morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-31
From: COSBY KNOB SHELTER

To: I-40
Miles today: 9.9

From Crosby Knob ShelterTo I-40Today's Miles: 9.9Total Miles: 236.8Ceder looked at his watch wrong this morning and everyone, except Skip, was up at 5:30 instead of 6:30. But I liked it as it gave me time to eat a hot breakfast, have some tea, and get an early start. Except, here I sit on the exit ramp of I-40, a whole hour early to meet my friend, Helene. But it will give me time to catch up on my emails. Today was one of the nicest hikes I have had so far. The weather was cool and sunny. The ups and downs were gradual and the path was wide. It was a very pleasant hike and I did the 7 miles to the Davenport Gap Shelter by 11:30. I knew I was early so I had a long lunch and read about fellow hikers in the register. There were some kids hiding out in the woods and coming out and taking hikers food bags that were hung on the bear cables. But I hear the rangers have caught them so that is a good thing. I can't imagine waking up to find your food bag gone! I think I almost saw something big in the woods today. I was walking down the trail and the noise and tree movement told me it was a large animal. I stood for a while and watched but I didn't see anything else. I think it would have been neat to see a bear on my last day in the Smoky's.At about 1:00, I said goodbye to the Smoky Mountains and out onto a road. They were actually pretty good to me and the other hikers. One day of rainy weather, cool days to hike, and a lot of ridge walking along the way. They were not near as tough as I thought they going to be and much easier than Georgia (for those that are planning this adventure). I did have one scary moment for the first time today. I came out on TN32 and was going back up in the woods when a pick-up truck drove by. the driver looked at me but kept going then stopped and started to back up. I just got this creepy feeling and started to run. Well running up hill with a pack on is not easy, but my heart was pounding and I just kept going. I think I jogged for about a mile always looking over my shoulder and did not really relax until I came out on the I-40 junction. I may have just spooked myself but I have always heard to listen to your gut. It is the first time this has happened so far. While I have been walking the Smokys I have had my left foot in Tennessee and my right foot in North Carolina but now all of me is in Tennessee so it is officially my third state.Skip just walked by heading to Standing Bear and Helene has arrived, so I off to get a shower and a soft bed tonight.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: I-4

To: Knoxville, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Happy April Fools Day. Maybe I played an April Fool on the Trail as today it is pouring rain and I am snug and comfortable in my friend Helen's home. This is probably the most relaxing zero day I have had as I arrived here early yesterday and did laundry and all the other zero day chores. I got up early and had tea and lots of good conversation with Helen on her back porch watching the cardinals, squirrels, and chipmunks run around. All the tress and early flowers are in bloom here which is much different than on top of the mountains where I have been walking. The rest of the day we watched Planet Earth (a great series on Discovery, if you have not seen it you should) and movies. Tomorrow is to be sunny and warm and I will head back out early in the morning.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: I-4

To: GROUND HOG SHELTER
Miles today: 7.7

Total Miles: 244.5Helen dropped me off at I-40 and I walked to the staircase about .5 miles without my pack as Helene drove along side. Then I picked up my pack, said good-bye with plans to backpack together after I finish th eTrail. I headed up these steep stairs and back onto the trail. It was pretty much up for awhile but then leveled out and started down. I met up with Hobo, Calamity Jane, (who I haven't seen in a long time) and Flint (who I had not met) as I was walking along. It was so good for my mental state to meet up with friends again and we had a nice walk to the shelter chatting and catching up with each others' stories. I got to tell about breaking my nose and other adventures through the Smokies and listen to theirs. I believe it was Winding Stair Gap since I had last seen Hobo! We arrived at the shelter at 2:30 PM, which is the earliest I have ever gotten to a shelter, but I did not want to go on and will do the 13.1 miles tomorrow. Barry Manalow and Texas stopped in for lunch but went on to the next shelter. MA and Marshall, and Rutabaga, Crutch, Skip and his dad and friend joined us for the night. Marshal was trying to identify poison ivy which of late has been seen along the trail. So he was walking around pointing at different plants and asking. "Is this poison ivy?" And I wound answer, "No," and he would go on to the next plant. We did that for a while and then decided there was none at this spotWe built a great fire and I enjoyed the company of new and old friends for the night.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

To: WALNUT MT SHELTER
Miles today: 13.1

From: Ground Hog Creek ShelterTo: Walnut Mt. ShelterToday miles: 13.1Total miles: 157.6Today started out with some fairly hard ups. I felt like I was back in Georgia, but I did the 6 something miles by 11:30 and felt good about thatI have heard and read about Max Patch since I started the planning of this trip, and today, I got to cross over it and it is everything people have raved about. I just loved it. I had a wonderful lunch with Calamity Jane, Hobo, and Flint. The views were terrific which made up for some of the cloudy days I had in the Smokey's.The afternoon was much easier as I walked along a stream that I crossed about five times. I stopped at Roaring Fork Shelter for a break.The last climb took me up Walnut Mt. and it was difficult but I arrived at the shelter about 4:30 PM. Before the shelter there was a lot of destruction caused by bulldozers. I am not sure what they are doing up there, building a parking lot!! I was happy to walk the 13.1 miles by 4:30 and feel like I am getting into the rhythm of walking each day. Here tonight are Hobo, Calamity Jane, Flint, Marshal, M-A, 50-50 (a section hiker), and Fidel (whom we just met) and another couple who came in late. This is a very small shelter so we just can fit 5 people in but there are just 4 of us that are staying in the shelter and everyone else has their tents set up. There are nice camping spots behind the shelter. I haven't used my tent for a long while now and have gotten used to sleeping next to people. I could not use it in the Smokeys and since then I have been with friends. I am sure I will start using it again after Hot Springs.Town, shower, and food tomorrow in town
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Walnut MT Shelter

To: HOT SPRINGS
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Walnut Mt. ShelterTo: Hot SpringsToday Miles: 13.1Total Miles: 270.7Last night was truly an adventure. As we went to sleep in the shelter about 8:00 PM, we commented on the beautiful night. Then around 11:30 PM the wind started to howl. We all woke up and looked out at the sparks shooting many feet into the air from the fire, and a line of black clouds coming our way. We all jumped up and first went to use the restroom. Hobo, helping the fire to be put out went directly onto the sparks and then we moved all the packs further back into the shelter and climbed back into our sleeping bags just as the sky opened up. It was one of the hardest rains I have ever been in. Then 50-50 (section hiker) came walking down with all his gear on and said he was thinking going night hiking to Hot Springs. With the lightening cracking all around and the rain coming down in torrents, we convinced him to not go and come in the shelter to sleep. He was already soaked through. Fter about an hour, it finally stopped raining and we all fell asleep.Today started out cloudy and much cooler than it has been. Calamity Jane waited for me and we hiked the 13 miles into Hot Springs together. After Bluff Mt., the sun came out and although it was windy, the day was great for hiking. The trek into Hot Springs did seem like it took forever. We felt like we walked past Hot Springs before we finally turned to come down into the town. We commented we had walked into the "Twilight Zone" of the AT. Here in town AT signs are embedded in the sidewalks make you seem important as a Thru hiker when you walk in. My friend, Mary Anne, brought my new hip belt to me, as the one on my new pack was just too big. We were going to stay at the Creekside Inn. I recommend if you are planning this trip you not stay there as it had nothing in the room not even blankets or heat and the bathroom did not work. The town was full of hikers and almost all the places were full. Elmers, where everyone says to stay, was full for the few next days!
Date: 2007-04-05
From: HOT SPRINGS

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

From: Hot SpringsTo: Hot SpringsToday Miles: 0Total Miles:270.7We moved to the Alpine Court Motel and it was much better. Today, on my zero day, I got a pair of new boots. I was still getting new blisters after 270 miles! I now have a pair of Montrails and I wore them most of the day and they seemed fine, but tomorrow and the next five days, will see how they do. We had dinner with Calamity Jane, Hobo, Flint, MA, and Marshal. They are all going to slack pack for the next few days and they wanted me to go with them, but I declined the offer, as I just really want to keep heading North at my own pace. I will miss them and hope to see them again sometime but more lessons learned from the trail.Tomorrow I head out with a full pack and new boots!
Date: 2007-04-06
From: HOT SPRINGS

To: SPRING MT SHELTER
Miles today: 11.0

From: Hot SpringsTo: Spring Mt. ShelterToday miles: 11.0Total Miles:281.7As usual when you leave a town it is a lot of up hiking with a full pack. I have five days of food, which is a lot for a Thru hiker when you consider three meals a day plus two snacks. Out of Hot Springs, it felt like straight up as we climbed 1300 to 3600 during the day. It was also a pretty cool day but I had to keep taking off layers as we climbed and I made my own furnace inside my body. I kept catching up to Marshall, MA, Calamity Jane, Hobo, and Flint, whenever they took a break. They are going to be slack packing to Erwin and put in some big miles more miles than I think I can do even slackpacking. I also met Dorothy and Toto, a couple my age. This is their second attempt at Thru hiking and they got all the way to Mass. on the last try.The weather was turning very cool by the end of the day. I got to the shelter about 4:30 and decided to stay inside the shelter. Dangerous Dan and Owl were there, but they ate and headed out again. Rock Hound, Sticks, Dorothy and Toto were spending the night also. Rock Hound, Sricks, and I were standing around the fire when it started to snow and the wind started to blow and the temperature really started to drop. At about 10:30 Drip Dry and her dog Boris came in and they were so cold as the temperature had dropped to the teens and the snow and wind were awful.I felt bad as there was no room in the shelter and Drip Dry and Boris had to sleep on the ground right in front of the shelter. It was a long cold night!
Date: 2007-04-07
From: SPRING MT SHELTER

To: LITTLE LAUREL SHELTER
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Spring Mt. ShelterTo: Little Laurel ShelterToday's Miles: 8.6Total Miles: 290.3We woke up to a snow covered world. My watch said it was 17 degrees, brrrr. We all got up and quickly packed up. I took out a pair of hand warmers, as I couldn't feel my fingers. The fingers do not work well when you have to stuff things into bags and then your pack.Rock Hound started a fire and then two other hikers arrived, Sunny Boy and Deep Sea. They had slept .2 miles away, under a tree, in only sleeping bags and wearing garbage bags. They could have gotten hypothermia.Well today is my one month anniversary on the trail. I am into a routine and pretty much feel like a Thru hiker especially on a morning like this one. I started hiking but my water line froze and I could not get any water. So I was pretty thirsty. I will need to be more careful and take a sip every few minutes to avoid this in the future. I met Bonnie Carolyn heading south as she was light packing (just out for a few days) back to Hot Springs. She had her head to toe fleece on and trying to stay warm in the snow. After five miles, I came across a sign that said Trail Magic. I walked to the house and Sticks, 60, Drip Dry, and Dorothy and Toto were there. I had hot chocolate and waffles for a first course and a barbecue sandwich for a second course. They invited everyone to stay and go to Easter Sunday and lunch tomorrow, but I wanted to keep hiking so left the house to go to the shelter. I want to thank them for their kindness and for helping me to thaw out my water tube. I arrived at Little Laurel Shelter but no one was there. Owl and later Dangerous Dan arrived walking south, but then left for that Trail Magic house. Owl and I had a nice conversation about life. I set my tent up alone in the shelter, started my first fire that I made on the trail and waited until dark and went to bed alone and pretty cold for the first time. It felt weird. I think I like having people around.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: LITTLE LAUREL SHELTER

To: FLINT MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

From: Little Laurel ShelterTo Flint Mt. ShelterToday Miles: 12.7Total Miles: 303.3300 miles!!!!!It was a very cold morning. About 11 degrees this morning. I was still alone this morning, so I packed up and got going. It was one of the hardest days I have had for some reason. My new boots are giving me blisters again on my toes. I just can't seem to find the right boot.Another thing that made it hard was I went over the White Rock Cliffs and the Blackstack Cliffs. Owl had told me the night before to take the blue blaze bad weather trail, but of course I did not. It was a a cling to the rocks, hand over hand, slide down on your butt kind of hike. It took me forever to hike that part, but when you were at the top you felt like you were on top of the world. On one side you looked out over mountains for miles and and the other side you saw some town. I had lunch at Jerry Cabin Shelter but then kept hiking on to the next shelter. I did not see another hiker all day and again felt as if I was the only one out here on this beautiful cold Easter Sunday. I did see a dog on the trail who barked and barked at me and I was ready to encounter hikers at any moment but it never happened. The dog finally ran off and that was that. There seems to be a lot of memorials and grave sites as we hike these Tennessee mountains. I have passed four or five in the last few days.I got to the Flint Mt. Shelter around five and again I was all alone. It was a nice shelter and a great water source but there was no fire wood so after an hour of having a twig fire, I again set my tent up inside the shelter and settled in for another cold night alone. I have emailed this other hiker on Trail Jounals, Hobbit who started in February and spent many nights alone. I don't think I would like that. Of course, he is half way through Virginia by now, but it is not all about the miles.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: FLINT MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: HOGBACK RIDGE
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Flint Mt. ShelterTo:Hogback RidgeToday Miles: 8.9Total Miles: 311.8Last night around 12:30 Pythagoras showed up. He said he had been up on the cliffs and had night hiked here. I was so happy to have someone else in the shelter with me so even though I had never met him he still made me feel safe. So are the ways of the trail and thru-hikers I got up early and left as I knew he wanted to sleep. The walk was up most of today, but I saw a beautiful waterfall after going through Devil Fork Gap. I passed a road and climbed over a style and heard lots of dogs and cows making noises so I quickened my step.I finally took off my hat and my black fleece for the first time in three days. My hair is sticking out in every direction and when I see myself in the shadow I think I must look pretty scary.I arrived at the shelter around 3:00 and Bonnie Carolyn and a father and daughter section hiker were there. It was amazing how good I felt having others at the shelter with me and then the hikers just kept coming! Calamity Jane showed up, and I did not think I would see her again.Here tonight are Bonnie, Stuble, Mr. Easy, Trash Bag, Rodeo Clown, Buckett, Beth and Phil (Section Hikers), Tin Tin , Pythagoras (who was with me last night) and Joseph Stalin.The water source is a long way from the shelter. I am not sure which is worse, having the shelter a long way from the trail or the water source from the shelter! There are so many of us we all can't fit in the shelter. In the shelter we are like sardines and around the fire the hikers are sleeping head to toe to keep warm.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: HOGBACK RIDGE

To: BIG BALD MT SHELTER
Miles today: 10.4

From: Hogback ShelterTo: Big Bald Mt. ShelterToday's miles: 10Total Miles: 321.8It was warmer today, around 28 degrees, when I got up, but I slept very warm in the packed shelter.   Three more hikers came in after dark, and along with Calamity Jane, slept next to the fire.Today was a beautiful day for a hike. It was cool but sunny and with no wind. Calamity hiked with me all day and I was very glad for the company. We crossed Interstate 26 today. We hiked a lot of up today to Big Bald Mt. It was a hard climb up but it was worth the view. You could see forever: "360" degrees.We met this hiker, Lee, today, who hikes 25 to 30 miles a day. I can't even begin to think about walking that many miles. He wants to do CDT also this year. We also caught a glimpse of Flower Lady and Cedar, who I have not seen since the Smokies, but did not get a chance to talk to them. I seem to do better when I hike with Calamity Jane and the day goes faster. I know I slow her down, but she seems okay with it.The trail was extremely muddy today. We were slipping and sliding all over and the mud added so much weight to your boots.There was a family up on the Bald having lunch and we talked to them for awhile. We were telling them about going to the shelter and the women asked if the shelters had washers. We burst out laughing at that and said no they have three walls and a platform to sleep on and if we are lucky a privy.Big Bald Shelter is a nice two floor one, which we have not seen since the Smokey's but we still never have any bear cables. I miss those as it is hard to throw a bear line.Here tonight are Calamity Jane, Ohm, Quarter Moon, Bucket, Sticks, Fly Away, and Bonnie Carolyn
Date: 2007-04-11
From: BIG BALD MT SHELTER

To: ERIWN, TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

From:Big Bald Mt. ShelterTo:Erin, TNToday Miles: 16.9Total Miles:338.7It was a cold windy morning this day as we took off on what was to be my longest hiking day so far. Calamity Jane stayed with me again all day and we picked up Bonnie Caroline along the way as Mary Anne was picking us up when we got to the Nolichucky River Bridge. Rain was threatening all morning but by the afternoon the sun had come out. I was way over dressed but Calamity and I did not stop for the first 10 miles and we arrived at No Business Knob Shelter for a break and lunch. I had walked 10 miles by 2:00 PM, which I thought was pretty good. We had a few hard ups and downs especially over Rocky Mt. But other than that, there were a lot of switch backs, unlike the day before.Coming into Erwin was much easier than some of the other towns and there were great views of the Nolichucky River and the trains as we approached the town.As we walked down off the trail it started to pour. What good timing, weather wise, we have had today. Unlike Hot Springs, Erwin is spread out and if you are not staying at Uncle Johnny's you need to be shuttled around. We are all staying at the Holiday Inn Express. At Uncle Johnny's, Calamity found Hobo and Flint who are actually not here yet but have been slack packing for a few days. The three of us were glad to have a shower, order pizza, and sleep in a bed!
Date: 2007-04-12
From: ERWIN, TN

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

From: Erwin, TNTo: Erwin, TNToday Miles: 0Total Miles:338.7I took a zero day here in Erwin at the Holiay Inn Express. We were out around town and I was getting a haircut and we ran into MA and Marshal. They were having trouble getting a supply box that they really needed that was back in Hot Springs. I needed to get new boots again as the ones I got in Hot Springs were worse than my original ones, so Mary Anne offered to drive them back to Hot Springs. It was a beautiful day and the drive was fun if very twisty and turny. So it was also fun to be back in Hot Springs and still seeing a lot of hikers there. And we got to eat in a place we had not been before. And I got ANOTHER pair of new boots. They are men's Montrails. They are more like a trail runner but high tops. We will see how they work. We all had dinner at the Burrito place in Erwin and met Rutabaga there who I had not seen since entering the Smokies. Tomorrow we are going to do some slack packing with Mary Anne's and Chase's (Calamity Jane's Husband) help.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: ERWIN, TN

To: IRON MT GAP
Miles today: 19.1

From:Erwin, TNTo: Iron Mtn GapToday Miles: 19.1Total Miles:357.8Today was my first real slack pack day. We were eating breakfast that the hotel provides and as we sat there Marshall said, " I am ready but will just sit here and eat until we go." That is how our appetites are now and especially someone like Marshal who is tall and thin. Calamity Jane, Bonnie, MA, Marshall, and I all headed out around 7:30 for a long hike. Mary Anne dropped us off at the Nolichucky Ricver Bridge and we started out trek. The trail out of Erwin was pretty easy and we walked to Indian Gap by 11:00 AM. It was a cool day so Mary Anne met us there with hot chili and goodies. Buckett and Fly Away also showed up and enjoyed the goodies.Even though we were slacking, I was pretty tired by the time I got to Iron Mtn Gap and glad to see the car. Almost 20 miles is a lot for me and it was my longest hike ever We ate at a local restaurant that was really good and then again all crammed into Mary Anne's car and went back to the hotel and went to bed. Calamity Jane's husband arrived at night and will help with slack packing tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: IRON MT GAP

To: CARVERS GAP
Miles today: 14.9

From: Iron Mtn GapTo: Carvers GapToday Miles: 14.0Total Miles: 371.8Today was another slack pack day. Again "the group" started out early. MA and Marshall actually put their packs in the trunk, as after we hike the slack pack part, they are going on to Over Mountain Shelter. The support staff (Mary Anne and Chase) met us at Creasy Gap with a lot of trail magic for hikers. When our group arrived, Fly Away, Buckett, Diamond (who I met with her father on day 1 and have not seen since), Loner, Otter, and a few others who I can't remember their names, were there or arriving. There were lots of goodies and tea and hot chocolate, so we all got filled up before we climbed over Roan Mtn.Roan Mtn is our last time the trail goes over 6000 ft. until we get to Mt. Washington in NH. It was so windy and cold at the top you could not stay up there very long. There was interesting signage up there about the Cloudland Hotel that was up at the top of this mountain many years ago. The TN-NC border went right through the hotel. Going up and coming down there were places on the tail that were covered in ice and snow, so you had to watch your footing. Again, when we got to Carver's Gap, Trail Magic was set up and we again ate. We are going to miss this. Buckett had also but her pack in the car and slacked over Roan. She, MA, and Marshall all picked up their packs and set off on the trail in very cold weather. As the weather was turning bad, the rest of us headed back to the hotal for a zero tomorrow, to let the weather get better. I figure I did the cold thing at Easter, and I have this opportunity to stay in a warm room, so I would take it.