morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Sam's Gap

To: Big Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The first day back started well...good weather and easy trail. The trail soon started to elevate as I approached Big Bald Mountain and the weather forecast for afternoon rain did too. On the mountain, bald as the name implies, the wind was strong and dark clouds were rolling in. Luckily only a couple of miles to the shelter. As usual I was not planning on sleeping in the shelter but just like when I was out before, weather often dictates that.I arrived early and for a couple of hours thought that I might be the only inhabitant. As the rain hit there ended up being 9 of us. I was rather surprised to see that 3 were thru-hikers. It pretty late to still be this far south. By necessity every one of their days needed to be long miles. Their plans were to wake up at 3:30 am and start hiking with headlamps. Logman won't do that except in an emergency. If I did it would likely create an emergency.One group of four guys was from Cincinnati. And from his T-shirt I could gather he coached football. He does at Glen Este. Small talk disclosed that he knows our friends, the Park's son-in-law, and whose son Logan is a small part of my inspiration to hike the AT. Small world for sure.I saved the ugliness for last. My right foot did bother me a good deal toward the end of the day. My challenge will be to learn how and when or how often to use the techniques I learn to care for it on the trail. I'm carrying a small bag of tools to assist and hopeful that can all go well.Blessings,
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Big Bald Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 10.6

Hit the trail at 7:00 am for the first full day of hiking since my return. A test for both my fitness after a month at home unable to do much, and the health of my foot. I thought there might be a chance to press on to Erwin a little over 16 miles away. That depended on what time I arrived at No Business Shelter and how I felt. Additionally I wanted at least to arrive at 2pm and have time for a good break. That wasn't happening this day! My fitness stinks right now....and the foot didn't help either. On the plus side when I arrived there around 3:30 rain was again upon the trail. Got here minutes before the first downpour. Thankfully the rain came in just a few spurts add stopped in the early evening. My new friends from the east side of Cincinnati arrived about 7. Dinner for me this night was taco mac my favorite. Zack the football coach and me had a great conversation before heading to bed. He to his hammock and me alone in the shelter. Zack was quite interested in my meals. He and his hiking buddies have hiked several sections of the AT but in his future is a thru-hike. Overall today was another good day on the AT. Nice trail and scenery. I was not at disappointed at not reaching Erwin. In addition to being a stretch for me anyway, I would have arrived late with no real advantage gained. That is because I could not have resupplied and that would have taken me all day. In other words I would have been there until Thursday anyway and paid for 2 nights instead of one. No Business is free and it's only about 6 miles into Erwin tomorrow. I will be there before lunch tomorrow easy.Late, real late another hiker showed up and startled me when shining his light in the shelter. I invited him in but he chose to tent. Seemed sort of silly to me. Without asking I new he had hiked a very long way, it was almost midnight, and the shelter was empty except for me. I'm still learning how to adjust the contraption for my foot used when sleeping. Actually it's not too bad but a bit cumbersome getting up during the night...especially from a sleeping bag. In the shelter, particularly when alone, I could easily do all the exercises for my foot and back. Being able to and being diligent in doing these is likely the key for success this time out on the AT.I'm excited to and looking forward to finishing this section I skipped in May when I arrive for the second time at Erwin and Uncle Johnny's Hostel.Blessings,
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

It sure felt good to finally be heading north again from the point I left the trail on May 23rd. My shuttle arrived just after 8:30 at Uncle Johnny's. Marie the owner/operator and I are practically old friends by now with this being the 4th time I've used her services. And I got a five dollar discount this time! She and her husband, both avid hikers, are very knowledgeable of the area around Erwin and provide good advice as well as rides.Before heading to Indian Grave Gap, Marie took me by the post office so I could mail home a few items from the mail drop that weren't needed. Then it was on to the mountain so I could continue north. This time around I'm planning short days and if possible extend if I feel good and can make the next known reliable stopping place. Today the next location was almost 8 more miles. Not nearly ready for a 16 mile day. I arrived at the shelter at almost 3. Two other hikers, one the guy who hoped he didn't make Maine, were refilling water and taking a break before going those extra miles mentioned. I set my gear up in the shelter fully anticipating being the only occupant this night. Two nights ago I did the same but was joined by others who used hammocks or tents. Around 8 just when I thought I'd be Nails, from Texas, and John Wayne, from Florida showed up. I shared a shelter my first night out with John W. He informed me in Erwin last night that the couple he was with that night were Amish. I was wondering about them because they were speaking a language that didn't quite sound German. It was Dutch. They live in northern Indiana. I'm glad of course to have company. Lost peace and quiet but gained a bit of peace of mind. Long distance hikers are really getting sparse at this time of year. My guess is that before I get off the trail this time I will be at a shelter alone.Tomorrow's hike will also be short but will be followed by the climb up Roan Mountain to the highest shelter on the AT.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 7.8

Easy short hike today to one of the more famous hostels on the AT. By design I wanted a short day prior to Roan Mountain and an early arrival to get as much recovery time as possible. At arrival I had not yet decided between 3 options: a full blown Zero, a Nero with a late afternoon hike to a shelter about 3 miles away or a long day up Roan and a definite Zero three days later. That decision will be made tomorrow morning. CeeCee or Connie her real name is a most wonderful hostel hostess. It is known that she honors the Jewish Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. That is another reason I wanted to arrive early on this Friday. I didn't know how much I would be on my own in regards to meals, etc. Turned out that she was needing to go for groceries only 30 miles away!. Between that and other chores she was needing to get done before sundown us three hikers here today were mostly on our own. CeeCee took us to a small crossroad community for lunch. I got a hamburger and the largest side salad in history. Shared half of it with Spectrum (Amanda from Louisiana) who arrived too late for lunch. For dinner she brought us back sandwiches from Subway. Besides me an Spectrum the third hiker here, a repeat customer, is Pick a retired Army Sargent from Virginia. Pick has provided us with good information as he is section hiking the AT for the second time. Spectrum. I'm guessing is in her late twenties and is hiking from I-40 just outside the Smokies to Damascus. I first met her the other day in Erwin.Tomorrow I plan to hike a long section with hopes that I'm ready to increase mileage. Besides the foot thing I lost hiking fitness over the last month. Alternating long and short days should help me regain it. In three days I will likely hike three more days that include some climbing and then take a Zero. I'm aiming to reach Damascus on the 10th or 11th of July. That allows for 2 Zeros. Looking forward to a comfy mattress tonight before the hike up Roan Mountain tomorrow.Blessings,
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

To: Roan Mountain High Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

Today was a great and challenging hike. Not a lot of views but the forest was awesome. Even hiked a long section of relocated trail near the summit of Roan. I heard from a hiker I met in May, Wild Child, that while at Traildays in Damascus, she helped work on about a mile of trail "somewhere" south of Damascus. I think this section may be it. Sure was a lot of work. It made the trail up to Roan, at least a part of it, much less steep. Thanks to whoever did the work.The first three miles today took less than 2 hours. The next 7 took six hours. And the stinky was that the summit was fogged in. At least there was a public restroom with potable running water. There I could resupply my water for the final mile and a half to the Roan Mountain High Shelter. Nice to not have to filter..and faster. I was anxious to get to the shelter and eat. Had only snacked all day since breakfast at Greasy Creek Friendly.Roan shelter is the highest on the AT and some say the coldest. The good news is that its an old fire watchers cabin and even has a door and two floors. Pylons for the old tower are about 30 yards away now hidden in the forest.The fog created a rather Erie environment. In all about 12 hikers showed up. Seven of us stayed in the shelter.One character the others had told me/ warned me about also showed. He is called Crazy Pete. Crazy is very likely one of the characters who hang around the trail. He was ill equipped to be in the forest and in my opinion in danger of severe injury or death. One sign was that he wore blue jeans and didn't appear to have any long sleeve clothing. I will be glad to be rid of him and hope he doesn't show up at the shelter tomorrow.Tomorrow's hike should be wonderful as we cross several balds in a row before staying at Overmountan shelter. Overmountan is one of the iconic AT shelters. A renovated barn with stunning views of the mountains and the valley that the Overmountan men from what is now Tennessee, took to fight the British at the Battle of Kings Mountain during the revolutionary war. Can't wait.Blessings,
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Those two local hikers yesterday were not exaggerating. The views in the Roan Highlands were the best yet. This morning I got going early. With only 9 miles to hike and a Zero tomorrow, I wanted to go slow and enjoy the effort. Leaving the shelter climbing began almost immediately. At the first bald I could look down and see the shelter. Yesterday we heard hikers yelling to us but could not locate them. A mile or so later I started entering the highlands. Fog obscured much of the view at first. Then I stopped, turned back toward the trail I had just hiked and WOW! The fog was lifting and the wind was beginning to move the clouds across the landscape below me. I spent most of the next hour stopping every few minutes to just enjoy God's creativity. His paint brush was changing my view constantly. What a great way to spend a Monday morning. I will load pictures as soon as I can in the photo album.Hiking north the trail up Hump Mountain, the name of this one in the highlands, there are numerous false summits. Each one held the promise of another version of the wonderful views from this mountain. I almost hated to leave but was also anxious to reach the hostel to shower, do laundry especially after the rain, and rest before adding daily miles to reach the next hostel.The trail down off the mountain was a bit tricky in spots as it was still quite wet from yesterday's rain. I was also hiking with one wet boot that was not too comfortable. At Doll Flats, a camp spot I had planned on using in my rough itinerary, I stopped and talked to a couple from Missouri (Jim and Trish). They were on their first section hike on the AT. I answered about a hundred questions they had. Hope they have a great hike this week. The Mountain Harbour Hostel is .3 miles down U.S. Highway 19 E from where the AT crosses that road. I arrived about 2 immediately checked in and showered. The perfect end to a gorgeous day that was preceded by rain.Blessings,
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Mountain Harbour is a nice hostel located just a few miles outside of Roan Mountain, TN. It is just .3 of a mile from where the AT crosses US19E. It too like the Overmountain Shelter is a converted barn. A whole lot more converted! It can sleep 8 indoors and numerous in tents. It is also located near a B & B on the same property. They provide the much desired shower and free shuttle to town for dinner and resupply (at 5 sharp). Roan Mountain the town is just a few miles away. It is a very small town and the pickings are slim for restaurants and groceries.The others here last night, a group I've been sharing shelters with now for several days, got out really late today. That is after John Wayne whose hobby is cooking provided everyone with a fantastic breakfast. I did cleanup since they were leaving. The least I could do for a free meal. I'm guessing I might see them again because they won't get too far today.I spent most of the rest of the day evaluating my food supply to make sure that if more was needed I could get it tonight during the dinner run. And of course just staying off my feet and resting.Early in the afternoon another couple arrived who had stayed at Overmountain shelter while I was there. Patrick and Jill from Kansas had stopped yesterday at Doll Flats for the night. They then came the two plus miles down the mountain today. The three of us were the only ones at the hostel until after dinner. Today is Jill's birthday. No idea which one but definitely low thirty's at the most. They partook of a movie after showering etc. And I was surprised that my nap was successful. Earplugs could not be found. I guess fatigue over came the noise. Dinner was again at Bob's Dairyland. This time it was the signature cheeseburger using beef ground fresh on site...wow. Could not taste the difference. Chocolate milkshake for desert. Back at the hostel two guys had arrived who would be slack packing from Carver's Gap back to here. A tall order. I hope they pack enough to stay a night on the mountain just in case.We all congregated on the front porch of the B and B for WiFi service before turning in for the night. My plan is to be on the trail tomorrow about 7:30.Blessings,
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Mountaineer Falls Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

I'm really anxious now to finish my AT hike for this year. I would welcome a fall hike if friends are going. But for now I'm ready to get home with Cathy and start planning how to complete the whole trail. Today I got out of the hostel about 7:45am. Trail information provided by Vagabond who has hiked the AT and manages the hostel, indicates that this next section between Roan Mountain and Kincora Hostel, while not flat it is more gentle and good time/miles can be made. I would love to do this section in two days instead of my planned three. I set out to reach the first of two shelters. Once there, hopefully around noon, I will lunch, stretch foot and see if it's wise to push on.The views today were mostly nonexistent. Especially after those awesome ones the last few days on the trail. However heading back up into the mountains I arrived at a grassy area. When I looked back there through light cloud cover was the grass covered summit of Hump Mountain. I sure hope it shows in the picture. Overall the trail today reminded me of the Sheltowee Trace back home. Similar forest and trail composition. I did make good time. Once at the shelter I lunched and exercised my foot. Decided to stay put. Hiking would gave meant tenting and as I write this the expected storm is brewing. So the plan now for tomorrow is similar to today: make the next shelter about 10 miles and evaluate. I will leave earlier thus allowing more rest time before pushing on to Kincora. The difference is that tomorrow may be a longer day than today would have been, but ends at a hostel not a campsite. Dinner is done, water refilled, sleeping bag set up, rain starting...almost bedtime. Hope tomorrow finds me at the hostel instead of the next shelter.Blessings,
Date: 2014-07-04
From: TN 91/ Shady Valley

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike started at one of the unique trailheads. At this location part of the trail, perhaps one-half mile is handicapped accessible. It's gravel at less than 6 percent grade. At the end of that the trail crosses private property for about one mile. A cow pasture complete with manure and of course the bovines seem to hit the mark consistently. Hence, this hiker was in the pasture not on the trail frequently. About three miles into the hike I see my first black bear, besides the tourist beggar one at Clingman's Dome in the GSMNP. I saw/heard him coming at me some 50 yards away before he saw me by about a millisecond! Off he went like a greyhound after the rabbit. No picture opportunity. That big boy could move and it sounded like the forest was falling down. Now as you know one reason for jumping ahead today was to bypass the bear watch/high activity area. Irony isn't it the that I see one within the first hour today. The trail today was exactly as described by Bob Peoples..easy and faster. To be expected from such a knowledgeable source. At the first shelter I took only a short break to try and return Spectrum's hat. The other day I was behind her and picked it up after it was dropped. She probably had it hanging on her backpack. Anyway she knew I was behind her and left a note at a shelter to hang on to it. Since I don't think I will see her again, especially after skipping a section, I needed a way to get it to her. My method: hat with note in large zip lock and hung at shelter immediately adjacent to trail and in plain view. Hope she gets it.A few hours after the shelter stop and about a mile or two from my target shelter..BEAR NUMBER TWO! This one surprised me..a lot. Heard it, saw it real close about 20 yards, it was gone right across the trail in front of me with the same crashing through the woods as the first one. This guy saw me first for sure. So this is bear day whether or not. Met two guys about my age along the trail. We talked some. They were headed to the same shelter I was for the night. I got there first by about an hour. Rob a twenty something hiker out for the weekend was already there with his tent set up. The other two guys, Jim and Kevin arrived and the three of us set up in the shelter. The weather today was great. Cool here on top and gonna be very cool tonight. Tomorrow the same for the hike in to Damascus. The four of us had really good conversation as we built a fire and cooked and ate dinner. Kevin thru-hiked in the mid-seventies. Jim and Rob wanted to know a lot about hiking and I enjoyed sharing the duties if information provider with Kevin.My plan is to wake at the usual time and try to hit the trail by 6:30 for a leisurely hike to Damascus. This night was chilly. Great sleeping weather and just like home on July 4 we heard fireworks way off down the mountain!"If you are lucky enough to hike in the woods, you are lucky enough."Blessings
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today was spent just hanging out in Damascus waiting for Walter to arrive. He was on schedule to be here in late afternoon. We will head home tomorrow morning. In the meantime, Jeff the owner of Mt. Rogers Outfitters, invited me to his church this morning. It was a short walk (every walk in this small town is short) back toward were I entered on the AT. Prior to heading there I was honored to meet Jeff's father Dave the founder of Mt. Rogers Outfitters, the namesake for the hostel I stayed in last night, "Dave's Place, and a former thru-hiker. Chef John Wayne also stopped by. I was a bit surprised he had not started back on the trail this morning. He is aiming for Maine and can't really afford too many more low or no mileage days. It was great seeing him though. After church I relocated to Hikers Inn Hostel where Walter and I would have beds vs. platforms and the need to use sleeping pad and bags. Hikers Inn is very nice and even has AC. Once there I basically relaxed on the front porch and observed the happenings on Main Street Damascus on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Most all traffic was cyclists using the Virginia Creeper Rail Trail that also goes through town. Walter arrived around 4. I showed him the town. We loaded his stuff into his room at the hostel and went to dinner at a barbecue restaurant followed by ice cream...yummy. Back at the hostel we conversed with other hikers before hitting the sack. Blessings,
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

I've been home now for a few days. The best part of course was reuniting with Cathy. Now I must concentrate on getting back into a city lifestyle vs. one on hiking, eating and sleeping in the forest. Walter and I took the back roads home through western Virginia and eastern Kentucky. While a hour or so slower the scenery sure was better on this route vs the all interstate alternative. I had a great breakfast in Abingdon...fresh out of the oven apple cobbler complete with vanilla ice cream and a country ham biscuit. Tomorrow I will stop eating this way so as to not regain lbs lost on my AT hike.The day after arriving home I attended a planning commission (I represent my city on the commission) meeting I was going to miss based on my schedule. It would have been missed if I had not skipped a section of trail this time. Yesterday we attended a birthday party for a friend. Today I start gear clean up and stowing away until my next hike while Cathy is at work. Next week I go out of town to work. Back to home life...can't wait for 2015 and planning my next AT hike. Maybe I can figure out a way yet to finish in two years, and if not, three or more it will be."If you are lucky enough to be hiking in the forest, you are lucky enough"Blessings,
Date: 2015-02-03
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Well friends it's now time to ramp up planning and preparation for my 2015 AT hike. After the trials and tribulations on 2014 there were basic decisions to make regarding how to finish my dream of hiking the AT. Having only completed 1/2 of my 2014 goal, several options were available for 2015. The two primary ones being to continue with my two year plan or go for a three year plan. At this time after discussions with my wife, Catherine, it appears with about 95% certainty I will stick with the two year plan. The two year plan is that will "Aim for Maine" not just to Harpers Ferry, WVA my 2014 goal. What this means is more time away from my wife (the toughest task for sure of long distance hiking for me) and approximately 1700 miles...almost a thru-hike. At this time I'm completing a rough, very rough itinerary which will be the basis for food and other supplies. I will be starting from Damascus, VA for sure. The location where I had to stop in 2014. Because I'm almost 500 miles into the hike I will start later in the year than I did in 2014. Right now all I know specifically is that the latest date I want to be starting on the trail is Monday, May 11.Blessings,Logman