morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Breadless MorningSomething ate my bread last night..booo! It was totally my fault and tempting fate finally got me. At night I just tie my ursack to a tree since bears can't bite through it. Well, the bread doesn't fit inside when I have a lot of food so I just tie it to the ursack. Well, something chewed on every single piece of the bread. Whatever it was couldn't have eaten one whole piece, they had to take bites off all of the pieces. After I left the shelter I scattered the remaining bread as I walked. Rah...The walk today was over endless puds. The trail would go straight up a mountain to no viewpoint, then straight down. That is how Benton MacKaye envisioned the trail, over the most rugged possible parts. (at least that was someones reasoning today) Some of the hiking clubs are working to reroute sections of trail so they slab around the mountain. We walked over one of these new reroutes today that had apparently been opened only 2 days ago. The trail gradually climbed around the side of the mountain instead of going straight up to the top.I noticed an exceptional amount of wildflowers today. I don't know all their names, but this one yellow kind really stood out. Their would be entire mountain tops covered with these as well as small white flowers that look like snow on the ground from a distance. The whole forest floor is covered in green now and I just know you can eat a lot of this stuff. I have been digging up ramps the past 3 nights and adding them to my dinners, but I don't really know what else is edible. I think I am going to have my dad mail me my field guide to edible wild plants! I can just eat as I go! I have also been finding wintergreen to add to my mate in the morning and yesterday I made a pine needle tea. It satisfies some kind of primal urge to eat stuff found in the forest!The end of the day today consist of a 2000ft climb up to roan mtn. The forest turned back into the spruce-fir style, similar to the smokys as the elevation rose above 5500ft. It felt so good to be back in an evergreen forest! The energy found here cannot be matched. I listened to some Ravi Shankar (thanks Mr. Sweepers!!!) on the way up which added to that strange energy. Earthquake and I ended up at Roan High Knob shelter, the highest elevation shelter on the entire AT. Only judo, hiking pole, and music man were up there with us.I am in my hammock without the tarp tonight. The wind is picking up and I hope it doesn't rain. If it does start, I will just pack up quickly and crash in the cabin style shelter. I should have just stayed in there to begin with, but the appeal of hanging my hammock between two fir trees was to great.Today's StatsStarting Point:Cherry Gap ShelterEnding Point:Roan High Knob ShelterMileage:15.2Elevation Gain:5980ftElevation Loss:3690ftHiking Time:11:00Weather:70's sunnyPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Doll Flats Campsite
Miles today: 12.2

Walking on Top of The WorldToday was one of those days that will never be forgotten. I woke up in a cloud on roan mtn and started my way down to carver gap. As I descended out of the greenest evergreen forest, the clouds started to fizzle out in the sun.After Carvers gap started a bald ridge walk that would last almost the entire day. The trail first climbed up to Round bald. Walking in a mountaintop field was so surreal it felt like I was dreaming. You could see where the trail wound along the mountain for miles and follow your friends in front and behind you. The views were so spectacular I could barely walk. I probably stopped every 20 min for 20 min just taking in the views. I could see for miles and miles in all directions, while thunderhead type clouds filled the sky only 5000ft above.After Round bald came jane bald which was just as magical. The trail then went down into a gap as it wound past overmountain shelter. This was an old barn restored for hikers to sleep in. The loft upstairs could easily sleep 20 and there were two sleeping areas on the bottom with room for at least another 10. The valley opened up below the barn giving a grand view of the mountains above.After overmountain came little hump mtn and hump mountain, two more balds. On hump mountain, Earthquake and I traced where the trail came from and where it is going next. We could see Unaka mtn from a couple of days ago. Quake and I were up there for at least an hour.After hump mountain we decided to camp at doll flats which offered an expansive lawn (where I am typing this under the stars) with a view of Hump. On the way down I dug up some more ramps for my dinner. I set up my hammock right on the edge of the field.Days like today are the reason I'm out here. Forget all the gear, and planning, and comforts of home! I don't think one can spend a day any better than walking through the Roan Highlands. I will not forget the sights I saw today for as long as I live!Today's StatsStarting Point:Roan High Knob ShelterEnding Point:Doll Flats CampsiteMileage:12.2Elevation Gain:2960ftElevation Loss:4660ftHiking Time:9:40Weather:Overcast and cold then warm and sunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Doll Flats Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Jones FallsI started walking down the mountain to highway 19E around 9:15, Earthquake left 10min earlier. Our plan was to go to a hostel 15miles down the trail for the night, where we could get dinner and more supplies. As I walked onto the highway I stuck out my thumb and the second car to drive by stopped. I figured if I got a ride that easily it was meant to be and I didn't need to stay in a hostel tonight.A little old lady probably 75 years old picked me up. She had hearing aids and could barely understand what I was saying, but figured out I needed a grocery store. She dropped me off 1.5m up the highway telling me to have fun when I am young as I get out of the car.I got food for the next 2 nights and got in touch with bobby and rambler. We are still on for a ride to the festival in hot springs. They are picking me up Friday morning at rt 321. I am super psyched to get back for trailfest. Mainly for the mass amounts of food that have been promised and to PARTY.As I was sitting in front of the grocery store a young guy in a pickup stopped and asked me if I need a ride to the diner. When he told me it had a lunch buffet I was sold. I got dropped off at the times square diner and I wondered if anyone in there had actually ever been to the real times square in NYC. I ate my face off (the sweet mashed potatoes were my fav) and went out to the road for a hitch back. The same guy who brought me to the diner just happened to be driving back the other way and brought me back to the trail. What an easy town stop! I guess the hitching gods needed to hook me up after the gun incident...I hauled ass the next 6 miles to try and catch earthquake and ran into him and tds at jones falls. These waterfalls were amazing. The kind of place that sucks you in and won't let you leave. About 30 feet above the cascading part of the falls was a 30+ foot drop straight down off the cliff. Quake and I climbed up to where the 30ft fall hit the top of the cascades. I stood in the icy cold fall for a while. It was sooo refreshing after sweating all day. I dried off and sat there for a while. Quake left and I had the whole falls to myself.About 8 people showed up 20 min later and I got back to hiking. The trail went along a river for a while then up to the new shelter. Quake and I decided to keep going and camp wherever. We hiked another hour and crossed a stream, grabbed water, and found a good spot. It was really cool to camp without 10 other people around. I'll def be doing that more often.Today's StatsStarting Point:Doll Flats CampsiteEnding Point:CampsiteMileage:13.4Elevation Gain:3290ftElevation Loss:4380ftHiking Time:7:57Weather:80's sunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Campsite

To: Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Early SpringQuake left camp early and resupplied at abby's place hostel. I caught up with him right as he got back on the trail. Quake, TDS, and I had a nice lesiurely day as everyone hiking around us was hauling to get to Kincora hostel early. I wanted to stay there and meet Bob Peoples, but we decided to push on since we were meting rambler at us321 the next morning for a ride back to trailfest.The trail past Kincora brought us into Pond Mountain Wilderness Area, home of Laurel Falls. The trail followed the laurel fork river down into a canyon with cliffs raising up on both sides kind of like a mini grand canyon. Spring seemed to be a little further along in the canyon because I saw my first blooming mountain laurels. They were of the pink variety and you could see them blooming high up on the cliff walls. We got to laurel falls and were blown away by its power and beauty. Definitely the biggest falls of the trip. Quake, TDS, and I chilled there for a bit and followed the river a little more down to Laurel Fork Shelter. Since everyone was staying at Kincora we had the shelter to ourselves and all three of us slept in the shelter.Today's StatsStarting Point:CampsiteEnding Point:Laurel Fork ShelterMileage:15.3Elevation Gain:3290ftElevation Loss:4330ftHiking Time:9:21Weather:Overcast then rain then clear sky sunsetPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Trailfest
Miles today: 7.0

Trailfest BoundWe got the earliest start of the trip and were walking at 8am. We knew Rambler and Bobby wanted to meet in the morning but we didn't know when. We left the Laurel fork river and started the 1500ft climb up to pond flats with dreams of cheeseburgers and hikers from across the land. We flew up that mountain and on the way down ran into a bunch of people slackpacking back to Kincora. The three of us made it to US321 around 1130 and called rambler. They were only 10 min away, what perfect timing!Their big champagne colored Suburban rolled up and when TDS saw the keg and huge cooler full of food he decided to join quake and I. It was great to see Bobby and Rambler and Duchess (their lab puppy) again! We stuffed our packs in the back and sat three in the back with the dog on our laps. The suburban had a DVD player so we watched Borat on the way back to Hot Springs. What a contrast to life on the trail!Bobby asked us what we wanted to eat and we said BBQ. It just so happened that a nationally acclaimed BBQ joint, The Ridgewood, was kinda on the way. We rolled in there stankin and luckily got a table in the back. Everyone in there was dressed nice and on their work lunch breaks. I was super impressed with their pulled pork sandwich and really loved their baked beans. I ate my whole sandwich, half of ramblers, and quakes coleslaw. They could have taken us back to the trail we loved that meal so much.We eventually got to hot springs and got our reserved camp spot on the french broad river. We set up camp starting with the keg complete with a co2 tank a regulator for draught beer. Talk about stylin! I hung my hammock about 2ft from the river. Friends of Rambler and Bobby showed up and we had a groovin party at the campsite. After some beerification I walked around the campsite and met some other hikers and eventually found myself back at the ole paddlers pub.The night seemed to go on forever and I had entirely too much fun. Trailfest hadn't even started yet, this was trailfest eve.Today's StatsStarting Point:Laurel Fork ShelterEnding Point:TrailfestMileage:7.0Elevation Gain:1620ftElevation Loss:1900ftHiking Time:3:48Weather:Rain in Morning then sunny and hotPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Trailfest

To: Trailfest
Miles today: 0.0

TrailfestSomehow I managed to wake up around 9 and stumbled my way over to the Smoky Mountain Diner. I had breakfast with TDS, Quake, Wonder, and Rizzo. After breakfast it started to rain so I went back to camp and hung my tarp. Then I climbed back in my hammock and slept until 3pm through the rain storm. I think that is the most productive way to spend a zero day...passed out in a hammock.By the time I had gotten up the rain was gone and the sun was shining. I walked over to the main trailfest area, caught some local music, and hung out with amy, my teashop friend. I ran into Miss janet and ron haven and sgt rock and talked with them for a bit. There was a group of 4 college age kids playing some awesome bluegrass in front of bluff mtn outfitters. I hung out and listened to them for a bit until the duck race started. This consist of dropping hundreds of numbered plastic ducks into the creek that you could have bought like a raffle. The first one to the finish line won $100. Four hikers had to get in the water to pick the winner and collect all the ducks. Kinda silly.After that everyone kinda disappeared for dinner. I ate brats and burgers at our campsite and just kinda chilled the rest of the night since I was kinda shot from the night before. I hung out with my hiker friends around a campfire then hung out at my campsite scene for a while till the party wound down.Today's StatsStarting Point:TrailfestEnding Point:TrailfestMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Partly Cloudy low 80's noon showerPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Trailfest

To: Campsite
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

Fender BenderWoke up and packed up camp then I went and got my resupply to get me to Damascus. I said goodbye to all my friends and we took the suburban to ramblers house. We got in bobbys car for the hour ride to where we got picked up since it was better on gas. On the way to the trail we were stopped at a light when suddenly we felt an impact from behind. Someone had hit the car behind us into our car. No one was injured and selfishly my biggest worry was if I'd be able to get my pack out of the trunk or if any of our stuff was damaged. Luckily the trunk was still functional. A police officer came and wrote the report and an hour later we were back on the road. Now I want to know how many hikers have been in a car accident while thru hiking? What were the odds of that? Bobby was super cool about the whole scene. (partly since it was a company car) We got back to the trail around 4pm and said our goodbyes and went and got back into hiking mode on the beach at Watauga Lake. Bobby and Rambler...Thanks for everything! You guys are truly awesome people!Once we started walking we noticed how wound up we were from being in a car so long. We felt safer traveling at a walking pace with just the sounds of the forest filling our ears. Fittingly the walk around the lake to the dam gave us an excellent wildflower display complete with pink lady slipper sightings. We followed the lake and climbed up to ridgeline until we found water. The three of us got our water for the night and walked another 30 min until we found a campsite at sunset. Quake made an excellent fire and we ate dinner watching our little hiker television.Today's StatsStarting Point:TrailfestEnding Point:CampsiteMileage:6.9Elevation Gain:2980ftElevation Loss:1140ftHiking Time:3:51Weather:Partly cloudy high 70'sPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

FarmsteadThe walking today was super easy. No climbs or descents more than 500ft in elevation. I was surprised that we still climbed over 3000ft though. I guess all the little bumps add up. Water was spaced about every 3 miles so quake, tds, and I would walk and meet at the water for nice long breaks.After the trail crossed TN91 we hiked onto an old cow farm. The land was recently acquired by the ATC (I believe) and the trail was relocated to go through this awesome field and through the remains of an old cow farm. The views were nice especially since we were there at sunset. I was there 30 min before the other two and I sat in the field watching all the birds fly around and call to each other. There were swallows, red winged blackbirds, mourning doves, and a few other types I couldn't identify.Once those two caught up we hiked 2 more miles to a campsite. I hung my hammock on a huge hemlock tree and an old oak. My hammock lines barely fit around the hemlock. Quake made another fire and we ate and I hopped in the hammock to catch up on my journals.While I was laying in the hammock a chipmunk or some medium sized rodent tried to get down the hemlock. When it saw me it started squeaking at me as it went back up the tree. Well that wasn't such a good idea because an owl heard it making noise. As I shined my light at it running back up the hemlock an owl landed in the tree next to me. I shinned my light at the owl and it was so intently focused it didn't even look down. I believe it was a barred owl. I turned my light off and watched it in the near full moonlight. After waiting about 1 min it flew into the hemlock directly above me with a bit of a crashing sound and the squeaking got louder and changed pitch. The owl definitely hit its mark. What surprised me was that it didn't instantly kill the chipmunk. The poor thing kept squeaking for about 5 min until I heard the squeaking fade off in the distance as the owl flew away with it. There were probable some hungry owlets somewhere that need a live dinner. I feel partly ! responsible for this small animals demise... At least I got a cool show and actually saw an owl instead of just hearing them!Today's StatsStarting Point:CampsiteEnding Point:CampsiteMileage:15.2Elevation Gain:3160ftElevation Loss:2750ftHiking Time:10:17Weather:Clear and sunny 70'sPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Finally Some AnimalsTDS took off this morning at 630, he wanted to make the post office before it closed. Earthquake and I managed to shake the town tractor beam and took our sweet time hiking.Today was full of wildlife sightings. First I saw a black salamander in the morning as I was breaking down my hammock then I saw a frog in the spring as I was leaving camp. Quake and I hiked all morning without seeing a single person. We stopped for lunch at Abingdon Gap shelter around 2 and two deer were grazing on new growth only 100ft away. They didn't seem to mind us being so close and hung around for at least 10 min.About a mile from the TN/VA border I was walking when I heard a distinct rattle off to my side. Even without seeing the rattlesnake I knew instantly what that sound was and jumped about a foot in the air. The rattler was only 3ft off the trail and I was about to walk right by him. He was probably 4ft long and had a rattle about 3in long with a black head and yellow hourglasses down the length of his body. After the first rattle he just kept on slithering along the side of the trail. He wouldn't rattle unless I moved in it's direction. I kept my distance but followed him closely for about 5 min before Quake caught up. He could barely believe a snake that big lived in the wild. The two of us together frightened the rattler and he half coiled up and rattled at us for a bit then went on his merry way again. We figured that was a good spot for a break so we took off our packs and followed this huge powerful snake for about 15min.After saying goodbye to old rattles we continued on to the border. Quake and I took each others pics and had a shot of bourbon in celebration. We walked to the next water source and pulled up 1.9m short of Damascus. Tomorrow we will nero there and eat our faces off.I know some people wanted more notice for a possible mail drop. How does 2 weeks sound? I will be getting to Pearisburg, VA around May 14th. If you want to send a package, send it Priority Mail to the post office. It would only have to be sent 3 days in advance. Here is the address:Karl WeissC/O General DeliveryPearisburg, VA 24134Hold for AT Hiker 5/14Today's StatsStarting Point:CampsiteEnding Point:CampsiteMileage:17.3Elevation Gain:3260ftElevation Loss:4190ftHiking Time:9:59Weather:Clear and HotPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Campsite

To: Damascus
Miles today: 1.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Trailtown USAWoke up with the sunrise, packed and headed down the mountain into Damascus, VA. I walked straight to the Dairy King (better than queen) and ordered a huge breakfast. After chowing down I went to Mt. Rogers outfitters and reserved a bunk room for Quake and I at Dave's Place, the hostel. Next line of business was laundry. Quake and I changed into our rain gear and brought our toxic clothes to the laundromat. It feels so gross to wear nothing but your rain gear, especially when it's hot and sunny and you haven't showered in days. The epitome of hiker trash!With clean clothes in hand, next stop was that magical metal pipe hanging out of a tile wall that sprays hot water. What were those things called again? I grabbed my bounce box so I could have some shampoo and other cleansing devices, then I bought a bar of antibacterial soap from dollar general. That shower felt so amazing! I was thinking of how we take showers for granted in the civilized world as I scrubbed off days worth of dirt that I thought was a sun tan. After getting fresh and clean, I went to the outfitters for new shoe insoles. My current pair were worn away to nothing and I could feel every rock I stepped on. Jeff the outfitter cut the new insoles and sanded down under the toe part so they would fit my shoe properly. He really went above and beyond to make sure my insoles were fitted properly. He also showed me a new way to tie my laces called the runners hitch (or tie, I forget) that keeps the laces more secure.Next up was lunch. Quake, TDS, and I went to the Italian place and I got a calzone. Not quite like home, but getting better. Definitely better than that sorry excuse for a pizza at the paddlers pub. Next I went to "the friendliest library on the trail" and spent like 2hrs checking email, finances, weather, and updating my TJ. Then I chilled around town and mingled with other hikers and eventually ended up at the old mill for dinner. I had another steak and a salad which was worth every penny. About 15 hikers showed up and we all drank and were merry until last call. Some names I remember were: Miss Graceful, TDS, Quake, green hornet, swamp foot, hemlock, rio, sleeping beauty, charles, couch, and rizzo.Damascus is a truly hiker friendly place. Every store has an AT sticker in the window and everyone is super nice. My nero was quite productive. I ate 3 killer meals and got a lot of errands done. I can't wait to get back for Trail Days May 18-20. Today's StatsStarting Point:CampsiteEnding Point:DamascusMileage:1.9Elevation Gain:50ftElevation Loss:880ftHiking Time:0:53Weather:80's sunnyPain Factor:1