morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a great place to take a zero, in fact Abal has convinced me to take twozero days...great idea because the food is SO GOOD! Dinner tonight was a Thaisoup, then a great tossed salad with a tahini dressing...mmmm...and then ricewith a bean sauce and various condiments (banana peppers, olives, salsa, cheese,sour cream, chopped egg, cilantro) and spicy corn bread...best food I've had inyears! Just my kind of food and better than I make!!! Finally I'm eating, butnow I feel so stuffed.I also had a hour and a half massage (sorry Brett...she wasn't as good as youbut she sure helped some problem areas.) And then we went to the hot tub mineralbaths. W &A and I went thinking that there were individual tubs, but alas theywere not...and we didn't have any bathing suits with us so W&A went in for 30min and I went in for 30. It was great. These were rustic individual platformswith privacy fencing out in the woods along a creek...really cool. And theweather was rainy and cool so the warm tub felt excepionally good. Then we cameback to that great meal I mentioned above...what a day! I also got moved to agood room with a double bed all to myself. And M&M is ,my roommate. She's awoman, 50, from near NYC who's hiking alone. The others here are Thunder, Tobasco, Beat Box (he says I'm his hero because wehave the same pack, water filter, and I made my stove and windscreen), Dozer,W&A, and a new couple: Slinky and Dog...now Joe Dog, I think because his wifeslipped at dinner and called him Joe, then Dog..and just like that your name canbe changed on the trail.Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Got a chance to get caught up on administrative tasks and read emails. I'msorry if my responses are short, but computer time is quite limited with manyhikers trying to get access.I did get a chance to take a quick look at my journal online and I don't knowwhy it's got so many erroneous returns in the paragraphs..looks like I'm tryingto write poetry. Must be something between my creation on my Pocketmail deviceand the email Dana is getting. I know she's just cutting and pasting them ontothe site. I wrote an inquiry, so we'll see if there's something they can do. Dana, if you have the time, can you look into it more? I also transferred myphotos from my camera to a memory stick and labeled them all, and sent them offto Dana to put up on the site. There's more work to keeping y'all informed ofwhat I'm doing than it is to hike! I'll be glad for the break when I'm in SanDiego.I spent part of today grocery shopping for 6 days of travel. I hope I didn'tget too much, but I never know what I'll feel like eating or how much. I madegorp, got Snickers and other snack bars, a summer sausage and cheese,tuna,chicken, whole wheat bread, crackers, 2 Mountain House dinners, Alfredo pastaside, Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, and Twizzlers...I love Twizzlers, have since I was a kid! Also got some hot cider and hot cocoa. That will have to do...it'sprobably more than I need, but I'm always afraid of not having the food I wantwhen I want it...and food is energy, so it may mean I can't get up anothermountain someday.I've slept in a different room every night that I've been here, and I have a newroommate tonight: Bicycle Barb. She and I actually corresponded on line beforethe start of this hike, but neither of us can remember what the gist of thatwas. She's done a cross country bike ride.Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.0

After a delicious pancake breakfast at Elmer's, hiked out of town after weighingour packs at the outfitters. Bad idea. My pack weighed 43 pounds! It doeshave 6 days of food, but it weighed more than most of the guys! But then they'rewimps and I'm tough...or I just haven't figured out what I can do without. Butas I was hiking today with all that weight on myu back and my feet complainingmost of the way by not moving very quickly, I was mentally making a list of allthe things in there that I could ship home from Erwin: sandals orCrocs...shouldn't be carrying both, but I found the sandals for free in a hikerbox, so how could I resist? Towel, don't use it very often and every place weget to shower has one...I might get it back when I get rid of winter gear andwould be doing some swimming. Extra clothes...don't need zip offs, yoga pants,rain pants and long under wear, and yoga shorts...but not sure what to send home yet...have worn the long underwear and rain pants! decisions, decisions. I'm going to take a close, serious look ateverything in Erwin and REDUCE my weight!Otherwise it was a beautiful hike today and felt good to be hiking after twodays off. One of the couples here in the shelter (Slinky Dog) saw a mama bearand two cubs just 5 minutes before getting to the shelter...they had a pictureto prove it. The reason they are called Slinky Dog is the way they hike: Doghikes ahead and then waits for Slinky to catch up! We also have Young & Dumb,a recent high school graduate from Westchester NY and Derrek, a guy from Minnesota that hasn't gotten a trail name yet...there's also Beach Bum we just met on the trail...and Flannegan (the fiddler) and Bottle Cap,his girlfriend, I think, came in later. Willing & Abal are here too, of course. We'll stay together until Damascus when they have plans to meet up with friends and I have to work on getting to Roanoke.Tomorrow will be our longest day yet because we're planning on doing 15 to getto a shelter. We're also expecting rain and thunder showers so it should belots of fun!Sweet dreams and hopefully the mice will be quiet and kind tonight and notbother our gear or us too badly.   Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Spring Mtn Shelter, NC

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow! Did our first 15 mile day, Abal and I did...with feet that won't pick upso each step takes all your energy (and that was most of the morning to earlyafternoon), included a short nap on the side of the trail when I couldn't stayawake another minute during a long climb (and Abal, thinking I was on the phonewaited at the top for me writing in her journal), and then finished the last 5miles with freezing rain and heavy winds. We got to the shelter about 6:45 pmafter leaving at 8 am. And I was drenched and near hypothermic. When it'sraining you don't to mess with getting warm stuff out of your pack riskinggetting all your dry stuff wet. So I plodded on cold, wet, miserable butdetermined to get to the shelter where I could get dry clothes and a hot meal.Derreck and Beach Bum are here. Derreck is a young man from Minnesota that'sgoing to college in the fall. He got a fire going in the shelter to heat Abalam and me up and then graciously hung my bear bag. What a sweetie...I was sothankful for the help!Need my sleep for another long, cold, wet tomorrow. We had some real trail magic today...magic that saved us from a longer, moretreacherous route in stormy weather. We met some section hikers earlier in theday and they mentioned a very difficult rocky ridge line as we neared ourshelter for the night...and also that there was an alternate route for bad weather conditions...and highly suggested we might want to take the alternateroute because the ridge line was SO difficult. Well, when we got to the placewhere the paths split, we were seeing lightning and hearing thunder, so thedecision was easy. "We're crazy, but we're not stupid!" a saying we like touse.When we got to the shelter all 4 of the guys here had not taken the alternateand they all said the ridge line was extremely treacherous....we're so glad thechoice was easy.Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up this morning to rain and mist and dropping temperatures. We 6 hikerslay warm in our bags while Willing listened to the weather forecast: rainturning to snow later today, steady 30-40 mph winds gusting to 60, winter stormwarning means possibility of blizzard conditions especially in higher elevationswith possible downed trees, 3-5 inches of snow more in higher elevations! Remember that our clothes are soaked already and have to be put on again todayso that our warm and dry clothes stay that way for tonight. We're packing up asI write and have decided to go only 6 miles to the next shelter. This change ofplans mean it will take longer to get to Erwin so we have to ration ourfood...all except for me because I always bring too much!A misty, foggy hike, but short and sweet. Abal and I got in at 12:45...earliestday yet, I think. It was nice and warm hiking, so when we got to the shelter were-evaluated our decision, but were concerned with the storm coming later todayand the difficult hike 8.8 miles to the next shelter and decided staying put wasthe best decision. This shelter doesn't have any covering over the opening sowe're going to put up W&A's tent inside and all three climb in to keepwarm..should be cozy!To pass the afternoon and keep warm, we've climbed into our bags. We'rewatching the rain turn to sleet and feeling the temps drop: good idea thisstaying put!Took a nice nap this afternoon in my bag looking out as the rhododendrons gotcovered with snow. We got 4 inches in 4 hours! We then forced ourselves toget up, eat dinner, pit up the tent, and get snuggled: 3 people in a 2 peopletent..all right everyone, spoon left! It's 6:30 and we're already in bed...notmuch to do when it's cold, blowing, snowing outside. Tomorrow we're planning on going just 10 miles to the next shelter...where wewere supposed to be tonight. It's gonna be a hard climb and the trail will besnow covered and harder to find. Should be a tough day, so we're keeping itshort.   Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Flint Mtn Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We stayed warm last night, but had a challenge packing up with wet hiking socks and frozen boots. We made plans just to go 8.8 today because of the snowy conditions...and we're glad we did. We were hiking through drifts up to our knees and with 60 mph gusts. It's still gusting although sunny out which ismelting the snow.We had a funny experience at a road crossing when a car pulled over and a ladyjumped out with a camera and asked us if we were thru-hikers. We realized howwildlife feels when the cars stop to get their pictures. Turned out she's asection hiker named Amoeba and she has a journal on this site. I'll have to readit. She was also from NY, Syracuse.Tonight I got to talk to a dear friend, Nada, on the phone. It's rare that Ihave a signal while at a shelter, so it was fun catching up with her. She's theperson that's been the most worried about my doing this....but I can tell she'sbeginning to understand that although there's danger out here, there's also atremendous support system.She did have a question about how I write daily entries, so let me explain incase I haven't explained it to well. I have this little device from PocketMailcalled a composer on which I can write a daily email. Then when I get to town, Idial an 800 number and put the composer up to the phone and it sends andreceives emails.The wind is picking up and gusting about our heads in the shelter which has noplastic to close off the opening, so it's going to be a cold one. I'm going tobe wearing all my gear tonight to keep warm! I'll start at bottom: 2 pairs ofheavy sox; my yoga pants and rain pants; a capilene base 1 shirt, fleecepullover, down sweater, and rain jacket; a wool cap with a Buff pulled over it;and gloves! Think I'll be warm enough? Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Whistling Gap campsire

To: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel, Erwin,TN
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The sounds of civilization are so loud compared to the quiet of the woods. Thecloser we got to Erwin, the louder the noise, then we'd turn back into theholler and the quiet would return. The contrast was so obvious and unnerving. I know when I return home, I will need to live where there's peace and quiet.But I was going to write about subtle differences tonight. One of thechallenges I have to deal wth is maintaining a constant, comfortable bodytemperature throughout the day. When I dress to start hiking for the day, it'squite chilly. I have to guess what level of layers top and bottom will keep mewarm, but not too warm after I start hiking, usually uphill. But I also need tohave options to pare down to as the day warms and so do I. I usually starthiking with gloves or mitts, ski hat and buff,a shirt with short or longsleeves, a fleece, and a windshirt, maybe. The temperature has changed fromquite warm to extremely cold, so the layers vary daily. Then I sart to hike,often uphill right away, and I begin to get warm. As I warm I start to makesubtle adjustments: off with the ski hat and gloves, I hold them because I oftenhave to put them on when I reach the top of the climb, or the trail takes you tothe shady, windy side of the mountain. I make subtle change! s such as raising my cap above my ears to cool off, or push up mysleeves...then, when too cold, I pull my cap back over my ears, pull up the hoodto my windshirt over my head, lower my sleeves. When the temperature gets muchwarmer and I need to seriously shuck layers, it requires a stopping and droppingthe pack to remove it. But as there are no constants, I can need to stop laterand put it back on. And these subtle, and not so subtle adjustments go on allday as I try to stay comfortable. So after 6 days of hiking and a blizzard, I'm in Erwin, TN for a day offtomorrow. And I need it. My feet pain returned full blast today. For the last5 hours (of a 7 hour hike), I was limping using both poles as crutches. I'mconfused as to why...just yesterday hey felt great all day. We'll see hoe theyare after a day of rest.I have one particularly simple memory of today's hike. Abal and I were hikingthrough a low level fir forest and heard some birds that drew our attention. Welooked up and saw two small birds (I don't know my birds) chasing each otheraround a tree right near us and calling to each other. We watched and enjoyedtheir antics! There's little action to view in the woods...the trees are prettyidle...so this really caught our attention. Subtle changes capture ourattention amongst the monotony.Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Erwin, TN

To: Beauty Stop Gap
Miles today: 10.8

I shipped many of my gear items ahead to Kincora hostel and I'm sleeping on theground under the stars tonight! This just like the cowboys used to do it andit's fun. My pack was a much more reasonable weight even with 5 days of food. I shippedmy hammock,foot pad (windshield screen that I used), many clothing items, andsmall odds and ends. The less I have, the less I have to pack up, the less Ihave to keep track of, and the less I have to carry. I'm wondering what will bein my pack when I get to Maine...interesting thought.Less is best, whether you're hiking the AT or living in Fairport. We have waytoo much STUFF in our lives...so much that there's a business in supplyingstorage lockers just to store all the STUFF that won't fit in our houses. Andyet I can live with just food, water, pot, small stove, sleeping pad and bag,andsome clothes. About 30 pounds is all...and it fits on my back. We all shouldthink about what we could do without in our lives to make our lives simpler, butricher.I know that today my hike was more fun with less weight and I don't miss nothaving a hammock. Not sure what to do when bug season comes, but I'll worryabout that when the time comes. Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Beauty Stop Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

My night spent sleeping out under the stars was delightful, but a bit chilly. The stars are so bright I felt like I could almost touch them. One time duringthe night I thought I felt a creature nibbling my sleeping bag, but when Ipoked my head out, there was nothing there.Unaka Mountain has the most incredible fir forest at the top. It was dark andmoss covered and moist, very different from other forests I've seen...lookedlike there should be dinosaurs tromping around. I learned today how torecognize a hemlock tree by the two white stripes on the underneath of theneedle.I also learned about greybacks...rocks that work their way above the ground andthen begin to inch down the mountain causing a domino effect pushing other rocksdown with it...this creates the rock slides we've seen. Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Our longest day! And I'm never going this distance again!! What a long day. Got started hiking at 7:15 this morning, took a 30 minute lunch break, and gotto the shelter at 5:50 tonight. I was dragging the last hour for 2 miles uphill. Sometimes I can feel so good and then I hit the wall and there's nothingleft to give and the trail goes up hill. And add to that I rolled my ankle on aroot and it hurt for the last 4 miles, but it hurt more when stopped...so Ididn't. Today we crossed the most beautiful balds that rolled from one to another. Itlooked like a scene from The Sound of Music! Later we crossed through grassymeadows. Loved the changes of scenery. But we had some ugly sights today oftrash dumped over the side of the road...why do people do that? Where do theythink its going to go?It was quite hot and sunny out today, and gave me a feel for what it's going tobe like this summer...not going to be fun...I'll be glad for the green tunnelthen, for sure.Since I've got a lot on my mind with the up coming trip to San Diego and thewedding, I'm constantly trying to make lists...and I have to stop to get out mypad and pencil to do it. Constant interruptions slow my hike, but with so muchtime to think, I want to use the time wisely. I learned today what a morel mushroom looks like and in fact found out that Ihad seen quite a few of them in the Smokies. They look like a pinecone growingout of the ground. Tomorrow is only a bit shorter, 15.2 miles, but we're headed in for resupply toKincora Hostel..oh boy! It's good to know that in the morning the feet willfeel new, my spirit will be refreshed, and new sites await around the next bend. Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

It's 2 in the afternoon and I've stopped to journal because I'm having such anemotional moment and I want to capture it. I'm sitting on a rock crying..I don't know if they tears of joy or sorrow, probably a bit of both. Let me say that this rock is a vista out over the valley and I've been hiking alone all day. This has been such a hard morning after the long day yesterday. I had noenergy, couldn't lift my feet, and when I put them down they hurt, my left ankle(that I twisted yesterday) hurt and my left knee hurt. I was a basket case, andhad a 15 mile day ahead of me. I decided to just eat while walking and not stopfor a meal because it takes time and it's hard to start up afterwards. Then tohopefully help shift my mood, I got the iPod going. Music in the woods is atreat and really helps move the feet. Sometimes I'm literally dancing down thetrail. (I'm sure my daughters can imagine the sight...they love to see me danceabout as much as they love to hear me sing...and I do that too with the iPod on!) well, my mood changed, my legs gotstronger, and the miles have clocked away. I've got about 1.5 miles to thehostel. (Down hill, of course...my favorite!)I've also been thinking about my mom who I lived with one year ago and helpedher while she died of lung cancer. I loved the time I got to spend with her andthat I could help her when she so needed me. She's my hero, she was such astrong woman, and she gave me the strength to do this hike alone. She's alsowith me with every butterfly that I see, and I see quite a few of them. Thiswas the week a year ago that she died, and I was thinking about that, listeningto Roseanne Cash, and trucking through the woods...when this huge greyback rock and view popped up. And I stepped out, with the whole wide world in my view, and the wind in my hair, and warm memories of my mom in my heart...and I started crying. And I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.So I went from trying to figure how I could quit this hike this morning to thisincredible high this afternoon...and that's how things change out here. Well,Kincora hostel,a hot shower, clean clothes, good food, and friendly peopleawait. Step lightly
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Watauga Lake
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I did it...I slack-packed! And I liked it!!! Bob, the hostel owner, drove a bunch of us up to Watagua Lake, about 9 miles north of here, and we hiked back to the hostel with just day packs on our backs. I did the hike with a young girl, Chocolate Bandito, and we had a great time! She actually went in swimming under the Laural Fork Falls and again later in the Big Elk River. She was braver than me...I found the water just too cold to walk into even though it was an 80 degree day. And we were back to the hostel about 1:30, so we had the afternoon to relax, repack, and castch up on other chores. There's no internet here, so I had Dennis read my emails to me. I cant't respond to every one, but I love hearing any news from y'all so that I can keep up on what's happening in all your lives.Tomorrow's the day that Willing & Abal and I part ways. They did not slack pack today, so they are 9 miles behind me now. I'll miss their company terribly! But I hope to see them again at Trail Days in Damascus.Slinky Dog did slack pack and are on the same schedule as me on through nextweek when I leave the trail for the wedding. But I plan on stopping at my own spots out in the woods and not at shelters the next few nights so that I spend a bit more time by myself. Trying something new. I have 3 days and 41 miles to go to Damascus, but I have plans to spoil myself when I get there: I have a reservation for 2 nights at a B&B.