morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Troutbum writes: "Moss was staying in the shelter 13 miles from town [Walnut Mtn. Shelter] one night before I did. He awoke to see a huge bear swatting at his pack, hanging in the shelter. With his heart thumping rapidly, he banged his empty boot down on the shelter platform floor, and the bear waddled off. I am grateful that I bear-bagged (hung my food from a tree) the next night at that shelter, not knowing about this notorious bear. I am also grateful I did not run into the bear." n.b. Troutbum says he heard later that a bear at the same shelter recently split open a couple of bear-bags and devoured all the food; the hikers woke to find shredded bags on the line and empty wrappers on the ground. - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Troutbum just called (9pm EDT) to say he's in Hot Springs. He caught up with Moss & Dirty Harry & some other Trail friends. He's very tired, but still going strong (13 miles today, much of it downhill, which means going slowly to protect the ol' knees). I gotta run home so I can plug in my cell & get it charging so we can talk for a few more minutes before he falls asleep. 9pm is late -- bedtime -- for T, on or off the Trail! Aloha! - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC - "Zero" Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hey everybody! So I lost my wallet. I got a ride out of Gatlinburg and hiked 10 miles before I realized it. I freaked, and searched everywhere - nothing. I started to hike back with many unpleasant thoughts in my head. After a half mile, I saw Kyanite and Sunkist, taking a break. They mentioned I was going the wrong way. I mentioned I had lost my wallet. Sunkist said, "Do you mean this?" and held up my wallet. [n.b. Talk about Trail Magic! - T's g.f.] I had dropped it in the backseat of Corkscrew's car, and she was the next person to sit there. I asked them both if I could be godfather to their kids. Said they will get back to me on that. Later that day, I got to meet Auntie Mame (the wife of my mentor, Uncle Tom) and her twin sister, V-8. Lovely women. It was good to catch up with them and get to talk. It was after talking to Uncle Tom last year at Trail Days that I decided to do this hike. The next day was my last in the Smokies. I might have given the impression that I don't like the Smokies. Not true. We are so high up, we don't get to see much of the park, especially in the fog and rain. But the last two days in the park, I did finally get to see some vistas. Incredible. On my way down to the last shelter in the park, I came upon a journalist/photographer and his assistant. They were allowed some time off from a St. Louis newspaper to do a story on the trail. My wallet story could possibly be in it. I am now in Hot Springs, N.C., 270.7 miles into the trail. Still averaging over 10 miles a day, including zero mile days. I am taking a zero today to rest up. Very strange with little to do. I am staying at the trail-renowned Sunnybrook Hostel, a 160-year-old mansion. Elmer had one room left, the servants quarters if you will. To get to my room, I must go into the tool shed, up a ladder, through a trap door and through a staff person's room to get to my room. I don't care. It is cheap and it is comfortable. And I got to shower! Heavenly!Update on Moss. I finally caught up with him yesterday. He is hiking with Dirty Harry, Knuckles, Jon and Steph - a group of people that I started hiking with, but now stay just in front of me (they are faster hikers than I am). Moss was staying in the shelter 13 miles from town [n.b. Walnut Mtn. Shelter] (one night before I did). He awoke to see a huge bear swatting at his pack, hanging in the shelter. With his heart thumping rapidly, he banged his empty boot down on the shelter platform floor, and the bear waddled off. I am grateful that I bear-bagged (hung my food from a tree) the next night at that shelter, not knowing about this notorious bear. I am also grateful I did not run into the bear.They are calling for rain tonight, tomorrow, and the next day. And someone wants my computer. Gotta go. And thanks as always for your e-mail support. See ya!Troutbum n.b. Troutbum says a bear at the same shelter later split open a couple of bear-bags and devoured all the food; the hikers woke to find shredded bags on the line and empty wrappers on the ground.- Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Troutbum called from "Big Bald" today, said it was cold & snowy last night, and they've been hiking & sleeping in cold, wind-driven snow, but clearing today and he got a 360-degree panoramic view at 5,516' and was descending to shelter at the 10-mile point. T's legs are tired & sore but he is feeling good & moving slow. After another 10-mile day tomorrow, he will "nero" at Erwin later this week. T says it's cold, but so beautiful out there. The loneliness gets hard sometimes, I hear, especially with so many couples around him, hiking on the Trail. Camping in a tent in the snow is, he says, "weird." Looking forward to a new update to fill in what "weird" means, that's for sure! It's been cold enough to snow here in Ohio recently, so I don't doubt that they've got snow up in the mountains! I wish I was there to help keep him warm. And I imagine that hiking 10 miles, even with a 40# pack on my back, beats writing my MA thesis, anyday! Then again, I like the beach, warm sun on my body, lounging in the sand, hearing the shush of the waves, swimming in cool water, floating and diving and playing. My favorite swimming-pool game as a kid was "dolphin" or "mermaids." ;o) Troutbum, tho, he's a Mountain Man. I can't wait to see him for Trail Days in Damascus & kiss his scruffy-bearded face. The loneliness goes both ways. - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Not sure the calculation function on trailjournals.com is entirely reliable. I double-checked my mileages for Troutbum, and it keeps putting him a few miles ahead of where he should be, every now and again, on the total. For example, when he was at Hogback Ridge Shelter, he was 311.8 miles in, but it gave the total as 321.8. [n.b.: I think maybe I had not changed all the starting locations and destinations properly.] Troutbum reports it's been cold & snowy the past few nights but the shelters are awful ... not the shelters themselves, just the mice, which are so well-fed that they are the size of rats. They run right across your feet in the daylight, climb up 3-ft sleeping pad posts, wall posts, across the ceiling poles. Pretty gross!Troutbum's only other complaint so far has been that sometimes people who are partying get pretty loud; but he just uses earplugs and he's fine. He's very big on HYOH (hike your own hike) and "Live & Let Live," so he would never say anything, but I will! It's bad behavior by a few hikers that has given all hikers a bad reputation and made it so that, in some places, hikers are no longer welcome. From what I've heard 99.9% of the people on the Trail are good, kind, thoughtful, respectful people. They live simply. They share gear & food. They return lost wallets. They live a community ethic that many of us off-Trail wish was present out here. It's just that 0.1% that risks ruining it for everyone, IMHO. I know, I know, I should MYOB! 'Nuff said. - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-17
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Hey everybody! I am on a computer that has a 30 minute timer so I have to keep this short. I am in the town of Erwin TN. I had a half-pound swiss & mushroom burger, a giant coke, a shower, and did laundry. It doesn't get any better than that! Had an interesting week since I last wrote. I got a ride into Asheville and got to resupply at Wal-Mart. The hike out of Hot Springs was a beautiful day, though mostly uphill. Then the weather got cold. The weather called for showers, but we were so high up in the mountains, it snowed. I guess I would rather have snow than cold rain. I was so late getting into the shelters that I had to set up the tent in the snow. For two nights I awoke to snow on the tent. I sure am glad it is spring. Over the next few days, it got warmer and as the snow melted, it turned the trail into a muddy slip and slide. I have found that gortex is good for about 4 hours of hard rain and then it fails. Makes life interesting. And wet. I am getting to see more wildlife and plants. I finally found a bear print in the mud. I am hearing more bear stories. We hang our food every night from trees to keep the bears from coming into the shelters or the tents. Apparently someone hung their food too close to the trunk of the tree. A bear climbed the tree, slashed the food bag open, and like a pinata, scattered all the food onto the ground. All they found the next day was food wrappers. A lesson learned.This message is really disjointed due to the time limitations. I have a lot more I want to say, but I will have to save it for next time. I hope to add pictures soon. And, I am thinking about getting a very, very short haircut. Why not? I wear a hat all the time anyway. Gotta go - the timer is almost out of sand.-Troutbum Thanks for the guestbook posts & emails - we both appreciate them a lot! - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Erwin TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Troutbum called last night from Erwin, TN. I asked him a friend's question: How has your sense of the Trail changed since you started hiking? Troutbum says that altho he did a lot of preparation he had no idea really how the Trail would be until he was doing it in person. Trail lore says that after 30 days you get your "trail legs" and you are a changed person physically, mentally, and spiritually. For trail legs, tho, you have to add a week for every decade after your 20s. So if you are 50, it will take you the first 4 weeks plus 3 more. Troutbum says check back with him after 60 days & he hopes to have his trail legs by then. He has already lost 20 pounds, which does not surprise me b/c he was already thinner when I saw him in late March, and getting really strong abs. He says he doesn't feel quite like a whole new person mentally & spiritually either. But he does seem happier and far less stressed out than he was while working two jobs and struggling to pay the bills! ;o) I credit his positive outlook & stamina. Troutbum is a slow hiker (says he has not yet met anyone slower), so he's usually FOLI (first out, last in) & on a typical 15-16 mile day, often has no time for anything except setting up his tent & falling asleep at night. When he does only 10 miles a day, he gets to relax a little before hitting the hay. By mid-Virginia, he'll be putting in 20-25 mile days, where they will be enjoying some slight grades and grassy fields, versus the 30-60% rocky grades they are often climbing now. He agrees with Jenx, who wrote, "Whoever laid this portion of the trail must have been mad at his wife. He used no switch backs, went straight up the Mtn. Long straight up climbs." [ See Jenx's trail journal at http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=223708 ] Troutbum reports that the gratitude when you get near the top and see a trail going around, instead of straight up, is intense. They spend a lot of time on ridge tops & whenever they get to a Trail town, they hike down into it, then back up out of it, often hiking about 3000' down & up several times a day. Some people get fed up with what they call these: PUDs -- pointless ups and downs. -Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Troutbum called tonight for a brief chat; he's tried to call for 2 days, but "no bars"; plus, "roaming" charges are terrible. Said today's hike was killer -- Roan Mtn. & a lot of balds. But he's set up camp & cooking food already by 7 p.m., so he made good mileage anyhow. Nevertheless, he said if this had been his "skakedown" hike, he might not be hiking the Trail today! Overmountain Shelter apparently is a converted barn & there was a movie filmed there, at Yellow Mtn. Gap (4550' above sea level), 376.8 miles out from Springer & another 1797.2 miles to Katahdin. T says he's staying in the shelter b/c it's raining cats & dogs, and it's nice to hear the rain on the roof & keep his tent dry. Lots of Trail Magic lately, including running into the fellow whose parents drove T to the trailhead in Springer -- this guy's now slack-packing?? -- and receiving from him a nice, warm sausage & egg McMuffin on a chilly day. The day prior, Michelle & Cannuck's mom (pardon my misspellings if any!!) was there at Big Bald with hot dogs, cookies, juice, soda, a veritable hikers' smorgasboard, it sounds like ;o) Who could ask for anything more? Life doesn't get much better than this! N.B.: According to the "Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion" (2007), "For northbounders, [Roan Mtn.] will be the last time the A.T. climbs above 6,000 feet until Mt. Washington in New Hampshire ... Roan Mountain is arguably the coldest spot, year-round, on the southern A.T. Upon reaching the top of the main climb (for northbounders), enter a clearing, and pass the foundation of the former Cloudland Hotel. The Tennessee¢North Carolina state line ran through the center of the hotel¢s ballroom when Cloudland was a thriving resort during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was demolished in 1915, after loggers completely harvested the fir and spruce on the mountaintop." [edited by Cynthia Taylor-Miller, published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, (c)2006 Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, Inc.] Next big stop: Hampton, TN, at Kincora, owned & operated by Bob & Pat Peoples, rumored to be two of the greatest people on the Trail. - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove - Kincora
Miles today: 15.3

Troutbum is staying at Kincora Hostel tonight. He can't get cell service there (cell phone service has been getting weird lately), but called while in town (on shuttle) shopping at the Dollar Store for supplies for the hike to Damascus (nothing like re-supplying for only $10!). He recalls that Bob Peoples won "shelter of the year" last year in Gettysburg. T reports hiking over 15 miles today in only 7 1/2 hrs -- starting to hike much faster! He was happy to be hiking with someone/same speed as someone for the first time & enjoyed hiking & talking with Sharkey. T says he pushed it today, but he's feeling pretty good & has done 70 miles in 5 days. - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

TROUTBUM'S GOT HIS TRAIL LEGS! T called tonight to say he did over 22 miles today. His legs have changed dramatically in the past week, he says, and he feels like "a kid with a brand new toy" or "an angel with new wings." He's tired but awesome. He pushed it the other day, hiking with someone at their speed, and I think it was perfect timing; he'd taken extra special care not to push it for several weeks, to let his legs (and the rest of him) get used to the demands of the Trail, and now he's ready to fly. :o) T's only 10 miles out of Damascus, so tomorrow he crosses the TN-VA line! That's 163.3 miles to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park & another 296.2 to Damascus, so nearly 460 miles in 40 days, of which he did 120 in the past 8 days. More to post soon, hopefully more from the man himself. ;o) Mahalo & Aloha - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Troutbum planned to reach Damascus today. I'm hoping his legs aren't too sore from yesterday's 20+-miler. I'm also hoping he can swap for a massage or two from another LMT on the Trail somewhere. It's 80-degrees & sunny here in Ohio; hope's it's gorgeous (but a tad cooler) in Damascus! - Aloha, Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Troutbum called today to say it's cold & windy in southern Va. It got down to about 17-degrees last night & of course everyone had already sent home most of their winter gear, so they are all cold & miserable & planning to zero in the shelter & their sleeping bags. Wind is gusting around 30-mph. UGH! Mahalo for your thoughts & prayers for hikers' safety & warmth tonite!!!!!!! --- UPDATE: Turns out they heard it was warmer down off the mountain, so got up and moved on. Read more from Troutbum on 4/30/2008. - Aloha, Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Troutdale VA
Miles today: 10.2

Hey everybody. So I made this thumping sound in the shelter, and was asked what it was. I replied that it was my frozen sock. We were all snuggled in our sleeping bags trying to stay warm after a cold night on Mt Rogers (17 degrees) Very Strong Winds blew snow into the cracks in the shelter. I was able to get phone reception and found out that if we could get off of the mountain, there was no snow and it was warmer. After leaving Damascus, it rained for the next two days. We were completely soaked. Our socks and out boots were frozen solid. We debated zeroing for the day, but about 10:30, we got out of the warm bags and got moving. I actually had to sit on my boots to warm them up to thaw them out enough to get moving. Took 40 minutes to get my frozen feet into the frozen socks and boots. But boy am I glad I did. What an incredible day. Got to hike with Bogey and Slim for half the day, then Hometown and Loveboat the rest of the day. It was an incredible Winter Wonderland. Walked through Grayson Highlands Park and not only got to see the wild ponies, but got to feed and sorta pet one. Too cool! It is so nice to be able to keep up with other hikers and talk, rather than have them pass me up. Love my trail legs. Went fly fishing outside of Damascus. Met Robb and Larry - guys my age who used to be college room-mates. Robb gave me some good tips and some flies. I asked him to show me with my rod how to fish the stream, and he had a fish within 3 minutes. I tried for an hour, with no luck. Will try again. Yesterday, I crossed the 500 mile mark. I can't believe it. After the rain and the freezing night, I am starting to feel like a real backpacker. The people I hike with are so much fun. We are mostly like minded. We are all a little crazy, but care for each other. I feel like I fit in well. Gotta go. Thanks for all the support. Troutbum Troutbum is staying at the Troutdale Church Hostel & says he ate at Jerry's and (I quote): "delish!" - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm revising Troutbum's miles and locations so well for the past 1-2 weeks. I've been sick & our phone conversations have been short or just messages back & forth, due to the lack of mobile service in a lot of areas of the Trail right now. Apparently the Trail in the southern part of Virginia is a mobile "dead zone" for phones? Troutbum called today from Pearisburg, which is 43 miles from Bland, where T was on 5/8/09. He had a 22-mile day and then a couple of 10s. He's moving slower again, due to the giardia & antibiotics. Hopefully he can get back up to speed once he's feeling better. Troutbum & some friends stopped in Pearisburg for the night & are splitting the cost of some rooms in a hotel. It's been raining buckets & everyone is soaked to the skin. When T called this morning at 9:30 a.m., he had 7 miles to Pearisburg, and I'm sure it rained every inch of the way. Troutbum plans to make Catawba (that's another 72 miles) in 5 days, but will get a late start tomorrow b/c he has to go to the post office in the morning, he said when we talked this evening (twice in one day, enjoying the sudden good mobile connection!). He also mentioned that Steelman said the Penguins beat the Flyers 4-2. I've been watching Hula on PBS & couldn't care less about hockey; but I'm glad the guys are taking advantage of the luxuries of hotel living for the night. :o) If anyone wants to send a card or care-package, send it In Care Of GENERAL DELIVERY, to the appropriate U.S. Post Office, usually 1-2 weeks in advance on hiker's expected arrival, and let hiker know it's coming! Hikers have to show their driver's licenses or other legit, gov't ID to get their mail & the P.O. kindly holds it for them until they claim it. Mahalo & Aloha - Troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pearisburg VA - "Zero" Day
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everyone! Giardia is not fun. What is even worse is the cure. I went from one extreme to the other - I am not sure which is worse. Constipation to constant diarrhea - makes things tough with a pack on my back. I am taking a "zero day" in Pearisburg, VA to try and recover. I went to another doctor and was informed that the medication that I took killed the bugs and it also killed the good bacteria in my body, so I have to replace that. Hoping to get back in the swing of things shortly. Zeroing is also good tonight, as the weather is supposed to get really cold. Considering that I sent my cold-weather gear home, my 40-degree sleeping bag could be a problem. I was cold in it even on a 50-degree night. The A.T. killer died in jail Saturday night. No one seems to know why, nor care. Still a weird ending to a weird life. The two fishermen are still alive. I camped about two miles down the river from the place where the shootings took place. Kinda weird. Lots of law enforcement officers running around. I will be glad to put some distance between me and this area. So will most of the other hikers I have talked to. Gotta keep this short - another time limit. Hope to out of here tomorrow and feeling better. Talk to you soon, Troutbum P.S. Posting two photos - dad's 80th birthday party and the fish slayer. - troutbum's g.f.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Troutbum's having a bad week! He got Giardia, his feet hurt like hell, and today he smacked his head pretty hard on a low-hanging branch today & cut his scalp. Fortunately, Bad Idea was hiking with him & was able to administer first aid immediately & no sign of concussion. Troutbum sends a shout-out: Bad Idea is a good guy. Interestingly, a bridge in this area went out about 4 yrs ago during a hurricane, but hasn't yet been replaced, so the guys had to/got to ford a river today. Doesn't look like T will get to Catawba by Saturday, b/c moving slowly due to Giardia & antibiotics & so forth. He wanted to get to Laurel Shelter tonight but will only get to War Spur Shelter before he stops to set up camp early & try to get a lot of sleep for once. Mobile phone coverage is still very limited. But views are gorgeous. Up above 4000 feet it's still all brown & leafless, but below are flowering green trees. - troutbum's g.f.