morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-25
From: Jennings Creek

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

September 26 BK- Kurtis and LB called from Wilson Creek Shelter. They made 17 miles to get there. They both sounded rested and relaxed. They were enjoying their Pasta Sides supper when they called. There was nobody else with them at the shelter but they did see Easy Wind and two section hikers named Tony and Rob. There was a crew of hawk watchers at Blackhorse Gap counting migrating hawks. The trail was flat and nice. There is a real water shortage on the trail. Much time was spent collecting what water they could get from a small stream using with a cup. They will go into Daleville to resupply and get LB¢s replacement shoes. Today they will have two thirds of the AT behind them. Wish I could call them and tell them
Date: 2012-09-26
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Stealth Camp near Tinker Creek
Miles today: 15.0

September 27 BK- Kurtis and LB hiked 10 miles to Troutdale/Daleville on Wednesday. They resupplied at the same store that they shopped in when Deb and I picked them up. T LB picked up her new replacement shoes at the outfitters and she feels like she is walking on air.They then walked out of town and up the ridge 1,800¢ about 5 miles out to camp. There is a tremendous shortage of water on the trail right now. They are on ridgelines where the water runs off in every direction and none collects. It is for this reason they both carried a gallon of water apiece. There is supposed to be a water source at Lamberts Meadow Shelter 4 more miles up the trail but they can¢t count on it.It was hot today. But they were happy to know they were 2/3rds done with the AT.
Date: 2012-09-27
From: Stealth Camp near Tinker Creek

To: Catawba Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

September 28 BK- The kids had camped at Hay Rock on Wednesday night. Once again the water source was dry at the next campsite so they moved on. They made the pretty tough climb to McAffee¢s Knob and took allot of pictures. This is a famous place for pictures because you can stand on a shelf over a cliff and see forever. They met no one on the way to take their picture there so they were forced to take pictures of themselves separately.They then hiked to Catawba Mountain Shelter were they had heard there was water. Today they will go to the town of Catawba for resupply.
Date: 2012-09-28
From: Catawba Mtn Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

September 29 BK- We didn¢t hear from Kurtis and LB on Friday. They had planned on going into Catawba for a re-supply and water. They should have crossed the tough section over the Dragons Tooth. The Trail will turn west towards West Virginia. It rained hard last night and will rain most of the day and into the week.
Date: 2012-09-30
From: Near the Dragons Tooth

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: clear sky

September 30 BK- We got a call from the kids about 1:30 from the Audie Murphy Memorial. This is where the most decorated veteran of World War II died in a plane crash in 1971. They had gone into Catawba for short term resupply and their water supply appeared to be ok. Cell service was not too good.They will head to Newport VA for supplies after spending the night in Sarver Hollow Shelter. They are hoping for a laundramat somewhere. Its been two weeks of rain and sweat on their two pairs of clothes. Things are getting a little stinky. Its funny to watch them walk around in their rain gear while they do their laundry. Its the only thing they have to wear when their clothes are in the wash. They still have 674 miles to go to Springer Mountain GA and 210 more miles in Virginia. With over 600 miles of trail Virginia has more miles of AT than any other state. You can get real sick of Virginia.
Date: 2012-10-01
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

October 1 BK- Heard from the kids Sunday about 1:00pm. They had an interesting experience on Saturday. They were trying to get to Newport so they hiked close to the road. Instead of waiting for the morning to get a ride into town they walked the mile to the road. A shot rang out close by. Kurtis and LB came out in time see hunters load up the deer they just shot. It was youth hunt day and a proud 15 year old had just bagged his first deer. The hunters offered them a ride while they went to check in the deer. Kurtis and LB got to ride into Newport in the back of the truck with the dead deer for a short term resupply. A short term resupply means you go to a convenience/gas station type store. They usually don¢t carry much past honey buns and slim jims. There¢s usually nothing you¢d want to live off of for a while. After just enough time for them to re-charge their phone the hunters had finished checking in their deer and offered them a ride back up the road. So back up the road with the dead deer they went back t the AT. They again had to hike the mile back up the trail to the shelter. Two miles re-hiked but worth it for the phone charge and vittles.On Sunday they were trekking towards War path shelter. There still is no Laundromat to be found. Forecast calls for rain till Wednesday. I hope they wear the hunter safety orange markers I bought them.
Date: 2012-10-02
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Symms Gap Meadow
Miles today: 19.0

October 2 BK- The kids are hiking on the West Virginia/Virginia state line and should be coming into Pearisburg VA on Tuesday. Here is the quoted text they sent Monday night around 8:00pm. ¢ Passed Dickenson Gap. Call you tomorrow. We¢re cold and wet. 13 miles to town tomorrow. Can¢t wait for laundry and to get dry¢The forecast calls for more rain on Tuesday.
Date: 2012-10-03
From: Symms Gap Meadow

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

October 3 BK- Kurtis and LB hiked 15 miles into Pearisburg. They got a room at a motel where they could dry out. The motel gave them free use of the washer and dryer. All of the rest of their equipment was hung out in the parking lot when the sun came out to dry. Kurtis said everything was wet.After shopping for resupply they will put in a couple of long days so that Adam Spencer can pick them up at Bland VA for a ride back to his cabin in Ashe County NC. It will be the kids first time they will be home in NC since they left in May. There they will join up with a few friends on Saturday. Kurtis has had a tough time finding stove fuel in small quantities for his MSR stove. This means he¢s had to use unleaded gas or build a fire. The regular unleaded gas has additives that eventually clog up the stove leaving him to tear down it down and clean it up. Fires are hard to build in the rain. Time to use those scout skills.
Date: 2012-10-04
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

October 4 BK- I didn¢t hear from the kids today. The plan was for them to make close to 20 miles. The weather held up so there is a great possibility they did.The trail turned south again away from the West Virginia border towards the little community of Crandon. They will follow a ridgeline again which always means little water. This also means more snakes like the one pictured that they saw last week.
Date: 2012-10-05
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: clear sky

October 5 BK ¢ I only got texts on Thursday. Kurtis and LB spent Wednesday night at Wapiti Shelter and were headed to Jenny Knob. They hope to make the 12 miles to I77 by noon on Friday for Adam Spencer to pick them up. They are now under 600 miles to the finish. I got this email on Thursday: ¢Local from newport gave us a hitch & 3 POUNDS of uncooked country ham for tonite!! we're in the south now! he kept calling me "huuunny"
Date: 2012-10-06
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Bland VA
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

October 6 BK ¢ Only texts from Adam Spencer today. He and Collin picked up Kurtis and LB around 3:30 near Bland VA. They went back to the cabin he built on his family¢s Christmas tree farm near Grayson VA. There they will meet up with 12 friends from home. How they are going to fit all of the people in his little cabin I don¢t know. Look at the other picture of the cabin I posted. It is supposed to rain Saturday and Sunday up there. The directions to the place looked pretty cool. Turn off the pavement in NC and drive on the dirt road into Virginia.
Date: 2012-10-07
From: Bland VA

To: Helton Creek 
Miles today: 0.0

October 8 BK- 12 Good friends came from far and wide to get together with Kurtis and LB. The crowd spent Saturday and Sunday cooking out, target practice, and riding ATVs on Adam Spencer¢s family tree farm. The saying¢ You can¢t get there from here¢ is pretty true with this place. Located in a valley on the NC/VA border you know you are in trouble when you have to ride an ATV a mile into the place. No cell signal and few road signs didn¢t help. When you ride to the top of the hill you have a very beautiful and remote view.Many slept in the cabin while a few of us tented nearby.When everybody awoke on Sunday it was getting cold and raining. This didn¢t them from cooking a large breakfast and hanging out. The time came for Deb and I to take away Kurtis and LB back to the trail. The kids really appreciated having such good friends and look forward to being with them back home. Deb and I got a small taste of what they have been dealing with when we packed our wet tent up and packed out soaking wet like they do every week. It made us feel better to get them a motel room where they could dry out and enjoy a warm shower. Tomorrow they hike plan on putting in another 15 miles. They hope to meet up with Kurtis¢s brother Evan next weekend. They are getting closer to home. 580 miles to go.
Date: 2012-10-08
From: Bland

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

October 9 BK- We didn¢t hear from the kids today. The weather looked very bad. Light rain and cold. A hard rain was on the way for the night. Temperatures were in the 30s Monday night. I feel better that we changed out LBs summer sleeping bag for her winter one and I brought them each a quilted army field jacket liner. The rain will stop and the sun will shine but its going to get colder.There was a shelter 13 miles from Bland. This was a little under their goal of 15 miles. We¢ll see how far they got when we talk later.
Date: 2012-10-09
From: Jenkins Creek

To: Lynn Creek Campsite?
Miles today: 30.0

October 10 BK- Heard from the kids about 6:00 Tuesday via phone while they were still hiking. They had a tough day on Monday with light rain and cold all day. They made it to Jenkins Shelter. Both said they stayed warm but had some trouble with coughing.On Tuesday they were trying to make 17 miles to camp near a stream or river. They were to camp with another flip flop couple from PA, Bob and Brandy, that they met up north. It was their hope that they could make it to Atkins tomorrow, re-supply for one day, hike to Marion VA on Thursday and then possibly meet up with Evan on Friday.
Date: 2012-10-10
From: Lynn Creek Campsite

To: Near old 18
Miles today: 17.0

October 11 BK ¢ Heard from the kids late while they were warming by the fire with another couple Bob and Brandy. They made 17 miles to Atkins on Wednesday. They had a great lunch of burgers at The Barn Grill and then resupplied on gas station food for the night. They plan to make Marion on Thursday and catch up with Evan for a short visit and pick up their new raincoats. They hope to make TN by next weekend.Its getting colder. Every time they stop they have to put their jackets back on. LB¢s winter bag is working too good. Its tough to get out of it in the morning. A fire is now welcome where before they didn¢t bother with it. They are burning through food and their packs are heavier with winter gear. There is no REI gear for these these two with self-inflicted poverty. 90 miles of Virginia left and 540 miles of AT.
Date: 2012-10-11
From: Near old 18

To: Hwy 16 MRNWA
Miles today: 0.0

October 12 BK- No word from the kids today. Evan will meet up with them to deliver their new rain gear somewhere near the entrance of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. They will catch up with each other for a few days next weekend. This week Kurtis and LB will arrive at the Mount Rogers/ Grayson Highlands area where the mountain balds are kept clear by herds of wild ponies. Here is a picture of Kuris with the ponies in 2009. This is a place where he has been many times. LB will enjoy this place.
Date: 2012-10-12
From: Troutville, VA

To: Grayson Highlands Area
Miles today: 0.0

Evan got to Kurtis late on Friday night with the raincoats. Kurtis and LB set up a camp not far from the road and waited for Evan to honk the horn. Evan was going to bring them supper too. Never got to talk to either of the kids after that,.The kids got a special treat Thursday night when they met a nice couple who invited them to share a birthday meal with them. They got a ride out, did some shopping, the folks took them home, cooked for them and then dropped them off.
Date: 2012-10-15
From: Grayson Highlands Area

To: Damascus
Miles today: 67.0
Weather: light rain

October 15 BK- Sorry for the lapse in journals. I¢ve been away. We have had very limited contact from the kids. Kurtis and LB met up with Evan and Laura after several tries on Friday night. Evan drove 2 hours to get there but with limited cell signal it was tough to find each other. A gentleman who lived near the road connected the two after several attempts. Evan brought 12 double cheeseburgers for them and they ate every one. Kurtis and LB will be in Evan¢s area of Tennessee next week for a visit.A text on Saturday from another person¢s phone put them in the Grayson Highlands/Mount Rogers area. They have been traveling with another couple who is also flip flopping. They will be in Damascus on Monday and will soon enter Tennessee.Attached is a picture of Kurtis passing through the "Fat Man's Squeeze" in 2009. There is a blue blaze around the opstacle. But in true fashion for the Crazy Birds they won't take the easier detour. There has been no yellow, blue or gray blazing nor any slack packing since these guys left last May.
Date: 2012-10-16
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

October 16 BK- Kurtis and Laura Beth spent the day in Damascus at a Methodist hostel called The Place. The Place has bunks, showers and near a place to do laundry. Kurtis and LB will use the tent space for better sleeping. Kurtis and LB, along with their hiking partners, Bob and Brandy, bought steaks and potatoes for supper. A kind gentleman named Cowboy microwaved the potatoes. The town was full of seasonal hikers and bicyclists from the Creeper Trail. The plan again is to make Evan¢s by Friday.
Date: 2012-10-17
From: Damascus

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

October 17 BK- Kurtis and LB crossed into Tennessee on Tuesday. This is a very important milestone because there are more trail miles in Virginia than any other state at almost 550 miles. They have enjoyed Virginia. The trail has been much kinder and the views spectacular. It also helps that they have had four visits from family and friends since they have gotten closer. It has also been good to have another couple to hike with as well. They sounded happy on the phone. Finally the spiritual third of the trip has arrived?Kurtis and LB have 457 miles to go and 1727 miles are behind them. Evan¢s house on Friday.
Date: 2012-10-18
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

October 18 BK- I talked to two very happy hikers yesterday that reminded me that they had just finished their 5th month on the Trail. Kurtis told me that many people would have been done by now. Both agreed that they have only one month to go before they finish and they plan on enjoying it. The leaves are beautiful. LB talked about the mountains being on fire with color. The weather has been mild too.They planned on making 17 miles to Iron Mountain Shelter. They spent the night with Bob and Brandy along with section hikers, Jet Boil, Corolla, and Rolling Stone. They will go to Iron Mountain BB Hostel Thursday. Kurtis and LB will hike another 16 miles past Watauga Lake to Kincora Hostel on Friday then wait for Evan to pick them up.
Date: 2012-10-19
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 28.0

October 19 BK- Kurtis and LB called yesterday to check on the progress of Kurtis¢s grandfather¢s surgery. All seemed to be going well for them. Evan is to pick them up today near Hampton TN and take them, along with Brandy and Bob, back to Evan and Laura¢s house. They will kick back, do a little shopping and laundry.
Date: 2012-10-20
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Johnson City, TN
Miles today: 0.0

October 20 BK- I got calls from Evan and Kurtis yesterday that they had found each other and were on their way back to Evan and Laura¢s. I have no idea how they managed to get 5 people in Evan¢s car with packs. Usually Evan¢s car is a sample case on wheels.Kurtis and LB stayed at the Kincora Hostel near Hampton TN on Thursday night. When Kurtis went to set up his tent outside the owner told Kurtis about a tree house they had on the property. That¢s where Kurtis and LB spent the night.Kurtis had lots of great things to say about the owner, Bob Peoples. As a former Vietnam War fighter pilot, Bob had lots of stories to tell. I¢m sure that Kurtis was the only person under 50 Bob met who actually knew what a Delta Dagger jet was.
Date: 2012-10-21
From: Johnson City, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

October 21 BK ¢ Sounds like the kids had a good time together. Bob and Brandy fit in like members of the family. By the time Evan picked them up on Friday, Kurtis and LB had done all the showering, shopping and laundry. This left plenty of time to have fun and enjoy each other¢s company. They ate Mexican food. Evan was amazed at the volume of food that they consume yet remain so skinny. Many laughs were shared. As always it¢s mandatory at Evan¢s to go to the Flea Market. Evan bought an artillery shell and Kurtis got a picture of a WWII plane. By 4:30 on Saturday they were back on the trail. As Evan said, they were happy and having fun but are ready to finish the hike. They are ready to get home.
Date: 2012-10-22
From: Campsite on the Elk River

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

October 22 BK- Today the kids cross HWY 19e. They are for the first time in familiar territory. They will walk into North Carolina for the first time since they left. Kurtis will also be on a trail that he and I have taken many times as a Boy Scout and as a college kid. Kurtis and LB also used this run up Doll Flats to Overmountain Shelter as a training run in April.If time permits they will also hitch into Roan Mountain TN and stop at Bob¢s Dairyland for a Boss Burger. Two beef patties, bacon, ham and two kinds of cheese make it a huge burger. It is tradition that we stop there every time we hike in the Roan Mtn. area. Our Scout Troop took 28 people there after a long hike last month. LB has told every SOBO about it since they turned around. I¢m sure they will make the time to take Bob and Brandy there.
Date: 2012-10-23
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

October 23 BK- Got a call from Kurtis about 12 that they had just finished their Boss Burgers and were hitching back to the trail. Then I got a text from Kurtis around 7:30 that they had made it to Overmountain Victory Shelter. The shelter is an old barn that has been converted into a shelter that holds about 20 people. The barn was used as a backdrop of the 80¢s movie ¢Winter People¢ with Kurt Russell, Lloyd Bridges and Kelly McGinnis. This shelter has a cooking platform and a privy with a view. The mice at this shelter are world famous. Evan left his gorp in his pack there one night and the mice ate a hole in one side of his pack, ate all the gorp, and then ate their way out the other side of the pack. There are strings hung from the rafters with upside down empty tuna cans for you to hang your packs for the purpose of keeping out the critters. On their shakedown hike in April a bear chased them to this shelter. There¢s lots of critters around.The OverMountain name comes from the Overmountain Trail which follows the same path that Tennessee volunteers (The Over Mountain Boys) took during the Revolutionary War to defeat a British Loyalist army at Kings Mountain, NC. This group was made of volunteers that just showed up and started walking over the mountains into NC picking up more and more volunteers along the way. Once the group achieved the victory they all packed up and went home. Now you know why Tennesseans call themselves ¢Vols¢ which is short for the Volunteers. Don¢t know why they chose orange though.The mountain tops are free of trees in many places so you can see very far. It was one of the most beautiful valleys I have ever seen. Up until this year the valley was empty of any visible houses or development. This spring a mansion was started on one of the hills above and it sticks out like a pimple on the face of this pristine wilderness. Kurtis¢s next text joked that they were planning on burning down the mansion tonight. Only a joke368 Miles to go.
Date: 2012-10-24
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Near Beauty Spot
Miles today: 15.0

October 24 BK- I got a call from Kurtis atop Roan High Knob about 3:00pm. He was checking on the condition of his Grandfather once again. Everything seemed to be ok up on the mountain. The views were pretty and the weather fantastic. They were hiking alone at the time to the Clyde Smith Shelter. They should pass Unicoi and camp somewhere near Beauty Spot.
Date: 2012-10-25
From: Stealth camp near Beauty Spot

To: Near Erwin
Miles today: 17.0

October 25 BK- Kurtis checked on his grandfather again on Wednesday. Both Kurtis and LB said that the mountains were getting taller and steeper. They planned on camping in the Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area near Beauty Spot. Will try to meet back up with Bob and Brandy in Erwin today. They will lose time shopping for re-supply.
Date: 2012-10-26
From: Beauty Spot

To: Erwin
Miles today: 42.0
Weather: broken clouds

October 26 BK- Kurtis and LB called in today several times. They spent the night in a motel in Erwin TN after rejoining Bob and Brandy. Now when we talk the topics are of their homecoming, jobs, and new home. The thought of return home is scary. Kurtis says he could live in the woods forever but LB says no way. Either way the reality of the end of the trail is on their mind. I guess they found the spiritual side after all.While in Erwin the kids resupplied, did laundry, and took care of business. LB hates the shopping part. She says she wished she didn¢t eat so much. Soon it will be time to cut back on the 5,000 calories a day. How do you go on a diet when you are so skinny already? But for now they will need every bit of the food as the cold weather begins to barrel through. Snow flurries are expected for Monday.
Date: 2012-10-27
From: Erwin

To: Spiveys's Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

October 27 BK- Kurtis and LB called in again to check in on Pop Pop. I¢m happy to report that Kurtis¢s grandfather is stabilized and doing ok. The kids hiked 12 miles to a stealth camp near Spivey¢s Gap. They were heavy with food from Erwin and climbed the 2,000 feet up the mountain from the Nolichucky River. They hope to make it to Hogback Ridge Shelter. They will pass I-26 today at Sam's Gap. Rain is in the forecast. The mountains will dodge the massive storm coming up the coast. Cold weather is to follow. It will be the first hard freeze in the mountains.