morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Rained virtually all day. Originally we had planned to stay at Deer Park Mt Shelter, but Freight Train, Deja Thru and I decided to push onto Hot Springs so we could have a zero day there. Arrived about 5.30pm and hit the Smokey Mt diner for a double cheeseburger, chips and salad - bliss! We booked into the Hot Springs camping ground and shared a cabin for $70 - good value.First thing in the morning felt even worse and felt like getting off the trail. I considered taking a rest day, as a result, was last to leave the farm. Foot pain was putting a damper on everything, not walking properly, limping, body compensating for the pain, causing damage elsewhere, and so I was on my own for awhile, time to reconsider things. Didn't catch up to the others until about 11am and walked together until Max Patch, an enormous bald - 4,600ft. The view was just stupendous in all directions and spent about an hour up there, taking in the view. There were many locals picnicking in the area and a couple kindly shared their sandwiches and wine with us. Local hospitality is abundant, the folk are just so friendly. Didn't take much wine to have an impact on my mood and I felt much better, so much so, that went off to do the laundry, have a shower and eventually settled into a soft bed for the night.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in, what a luxury! Still raining outside. Met up and wandered back to the diner for breakfast where we met Trashman & Co hoving into their morning feasts. They must have left camp at early. Had an omelette watered down with tea, a muffin and some fruit. Did my emails and then went on to have a spa - what an experience!! The spas are located by the river and are screened by a small fence and a roof, other than that, are open to the elements. I spoiled myself by staying for an indulgent, luxurious hour in 37 degrees C mineral waters with jets massaging away the soreness, stiffness and the pain in my feet and legs. The joy of it!
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Spring Mt Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Left late after a very relaxing zero day in Hot Springs. It rained most of the night and was very cold - nice to be in a cabin. Deja Thrus had to see a doctor in the morning about her swollen ankles and also buy supplies. I had a few things to do so I didn't leave until about 11am. Almost immediately, my left foot began hurting and didn't stop all day as most of the day's climb was uphill - it really makes my day a purgatory. I basically walked alone all day until I came across two girls at a spring. Turns out one is an Australian from Adelaide, her trail name is "Lift + Step". It was nice to hear an Aussie accent again. We continued the walk together and eventually arrived at Spring Mt about 5pm. It was a great surprise to discover Trashman's crew were all here. Deja Thru arrived about one hour later, so we were all together again as a group, plus extra company. It was an absolutely freezing night, so it was into the sleeping bags at 7pm just to keep warm.
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Spring Mt Shelter

To: Big Butt Mt Campsite
Miles today: 17.3

Being so cold, I hated getting out of my cosy, warm bag, so decided to sleep in and enjoy the warmth, while the others all left early. Walking alone all morning gives you time to think, and think, and more thinking. Walking was good, the weather sunny but cool, great views and the inclines not too steep for a change. About 8.6mls later, I eventually caught up with Trashman & Co and had a break for lunch at Little Laurel Shelter. The climb out was brutal and then the shit really started. The trail went along a steep ridge line for about two and a half miles, it was rocky and involved a lot of scrambling and maneuvering. Served me right for wanting to do the extra miles! We made it to Jerry Cabin Shelter where Trashman & Co were setting up for dinner. It was a grave mistake that Deja Thru and I determined to push on to Big Butt Mt, which was an extra 2mls on. We were exhausted and dehydrated and not thinking too clearly, and ended up taking a wrong turn and of course got off the trail for about 45mins. When finally back on track, the first open space we found, dropped our packs, set up camp, hung out the food bags, ate something, can't remember what and ready for an early night, when a little while later, Trashman & Co, plus extra company - Chicken Feathers, Eric the Red, Whoopie Pie, Lift n Step and a German couple arrived and set up around us. Everyone was utterly exhausted, so it was an early night.
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Big Butt Mt Campsite

To: Low Gap Mt
Miles today: 19.0

As usual, everyone was up before me, except for Chicken Feathers; so took our time breakfasting and eventually got on the track. CF is from the South of Atlanta and is about 64 with the most amazing Southern accent. He's also a bit of a naturalist, pointing out the various and diverse local flora as we trekked the 12.8mls until time for lunch at Hogback Ridge Shelter. With revived energy and food in our bellies, we pushed on. The morning was spent mostly on steep downhill crunches which was really tiring and hard on the knees, but the afternoon provided uphill stretches for about 4mls.As we came into Sams Gap we came across a strange sight - it looked like a gypsy camp on the side of the road. As we got closer, realised it was a trail magic with an awning on the side of the road and Trashman & Co and extra company were already there, lazing around, relaxing after a feast of - baked beans, icecream, cookies and chips, coke, fruit, hamburgers - a hiker's paradise. Hamburgers never tasted so good and we ate as if it was our last meal! Replenished and feeling rested, we moved on until we found an inviting spot by a creek at Low Gap and set up camp for the night.
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Low Gap Mt

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning started off great and only got better, as around lunchtime at Spivey Gap there was smoke pouring out of a clearing and an unusual smell riveted our smell senses. We heard voices up ahead and went to investigate. Another trail magic waited for us - second in a row! A young lad - Hoover with his mother was serving baked potatoes, more burgers with chilies, cookies and fruit for afters, coke, cans of soft drinks, etc. Hoover was a thru hiker and wanted to return the kindness he found last year, so we were spoilt for choice. Deja Thru along with Skywalker - a 6ft 11in guy who was going to Damascus to promote his book titled: "Skywalker" and others were already there enjoying the feast. Not wanting to overdo the eating, we set off and arrived at NBK Shelter at around 3pm, thiking there might be more surprise downpours, so decided to spend the night there. Deja Thru carried on to Irwin, whilst I spent the afternoon taking it easy and talking with Skywalker, Chicken Feathers and Eric the Red.All in all, a great day!
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Irwin

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Well, into my fourth week on the trail. Am at a town called Irwin in Tennessee, 339 miles into the trail. (I can't believe I've walked over 500 kms). Staying at a cheap hotel as it is bucketing down. Don't know if it has made the news in Australia, but Tennessee and North Carolina are having record floods and the AT straddles both states. It's supposed to fine up tomorow so I will head out then. Still making pretty good time (averaging about 17 miles a day) although I've still got big problems with my foot, and still going up and down mountains. I can hardly wait for Virginia, where supposedly the trail flattens out some.
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Irwin

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

I've met some pretty interesting people out on the trail. It certainly doesn't attract the normal average Joe or the faint hearted. Still having a great time and never get tired of the scenery and people. I do however get tired of the trail having to go over every bloody peak, ridge and gap in the range and there's so many of those! But at the end of a day, standing on a mountain top looking out at the view, all one sees is the endless stretch of mountains and forest - it all makes it worthwhile.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Irwin

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Undertaking the AT has been good for me, my thinking processes have totally changed and I feel different about a whole lot of things in my life. All the baggage I seemed to carry and all that it involved feels like a distant memory.I also think the anti-inflammatories are starting to work as my foot feels much better, so it should be OK to resume the walk tomorrow.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Irwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The break did me good, and so after four days rest I was hoping for the best with my foot, but soon after starting out, there seemed to be NO improvement! It still feels bloody painful, sore to touch and swollen. Six more Ibuprofen just to get through the day. I can't see myself doing this for the next five months! Living with excruciating pain on a daily basis is pure exhaustion amongst other things!
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Got an early start and strangely enough my foot was OK for the first two hours and then topped up with two more Iborpfen and carried on. Met two latter day hippies Eric the Red and Baldy, who make all their own equipment and harvest food from the forest to supplement what little food they carry. Baldy's pack and gear minus food and water weighes 9lbs!! He also has the best dreadlocks I've seen since Bob Marley. Baldy must be taking lots of zero days as he hikes a lot faster than me. Pretty much walked alone most of the day. Roan Mt at 6,285ft - was the hardest so far on the trail, straight up, almost vertical struggle for three miles - what a brute! The weather was hot and humid and if anything else could go wrong - I ran out of water halfway up! Forgot to mention, earlier on I ran into Snowman & Escargot - they were amazed that I was behind them.Arriving at the shelter which is the highest point on the trail, I was told that thunderstorms were due that night, so reasoned to stay in the shelter. Big mistake - it was dark, wet and noisy all night long with snoring, etc. The storm finally came through about 3am.
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Yellow Mt Gap, Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The morning was bitterly cold, foggy and blowing a gale! Started really early, wearing all my raingear. Foot was painful almost immediately and to cap it off, I took another wrong turn and walked almost 1.5mls along a ridge the wrong way. The brain's not working when there's pain to be felt. Back on track, I was in a blue funk until I saw a sign pointing to trail magic at Overmountain Shelter. It was the best trail magic yet and made up for all the mess I was getting myself into. It was an absolutely beautiful and serene spot, sunny but crispy cold and in the midst of it all, a group of hikers who did the AT in 1998, and who come back every year to party and give back to kindness by supplying trail magic. In the offering was food, chilies, soft drinks and beer and they wouldn't let anyone leave until they had some beer. Throughout the day, many more hikers emerged out of the woods and it turned into quite a party! Sated with good food and drink, I slowly put up my tent around 7pm, turned in and slept like a baby for the first time in ages!
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Yellow Mt Gap, Overmountain Shelter

To: Roan Mt, Tennessee
Miles today: 9.2

A 6.30am start and another freezing morning with gale winds. Someone shouted out that it was 34 degrees F and the winds blowing at about 50 MPA - it was just freezing!! I put on every article of clothing I had and set off. The trail went over Hump Mt which was grassy and very exposed. Without the protective shelter of tall trees around me, I was almost blown over a number of times! The only spots on my body that were exposed to the elements were my nose and cheeks and these ached with the cold, the ache making its way down into my teeth. I haven't felt such blistering cold, and hate to think what Winter must be like.I hiked most of the day with a young couple and their dog (sorry, I've always been lousy with names). Finally the descent came and we were at last protected from the winds. I stopped at a shelter just before Roan Mt, the town, and seriously debated whether to pull out of the hike as my foot was a serious pain in the butt and the agony was taking its toll on my body and mind. In the end I decided to stay at a hostel, see a doctor in town and then make a final decision.I settled into the Roan Mt Harbour B&B which was really beautiful with all the comforts to make one forget the misery of the past. The owners were lovely and interesting to chat with. Unfortunately they were full but let me use a four berth caravan they had in the yard - not so comfortable as the house would have been, but heaps better than the tent or shelter. After a luxurious shower at the house, I went back to the van and who should be there but Snowshoes and Escargot! So we spent the afternoon taking it easy, sitting in the sun and shooting the breeze.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Roan Mt, Tennessee

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to the best breakfast I have ever had, (when doing the AT, one should realise that when presented with decent food it automatically becomes the best ever). But seriously, this B&B is famous on the trail for its breakfast and I can see why - a healthy and delicious feast and all for just $9. The gracious owners even shuttled me into town straight and deposited me at the doctor's door, and as I was a 'walk-in' had to wait about two hours. For once, I had a doctor who seemed to know what he was talking about. He went straight to the sore spot and recommended a cortizone shot in my heel - an interesting experience to say the least!! Honestly, I could feel it working almost immediately.Back at the B&B, packed, paid up and left for Mountaineer Shelter by 2pm. Haven't given the foot another thought, instead concentrated on the names of the many people I'm meeting on the trail and catching up with ones I haven't seen for weeks, like Sticks & Bones and Sandshoes.I'm ready for the long haul of the AT with renewed vigour.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove, Kinkora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

Feeling really good so am prepared for a big day (compared to the small miles of the past week). The character of the woods and massive trees provided good shelter from the winds and increased my pace to a reasonable trot.Approaching the Kinkora hostel and the first people I meet are Snowman & Escargot. Laundry done, shower taken, and Bob Peoples, the proprietor provided a shuttle run into town. When we got back, Snowman cooked an impressive spaghetti dinner for 25 hikers. He is a man of many talents and generous to boot. The hostel was very crowded with people everywhere - on couches, spread out on floors, draped over benches, all recovering and having a good time. But it was a bit of a shock to find myself sharing a room with about 12 others. Haven't done this sort of stuff since travelling around Europe back in the 70's - I know why too!!
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Dennis Cove, Kinkora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Left Kinkora Hostel at 7.30am and walked at a comfortable pace through Laurel Gorge until I arrived at Watauga Lake where I planned to have lunch. I must be getting fitter, as I don't feel tired in the least and could have continued on if it wasn't for the rumbling stomach and hunger pains. Found a nice picnic area and a bench on which to dry my tent. I was just about to slice a roll when some people arrived and said the magic words: Trail Magic. My meagre meal can keep for dinner, as I hove into three hot dogs, brownies, chips and soft drink to wash it all down. Ahh!Despite consuming so much unhealthy food at town stops and trail magic spots, one cannot put on weight and struggles to actually keep it on, so I don't feel too bad having second or third helpings.For the rest of the day I hiked around and over Watauga Lake until a sign indicated the shelter was nearby. A college group doing a field trip on the AT was already there, preparing their evening meal. The wind was getting stronger and colder and I didn't waste any time setting up camp and settling into the evening. The view from back of the shelter was just magnificent, looking over the lake and the reflection of the trees in its depth.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Low Gap, Shady Valley

To: Damascus
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally made into Damascus! You won't believe this..I just set up my tent (in the front yard of a church) and was walking into the main town of Damascus when I passed a guy wearing a "downunder" T-shirt. It was Relic, talk about a fluke! We have just come back from having a beer together. He is a really nice guy.Damascus is going to be incredible, there are literally thousands of hikers descending on the place from everywhere, it should be a good weekend. I'm having dinner tonight with Relic and some of his hiking buddies and hope to catch up with Trashman as well. I saw Onelife.It looks like the cortizone injection worked as my foot seems to be holding out and am enjoying the journey at last.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Damascus

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Taking it easy, looking forward to picking up Krystyna's package with the much longed for dried peas and corn, couscous, finally, some vegemite, the voltaren caps and gel, etc. The photos were appreciated as well. I'm basically just wandering around today checking out vendors' stalls and eating lots of free food and downing it with nice coffee for a change. It's amazing how generous people are to hikers. It's also amazing how many people I know here from the trail and the number of people who seem to know me but I don't know them. Always have had a problem remembering faces and names.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Zero Day

To: Damascus - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Another lazy day, soaking it all in. Trail days have been nice and it's been great to catch up with people I haven't seen for a while. Relic has been extremely good to me, in fact virtually everyone I've met has been terrific.This afternoon there is a big hiker parade down the main street and a talent show gala night later on. I plan to leave early tomorrow morning and do about 18 miles tomorrow. I feel really good about the trail again and hopefully won't get into funked mode again. Will let Krystyna know where to send the next supplies - of course vegemite.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Damascus - Zero Day

To: Lost Mt Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

I missed saying goodbye to Relic, as I was having a long, hot shower at the time that he left,(showers are of vital importance on the AT and we all take advantage of the time spent under). Had a farewell breakfast with Deja Thru and Eric, as they're both leaving the trail. They were great company. Hit the trail about 9am and almost as soon as I left Damascus, I hit some trail magic along the way. Someone had lined up cans of beer on each step leading from he highway up to the trail. I snuffled a couple for that night, helps with relaxing the aches and pains.Walking was great up until about 11am when it started to rain. All hell soon broke loose - thunder, lightning, the works, but I kept walking all throughout the afternoon in the downpour, funny, I never saw another person. I wonder why??Frozen to the bone, soaking and tired, I finally arrived at the shelter at 4pm and for once was glad of an opportunity to sleep in a shelter as it was still pouring down. The shelter already had a bunch of people in it and the only spot was beside a young kid with hand made tattoos all over his face. He was covered in dirt and grime, and poor kid, it looked like he lived there. In the end, I ended up pitching my tent out in the rain. It poured all night long with thunder and lightning crackling throughout the very long night. The MSP hubba may weigh a bit more, but it is WATERPROOF!
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Lost Mt Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: light rain

Packed up tent in the rain, what an absolute mess, everything's soaking and muddy. Hit the trail at 8am eating a dry breakfast on the way, and immediately started the long ascent up Mt Rogers (5,729ft) being the highest peak in Virginia, but the climbs here are much better than in Tennessee, where they are much steeper and the trail tends to vertically go up in a straight, very narrow line. Whereas in Virginia, the country seems more temperate with more switch-backs. Having reached the pinnacle, the trail followed a ridge clled Massiv Gap, where the views are supposed to be some of the best on the trail, but all I saw was mist and rain. In fact, it rained all day long.But I was rewarded by seeing some wild ponies with their young and I was able to get quite close. The photos unfortunately concentrated on the mist and rain droplets instead, with a faint outline of a horse in the background.Along the trail, a pine had been hit by lightning the previous night and it was almost split down the middle. The walking was very tough today with lots of boulders and small rocks on the trail and a running stream from the constant rain. Once at the shelter around 7.30pm found that Miles was there along with a religious group.Today's effort of 23.2 miles felt good and a new record for me.
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Almost perfect hiking conditions today. Cool with occasional rain, but smooth, rock-free track with only a couple of small climbs. Still drizzling and misty, so the views were limited to a couple of feet in front, but did manage to see my first beaver.By 6pm reached the shelter. It was a great day's walk - 25 miles!! I can't believe I did it in one day. The shelter was rather crowded with a mixture of thru and section hikers. Miles was there along with Digerdood and his partner. This is the only shelter on the trail where they will deliver pizza, so I had a Pepperoni with a couple of beers for dinner. Used Miles' mobile to ring and book a spot at the Happy Hostel at Atkins, then continued to set up my wet and uninviting tent and with a full belly and a satisfied feeling, went to bed.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Happy Hiker Hostel, Atkins
Miles today: 11.6

Feeling pretty exhausted after the last couple of days distances, so looking forward to a short one today and be pampered at the Happy Hiker Hostel(HHH). Rambunny picked me up from the shell service station and it turned out that she remembered David Burville from 2001 - six degrees of separation! The HHH is like a home away from home. Rambunny kindly offered to do all my laundry, she cooked a most delicious dinner and the breakfast was like a feast in itself. All I had to do was just laze about and read all day, talk about being spoiled. The only thing that spoiked it for me was sharing a room with a guy who had an asthma attack during the night.Other hikers at HHH were Let It Be and Stickman (who were hiking with their dogs), Digerdood and partner, Chef Glen and some section hikers. Good company, great hostel, scrumptious food, what else could one ask for?