morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Standing Bear Farms Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

April 25, 2010 ¢ Day 20 ¢ Sunday"I had made the choice to become a participant in my life, not just a spectator. It was time to look up, to smile and dance-my own dance.'   ~Winton PorterYesterday finally turned out to be a good day to zero. About noon we could look up the mountain behind Standing Bear Farm and see the dark ominous rain clouds. The heavy rain didn't come in until dark thirty. Another bonus-Truth talked a shuttle driver into taking several of us hikers to the Cracker Barrel for dinner.Woke up early to get a head start in the morning coolness to climb Snowbird Mountain. Another reason was to avoid the predicted afternoon rains and to hopefully get good views on Max Patch. Truth got up with me and we had a breakfast of Cream of Wheat. By 6:19am we were on the trail. Talking and climbing made the hike up to Snowbird go by quickly. 9:15am and we were on the top enjoying magnificent views of the Smokies.In the early afternoon Truth and I climbed Max Patch. It is a large bald with soft grass for a floor, and a 360 degree panorama view of some of finest mountain scenery in North Carolina. I played the part of Greyhound and spread my arms out and yelled, 'And that's why I hike" (yes, Lady Kritter, there was a road not too far away). The weather held and the sun came out. The mountains were crisp and a strong refreshing cool wind was hitting us in the face. Truth was running like a little kid through the short grass with a smile that went from ear to ear.The rest of the afternoon we hiked around several mountain valleys, crossed creeks and at times just sat and relaxed ourselves by small waterfalls.Today was one of those days that makes an adventure epic.If not now, then when? KrispyKritter GaMe 2010
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: A pond north of Pump Gap
Miles today: 18.0

April 26, 2010 ¢ Day 21 ¢ Monday"I never think about the future...it comes soon enough."   ~Albert EinsteinLast night about 9:30 Truth was awakened when he heard one of his tarp guidelines pop. Then he heard something at his backpack hanging on a tree. Truth shines his headlamp at his pack and is confronted by a large bear and shouts out. "BEAR IN CAMP!" I am tenting 50 yards from the shelter and think the yelling is a new arrival at the shelter. Meanwhile Truth gets out of his hammock and sees a 350 lb. black bear and yells again BEAR IN CAMP! Headlamps come on and the bear has had enough and runs away into the night. Truth's backpack survived the bear's assault and after the excitement died down Truth realized he just confronted a bear only a few feet away.Everyone in the shelter and tenting area were up early because we were only 13 miles from Hot Springs, NC, the first official town the AT goes through. The trail is an uneventful walk through green tunnels of rhododendron and pine forest. Rain made the hike a slippery and messy morning of travel.By lunch-thirty I was in Hot Springs. My visit was not a pleasant one. It had nothing to do with the town. It has always been a great town. My trouble was nothing seemed to go my way. One event after another snow balled my frustration. It has been a long time since this has happened to me. First, AT&T doesn't work in the area, so I can't call and talk to Lady Kritter. Second, I can¢t call the small computer company, the Peek, which I use to journal and receive e-mails. The unit will not receive e-mails sent to me and will turn on and off on its own. I tried calling on another hiker's phone and was put on hold. I went to re-supply and didn't like my choices. Tried using the pay phones in town; one was used by a hiker for hours, the other on the way out of town was out of service. Lunch sucked. I needed to get out of town and back into the woods. I found Truth, told him I was leaving and would see him up the trail. He had a puzzled look on his face. I explained it all to him later. As I walked out of town it started raining.I crossed the French Broad River and started the climb up the cliffs that overlooked the town. The rage that built up inside me fueled my assault on the climb. The higher I got the calmer I became. By the time the sounds of town and the highway were gone I was refreshed in the peace and quite of the mountain woods.Five miles away from the madness of the town events I found a campsite above a pond created by a dam in the middle of nowhere. I throw all my negativity into the air as the wind and rain roar outside my tent. Tomorrow is a new day.If not now, then when? KrispyKritter GaMe 2010
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: At No Business Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

April 29, 2010 ¢ Day 24 - Thursday"You never know where you are going...until you get there." Richard WelchSams Gap was only 2 1/2 miles away with a cafe and store nearby. Food was on everybody¢s mind so the shelter activities started before sunrise. I stayed in the shelter so I could also get an early start with minimum of packing. I looked up to see the sunrise through the trees and passing above the mountain tops. Towards the west the big full moon in a light orange glow was just setting.I was the first one out of the shelter and could hear the traffic of I-26. Interstate meant AT&T so I called Lady Kritter as I descended into Sams Gap. I did not want to feel the vortex of the civilized world so I crossed under I-26 and headed up the other side of the gap. The climb was gradual and constant until just before Big Bald. The final climb was hard but the reward on top of Big Bald (elevation 5516 ft.) was breathtaking.I set up my lunch spot on top of Big Bald next to the surveyor marker. A 4x4 post with a white blaze was next to the marker. I took my umbrella strapped it to the post and had a nice shady spot on a sunny bald. The downside of Big Bald was a section of mountain that has been topped, scarred with linear lines call roads and pockmarked with houses and multi-story condos scoffing the landscape. The other points of the compass provided beautiful views of mountains and so those were the locations I chose to reflect on. I laid out my gear in the grass to be recharged by the mountain air and the sun. I fell asleep under the shade and woke up an hour later refreshed and ready to move on. Legend came up as I was leaving and told me about the breakfast at the cafe.The rest of the afternoon was a walk through mountain woods. Crossed Spivey Gap and walked along Ogelsby Branch. The trail leveled off for a nice walk along mountain valleys. Massive blow downs of large trees dotted the trail. Again, trail crews have done a marvelous job of clearing the trail.I met Bismark, Earthling, Logos at No Business Knob Shelter. Truth came in late with more stories of the cafe breakfast and how he had a 5th cup of coffee for me.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Hughes Gap
Miles today: 9.2

May 2, 2010 - Day 27 - Sunday"You either GO where you want to go-or you don't get there." Geff McAllisterLast night there was discussion between those of us that slacked packed with me from Iron Mountain Gap. The weather was taking a turn for the worse and the decision by-At Troll, Truth, Bismark. Limestone and myself was where to orient ourselves for safety. We could stay at Uncle Johnny¢s, leave in the morning for the first shelter and see what the weather would do, then maybe push on to Roan Mountain Shelter. Most of us wanted to stay at Overmountain Shelter, a shelter that has been converted from a red barn. We collectively decided to wait in the morning.One by one we woke up and thought the same thing, "I¢m going on trail". 6' o clock in the morning we go outside and see a clear sky full of stars. I told Troll I saw a small cloud in the sky and wasn't going. He told everyone else and they believed him and were mystified as to my decision. So when I walk out with my backpack, they all looked at me with mixed confusion.. "Are you kiddin', of course I'm going on the shuttle". I was only kidding with Troll.Everyone loaded up in the shuttle and we left north on the AT from Iron Mountain Gap and heading for the first shelter, Clyde Smith Shelter. We arrived at the shelter and listened to NOAA weather describe a severe slow moving low coming across from the plains. Now the decision had been to go to the next shelter 6 miles away which would be Roan Mountain, the highest shelter on the AT, 6200 ft. A bad place to be in severe thunderstorm with flood watch warnings.A third option was discussed to hike to Hughes Gap and go to Greasy Creek Friendly (a hostel but it sounds like hostile so they call it Friendly) A thru hiker friend, AWOL, has told me about Greasy Creek and I should plan a stay there.   Truth, decided to stay at the shelter and will meet us at Overmountain Shelter. So here I am at one of the friendliest places on the trail, safe from the maelstrom that was approaching and content to be on the AT.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Side Trail to Hampton north of Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

The terrain of life is filled with wonderful and astounding detail. Slow down and take in its richness."   ~Ralph MarstonMay 5, 2010 ¢ Day 30 - WednesdayI was up early and on the trail before sunrise. I was heading into Kincora to pickup my mail drop and to see what goodies Lady Kritter put in the box.I've notice a lot of relo (relocation of the trail) since Spivy Gap. The trail use to go up one side of the mountain then down the other. Now switchbacks are replacing the straight up and downs to slow down the erosion of the trail. This section, Spivy Gap to Damascus, is maintained by the East Tennessee Eastman Club with Bob Peoples the trail maintenance crew leader.The hike into Kincora was an uneventful journey through mountain woods and valleys. Truth, Deja Thru, Limestone and I made it into Kincora by 3:00 only to find the shuttle into town wouldn't be until 6:00 pm. That was OK with us. The extra time gave us a chance to wash clothes and our bodies, by the way very much needed. Limestone pushed on another 3 miles into Laurel Fork Gorge where the rest of us would meet him later.My second-mail drop was waiting for me with food to go to Damascus as well as some special goodies from Lady Kritter. One goodie was her delicious dehydrated spaghetti sauce, one of my favorite trail foods. I can't divulge the secret recipe but I will tell you it contained beef TVP (textured vegetable protein).The plan established by everyone at Mountaineer Shelter was that we would either meet at Kincora or the campsite were Limestone was going. By 6:00 AT Troll and Bismark had not shown up at the hostel so we thought they pushed on.The town run was quick and furious. I got a chance to talk with Bob to see how he was doing. I had very little to get for resupply so Truth, Deja Thru and I spent most of the time eating a Arby's and drinking Jamoca milkshakes, which by the way has made KrispyKritter's top 3 all time list for milkshakes.Got back to the hostel around 8:00 and still no Troll and Bismark. It would have been nice to stay at the hostel, but I promised Limestone we would be there. So, the three of us (Truth, Deja Thru and myself) planned to night hike. Night hiking is always fun with a feeling of uneasiness. This particular section of trail heightened our awareness due to the rocky terrain and steep descent to the Laurel Fork Falls on stone rock steps. We reached the falls safely and I could not believe the amount of water going over the falls. I have been coming to the falls for several years and this is the most ever. We finally found Limestone in his tent getting ready to go to bed. Troll and Bismark are MIA (missing in action). It was so late and the night beautiful with the sounds of the large creek flowing by Truth and I decided to cowboy camp. I slept with my food bag as a pillow and would constantly wake up thinking a cold wet fuzzy nose was nuzzling into my neck. Then, I would wake up from the dream to the sounds of water and a dark starry night.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Side Trail to Hampton north of Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Spring just south of Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

May 6, 2010 ¢ Day 31 - ThursdayWoke up to a cool morning just right for an ascent of Pond Flats and then down to Watauga Lake. The mystery of Troll and Bismark continues as they did not show up at the camp. I am sure we will get the full story sometime in the future.I was making good time going up and over Pond Flats when I realized the e-mail journals I sent did not go thru on my Peek device. I tried sending a forward of the journals to Lady Kritter without success. Now I am not a happy camper to have the device fail again. I had to stop my hike and get in contact with the company to fix my problem. The positive side of all this was I was sitting in the shade on the shore of Watauga Lake looking at mountains reflecting on the water.After being on the phone for what seemed like an eternity, my problems with Peek are solved and at 12:30 I am back on trail. Now that I 've lost the coolness of the morning I am hiking up and down ridges to get above the lake and dam in the afternoon hot sun. Water had to be monitored closely between water sources. The one thing I did not want to experience was dehydration. It was basically a mundane hike through the green tunnel.I met up with Deja Thru, Truth and Limestone near Turkeypen Gap. Tired, hot and hungry they told me they were going on for more miles. They had already prepared their dinners and said they would wait for me to eat if I wanted to go. I always like to put more miles under my boots when there is still daylight left.Just before sundown we reached a camp with a spring .2 miles from a shelter. We figured the shelter would be full so we called it a night here. Once my tent was setup I crawled to escape the gnats. These little creatures of pain seem to only effect me. They take chunks of meat away from me on their bites and I swell up. One bit me below my right eye and it was closed shut for 2 days. If you were to ask me the worst part of this trip so far, I would have to say the gnats.I tried writing my journal and found myself either staring at the page or waking up because my head snapped downward to my chest. It was official, I was tired and so, left journaling for another day.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Spring just south of Iron Mountain Shelter

To: The Place-Damascus, Va
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: clear sky

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo EmersonMay 7, 2010 ¢ Day 32 ¢ FridayThe whole topic for the day consisted of either hiking into Damascus tonight or in the morning for breakfast. According to the weather report it was going to be even hotter than yesterday - low to mid 90's. Other than another mundane hike over the Damascus Highway (hikers call it this because it is the flattest terrain encountered thus far), four events made the day go by. First: we found a metal box of trail magic put out by a church group - with a cooler of drinks and a tool box of cookies near Tennessee highway 91. Second, north of TN 91 there was a beautiful stretch of rolling farmland with neglected buildings breaking down because of the elements of weather. The grass would bow in waves as the wind brushed along its tops. The scene ended quickly and we were back in the forest. It was decided early in the afternoon that we would push on to Damascus. There was plenty of daylight left and I did not bother to compute the mileage. Pushing for Damascus introduced: the third event, crossing over the Tennessee border into Virginia, our 4th state. And 4th reaching the town of Damascus.I did notice the last couple of days, as the elevation descended lower, how green everything is. The forest floor is a carpet of green with the yellow, white, blues and purples dotting the carpet. Tree trunks extend skyward with young leaves creating a canopy of green. This is what we call the green tunnel. All the leaves create a blockage of sight so the distant mountain views are hard to see. Vision is then concentrated to closer objects like the sharp cliff to your left or the deep valley to your right, all a footstep away of making you disappear if you fell.Sore, tired and longing to wash the dried salts from evaporation from my body, we entered the hostel called The Place. When we sat down to figure our mileage Truth, Limestone, Deja Thru and myself were astonished, 26.3 miles in 11 hours. We celebrated at Quincy's a local pizza place that was really good. After a full meal, it was bedtime and a hopefully good night sleep.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-08
From: The Place-Damascus, Va

To: The Place-Damascus, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

May 8, 2010 ¢ Day 33 - SaturdayDid not have a good night sleep. Feet hurt, muscles ached but when it began to rain really hard in the early morning we were glad to have made the decision to push into town.Taking a zero day to resupply. wash up, eat some town food and just rest.Stopped by tent city where the hikers will be staying during Trail Days. The layout is changed and Allyn Morton was there to make sure the volunteers were cleaning the right paths to the camps.The plan for me is to leave town and hike north to Partnership Shelter by Wednesday or to Atkins, Va. to catch the free shuttle back to Trail Days. The next exciting thing for me is the hike into Grayson Highlands and the wild ponies.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-09
From: The Place-Damascus, Va

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

"It's hard to explain...to someone who doesn't understand." ~Butch ParkerMay 9, 2010 ¢ Day 34 - SundayTruth, Limestone and I were up and out the hostel and at the Moca Cafe for a breakfast of blueberry pancakes and coffee. Freight Train, Deja Thru and Eric the Red joined in at breakfast. We all knew it was going to be an up out of town and wanted eat a good breakfast for energy.Truth has been toying with the idea of going home the last couple of weeks . Last night at dinner Truth let everyone know his hike would be ending in Damascus. I knew early on from our discussions but kept it to myself; it's Truth's story to tell not mine. Hikers come on the trail for manydifferent reasons: lost a job, a relationship broken, in between jobs, and on and on I could go. Truth came on the trail to go on a journey of discovery. Whatever he was looking for he found and can now go home.We all stood around at the front of the cafe saying our good byes to Truth. I think he found out, to his surprise, leaving the trail is an emotional time in a hiker's life. It does not happen to only thru-hikers. It effects section hikers too. It is hard to explain to a non hiker the feelings that well up inside of you as you remember the people you shared moments with, the places of grandeur you visited and just the simple life of carrying everything you need on your back. One remembers all these thoughts . Truth is a genuine young man who loves his family and cherishes his values. You, my friend, can be my hiking partner anytime and I hope in the future it will happen.Limestone and I left Damascus in a chilly wind with the temperatures not to go above the low 60's F. That was OK for me because I knew my "midday meltdown" would not be severe. The day was a pleasant hike alongside creeks and over streams through the mountains. The flowers of the Rhododendron were visibly showing off their purple hues now. The trail merges into a small section of the bicycle path called the Virginia Creeper Trail that traveles over an old railroad bed.I arrived early at the shelter and was thinking of continuing on. I looked at the profile and the mileage needed to make the shuttle at Atkins, Va. that would take hikers back to Trail Days. I decided to stay because I did not have to push the miles and I wanted to build a fire to warm the hikers coming in behind me. The temperature is dropping and the low tonight is expected to be below freezing. Wait a minute, isn't this May?I met Hopper and her dog Ben at the shelter and was told what happened to Troll and Bismark. There seems to be a bug coming out of Erwin called the Nolinchunkney Crude that a lot of hikers are picking up. Troll was one of them. He was sick for two days and Bismark stayed with him. Troll got better but then Bismark got it. Glad everyone is doing better and on the road to Damascus.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

May 11, 2010 - Day 36 - Tuesday"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." John RuskinAnother good choice for those of us who picked the shelter. Just before dawn the rains came and it was nice to begin hiking dryfor a change . The fog came rolling in with the rain along with a cold wind. Most of the morning continued in this fashion. Instead of hiking in a green tunnel it was white.The afternoon cleared up but it was still windy. Met a lot of south bound hikers on their way to Damascus for Trail Days. A few northbounders sneaked up north to some of the different Va. Roads to hike south into Damascus.The biggest thing on everybody's mind is lunch tomorrow at Partnership Shelter where there is a telephone to order pizza. Not store bought, or a chain pizza restuarant but a real homemade pizza.Going to bed early to dream of pizza.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

May 12, 2010 - Day 37 - WednesdayIt seems we are in the cycle of afternoon showers then it stops and begins again during the night. This is the time I want to stay dry for as long as possible, therefore I stay in the shelter. The bugs are not bad yet, the nights still cool and the shelter is dry.Todays events turned towards Partnership Shelter. There is a telephone nearby at the ranger station that can be used to order pizza. A prized treasure on any American trail. Eric the Red, Deja Thru, Limestone, freight Train, Rabid and Trog planned to hit Partnership for lunch, only 11 miles away.The rain of course continued throughout the day making for a very humid hike.Everyone,except for Trog, made the easy walk through the Rhodadendron green tunnel going mostly downward towards Patnership. (We later found out Trog left the shelter going sobo. He walked 3 1/2 miles before running into another hiker who told him his misfortune. Trog wondered why the spider webs were still up after everyone was suppose to have gone through. That was the first clue. (He ended up doing a 24 mile day while the rest of us did a 17 mile day.)I finally made the pizza shelter with thoughts of pizzas dancing in my head. When it came time to order, I split a large Greek pizza with Eric the Red and had this brain storm to order dinner and hike it to the next shelter. I odered a 2 liter of pepsi and a stromboli. Another good choice.We finally left Partnership and hiked or should I say waddled up the trail towards or night's stay at Chatfield Shelter. The topic is now about Trail Days. Tomorrow the hikers I have been with will part ways. Eric the Red and I will take the free shuttle to Damascus while the rest of my hiking buddies will continue north on the trail to meet their schedules or deadlines.I do not like schedules and and try to adhere to what is going to be in front of me for that particular day. Special events like Trail Days, getting to a mail drop at PO's before they closed, and figuring when the next re-supply would take place are just a few exceptions for a schedule. So I planned my first multi day zero's for Trail Days and Hardcore (two days of trail work with Bob peoples at Kincora). So tomorrow begins Trail Daze.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe