morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Hiawassee - Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee - Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This is paste of email sent by Lou this morning.We have taken a zero day (complete day off) in Hiawassee, Ga. We will get back on the AT on Monday the 10th. Sat. night we were in the Tray Mt. shelter. Friday was a very hard day. We knew that weather was moving in late Fri. night and we wanted the first of two hard climbs behind us. That would leave only one long climb and 10 miles to hike to the road to Hiawassee. The weather did arrive around 5am with snow grains then light snow. Temp was around 30* and windy. From that time it continued to drop and became very windy (15 gust to 25). We have very good equipment and the only problem was our hands. This was one of those situations where if you commit to go you cannot stop or go back. We did talk it over and both agreed to press on. We arrived at the Dick's Creek Gap around 1330. That gave us a 5.5 hour day and covered 11 miles (26001 steps). As we crossed the road a suv pulled up to us and asked us if we wanted a ride. It was Chairman and his wife. She had picked him up at The Cloud 9 Hostel and he wanted to show her where he had gotten of the trail. Timing is every thing, we walked out of the woods as he drove up. We went to dinner with them Sat. night. Great folks, We hope to see Chairman back on the trail after a rest. Many thanks to all of the folks who have signed our journal. There are too many to name. A special thanks to Ms. Meyer's third grade class for the words of encouragement and the answer to the Ga. Gold Rush question. Next question class. What is the Trail Of Tears? Until we find a good cell, cheers.Lou and Martha
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Long day...beautiful scenery. Met the first trail angels today, Bill and Irene Jasper, crossing Hwy 64. They had hot chocolate and other treats. It was wonderful. Feet are good, food is low. Will have to put in a long day tomorrow or will really be low on food. Lou's belt-o-meter says he has lost about 8lbs. Need to get to the Nantahala River on Saturday to restock. Spirits are high! Crash
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Nantahala Out Door Center

To: Nantahala Out Door Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Al (a friend from Peachtree City) has a cabin up here. Al picked Lou and Martha up and they all went to breakfast. Trips were made to local stores for dinner supplies and a few trail supplies too. Dinner was STEAK & WINE. A few beers were consumed as well. According to Lou, the first beer they've enjoyed in two weeks. Good rest, nice cabin and company. Thanks again Al. Al took the Boone's back to the trail the next morning and off they went.
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Nantahala Out Door Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Martha has a trail name given to her by Chief Daddy. They call her 6Iron, I can't imagine how they came up with that. In case any of you do not know, Martha or 6Iron has completed 6 Ironman competitions. She always plays hard! Lou is an Ironman several times too.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Lou called around 5PM for a weather report. They were trying to decide whether to push on to Cable Gap Shelter or stop at Cody Gap and prepare for the coming storm. They decided to stay at Cody Gap. It's suppose to rain in the night then cloud over until about 10AM when the real storm begins. The plan is to get out of camp as early as they can and make Fontana Dam Shelter before the big bad weather hits tomorrow afternoon. May be a cold breakfast. Lou has a message to send but can't get a strong enough signal to transmit. Maybe tomorrow. They are in good shape and the feet are holding up well although tired tonight. It was a long day today.
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: moderate rain

Broke camp early this morning around 7:15, walking by lamp light. Wanted to make Fontana Dam before the bad weather hit. The wind and rain rolled in around 10AM but came in harder than expected. The wind was strong, we were watching for falling trees. We came across a couple on the trail but we made it to Fontana around 12:30, called the Hikers Inn and they came out to pick us up. After we showered and did the laundry the people from the Hikers Inn took us to dinner in the little town of Robinsville. Mexican food just isn't the same without beer or margaritas. When we returned from dinner a tree had fallen on a transformer and we were without power. No Heat. We stuffed newspaper in our boots to dry them out, the power came back on around 3AM so we were warm and dry before heading out the next morning.
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

The Hikers Inn folks brought us back out to the trail this morning. We bought a permit for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The rules are a little different here. You must stay inside the shelter if there is room. You can make reservations and then have priority in the shelter. We prefer to stay in the tent. It's warmer, cleaner and quieter.
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

It's lunch time here at Silers Bald Shelter. We are refueling for the big climb up to Clingmans Dome. Uphill for aprox 4 miles. It's the toughest climb in the Smokies. 103200 steps since we last made an entry. (I'll look back and come up with a total a little later.) Oh! I did speak with Martha today. She wanted to prove she is still alive and Lou hasn't left her in the woods somewhere. She says there are some interesting smells in the morning, smoke but not from firewood. Hum, what could that be??? Thanks to Roy for the letters, nice to hear what's going on.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 79.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello everyone! I finally heard from Martha last night. They are doing very well. They've picked up a care package in Hot Springs, NC and are about a day ahead of schedule. They have plenty of food plus cookies and a little adult beverage from the Shoemakers. I keep saying they but I only spoke with Martha...but I do believe Lou really was there too. They're heading toward I26 and expect to get a better signal soon. Karen stop worrying. They are fine! Check out the photos. I will be adding more photo tomorrow!
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Nolichucky Outfitters

To: Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

From the trail. We are in fact in Erwin,Tn. at Uncle Johnny's Outfitters on the Nolichucky River. We will spend 2 zero days here because of the weather. We don"t mind walking in the rain if we are already out, but to go out in it, thats another matter, thunderstorms and mountains don't mix. No injuries or blisters at this time. Our milage per day has picked up to about 14-16 a day and we are about 2 days ahead of schedule. Ts's good to have those "zero days" in the bank. My trail name, given to me by a trail maintainer out working on the trail, is Cast Iron. So, be it known to all we are Cast Iron and 6 Iron from now on. Thats all for now we only have a short time on the computer.From the Appalachian Trail,CheersCast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Erwin, Tn

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

4/4/08 NOLICHUCKYS HOSTEL, ERWIN, Tn, 339.8 miles.We have been here for two days waiting for the weather to break. The weather folks say tomorrow the 5th in the afternoon it should be clearng up. We are going to to leave anyway. The break was good but, we are reaady to get back on the AT. This is a great place for a zero day. Johnny,who runs the hostel has been great. There are a lot of hikers here who will also leave tomorrow. It will be a race to get to the next shelter at 16.4 miles with a long climb out Erwin. Our GaMe plan is camp at Deep Gap,4100 ft. and only 12.1 miles the first day after a zero. We should be at the Kincora Hostel in Hampton, Tn on the 10th.Now to my neglected 3rd grade class. Sorry guys, to be so long between questions. OK, tell us how many states do we hike through, when did they become a state and how many were from the original 13?Cheers,Cast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Erwin, TN

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

Departed Erwin around 0930 in light rain and very dense fog. We did not wear our rain gear because we would be drenched in sweat in very short order. The rain didn't last long but, the fog stayed all day. Arrived at the shelter at 1830 in heavy fog. We thought we might have it all to ourselves but Snoopy ( nice kid right out of U of Ark.) showed up about 10 mins. later. The weatherman has predicted good wx tomorrow, we sure hope so. We need some warm dry weather.That's it for today.CHEERS,Cast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We decided to do a short day after a rather long one yesterday. I really felt bad today. I did not drink enough water yesterday and last night. Also, we should have had more calories for breakfast. Won't make that mistake again. Tomorrow is the last time we go above 6000 feet, until Mt. Washigton in New Hampshire, when we climb Roan Mt.,it's a 2000ft climb in 3 miles. It should take about 3 hours and won't be a problem with a big breakfast, which we have already planed.We are the only ones in this shelter tonight and thats a good thing. Until next time.CheersCast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter 
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to very dense fog and 42 degrees. It cleared as soon as the sun came up. Great day for a hike. We climbed Roan Mt. in about 2 hours and that was faster then I had expected to do it. We did have a good breakfast. I had R4 and 2 packs of oatmeal, Martha had R4 and butter and herb potatoes. The things you eat on the trail! Anyway, 2nd breakfast was two Pop Tarts each. Snack was Snickers and lunch was cheese and peanut butter. Afternoon snacks were Snickers and gorp. Evening meal beef stew and seafood chowder and of course a Snickers for the bed time snack.Tomorrow it's 9 miles to Mt. Harbour B&B to clean up and do our laundry. We will only spend the night there and the Kincora Hostel to pick up our 7th mail drop. Our daughter Mary has done and excellent job of getting our drops and anything else we ask for. Thanks Mary.Of course this journal would not happen if not for Crash. We owe you big time.Our shelter tonight is an old red barn. We are in the loft with about 8 other hikers. The view down the valley is breathtaking.Until the next time.Cheers,Cast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 6.6

From the grocery store to a tree house. Tonight Cast Iron & 6 Iron will be taking the stairs to a tree house. Lots of windows but no electricity or plumbing, it's OK because it warm out. 6 Iron has a little blood blister on her heal but caught it right away and has taken care of it. I did speak with both Irons so at least at this point no one has been left in the woods. Still having trouble with pocket mail. Crash
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Dennis Cove

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

The Irons put in an extra long and hard day today. Followed the river uphill all day. They had planned to stop at Watauga Lake Shelter but continued on up the trail for another 6.8 miles. The view is beautiful but I think it will be appreciated more tomorrow morning. Cast Iron said the fresh water was .3 of a mile away but felt more like 3 miles. There will only be one water run tonight. Still having trouble with pocket mail. Cold weather is forecast tomorrow. 175430 steps since last noted. I calculated a current grand total of 380,271.Crash
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

The weather man was predicting some bad weather for the mountains starting in the pm today. So, it was up at 0530, break camp, fix a big hot breakfast of dried potatoes and hit the trail for a fast 14 miles to Damascus. We arrived about 1230 just before the rain and snow showers started.We are at the Apple Tree Bed and Breakfast and will zero here tomorrow. The town is full of thru hikers waiting out the bad weather.Except for some sore feet we both are in good shape.Our pocket mail has been fixed and we can now receive readable email. If you sent an email to louboone@pocketmail.com in the past,please resend it so we can get your address. We lost everything in our inbox when we reformated the Pockemail Composer.Until later,cheersCast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 26.2

We had a great zero at the Apple Tree B&B. Debbie and Les are just nice people.They fed us Sun night because nothing was open other than burgers. Les scrounged up some German Beer that tasted great hard run to get to Damascus.As predicted it rained all day Sun. and snowed up at the higher levels. This morning the 15th after a huge breakfast we hit the road at 1000 for lost Mt. shelter 15.8 miles away. We rolled in here at 1730 after a beautiful day of clear skies and 55* temps. Tonight now we are in our tent. There was room in the shelter but our tent will be about 8 to 10* warmer than the shelter and the temp is forcasted to be in the low 20's. Let's hope this will be the last of the very cold weather. There is some snow still on the ground in our camp area.Tomorrow looks like about a 17 mile day. We'll see how we feel later in the day, we may just pull up short and find a nice spot all by our selves.Time for me to hunker down in my sleeping bag. The temp is dropping fast. Good night all.CheersCast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Lost Mt. Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

4/16/08 Good day for hiking (12.2)mles. Today turned into a much harder day then we thought it would be. The two 5000 foot mt.'s were long climbs and a little harder than we were expecting. Our plan was to do about 17 miles but, the mountains changed our minds and we called it a day at 12 miles. Tomorrow we will try for Hurricane Mtn. shelter (16.1). Things should get a little easier from this point on.Cast Iron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

4/18/08 Long day for us 19.8 miles. We left the shelter at 0730 took an hour for lunch and rolled in here at 1700. All in all it was a good day. We have a phone at the shelter and have had pizza delivered. Life is good.The forcast is for light rain in the PM so, we will leave early for the short run (11.5 miles) to our next mail drop at The Relax Inn in Marion, Va.Off to bed,good night folks.Cheers,Castiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Partnership Shelter

To: The Relax Inn in Marion, Va.
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

4/19/08 Relax Inn Motel (536.4 miles)What a day we have had! We left Partnership Shelter after a pizza breakfast (left overs) headed for Marion, Va. and the Relax Inn for the night. Four miles up the trail we ran into the Forestry Service and a controlled burn which they had started the day before and it had jumped the fire line in some places. They told us it would be at about 3 hours before the AT would be open and that had a vehicle coming that would take us around the burn area. When they showed up they could only take 2 at a time because of equipment in the vehicle. Martha and I got the second load and it took about 20 min's to the clear area. We only lost about 2 miles of the AT. All this time a large frontal system is moving in with Tstorms and heavy rain. We were able to out run the weather and are now in the Relax Inn. Tomorrow we will have the big truckers breakfast at 0600 and head out for Pearisburg,Va and a link up with Chuck Garwood on the 25th for breakfast and pick our 40* sleeping bags and get ! rid of our 20* bags plus some of our cold weather clothes. That should help a little with our weight.I have to say we are blessed to have so many great friends who have helped us and sent words of encouragement. When we arrived at the Relax Inn there were 2 care packages with all kinds of goodies. Thanks Olson's and Shoemaker's it arrived on our 29th Wedding Anniversary and it was put to good use. Robisons',thanks for the snail mail and your up date on Bob the bear. I haven't seen Bob only evidence he has been here. In fact I almost stepped in it. We did see a very small bear cub who was screaming bloody murder for his mother. He was climbing up the slope and then crossed the trail and continued up the Mtn side all the time calling for his mom. We were about 30 yards away and did not move until he was out of sight. I did get a picture but can't tell how good it is on our camera screen. I hope Crash can enlarge it enough to see him.That's about it for now all is well and we are having fun.The Appalachian Trail turns being homeless into an extreme sport.Cheers,Castiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-20
From: The Relax Inn in Marion, Va.

To: Knot Maul Branch
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Rain all night last night and there was a light rain fallng when we left the motel this morning. By the time we had finished the big trucker breakfast at The Barn it had stopped, but it was still overcast and cool. Good weather for hiking. Very pretty farm country. While climbing a large meadow it started to hail. Small stones but, still hail. That takes care of all the elements that one can encounter. Forest fire to hail that's the lot.All in all, it has been a good and interesting day. We topped it off with a marshmellow roast over a camp fire. Doesn't get any better than that. Martha needs some instructions in the fine art of marshmello roasting. That is enough said about that!Tomorrow is a long day time to cap this off.Cheers,Castiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Knot Maul Branch

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

Up early and out the door by 0700 for a long day (19.1 miles). The map looked like it should be eaiser than it had been in the previous days. NOT! With 100 foot contour intervals those 99 foot hills don't show up on the maps. It was a very long day. Lots of rock falls and steep down hills. We got to the shelter about 1830, ate and now to bed at 1930 for a easy 14.3 mile day on the tomorrow the 22nd.Good Night Folks.Castiron 6 IronCheers,
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Pearsburg, Va.
Miles today: 54.0
Weather: scattered clouds

04/25/08 Pearsburg, Va. 624 miles.We got to Pearisburg in the afternoon yesterday the 24th after a very hard day. Our original game plan was to pull up about 3 miles short and walk in to meet Chuck.However, Martha has caught a cold and feels bad, so we felt that getting to a motel as soon as possible was the best thing to do. We had done 25 miles the day before and decided to get to Pearisburg and take a zero. We called Chuck and told him we were going to be a day early and would meet him at the motel. He got here about an hour after we arrived and had cold beer for us. The man is a Saint! It gets better. He than took us out to dinner. All in all a great night, he gave us all the news from home and we told our trail stories. Greatly expanded of course. Martha was feeling pretty low and a Chuck fix was just what she needed..Thanks Chuck for driving out of your way to bring us our gear.We a leaving tomorrow in the AM after as big a breakfast as we can eat. There is a 2000 foot climb out of town. Our day will only be 6.8 miles to the first shelter, Rice Field Shelter (630.8). Our hiking day average is about 13.5 and that is what we need to finish on Sept. the 8th. We are ahead of schedule so we won't have to do many big days. We both were feeling little beat after 87.6 miles in 5 days. A zero day really helps cures a lot of things.Time to close. Thanks for all the emails folks.Cheers,Castiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Pearsburg, Va.

To: Rice Field Shelter 
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: few clouds

Rice Field Shelter is only 6.8 miles from Pearisburg but a steep climb. Since Martha is still a little under the weather and the forcaste was for a frontal passage in the afternoon so we decided to make it a short day We got here around 1330 and the rain came about 2 hours later. Right now its 2100 and still raining. Life is good when you are dry and snug in your sleeping bag.Tomorrow are sights are set on Bailey Gap Shelter 16.4 miles away. We will stay up on this ridge line for the next 50 miles so the hiking should be easier.It's hiker midnight (2100 hrs) so, good folks. Good night Roy, still no bear.Cheers,Castiron & 6Iron
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Rice Field Shelter 

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Not to tough today except for the last mile to the shelter. One thousand foot climb in 1 mile. Why do they do that to us? I had just enough time to filter about a gallon of water at the spring and return to the shelter before the rain started. Weather people say rain all day tomorrow. Our plan is 14.6 to Laural Creek Shelter and maybe on to a B&B about 3 miles farther if we can get a room reserved. We will try to call at the top of one of the Mountains. That seems to be the only place At&t will work. We are not pleased with their service at all.Now to my 3rd grade class. OK guys, I want you to research these names;Earl Shaffer, Grandma Gatewood and Benton McKaye. That should be your last question for this school year. You guys want to continue next year when you are in the 4th grade? Have a good summer. I have enjoyed sending you questions and seeing your answers. I am sorry I didn't send more, but some times it was just a little hard to do after a long,cold day. Have a good summer vacation.It's still raining, looks like a long damp night. Good night all.cheers,Castiron & 6Iron
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: moderate rain

Rained all night and was still raining this morning. The temp. was 54*. We waited until there was a lull and left about 1000. It started to rain hard about 10 minutes later and continued for about an hour. It doesn't matter how much rain gear you have on you will get soaked. If not from the rain then your own sweat. Going up hill you are hot. Coming down you are cold. As long as you keep moving there is no problem. You can get into big problems if you stop moving and can't get into dry clothes.We had planned to go to the second shelter but decided to pull up short and dry out, plus give our feet a rest. Mine needed some blister work.Tomorrow needs to be a 19 mile day to make up for the short day today. Weather folks say cold in the 30's in the morning but clear. It should be a good day.Chief Daddy, Capt.Jack, Major and Shakedown are sharing the shelter with us tonight.It's 2130 and everyone is asleep except Martha, she's reading, and me. I'm gone to, good night folks.Cheers,CastIron & 6Iron