morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Cool and overcast this morning after yesterday's rain. Pap Hawk gave me a cup of coffee, which was especially good because of the cool dampness. I got going by about 8:30 and by 9 or so it was raining pretty good again. Today was my first experience hiking in the rain since I started the trail. It was actually beautiful. It's amazing how different things can look and smell while hiking in a gentle steady rain. It rained pretty steady all morning, and off-and-on in the afternoon. By the time I got to the shelter (about 2:30) I was ready to get out of my wet clothes and get dry. I stripped down (no ladies in camp yet) and dried off as best I could with a bandanna, then put on my dry set of long underwear. I put my rain pants and fleece jacket on over top of that and was feeling pretty cozy. I was glad that I was hiking into town the next day, because most of my clothes were now soaked and I was looking forward to visiting a laundry and getting everything cleaned and dried again. we crammed 6 people into a 5-person shelter for the night. The mice were very active...they left some presents for me in my backpack, but didn't do any damage. Between the crowding and the mice, I didn't get a very good night's sleep, but I was looking forward to town the next day so I didn't mind too much.
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Walnut Mtn Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I hiked like a man with a mission today....mission: get to town. It was still pretty overcast much of the day (in a cloud actually) so I didn't stop to take many pictures. The terrain was mixed, but there was a fair amount of climbing throughout the day. I stopped for two food/water/rest breaks during the day and got to town about 2 or so. I rented a room at the Alpine Motor Court and got a shower. Almost everything was wet, so I threw on my only dry pair of underwear, my rain pants and my fleece jacket and headed out in search of food. I went to a local diner but stopped at a General Dollar on the way and bought a t-shirt for a couple bucks. I cut the tags, threw it on and headed for the diner. I had pork tenderloin and fries smothered in white gravy, fried okra, pepsi and a huge hunk of southern cornbread. It felt great to really be full once I finished that meal. From there I went walking around town a bit just to see what there was to see. I passed a restaurant where a bunch of hikers were gathered, so I joined them on the patio facing the street. We talked for quite a while. When I left there, I went back to the place I had eaten earlier. I told the waitress I might be back for dessert later, because I had eaten pretty early in the day. The same waitress waited on me and I told her I had a special request. I couldn't stop thinking about that cornbread I had earlier that day. I ordered three of those huge chunks of cornbread, a bowl and a large glass of milk and had two heaping bowls of cornbread and milk. Boy...that was good!!! I slept very well that night.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

My longest day yet...more to tell, but the library is closing...I'll add more the next time I get a chance...some great pics to add too!...Cheers...357 MagnumOK...I'm back on, but no way to upload pics tonight...maybe tomorrow when the library opens.Great day hikling on the 2nd. 19.6 miles in 8 1/2 hours with about an hour break for lunch. I saw several rabbits and two turkeys today. The rabbits were larger than I'm used to seeing up in Ohio. Maybe they're plumping up here more quickly because of all the beautiful spring weather we've been having down here. Storm clouds threatened all day, but didn't get rained on a bit. Looks like a full shelter tonight, and then some. At 6:15 P.M. there are already adozen people in camp, but I got in early and staked out a spot in the shelter. I called Steve and Kathy at the office and talked to them briefly. I think they were surprised to hear from me. There were a number of books in the shelter and I picked out one called "One Heartbeat Away - Your Journey Into Eternity" by Mark Caudill to read. Once I finish it I'll pass it on or leave it in another shelter.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today seemed tougher than yesterday even though it was much shorter. Maybe yesterday was just taking its toll on me. I saw some awesome views today though. Can't wait to get some pics added to the journal. I crossed a long exposed ridge line today with huge rocks jutting up all allong the way and some of the best views yet. There was a fair amount of scrambling over those rocks as well. Kind of fun actually. The afternoon brought a lot of steep downhill travel, which is really tough on my feet and knees...maybe that is why the day seemed tougher over all than yesterday. Even so, I made great time and was the first Northbounder at the shelter. Bronco Billy, a Southbound section hiker was already in camp. He had come from one shelter to the North. He's out for a week to fill in all that remains of the southern half of the AT for him. It has taken him years, but he's looking forward to being able to say he has section hiked the entire southern half of the AT. Got a handout tonight. Broadway's Dad is hiking with his son for about a week along with the rest of the Iron Chef trio, Shaggy and Strider. I recommended we call his Dad "Plus One" as in "The Iron Chefs Plus One" but it hasn't seemed to stick. Anyhow, Plus One had a whole bag of Reeses Pieces he wanted to get rid of, so I helped. I don't bring many sweets with me on the trail so they tasted especially good. Think I'll add some sweets to my food bag during my future resupply stops. Cheers...357 Magnum
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Bald Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

Interesting night last night. I woke up about 11 and went out to use the restroom. The moon was just peeking over the mountain ridge and I stood and watched it rise into full view. The moon was full and the sky was clear so it was a really beautiful sight. I got back into the shelter and zipped into my sleeping bag and was still looking out at the moon when all of a sudden I heard a tree fall not far from the shelter. It was the wierdest thing...no wind...the tree just fell. Then, within 30 minutes the moon was completely obscured by heavy clouds and it sounded like a freight train was headed right for the shelter. The winds whipped in and the rain started pouring and it rained most of the rest of the night. When I awoke, it was very overcast, even foggy, but the rain had stopped. I got my stuff together and left camp about 8:15. Lots of ups and downs today. There was one particular mountain I could see wayoff in the distance very early in the day and I remember thinking "IO'll bet the trail is going totake me over that monster". I was right...it was Bald Mountain. Took me all day to get there, but the views were worth it when I did. I could look all the way back to the spot I had first spotted that mountain earlier that morning. Itwas really cold and really windy when I got up there, so Itook a couple pics and moved on pretty quickly. I still had about a mile to go and I was cold and wet, so I really wanted to get to the shelter and get dry and warm. Once in camp, the temps continued to drop so Iate supper early, and crawled into my bag about 7 PM just to keep warm. I read for a while, but my hands were going numb holding the book outside my bag so I gave up and crawled all the way in at about 8. It was the coldest I'd been yet.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Bald Mtn Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow...it got cold last night. I woke up off & on all night long. Once I noticed my breath had been freezing to my mustache and beard in my sleep. I sure didn't want to get out of the bag in the morning. My water bottle was full of frozen slush, and as the morning wore on it kept freezing even more. Finally, by early afternoon, as I descended in elevation and the sun went to work, the ice in my water bottle began to disappear. Beautiful hiking day though...especially since I knew I would be in town by the end of the day.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm far enough ahead of schedule that I plan to hang around Erwin and take a few zeros this Easter weekend. Perfect timing, in my estimation...the weather is poor with near record lows and calling for snow at elevation, and it'll give me a chance to go to an Easter service Sunday morning and to Miss Janet's Easter Dinner Sunday afternoon.I didn't sleep really well last night...I think I'm getting used to the outdoors and the shelters. I do know the pillow on my bed was way too big, so some time in the middle of the night I grabbed a towel from the bathroom and used that instead...I slept like a baby from that point on. I still got up around 7 and had coffee, a donut, 2 bowls of cereal and a toasted bagel with cream cheese for breakfast in the lobby. Turns out, it was enough to hold me all the way til supper, which kind of surprised me. I wanted to go to Wal Mart today, so I asked a lady at the motel and she said it was about 3 miles away. I decided just to walk since it was that close...turns out it wasn't that close. I estimate I walked about 8 miles before I finally got to the Wal-Mart. At least I wasn't climbing a mountain with a pack on my back...it was actually kind of nice just to get out and stroll unencumbered by a pack for a while. When I got there, I ran in to Paul Bunyan, Blissful and Skipper (they were leaving). They told me to call when I was done shopping and they'd come pick me up. I was quite thankful and took them up on the offer.Erwin burrito was so good yesterday, I decided to have it again for supper tonight. I wasn't disappointed...it was great.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday was also a great zero day in Erwin. I got all my pics burned to a CD and took them to the library and spent several hours updating my journal. I also got a box of stuff mailed off to home. I decided to do without a few more things to make room for some heartier, heavier and "more" foods on the trail. I also dropped the CDs in the mail to my brother's house in Burlington, NC so I didn't have to carry them. I'll be headed to Burlington after I get to Damascus for a few zeros with family. All in all it was a very relaxing, yet productive day.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Erwin, TN

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

I had breakfast in the lobby again, then headed to a Free Will Baptist Church just down the street for Easter service. The service brought back childhood memories of when my family attended the Bunker Hill Free Will Baptist Church near Sidney, OH. The preacher was really filled with the Spirit and let's just say you weren't likely to fall asleep in your pew. The congregation was very warm and welcoming toward me, even though my clothes and hairy face may have made me look a little like the prodigal son returning home.That afternoon I went to Miss Janet's for her well advertised (up and down the trail) Easter dinner. The food was plentiful and delicious, and some estimated that there were around 70 people there. I hung around after they got a group photo and helped clean up, then headed back to my room. The mass quantities of food did their job, so I took about a 90 minute nap...man that felt good! That evening, at about 7, Ben, Amanda, Patrick and I all headed to Huddle House to have breakfast for supper. We had a good time together, as usual. That evening, I got all my gear together and got ready to get back to the trail the next morning. I really had a nice time in Erwin and felt rested and recuperated and was anxious to get back on the trail.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Back to it! The hotel manager took Ben, Amanda, Patrick and myself back to the trail head at about 8. It was kind of funny, because we all discussed a feeling of apprehension as we headed back to the trail, sort of like I felt the first day. It didn't take long to get over though...when we were dropped off, the old habits just kicked right back in and...we were off! That morning was pretty gentle for a while, and we crossed a stream many times during the morning. It reminded me a lot of the "Seven Bridges Trail" some friends took me on near Colorado Springs, CO. Later that afternoon, we crossed through a snow-covered forest that reminded me a lot of a section of the Black Forest I had hiked through in Germany. We actually made great time and got to the shelter pretty early. Patrick and I debated going an additional 7 miles to a hiker hostel, but eventually decided against it. Glad we did...it was an enjoyable evening in camp with good friends and a warm fire.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

The trip from Cherry Gap to Roan High Knob seemed to be almost all uphill...it was just a very tiring day for me. I had toyed, during the day, with the idea of going an extra 5 miles to the next shelter which was about 1,700 feet lower in elevation and would likely be a lot warmer...but by the time I got to the Roan shelter I had decided I was done for the day. The Roan High Knob Shelter was actually a cabin, with four walls and a door, so I actually was warmer there that night than I had been the night before at Cherry gap Shelter. The Roan High Knob Shelter is also the highest shelter on the AT and is the last time we will climb above 6,000 feet until we reach New Hampshire.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: US 19E (Mountain Harbour Hiker Hostel)
Miles today: 15.2

This photo was actually taken day before yesterday (4/09/07)...this is the section that reminded me of the Black Forest in Germany. I don't think I even got my camera out of my pack on the 11th of April because of the fog and rain. I had a visitor last night...a mouse chewed part of the cover of my AT Thru-Hiker's Companion off for bedding material. Today turned out to be my most challenging day yet, partly due to the terrain, but largely due to the weather. There was a lot of hiking on mountain-tops with no trees and I estimate the winds were blowing between 50 and 70 miles per hour. The temps were in the low to mid thirties with low visibility. There were times I was having a tough time just staying on the trail, the wind was so strong...especially with a high-profile pack on my back. Most of the time the wind was coming from my right side, and I actually felt like I was walking at a 45 degree angle to the ground leaning into the wind. Tough day...but I finally made it! And the bonus was that I was going to be spending the night in a warm, dry hiker hostel.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: US 19E (Mountain Harbour Hiker Hostel)

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hiker Hostel)
Miles today: 23.8

What a great hiking day today to make up for the difficult day yeaterday. The weather was great, the terrain was some of the easiest I'd seen yet, and the views were great too. As a result, I felt so good after my planned 18 miles that I decided to go an extra 6 to the Kincora Hiker Hostel at Dennis Cove. There were lots of great stream and waterfall views today. I got in at about 6:30 PM and was greeted by Beach Bum, Papa Hawk and Eulah (Lindsey). I met Bob Peoples, the hostel owner, and he told me he'd be making a run to town very soon. So, I got cleaned up a best I could very quickly so I could make the run to town with them. On the way, we saw Duck Walk, so we stopped and picked him up and took him with us. While they grocery shopped, I ordered a pizza from Little Ceaser's, then while they made that I ran next door to Arby's and got a Cheddar Roast Beef meal as an appetizer. I was hungry!!! I did save half my large pizza for the next day.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hiker Hostel)

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Wow...I mean Wow...it just keeps getting better. Today was amazing. I woke up to the smell sounds and smells of coffee and breakfast being made. Papa Hawk made an awesome breakfast for everyone in the hostel. That meant my intended cold pizza breakfast would now become my cold pizza lunch. We all had breakfast together and chatted for a while. I finally took off at about 8 and was feling GREAT! And the scenery just kept getting better... I think I took more pictures today than any other day so far. There were great stream and waterfall shots this morning, and later in the morning I started getting glimpses of Watauga Lake through the trees. I finally made it to the lake itself and ate my pizza at a little park on the edge of the lake at some picnic tables. I soon spotted the Watauga Lake Dam and got some great views of the lake and the dam from up high, then eventually made my way down to the dam and walked across it. I could have filled my camera again that afternoon with views of the lake from elevation, but I refrained from taking too many. The day was capped off when I got to the Vandeventer Shelter and walked out behind it and saw the view of the valley below. I spent a lot of time there that afternoon/evening looking out over that valley. I had the shelter to myself for the first time since I've been on the trail. It started raining soon after I went to bed and rained all night long. The sound of rain mixed with sleet is quite soothing on a tin roof. What a blessing it has been so far to be out here on this trail.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I got started about 8:30 this morning. Not long after leaving the shelter this morning, the terrain started to "mellow out" a little again. There was a lot of ridge walking with soft, wide paths. It felt good to really be able to stretch out my legs and walk a little faster. As a result, I made some great time without really trying. I saw two deer today about 200 yards past the Iron Mountain Shelter and saw two wild turkeys later in the day. I got to my target shelter at about 1:30 today, so I just couldn't stop there and call it a day. I took about a 45 minute break, then headed for the next shelter, Abingdon Gap Shelter, making today almost a 23 mile day. I was glad I was able to do that because it left me with only 10 miles vs 18 miles to get in to Damascus the next day. Turned out for the best because the next afternoon a huge snowstorm hit the area, but I was already off the trail by that time. Not only did I pass the 20% mark of the trail today, but I finished the state of Tennessee as well. I'm now in to the state of Virginia, which is a long one at over 535 miles...more miles in one state than I have done all total so far. It'll be a while before I'll be reporting the completion of a state again.Rain was threatening all afternoon, but I got to the shelter in time to get water, get changed and get my stuff arranged before the rains came. About an hour or so after getting there, it really started coming down hard and didn't let up for long all night.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

It was still pouring when I woke up this morning. I stayed in my sleeping bag a short while, hoping it would subside, but finally decided to get my stuff together and go whether it stopped or not. By the time I was ready to leave, about 8:05, it had stopped raining and it didn't rain my entire trip into Damascus...pretty amazing. It was wet, threatening more rain, and foggy most all the way, but no more precipitation while I was on the trail. When I got into town, I saw a public outdoor restroom, so I stopped in and freshened up a bit, put my best clothes on, and headed out in search of a restaurant. To make a long story short, I had a few hours to kill before Kim would be there to pick me up, so I started restaurant hopping. I hit three restaurants before she got there, then I went to a fourth with her because she and her Mom hadn't eaten recently. We left Damascus in the middle of a snow storm and were driving in it for probably 90 minutes...we eventually got far enough south and lost enough elevation that it turned to rain. It sure was a pretty snow fall, but I didn't mind seeing it from a car at all. We got to my Mom's house in Burlington, NC at a little after 9 that night. Now...a few consecutive zeros and some time with family......
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Burlington, NC

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Had a blast today. Mom and I got up early and headed for Dickey Gap with a truckload of goodies for thru-hikers. It took us several hours to get there, and just as we found our spot and started setting up to dispense trail magic two thru-hikers showed up. Perfect timing. They actually helped us set the awning up. I got the grill going as quickly as I could and we started feeding thru-hikers. By the time Kim and Juva (my wife and her mother) got there we had 8 or 9 hikers there. Before it was all said and done, we had 13 hikers come through. At around Noon we calculated there would be no more thru-hikers for the rest of the day, so we closed up and headed for Damascus. We stopped at the coffee shop by Subway and had some hot coffee/tea and made our lodging plans for the night. We wound up going to Abingdon to stay in a Super 8 motel up there. Wouldn't you know it, when I walked in the lobby, there stood Paul Bunyan, Blissful and Skipper. It was good to see them again and get the chance for them to meet Kim, Juva and my mom. We went to Pizza Hut for supper because I wanted to have some leftovers to carry with me on the trail the next day. We had a great evening playing cards (euchre). As I recall, Mom and I beat Juva and Kim 4 games in a row.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Abingdon, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

Kim, Juva, Mom and I had breakfast in the motel lobby. Skipper and Blissful were there as well. Mom pulled away headed for Burlington at about 8 and Kim, Juva and I headed for the trailhead in Damascus. We took a few photos, said our goodbyes and I hit the trail again at about 8:45. The terrain was good, with the steeper climbs well graded with switchbacks. It turned out to be a very manageable 16-mile day. I was a little bummed when I got to camp and had no cell service because I wanted to see how Kim's trip home was and let her know I had a great day. I really had a wonderful break in Burlington and loved spending time with family, but it also felt really good to be back on the trail headed north...
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Wow...the trail was busy today...but it was fun. It is Saturday and this section of trail must be very well used by weekenders and day hikers. I met LOTS of new people today, including boy scout troops, a hiking 101 class, a group of students majoring in outdoor recreation, hiking clubs, a motorcycle club (at a road crossing, not on the trail) and familys. I can see why it is so popular too...you'll have to be sure to flip through all the pictures I uploaded for 21 April. I started seeing the feral ponies today that I had heard so much about. They are really cute (and friendly). Please check out the photos from today and tomorrow.