morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Beech Gap

To: Silar Bald Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: light rain

100 Miles!Crossed the 100 mile point today at the too of Mt Albert. There's a fire tower on top that is closed at the top, but I could climb up the stairs for an awesome 360 view. I'm taking some videos, but having trouble uploading to YouTube. Later, perhaps.Once I got up the first mountain in NC yesterday, the trail has been much easier to hike, with much fewer rocks and roots and generally less steep climbs and descents. The other difference I've noticed is that in GA the Mountain Laurel is much more prevalent than its cousin Rhododendron. It's the opposite in NC so far.Didn't see the three guys I leapfrogged with yesterday - I suspect they camped beyond me and are way ahead of me now. Instead I leapfrogged with Andy and Dan. Andy is thru hiking but had some knee concerns. So he's taking it slow on the downhills until it fully recovers. He got off at Winding Stair Gap to resupply in Franklin. Ben is from Seattle and is section hiking from Springer to Fontana Dam. He's also section hiked the north end of the trail from Katahdin. It's interesting that the AT has such an allure to folks out west, with all the great trails nearer to them.My body surprised me again today and went all the way to Silar Bald Shelter, thanks in part to the nicer-on-the-body NC trail. When I got there, Ben was setting up in the shelter. I set up my tent nearby with a beautiful view over the valley to the east. A nice older couple was also in the shelter, and there were about five other tents set up in the area. It seems that most folks like to stop for the night at shelters but prefer to sleep in their tents.We had some good conversation while eating dinner, then I turned in as it was a long day and getting dark. I'm finding that at the end of the day I'm too tired to journal. I wrote yesterday's and today's from my bunk roon at the NOC, which you'll read about soon!A HUGE thank you to all who have posted entries on my guest book. Although for now I'm finding it hard to respond right away, I do hope to get my journaling act together as soon as I refine my hiking act! :-)
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Silar Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Lessons LearnedWell, today my body was telling me I wasn't taking care of it like I should. I didn't sleep well last night, and at one point, got a huge cramp in my left hamstring. I did awake to a beautiful sunrise, though, and had more of the same'o same'o awesome views!I started out dragging and just couldn't muster the usual bounce to my step. I had originally thought I might do about 17 miles or so today and have a short hike into the NOC tomorrow. I soon realized that was not going to happen. After about 7 or 8 miles my Achilles tendon started complaining, too, and I certainly don't want that to get bad. I go through foot and knee problems, but never any trouble with my Achilles. It finally began to dawn on me that I have been focused on staying hydrated and drinking LOTS of water, but haven't been replacing the electrolytes - despite the fact that Linda and Sarah sent me off with three different kinds of supplements... which I had in the bottom of my food bag...So I stopped and added several to my water and drank it. I still moved relatively slowly to my revised destination of Silar Bald Shelter, but started to feel noticeably better. The shorter destination also allowed me to feel good about taking my time and not injuring my Achilles. The next place with water was nearly 6 miles further and no way was I going to try to make it.I found another good tentsite on the ridge above the shelter, with a similar view into the valley as I had last night. There were still a few hours of daylight left, but after setting up camp and eating dinner I was too tired to journal and went to bed with the sun still up. I had good cell phone reception, so I got to talk some with Linda - which of course made me feel even better! :-)Didn't see many people on the trail today. Ben passed me early and was headed all the way to the NOC. One of Many Awesome Views!As I'm writing this a day later, I'm pretty sure I had another lesson learned this day that I planned to share, but I can't remember it. So I reckon maybe I didn't really learn it...I still had a smile on my face all day! :-)
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

The big storm went thru last night while I was snug in my room in the lodge. Most of the folks I've met on the trail were out in shelters. I caught the shuttle back to the trail as soon as it started running this morning at 8:30, which is later than I like to get started. However, with the rain this morning I didn't mind a bit. :-)The shuttle costs 3 bucks, but I gave the driver 4 so I wouldn't have to carry that extra weight through the Smokies. :-) He dropped me off at the visitors' center and I hiked across the dam and into the woods. It rained lightly the first hour or so, then turned into a great day for hiking. - cool and cloudy with a nice breeze. I eventually walked out of spring again, but even at the upper elevations it's beginning. There were several sections with wildflowers forming a carpet deep into the woods instead of just along the side of the trail.As I approached the shelter, I was going through what looked like an old apple orchard and the trees were just starting to bloom. I pulled into the Spence Farm shelter a little after 5, and Little Foot and Fiful were already here, along with Jake and Ranger. It was Little Foot's parents I had met at the dam Sunday. I told her what great parents she had. She and Fiful both agreed!A little later Mad Max and Sage pulled in. They all seemed to know each other. Ranger had a fire started. I guessed he had been an Army Ranger, and he said yes, retired. When I told him I was retired Air Force, he recounted a story of his helicopter going down near enemy forces and the Air Force jets keeping the enemy at bay until he and his men could be rescued. I think it was in Iraq.Also had a good time talking with Fiful and Little Foot. Mid to late 20s. Cool couple. I think they'll do well together in life.I helped Max set up his hammock in the shelter, then we all turned in after another good day on the AT. Kinda cool that I stayed in a shelter named after my brother! :-)
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Tri-corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Coldest morning yet - about 38 deg. I was uo and hiking early again for my descent out of the Smokies. I didn't see any other hikers for quite awhile until I caught up with Celeste and a new guy to me named Grant taking a break. They had stayed at the same shelter as I last night, but came in after dark and were still in their bags when I left, so I didn't know they were there. Apparently they passed me while I was getting some water off trail. Tennessee River in the Distance Yay, Trail Maintainers!I hiked with Celeste for a while and managed to keep up since it was mostly downhill, plus I can feel my legs getting stronger. She graduated from Berea College in Kentucky, a school I'm familiar with due to its similarities with Williamson. Although it's a four year degree school, it's also a "work school" (Celeste's term) and has free tuition. We had a good time chatting about the need for trade education schools in our country. Celeste stopped for a break and I pressed on, having just taken one when we met. I finally got to the bottom of the long descent, exiting the Smokies and crossing under I-40. Then uphill a short ways to the Standing Bear Farm hostel, where I tented. I-40 Upper Right in PictureThe hostel is a quaint, laid back place consisting of several small, old buildings with chickens wandering all around. Once again, nice friendly folks. The have a pretty good resupply store and a kitchen area where you can fix your own food. I met thru hikers Momma Bear - an older woman hiking solo - and Bible Packer - a young man who just finished high school as a home schooler. I had a good time chatting with them and other hikers and hostel workers. I had the best night's sleep in a while! The wooden shelter floors aren't as comfortable as the ground and I didn't have to worry about disturbing others as I turn over or get up in the night. The Smokies were magnificent, but I'm ready to move on!
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Unnamed Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Got up early and hiked on down to Hot Springs. A few miles down the trail, I passed a road crossing and there was trail magic! A group of men had a homemade trailer rigged up to cook meals and were serving breakfast! I had a couple of pancakes, a biscuit, some Gatorade, and the best part was fresh strawberries (huge ones), fresh pineapple, and a banana. Fresh fruit is a special treat on the trail. They're from SC and call themselves the B Team because they drive around supporting a friend who's hiking the trail. I've been enjoying the wild flowers all along the trail, but the past two days have had lots of Trillium of many different colors, mostly white and varying shades of purple. I don't remember if I've ever seen it in the wild, but I've known the name Trillium for a long time - it's the name of the main female character in the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy science fiction book series I enjoyed many, many years ago.I got into town shortly after noon and checked into the Laughing Heart Hostel for one main reason - the caretakers this season are Chuck Norris and Tigger. Not the actor Chuck Norris nor Pooh's friend Tigger, of course. That's their trail names. I've been reading their trail journals off and on for a number of years, including their hiking the trail that runs the length of Israel. Chuck met me as I walked up to the hostel and we chatted several times during my stay, but Tigger wasn't there at the time. Chuck had a heart attack a couple of years ago and couldn't hike for a while. They're friends of the owner who asked them to run the hostel in the meantime. Chuck said he'll be back hiking in a few months, after the thru hiker season is over. Incidentally, the owner also owns the very nice B&B in town where Linda and I stayed once a few years ago for a mini-vacation.Baltimore Jack was cooking some vittles for lunch and offered them to those of us standing around. I then walked into the center of town to resupply at the outfitter and get dinner at the diner - a big salad and a veggie sub to go. When I got back, Baltimore had cooked up some more food for dinner for everyone. He had some food for breakfast for us in the morning, too. No extra charge. I can't remember what it all was, but it was good! :-)No AT&T cell service in town, but I got to talk to Linda using Viber over wifi. WooHoo!
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 15.0

Got a late start out of Hot Springs because I had to wait for the Post Office to open at 9. I mailed home an extra top I carried for the cold nights in the Smokies and some small gear I wasn't using. I also mailed home my SteriPen, which was my primary water treatment device that used ultra violet light to kill any bacteria or viruses. It had been acting up, so I went with my backup - a Sawyer mini squeeze and bought some Aqua Mira as a backup to that.As I went past the outfitter on my way out of town, I saw Eric in there buying something. He had stayed at Elmer's hostel last night, which he said he enjoyed. That was my second option.I was having to take the downhills slow due to the front of my lower shin hurting on down hills especially and being a little swollen. I think I smacked it on a rock climbing up some steep rock steps yesterday or the day before. We'll see how it does. Eric caught up with me later on and we leapfrogged, along with Tim and Jim. I had met Jim at the Top of Georgia hostel at Dicks Creek Gap many days ago and hadn't really seen him since then. Also leapfrogged with a couple of new guys I met, Casper and a retired Air Force guy, both older guys.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Allen Gap

To: Rector Laurel Rd tentsite
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Another 20+ mile day! Great views into Tennessee today. Although it's still a bit swollen, my shin held up fine. I just need to take it slowly relative to my bouncing along pace.I leapfrogged again with Tim, Eric, Celeste and Jim. Tonight we all ended up together at the same campsite just beyond Rector Laurel Rd. I got there with Eric and Celeste, and Jim already had a fire going and Tim had his tent set up and was turning in for the night. After setting up my tent, I joined the three around the camp fire chatting before turning in myself.Celeste, Eric and JimI'm finding it very difficult to write up my journal entry at the end of the day, especially if I have the opportunity to chat with new friends. I guess I should change very difficult to impossible. I'm having to rethink the purpose of the journal - perhaps it will be simply to keep family and friends informed and able to share in the adventure.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Rector Laurel Rd tentsite

To: Tentsite @ Mile 327.4
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

I lost my notes for today, but it was a beautiful day hiking over several balds. I've talked to other hikers about how much we enjoy the hiking over the balds, but that if we mostly hiked out in the open, we probably talk about how much we enjoyed occasionally hiking in the trees!
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Tentsite @ Mile 327.4

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 14.1

The trail deviated from the NC/TN border for a moment to descend into the Tennessee town of Erwin. The trail crosses the river a couple of miles north of town and heads back up into the mountains. Uncle Johnny's hostel is right next to the AT where it crosses the river, so it's the only place to stay without hiking or hitching an extra couple of miles. So I stayed at Uncle Johnny's, arriving midafternoon.He runs a free shuttle service into town at 5:00 for dinner at a restaurant and shopping at a super Walmart for food resupply. Tim was staying there, too, so he and I ate together at a Mexican restaurant - I got a big taco salad. Gotta get my greens somewhere!There were tons of hikers at the hostel! Ace, an older guy I leapfrogged with all day, and I arrived at the same time, so we split the 5 bucks for laundry, planning to do ours together and getting one serving of laundry soap. Turns out there's only one washer and one dryer and they're only open to hikers from 4 PM to 7 AM and we'd have to wait 'til we got back from the dinner/resupply trip to start ours - along with a bunch of other hikers. When we got back at about 7:30, we were second in line for the washer, so we both ended up hand washing our laundry and hanging it up to dry. When I got up about 1:30 in the morning, I threw it in the dryer!I also had trouble falling asleep. Many of the younger hikers were either taking a zero the next day or slackpacking (in this case hiking with just a day pack and paying Uncle Johnny to deliver their packs 20 miles down trail - but you gotta be sure you're going the full 20 miles!). So they were up late talking just outside my bunkhouse, but my earplugs drowned them out. Then I remembered I had a coke with dinner and the waitress kept filling it up before it was half empty. Don't know how much I drank! I've been off caffeine for a year, so that's what was keeping me awake!Also had good cell reception, so I got to talk with my sweetie!
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Erwin, TN

To: Old Apple Orchard, Mile 363.4
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: light rain

Left Uncle Johnny's early and climbed out of Erwin. Jim was going to take a zero there today. Tim left a little earlier than I, and I caught up with him a few miles up the trail. We had never hiked together before - Tim generally hikes slower but starts earlier and hikes longer so we often end up together at the end of the day. The rest of today, we hiked together and got to know each other better as we chatted and the miles seemed to fly by. This is Tim's 7th hike of the AT (previously 4 thru hikes, and 2 done over 2 yrs each), and he's also hiked the PCT once. His career has been in furniture manufacturing, including running a plant in the Czech Republic. Then he worked for Habitat for Humanity before deciding to thru hike the AT his first time (2002, I think). Now he does restorative carpentry, including repairing and making old tools that he sells at antique shows when he's not hiking the AT. His wife is a teacher of gifted students. He was diagnosed with stage 2 diabetes a few years ago, so he controls it by losing some weight and keeping in shape at home by walking to and from breakfast 6 days a week - 6 miles each way!Tim and I leap frogged off and on during the day with Celeste. She had tented along the river just past Erwin. She's really interested in learning all the many wild flowers along the trail, and Tim is pretty knowledgeable about them. Wish I could remember them all! We didn't see Eric until he caught up with us late in the afternoon when we stopped for water, at which time he and Celeste zoomed off ahead of us. Tim knew a good tent site in an old apple orchard coming up, so he and I camped there. Just before arriving it started to rain lightly, so we set up our tents in the rain and crawled in for the night.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Old Apple Orchard, Mile 363.4

To: Just past Little Hump Mountain, Mile 385.6
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: light rain

Today I woke up before it got light and started packing up. I noticed a light in Tim's tent and he was doing the same. I started hiking a little before Tim was ready, figuring I'd see him at the end of the day, if not sooner.I didn't see many folks on the trail all morning. It was cloudy and cool - a good day for hiking. My plan was to summit Roan Mountain, above 6000 feet for the last time down south, about midday. There's a road that goes to the top where there's a parking lot with toilets and trash cans, and I was hoping for picnic tables, too. I planned to have a nice lunch there and use the facilities. As I went up and down over smaller peaks, I could see Roan in the distance. As I started up Roan, lower clouds moved in and as I approached the top it started to rain hard. As I got to the top the wind was blowing hard and I heard some thunder - how far away I don't know. When I got to the side trail to the parking lot on my right, I couldn't turn that direction due to the wind blowing the rain right in my face. I did not want to be on the top of the highest peak around with a thunderstorm overhead! So I hustled on down the back side of the mountain in the wind and pouring rain. As soon as I got down a ways, the rain stopped!After Roan, the clouds cleared and the wind blew hare as I went over a series of grassy balds. That was really cool! As I reached back to the side of my pack to get my water bottle, I noticed my pack cover (which I put on it when it's raining) was missing - apparently it had blown off without me noticing when I was walking directly into the wind when climbing the first bald.I was leap frogging with three young guys and their dog while going over the balds. When they stopped ahead of me at the top of one of the balds, they got up on some rocks to enjoy the view. The contrast of one of them in his orange shirt against the bright blue sky with white puffy clouds was a great photo op!Great Views!Who Dat?I ended up camping with them in a nice little site in the trees just down the side of Little Hump Mountain bald. After we set up out tents, they started a fire and we chatted for a short while until it started to sprinkle, and I called it a day. They were only out for three days, but one had thru hiked the AT a few years ago. Two of them had gone to Virginia Tech, and one had grown up in my hometown of Alexandria, VA. Wish I could remember their names! Arrgh!I never saw Tim, Celeste or Alec today. I hiked a few more miles than Tim usually does, so he's probably behind me a short ways.Got some cell coverage just before the campsite, so I got to talk to my sweetie this evening! :-) An exciting, beautiful and awesome day on the AT!
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Vango/Abby Memorial Hostel

To: Tentsite Overlooking Watauga Lake
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: few clouds

I slept until 7, got ready to go, and stopped by the main house to top off my food supply so I can make it to Damascus. Scotty and his two friends were up and that meant some more good conversation, so I didn't got on the trail 'til 9:00. 'Twas a great place to stop! :-)After I hiked a couple of hours, a young couple, Flint (the husband) and Gunpowder (the wife), caught up with me. They are thru hiking and are also part of a group of young folks from SC associated with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) who are out on the trail to support other hikers where they can. They plan to arrive in Damascus for Trail Days and help out there. I'm not sure, but I don't think the whole group is thru hiking. Anyway, we had good conversation for a short while and then they headed off ahead of me.I hiked on by myself to the next major road crossing, where Flint and Gunpowder said they were meeting some of their support group. They were there finishing lunch, and I got to chat with a couple of their friends before heading on up the trail. Flint & Gunpowder Laurel FallsA little while later, Flint and Gunpowder caught up with me again and we chatted and hiked together for quite awhile until we got to Watauga Lake (it was mostly downhill!). They are planning to go to China after their hike, I think with YWAM. Flint has already spent a couple of years there teaching English. Good folks!When we got to the recreation area at the lake they went over to join a large group of younger folks having a good time at the lake. Since it was getting late, I continued to follow the trail around the lake a couple of miles 'til I found a nice spot to set up my tent and go to sleep. It started raining as I was crawling into my bag. Another good day on the AT! zzzzzzzz