morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Hiawassee

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Brent and I have made it to Hiawassee! It's raining buckets outside and we've been enjoying the hospitality at the Hiawassee Inn. We've been 67.5 miles on the AT and about 75 total when you count the miles from Amicalola. We spent our first night in a raging thunderstorm, woke up our second night to an inch or so of snow and it's been all smooth sailing. We've met some awesome people and adopted our trail names. I'm Roses (because my feet don't stink...yet) and Brent is Green Blaze (because he blows an obscene number of snot rockets). We had a wildlife visitor to our tent (not sure if it was a bear or a boar, but it was big and it stunk) and we saw the sunset and sunrise from the privy atop Tray Mountain. We're falling in love with the trail and having a blast. We've got some sore muscles and aching joints and we're hungry as hell, but this is the life. Our next stop will be Franklin NC in about 40 miles and then onto the Nantahala Outdoor Center. I'm not sure when we'll get back to the internet but we'll post again soon. There's supposed to be some serious weather coming in this weekend, so I'm sure we'll have some stories.
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Franklin

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

We've got internet again already! We're in Franklin, NC today. Hiked a 17 mile and then a 19 mile day and then 4 this morning to get us into town. We weren't planning to stop overnight, but it's been raining buckets and snow is coming in tonight so we thought we'd let our boots dry out a little. This town is awesome though!! We're staying at Haven's Budget Inn owned by Ron Haven. He is just about the nicest guy we've ever met. He picked us up from Winding Stair Gap from the freezing rain and took us to a hoppin' little breakfast joint. (Ben- you would be proud, I got country ham.) Now we're just preparing a box to send home all the gear that we don't feel like carrying around anymore. North Carolina has been beautiful so far and pretty much flat. We did have our steepest climb yet but it was very short. We also had a pretty terrifying river crossing (some may say it was more of a stream but it sure looked like a raging river to me). Luckily Brent took a picture of me crossing on the log before my foot slipped and I had to wiggle across on my butt. All is well though. We are having the time of our lives. Continuing to meet new and wonderful people. Tonight we plan to enjoy some of North Carolina's best moonshine with some new buddies. Still haven't sent any postcards out, but be on the lookout!!!
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Gatlinburg

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm still figuring out how to enter the starting location and destination info into this journal, so forgive me if it's confusing. I think my last entry was in Franklin, so we've been a good ways since. We stopped in Fontana Dam (the gateway to the Smokies) a couple nights ago, and didn't plan to stop again until Hot Springs but Mother Nature had different plans for us. We got rained and hailed on yesterday, and poured on this morning, so we decided to hole up in Gatlinburg tonight and get back out in the morning. It was interesting getting down here though. We ended up hitching 3 rides to get the 15 miles to our motel. The first two were in the back of pick-up trucks, which is way way more fun when (a) it's not raining and (b)it's not freezing cold. Luckily our final ride was inside a car which was greatly appreciated. We came down with two trail buddies, Bad Hummus and Night Terror. We're staying at the Grand Prix Motel down here - which I would recommend to anyone coming down the trail after us. $45 hiker rate, right in town, very friendly, free internet and cheap laundry. We hope to get out of the Smokies before the second round of rainstorms hit and be in Hot Springs by my birthday. We're still meeting new and awesome people everyday. It's just so humbling to be out here and a part of this culture. Everyone is willing to give each other a helping hand. We miss everyone! Write! We promise to write back!
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Erwin

To: Roan
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Well, I didn't get a chance to enter anything while we were in Hot Springs, but we did make it there on March 20th. My parents came in on the 21st, and Brent's sister and dad came in on the 22nd. I think we had built Hot Springs up in our heads to be some kind of metropolis, which it is not, but it is a cute town and it has pretty much anything you would need. Brent and I went straight from the trail to Paddler's Pub and enjoyed a delicious hamburger and a couple of pitchers before we even started looking for a place to lay our heads. I think that might have been a mistake. The hostel we had heard so much about was completely full and a couple of the motels listed in the book had gone out of business, so we ended up staying at the Creekside Inn attached to the pub. It wasn't awful or anything, but we had a real hard time finding someone to check out with so we ended up waiting around forever to get out of town. It was pretty expensive too - especially for a place with no t.v. We made it to Erwin today, and we're just about as happy as two hikers can be. We're at the Holiday Inn Express and it is AWESOME. Shampoo and conditioner! Free internet! Breakfast! Cable! HOT TUB!! And the gas station next door sells Krispy Kreme doughnuts. It's going to be hard to get going back on the trail in the morning and leave behind these swanky accommodations. We had a tough few days out there - Brent got sick and we had to slow way down and started to get pretty far behind some of our hiking buddies. Then we got hit with snow and freezing temperatures and started to feel pretty low. I guess you only get as much as you can handle though, because we miraculously caught up with some of our friends, and they were all feeling the exact same way. Got a good camp fire going, and some good food and laughs in us and we're back on track. Hopefully I'll be able to get some of our pictures up here soon. Brent's lost 10 pounds! I've gained 4. I don't exactly get how that works out, but supposedly it has something to do with muscle mass. If you stop by and read the journal, leave a message in the guest book! It's so wonderful to read what y'all write.
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Damascus, VA

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We made it to Damascus!! Yeah! We've been 461 miles so far and are still having a great time. Only 1715 more to go! We've had some really beautiful weather up until two days ago and we started putting in bigger miles. We had our first 20+ mile day three days ago. It rained cats & dogs on our final hike into Damascus and we actually started running with our packs on - something I NEVER would have thought we would do. We were rolling with the Team Deutschmark crew (Bad Hummus, Toddy Bear, Stovie & Fester) but they pulled ahead and we may not be able to catch up for awhile. Now we seem to be rolling along with the Here Here Gang (The Treat, Leprechaun, Root, Pogue, Jax the Mummy Conductor & Dropkick)and some of their honorary members (Other Jake & Launchpad). Who would have thought there would be so much gang activity on the Appalachain Trail? We were a member of the AYCE Buffet gang (All You Can Eat) but that dismantled after a pretty rough eating competition at Ryan's Family Steakhouse Buffet in which we almost lost three good hikers to overconsumption. We stayed at some great hostels the last few stops - the Mountain Harbor B&B in Roan Mountain was incredible. We had heard Roan Mountain can be a tough place for hikers because emminent domain took the land away from the locals to put the trail in, but Mary Hill at Mountain Harbor was so wonderful that we didn't notice a thing. We went from there to the Kincora Hostel near Hampton and had a intense game of Risk with the Here Here Gang and got to stay in the private treehouse. Bob Peoples, who runs Kincora, is a trail celebrity and is just the kindest guy. We've been at the Hiker's Inn here in Damascus for the last couple of nights and again, the owner Suzanne is amazing. We also got some pretty serious trail magic from 2007 thru-hikers M&M and Pootz. They hooked us up with all kinds of food and took us out to dinner. Thank you! A couple of people have asked about sending packages, so I thought I'd just throw out that if you'd like to (no pressure!) we always appreciate anything we can eat! Dried fruit, nuts, beef jerky, Little Debbies and candy bars are pretty standard in our diet. We haven't come across too much variety out here so anything a little different would be wonderful. Also travel-size toiletry items so we can scrub up in town are really nice to have. We have LOVED getting cards and letters when we stop in town so thank you!We hope all are well! I don't think I'll be posting any pictures until we go home for Tucker's wedding at the end of the month, but we'll have a ton by then and everyone can see how tiny (and beardy) Brent has gotten.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Pearisburg

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Back in town, and it feels so good. We are now in Pearisburg, VA which is over 600 miles! We had some really great weather last week and pushed some big miles. We've now done 3 days of 20+ miles, but our legs took a beating and we are taking a day off here in Pearisburg. We hiked through Grayson Highlands State Park and saw wild ponies, though they weren't very "wild". They were very very friendly. If you're ever near Grayson Highlands, you should go. It's been our very favorite hike so far. I just have to share the crazy trail experience I had the other day at Trent's Grocery outside Bland, VA. Trent's is just a little gas station/restaurant about a half mile off the trail and we went over to get some lunch. Brent was placing our order and I was perusing the soft drink selection when I was approached by a woman who need to ask me a "personal question". She went on to explain that she was just around town to visit her son and she was having trouble getting in to see him. She said that "they" wouldn't allow her in to see him unless she had a bra on. Of course my immediate reaction to that statement was to look down and confirm that yes, she was not wearing a bra. Then my confusion took over. Who are they? Why do they care if you wearing a bra? What does any of this have to do with me? Then she tells me that "they" sent her over to Trent's to buy a bra, but Trent's doesn't sell any bras and she was wondering if I had one she could buy? Again, my reaction is to look down and confirm that, no she would never ever ever fit into my bra. But my southern good graces took over and I humored her a little. I told her that I did have a bra but that it had not been washed in over a week. She seemed to be okay with that and said that she thought it would do and she would be willing to pay for it. "Alright", I'm thinking, "I could make some money off of this". That thought came and went pretty quickly though, when reality set in and I realized that a woman who is most likely going to visit her son in prison and has forgotten to put on a bra probably cannot afford my fancy-schmancy REI sports bra and I was still a good two weeks from getting somewhere where I could replace it. So I said no, I cannot sell you my bra or else I'll get myself into a pretty awkward situation down the trail. At this point she said "You're welcome" (What? Did I say thank you??) and went on to purchase a can of Vienna sausages and a bag of Lay's potato chips and ate them in the cab of her truck. Once she left, I asked around to the three other women in the store and I was the only one that she propositioned! Every other woman was a more likely candidate to have a bra that would fit her gigantic jubblies, but she chose me. Why, I may never know. I guess I just look like the kind of girl that would sell a bra off her body. But all is still well out here. We're really looking forward to taking some time off for Tucker and Nina's nuptials and seeing our dogs. Hope all is well with all of y'all!
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We're back on the trail after our break in Brooklyn. Congratulations Tucker and Nina Stone! The wedding was incredible and it was great to see family and friends. Many people asked if we'd want to get back on the trail once we took a break. We got spoiled by huge amounts of town food, but both felt that taking a break has made us realize how much we enjoy being on the trail. We're now stronger and more determined than when we left. Being separated from our former gang, we've met a lot of people since our return: Chili Mac, Pounder, Crumbs (these three go way back), Ian, Rama & Sita, Dodger, The General, and Fish, to name a few. But, the trail is not without it's experiences. What is our latest, you ask? Well, we stayed at a shelter just off the Blue Ridge Parkway (Thunder Hill Shelter?) with The General (Dodger and Alice & Antoine camped nearby) a few days ago. We finally wound down around sundown, and tried to sleep despite the bugs and heat, as it hadn't cooled off too much yet. Roses seemed too have nodded off, but I was still attempting to get to sleep when I feel something tickle the inside of my ear. Must be my hair, I thought. But then it continued to tickle...and rustle... and thump around in there. After I realized I wasn't simply going crazy, I woke Roses and made her shine her headlamp in my ear. She didn't appreciate my panic, but she humored me, looked in my ear and sneered,"There's nothing there.""I know there's something in there, I can feel it!""I'm looking in your ear and I don't see anything."She turned off her light and started rolling back up in her sleeping bag when I felt the intruder thumping around near my frontal lobe. This time I started squealing at her to get her tweezers, certainly waking The General and anyone else in the general area. Roses reluctantly turned her light back on and shined it toward my ear just in time to see a BROWN RECLUSE as big as my ear-hole jumping out of my ear toward her! I'm sure it was a sight seeing her drop the light, both of us screaming trying to kill a spider that had now leapt from my ear and was possibly in one of our sleeping bags. We did find it, promptly smooshing it (they're not endangered are they? Then we just shooed it away). Needless to say, we got very little sleep that night and have since been sleeping in our tent whenever possible. We're enjoying a little respite here in beautiful Buena Vista, VA and plan to get back on the trail at some point. We've had such a nice time in this town that we're a little hesitant to leave! And we found a great little beer store with a real friendly owner. Next stop will probably be Waynesboro in 3 or 4 days.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Brooklyn, NY

To: Still Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Thought I would throw in a brief update about the whole spider bite debacle. Bunz and I are still in Brooklyn with Tucker and Nina. It's been almost five days. The infection has progressed pretty much as the ER doc said it would, albeit slower than we had hoped for. I was just sitting on Tucker and Nina's couch realizing how very lucky I am for having had this happen when it did, because I can't imagine a better situation to recover in. I think we're at the tail end of our stay, as the pain has lessened significantly and the giant egg-sized lump on my butt has shrunken down small enough that you can't see it through my shorts anymore. From everything I've read and heard, it was most likely a black widow that went to town back there and you best believe that I will be fanatical from now on about checking my sleeping bag for critters. Hopefully, we'll get back out there real soon - I know if we can make it through all this with smiles on our faces, we'll be at Katahdin in no time.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Gorham, NH

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Bunz -n- Roses are currently rocking it out in Gorham, NH. We hit some pretty intense weather through the Whites but we're still trucking. After our stay in Glencliff we moved on to Lincoln, NH and stayed at One Step at a Time, an awesome hostel run by a guy named Chet. He had a pretty serious accident involving a camp stove a few years ago and is still recovering. He was such an inspiration and such a great guy that we ended up staying for four days and doing two slack-packs. We headed out of his place and hiked Franconia Ridge in the worst weather we've hit all trail. There were 93 mile winds on the top of the ridge and one gust literally blew me over. We all got soaked and were a little bit miserable, but at the same time we felt like pretty hardcore hikers. The group split up for a day and Spoc, Twiggy and Tupperware headed off Mt. Washington to avoid a storm while Bunz, Hearts and I hiked 6 miles through the Presidentials to get to Madison Spring Hut. The storm never arrived and the hike and the weather were the most beautiful we've seen. We made it into Gorham last night and "stealthed" in the dugouts at the local park. Not quite as cool as stealthing in the hospital waiting room, but not too shabby either. After the last week of hiking, we really feel liked we earned a zero-day today. Other hikers weren't lying when they said that the Whites would kick our butts.We are only 16 miles from Maine right now and are SO excited. We have less than 300 miles to go! We still don't know when we'll be finished exactly but we can't wait to see everyone. And good luck to all our fellow hikers!
Date: 2008-01-27
To: New beginning...
Miles today: 0.0

My trail name is Bush Whacker but you can call me B' Whacker, Whacker, or B' Dub. I'm happy you've found my journal and I welcome you to please come along as I plan and prepare for a hike beginning at Springer following the A/T north. I have become familiar with how powerful Springer Fever is and have decided to join countless others hatching a dream to hike the trail thru the seasons. I feel the call of Trail World. Against all reason and logic I have decided to go back after I get a few things worked out. Please check in with me on my guest book by clicking on sign and sending a short message. I will get back and promise to try to answer questions. I believe there are many ways to hike the trail and do not profess to be an expert or to know it all but I do feel very comfortable in the woods. I look forward to the many wonderful days ahead on the beautiful Appalachian Trail. I'll talk more as I get this adventure going.
Date: 2008-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are all different in our own ways. Those that hike long distance or hope to hike long distance need only bring certain equipment to keep them warm, dry and safe but what is more important than labels and budgets is their heart, intellect and ability to work out problems and get along with others. There will be many challenges, some seemingly overwhelming, but with a good attitude and skills acquired along the way we can find happiness and pure pleasure in a place I lovingly call "Trail World".I will strive to improve my skills on this hike. I will strive to follow Leave no trace ethics and to be be courteous and cautious of others as I share shelter, hostel or camping areas along the way. I also believe in the much overused Hike your own hike philosophy. The trail is blessed with a history and heritage of good will and good acts. We will be surprised and at times overwhelmed with the generosity and goodness we find. None of this goodness should be expected but when found it will be a precious gift never forgotten.These are a few of my favorite things.
Date: 2008-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This entry makes my personal journey public. I am excited and happy to join the other hikers and look forward to meeting those in the class of 2008.I have listed a few gear choices but have decided to not list everything. I happen to also like my alcohol stove and choose to treat my water with a steri-pen, but I enjoy watching others who are excellent hikers and have made other wonderful choices. I have not found the perfect or best gear if there is such a thing. I probably won't select my clothes until the last moments before leaving for Springer.My personal choice is to not use mail drops for this hike.I love campfires and hope drought conditions improve enough so they will be allowed. There is something special about the light, warmth and pureness of a campfire shared with new friends.
Date: 2008-02-19
To: "Taken"
Miles today: 0.0

Taken is my lovely daughter. Taken and I started together and celebrated the finish together. She is beyond special in every way. Thank you for everything. We both had to confront and overcome different fears along the way. I fear heights and   she feared burning the forest down and lightning. We had close calls but kept the fire in the pit, got down in the storms and I was cautious when exposed to heights. Peace, Love and Bacon Grease...
Date: 2008-02-23
To: Four more days...
Miles today: 0.0

I have decided to stay at Aska Timbers again. It is a wonderful cabin where we feel comfortable and happy. We have stayed here before and have found it very convenient to the USFS42 road which leads to the trailhead to Springer. I have used it as a base to scout out the area. We have driven to the Amicolola Falls State Park, Neel's Gap for supplies and a shake down, and to other places I will cross up trail. You could even leave your food drops at Neel's Gap, and beyond. If you are interested in a nice, reasonably priced cabin very convenient to the trail please check out their web site for details and availability. I feel very confident you too will find this a wonderful cabin for a Springer send-off. Here's a link to their site. (http://www.askatimbers.com) Tell Dawn and John you are a hiker and they will provide directions to the trail. I am preparing to leave and time is flying. The pack is loaded and waiting. I have procrastinated as long as possible and must finalize some but probably not all of the items on my "before I go list." The pack is loaded but I will do a self shake down and try to eliminate as much unnecessary or redundant equipment so I will start smart and be prepared. I will probably start with a few days of food enough to make it to either Neel's Gap or Helen. That's the easy part. I'm not worried knowing I can be creative and my hunger will not kick in for awhile. Plus it's not so bad to be hungry. I guess it's normal to be a little nervous and I feel that too. I know that when I get to the trail head and walk into the forest I will be good. It is always hard to say goodbye but I will keep in touch. Peace, Love and Goodness to all...
Date: 2008-02-29
From: Heading up to Springer

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day One, Leap Day, February 29, 2008. It's a nice cool grey wintry day. I used the full day hiking, day dreaming and listening to the frozen rain hitting the autumn leaves crushed by hiker boots. It triggered memories of the same sound produced by the Gypsy Moth Caterpillars "pooping" on the forest floor up north last year. I was dropped off at USFS42, walked south .9 miles to Springer then turned north on my solitary adventure. There was good water along the way. I ran into Many Sleeps who took my hiker info and wished me well. The first part of the day to Hawk Mountain Shelter was easy walking with strong wind. I arrived too early so went on, finding the second part more challenging. I arrived at Gooch with plenty of time to gather water before the rain started.