:00 and continued up. After an hour we passed Switchback, then Whitewater, then Duffer hiking towards us. They are slackpacking south to north today. (Random note: Slackpacking is hiking without a full pack, usually after getting a shuttle from a hostel, then hiking back to the hostel. By slackpacking, hikers are able to hike more miles than they would if they carried a full backpack.)An hour later we passed Dragon's Breath and Dig-It, just arising. Soon we arrived at Cherry Gap Shelter, where we had breakfast with Cheez It and Boxhead. Cheez was taking a zero day at this shelter to let his shin splints heal. Smart move to let them heal sooner rather than later. Hopefully he'll be ready to hike again, pain free. We continued hiking, until we stopped for lunch, then stopped again to visit with Coffee Pot and his dog Scout, a well behaved 80 pound brown dog. They were having a great time together on the trail. (Random note: We had met Coffee Pot back in the Smokies, when he was hiking without his canine companion, since dogs are not allowed in that national park.) We started hiking again and soon came to the next shelter, where we planned to have dinner. We enjoyed visiting with Boxhead as we all got water and had dinner. After dinner we hiked another two hours, to a spot a mile past Hughes Gap. We had a difficult time finding a flat spot to set up the tent, but finally found one, just large enough for our tent. Camping there gave us a mile's head start on tomorrow's climb up Roan Mountain. We wore all of our clothes since we were at 4500-5000 feet, and the weather was cool and clear. Note for April 3: At the trail magic at Spivey Gap there was a bat who kept flying back and forth, catching the insects that we smelly thru hikers were attracting. Life is GREAT on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you get to enjoy the company of fellow hikers for lunch and dinner.
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Overmountain Shelter 382.7

To: Mountain Harbour Hiker Hostel 391.9
Miles today: 9.2

Last night was the coldest night yet, but we were warm enough, with our down nags, down jackets, long johns, fleece jackets, sleep socks, and fleece gloves. We were not surprised, two hours after sunrise to see ice on the rocks along the trail. We had another short day today because we'd heard wonderful things about the Mountain Harbour B and B and Hiker Hostel. I had not had coverage to call and make a reservation last night, but Whitewater did, and was kind enough to loan me his phone to make reservations. The hike went over two balds and the views were fantastic. Then we continued down to highway, US 19 E, where the hostel was located. The hostel itself is beautiful! We had a king sized bed with a beautiful quilt. There were four bunks in the hostel as well, where our friends stayed. Once settled in, we enjoyed a great lunch, prepared by the hostel owners. The hostel owners even gave us free denatured alcohol for our stove, snacks and other goodies to purchase on the honor system in the hostel, and shuttle which took us to town for dinner and to resupply at the Roan Mountain grocery store. Wow! Life is GREAT on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you get to stay at a beautiful, comfortable hostel, and get to eat town food and resupply.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Mountain Harbour Hiker Hostel 391.9

To: Moreland Gap Shelter 410.3
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Last evening we were able to resupply in town as our host at the hostel graciously shuttled us to dinner and the grocery store.Dairyland, the only Roan Mountain restaurant open on Mondays, had delicious burgers and shakes! We ate with Foster, Whitewater, Duffer, and Hobo, who were also staying at the hostel. While we were there, Mellow Yellow and Good Deeds, who were staying at a different hostel, came by for dinner as well. In the morning, we were greeted with tea and coffee, and a sumptuous breakfast of potato casserole, omelet, fruit, muffins, and other goodies, all presented beautifully by our hostel hosts. What a pleasant way to start the day! We were on our way about 8:40, climbing steadily. White Water and Duffer had decided to get a shuttle to a trailhead further north, so they could slackpack south, back to the nice, WARM hostel,enjoy another great hostel breakfast, and hike twenty four miles, rather than the eighteen we planned to hike. (Random note: there were frequent slackpacking opportunities along the trail. Many people took advantage of them, in order to hike longer miles, with lighter packs than they otherwise could, and to take advantage of hiker hostels.)We passed Mountain Squid and Just Jim, trail crew people, working on the trail. Thank you, guys! We arrived at the Mountaineer Falls Shelter (mile 400.7) at about 12:15 for lunch, and saw Dig It and Dragons Breath, Johannes, and Hobo. An hour after lunch Whitewater passed us in the opposite direction, and half an hour later, Duffer passed us. Tomorrow, they'll start at Dennis Cove in the morning and continue north. We hoped we'd catch them eventually, but perhaps not. Everyone hikes their own hike. The trail was undulating the whole way from lunch to the Moreland Gap Shelter. When we reached the shelter, there were two section hikers there already, who kindly got water for us when they got theirs. Since I am the family "water girl," I was grateful, especially since I'd had a not too energetic day, and a long one at that. Hobo also came by to fix and eat his dinner at the shelter. We were talking about how it was going to be a cold night, when Dig It and Dragons Breath stopped by. The three of them continued on, and Foster came in, and built a fire, as we prepared for the cold night. Life is great, as always on the Appalachian Trail, especially finding we could still hike over eighteen miles, even tired, and end it with a nice, cozy campfire.
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Watauga Lake Shelter 426,8

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 440.8
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

It was another REALLY COLD night...in the low 20s. Brrr. It was another cold morning, but at least it was sunny. The sunrise over the trees was photoready, right from my sleeping bag. As people were getting ready to hike, Video came by, looking for Whitewater and Duffer to hike with, so the three of them went out together. We were the last to leave as we'd made a hot breakfast of coffee flavored instant breakfast. The hike out of Watauga Shelter was up 1700 feet to lunch, so we warmed up quickly. The views of the lake from a rock outcropping behind the Vandeventer Shelter, where we stopped for lunch, were wonderful! Whitewater, Duffer, and Video were there when we stopped, admiring the view as they ate, and Badger arrived shortly after we did. Mellow Yellow and Good Deeds arrived just as we were leaving, Good Deeds hiking in flip flops! I guess they've recovered from their injuries. Oh, the wonders of youth! After lunch the trail continued up another 500 feet (net) in a series of undulations, so we hiked 200 feet up, then 100 feet down, numerous times, to the Iron Mountain Shelter. We continued to hike along the ridge line, so there were lots more views. We didn't see many flowers, but DID see some violets and May apples. A third of a mile before we arrived at the next shelter, Duffer was at the water source. He suggested that we get water on the way into the shelter since it was a HIKE, so we did. Thanks for the suggestion, Duffer! When we arrived at the shelter, Video, Duffer, and Whitewater were already there. We added warm clothes. It's still COLD! Then we treated the water and started dinner. Badger came in shortly, and set up his hammock. A few minutes later, Good Deeds and Mellow Yellow stopped by to say "hello" and said they were continuing another couple of miles before camping. Later on, Johannes stopped as well. After dark, many more hikers came into the shelter area to camp. One was Glide, a Reed College student with long red braids, who is really quick! She started the 15th of March, and has already caught up. All in all, there were six in the shelter, one hammock, and eight tents! Happily, the raccoon, said to frequent this shelter, did NOT make an appearance! So, it was another GREAT day on the Appalachian trail, especially since the terrain was mild, the hike was full of visits with other hikers, and the fourteen miles seemed easy!
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Iron Mountain Shelter 440.8

To: Victorian B & B, Damascus, VA 466.9
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: few clouds

Yeah! It felt not exactly warm, but at least not so cold last night, since it only got down to 28 degrees. It's funny how one can feel the difference between a low of 22 degrees and a low of 28 degrees! As we hiked out of the shelter we continued along the ridge, still trending upwards. About half an hour out, we came upon Good Deeds and Mellow Yellow, camped near a memorial to: "Uncle Nick Grinstaff: 1851-1920; Lived alone; Suffered alone; Died alone." I don't think he would have appreciated the "Appalachian Social Trail." Four miles into our hike, we went through an old pasture, then continued to Double Spring Shelter for lunch. There we met Baby Steps and Renaissance Man. After lunch the terrain became even easier. We made it to the Adingdon Gap Shelter, our intended stopping point for the day, at 2:45...much to early to stop. We saw Duffer leave, and we knew Whitewater had left for Damascus. Others, including Slide, Dickel, and Trotter, came through as we got water, and debated whether to continue to Damascus. We decided to go for it... Virginia, here we come! We moved at a good pace as we left the shelter, making it to the Tennessee/Virginia state line in two hours, where we took some pictures, then called the B & B to see if we could stay tonight as well as tomorrow night. YES! A soft bed and shower reserved! Good bye Tennessee: land of no privies. (Random note: For those unfamiliar with privies, they are 18th century restrooms.) We continued on, arriving at the Victorian B & B by 6:45. We checked in, then walked to Quincy's pizza for a half pound burger and fries. Whitewater and Duffer were eating pizza there, so we joined them. Lots of other thru hikers were there as well. So...all in all, our first "marathon" day was very enjoyable, and not too difficult, with a relatively smooth trail, lovely flowers, and delightful views. (Random note: The AT goes right through the middle of Damascus, so to find everything, you simply follow the white blazes, since there are very few side streets.) Life has been SUPER today on the AT, especially with the mild terrain, and the thought of a soft bed and town food at the end of the day!