morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

02:00 I am awoken by someone moving around the shelter area, I called out to him and I heard him ask for me by name so I called to him and he say's "are you The General" I am The General I reply, Have you got my food bag say's the stranger in an agressive sounding voice, I have a food bag I say as I quickly don my Teva's and get out of my tent. I take the guy to the bear line and lower the food bag and hand him the bag. My instinct is telling me that this could turn toward the physical side so I try to size up the situation I can see by the light of my headtorch that the guy looks in good shape though he will be disadvantaged as he still has on his pack and rain cape, I take off my head torch and move to a little higher ground. The guy checks the weight of the bag and I briefly explain the circumstances of how I came by it. The guy seems to be happy with my explanation and that it was removed from the shelter with all good intentions, he puts out his hand and introduces himself I warily take his hand and appologise once again for his long hungry day. All's well that ends well. There were lessons to be learnt on both sides here.Back to Bed.It was daylight when I awoke again there were sleepy eyed Boy Scouts moving around and doing their chores. I hastely packed my wet tent into its stuff sack I would dry it later during the day I ate and moved on there was some hard climbing today North of Sam's Gap. I stopped at Hogback Ridge shelter for lunch and decided to push on with Kirby to Low Gap where there is a spring and tent site, when we got to Low gap the spring was dry so we would need to go a further 6 miles to Bald Mountain Shelter. It's a rocky climb up to Bald Mountain Shelter but we did manage to re-supply our water from a spring on route. When we got to Big Bald it was completely fogged in and we had to follow the post markers to navigate our way around and across befroe getting to the shelter in time to eat and get sorted before dark. It was cold up here and when I got into my Bag I still had on my Snugback jacket. Maybe Erwin tomorrow.
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin Tennessee
Miles today: 16.9

Early Start, Cookie,Kirby,Cuda,Ken and myself intended to make it into Erwin today and there would be some climbing to do before we dropped off the mountain into Uncle Johnny's hostel for a cold root beer. I climbed towards High Rocks at 3,900' and followed the ridgeline to Whistling Gap 4,100' until I got to No Burning Knob Shelter where I ate lunch my food was down to just one evening meal and a few tea bags which is just about right,you try not to carry more food than you need from town to town just one spare meal in case the weather stops you and you need to stay out an extra night, if things got realy bad you could always eat someones dog or even another hiker personally I would go with the Dog some of those hikers are not very hygenic.Before you begin the long decent into Erwin you can see the Nolichucky River far below, whilst looking down from an overlook I saw a Coal Train coming through Erwin from the mines in West Virginia it must have been at least 1/2 a mile long and would be heading to Florida through the Appalachians to one of their coal burning power plants.We got to the long switchbacked decent into Erwin mid afternoon and were soon racing down the mountain to Uncle Johnnys drinks machine for that cold root beer. Johnny came out to meet us on the deck and showed us to the bunkroom which we gladly took up, we got showered and did our laundry and arranged a time for Johnny's wife Charlotte to run us to town for our groceries and TOWN FOOD. Charlotte arrived and ran us to a Mexican Place to eat, I am not much for eating Mexican's so I had a Burrito instead!!! and of course a cold beer, now I don't like to drink a beer I can see through so as Miguel had no "real beer" I had to close my eyes, It worked. We returned to the hostel bunkroom and with all that Burrito,beer and other Mexican food floating around the night resembled a scene from the film blazing saddles. More Beans Mr Taggart!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Erwin Tennessee

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

I did not sleep well last night maybe after a month now in the woods sleeping indoors is not what it used to be. Johnny ran us to the Huddle House for breakfast and returned by way of the post office for those who needed to pick up maildrops. I bought a new food bag from Johnnys store as my old one had been the victim of numerous mouse attacks and also was not as waterproof as I would like it to be.Some of the guys chose to travel up to Indian Grave Gap and slack pack back into Erwin and stay another night. I chose to stay behind and re-proof my rain jacket and would hike out later in the day. I phoned my Dad just to let him know I was ok and that i would try to catch up with my journal as soon as I got to a town where i could get greater computer access. I left Erwin at 12:30 and started to climb North knowing that I would likely see the slackers on their way back to town. I met them in and they gave me a good heads up of the trail ahead, it was a great afternoon though the sun was burning hot through the trees and some of the climbs were hard work. I met the twins Josh and Josia and we hiked on together towards our biggest climb of the day Uneka Mountain 5,180. On top of the mountain is a unique pine forest everywhere is green it looks like someone had held a paddy's day party here and forgot to clean up a very real contrast to the open woodland below. As we decended the rain started to come down light at first and then increasing as we decended by the time we were approaching the shelter we were almost jogging along the trail as the light faded, it was dark as we approached the shelter where Memphis Tim had got a good fire going which warmed the bones as I changed into a dry shirt. I ate and we sqeezed into the shelter with a few also tenting, it was good to be in the dry.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

I got up early after a good sleep and packed ready to leave however one of the twins was sleeping on my tyvec ground cloth, I did not want to wake him so i just left a message to pack my tyvec out with them when they woke up. Those boys can sleep but also can put in some good miles during the day and I had no doubt that they would be along the trail later in the day.the trail today climbed steadly up towards Hughs Gap Road and then just went up and up climbing 1000'per mile over rocks and roots it was hard going water is still scarce with many springs still dry but I am still reluctant to carry the extra weight and so I hoped to find a spring ahead. I was hiking with "Cuda" today he is a retired 24yr old former 82nd Airborne Soldier who can set a good pace especialy uphill. The Climb from Ash Gap to Roan High Knob Shelter goes from 4,040 to 6,285 in 3 miles by the time I was 3/4 of the way up I was gagging for a drink but still had not come across any decent spring but it was cool up at this height and behind a large rocky outcrop I found some ice so I broke a piece off to suck on at least it would moisten my mouth. on the final mile to the shelter I saw signs of water on the trail so I hoped the water at the shelter would be good, a short distance from the shelter I found a small spring where I could dip in a cup to fill my bottle and quench my thirst.I got to the shelter and found a couple of spring breakers had a fire going which was good as it was likely to be cold up here.This shelter is an old fire wardens cabin that had an attic my guess was that it would be full tonight and sure enough we had 12 people stay that night.
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 15.2

Late up 07:30 to a cold and misty morning outside I cooked a bit of breakfast and packed ready to go, I had on my wind pants and gloves as it was cold up at this altitude but i hoped it would warm up a little on the decent. I decended into Carvers Gap in the mist and found the trail and track on the other side a number of big climbs came in quick sucession until i stopped for an early lunch at Stan Murray Shelter "Cuda" and I soon cooled down as the wind tore full on into the shelter I pitty anyone who had to sleep here last night it would have been baltic!! We pushed on to Overmountain Shelter which is an old barn that had been modified into a shelter for hikers. As we left the shelter it looked like the weather was closing in on the high ground ahead so we put on our pack covers just in case it rained. when we got to the humps, Big Hump and Little Hump it was blowing hard and it was difficult to maintain forward momentum without getting blown of your feet, as we approahed the top 5,587' the wind chill was well below zero as all the bushes had thick ice over them and the exposed side of my face was numb. We made our way over the top and started to decend over a rocky trail towards Apple House Shelter where we intended to stay the night, we stopped for water and a snack on the way down under a overhanging rock in a vain attempt to stay out of the rain. We reached the shelter at 15:00 it was full of trash this shelter has a problem in this as it is close to the road and some of the local kids come up to party, I have no problem with partying just people who are to lazy to pack out the crap they hiked in with.After a quick chat with "Cuda" we decided to push on to Mountain Harbour Hostel, we would not regret it what a cool place, I got laundry done and we went to eat at a local diner and went to bed listening to the rain on the roof.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I took a Zero day today and stayed here at the Mountain Harbour Hostel this place is a great place to relax and the breakfast was so good and well worth the $7.00. I helped Mary with some general cleaning and she told me that I would not have to pay for that nights stay (bonus) had a great day relaxing with Drew and Wendy the attached photo is of Mary's foot which was the worst Ive seen on the trail so far LOL.A great day chilling.
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Kincora Dennis Cove
Miles today: 24.3

After yet another fantastic breakfast it was time to leave Mountain Harbour it was a great place to relax and ran by great people. I was heading today for another great place on the trail Kincora owned and ran by Bob and Pat Peoples two of the greatest supporters of the trail and the hiking community. I crossed onto 19e and got back onto the trail it's a nice section of trail probably one of the best maintained sections of the whole trail. The first part is spoilt by some mindless local's who dump there trash by the side of the trail not only does it spoil a nice section of trail but also polutes a valuable water source.I was hoping to get to Bob's place tonight but would see how the trail panned out I also wanted to have a look at the new shelter that is on this section of trail as I have heard they have done a great job on it.The shelter looked neat a great job guys.I hiked on as I needed to get to Kincora before dark the final section into Dennis cove is a bit rocky but not to bad and I was easy going to get in there before dark. I got to the hostel at around 1800 but nobody was around well not hikers anyway they had all gone to town with Bob for dinner. A nice young lady called Maddy was dog sitting for Otto's dog so we chatted and decided to order Pizza to be delivered, I showered and laid out my stuff on a bunk whilst waiting for the Pizza and the guys to return.The pizza was good and when Bob came back he also brought a pile of food back from the church dinner where he had taken the others, the fresh salad was the best and I ate two large bowls. It was great to see Bob again and His wife who had just come out of hospital.Great place and good people too.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Kincora Dennis Cove

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

I slept in Kincora's executive suite (private double room) last night and had a great sleep far away from the snorer's. I got up and had a couple of slices of left over pizza for breakfast and was soon ready to go, I paid my dues and hiked out. I was looking forward to this hike as I believe it is one of the most beautiful parts of the trail a real credit to those that maintain this section.I cut through the trees onto the old railroad bed that forms most of the early part of todays hike and hiked along the swollen river towards Laural Fork Falls, the falls did not dissapoint they were flowing in all their glory, I swam here in 2004 but not today way to cold for my liking besides I had a shower 2 days ago. From the falls the trail follows the river for a while and in places follows the rock face only a few inches above the flow. There was a number of trees showing evidence of the industrious Beever who had tried to dam the river in places but more often than not his aim was off, It must have been frustrating for Mr and Mrs Beever chewing through 18" of oak only to see it topple in the wrong direction.Once you cross the river over the wooden bridge you start to climb out of the gorge and start a fairly big climb along a number of switch backs, It was hot work.I met "Loafy" high above Watauga Lake he had been dropped off by Bob at US321 and was slacking back to Kincora, he told me it was going to be an easy down to the lake from where we were now. With the sun being so warm I was consuming more water than I usualy do but as I knew that there would be good water not far ahead I drained my bottle and headed down towards the lake.I crossed US321 on the edge of Watauga Lake just by the beach where all the weekenders come to swim, the water level was a lot lower than it was in 2004 as a result of the drought last year still some way to go on recovery to normal levels.I walked around the lake and ran into an oln friend from 04 "Lone Wolf" this guy may look a little rough around the edges but his is a great supporter of hikers and is a wealth of information on the state of the trail in the area. We chewed the fat for a while and then I hiked onto the Shelter where I filled my bottle and had some lunch, I realy intended to go further today but I ended up sitting in the sun and reading for most of the afternoon so ended up staying the night
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Damascus Virginia

To: Damascus Virginia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am staying in Damascus until Saturday 12th April, when I will be Jumping North up the trail to Front Royal. I will then hike South for the Trail Days festival followed by 2 days trail maintenance with Hard Core Crew, this is one of the ways in which I can give something back to the trail.I was lucky enough to get a room for three nights at the Hikers Inn where Suzzanne keeps an orderly house (see attached photo)as I was killing time waiting for my hitch to Front Royal I made myself usefull by helping in the garden and with Suzzannes yard sale, she is moving to be nearer her family now she has retired, she will be greatly missed by the hiking communtity thats for sure.Damascus is a great trail town the support it gives to hikers is legendary and it's a pleasure to stay here.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Chester Gap US 522

To: Gravel Springs Hut (SNP)
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

I rose at 07:00 showered packed and went to eat breakfast before driving out to Chester Gap where I would start hiking South through the Shenadoah National Park. From the car park I crossed the small stream over new bog bridging that had been provided by a local trail club (thanks Guys) I started to climb up towards the high ground, the trail was in good shape but I noticed that I seemed to have what I thought was possibly a shin splint in my right leg I hoped not!! maybe I could walk it off.I met a Northbounder coming up toward Front Royal and a guy out collecting Morrel mushrooms he had a bag that contained 5-6 lbs he would take them into town where he hoped to get $20/lb for them not bad for free and a couple of hours in the woods.I hiked up to the Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter where I had lunch and whilst I sat there it started to hail, straight away I knew that I had made a serious mistake backloading my winter sleeping bag and most of my warm clothing.I hiked on to the self registration station where hikers have to complete a back country permit, I deposited the counterfoil in the box provided and fastened my copy to the outside of my pack, if a ranger catches you in the park without a permit you will get a ticket.I met a couple of section hikers at Hogwallow Gap they like me intended to overnight at Gravel Springs, my right shin was begining to give me a little more pain I was begining to think that this was not going to go away like I hoped, maybe I needed to cut my mileage.I got to the shelter in good time and started to gather wood for a fire the tempreture was dropping and I guess that the two section hikers and myself would need a fire. Katie and Joe arrived and I got the fire going, someone had left 3/4's of a bottle of Chevas Regal in the shelter, now this sort of trash I dont mind being left in shelters it went down real well in our hot chocolate.It was starting to snow a little as I got into my bag now I knew that it had been a mistake backloading my winter gear, I got out of my bag and got into every piece of clothing I had. It was going to be a long cold night.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Gravel Springs Hut (SNP)

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Despite the cold I slept a little but rose early, I made some hot chocolate and ate a bagel followed by a lemon flavoured fried pie, the pies have 580 calories each so are a good start to the day. I packed and left Joe and Katie asleep, it was still cold so I was well wrapped including my fleece hat I would strip as it got warmer, "If it got warmer" I climbed the 0.2 miles back to the trail to find the whole trail covered in snow no wonder it was cold.I hiked a short distance before I needed to strip off the first layer of clothing, a short while later I passed a guy hiking North followed shortly by a couple "Storming Norm" and "Water Bear" we chatted for a short while then proceeded on our way. I stopped just off skyline drive and had lunch at Beahms Gap, sitting in the sun I was soon falling asleep a sure sign that I was not getting a good sleep at night the last thing I wanted was to wake up to a bear with his nose in my food bag.My leg was still uncomfortable but not enough at this stage to stop hiking but I was begining to have my doubts. With my leg in mind I would only do a short day today.I passed my first deer of the Shenandoahs almost having to push them off the trail, there is no hunting in the park so the deer have no fear of humans unlike most other parts of the trail where they are running before you even see them.I got to Pass Mtn hut a little before 15:00 and collected wood for a fire then wahed my feet and socks. I ate dinner and then lit the fire and set my socks to dry, toasted socks stink.I am at a low point in moral missing home and family, with my leg also playing a part. I will try to ring home tomorrow if I can get a signal here in the mountains.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

The fire warmed the inside of the shelter until the early hours so I had a better night's sleep I also had been joined by "The Unknown Hiker" he was Northbound. We both rose early ate packed and got under way in opposite directions, I hiked to Thornton Gap where there is a wayside but it was still closed for the winter season so I moved on, there is a fair climb out of Thornton Gap up towards Mary's Rocks I stripped of my warm gear and was in my usual shorts and T shirt when I met a hiker coming down from the rocks saying that it was cold up on top, I can do cold as long as I am moving so I stayed as I was.There were great views over the Shenandoah valley from Mary's Rocks and I could se the town of Luray laid ut below like a small model village. staying on the ridgeline I hiked on past Byrds Nest # 3 and the Pinacle, I crossed Skyline Drive which is the road that cuts through the park like a long grey snake, it also brings the weekend campers from the citys to the various campgrounds in the park. Polution yes but revenue also.I hiked to the Skyline Resort where I entered the commercial world once again I washed and changed out of my T shirt that I had been wearing for three days and even by trail standards was pretty ripe, then went into the restraunt where I intended to have some "town food" I ordered French Onion Soup, Fried Chicken, followed by Blackberry Cobbler and Vanilla Ice Cream and 2 bottles of Sam Adams beer.Once I had eaten I sat outside in the sun and took off my boots for a while. I tried to ring home but had no joy I was still at a bit of a moral low point, I know from experience that a lot of Thru Hikers go through peaks and troughs these low points are just another part of long distance hiking and most people get over them.I got to Rock Spring Shelter and sorted myself out, my leg injury was causing me to change the way I walked this in turn was causing a couple of sore spots that I would need to watch closly over the next few days.I was joined later by a young married couple, Caley and Heidi we got a fire going and had some enjoyable conversation, life did not seem so bad after all.There was a full moon during the night and the deer could be seen clearly moving around the shelter through the night.A day of mixed emotions but ending on a high.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Big meadows Campground
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

I waited for the sun to come over the mountain before getting out of my sleeping bag, iate packed and spoke a little with Casey and Heidi who had come into the shelter last night. I set off to Big Meadows Campground where I hoped to do laundry and take a shower also maybe find the camp store and have a hot lunch. The terain was easy going however my shin and foot was still giving me some trouble I stopped and sorted by foot but the shin splint/stress fracture would just have to wait. I crossed Skyline Drive for the first of a number of crossings I expected today, I plodded on through increasing discomfort though if you could ignore the discomfort it was a great day for hiking.I entered the Big Meadows Campground and found my way to the showers and laundry, showers were $1.00 with Laundry $1.50 which was very good the down side was there was no soap or soap powder for laundry which meant a 2 mile round trip to the camp store for these and change for the machines (Bummer)when I got back my leg was pretty swollen so I got clean and decided that maybe I was going to have to rest up for a while until my leg repaired. I had a shower drying myself on my shirt ( Hikers do not carry towels) then did my laundry, charged my cell phone as I wanted to call home today.I noticed that my right leg was almost twice the size of my left and experience told me that the only cure would be rest I would rest up for the rest of the day and possibly tomorrow to see how it went.I called home and spoke to my wife and son which raised my spirits a little. I went to the Ranger Station and paid $17.00 for a campsite and selected a good one not far from the facilities and set up my tent for the night.Shortly after I set up Caley and Heidi came in and set up next to me, we collected wood for a fire and ate dinner. Good to have company and a fire great moral boosters.