morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Flint Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 5.9

I awakened at 4am, attempted to write my journal from the previous day, erased it and waited for daylight.At 7am I put my rain suit over my damp clothes, shoved my wet sleeping bag into its sack then put everything into my wet pack.By a quarter to eight I was on the trail, my destination the next shelter only 5.9 miles away. My goal for the day was getting to a shelter quickly and drying out my down bag so that I could survive tonight. I hoped that the Flint Mountain Shelter had a fireplace inside which would make life a whole lot easier for me, but that wasn't the case.When I arrived at the shelter Gonzo was here eating lunch and we talked about the weather and pack weights for a half hour until she moved on to the next shelter.I had pulled out my sleeping bag as soon as I got to the shelter, fluffed it up, placed it on my pad and willed it to dry, which it actually started to do almost immediately. Outside, the rain continued to come down.About noon Shocked and Awed came in and soon after, 4 of the people from last nights shelter stopped to eat lunch.Later in the afternoon, Luke Skywalker and Night Fever arrived to eat lunch and relax before moving on to do a 20+ mile day.It's 3pm, I'm in my still slightly damp sleeping bag writing and killing time before I fall asleep for the night. As Scarlet once said, "Tomorrow is another day".
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Flint Mt. Shelter

To: Campsite @ Low Gap
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a beautiful day for hiking! The temperatures climbed into the upper 60s and the sun was shining in a sky full of puffy white clouds.We all made breakfast this morning, me, E-Dog, Shocked and Awed, Slug and Mambo. The company at the shelter last night and this morning was so enjoyable that I wanted it to last a little longer.A section hiker that was tented near us had brought up 2 bags of food, begging us to take it because they brought too much and didn't want to carry it any farther. I know just how he felt, I had given a Mountain House meal to JP Digger once when he gave me something for a blister. "No", he said, "That's too much". "Take it", I said, "I don't want to carry it any farther! Anyway, I got 2 Ramen and 2 oatmeal packets out of the deal, so that is why I made breakfast this morning. It's so easy to put the boiling water right in the packet and eat from it. No cleanup, my kind of meal!We had stopped right before crossing NC 212 to take fleeces off and have a quick snack when we heard bleating in the distance from across the road. Where we were to cross the road there was a style to take us up and over the pasture fence. From across the field came a small goat, bleating the entire way. Shortly we realized that he was "talking" to us and when reaching the fence, he walked right through it and across the street, up the hill, and stopped behind Shocked. I quickly put my pack on and went across the street so that I could slow down any cars that might come around the curve.The goat followed us over the style, through the pasture, over the next style and down the hill towards the next road crossing. You could tell that he was used to being fed by the thru-hikers, but I didn't think it was a good idea to encourage him. I was able to get some great pictures which Nathan will put up as soon as I finish this disk.After the next road crossing we started a difficult 8 mile climb that took us through some of the prettiest sections of the trail so far. There were beautiful creeks with great waterfalls, thanks to the recent rain, and the ruins of several ancient log structures. The acres and acres of trout lilies and trillium helped to take my mind off of the climb.E-Dog, Shocked and I stopped for lunch at a sunny spot along the trail about 7 miles from where we had started. I took out my tent which was still wet from the storm 2 nights before. There was no use taking it out yesterday because it was still raining and there wasn't any place to hang it at the shelter last night. It took all of 30 minutes and the tent was dry and ready to be re-packed.About 10 minutes after we started back on the trail I spotted a fellow in full camouflage with a shotgun on his back walking toward us on the trail. He was out turkey hunting and told us that he was allowed to walk the trail with his gun, just not fire it within 200 feet of he trail. He was a nice fellow but the whole thing was a little un-nerving.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Campsite @ Low Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm filthy. There are no two ways about it, I'm filthy. My last shower was in Hot Springs last Tuesday morning and I have been on the trail since then. In my entire life, I don't think my feet have ever smelled like they do, my hair stays where it's put without the aid of barrettes, and my sleeping bag smells like a goat.Tomorrow morning after a short 6 mile hike I'll be in Erwin, TN at Uncle Johnny's Campground and Hostel. They have beds, pillows, washing machines, and food. I may take a zero day on Tuesday, I may not. I'm pleased with the miles I've been making, but I still have some catching up to do since the storm in the Smokies. I'll see how I feel Tuesday morning.Today was a great day to spend in the woods. We were all up and out of the campsite by 7:45 this morning. E-Dogg and I felt good, Shocked was dragging. None of us had slept last night due to the lay of the land. There wasn't a flat tent site in the camping area, so we took the least of 3 evils. We all rolled off of our pads all night.We leapfrogged each other all day and ended up together for lunch at Bald Mt. Shelter after crossing Big Bald at over 5,000 feet. I took a few pictures at the top of the bald that probably won't do it justice, but I wanted to remember the magnificent view.The afternoon was a 9 mile walk through a deep, dark, lush old growth forest with rushing creeks and waterfalls and trails with built in steps of stone. Kudos to the wonderful maintainers that built those steps.At one point we were surprised with freezing cold Mountain Dews that had been left in a creek by Spivey Gap. There were also 2 Budweiser's which made me think of Mama Jean. She would have enjoyed a Bud after a long walk in he woods.The trees are now starting to leaf out and the woods are taking on a completely different look. We are truly walking north with spring.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN.
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: moderate rain

Up at 6am and out by 7. The trail was cool and wet as I quickly walked the 6.3 miles into Erwin. I was thinking about a shower and big salad the entire time.Shortly after starting, the rain began to fall but I didn't stop to put on my rain gear and pack cover because my time on the trail this morning would be short as I didn't plan to stop for any breaks.The views going into Erwin were award winning! The clouds hung on the sides of the mountains and the Nolichucky River was fast and furious from the previous week's storms. Sometimes I bring out the camera in the rain and this was one of those mornings.I paused several times to pluck the vitamin C rich, light green, new buds from the hemlock branches that hung over the trail and popped them into my mouth.In 2.5 hours we were at the trailhead on River Road, being greeted by 4 dogs from Uncle Johnny's Hostel. They walked with us across the street to the hostel, then left to welcome the next wave of hikers.I got the last vacant cabin for the day and Johnny was kind enough to shuttle Shocked and Awed to the Best Southern closer to town. After settling in, my dirty laundry was turned over to Charlotte, Johnny's wife and then returned to me several hours later clean and folded; what a treat!Already at the hostel were: Night Fever, Bareback, Foxy and Felicity, Digger, Boogie Man Dan, Humble Harmon, and numerous others. It's so nice to see these wonderful people that I've met in the last 5 weeks, all in one place.Circuit Rider and Sherlock showed up in the afternoon just to say hi. I really enjoy the company of these happy, always positive hikers. They've offered to hike the second half of the Smokies with me if I do it in October. Wow, what an offer!I took a much needed shower, washed my yucky hair and put on my rain suit to wait for my clean clothes.Several of us ordered burritos and salads delivered for dinner and I turned in early. My feet had been protesting for the last several days and I was anxious to give them a rest.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Erwin, TN.

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

The wind and rain awakened me this morning. I dressed and was waiting on the front deck at 8:30 for our shuttle into town for breakfast and errands. Six of us took advantage of Johnny's hospitality, one of the many shuttles he offered throughout the day.I wasn't able to get my room for another night due to a prior reservation, and didn't want to go into the hostel because of the hiker virus that's going around so I'm spending the night at the Super 8 in town. Charlotte and Johnny let me spend the day there even though they couldn't accommodate me tonight and then Charlotte drove me to the P.O. for the second time and then dropped me off at the Motel.These hostel owners and Jimmy, their employee, were the perfect hiker hosts. The prices in their little outfitters were the lowest on the trail and the music that plays out onto the deck all day was the greatest. It was the perfect place for me to rest my weary feet.Tomorrow I'm back on the trail headed to Damascus with one stop for re-supply in between.If there are any hikers out there that went to Trailfest in Hot Springs, Elmer and Jack are looking for feedback, so please contact them at hotsprings.com or www.trailfest.netI'll close with this beautiful poem written by Karen Reilly.......Onward....patiently, slowly.This is your time to gather the trail's sights and sounds and smells for your soul.It's the time to remember the earth's spirit does not weaken, but strengthens your body.Patiently persevere, for the next moment, the trails curve, the long climb up brings you a joy you will never know once you leave the trail.
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Erwin, TN

To: Campsite USFS 230
Miles today: 12.1

I hiked out of Erwin at 8:30am with a 28 lb pack. ARGH!!! I'm eating so much more now and 4 days worth of food is heavy. I'm anxious to unload my 3 lb 1 oz sleeping bag in Damascus along with my boots. I'll keep all of my winter clothes until after Mt. Rogers.The lunch stop was at Curley Maple Shelter then on to a tent site along USFS 230. The decision to stop here for the night was made because I prefer a climb like Unaka Mountain first thing in the morning. The AT Boonies, Harmon and Luke said hi on their way by up the mountain.I made my dinner of Mountain House Beef Stroganoff, and finished up the baby carrots and ranch dip that I had gotten in Erwin the day before. Ranch dip will never be the same.
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Carver's Gap, TN

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 9.7

I'll start with Wednesday night: I got very sick from the ranch dressing and spent a long night rolling off of my z-rest pad due to the uneven tent site; that is when I was able to be IN the tent and not out in the bushes emptying the contents of my stomach.Anyway, Thursday was a miserable blur of wicked ups and few downs. I couldn't find any pleasure in the trail, I just wanted the day to be over. At one point I found myself hoping that I would fall and break a leg so that I could go home and get in bed.At 11am I arrived at Cherry Gap Shelter where Shocked was already eating his lunch, and Skywalker was just packing up for the day. I laid down on the ground, put my head on my pack and fell asleep. We hiked out 45 minutes later, then took a break mid afternoon, where I laid down again and promptly fell asleep. I was no longer sick, just absolutely wiped out. I had eaten only 3 crackers the entire day. At 4:30 we arrived at Greasy Gap and decided to go the .7 miles to the Greasy Creek Friendly hostel that is off of an old woods road that goes through the gap. Pac Rat and CeeCee run a small, friendly hostel with the best hostel meals on the trail (when CeeCee is in town). There are 2 dogs and a cat which made me happy. Their re-supply is fantastic!I knew there was no way I would be able to hike up Roan Mt. today, so I either had to take a zero day to rest or hike down Roan Mt. This morning we had Pac Rat shuttle us to Carver's Gap and we walked south back to the hostel. Tomorrow he will take us back to Carter's Gap and we will walk in the opposite direction.We were expecting rain all day, but got none. The trail between Carver's Gap and Hughes Gap were magical. The woods dark and lush, the forest floors covered in a green carpet of ramps, trillium, trout lilies, violets and numerous other woodland flowers. My downhill and straight-a-way legs were back, my uphill legs still a little weak.When we arrived back at the hostel, we found: Slug and Mambo, JP Digger with the British sisters, and Window. They had all come in during the afternoon and wanted to be under a roof for the big storm that's due tonight.Pac Rat made a delicious soup/stew and CeeCee made chicken, salmon, and salads. Dinner was delicious! I'll miss this place. It's off the beaten track, but well worth the walk.Tomorrow I'll be back on track and on my way to Damascus.
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

I left the Apple House Shelter at 7:30, thirty minutes after High Octane and fifteen minutes before Shocked and Awed. Due to the chilly temps, my fleece was on my back and my gloves on my hands. In spite of the birds singing and flowers blooming, I could see my breath this morning. It was a quick half mile walk to Rt. 19 where the AT crossed the highway. Due to past acts of vandalism and harassment, I waited for Shocked before going down to the parking area and across the street.We hiked closely together today due to being in the "safety zone". Apparently hikers and the ATC are not looked on lovingly by some locals and there has been trouble in the past.After crossing Bear Branch Road it was evident that some people have no respect for the woods. Bags upon bags of trash had been thrown down onto the AT. As we walked farther along, we followed a beautiful creek whose banks had also been fouled by bags of trash and large appliances. How sad that what I will remember most about Tennessee is that beautiful hill covered in trash.Lunch was eaten at Jane Falls a short tenth of a mile off the trail and worth every step. I sat on a log, removed my boots and socks, sat in the sun and ate my lunch of pepperoni and cheese with crackers. Now that the days are getting warmer I won't be able to carry the same packages of cheese and pepperoni for 3-4 days at a time. I'll have to switch to peanut butter and crackers, especially after the ranch dip episode!After Laurel Fork my feet started to ache like they usually do after 12-13 miles. By the time I reached the campsite at 6:30 I was really uncomfortable. I'm anxious to get my trail shoes in Damascus and see if it makes a difference. I'll switch insoles also, from my custom orthotics to a special hiking orthotic that all the outfitters carry.I had planned on sleeping in the shelter to save myself from putting my tent up, but the back of the shelter floor was 8" higher than the front of the floor which meant that I would spend the night sliding down it. There were four of us at the shelter and everyone chose to tent.I pitched my tent, made my dinner, took ibuprofen for my aching feet and benadryl to ensure a good nights sleep and crawled into my sleeping bag for the night. It was 8:30 and still light out.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel, Dennis Cove, TN
Miles today: 5.8

I awakened at six to the birds singing their morning songs. Since we had planned a 7:30 departure and it doesn't take me long to get ready, I stayed in my sleeping bag and enjoyed the morning noises.At 7:15 I was ready to roll and headed out five minutes later. I love the early morning walks into town. I relish the hot shower, the clean clothes and the phone calls to family and friends.By 10:40 I was standing on the porch at Kinkora introducing myself to Bob and Pat Peoples, the owners of this wonderful place.After showering, doing laundry, and settling in, Pat drove us into town for lunch and re-supply. I ate so much that dinner will be an orange and a banana. That's it.With me at the hostel are: E-Dogg, Mike, Tom, Smiley was here but moved on, Knee pads and The Librarian, and several others that I've not yet met.When the shuttle takes everyone into town for dinner I'll make a few more phone calls then hit the sack. Tomorrow will be a high mile day.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Kincora Hostel, Dennis Cove, TN

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

The hostel was noisy last night and sleep eluded me until after midnight. I awakened for good at 6:00 to barking dogs, loaded my pack, ate some oatmeal and hot tea then headed out.Shocked and I walked the .2 miles to the trailhead then as we started down the trail, Night Fever and his visiting girlfriend, Chrystal drove up and chatted for a few minutes. I complimented her on her awesome corn bread, which had come in one of Night Fever's mail drops, and he was generous enough to share with us all at Uncle Johnny's Hostel.The Laurel Falls were beautiful and had it been warmer, would have been a great place to swim.The trail followed the Laurel Creek, crossing over it on massive timber bridges at several places. It was a peaceful and memorable walk.I stopped for the day at Watauga Lake Shelter. It was early so I went for water and soaked my aching feet in the creek below the shelter. The water was so cold that I had to keep taking my feet in and out to keep them from cramping. I wished that I had a book this afternoon, it was the perfect afternoon for reading.Back at the shelter, I set up my sleeping bag and went through my food to see what was for dinner. I decided on a pasta meal with some foil packaged chicken and a cup of black berry tea.While dinner was cooking I was joined by: E-Dogg, Digger, Goat, Pez, and Abner who was formerly called Idaho. Except for Digger, they were with us at the hostel last night. With them they brought the fixin's for s'mores, so after dinner Goat made a big fire and I made my first s'more. It was delicious!I'm on my sleeping bag, writing, and trying to rest my feet for their first 20 mile day tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: TN Rt. 91
Miles today: 18.1

The day didn't turn out to be a 20 mile day, but came very close.The shelter inhabitants started to stir around 6:30 this morning. I was packed and ready to go by 7:15, excited about the prospect of a 20 mile day. Shocked however was dragging. He had gotten sick during the night and felt awful. We left together but soon parted. I told him where I'd be for lunch and that I'd wait an hour for him to make sure he was ok.It was a perfect morning for hiking in the woods; cool and sunny. Around 10am I was rounding a corner about a hundred feet below a ridge before the Vandeventer Shelter and heard a loud sound in the woods about a hundred feet from me. I turned and saw the big black bottom of a bear cub running from me up towards the ridge.My camera, buried deep in my pack, was useless so I took in as much as I could with my eyes. The crowning moment happened when the bear took a right turn at the ridge and ran along the ridgeline with the morning sun shining on him from the other side of the mountain. What a treat to be there in the woods at that moment. It won't be on film for you to see, but it will be etched on my mind for a long time.I lunched at Vandevener Shelter with Night Fever and Chrystal, Pez and Goat, the AT Boonies, and Shocked and Awed.On my way towards Iron Mountain Shelter I was passed by Night Fever, Chrystal and the Boonies. I stopped at a campsite with water to wait for Shocked as he didn't want to go any farther tonight. I got 4 liters of water and treated it so he didn't have to get it for himself. He soon showed up and as the skies darkened and the thunder rolled, he quickly put up his tent. When he was settled I pushed on, still planning to do the 20 miles.About 2-3 miles before the Iron Mountain Shelter the storm which had been threatening me arrived with a vengeance. The rain poured down, the thunder boomed and the lightning cracked around me. I arrived at the next shelter to find my four comrades waiting out the storm. I was wet and cold but enjoying the company as the storm died down.There would be a shuttle waiting at Rt. 91 for my friends to take them to the Laurel Fork Lodge for the night, so I was easily swayed to join them. We would be delivered back to Rt. 91 in the morning and I could still get to Damascus tomorrow night.We hiked the 3 miles to the road, were picked up and taken to the lodge where hot showers and beds were waiting for us.
Date: 2003-05-01
From: TN Rt. 91

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We were up early and eating breakfast with The Petes, the AT Boonies, Finch, Kiwi and their crew, Sassafras and Flying Cricket, and some others before being shuttled the 45 minutes to Rt. 91.We got a late start at 10:15 and had a long way to go. We expected to get to Damascus by 7pm.My pace was quick starting out, the terrain easier than what we had been used to for the past 8 weeks. I stopped in an hour and a half for 15 minutes to rest and eat something. I felt good, the weather was just right, and I was on a mission to get to Damascus.I leap frogged with the Boonies all day and saw several other hikers as I went along. Lunch was some peanut butter and crackers on the side of the trail watching the beautiful view as I ate.I averaged 3+ miles/hour throughout the day and the excitement of getting into Damascus was mounting.When we reached the Abdington Gap Shelter at 3pm for a break, the skies darkened and the thunder started to threaten us. When the rain started we decided to wait it out for a while since we had been making such good time. We chatted, ate snacks and signed the register. At 3:45 we decided that whatever the weather was doing at 4:00---we were leaving the shelter, and that's what we did. The rain stopped, the sun came out and we did the last 10 miles in exactly 3 hours with no breaks.It felt so good to come down the hill and into town. We followed the white blazes into town, down the main street and found a place to stay for the night.It was a very long day, but a happy one.