morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel - Roan Mountain, TN

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel - Roan Mountain, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Roan Mountain TN, Mountain Harbour Hostel 0.0 milesWell the forecast was correct. Not only did it start raining yesterday afternoon like they said it would, it continued all night and is a steady rain this morning. The forecast says we will get over an inch of rain today. So based upon that I am staying another night. SOS and his wife are staying over too. Everyone else is hiking on. I probably will need to move from my bunk to sleep on the sofa tonight since they told me all the bunks are reserved, but that's better than walking in the rain. I don't like walking in the rain very much. Most hikers don't mind it, but I do. I have walked in the rain already, and I am sure I will many more times before I am finished, but I try to avoid it if I can. However, if I keep taking too many days off I will fall behind schedule. It's not that I have a rigid schedule, it's simply that you need to keep your average miles a day up to complete the trail and reach Maine. Mount Katadin, the northern terminus of the trail, closes October 15. Based upon the weather it can, and sometimes does, close early. So I view September 30 as the must finish by date, and even then it is getting cold in northern Maine by then. The old AT hiker saying still applies: No pain, No rain, No Maine. SOS asked me if Iwanted to slack pack with him tomorrow; 24 miles to Black Bear Hostel on Dennis Cove Road (where Kincora Hostel is located). The terrain is 'easy' so I agreed. He has been slack packing most days since just north of the Smokies. His wife, Trail Momma, is with him, supporting him. She isn't hiking, she is driving their car and meeting him at road crossings at the end of each day so he can slack pack. They have an extra day pack they will lend me for the slack pack. She will take my backpack to Black Bear Hostel with her in the car. They seem like real nice people. For my non AT hiking friends, a slack pack is when you hike the trail with a light day pack just carrying the things you need during the day; not your fully loaded pack. It is often arranged through hostel owners who shuttle you to a road crossing and you hike back to their place or to another road crossing where they will pick you up. When doing a slack pack, you can either do extra miles since you are carrying much less weight, or just have an easy day.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel - Roan Mountain, TN

To: Black Bear Hostel - Hampton, TN
Miles today: 24.4

Black Bear Hostel - Dennis Cove Road 24.4 miles - slack packOver 400 milesLongest day 24.4 miles > 1% dayI did have to sleep on the sofa last night. Everyone who reserved a bunk showed up so that was the only spot left. I didn't sleep very well. The sofa was soft enough, but I couldn't stretch out all the way, and got tired of the limited space. I was up at 6am. I skipped the great breakfast the hostel offers so SOS and I could leave at 6:50; we have 24 miles to cover. The terrain was easy and the miles clicked by pretty quickly. We reached the Mountaineer Shelter and stopped for a break and first lunch. Then hiked on to the view point about 12 miles out where we caught up to Jack, SlingShot, and Frenchie. We took a quick break to talk with them, then went on. We reached Moreland Gap Shelter and took a second lunch break. We reached The Black Bear Hostel about 5:30. Not bad for a 24.4 mile day. I got showered up, then SOS and Trail Momma took me, Medicine Man, Maxes, and GQ into town so we could get dinner and food shop. We ate at a Mexican restaurant and went to the local grocery store. Very nice. I am the only person in the bunk house tonight. Most hikers, including Medicine Man, Maxis, and GQ, went to the Kincora Hostel just up the street. I would have too, but since I am slack packing with SOS, and he and his wife got a cabin here, I came here too. It makes it easier since they are going to slack pack me again tomorrow. I crossed 400 miles complete today, with my longest day yet of 24 miles. We did more than 1% of the trail today (1% = 21.8 miles). I tried the 24 mile section because the trail is relatively easy through here and I only had to carry a day pack. That helps to make up for the zero day I took yesterday.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Black Bear Hostel - Hampton, TN

To: Wilbur Dam Rd - Black Bear Hostel
Miles today: 13.0

Wilbur Dam Road - slack pack back to Black Bear Hostel -13 milesWe arranged a shuttle to Wilbur Dam Road, 13 trail miles north, and we were dropped off to slack pack back to the hostel. It was a nice walk to the Watauga Dam and around Watauga Lake. The trail crosses the dam then follows the lake shore in and around the many tentacles of the lake. After walking 3 miles around the lake, we reached the road and a beautiful picnic area right on the lake. We stopped for a break and sat at a picnic table to eat. The lake was framed by the mountains behind and around the lake. Very pretty. After going around the lake, the trail entered Pond Mountain Wilderness area and climbed Pond Mountain. The climb was long, but because of the many switch backs it was not difficult. Just before the top we saw the 'kids' sitting there resting and eating: Einstein, CQ, SoleMan, and, Maxis. We stopped and joined them. After a nice 1/2 hour break we continued on. The other side of the mountain was not as well graded. It was rocky and steep. But we did make it down, down, down until we reached the Laurel Fork River. The walk along the river was beautiful. We crossed over the river several times and walked right along the river's edge. The river is full with spring run off and also from the rain the other day. After walking along the river for a mile we reached Laurel Falls. They were beautiful. SOS's wife walked down to the falls to join us. We all sat there for 45 minutes. The first part of the walk up from the falls was rocky and steep, but soon leveled out into a nice walk. We reached the road about 4:30.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Wilbur Dam Rd - Black Bear Hostel

To: Wilbur Dam Road - Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Wilbur Dam Road - Damascus, VAZero dayThe forecast for today was 80% chance of rain, very heavy at times. In the mountains that translates to 100% chance of rain. Since SOS has a car and has been slack packing me up to Damascus the last 2 days, I am following his lead. He decided not to walk, and that is fine with me since as you already know, I don't like rain. SOS and his wife, Trail Momma, decided to drive to Damascus, VA, the next trail town north, and get a room there rather than stay at the Black Bear Hostel. I went along. We will drive back to Wilbur Dam Road where we left off and continue our hike north tomorrow. For tonight I am staying in Damascus and sharing a room with Nachos at 'Dave's Place', a hostel in town. I went to lunch with SOS and Trail Momma where I saw Mouse, Lime Green, and Dakota Dan. They hiked into town today. So since I am really 37 miles south of town, or 2 hiking days south, I am 2 days behind them. That's what doing short days like the one to Over Mountain Shelter and on Hump Mountain, plus the zero day at Mountain Harbour will do to you. I walked around town and looked around at the Outfitter then sat around most of the afternoon.Damascus is a small town. The trail goes right through downtown just like in Hot Springs. The main business here is catering to hikers and bikers (cyclists). If it weren't for the hikers and bikers, this town would dry up. Every year Damascus celebrates the AT with Trail Days, a celebration of the Appalachian Trail. During Trail Days the town population swells from one thousand to many thousands as current and past hikers descend upon the town for the festivities. This year Trail Days will be May 18-20. I hope to be several hundred miles north of here by then, and although rides back to Damascus for Trail Days are easy to obtain, I don't believe I will come back. I want to keep hiking. Tonight, SOS, Trail Momma and I went back to Quincey's for dinner, then I turned in so I can get up early tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Wilbur Dam Road - Damascus, VA

To: Rt 421 - Damascus, VA
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: light rain

Rt 421 - Damascus, VA 22.6 miles1% day20% completeUp at 5:15, left here at 5:45. First SOS drove to the pick up point on Rt 421 so he could show Trail Momma where to pick us up. Then we drove back to Wilbur Dam Rd. All that took forever. We didn't start hiking until 8:00. It was cool and damp right from the start. We climbed up the mountain into the cloud and stayed in it almost all day. Everything was wet because of the cloud, including the air. The trees were continually dripping and the dampness permeated everything. It was in the 40s but the dampness made it feel colder. We reached the Vandeventer Shelter and stopped for a quick break. It is too cold to sit for long. We kept hiking until we reached the Iron Mountain Shelter where I got a snack, but again I started to get cold and had to get moving. By the time we reached the next shelter, Double Spring Shelter, I was cold even while walking. I had still another snack and moved on; it was cold. While there we met Squid Word, Fresh, and Wanderer. They looked cold too. SOS asked them if they wanted a hamburger or hot sandwich when they reached the road. Well, of course they did! So he called his wife who is going to pick us up there, and asked her to get sandwiches for them. The 3 of them all hike faster than SOS and I, and were already at the road crossing eating sandwiches when we got there. Then, because it is so cold, SOS offered to give them a ride into Damascus and give them his room for the night. Squid Word and Fresh accepted; Wanderer wanted to continue on. It is supposed to get cold and snow tonight and he wants to hike in the snow. We drove into town and SOS vacated his room at the hostel and gave it to them at no charge. He and Trail Momma went to a hotel in Abbington for the night. SOS and Trail Momma are very nice people whom I have observed helping many young kids who are short on money or in need of comfort like the 2 kids tonight. The back of their car is filled with 'goodies' (candy bars, snacks, water, etc) which they freely share with everyone. Most hikers I have met are friendly and nice, but SOS and Trail Momma are a step above. Thanks to both of you for slack packing me and helping so many people. Today was my 2nd 1% day. I hiked more than 1% of the trail today. Cumulative I passed 20% complete.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Rt 421 - Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Damascus, VA. 15.2 miles in snow, sleet, wind, coldI slept in since SOS won't be here until 9 am. I was packed up and ready when SOS arrived. I went with him and his wife to get breakfast at Mojoes. Then picked up Squid Word and Fresh and headed back to Rt 421 where we left off yesterday. SOS isn't hiking today; he is just dropping us off and heading to Georgia for a few days to visit with family. He will be back on the trail in 5-6 days. I dressed warmer today with my rain pants on and a long sleeve Under Armour shirt under my rain jacket, plus gloves. That was a great move. It was cold, wet and windy in town but it was cold, snowing, sleeting, and really windy when we got back to the trail. Probably about 30 degrees, but the snow, sleet, and strong wind made it feel really cold. Squid Word and Fresh took off. They hike much faster than I do, plus I stopped several times to take pictures of the trail in the snow. It was cold when I was on the ridge, or on the west side of the mountain, but much better when on the east side and out of the wind. The ground had about 1-2 inches of snow and the trees were coated in snow making it very picturesque, even if it was cold. The first shelter I came to was the 'Emergency Shelter'. It is tiny and holds 2 people at most. It is not the best shelter for an emergency. It was positioned such that the wind blew right in, and the sleeping platform inside had 2 inches of snow on it. About 4 miles from the start I came to the Abbington Shelter. Another hiker was there trying to make a reservation for a room in Damascus. He didn't have any luck. Everything is booked up, and nobody is leaving town because of the weather. I sure am glad I already have a room in town I can walk back too. I ate a quick snack, got more water and continued on. I varied between cold and OK depending on which side of the mountain I was on. I didn't use my hiking poles, preferring to keep my hands in my pockets to keep them warm. My gloves could only keep them warm for a little while. I walked on enjoying the walk. About 1:00 the snow and sleet stopped and about 3:00 it started to warm up. I was also going down in elevation and walked out of the snow. At lower elevations it did not snow so the ground was just wet. By the time I walked into town, it was partial sunshine and maybe low 40s with less wind. Damascus is a real trail friendly town. You come down off the mountain into town and the first thing you see is a wooden arch welcoming you to Damascus. Then you wind your way through the park which is 'tent city' during Trail Days. Finally you walk straight up Laurel Ave, the main street in town. My hostel room is right 'downtown' across from the Outfitter, 'Dave's Place'. I was happy to finally actually hike into Damascus, not just to spend the night here like the previous 2 nights. Now I am really here. I have left Tennessee behind and I am now in Virginia. There are 550 miles of the AT in Virginia, so I will be here for quite a while.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Lost Mountain Shelter - 15.6 milesI got up at 5:50 and stepped outside. It was drizzling. It looked like given time it would stop so I didn't hurry. When I left at 6:45, it was still drizzling. I walked out of town. The trail follows the Virginia Creeper Trail for the first half mile. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a hard gravel bike trail which is part of the Rails to Trails program. It extends 37 miles. After following the Creeper Trail, the AT turns up into the woods to climb Straight Mountain. By about 10:00 it finally stopped with the percipitation. Nine miles out of town and on top of Straight Mountain I reached Sauders Shelter where I stopped to eat. It was located in a nice spruce forest about 1/4 mile off the AT. After eating I continued on. A few miles later we rejoined the Creeper Trail again; this time for about another 1/2 mile. It crossed the Hassinger Bridge then the AT dove back into the woods. I reached Lost Mountain Shelter about 2:45, and was done for the day. It was very quiet on the trail today. I only saw 2 southbound weekend hikers plus 3 thru hikers, Diesel, Big Sky, and Slim, who were doing a 17 mile slack pack back to Damascus. That was one of the reasons for me taking yesterday off. Yesterday a lot of hikers left town after the bad weather from the days before passed. It was probably crowded on the trail yesterday. Today there are only a few people left and it is quiet. Thru hikers form a moving community of people. They often form a 'bubble', a group of hikers who are moving the same distance each day and who spend several nights together until the bubble bursts; which it always does. Someone takes a day off, decides to do more or less miles, or someone is nursing an injury causing them to slow down, etc. Since the weather cleared yesterday a large bubble started down the trail. By waiting until today I put myself into a lull or quiet spot between bubbles. I was wondering if I was going to have the shelter to myself for the first time. But about 6pm two other hikers arrived: Catnap and Yardstick. That's means only 3 hikers here. That's quiet.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Thomas Knob Shelter. 12.2 wet, windy milesIt rained hard during the night. Up at 6, gone at 6:45. It was dry but overcast. The early miles moved along pretty good despite climbing White Rocks Mountain. Just before reaching Buzzard Rocks, I entered the clouds and at the same time it started to rain and the wind started to blow hard. I stopped for a minute to eat a candy bar and put on my rain jacket and pants. Catnap caught me while I was stopped. From Buzzard Rocks the climb up Mt Rodgers was nasty. Windy, rainy, foggy, and cold. The trail was a river. Mt Rodgers got about 6 inches of snow last Monday. Between the snow melting, the hard rain last night, and today's rain, water is running everywhere. It is impossible to keep your feet dry so I quit trying.The climb was long and ugly. I reached Thomas Knob Shelter at 1 pm. I planned to hike 17 miles to Wise Shelter today but when I got here, and got out of the wind and rain, it sucked me in. One concern was that Wise Shelter might be full or less protective than this shelter. Thomas Knob Shelter is in an exposed location near the the summit of Mt Rodgers, but is a well built shelter with a 2nd floor which is pretty enclosed. I moved in to the 2nd floor. I got dry clothes on and climbed into my sleeping bag to get warm. I fell asleep. Later in the afternoon and evening a load of hikers rolled in. The shelter is full. So much for being in a lull between large groups.
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hurricane Mtn Shelter. - 16 miles500 milesIt rained hard during the night. I woke about 6 and no one else was up and I could see the fog coming up the steps to the 2nd floor so I rolled over and slept until 6:30. When I left we were still in the cloud, but it wasn't raining and the wind was only blowing occasionally. I hopped down the the mountain and was below the clouds within a half hour. The walk through the Grayson Highlands was beautiful, but I didn't see a single wild pony. I heard them off in the woods, but did not see one. I reached Wise Shelter at the northern boundary of the Grayson Highlands and stopped to take off some warm clothes. While there, Mr Wrong arrived. We left almost together. As I walked past several trail intersections, apparently I made a mistake and went the wrong way. I didn't see any blazes and figured I was wrong. I looked back and could see Mr Wrong coming along the same way behind me. I also saw footprints going the same way. I waited for Mr Wrong to catch up and we walked on together. About a mile after the wrong turn, we came to a sign saying we were on the Scales Trail, and the AT was about 1 mile down the intersecting Bear Pen Trail. So we went down the Bear Pen Trail until we reached the AT again. From there we continued on to the Scales. Mr Wrong and I walked together until the Old Orchard Shelter. There John was giving out Trail Magic. I got a banana, cookies, peanut butter crackers, and Mr Goodbar candy. He also had beer which I didn't take, but he said he had soda in a cooler in his pickup down at the next road crossing. When we hiked to the next road his pickup was there and I got a Sprite. Great. The final part of the hike to the Hurricane Mountain Shelter was easy. Tonight Yardstick, Mr Wrong, Diesel, Big Sky, Medicine Man, Biddman, Juice, and Firepants are all here. I made 500 miles today; continuing north.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Partnership Shelter - 19.7 milesUp at 6:10, out by 6:50; it should have been earlier. When I pulled my shoes on this morning the shoe lace pulled out of the last eyelet and when it did the end cap came off the lace. Without the end cap the lace frays and you cannot get it back into the eyelet. So I had to lace up that shoe without using the last set of eyelets. It is the last eyelet that keeps the heel in place so it doesn't move around in the shoe as you walk. I walked out with Yardstick. We walked together for about an hour until Mr Wrong caught up. During that walk my right heel was moving around in the shoe, so I needed to try to tie it tighter. Mr Wrong asked if I knew how to tie my shoes. He then proceeded to show me the weavers knot. I pulled the shoe tight and used the new knot. It worked. My heel stayed firmly in the shoe the rest of the day, all 20 miles. As I walked on to Trimpi Shelter, it clouded up and started to sprinkle. I hurried up to the shelter. Mr Wrong was there snacking. I sat down for a snack too. As I finished up, the rest of the group from last might arrived. Since it was still threatening rain, I took my pack cover out to use, but I left without actually putting it on. I started down the trail with Mr Wrong. I was probably .3 miles down when I realized my forgotten pack cover. I had to go back and get it. An extra 1/2 mile! While walking on down the trail, I saw Mr Wrong sitting next to 2 coolers. Trail Magic! It was great. I had BBQ Vienna sausage, cookies, a pudding cup, and a root beer. I would not enjoy a can of cold vienna sausage at home but everything tastes better when you are a hungry hiker. From there I walked on with Mr Wrong. We talked for a long time, but when it started uphill I couldn't stay with him. He's 26 I'm 61. But he never got far ahead, and he was only about a minute ahead of me when we reached Partnership Shelter after a 20 mile day. Partnership Shelter is one of the nicest shelters on the trail. It is about a tenth of a mile behind the Mt Rodgers Visitor Center (closed for the weekend) and next to the road. So we ordered pizza from Pizza Hut in Marion and had them deliver it to the shelter. Big Sky and I shared a large Supreme pizza, breadsticks and 2 liters of soda. It was great. Mr Wrong, Unaka, Diesel, Big Sky, Birdman, Medicine Man, Juice, Slow and Sexy, and Turtle and I enjoyed a good night at the shelter.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Atkins, VA 11.6 milesIt was warm last night. I slept late, 6:30, and didn't rush to leave. I only have about 12 miles to town. The climb up Glade Mountain was longer than I expected, but completely reasonable. I reached Chatfield Shelter by 10 am and stopped for a quick snack. Then I walked on the the Settler's Museum 1890 Farm. It was only 100 yards off the trail and I like historical farms. They had restored the old homestead, the barn, the root cellar, well house, smoke house, tool shed, wagon shed and wagons. It was very interesting. Also, just a few tenths further down the trail was the Lindamood one room school house; also part of the museum. I reached Atkins by 1 pm even with an hour stop at the meuseum. There I am sharing a room at the Relax Inn with Diesel, Big Sky, and Medicine Man. We tried to go to the Barn to eat but they were closed. We had to eat at the Shell convenience store. There is nothing else nearby. I had a prepackaged Chicken sandwich and ice cream. Not a good dinner, but it will have to do.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Knot Maul shelter - 13.9 miles25% completeI slept good and didn't get up till 7:30. After I packed up, I walked up to 'The Barn' for breakfast. I had the 4x2: 2 eggs, 2 sausages, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes, toast, and orange juice. I finished and finally started hiking at 9 am. My pack is full of food and heavy after the resupply. It made the climb hard and tiring. It seemed to take a long time to get up Brushy mountain where I caught up to Yardstick. We walked together until we reached a stream and campsite where we stopped for a break. Afterwards we climbed Walker Mountain and then descended where we caught up to Dakota Dan. We walked along until we came to Trail Magic. Lumbermack was there refilling his coolers. He lives just 2 miles up the road. I had a soda and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Very nice. Thanks Lumbermack. We walked in and reached Knot Maul Shelter about 4:30. Tonight I am sharing the shelter with Lime Green, Medicine Man, Diesel, Big Sky, and Yardstick. Dakota Dan, Blue Fox, Birdman, Trashbag, and a few others are camped nearby. Today I passed 25% complete. I am slowly making progress.