morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivery Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Hiked 15.8 miles to Spivery Gap today in drizzle, fog, wind and cold (42 degrees). Visibility for most of the day, was about one hundred yards at best. The clearing skies didn't show up until about 5:30 PM. I was planning a short day to Bald Mountain shelter of 10.1 miles. The shelter was nice but it was at 5100 feet elevation and it was windy and cold up there. There were about 6 of us there at about 1 PM for lunch and we all decided to move on because of the cold and wind. I planned to go to the next shelter, No Business Knob shelter, even though it would mean hiking 20.7 miles for the day. I didn't really want to hike over 20 miles and when I caught up with Weatherguy at Spivey Gap, he was consindering tenting there since there were good tent sites and water was nearby. When I said I'd join him, that settled it and we set up camp. Spivey Gap is at 3200 feet elevation, almost 2000 feet lower than the last shelter. It was 50 degrees when we setup camp with no wind. Weatherguy says, it will get down in the 30s tonight, but we'll be warm in our tents.I'm looking forward to hiking in sunshine tomorrow and getting into Erwin for the night and a zero day Monday.
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Spivery Gap

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 11 miles from Spivey Gap to Erwin, TN. It was 34 degrees at 6:30 AM and my tent and gear were all wet from condensation. I packed up and headed for town where I'm staying at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel and Outfitter. They are very hiker friendly and I got a private room for $22.95 per night. I'm staying 2 nights.My water filter has been acting up so I've been using Aqua Mira to treat my drinking water. I just bought a Steripen to treat my water instead of the filter. It uses UV light to sterilize the microscopic creatures in the water and make it safe to drink. It's faster than my old pump filter and easier.It was a great day hiking today as the sun was shining and it got up to 60 degrees. Today, was as good as yesterday was bad. I really hate hiking the mountains in the rain, fog, cold and wind with nothing to do but try to keep from falling on the roots, rocks and mud on steep trails.Speaking of falling, I was coming down a wet, steep, rock staircase yesterday afternoon and fell on my rear landing on the rock just behind me. My right elbow smacked hard on the rock above that. It hurt at the time but soon quit. Today, when I showered I noticed a deep red bruise about the size of a penny on my elbow and it's still tender to the touch. After washing my rain pants I noticed a couple of small holes in the seat, I don't know if they were caused by yesterday's fall, but I'll have to keep an eye on them and replace them if the holes get bigger.I'll zero here tomorrow and resupply, before heading out on Tuesday.
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Uncle Johnny's, is a nice hiker friendly place to stay for a zero day and I saw many of the hikers I have been with on the trail.Weatherguy and his wife Judy live in Johnson City, TN just 10 miles from Erwin and offered to take me to REI in Asheville, NC with them since we both needed some gear. I bought a Steripen to make the water safe for drinking. I was tired of using my pump purifier and it had been acting up. We had lunch at Hardee's, shopped at REI and then went to Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner. This was quite a change from my normal trail routine. Thanks Weatherguy and Judy for a very enjoyable day!Back at Uncle Johnny's I packed up and prepared to leave in the morning.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Erwin, TN

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

I hiked 16.4 miles to Cherry Gap shelter. When I left Erwin, I tried to call Chris on my cellphone, but couldn't get a signal even though, it had worked the previous two days. I assume it was because of the low clouds. It rained on and off all morning, before I left at 11 AM. I had planned on only going about 4 miles to the first shelter, but the weather started clearing and the sun was shining as I hiked up a pretty valley next to a mountain brook. This gave me hope the weather would stay good and when I reached the first shelter at 1 PM I decided to press on.An hour after I left the first shelter, the rain came back and as I climbed higher on the mountain the fog and cold came with it. My hike turned into an all too familiar day of hiking on a wet, cold, muddy trail with visibility of about 100 feet. I'm really starting to like the look of wet trees in fog. (NOT!) I finally got to the Cherry Gap shelter about 7 PM and the 7 hikers already there were kind enough to make room for me even though that meant 8 people in a shelter designed for 6. They had a nice fire going in the fire pit in front of the shelter, which was amazing considering how wet all the forest was. After a cold miserable afternoon of hiking, I dried out in front of the fire as best I could and crawled in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Hostel
Miles today: 6.9

Got up to 37 degrees on the thermometer and was looking at a cold, foggy, muddy, windy hike of 15.6 miles to the next shelter. Since I'm already a day ahead of schedule to meet Chris in Damascus, VA on the 23rd, I looked in my guide book for an alternative way to spend the day. I noticed it was only 6.9 miles to the Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel and decided to go there to dry out and warm up. I'll still be half a day ahead of schedule tomorrow.The hostel is very nice and everyone is friendly and helpful. I got out of my cold, wet, muddy boots and rain gear and had a hot lunch, a hot shower, called Chris and got ready to go into Johnson City in the evening for the all you can eat Chinese buffet. I spent a very pleasant, warm, dry afternoon at the hostel with the staff and two other hikers who stopped in. I recommend stopping here to all hikers passing this way. It's worth the half mile walk from the trail.Tomorrow I go over Roan mountain at 6285 feet and will stay at Overmountain shelter, a converted barn that sleeps 20. The weather is supposed to improve for the next 3 days. I hope so
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Greasy Creek Hostel

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 14.8miles from Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel to Overmountain shelter. I tented out near the shelter. It was a beautiful sunny day near 60 degrees and I had great views as I hiked over Roan mountain above 6200 feet elevation. It was a tough climb over Roan mountain and I'm glad I didn't do it the day before in the cold, drizzle and fog. As it was, I hiked in 3-4 inches of snow on the trail near the mountain top.I heard the English couple (Chickenrun Too) have quit the trail, which means of the 5 hikers who met on top of Springer mountain, GA on 3/10/09 (Due South, Longpants, Chickenruns and me) I'm the only one still on the trail. It's not easy, especially in April.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 8.7

I hiked 8.7 miles from Overmountain shelter to the Mountain Harbour Hostel. It's very nice here.The weather today is gorgeous and the hike took me over several balds above 5000 feet. A bald is a mountain top with no trees, just grass and great views. It looked like the opening scene from The Sound of Music where Julie Andrews is twirling around on a grassy hill surrounded by mountains.I could see forever in every direction, so I thought surely I'd have a cellular connection so I could call Chris but I couldn't get a signal. Way to go T-Mobile!The sore throat I had last week has improved but unfortunately, I still have a lot of sinus drainage and I've developed a cough and chest congestion. This makes me tire more easily and takes some of the fun out of even sunny days. As you've already noticed, I've not been having fun on rainy days. I didn't sleep well in my tent last night, which is part of the reason I came to the hostel. I thought it would help if I slept indoors out of the cold and damp. I also, got a shuttle to the pharmacy and stocked up on cold medicine which I'll be taking daily until this cold is gone. Fortunately, I don't seem to have a fever. I just need to make it to next Thursday when I'll meet Chris in Damascus, VA. Then I'll be off the trail for 3 days and that should help get rid of this cold.I'll stay in a shelter tomorrow night and then plan on staying at Laurel Fork Lodge in Hampton, TN the next night. It's supposed to snow again on Monday but I'll be within 40 miles of Damascus then so if necessary I can get a shuttle to Damascus. I'll wait for Chris and let my cold clear up off the trail without hiking and sleeping in the snow. If I take that option, I'll just get shuttled back to Laurel Fork after Chris leaves and resume my hike, hopefully without a cold.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Damascus Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a ten mile shuttle and slack pack (no pack) planned for today, with another night at the hostel but when I got up this morning I felt worse. It's a beautiful day here but I just don't feel up to hiking even without a pack. I've arranged a shuttle to Damascus today and secured a room at the Apple Tree B&B where I'll try to shake this cold and wait for Chris to arrive on Thursday. I should feel better after a week off the trail and will get shuttled back down here to resume my hike after Chris returns home. I'm not happy with getting off the trail for a week, but I always knew this adventure would take 5 1/2 to 6 months, so I just need to take everything as it comes and keep moving forward as I can. Soon, I hope I'll climb out of my tent ready for another great day of hiking. It's been a few weeks since I felt that way. I've already done all the hard hiking in the South. Virginia has over 500 miles of the trail and it's much easier going than the mountains in GA, NC and TN. The altitude of the trail will be lower and of course warmer weather will be coming in May. There's still a lot of great hiking to look forward to. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Damascus Va.

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since Saturday I've been here at the Apple Tree Bed & Breakfast in Damascus, VA. My cold is still hanging on but seems to be improving. I look forward to getting back on the trail next Monday. I couldn't be in a better spot to nurse this cold. Les and Debbie are excellent hosts and being here is the next best thing to being at home.While I've been here I haven't been idle. I've repaired my pack and replaced my tent. My old tent weighed 4 1/4 lbs. and the new one weighs just under 2 lbs. I bought a Big Agnes Fly Creek Ultralight tent. I'm also sending home a few things I haven't used such as an extra pair of gloves and my balaclava which I've used once so far. This should put my out the door pack weight with 3 days food and 2 liters of water at 34-35 lbs. When I started this weight was 43-45 lbs. James, my son, sent me a nice maildrop and I'm happy to try out my new socks, beanie, etc. Thanks again James.Chris will be here on Thursday. I can't wait!
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Damascus Va.

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm still here in Damascus. I went to the doctor yesterday and was prescibed an antibiotic and a decongestent. It's a 5 day course of medication for the antibiotic and after the second day I already feel better. Chris is flying in today so we'll spend a long weekend together. There are a lot of things to do here in southern VA and I'm looking forward to our time together.Monday I get the show back on the road and hope to settle down to some serious hiking. The weather is warming here through the first half of next week at least and I'm already wanting to get back on the trail. Many of the hikers I was with last week on the trail are getting into town and I feel bad knowing I'm not really here with my hike but 5 days behind them. When I get back down to Roan Mountain, TN to resume my hike there will be a whole new group of hikers for me to meet and travel with. It'll be a chance to make some new friends on the trail.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Damascus, Va.

To: Moreland Gap shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 18.2 miles to Moreland Gap shelter. This was my first day back on the trail after taking off to get over a cold and chest infection. It was also my biggest mileage day yet. I'm really tired and my feet are sore but it was a really good trail for making big miles and it was sunny at 80 degrees. It's 60 degrees in my tent as I write this and very windy.Chris dropped me off at the trailhead at 9:45 AM and I got to the shelter at 7 PM. There are about 8 other hikers here tonight. They are all new to me but everyone seems nice.I and two other hikers had a hard time finding the correct trail at one point this morning and we spent almost a half hour exploring the various routes until we found the right one. That was very annoying. Later I stopped at Jones Falls for a break and some cold water. I took a couple of pictures while I was there. I also saw a couple of other small waterfalls along the trailI'm not quite over this cold yet and it will be another week or two before I'm back to normal. I had to force myself to eat and drink on the trail because I just didn't feel like I wanted anything. I'm not really feeling that great even though I'm better than the day I got off the trail at Mountain Harbour Hostel.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Moreland Gap shelter

To: Watauga Lake (US 321)
Miles today: 15.2

Hiked 15.20 miles today from Moreland Gap shelter to highway US 321 at Watauga Lake. I had a very bad day today. I still didn't feel like eating or drinking and once again had to force myself to take food and water.It was sunny and 80 degrees. The hike through Laurel Fork Canyon past Laurel Fork Falls was beautiful but I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked because I just didn't feel very good. I took my picture on one of the bridges over Laurel Fork creek and when I previewed it I looked like I didn't feel very well. The hike up Pond Mountain was long and hot (3 miles). I felt really bad in the heat going up the mountain and felt I just couldn't keep hiking feeling so bad. When I got to the top I sat down in the shade and considered what I wanted to do. It was obvious to me that I would have to quit hiking at least until my health returns to normal. I made the decision on top of Pond Mountain to get off the trail and return home. The 3 mile hike down in the heat was miserable even though it was some of the best graded and smoothest trail I've hiked on the AT. When I got to highway 321 I was lucky enough to have a cellphone signal, a rarity with T-Mobile in this area. I called Debbie at The Apple Tree B&B in Damascus to see if she had a room and could pick me up. Unfortunately she had no rooms available and wasn't free to come and get me but she took my number to call me back. She called back and told me Dave from Mt. Rogers Outfitters in Damascus was coming to pick me up and Suzanne at The Hiker's Inn in Damascus had a room for me. I can't say enough good things about Debbie, Dave and Suzanne. They were just great to me! They all stopped what they had been doing and did everything they could to help me when I needed it. There are many wonderful people along the trail. Thank you Debbie, Dave and Suzanne. I also want to thank Debbie's husband Les for those two cold beers on my return to Damascus.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Damascus, Va.

To: Kansas City
Miles today: 0.0

I'm home now after catching a flight from Tri-Cities airport to Kansas City. I saw Braid, Gezza and Topshelf yesterday morning as they went back onto the trail. I hiked with them often in the last 4-6 weeks and I'm glad I got to say goodbye in person. Good luck to all of you and I hope you make it to Mt. Katahdin.It's good to be back with Chris and our dog Magic after 7 weeks away. It felt good to sleep in my own bed and I don't miss the trail yet, probably because I still don't feel good. I know I gave this hike my full effort even when I didn't feel well. They say not to quit after one bad day, I didn't. I didn't quit after the first bad week of hiking sick, nor the second, but on the second bad day of the third week of hiking sick I'd had enough. When it quits being fun for that long it's time to go home. Maybe I'll feel like going back and finishing the trail one day. I hiked 421.5 miles (or 419.8 miles, depending on which guide book is correct)over all the big mountains on the AT in the South, including Clingman's Dome (6643') the highest mountain on the trail. I met a lot of really nice people on and along the trail that helped make my time on the trail enjoyable. Thanks to all of you.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Kansas City

To: Watauga Lake
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: moderate rain

From my previous postings you might think my hike was over. Not so fast! As I recall there was no fat lady singing at Watauga lake when I got off the trail.I've been to my doctor since I got home and he's started me on a "shock & awe" program to clear up my respiratory infection and after only a day and a half I'm much better. My first antibiotics treatment in Damascus, VA. provided 5 days and 1500 mg of medication. My current program provides 10 days and 10,000 mg of medication. If I continue to feel better I expect to restart my hike after the middle of May. I should finish the end of September or first week of October. It ain't over till it's over!(Added 1.7 miles to show actual miles hiked per Appalachian Pages 2009 guidebook.)
Date: 2009-05-09
From:  MCI airport

To: TRI-Cities airport
Miles today: 0.0

My reservations are made. I fly to Tri-cities airport next week with a shuttle to Braemar Castle Hostel. I restart my hike on Friday, 5/15/09 at Watauga Lake. I feel very good and hope to finish in mid to late September with no further health problems.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have a new pack and it is loaded and ready for my flight. I bought a Deuter ACT Lite 65-10 to replace my MountainSmith Boundary pack. The Boundary's waist belt no longer could be pulled up tight because I lost too much weight on the trail. Because of the weight loss the pack slipped down on my hips and in addition to causing occasional sharp hip pains because of a pinched nerve it was making my thighs numb. When I started in March the Boundary weighed in at 43 lbs. with 3 days food and 2 liters of water. I was almost afraid to weigh my new Deuter fully loaded. What a pleasant surprise! It weighed in at 34 lbs. with 3 days food and 3 liters of water. With 2 liters of water, as at the start, it would weigh 32 lbs. This reflects not only that my new pack is 3/4 lbs. lighter than the Boundary but my replacement sleeping bag and tent are each 2 lbs. lighter than those I started with. I've also sent a number of items home over the course of my hike that I didn't use but originally thought I'd need. I still have some winter gear that I'll send home in a couple of weeks which should drop me down into the 30-32 lbs. range. At the start of my hike I would never have believed my pack would be so light.The Deuter is going to take some getting used to since the Boundary had 2 large side pockets that I kept the gear in that I accessed most often. The Deuter has no side pockets and everything from the side pockets of the Boundary will be in the main compartment. I'll figure it out and get back to a trail rhythm after I've been out a few days.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Watauga Lake (Highway 321)

To: Iron Mountain shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Hiked 15.4 miles to the Iron Mountain shelter. It was cloudy and 70 degrees with very high humidity. I was happy to be hiking again but drenched in sweat. My legs got very tired after lunch. It will take a few days to get my trail legs back. My new pack was comfortable but it took most of the day to get it adjusted. The biggest problem I had with it was keeping the straps in adjustment since they kept slipping. I tied the load adjusters off so they couldn't slip. I finally got used to just giving a pull on the shoulder straps periodically to keep them in adjustment. The weather forecast called for isolated thunderstorms today and I heard the first thunder at 2:30. I made it to the shelter at 4:15 about one hour before the rain started. The rain stopped about 6:15. Tomorrow is supposed to be like today so I hope to finish my hike before it rains. Last night at the Braemer Castle Hostel was good with only three of us staying there. Everybody else shuttled up to Damascus for The Trail Days celebration. I should get there on Sunday when they're cleaning up.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Iron Mountain shelter

To: Abingdon Gap shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 15.9 miles to Abingdon Gap shelter. The trail was excellent and I got to the shelter much earlier than I expected, 3 PM. I hated to stop so early but my feet and legs were tired since it is only my second day back on the trail from being ill. I'll have a short 10.2 mile day tomorrow when I hike into Damascus,VA. I'll finish my 3rd state tomorrow (TN) when I hike into Virginia, 3 down and 11 to go. Virginia has about 1/4 of the total trail miles with over 500 miles. I'll be hiking in Virginia for over a month. It's now 5:30 and no other hikers have shown up. Of the hikers at last night's shelter I know the mother and daughter were going to stop at Double Springs shelter for tonight. I stopped there for lunch today. The two young guys who were with us at Iron Mountain shelter last night will probably hitch hike into Damascus from the highway 91 trail crossing for the rest of the Trail Days celebration going on there this weekend. One of them was talking about that this morning as I left the shelter. It looks like I might have this shelter to myself tonight. The weather is great right now with partly sunny skies and a nice breeze. The temperature is in the low 70s. It's supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow morning with the temperature dropping into the lower 50s to upper 40s. It looks like it might be a cool wet walk to town. At least I can dry off when I get there. I hope the crowd from Trail Days has cleared out enough for me to get a room.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Abingdon Gap shelter

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 10.2 miles from Abingdon Gap shelter to Damascus, Va. It rained all night stopping about 15 minutes before I started hiking at 8:30 AM. The temperature was 49 degrees and it was foggy and windy with about 100 ft. visibility when I started. It got cooler and I had a little drizzle and some ice pellets for a few minutes before I descended out of the clouds and the weather slowly improved. In Damascus it's cloudy and about 60 degrees.I was lucky to have cell service on a ridge above Damascus and called Chris in Vincenza,Italy to say hello. It's always good to hear her voice. I'm staying at The Hiker's Inn run by Suzanne where I have a bunk for the next two nights. I'm zeroing tomorrow to let the crowd from Trail Days get spread out on the trail before I head out on Tuesday. I visited Debbie and Les at the Apple Tree B&B. It was good to see them again and they invited me for a pizza today and breakfast tomorrow. The weather for the next five days is supposed to be sunny and mild so I'm looking forward to getting back on the trail.I forgot to mention that yesterday I met a hiker who camped about a mile north of Watauga Lake shelter on Thursday night right next to the lake shore. After dark he heard some heavy breathing outside his tent and when he unzipped the fly he was nose to nose with a bear about two feet away. He said they were both scared and when he leaned forward to finish unzipping the tent the bear backed off and ran away. Later he found one of his water bottles with several holes in the side where the bear had bitten into it.