morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This was our first zero day and was spent at Trailfest.My journal entries have probably been somewhat depressing to read. Just the facts, figures, and a good deal of discussion of my physical pain. What has not come through is the incredible beauty that I see every day. From the mountain tops covered with Spring Beauty, a small pink/white flower, to the hillsides of trilliums, or the towhees singing in the mountain meadows. You go through a transition from just worrying if you can make the first 30 miles, or the first 100 miles? Will the knees last? Will my spirit last?We had been told to expect a very difficult day coming out of Fontana Dam into the Smokies. We would be carrying 12 pounds of food and 6 pounds of water and the climb out would be very steep. The food and water part was correct but the trail was a gentle grade and extremely well groomed. We got to the first shelter and spoke with an ATC ridge runner. He encouraged us to hike to the second shelter since there was room but warned us that the 3rd shelter (Spence Field) was already full from reservations. They like to keep the first shelter open for late arrivals.During the second day the trail became much more difficult but the surroundings were beautiful. There were alpine meadows full of birds, mountain vistas, and beauty everywhere.It was at this point that I realized I felt like I was in a race and needed to move at my own pace and enjoy my surroundings. I now try to make a point to at least hike part of my day alone and at my own pace. I have stopped to photograph the hundreds of wild flowers that abound on the hillsides. I will try to include more of these highlights in my entries.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC - 270.7

To: Allen Gap - 285.4
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: Hot Springs - 270.7End: - Allen Gap - 285.4We got a late start from town around 9:45 sometime after a farewell from Mignon's family who will also shuttle Mac's truck ahead to Erwin, TN.There was a good deal of climbing today with the high temps in the low 80's. We made the first shelter by around 4:00 today but we decided to push on to the gap where the book said there was a spring. Suspect was ahead of us and had picked this as the evening camping spot. When we got to the gap (and road crossing) the spring was not running and Suspect was no where to be found. We dug out the spring and got it flowing in hopes that it would be clear enough to get water in the morning and then we set up camp near the road. We were harassed by locals whooping from their car during the night.Mignon, Mac, Privy Winks, and I are here for the night. We saw a number of large shag bark hickory trees today and Mignon and Mac saw a bear about 30 minutes before they reached camp.We passed Radar, Bytecode, Chuck Norris & Tigger, Wishbone, and a few others back at the shelter today. So far we have been passed by G-force, who is now days ahead of us, Ipod & Big Daddy, and Michgan Wolverine & Hong Kong Fuey! who are about 1 day ahead of us.It seems we have been passing people who started as much as 2 weeks ahead of us who hike fast during the day but spend a lot of zero days in town.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Allen Gap - 285.4

To: Shelton Graves site - 300.6
Miles today: 15.2

Start: Allen Gap - 285.4End: Shelton Graves site - 300.6The spring was still not clear this morning. This should be noted as NOT a reliable water source for future hikers. We did find a nearby spring that was pointed out ot us by a local. If you go right on the road (NoBO Hikers) and go past the old stone block gas station there is a piped spring in the form of a plastice pipe tied to a tree at waist height. It is about 30 feet past the building on the right.A pretty uneventful day. Extremely hot - 3 different thermometers recorded in the mid 90's at the shelter at lunch time.The trail is very crowded with the knot of thru-hikers coming out of Trailfest @ Hot Springs. We pushed passd the shelter because it more crowded and camped at the Shelton Graves site. There are various versions of the story but basically these are the graves of local boys who fought for the North during the Civil War. They had returned home to visit or recruit and were discovered and killed by the Confederates. Their 12 year old cousin who had come out to meet them was killed as well.The ground was very soft and firewood was abundant. There was a great sunset and sunrise plus a bright full moon. No spirits visited us however.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Shelton Graves site - 300.6

To: Just Past Sam's Gap - 315.2
Miles today: 14.6

Start: Shelton Grave Sites - 300.6End: Just Past Sam's Gap - 315.2Another hot day on the trail. We went through a lot of water which we have to purify with a pump/filter.I have noticed that we had seen a lot of beautiful Holly Trees in Georgia but they seemed to disappear as we reached the higher elevations in the Smokies. We finally spotted one coming into Hot Springs and then 2 more as we were climbing back out but since then I have seen no others. Spring foliage and leaves on the trees seems to start below 3,500 feet.Mignon had wanted to eat @ a diner 3 miles from the road crossing @ Sam's Gap but it was a small road. Six of us waited for over an hour but no cars came by. Pyro, Robo, and Radar finally gave up and hiked on. I hiked out about 15 minutes later and heard a car as I reached the top of the hill. Mignon and Mac got a ride to a small market from a local man but the diner had closed @ 2:00 pm. The man waited and gave them a ride back to the trail since he said that no cars ever go on that road.Our cell phones worked in that area so I called to confirm they got a ride and find out what they were doing. They picked up hot dogs, Gatorade, and juice and told me to build a camp fire at the first camp site which I had found about 3/4 a mile in. The site was not suitable for a safe fire so I stashed my pack and walked back to the trailhead to carry the groceries since they had their packs. We hiked on for about another mile until we found a good place to camp with a safe fire ring. We had hot dogs roasted over the fire for dinner and boiled hotdogs for breakfast.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Just Past Sam's Gap - 315.2

To: Spivey Gap - 327.5
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: broken clouds

Start:Just passed Sam's Gap - 315.2End:Spivey Gap - 327.5Very hot again. I ran out of water twice and pump 12 liters in all which can be quite time consuming. The crowd is still with us and people are rushing towards Erwin and Miss Janet's, a popular hostel. When we got to the top of Big Bald Mtn there were so many hikers on top that it looked as though a tour bus had just dropped off a load of passengers.The heat has really slowed our progress. Between the heat and humidity it is hard to get a breath while climbing with a full pack.When we got to Spivey Gap we weighed our options:1) Camp past the next shelter - 4.9 miles2) Hike all the way to Erwin - 11.2 miles and arrive around mid-night3) Call Miss Janet's for a shuttle pickup and light pack the 11.2 miles the next day when the forecast called for rai±.We left the decision up to Mignon who opted for the shuttle pick up and light pack. Miss Janet's was full so we wound up at the Holiday Inn Express.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Spivey Gap - 327.5

To: Erwin - 338.7
Miles today: 11.2

Start: Spivey Gap - 327.5End: Erwin - 338.7We light packed this section. There was high heat and humidity with thunder showers forecast. The air is thick with smoke from the wild fires in Georgia that seems to be trapped in under the cloud cover.We stopped @ the shelter for lunch and got maybe a mile past when the skys opened up with a cold torrential rain and flashes of lightning which lasted about an hour.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Erwin - 338.7

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - 342.9
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: light rain

Start: Erwin - 338.7End: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - 342.9Rain held off in the morning but the forecasts vary from 50% to 70% chance of rain. Stopped @ Curley Maple Gap Shelter for lunch. We were debating about going on to Beauty Spot Gap or Deep Gap to camp. The sun is out but there is at least a 50% chance of rain. Just about the time we were ready to push on the sky got dark. Then the sun would would come back out. The next shelter was too far to reach before dark so we flipped a coin to decide. Staying put won. About 3:00 pm it began to thunder, lightening, and then the downpour began. Tony the Tiger and Tennessee Jed are here for the night as wellThere are several terms used on the trail to describe hiking styles and hikers. You hear a lot of "Hike Your Own Hike" (HYOH) which originally meant hike at your own pace and with the equipment you want.Slackpacking means to hike a section of the trail with no pack or just a day pack. You then get a ride back into town and start in the morning with your pack where you left off. Most thru-hikers will slack pack a few times during a hike.A Blue-Blazer is someone who uses side trails to avoid hard climbs and mountain tops or to save mileage.A Yellow-Blazer is someone who skips whole sections of the trail and follows the yellow lines on the road.A Purist is someone who faithfully passes every white blaze even if you have to backtrack a mile from the shelter rather than follow the loop. We are purists in that sense.In the past few years the term HYOH has been distorted by people who blue blaze, yellow blaze, and slack pack in both directions off a summit to avoid a climb, as thru-hiking. While we occasionaly "light" pack (carry just what we need to survive a night), we always pass every blaze, always travel from south to north, and we climb every peak. There are people who make an art form out of slack packing in order to avoid as much physical effort as possible and yet they still call themselves thru-hikers. The ATC says 26% of those who start a thru-hike finish but it is generally accepted that only about 10% of those who start actually hike the entire trail. There is no certification or governing body just the honor system that when you claim thru-hiker status you really have walked past every blaze on the entire trail in a single season. You can tell, some hikers just stand a litte taller on Katahdin.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter - 342.9

To: Cherry Gap Shelter - 355.1
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Start: Curley Maple Shelter - 342.9End: Cherry Gap Shelter - 355.1Very foggy and light rain. Beauty Spot is socked in with clouds and fog so no views but interesting pictures of the trees. This is another difficult day for me mentally. I am ready to do more miles and spend less time in towns and hotels. The rain has dampened my spirits. I just need to keep pushing on. From everything I have read thru-hiking is more of a mental challenge than a physical one.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Cherry Gap Shelter - 355.1

To: Roan High Knob Shelter - 370.3
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

A big day of climbing to the top of Roan Mtn. I arrived about 45 minutes before dark. Four college students from Georgia Tech had a fire ready to go. Tony the Tiger is here as well. Was not sure Mac and Buttercup would make it but they arrived just before dark. The big fire was nice since it was a very cold night. Water left outside froze overnight. The shelter is an old fire cabin with 4 walls, a door, and windows complete with an upper level. The 4 students took the loft and Tony, Buttercup, Mac, and I took the bottom. The morning temperature got up to 39 degrees inside after having the stoves going.By the way, ignore "Trip Miles" as it is being calculated incorrectly. The actual trip mileage is indicated after the destination.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Roan High Knob Shelter - 370.3

To: Just past Bear Branch Road - 386.0
Miles today: 15.7

Start: Roan Mtn Shelter - 370.3End: Just past Bear Branch Road - 386Big day over the balds and the weather was pretty hot. Hump Mtn just went on forever with several false summits. Stopped @ Overmountan Shelter for lunch which is a converted barn. There are still tons of people slack packing downhill to avoid the climbs. This involves hiring a shuttle to drive you to the highest road crossing then walking with no pack in reverse direction {South} to avoid any physical effort. Then on the next day get a ride to the same spot and walk down the other side and get picked up at the next road crossing. Each night is spent in a hotel or hostel and dinner is in town. This practice has angered a lot of people who consider themselves "legitimate" thru-hikers out here carrying packs and walking in the rain. There also seems to be some people just skipping sections. They will be 2 or 3 days behind taking a few zero days then all of a sudden they pop up in a shelter register 2 days ahead. This is called Yellow-blazing since they got a ride and followed the yellow dotted line. If these people are struggling now they will be shocked when {or if} they reach New Hampshire. I have been told that another big group will drop out after Trail Days in Damascus, VA on 5/17/07 - 5/17/07 when they run out of money or when "the party" is over. It seems many people are bending the rules and distorting the meaning of Hike Your Own Hike to allow for this type of hiking to be called a thru-hike.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Just past Bear Branch Road

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

Started with some climbs and we passed a crooked old tree in a meadow which made for great pictures. Brisk wanted to climb it to wait for Blaze but could not reach any bottom branches so I hoisted her up and she climbed on my shoulders and into the tree.We walked out to Jones Falls for a great view and a short break. Later we had lunch at the new Mountaineer Shelter which was lst year's Hardcore Project. It was a very scenic day on "low land" terrain. The leaves are on the trees at this lower elevation but it is more humid.I hiked with Pyro after lunch who is a section hiker from Orlando and was great company. He is finishing a section that will give him a total of 600 trail miles to date.At the end of the day the climbs seemed to go on forever. You would think climbing would be easy by now.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora - Dennis Cove Rd
Miles today: 6.1

Start: Moreland Gap Shelter - 403.2End: Kincora - Dennis Cove Rd -409.3A short day. We spent the afternoon in town for food and resupply after shower and laundry @ Kincora Hostel which is run by Bob Peoples and his wife. Bob is a renowned trail maintainer and organizer of the Hardcore Projects.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Kincora - Dennis Cove Rd

To: Lake Watauga Shore
Miles today: 11.7

Start:Kincora - 409.3End:Lake Watauga Shore - 421.0An easy start along the river and past the water falls. I scared a large snake from the trail but could not identify it.The trail is poorly blazed in this area and there are many other well used trails by the river. The new leaves obscured the double blaze indicating an intersection where the trail leaves the river so we continued on the larger trail for quite awhile along the river until we came to an intersection marked with only blue blazes. We had to backtrack in order to find the trail and probably walked an additional mile. There were numerous boot prints where we had gone so we were not alone in our mistake. When we got back we marked the turn with arrows made from sticks and stones and put brush in front of the wrong trail.When we got back on the trail the climb was incredibly steep and poorly maintained up Pond Flats Mtn. The weather was extremely hot and humid. After going over the mountain there was a sign facing the other direction that said we had gone through a wilderness area and there were restrictions on trail maintenance so the trail was more difficult than normal.When we got to the shelter there were no good tent sites and the shelter was not even near the lake so we moved on and found a tent site on the shore. Getting into my tent after dark I discovered what was probably a baby rattler or copperhead (9") trying to get into my tent.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Lake Watauga Shore

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

Start: Lake Watauga Shore - 421End: Iron Mtn Shelter - 433.6A short day over rolling hills. Into camp around 3:30 after filling up on water at the spring before the shelter. Buttercup was having a tough morning and we had stopped about an hour at a spring in the morning. I figure she would not have too many more miles in her so I set up camp. She and Mac came in later in the day recovered but it was too late to make the next shelter and there are very good tent sites here. The bugs are out so the shelter is empty and there are 6 tents set up here. Last night our tent site was scenic with the lake but the ground was hard and sloped so it made for a tough night.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: broken clouds

Start: Iron Mtn Shelter - 433.6End: Damascus, VA - 459.6I started out with trying to make Damascus in the back of my mind but took my time talking to people along the trail. I have had a long day pent up inside and I was ready. I am just waiting to see how hard the trail is, how hot it gets, and how the blisters hold up.The first 8 miles were a breeze and I covered them in just over 3 hours including time talking with a turkey hunter about the AT who said, "I heard that trail goes all the way to Maine," as well as Mountain Squid from Whiteblaze who had come to do some trail magic and post some NOBO sightings on Whiteblaze. I was already a 1/4 mile past his truck in an open field talking with the hunter so I thanked him and declined. We talked about who was where on the trail from the list he kept.After lunch the trail was a little harder but not too bad so I made good time. Again I ran into trail magic. This time it was 3 ladies and a young man from the Damascus Methodist Church at a picnic table in Low Gap. They had bins of cookies, candy, chips, crackers, sodas, juice, iced tea, plus sample size shampoo, deodorant, razors, etc.I arrived @ the next shelter around 3:30 pm with 16 miles down and 10 more to Damascus. I had not seen Mac or Buttercup since I had left the shelter in the morning even though I had stopped to talk and spent 40 minutes at lunch and another 40 minutes at the trail magic. I was unsure what to do so I waited another 20 minutes but day light was running out. I decided to go for it and left word for them with Tony the Tiger. There was a good deal of climbing but I was still making good time. I finally got cell service on a ridge so I called to leave Mac a voice mail but he answered his phone. He told me they had arrived at the last shelter just 10 minutes after I had left and they were following me in. They had missed the trail magic which had saved them time plus my 20 minute wait at the shelter had allowed them to catch up. I waited for them on the ridge and we walked into Damascus together arriving @ 7:38 and walked straight into Sciliy Pizza with our packs on for pizza. Afterwards, Mac and I tented at The Place (the bunks were only bare plywood) and Buttercup got a room @ a B&B.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Start: Damascus - 459.6End: Damascus - 459.6Day Miles: Zero DaySuffered through cold showers this morning @ The Place. This is a church hostel that is run on the honor system for a $4 per person/night donation with the work being done by the hikers. It was pretty crowded so we looked for better lodging and hot showers for our second night in town. We need the rest but we would get a better night sleep on the trail rather than The Place. Damascus is already starting to fill with hikers waiting for Trail Days. We were able to find a spot at the Hiker's Inn for $20/per night which had bunks with real linens and hot showers. There were only 4 bunks in the bunk house and a private room which Buttercup rented. Our host, Susan, threw in a fantastic breakfast as well. There are so many chores to do in town. The day becomes very hectic with planning how much food is needed, laundry, shopping for food, fuel, etc. and gear repair/replacement.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Damascus, VA

To: Pond Campsite 
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Start: Damascus - 459.6End: Pond Campsite - 471.2It was a pretty good climb out of Damascus after a late start. The trail was in good shape and there were plenty of switchbacks to help level the climb. I did not bother going in the 1/4 mile into Saunders Shelter since I did not need water.We camped at the pond campsite but I had to dig out the spring which was filled with muck. The trail had been rerouted around the other side of the pond so it cut right through the camp area. Since we arrived close to dark we figured anyone coming through would be using a head light and see our tents. It turned out Circdian did just that as he passed through after dark.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Pond Campsite 

To: Grayson Highlands
Miles today: 16.8

Start: Pond Campsite - 471.2End: Grayson Highlands - 488.0Today was a fairly long day of climbing up to the Grayson Highlands to camp with the wild ponies. The day was complete with apples from "Chief" and "Hammock Hanger" as trail magic on Whitetop Mountain near a beautiful spring that ran from a pipe at around 3 gallons a minute.Then in the next gap "65 & Alive" for everyone before our last long climb. It was here that Ox posted "au natural" with the cows for his upcoming calendar.We got to the shelter close to dark and had to pump water before going a 1/2 mile further to camp. The spring was very slow and we drew it down about 1/3 just filling our water and pumping 3 liters for another hiker who had no cup.It was cold and dusk by the time we set camp. A small herd of ponies watched us set camp and then moved off for the night. In the morning I was awakened by clomping around outside my tent and then a large nose pressed against my tent fly. The ponies had come to call and brought their young colts with them. They licked salt from our hands and nosed about our tents looking for food. This was a real treat.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Grayson Highlands

To: Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Start: Grayson Highlands - 488.0End: Hurricane Mtn Shelter - 502.4After breakfast with the ponies, we began to climb through the rest of the highlands. Just after lunch the wind began to blow and the rain moved in. It was a pretty light rain at first so my clothes got no wetter than they normally would from sweat. I had stayed behind at the shelter at lunch time to talk to the ATC ridge runner so I was about 30 minutes behind Mac & Buttercup. I put my rain gear on and and then took it off several times. In hot weather and light rain you get wetter from sweating inside of it. When I got to Old Orchards Shelter it had been raining pretty hard and 3 young guys told me that Mac & Buttercup planned to hitch out to a hostel @ the next road crossing because Buttercup was afraid the next shelter would be full and did not want to tent in the rain. It was still early and I debated whether to stay or push on when the sun came out so I decided to go for it. At 4:30 the skies opened up. It rained so hard and so fast I did not have a chance to get my rain gear on. I tried to get shelter under a tree but the drips from the leaves were heavier than the rain drops. Soon the trail was an inch deep in water, then 3", then 5" in some spots. I was happy to get to Hurricane shelter and find room as well as Mac & Buttercup. The message they had left was IF this shelter was full they were hiking to the next road crosing to hitch to a hostel.