morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-14
From: .4 mile past Spring Mtn. shelter

To: Jerry Cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Out of camp at 7:48. I am usually one of the first wave out because I wake before dawn. When you go to sleep at 8 or 9, well, you only can sleep so long.   I had fever again late last night. And a sore throat this morning.   There were huge trees along the trail this morning! My hiking poles are 51" and one popular was larger than that in diameter by a couple of inches. The average was 30 - 34", with 40" plus not uncommon.   Crossed NC 208/TN 70 and started up. A mostly uphill until lunch at 12:15, 7.9 miles in. Then uphill some more which was brutal. Walking in a park or along a street doesn't compare to walking in this terrain. And then add 30-35 lbs. on your back. It took 58 minutes to go 1.3 miles. Then it was on to White Rock Cliffs, where, you guessed it, the rock cliffs were really white. Then on to a 1.5 mile rock scramble called Big Firescald. Knob. Wow! I don't think I put my foot down on bare ground 30 times. All rock to rock to rock, almost like a playground, but very hard and strenuous. Don't try this hike in summer with a loaded pack. You will roast! It was high 60's and I was sweating profusely. 15.8 miles in the most rugged terrain so far. My biggest mileage so far.
Date: 2011-04-15
From: Jerry Cabin shelter

To: Hogback Ridge shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Still felt terrible when I got up. Didn't have breakfast and went 6 miles to the first shelter. Alot of hikers asked about me. Good people concerned. I almost stayed at the the shelter, then take off the wrong way down an old logging road. Went about a tenth mile before I realized. Later 3 other hikers went same wrong way I heard.   I pushed most of the day. I got to TN 212 and talked to Kelly and then the boys. Then I hike up this beautiful draw along a stream. There were signs of an old log structure with log out buildings. Then hiked on up the stream with waterfalls and waterslides of all sizes. After that I had 6 more miles.to shelter, so almost stopped several more times for the night. But a storm was coming and didn't want to be on a ridgeline with lightening.   I got in camp and set up 30 minutes before it started raining. Only ate half my dinner. I wasn't hungry.   Seems like everyday there are several more varieties of wildflowers.
Date: 2011-04-16
From: Hogback Ridge shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Seems like I fell asleep with a half-eaten Mountain House dinner beside my head with the spoon still in it. Invitation to a bear picnic, but no takers.   Rain and fog very early, then the wind blew that off. But the rain was still dripping off the trees all morning. I finally got up around 9:00, checked the radar,and decided to stay put. Good thing, because around 9:45, we get another downpour. I finally crawled out of my tent around 11:00, and quickly decide to 'zero' in the woods. Around 12:30, I almost changed my mind. The sun dried everything and felt so warm. I took a nap, and when I woke up, wow! Cloudy, windy, cold, . I wentto the shelter to socialize a bit, and then back to my tent around 5:30. Caught up on a few journals, and was still feeling rotten. Cappy, Nor'easter, and Do What decided to stay also. Don't know if it is because of me being sick, or they're just tired. Someone said there were over 20 tents here last night, along with a full shelter. Wasn't out of my tent much today. Only about 2 hours.
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Yes! Milage is right. First 20 mile day! Actually I could add another mile, but those don't count.   Sprinkled rain last night. That frooze on my rain fly. Then it sleeted, which stuck to the ice on the fly. The ground was white with all the alert when I got up, which was around 6:30. Was hiking by 7:25. Hiked 2.7 miles down to I-26 in 55 minutes! Emptied my trash at receptacles at the interstate. Then a long, long uphill to Big Bald. Beautiful, and as big,if not bigger than Max Patch. 360 degree views, but very cold and windy., so I didn't stay on top long. Went down to Bald Mountain shelter for lunch at 1:10, after hiking 10.1 miles. There was this little bird at the shelter, that I think was a Junco, that had a banded leg. Wonder what department or organization did that?    Then downhill into Spivey Gap, where I was gonna camp, but just kept going. Then decided to camp at Devil's Creek Gap, but still kept going...all the way to No Business Knob. Wow, was I tired. I got water and cooked dinner by headlamp light.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: broken clouds

Split a cabin with Do What. It was very small with a bunk and tv. That's it.   Doc's wife came up for a visit, so they took us, and Loose Ends to an AYCE. (All you can eat) pizza buffet with salad bar. Then to the post office, so I could mail a package. Have been carrying a shirt since Gatlinburg, for one of my sons. Sssshhh ... it's a surprise. Then back to Uncle Johnny's to do laundry. I also went by a doctors office ... Sloan and something. Then were downright ugly to me. Told me that they didn't take walk-ins. Then before I could ask to make an appt she slid the window closed on me. I am officially 'hiker trash' now. So I wound up calling my family doctor and getting a prescription for this sinus infection.   I apologize to all my readers for the past several days. I have felt so bad, that I haven't been very descriptive in my journaling.   I ordered a pizza (again) from Dominoes, and sat around the fire for a couple of hours. Nice, because we are usually too tired to make a fire on the trail.
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Uncle Johnny's - Erwin, TN

To: Uncle Johnny"s - Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up and joined the breakfast shuttle to a spot in the back of a food mart. But great food, especially the blt, egg, and cheese sandwich. Then went to pick up my prescription. Got back to hostel for a restful afternoon with most of the full house from yesterday gone.   Went to Johnson City to Logan's steakhouse. I had a ribeye which hit the spot. It was Uncle Johnny, his wife Charlotte, Cheap Chardonay, Cappy, Nor'easter, and I. Uncle Johnny had a few interesting stories to tell. Nor'easter has a red, swollen ankle. Hope he can get it better. He hiked all the way to Harpers Ferry in 1998, before a bad knee put him off the trail.
Date: 2011-04-20
From: Uncle Johnny

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

I left Uncle Johnny's at 6:30. I almost went 4 miles before it started raining. Rained lightly for a couple of hours. Just enough to need raingear. After the rain, I passed Indian Grave Gap, and had lunch a mile and a half North. Then I climbed up to Beauty Spot. It is another cleared bald by the forest service. I took a break at the second clearing for about 45 minutes. Then another long climb up Unaka Mtn. Unaka Mtn has a huge fir forest on top. Very unusual, but pretty. Shelter is full and 15 tents.
Date: 2011-04-21
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Three section hikers yapped way past hiker midnight (9:00 pm), were up this morning at daylight yap, yap, yapping again. Not very considerate of others. They were in there own little world, although camped next to mine.   I left camp around 7:50, which was late for me. I flew down the trail to Iron Mountain Gap, where Mango '06 was setting up trail magic. I had a Mug root beer, an apple pie, and a pack of cheese crackers. Plus, I topped off my denatured alcohol for my stove. Thanks Mango!    Then I was on to Clyde Smith shelter for lunch at 9.5 miles. I took my shoes and socks off to dry my feet and the shoes ants socks. That help to ward off blisters.Three first happened today. (1) I saw my first red salamander which was very cool. (2) I saw my first snake on the trailto the shelter for lunch. Actually, I almost stepped on it, but then the adrenaline kicked in, and I leapt over it and landed 10 feet the other side...all in one contorted motion. It was about two feet long and brown. Not sure what kind it was. (3) Then at Hughes Gap, I saw my first Groundhog.Hughes Gap is right before the long climb up Roan Mountain. It was one of the worst sustained climbs I have had. At least, lately. I hear that by next year they are going to put in over three miles of switchbacks to ease the climb. Wimps! I stayed in the old firewardens cabin (Roan High Knob shelter ). Still no problem with mice in shelters, but I haven't stayed in them much. Although, alot have seen them. All it takes is one careless night.
Date: 2011-04-22
From: Roan High Knob shelter

To: Overmountain shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

First, I feel the need to address a guest book entry about the comment I made on the section hikers who were obnoxious. I didn't write 'all' section hikers and I certainly didn't say anything about day hikers. I am very friendly to all hikers. We have the same love for the trail. So don¢t assume. I was there. You were not there.    I left Roan High Knob shelter in a light drizzle at 7:40. The trail wasn't marked very well, and with heavy fog that didn't help. Within a half mile the drizzle turned to light rain. By the time I got to Carver's Gap, not two miles in, it was raining steadily. The wind had picked up also. I walked through grassy balds for 2 1/2 milesup and over Round and Jane Balds. Would've been great views ic I could have seen them but by then the rain was blowing sideways. At one time it was blowing rain up the hill at an angle. Wow. Never seen that before. Sometimes I had to hold on to my poles with one hand and my rain jacket hood with the other to keep it from flying off.   Got to Overmountain shelter without stopping. I was soaked. Freezing actually. Got on dry clothes and got into my sleeping bag. It took three hours to get warm.   Great history about the Overmountain men winning a decisive battle of the Revolutionary War.    The Overmountain shelter is an old converted two story barn I a large field. Got out of my bag around 2:30 and Larry and Cameron, who found me on trailjournals, and have been wanting to hike with me, were there! They had been dropped off in the rain and cold also, and wasn't too far behind me hiking in. I had missed Larry by an hour at Davenport Gap. And again this morning at Carver's Gap by a few minutes. Glad to finally get up with them.   So I finally got up and went outside for awhile so I would sleep that night. We had a fire and stood around talking. Lot's of good conversation. Local guy, Rick, was there with his wife and two sons. He showed us what a ramp looked like. And I ate a couple. Very strong onion flavor.    The wind was blowing fog thru the barn all day and night. Very damp inside.
Date: 2011-04-23
From: Overmountain shelter

To: Elk River campsite
Miles today: 15.2

Larry, Cameron, and I left Overmountain and climbed Little Hump and Hump Mountains. Beautiful 360 degree views. And the weather was stark different from the cold wet of yesterday. We could see the famous Grandfather Mountain in N.C. The profile looks like an old man with a beard laying down. Then we had a long downhill to US 19E where Bob and Trish had set up trail magic. They drove an hour and a half to do this. They rarely hike. They just wanted to do this. Thanks very much! We then hiked through what appeared to be alot of private land. 3-4 miles of it. Then to Jones Falls, which had unexpectedly large drops or falls. Nice! No campsite found there, even though the guide said it was. So we hiked .6 miles down to the Elk River and camped along it on a grassy meadow. I could hear the river from in my tent. The frogs were so loud I had to put in my earplugs to sleep!    Finally finished with North Carolina today, after bouncing back and forth from N.C. and Tennessee.   I forget to mention the huge yellow jacket nest right on the trail. I am allergic, so I went down and around to avoid them. They were already stirred up from previous hikers coming through.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Elk River campsite

To: Kincora hostel-Dennis Cove
Miles today: 18.5

Passed 400 miles today. Left camp at 6:50 and hiked to USFS 293, where Larry called Bob Peoples at Kincora hostel. He took Cameron and my packs, and we 'slack packed' the remaining 11 miles. Larry was waiting on us at the trailhead, and took us to Kincora. He had even spread out my tent to dry and put my pack on a bunk to claim it for the night. Then He took us to Lone Star steak house. Larry bought me a a Delmonico steak, salad, baked potato, refreshments, and a brownie sundae for desert. Thanks for everything Larry! Including the sack of oranges and box of moon pies.   Never felt so tired in my life after the section from Erwin to Kincora. May be the antibiotics.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Kincora hostel-Dennis Cove

To: Watauga Lake shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Din't get my resupply box until this morning. I went through it and sorted what I needed. I had two cups of coffee, and finally left the hostel at 9:30.   The first 2.9 miles along the river was the prettiest, and my most favorite so far. The river was picture perfect. And Laurel Falls was magnificent. Someone said the largest on the AT. Not sure, but it was nice.   Then a mindless, senseless hike up Pond Flats Mountain. It was neither flat, nor was there a pond anywhere that I could see. And then right back down to Watauga Lake. Hiked with Pumpkin today. If you saw his hair you would know why his trail name is Pumpkin.    At the shelter tonight is Pumpkin, Porter, Buckeye, TippyToes, Orange Blaze, Pace, and one other guy that I didn't catch his name.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Watauga Lake shelter

To: Iron Mountain shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

The 2011 class of attempting thru-hikers is thinning out. I can tell because even though the shelters are smaller, they are becoming less crowded. Even for a slow hiker like me who gets to a shelter late.   It sprinkled rain for about 10-15 minutes right before daylight. I got up at 6:40, and left at 7:30. I walked across the Watauga Lake dam and then up and down until lunch. I took an hour lunch and rest at the Vandeventer shelter.   It was very hot and humid again today. Lots of views of Watauga Lake all day. In the afternoon, I walked mostly through predominantly hickory forest. One stretch had several apple trees mixed into the forest. This was probably cleared for grazing long ago, maybe the turn of the century. The apple trees were in bloom. I have seen alot of apple trees lately. Reminds me of the trees back at our river home. Almost 14 miles was good considering I was dragging today.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Iron Mountain shelter

To: Abingdon Gap shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I was gone from shelter at 7:30. And I was flying down the trail at over 3.5 mph. Mileage sign or AT Guide and a watch makes for fairly accurate speeds. Then, right before TN 91, it happened! My first fall! And it was a good one. I was walking across the last two foot bridges with a 15" gap in between. They have a mesh wire covering, that is supposed to give traction when the bridges are wet. We hikers have dubbed them 'cheese graters'. The lug of my boot got caught on a part of the cheese graters that had torn, and I stumbled. Since I was 'flying' down the trail, I went flying forward. I tried to stick my poles to balance, but since the bridge was over a foot off the ground, by the time I stuck them they were behind me. That was no help. I went flying forward, and caught myself with my knees (skinned or 'skint' as we say in South Alabama), and hands (not skint), and left shoulder (skint). Whew! Close call? But then it a split second, my pack came sliding forward, hit the back of my head, and 'drove' it into the cheese grater. It cut a pattern into my left cheek below my eye. And grated a hunk of skin and flesh off my head just above the eyebrow. After rolling off the bridge, and saying a few choice words, I see blood dripping on everything. I quickly take out my bandana and apply pressure. After about 5-10 minutes it is almost stopped. So I roll it and tie it around my top wound tight to keep pressure. Hike a quarter mile to the road, and see no one for help. I look across the road just into the field and see Chief and Gunner. I went up and asked them to look at it and bandage it. Chief cleaned it up with alcohol wipes and dusted it with some blood clotting powder from Vietnam. Next he put on some antibiotic cream, then bandaged it up.    I hiked 3 miles to the next shelter for lunchand water. Glide gave me something for pain. Everybody was very helpful. As I hiked that afternoon, the wound starting oozing when I over exerted. I even forgot and bent over, and it started bleeding again. Went 11 miles after the 'accident'. I think I will have a scar. I will stop at the clinic in Damascus tomorrow and see what else needs to be done. I am in the shelter after eating a double hiker meal. And I am still hungry less than an hour later.
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Abingdon Gap shelter

To: Damascus, VA.
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Wow! Did it storm last night. The wind was blowing the trees together, and the tops were slapping each other. The lightning started, and was off in the distance. That was good. It was like a street lamp was on for a couple of hours. Then hard rain for awhile.   I was up and off to town at 7:30. Actually, 7:40, because I got a 1/10 mile down the trail and forgot my water bottle, so went back for it.   It was a hard morning's hike. I was tired from the day before and my feet hurt. My eye was swollen half closed. I got two miles from town and a southbound hiker said the power was off in town from the storm.    Finally got into town and find Quinceys Pizza open! They had a generator and could cook anything but the fryer. Pizza and refreshment for me.   Then I went to 'The Place' which is located behind and owned by the Methodist church. They run it as a hostel on just donations. I took a nap outside on the sun porch. Then went down to the outfitter and post office. I saw Doc, and he looked at my wound and went to get something to scrub it. Then he said it looked infected and that I should go to an emergency room. Jeff, one of the guys at Mt. Rogers Outfitters, offered to drive me to the urgent care in Abbingdon. He dropped me off sand I got a tetanus shot and a prescription for strong antibiotics. The doc said to keep uncovered as much as possible to dry it out. I walked 3/4 mile to Riteaid to fill prescription. Then called a cab for ride back to Damascus. Went.back to The Place and crashed after a long, long day. The power was still out in Damacus from the tornado the night before.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Damascus, VA.

To: Damacus, VA.
Miles today: 0.0

The power came on sometime during the night. So I was up at first light thinking I would beat everyone to the shower. Well, I did, downstairs. But there are two baths upstairs. So the water was lukewarm.   Ate at Cowboys. What a great breakfast. Especially the blueberry pancakes. Then I went to the outfitter to get a 45 degree summer sleeping bag. I have been sweating in the 20 degree one. Then I mailed it up the trail to almost Pearisburg. It weighs almost the same, but packs twice as small.   I ate lunch at Dots and had the cheeseburger that was recommended.   I have been very tired today. Head wound looks alot better,so I left the bandage off. Everybody stares at it and most ask about it. Must look pretty nasty.   Took a nap and then a shower. Then went to the gazebo to get a ride to Mountain Man's house and farm. He is feeding hikers until trail days with just donations. There were 8 that made the trip. I had a burrito and two tacos. Interesting farm with hogs and prized, registered Nubian goats. Also has a few rescued horses. Got back to hostel at 9:00 and asleep by 10:00.
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Damacus, VA.

To: Lost Mountain shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Not much to tell today. Ate at Cowboys again, then off up the trail. Hiked along the Virginia Creeped trail which is a nice bike trail that is converted from a railroad bed. Several bike outfitters in town Will rent you a bike and drop you at the top of the Virginia Creeper trail. It's all downhill for around 20 miles. Ie like to come back and do that someday during trail days. Saw my 2nd snake today.
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Lost Mountain shelter

To: Thomas Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I crossed US 58, then through pastures dodging cowpies. Hiked uphill most of the day. Probably 85% uphill which accounts for only 12 miles. The shelter is just below Mt. Rogers, Virginia's highest peak. Wild ponies are all around us. I picked and ate more ramps today. Free, Bearbag, and Pumpkin are here. Some guy came in at 11:30. Weird?    Right after I fell asleep, Free shouts..."get outta here"! A pony had come up to the shelter and stuck it's head in looking for something salty. Ponies came and went all night. The poni lick the sweat from hikers from where they sit or lay.
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Thomas Knob shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Huge rock formations, ponies, and 'fat man squeeze' this morning. Lots of rocks on the trail insured slow going and sore feet. I came up on a herd of nine ponies, then two more. Later, there was a lone pony standing right by the trail. I scratched it on the head, took some pics from 1-2 feet, and then fed it a peanut butter ball. When it heard me rattling the wrapper, it went crazy trying to get it out of my hand. I turned away from it, and it was nudging my back. But finally, it enjoyed the treat.   The landscape today reminded me of scenes out of an old western movie. Grass, rocks, boulders, and scrub trees.   At 'fat man squeeze', it wasn't that tight. I have had more problems getting through fence stiles with my pack.   I saw 3rd snake this afternoon. And I walked through a huge Cherry forest. Lots of big cherry trees.
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Hurricane Mountain shelter

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up, cooked, and out by 7:00. I flew through the day, so not much to tell. I was thinking about pizza that you can order from the ranger office .2 mile from the shelter. Did the miles in 7 hrs and 40 minutes. Over 2 3/4 mph.   Got to shelter and claimed a spot. Then went to visitors center and got a Dr Pepper, and some disposable towels for the shower. They have hot water at this shelter! Ordered pizza and wings, then went to get a shower. Raining went I went to the gate to get pizza so I ate at the visitors centers. Long day!
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Partnership shelter

To: Atkins, Va. - Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

I was next to last one out of shelter. Walked through a lot of private land today. One spot was a beautiful rolling, pasture surrounded by hills and woods.   I finally got to Atkins at 1:30. Got a room and made some calls about packages. Then went to The Barn for the famous 16 oz hiker burger and fries.   Came back to room after resupplying. Did my laundry and updated journal till bedtime.