morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Erwin, Tn 1750' 11:00 am

To: Beauty Spot Gap 4100' 
Miles today: 10.8

We slept good on the couch at Miss J's and awoke to a phone call from Little Laurel Shelter - a hiker was passing blood and unconscious - scary!.We had a huge breakfast - green eggs and ham, biscuits and FRUIT SALAD. Miss Janet is awesome. She asked all of us to tell what kind of art we would love to be. I said the sunset cause it can be seen around the world, is always changing but always remains the same.She dropped us off at the Nolichuckey River and it was sprinkling. We high tailed it to the shelter and ate a small lunch, took a crap and headed out.Once we got to Indian Gap it started sleeting. No breaks just UP! Beauty Spot was like a blizzard - crazy. We ran to get to a lower ground and found Beauty Spot Gap. Camped across the road and tried to throw up our tent the best we could. We were wet and cold and our bags were covered in snow. We felt just like crashing, but TWT made some Mac and Cheese and we slowly defrosted. Everything we made was with snow 'cause we didn't want to go out for water. Snowed non-stop all night until at least 1 pm the next day.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Beauty Spot Gap

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light snow

After sleeping through the snow for 13 hrs we fixed frosted flakes and melted snow and went back to sleep.I woke again around noon and ate some tuna ans snacks. After we realized the snow had finally stopped we packed up and started tredging through the snow. Pretty easy up Unaka Mtn (5180') and then we sleeded and skied down to Low Gap (3900'). The only part that sucked was the low lying trees bent down by snow that stole my pack cover and dumped snow on us.We finally made it to Cherry Gap Shelter and it was full of poeple who zeroed at Cherry Gap. Slips and Fitz, two people with Pearcing, Turtle, Sylvan, and Section Hiker Guy. Devil Weed and Pie squared showed up later and we had to sleep in the tent again. It should be a nice night.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Cherry Gap Shelter 12 noon

To: LemonTree Inn 9 pm
Miles today: 0.0

What another crazy day. When we woke up there was more snow and the temp had dropped during the night. The shelter only had four people left so we moved into it to start fixin breakfast. We had deflated pancakes due to no baking powder. Not bad once you put brown sugar and peanut butter and jelly on them!We broke down the tent and sat around for a while, packed up and contemplated what to do. We decided to try and attempt the hike to the nearest hostel. As we started the hike we made it to the top of Little Bald(4459') following tracks made by other hikers before us, but as we crested, the tracks just stopped! We started searching for any sign of the trail and after 30 minutes of wandering aimlessly, we decided to return to the last blaze. Grangor the Destroyer found a white blaze somehow that was barely visible, so we were relieved.We started towards Iron Mtn Gap(3723') and the snow was knee deep in some places. After we made it to the gap we were frozen and ready to go towards Warmth! We started to trek towards the Tenn side of the Mtn. After walking about 1/2 mile we tried to call for a ride. As soon as we got ahold of someone at Mrs J's a white van pulled up and took us 25 miles to the nearest town and hotel - nice guy! We tried everything to get a ride and decided it was too much trouble so we decided to stay. $10 a person and we got a fridge, microwave, hot plate, and cable!! The guy that owned the place was a retired pilot that had flown almost everywhere. He had a wierd Honduran guy working there who was a litlle 'friendly' -if you know what I mean. Me and TWT, Fitz and Slips went to Ingles and bought a bunce of food. Snickers, smoked sausage, chili, ice cream, and oatmeal cream pies. We pigged out that night and watched TV.The only bad part was that we couldn't turn the heater off and it was like 85 degrees in there all night. Oh well, it dried everything off.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Lemon Tree Inn

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 1.0

Today we had a wonderful buffett of cereal, fruit, juices, sweet rolls, and toast. We talked more with the owner and I took a peek in the jacuzzi room. A little eerie if you ask me. They had party music going and a video camera facing the jacuzzi. All right - time to get back on the trail-After trying to get a shuttle we decided our best bet was to hitch into Elk Park (for our resupply box-ed.) After about a mile of hitching we came across a guy who took us to a town 8 miles from Elk Park. We got another hitch with a nice guy and his son who took us closer and ate lunch at McD's. Hot chicks working there - that is one thing you miss on the trail. (ed.-apologies to the hot girl hikers - they obviously don't count in this assesment)We walked pretty far after going to a thrift store so Fitz could get a fleece. Some crazy people picked us up in a truck and kept asking if we wanted or had any cocaine, pot or acid. They did take us to get our box at the hardware store so that was cool. We just prayed that we would get back to the trail soon. They dropped us off at a trailhead and we ran as fast as we could to get away from 'civilization'.We hiked less than a mile to Apple House Shelter where we met Out and About who was doing a long distance section. He was from Penn - near where Fitz and Slips live. He had a box of fresh veggies so we sauteed some eggplant, peppers, and I made some mac and cheese with the remaining smoked sausage. Slips (who is a chef) made the veggies. A fine dining experience if I must say so myself. We had a nice fire and our new friend told us crazy stories about hiking and what not.Tomorrow is supposed to get cold, so we will try to make it to Kinkura. 23 miles - we may have to do some night hiking.
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Apple House Shelter 10 am

To: KinKora Hostel 10:30 pm
Miles today: 23.0

What a day - after waking up and eating cheerios with fruit, we went back to sleep for awhile to shake off the cold. Finally woke up and started stirring. Once we set off it wasn't that bad. We came across some trail magic over the first bridge. A coke left by Lobsta sure made the day go better.The first site that stole our breath was that from a valley just past US 19E. I couldn't believe it - it was the picture from the front of Wingfoot's book! This was just a mile after the trash dump near the road!! As we began to get higher up in the green pastures a pack of dogs barked at us. We turned around and saw the prettiest site I have seen so far - Roan Mtn (6285') covered with the recent snows and just below it green pastures. (Confusious say: Sometimes it pays to look where you've been and not just where you are going!-ed.) The next spot was lunch stop. We sat on a rock and low and behold here comes Red Dog and his crazy stories of how he lived through the blizzard on top of Roan Mtn! He propped a picnic table against the front of the shelter and made an igloo to live in for the night. He was lucky to live through the storm. ( he actually became hypothermic and had to be helped down by Fozzie and friends the next morning-ed.)We met up with the LostBoys and D>S> and are still wondering about S&B. Made it to Moreland Gap Shelter at nightfall and it was freezing with the wind. We decided to night hike on to KinKura and it was tough, but we ARE tough. Coke is good!
Date: 2004-04-05
From: KinKora Hostel

To: KinKora Hostel - Slack Packing
Miles today: 3.0

Another day at KinKora - ain't it sweet!Was a nice awakening this morn when some dude started stretching and letting the world know that he was awake so we should be also. We lounged around for a good while this morning drinking coffeeand everything we could get our hands on. Cenco and Granger arrived from Apple House and then we left to go to the store and the P.O. We got to drop off with RedDog at the trailhead for some slack packing and low and behold the Lost Boys and D.S. showed up. We said our goodbyes and then we was off to the great wide open.It was UP,UP,UP then we met Simon from Quebec. He said he skipped Roan cause he hates ice. Smart Move! The hike down was crazy steep but we managed. I started hiking with Slips and Fitz from that point on. The river at the bottom was beautiful. A braided stream with white water. The trail crosssed several bridges and went around some torturous turns. Once we got to Laurel Falls the day just got better. It was beautiful - about 25 ft high and roaring. We rested there for a bit then headed up a wicked rock stair case that took many many man hours to complete. Once we returned for the night we went out for Little Casesars Pizza Pizza once again. Came back with pizza and had eggplant parmesean (wonderful). Slips cooked it. Tomorrow we will help plant apple trees - yeah. I met Sugar Daddy's mom - nice woman. She just happens to live in Socorro where New Mexico Tech is located! Talked with her a while about the crazy US of A and how different the South and North and Rich and Poor live. She was a math major and seems to live well. Maybe we will meet again some day.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: KinKora

To: KinKora Hostel - Trail maintenance
Miles today: 4.1

Today we had the chance to do a little trail magic of our own! We hiked from Iron Mtn Gap to Greasy Gap. We met David and his girlfriend and started whacking away at the trail - literally. We helped widen a small section that has started to wear away and slope off too much. It was hard work but it was neat getting to make a section of the trail. KinKora owner Bob Peoples is a trail maintainer who helps out every Tues and is a member of the Tenn Eastman Hiking Club. His place is the best so far - and the cheapest!Sylvan and Seeker showed up today which means S&B will probably come in tomorrow. Unfortunately we will be gone.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: KinKora Hostel

To: Iron Mtn Shelter 4125' 4 pm
Miles today: 21.8

Ah, we finally had to leave KinKora today. The Peoples rocked (his highest geological compliment - ed.)We will have to mail them and Miss J some extra loot.Today was grrreat! The temperature was so mice and the sky was clear. Found a cell phone at Vandeventer Shelter and it is nice. Got to the shelter early so we had extra time to kick back and enjoy ourselves. Didn't use the filter today at the spring, so hopefully that will turn out alright. Ran out of water at one point so had to eat what little snow we could find. Sugar Daddy and his mom are here with us tonight and again tomorrow. Hope to meet more people tomorrow and the next day. My new shoes are waiting in Damascus along with other goodies. Found a huge pile of human excrement behind the shelter - the NERVE!
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Iron Mtn Shelter 4125' 8:50 am

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter 3785' 4:15 pm
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

What a glorious sunrise as we set up in our bunk. Took a picture of our old chimney with some dead guys plaque on it. The hike today was fairly easy with lots of small Ups and Downs. Sue, SugarDaddy's mom is leaving us tomorrow to return to Socooro where I will not be returning because, hey, they don't want me there (UNMT). We ate lunch at Double Springs Shelter(4080') - trashy. This shelter is nice views and grassy. We head for Dmascus tomoorow for Easter Goodies and what not. Saw a dead raccoon today - probably from the storm. Can't wait to wear shoes that fit! Hope the parents are having fun in Belize. Beautiful day today - fire dwindling and sky turning slowly.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Abingdon Shelter 3785' 6 am

To: Saunders Shelter ~3500' 6pm
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: clear sky

My pen is now blue, but I am far from it! We set out before the sun came up and passed into Virginia today. Damascus was kinda dissappointing - not the town I thought it was going to be. I got my New Balance all terrain shoes and they feel much better!We searched for a nice place to find breakfast and came across Creekside Cafe. We had breakfast burritos with sausage, bacon,egg,lettuce,slasa,sour cream and also hashbrowns - all for 1.99. It was the best breakfast so far (they had bought-ed.)The hike out of Damsascus was pretty tough, but we did it pretty fast. Beautiful sunset with KungFu and Swiss Miss. Nice shelters now and WONDERFUL PRIVYS!
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Saunders Shelter - 10 am

To: Thomas Knob Shelter - 6:45 pm
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow, what a day. We walked over blue,green,red,yellow,black, and every color rock under the rainbow. (A geologist can really get excited by the little things about the earth and its processes, ed.) The pack is heavy with Easter foods, but we still managed to hike 19 miles. The last uphill to the shelter was tough.Once we got up to the rock overlook we shot some pics took a pics of a tree with crazy spikes coming off (locust,ed.) We went over a lot of Rhyolite today. Beautiful place, this Virginia. Shelter's rock here. We met some Canadians from Winsor - where Shane is from. They are all alike - eah.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Thomas Knob Shelter 5000'+ 9 am

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

What a crazy, fun, eventful day! Thought I was going to digress, didn't you. We walked through the rain all day. Played with ponies on top of the bald patches. Once we got to the shelter we found out there was loads of trail magic waiting just 1.7 miles down the trail. We hightailed to get there and it was well worth it. Oranges, bananas,beer, soads, donuts, cinnamon rolls. So Swweet! Gotta love Easter. This is the first Easter I have spent in the mountains and already it has turned out better than expected.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Old Orchard Shelter 8 am

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: moderate rain

Man, this rain will NOT CEASE!. We decided it is warm enough to walk in the rain, so we do. We took a short cut on account of the rain and ended up getting ahead of Sylvan the Poet. Ate lunch at Trimpi Shelter. Some nice traiul angels gave me some gatorade and crackers and snacks.As soon as we got to this field with a bus in it the sky cleared. Awesome, I thought as I stripped off my rain gear and started to warm up. When we got to partnership we ordered a pizza and burgers and talked to nanny and Nathan. Going to get cold tonight.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Partnership Shelter 11:00 am

To: Davis Path Shelter 6:30 pm
Miles today: 14.3

Today we awoke to a nice white blanket. Sheeps wool over our eyes won't keep us down. Especially when we knew it was only to last one more day and then it would finally be nice.It snowed all the way down the mountain until we reached a little old school. We took a pit stop at the Village Motel to pick up a mail drop and the Indian dude inside said they didn't have it. Yeah, right. (It said Harvell instead of Jason and he wasn't sure that was me, ed.)Great lunch today after Gullion Mtn Greenfields - Hot dogs and marshmellowsDragon salyer was there too. We found trail magic on the road (drinks) and hiked only 2.5 miles to the shelter where we met ( Lob and Buddy Sattua?) and two section hikers - Hobo and ? - cool dudes.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Davis Path Shelter 10 am

To: Lynn Camp Creek 6 pm
Miles today: 11.6

Got a late start but had a great breakfast - Cheerios with bananas and strawberries. The hiking today was a little tough, but clear skies helped. We had a beautiful lunch spot in a field down from Gullion Mountain. Met a Greman dude - Hans - section hiker. Tent set up directly next to Lynn Creek - hope it doesn't flood. Nice to fall asleep with running water next to us. Tomorrow - another DraaGGoonN day - but we will get to see "God's Thumbprint! a giant crater. Well, off to ZZzzzzz . . . .
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Lynn Creek Campund 10 am

To: Jenkins Shelter 5:45pm
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke to coldness. Got up around 9:30 am. The view was sweet from on top! "God's Thumbprint is really just a giant crater. The hiking was non stop ups and downs. My left side tendons are like a bad rubberband. Don't know why - maybe the new shoes? It doesn't hurt but the squeaking sound is weird.NO MORE DRAGONS! Give me mountains!! Red Dog met back up with us tonight. Need to get to Pearisburg. Count down to food and rest in 6! It's all right to every once in a while for four days! Pepitos is FINISHED (that's a favorite resturant back home)!
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Jenkins Shelter 10 am

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter 
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It is Saturday, I think!?? Today was an easy day - only 13 miles and we got to enjoy steak and potatoes with sour cream, cheese, butter, and even two beers. Red Dog is the MAN! Can't wait till we will be eating until our eyes pop out. Sooo Sweeet! We scored some trail magic at the first road crossing. It will be a V-8 morning - good to satrt the day with. We met some crazy guy doing 30 milers - started the trail on Mar 20th. Why??? he says just to say you did it. He looks like a leprecaun.T-Bone is kickin! :-)
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter 

To: Campsite near Va Hwy 606
Miles today: 16.3

Today was a very nice day, but HOT! We decided to camp near the creek so we could wash up. We got to enjoy some icecream and a Sobe Blueberry/Blackberry. Awesome! Then we tent camped and washed in the freezing water. It was nice because it was cold. Hans camped next to us but seemed unsure about camping so close to the road. We returned to the phone and bought one more pint of ice cream while we called mom and dad. No response so we just left another message. By then it was dark and hard to find the campsite, but we did and were greateful because it was starting to get cold.
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Va Hwy 606 9:30 am

To: Docs Knob Shelter 5:30 pm
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

When we woke to the sounds of the saw mill it was a bit chilly out. We packed and ate the poptarts we'd purchased yesterday at the store. After packing we went to the payphone. As we approached it was ringing. I picked it up and it was good ole mom!! She is coming tomorrow and will pick us up in Pearisburg tomorrow for feeding and to take TWT to Auburn for his mandatory transfer student orientation.Beautiful views from rock cliffs - you could see all the way to Pearisburg. Pink Blaze is out so keep a look out. Seeker going North and Seeker South. Wildcat is here with his fire a blazin and warm water on to boil. Privy has neat wipes also. Good day as well as tomorrow!
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Docs Knob Shelter 

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

(ed.) Met Mom today to go back to Home Sweet Home for four Days. TWT has to get to Transfer Student Oreintation (SOS) at Auburn. Tough Down getting into town.Stuffed face at Pizza Hut AYCE and she showed right on time. We'll be back on the trail on Sat 4/24 (Mom's B'day). Hope some of you guys catch up so we can share some TM just out of Pearisburg!
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Pearisburg, VA 2pm

To: Campsite past Rice Field Shelter 3300' 6pm
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: few clouds

ed.- dropped the dynamic duo at about 2 pm today. Hard to watch them scramble up the trail and over the horizon again. It was great to stuff their faces and let them sleep a little at home for the past few days, but I know they were ready to get back to the freedom of the wide open and the excitement of not knowing who or what is around the next bend or bump. We do have a little fun, too, though. When they disappeared from site we snuck up and took some of the trail magic they left for others and jumped in the car. The sign had said 20 miles until the trail crossed the road so we hurried there to put out some trail magic of our own! We stopped and asked several nearly toothless fly fishermen and they all knew the trail crossed , " right up yonder a piece", and a hour and a half of scouring red neck backwoods roads for white blazes later, we found it! We hiked over a small bridge and found a registration box about a 1/4 miles up the trail. Of course the box was barren so we put the magic sack inside. We also added a note so that any other hikers getting there first would pass the word (and hopefully leave at least something for the DD). Maybe they'll get it and we'll see a picture of the moment. If not I'll never forget our little visit with the locals. -ed.Mountain Goat - After taking a 4 day break I can definitely tell a difference in uphill. Sore leg muscles, slower paces, etc. - and all this after shedding about 10 lbs out of my pack. We are still ahead of Fitz n Slips, Hippy, Eats, LWOP,Dharma? and a mess load of other people we last saw at Miss Janet's. That is some draw she has got on people. The Rice Field Shelter (3375') is on a beautiful mountain top overlooking the town with rolling hills in the distance. It was a very nice day with highs in the 80's? lows in the 40's. Clouds are passing but mostly clear.Hope all you guys back home are doing well! I will see you in about 4 months.
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Campsite past Rice Field Shelter 3300' 10:45am

To: Bailey Gap Shelter (3535') 5:20pm
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning the sky was full of grey clouds and the mtn was covered in fog. We had and extra person in our tent because it started to rain in the middle of the night and Hawk was w/o protection. Hobo and Jangles slept well, so they didn't wake till around the time we broke camp.Symms Gap ( was a beautiful spot to rest, but covered in clouds today so the views are minimal. The budding trees , however, were quite nice. Smelled like walking through the mall or somewhere with rich perfumes in the air.We had a late lunch at Pine Swamp Shelter (2530'). Nice shelter with a fireplace on the inside. Another shelter dedicated to Trimpi.The skies were clear for a few hours after lunch, but after the climb up to Bailey Gap Shelter (3535') it gave us just enough time to get water and set up a pad before the rains came again. Light at first and then heavier, finally stopping after sunset.We picked up trail magic left by the parentals (thanks guys). Full shelter tonight. Hope the rain has ceased.
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Bailey Gap Shelter (3535') 11am

To: Laurel Creek Shelter (2720') 5:30 pm
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: moderate rain

We woke to the sound of rain and lots of it. After three thru hikers from the shelter behind us arrived to try and get out of the rain (at 9:30) me and others decided we better make a break for Laurel Sheler. This was my first time to walk in the rain w/o rain gear and it wasn't that bad. A little chilly at first, but once we found some lower elevation it was all gravy.No rest stops until we reached War Spur Shelter (2740') and could get out of the rain. We even passed the first guy that came by the shelter on the way. After a quick lunch we headed toward Laurel.We passed two coolers on the way with nothing left in them except a trash bag full of cans. BUMMER. No views, no rest stops, and no trail magic.When we reached the shelter Jingles mader a fire with some dry wood to help dry out the wet clothes. The rain has finally stopped and now we pray for sun (maybe).