morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Wednesday. Left Little Laurel at 8:30 and arrived Spring Mt at 2:45PM. Another beautiful day. Dry, sunny with a wonderful breeze. So nice in fact, that I had to stop just to catch it, appreciate it, and let it cool me. Water source at shelter is tucked away enough that Greenie and I enjoy a nice mini-bath. John and David are here tonight and we discover that John is a Pastor and teaches English lit at Suwanee. We talk about Wally Stegner, Pat Conroy, Flannery O'. David is engaging and such a nice boy. He m'am's me all the time and I really don't care to be m'amed but I like his manners and his attitude so much I let him m'am me. They are from Sumter SC. I spot a copperhead coiled up were I was picking kindling. I had NO IDEA, naturally but called out to have David immediately identify it as a copperhead. By this time, Tim and son, Tanner had arrived and they too said it's a copperhead but that they are not agressive. Whew! I really feel good about that. Din-din: Cheesy-baco-spuds. We are low on food. Have to hike 11 miles tomorrow to get back to Hot Springs.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thursday. Left the shelter at 8:45 and arrived Hot Springs at 3:15. Our longest day but after Rich Mountain (3,600), it was downhill almost all the way. I can hike downhill quickly. Greenie leads the way uphill. She skis a lot and plays tennis regularly so her legs seem to be able to climb longer and faster than mine or than MB's. Took the .02 mile side trail to the fire tower because today is another gorgeous, sunny and beautiful day. Again, from the tower we had a virtual 360 degree view. The downhill took us along the French Broad for almost a mile and that was a wonderful hike...a straightaway too. Greenie, who has trouble with the downhill will remember negotiating the Lovers Leap Rock. I took her pic. She was deliberate with her footing there. The AT runs right through the town of Hot Springs so ascending from the river we walked thru town to the Alpine Court Motel. John and David Barr arrived about 1 hour earlier. I passed on the Jack Daniels as we sat in front of the motel rooms reliving the day's hike. MB had one on the rocks and Greenie and I went for a big bottle of beer..actiually we each had 1 big bottle apiece. Din-din was at the Bridge Restaurant for pasta. Good. Our propiretor is a ruddy faced man in his late 60's, I'd guess. He would either be a surly sourpuss or a genial southerner. He was the latter with a great sense of humor. This man likes his job. He was quick and very creative when I asked for help in breaking into Greenie's car. She mistakenly locked her keys in the car. Check and Cross-check were asleep at the wheel so her mistake is our mistake. All's well that end's well. We sleep on a mattress with A/C tonight.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Hot Springs

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

Today is a zero day. Our bodies have been hiking over 43 miles non-stop and we will rest the muscles in Erwin. We drive first to Sam's Gap and retreive anything we need from Juno's car. Then continue to Erwin where we'd planned to stay at Miss Janet's. The house was full and we opted for the Holiday Inn which is near the AT...only 1.5 miles, easy enough for us to walk. We drove to Johnson City and had dinner at the Dixie Restaurant and this was very good BBQ. I recommend it. Ate too much. We hike south tomorrow and should arrive Sam's Gap on Monday.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Erwin, TN

To: No Business Knob
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday, June 5. We decided to leave our tents behind since we are only going some 25 miles and there are 2 shelters along the way. The forecaster predicts a sunny day and it will last into Sunday. this is too much!. We left the Inn at 8:30 but had to hike 1.25 miles to get to the trail head which was a gradual ascent from the Nolichucky River (1750 elev) to the shelter (3250). It was an easy hke and we could have gone on but had no tent. We arrived at 1PM. Spotted a number of soaring hawks along the way and entered a gorgeous forest of towering hemlocks and Fraser magnolias. This surrounds the shelter and provides a beautiful canopy all around. It may be the pretttiest forest I've ever been in.We're here so early there's time for a big campside fire. Tonight's dinner is Poulet L'oignon.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: No Business Knob

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday June 6. Departed at 8:20 walking thru the Pisgah National Forest. the beauty continues with the really tall hemlocks and the canopy of Fraser magnolias. MB very nearly blew my Thorlos right off my feet when he suggested we hike all the way to Sam's Gap (18+miles). I guess he's picking up steam! And there's no doubt I'm for it because although I move like a slug in the AM, I pick up energy all day long. Alas, it was not to be...by the time we reached the shelter, the wind was out of the sail. In any case, We make it over 2 huge trees which had fallen during a recent storm. All hikers going north warned us of this obstacle. It did require that we remove the packs...that's all. By not carrying the tent equipment we managed to lighten our load some 4-5 lbs. Greenie carried a special camp chair which she also left behind...the weight is just not worth it so her load was lightened 5 lbs. MB and I shared our 3-man tent with 4 lbs apiece. We feel the difference, no doubt about it. We reenter NC with a sign reading Bear Sanctuary and trees turning to mostly maples with a few girth poplars and oaks. We also start seeing blooming mountain laurels, Queen Anne's Lace and other flowers...minny irises, buttercups, etc. Heard what must be a huge owl given the hoot. We reach Bald Mt Shelter around 3PM (5,516 elev). din-din: Cheesy-Ramen-Spuds to which I add rehydrated broccoli. MB just can't get away from broccoli.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Holiday Inn-Erwin, TN
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

Monday, June 7. Almost 9AM before we leave the shelter. We ascend to Big Bald (5516 elev) and it's not as cold as everyone tells us it will be. It is as spectacular however. The bald allows 360 degree views but it's still AM and the clouds prevent such a sight. No complaints since the flowers and clouded views are still spectacular. I take photos but again it just will not capture the grandiosity. Someone compared this to Max Patch which was wonderful last year...and I have to agree Big Bald surpasses the splendor of Max Patch. We're headed to Sam's Gap where Juno's car is waiting to take us back to Erwin and a plan to hike the next stretch. We are all doing fine with energy right up there. We enjoy all the people we meet along the way. Where are these people in real life? Before this day is over, we will relax in the hot tub. Sounds great.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Holiday Inn-Erwin, TN

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

June 8, Tuesday. We needed to move one of the cars to Carver's Gap today (NC 216) and also get a hike in. This is not a zero day. We left Erwin around 9ish, I guess and moved the car to Carver's very near Roan Mt. I obtained info prior to the move that Carver's was safe, but when I arrived there a hiker going south (he from Boone) said"hey, you're not leaving your car there, are you?" Oh, great! He tells me there are frequesnt reports of break-ins etc, esp. on weekends, etc and this will consume me until I can get back there to check on it and move it to a neighbor's yard...or something. But for now...it's parked and we're off. Weather continues to hold for us unbelievably. We have not encountered rain except for the first 4-5 miles back a Sam's Gap when we started out.T-storms are predicted 40% but I hear 60% chance of good weather.At 10:20 we arrived at the Roan High Bluff side trail and take in some good views somewhat obstructed by clouds. a bit nippy so we keep moving. We stop for lunch at the Roan High Knob Shelter (6,285 elev). MB says he feels weak and sluggish despite a good night's sleep last night and a nice home cooked meal at Elmer's Family Style Restaurant. I believe he is not consuming enough calories and I plan to double his portion tonight. From Little Knob (4918) we take in many gorgeous views filled with Rhodies, laurels, and many various mountian flowers---so many that there are signs here and there reading DO NOT PICK FLOWERS. I imagine day hikers could come in to collect flowers for drying but we see no evidence of that. A hummer came by our shelter tonight while we prepared the delicious Cheesy-Baco-Spuds dinner. It is the first time I see a hummer since some years ago in NM. I wanted it to come back. We added beef jerky, and cheese chunks to our meals and topped it all with gorp. We are expending many calories. MB has his knife belt in to the 3rd notch. We speculated 5 lbs a notch but I can't believe he's dropped 15 lbs...maybe 10. Greenie claims she no longer has a tummy, and Juno...I don't know, maybe 2-3 lbs. We share this night's shelter with 2 young nice guys: one from Michigan and other from Nebraska. They are going to Maine and are very confident they will make it. We watched them prepare their meals...so organized! Michigan asked for eggs and hash browns! "you've got to be kidding?" I asked. he said "No, I dyhydrated tons of food before I left and now my dad is continuing this for me. He mails me boxes I pick up at every major stop. I picked up this box in Erwin and will get another in Damascus." And he did...he had eggs and hash browns on a bagel for dinner, followed by all sorts of stuff. He knew the nutritional value of everything he lugged. We learn a hiker, Sunshine, had to be rescued from a shelter yesterday...near Erwin. It took the volunteer squad about 7 hours to reach her. She could not stand due to her legs collapsing every time she tried plus sick to her stomach. It sounded like vertigo to me but what do I know. She has been hiking from Springer..about 8 weeks and was going to Maine.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Cheery Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

June 9 Wednesday. The hummer returned this am and lingered around the gear stuff left on the shelter's ledge, esp. the red-capped water bottles. It stayed around a few minutes this time snooping for someting good to eat. We had our b'fast, packed up and headed out again around 8:40. We arrived Cheery Gap Shelter at 2:30. Again we'd planned to hike without the added weight of the tents hoping for the continued 60% chance of sunny days. MB had more food last night, this AM and again at lunchtime. We want to keep his strength up so that he is willing to go for a longer hike tomorrow. We are warned of a bear ...a big one, right on the trail by a northbounder around 9:30 AM. We really don't want to run into a bear, at least on the trail. The hiker was quite shook up but said it eventually left the trail and he was able to move on. Bears do not care about you and in fact can really only smell you since they have very poor eyesight. But, as the rangers told us last year, bears smell your pack food miles away and they will try to get your pack. We are told to stand firm, make a lot of noise and bunch up together to make us look bigger than the bear. We are told to stand firm even if he makes a charge. The first charge is supposed to be a false charge. If a bear actually touches you, slowly remove the pack and drop it. Yeh! right! Are we that brave? So we hike along calling out loud to let the bear know we're coming his way. "hey bear! get off the trail...we're coming". It worked. The forest now has signs reading: North Carolina Game Lands. This means to me that we are in hunting lands. Little Bald Knob (4459) was a doozie-no switchbacks. Bumped into Jig (retired school teacher from PA) and her husband Flatwheel who left Erwin earlier. She tells us Sunshine is fine, has an inner ear infection and is being treated for vertigo. They ruled out tick, snake, stroke, etc. She may be able to continue hiking after some rest. She is still very wobbly on her legs. In the shelter tonight it is pouring and will continue all night long. Nevertheless, Charlie with whom we are sharing the shelter, builds a great fire and continues it until bedtime. He is hiking with a lady from Texas (Turtle). He is from SC and they teamed up along the trail. Kid Kisco and his friend, later Tracy and her dog Suzie come into camp and they decide to set up their tents since the shelter is almost full. Tonight's din-din was Mac and Cheese with Bacos and more cheese. Mini oreos for dessert. We averted rain all day and northbounders asked why we are so dry. Apparently we were on the "right" side of the mountain. I may upload a photo for this day which I will call Trail Angel. People not familiar with the AT may ask " What is a trail angel?" This pic is one the rain sprinkles blue in. (Blue is intentional). Greenie was so stunned by this apparition, she promptly split a gut.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Cheery Gap Shelter

To: Holiday Inn, Erwin
Miles today: 16.4

Thursday, June 10. A long hike today which will be mostly downhill once we have climbed Unaka(elev 5180)(pronounce that as if you are saying "You Naked"...not "You Nah" It is a long "a"..You Nay Ka....I think it is Native American with a southern accent), and a hike up Beauty Spot (4437). Oh...a mouse ran over me last night and it definitely got my ire up...that's an aside. a tidbit on life in the shelter. Many have felt mice run over them but I had never and I am on the warpath with mice. We had to ford a few springs, move our bodies over huge fallen trees, especially one huge pine which required a jump up to sit on it, a pivot to roll legs over, and a jump down on other side. Our behinds are all covered with moss now. Views from Beauty Spot were obstructed by the clouds but they were still pretty. We are supposed to see Erwin from here but it is too cloudy. Blister Bill is camping right on the trail waiting for the clouds to clear...a man with time on his hands from MA. From Beauty Spot it was a long, long, long way down. We hiked 10 hours today and our legs feel it. Greenie and I got out of the woods by 6PM. I dropped my pack at the trail head and volunteered to hike the extra mile to fetch the car. By the time I got back to the trail head at 6:30, MB was there with Greenie. He was trailing us by only 25 minutes. We had a bet where I said 1 hour and 30 minutes; Greenie bet on 2 hours. We lost.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Holiday Inn, Erwin

To: Dennis Cove, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Friday the 11th June. Awakened late - 8 AM. Last night we each needed ibruprofens hoping it would help us get out of bed today. We really felt the 16.4 miles. Funny how quickly the body recovers. There were no complaints this morning but all felt we needed a zero day. So we packed up the car and relocated it to Hampton, TN...Dennis Cove and we checked into a hiker hostel named Kinkora (.02 miles from AT). On the way we stopped at Carvers Gap. My Saab saw me and broke into a smile, grilling from one headlamp to the other. The place was crowded and I was enormously relieved. I decided it was not necessary to move it after all. Carver's is located at the base of Roan Mt (elev. 6,285ish) which is mostly State Park or/and National Forest. We decided to drive up Roan High Knob, an area we came through earlier on foot. June 19-20 is the annual Rhodendrum Festival and we wanted to get a preview of the colorful show. The day was superb! Blue skies, puffy clouds and temp around 63 degrees. We were tourists for a few hours and I believe I was able to spot Mt. Mitchell out of the Black Range. I took a pic and may figure it ut later. Arrived Kinkora around 4:30. Staked out our space and sat around relaxing the remainder of the day. My mom told me of President Reagan so we were aware of this event. We also caught a bit of the memorial service this am on telly.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Dennis Cove, TN

To: Laurel Fork
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday the 12th June. That was a very long climb. It took 4 hours and these old legs aren't getting younger. I decided to pace the climb to my breathing rather than whatever I was doing earlier. This allows me to climb without stopping. Otherwise if I put my legs in charge, I get winded and have to stop to catch my breath. A slight rain required we don ponchos but after 20 minutes it was over. Northbounders told us of Laurel Fork - near a river and beautiful tenting site. We have our tents for this stretch and that means heavier packs. I guess between the food resupply and the tents we each are carrying an extra 8 lbs. We each comment on it and definitely feel it. For me, it's mostly my shoulders. I keep tweaking the straps to adjust distribution and this seems to help. At 5:20 we arrive at Laurel Fork and set up the tents. We boil water for Chicken and Curry Rice just in time to lug the food and selves in the tents for a T-storm. I hope it doesn't last long. Makes me nervous.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Laurel Fork

To: Doll Flats
Miles today: 12.1

Sunday June 13. Seems like the T-storm laster forever last night. I kept counting the seconds between flash and thunder. I just did not want a treee to fall on me and conk me out. MB told me that every second is 750' and I finally calculated the storm was 1/2 mile away. He slept through the whole thing. I was also very concerned that we did not get a chance to hang the food and that a bear might come in a rip the tent apart. MB says there are no bears here. Why do they call it Game Lands? I guess I got tired worrying because I awakened rested. However we did sleep in an extra hour. Packed up and started hiking around 9:45. This hike is one I call "dooby-dooby-doo"...no great ascents..no great descents. We mosied along until a shower came---donned the ponchos---and kept going for about 2 hours when the sun surfaced again. Our luck with the weather is "tout a fait incroyable". There has been some trail relocation work going on around here and this creates openings in the forests. This is better than the dark wet forests for hiking...but it was confusing in part. We fumbled around now and again searching for the white blazes. Caught views of Roan Mtn...passed the shelter we were looking for. No one saw a shelter sign but we figured that with the weather on our side...might as well continue up Doll Flats. We were told of a beatiful campsite along a stream just before getting to the Flats. We found it and set up the tents. Called my mom who was probably out at Carol's house for a picnic...left her a message.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Dennis Cove, TN

To: Watauga Dam
Miles today: 10.5

Tuesday, June 15. Watauga Dam Park back to Dennis Cove. Whatever is wrong with us? For some reason, we decided to join Jig, her husband Flatwheel, Nathan and boy scout leader for the slackpack hike. Bob gave us each a day pack which we loaded lightly with snacks, water and my camera. We hiked along with what seemed like a feather on our backs. Bob drove us the 10 miles or so to start the hike back to his hostel. My right knee was giving me a message...this started yesterday...it's the same knee that fell me twice some years ago as I tried to run the Casco Bay Marathon. I was worrried it would collaspe me again. Ibruprofen and more judicious use of the sticks. It was a nice hike that took us by Laurel Falls...real falls and we took pics. There was some heavy duty rock climbing but without the weight it was easy. Back at Kinkora by 4PM and talked with Bob about yesterday's hike. Yes, in fact the trail relocation work meant a 3.1 increase in the area we'd hiked. I still am using the 2003 trail guide and this was not in the guide. Also, those bulls are African longhorns which eat briar and angelika (???) and this they need to keep the balds bald. Goats and American cows apparently don't eat the stuff. Bob is a wealth of information about the trail and has ooodles of stories and a very quick wit. He and his wife Pat, originally from MA, but many years living in Vermont, are just wonderful easy going people. What does it take to run a hostel like this? You have to be just plain Nice Folks. Bob is VN era vet (AF) and seems to really enjoy his work. He is a volunteer trail maintainer for the State of Tenn and I think knows every inch of the AT. Even all the flowers and what to use if you get poison ivy. Say What? there's poison ivy along the AT? Egads.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Dennis Cove, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Wednesday, June 16. Today we have our zero day. We move the Saab to Watauga Dam and Sharon's to Damascus. I spend a few hours here at the frienliest public library to use the internet and record the journal. Tomorrow we begin hiking south again. We're doing OK. We really are. We like it too. Weird, huh? Back on-line around the 21st unless it's the weekend.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 0.0

We moved cars today -- Saab to Rte 321 near Watauga Dam; Toyota to Mt. Rogers Outfitters in downtown Damascus. Checked in at The Place ( a Methodist Hiker Hostel). Found Jason already there (Nebraska) and delivered the message from Nathan that Nathan would be arriving by Friday--his leg was better. We walked around town, checked thintgs out at the Dollar Store, bought a knee brace at the Drug Store, checked out Mt. Rogers Outfitters, and went to the library to complete the journal entries of days past. Sent a few emails and then we all went to the Old Mill Restaurant and treated ourselves to nice dinner in beautiful setting by the Laurel River Stream?) We were here last year and thought it great again. Tex and Jason joined us. Tex (Brad Pierce) is a journalist from Garland, Tx. He's a talkative guy and fun to share stories with---loves western writers. He's trying to change his life--does not want to be a journalist anymore and feels the AT will clear his mind. He's 30 and feels it's time to find someone with whom to share a life and family. He's written a few books and gets teeny royalties but not enough to pay his bills. Jason (Michigan) is hiking with Nathan who was lame and is now better. Plans to join up with him on Friday. We enjoyed this company.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Damascus, VA

To: Abington Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

June 17-Thursday. MB really wanted to do laundry again so we started our day -- MB at laundramat and Greenie and I at Cowboys for Sausage,Cheese, Egg Sandwiches and coffee. MB joined us there. Then a stop at SUBWAY for 2 foot-long roast beef sandwiches, then to The Place to collect our backpacks, then to car to drop off the extras, then at 10AM we hit the trail. A "dooby dooby doo" trail today and a rather uneventful one too-- 2 small highland mocassins onthe trail--bumped into Doc who left Kincora the day we slackpacked--2 1/2 days ago--and he was happy to see us. He'd seen no one since Kincora. Bumped into Nathan who left 1 1/2 days ago--he is hiking a 26 mile day to join up with Jason in Damascus. His shin splints turned out to be tendonitis (They are walking too many miles a day!) Jig and Flatwheel are on their way too and we should see them tomorrow. I felt tired today and my legs felt like stovepipes, so I slowed to an easier pace. We arrived at Abington Shelter at 4PM. Made a nice fire. Had one of my great din-dins.