morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, NC

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thu Apr 2, Day 23: (still in Hot Springs): Another milestone achieved, this is the first opportunity I¢ve had to take a Zero Day to rest the legs and rejuvenate the soul and sorta reorganize the pack for the rest of the hike up North. Had a great breakfast here at Elmer's - Walnut pancakes, cantaloupe, juice, and coffee. Packed up and went to Bluff Mountain Outfitters and spoke to owner Wayne, telling him he did an excellent job fitting my boots since I've had no blisters for these first 272 miles! Bought SealSkiin socks, glove covers, and an extra pair of Superfeet insoles. Also got a new stove windscreen. Sign seen in laundromat next to Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. Click on picture to see full size.While checking my email at the outfitters my brother Mike walked in, looked right at me, and just kept on walking. It finally hit him who I was and he called me a Wooly Bugger! It was great to see him. I took him on a tour of Hot Springs, including Elmer's, and we even rode up the road and found the cabin Kim reserved. It's nice! Mike drove me back to get my stuff and I was able to buy some groceries for later. Then he dropped me off at the cabin. Spokes and his brother Mike in Hot SpringsI spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning my equipment, reorganizing, and rewaterproofing my rain jacket. It was time well spent. I may purchase some new SealSkin gloves to replace the ones I have now. Everything is going well, I¢m excited about being out here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I tell you, getting involved in this culture of AT thru-hikers is very addicting . They are simply a phenomenal group of people. Kim should be here later tonight. I can't wait to see her. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, NC

To: Cabin outside Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fri Apr 3, Day 24: (still in Hot Springs, Zero Day): Kim found a marvelous cabin 5.9 miles outside Hot Springs. It even has a jacuzzi! Exterior of the cabin near Hot Springs. Click on picture to see full size. Interior of the cabin Kim made it! Jacuzzi - a treat for sore legsWe spent the day relaxing and drove into Hot Springs so I could visit the outfitter (again). I bought another pair of boots but will bounce them on to Damascus, Va. I'm not sure if I'll make the switch to Trail Runners. AT goes right down the sidewalk in Hot Springs!Kim, Tucker, and I drove to Max Patch and hiked up to the summit. It was cloudy, windy, and dreary. Kim and Tucker got to experience what I went through in the Smokies. Kim and Tucker enjoying the great AT weather on Max Patch Have you ever seen a Sheltie with his hair all swept in one direction? If Tucker could speak...We then drove to Clyde, NC to an Ingles and picked up NY strip steaks and asparagus rolls, and brought them back to grill. Yummy in my hiker tummy! This is the best Zero Day ever!!I'm now doing last minute packing for my day back on the trail tomorrow. The next town will be Erwin, TN which is about five or six days away.My legs feel great and my spirit is high. Thanks, Kim, for a great visit - I love you! Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Cabin outside Hot Springs, NC

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: few clouds

Sat Apr 4, Day 25: Woohoo! Big Miles today! Some people have asked if being a marathon runner was any preparation for being an AT thru-hiker. Today I decided to compare 26.2 on the trail with 26.2 on the road. Didn't start out that way, but the miles just kept on clicking by.I was refreshed with good legs this morning after a couple of Zero Days with Kim and her dog Tucker. I got up as usual and had two Egg and Canadian Bacon English Muffins. Kim then drove me to Hot Springs so I could resume my trek. It sure was hard to say goodbye after our marvelous stay in the Hot Springs Cabin.After getting dropped off at the trailhead I hiked and ran into Trump and Phoenix, a couple of buddies who I¢ve been hiking with on and off for the past several days. We hiked together, the first big climb of the day was to Rich Mountain, at 3,550' it was 2,225 vertical feet above Hot Springs. At mile 14.7 for the day that AT crosses NC208/TN70 at Allen Gap. There we saw a sign at the trail head announcing some Trail Magic at a home about 350 yards up the road at a house. We decided to check it out and boy were we in for a surprise! At a log cabin at the top of the driveway we found Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. They thru-hiked the AT in 1999 under the trail names "Fall" and "Hercules". It was an unbelievable menu. They were serving Belgian waffles, homemade juice, root beer floats, soft drinks, and oatmeal cookies. They also had a pork stew and a vegetarian stew simmering, just waiting to be scooped up. To finish off, they served three different kinds of desserts, our choice of course. I had a gingerbread apple upside down cake with a big ¢ol scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yummy. The two other dessert choices were a killer banana split or a hot fudge sundae type of concoction. What a wonderful time. I tell you, we headed out of there and could barely walk down the trail. Mr. Nelson is a retired Southwest Airlines pilot who purposely moved close to the trail to be able to do this. Thanks, Nelsons, for providing that wonderful Trail Magic! Around the Nelsons' Trail Magic Table - Radio Freq, Ms Musta, Ketchup, Glow Worm, Tinker Cell. Click on picture to see full size. Spokes with the Nelsons Stove in the Nelson's kitchen A little soccer on the Nelsons' stepsToday's hike really wasn't bad but my back is sore from carrying a six day supply of food. I took four Vitamin Is - that should help. Out of Allen Gap (2,235') it was a good pull up and over the White Rock Cliffs (4,450'). The most spectacular views today were on the Ridgeline at Big Firescald Knob (4,100'). It was a rock scramble down the other side. I fell hard at one point scraping my left wrist but nothing is broken or bruised! Fueled by the Trail Magic, I kept moving and made it to Jerry¢s Cabin Shelter at dark. 0.2 miles past the marathon distance! It was a long day of hiking and I'm tired. Good Night! Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Sun Apr 5, Day 26: Man, am I feeling it today. The trail started ascending immediately upon leaving Jerry Cabin Shelter. We climbed almost 700 feet in just under two miles to the summit of Big Butt Mountain (4,840').Majestic views from almost a mile high? No way - the trail over the summit was rained in and fogged in and of course the wind was knocking us backwards. I¢m beginning to think every mountain summit is gonna be this way on this AT adventure. Shadow on the trail, click on picture to see full size. Memorial plaque on the trailPast Big Butt it was a nice nine mile descent, then we paid for it with one more good climb for the day after Rector Laurel Road, up and over Frozen Knob (4,580') followed by a couple more miles to our destination for the night, the Hogback Ridge Shelter. Saw a beautiful waterfall today and soaked up some ions on the rest break. I've been hiking with Trump and Phoenix. They are much faster than I am but they left camp way late allowing me to get to the shelter first! Waterfall beside the trail Blazes mark the trailArriving at the shelter we saw that another Trail Angel had left a six pack of soft drinks, a variety of different brands. What a wonderful thing to come into a shelter after a hard day of hiking and see a can of soft drink there. Remarkable. I had a root beer - Heaven! It's always the little things in life that make such a big impact.But the Angels weren't through for the day. Another guy and his two kids came by and he said ¢Hey, do you guys want some chocolate?¢ He had Dove Dark Chocolate. Ahh ¢ to die for. Serendipity on the AT. Phoenix, Trump, and Spokes at the Hogback Ridge Shelter Don't get confused at night - Hogback Ridge ShelterI'm still blister free but my feet have been super sore and sensitive the past couple of days. I'm not sure why.Hey, does anyone know the difference between Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron? If I'm not mistaken the rhododendron has longer leaves...maybe?Today I've been super hungry. Perhaps my hiker appetite has finally kicked in. That's ok since I've packed way too much food. Almost every hiker out here has seriously miscalculated their food supplies. Wonder when we will finally get it right? Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

Mon Apr 6, Day 27: I'm sitting here tucked inside my sleeping bag freezing. Writing the journal tonight is hard because my hands are numb from the cold. Another long hiking day. Left the Hogback Ridge Shelter @ 0749 hours. Shortly after I was being pelted by freezing rain, sleet, and ice crystals being blown off the trees. At least it's not rain. I hike along in shorts, two shirts, my rain jacket, and fleece cap. It's the first day I haven't sweated. My #1 mission today is not to sweat since it's so cold. Made it up and over Big Bald Mountain, the highest elevation for the day at 5,516' The guide book has the word "Vista" beside the Big Bald entry, our word for the view was "Whiteout". The trek across Big Bald was horrendous. The sleet hurt as it hit me driven by the wind. Yes, I got knocked over again by wind currents at the summit! I'm sick that there's no scenery to see. Not much chance for pictures, no visibility beyond the trail, just put your head down and hike.There is a shelter on Bald Mountain (mile 10.1 for the day). I stop in for a quick lunch consisting of a Cliff Bar and a couple of Snickers. Yummy! It feels good to get the pack off for a while. I thought about staying there for the night but the the elevation at the shelter is 5,100' and the forecast is that tonight the storm moving through is supposed to provide four to eight inches of snow accumulation. The shelter was way too high to consider staying, so pushing on I hurry to get off the mountain top, figuring the lower elevations offer some relief.Besides, it's only noon and my legs feel well so I press on another ten miles to a shelter at a lower elevation. By 1600 we had knocked out another 20+ mile day to the No Business Knob Shelter. This shelter is down at 3,180', which in theory should be a little warmer sleeping than the higher elevation. We'll see how well the weather forecast holds up.There are three section hikers here and shortly after I arrived Trump and Phoenix showed up. We all fit inside.This shelter is made from cinderblocks with large gaping exposed openings near the sidewalls. PLUS there is snow blowing in the front! I'm worried that my water bottles will freeze. It's supposed to get down in the low 20s tonight.Some people ask me what I think about as I hike along. All sorts of things - past experiences, friends I've met throughout my life, what it would be like to row a boat across the Atlantic, how that ant I saw on top of the last mountain summit got there. That sort of stuff.Then, of course, there are pockets of silence that envelop the rest of the day. Bliss!Well, it's hiker midnight. Time to go to sleep. Until tomorrow..."My mind is like a chatter box that blocks the pathways to my soul."-Rodney Crowell Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Best Southern Motel, Erwin, TN

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

Wed Apr 8, Day 29: Uncle Johnny needs to take a lesson from Ron Haven on how to run a shuttle service. We got picked up at the motel at 1000 hours and were on the trail by 1020 hours, way too late for my taste. AT trail blaze leaving Erwin, click on picture to see full size. Following footprints in the snowFueled by "Ayce" Pizza and Beer my legs felt nimble as I left the low land of the Nolichucky River, hiking with my regular group of hiking partners. The trail was wicked. Snow drifts ranged from two to twelve inches. Fog at first, then the sun came out and the snow melt caused very slippery conditions. I fell several times, once on my right knee into what felt like a pile of rocks buried in the snow drift. Yes, it hurt but nothing was broken or bleeding. My feet got cold today due to constantly being in the snow. Snow on the trail God's natural Christmas Tree flocking Snow on the trailLots of climbing, the first twelve miles were a solid uphill pull, finally cresting at Beauty Spot at 4,300' - that's 2,600 feet above the start in Erwin. The view from the top of Beauty Spot was stunning. There were three guys on horseback at the summit and they asked me to take their picture. They returned the favor. On the summit of Beauty Spot. On the summit of Beauty Spot.Then we had a little bit of relief as we dropped a couple of hundred feet in a mile. Up and over 5,180' Unaka Mountain then a nice descent into the shelter here at Cherry Gap. It's a small shelter, sleeps six. I don't know if I've mentioned this before but I've been having the weirdest dreams. A couple of nights ago I dreamed I was training elephants and then the other day I was working in a grapefruit factory where all the employees were dwarfs. I was the only tall guy there - any cluse as to what this all means? Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

Fri Apr 10, Day 31: The loft inside the Overmountain Shelter is spaciou sand dark. The muted golden rays stray in through the spaces in the boards and wake me up at first light. I fumble around to get ready so I can get over two big climbs - Little Hump Mountain (5,439') and Big Hump Mountain (5,587'). The rain clouds are rolling in, creating a myriad of eerie cloud shapes. I make it over Little Hump and Big Hump, stopping to take pictures and the video below. Make sure your speakers are turned up when you watch the video!Man, it is windy up here. I can see the rain in the distance heading my way. View from summit of Big Hump Mountain, click on picture to see full size. View from summit of Big Hump Mountain View from summit of Big Hump Mountain View from summit of Big Hump MountainAs soon as I go over the crest of Big Hump I'm pleted by sleet and some small hail. Then, not wanting to be left out of the party, the rain shows up! My rain jacket is failing. I've already duck taped it (hey, I'm from the South) to no avail. That will be the first purchase when I get to Damascus, VA. I can hold out until then.The rest of the day is fun. The rain stopped around 1300 hours and the sun came out! It feels so good!It's a sweet six mile descent off Big Hump down to US19. From there the trail is mostly flat with a few small hills, thank goodness. I pushed on to the Mountaineer Shelter (3,470'). I'm the first one in the shelter and immediately upon arrival I begin the evening routine. Run a clothes line to dry clothes and socks, get water, fix my sleep spot in the shelter, treat water, go through food bag for dinner selection, write journal, eat, go to bed. It all repeats in the morning. Mountaineer Shelter My space in the Mountaineer Shelter Spokes in the Mountaineer ShelterIn late afternoon we got some thunderstorms that came rolling in. It was good to be inside the shelter, it rained all night. The shelter sleeps 14 and I think we probably had at least 14 or 15 hikers in here. I should be at the Kincora Hostel tomorrow then only two or three days to Damascus. Yeah - another Zero Day coming up!Tidbits and Observations: Tie a piece of fluorescent tape on the zipper of the top sack of your pack. That way you can look over your shoulder to see if you zipped it up after the break. Sure beats having to stop and take off the pack to see if you forgot to zip it or not. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Kincora Hiker's Hostel, Dennis Cove

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: clear sky

Sun Apr 12, Day 33: Wow! What a difference a day makes. It's Carolina blue skies, dry trail conditions, cool temperatures, perfect! The hiking is great. Really made up for the nasty weather I¢ve experienced for the past several weeks. I got up about 0830 and soaked up the sun while hiking. Blazes on the trail, click on picture to see full size. Grouse on the trailThe ions were plentiful at the Laurel Falls in Laurel Fork Gorge, pictures and video are below. Laurel Falls Spokes at Laurel FallsI did this part of the trail several years ago and I remember it well. Made it up and over the Watauga Dam and onto the ridgeline. Watauga Dam On the Watauga Dam Road Treading lightly on the Watauga Dam Road Jurassic Period rocks at the Watauga Dams You can find trail blazes anywhereThe view as I looked down into the valley at the lake was stunning! View of Watauga Lake from the Ridgeline aboveFrom the dam it was a good uphill pull (2,145 vertical feet in 12.5 miles) to the Iron Mountain Shelter. Along the way I stopped at the Vandeventer Shelter for lunch and it was packed with section hikers. I pressed on to Iron Mountain. Got water 0.2 mile away. I met new thru-hikers Bojangles, Duckie, Patrick, CRS, and Lops. A really nice group. The Infamous and Much Coveted Vinyl Placemat Spokes holding his "Water Purse"Once again I purchased too much food. Rain is headed our way - it's supposed to start sometime in the evening and rain for the next two days so I don't know how many miles I'll make tomorrow. I guess I'll hit Damascus on Tuesday. Something really neat occurred this morning. I met a young couple on the trail and began talking to them. I told them my name and they said "Hey, we've heard of you!" Apparently Suzanne Bullard, owner of the Hiker's Inn in Damascus shuttled them to Kincora and told them about me. I've kept in touch with her ever since I stayed at her place last year on the cross country bicycle trip. In fact I called her to try to get a reservation for this trip and she told me she would be shuttling some people today. Tidbits and Observations: Today's thoughts centered around the mind game and how positive and negative thoughts impact our performance outcomes. I'm so fortunate to have run marathons and ultra marathons where the mental aspect becomes so important."Prison bars imagined are no less solid steel."- Rodney Crowell Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Mon Apr 13, Day 34: It was supposed to rain last night but it held off and started raining about 0400 this morning. You could hear the wind howling and the rain hitting the tin roof of the shelter. I dozed off but was up again at my normal time, 0600 hours. I fixed a cold breakfast and was on the trail at 0740 hours, by which time the rain had stopped.The weather front had blown through but there was still more coming. The wind continued to cause problems especially along the ridgelines where once again I was almost blown over. It was one of those days where you have to just dig in your poles and hope you didn¢t swept away to the next ridge!My right ankle really started hurting today. It wasn¢t swollen, but if I stepped on it wrong ¢ ouch! - it would just shoot pain up my right leg. Excruciating pain at times. It's not swollen but it sure feels like a bad strain. A Zero Day in Damascus will be helpful. I may buy an Ace Bandage to wrap it too.Made it to the Abingdon Gap Shelter with CRS, Lops, Ducky, and Carolina. We arrived at the shelter pretty early in the afternoon, 1330 hours, and contemplated pushing on to Damascus. But I said nope, my ankle can¢t take it so we¢re going to take it easy for the rest of the day here and push out in the morning. The water source is 0.2 mile downhill - what a pain! The only consolation is I have plenty of food to eat. I need to lighten the load! If the weather is nice tomorrow I'll shove out pre-dawn and get into town early. Mmmm...a greasy cheeseburger and a double order of onion rings has my name on it. Can't wait to kick back and relax. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Hiker's Inn, Damascus, VA

To: Hiker's Inn, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wed Apr 15, Day 36: Itinerary for Zero Day:- Rest- Eat breakfast- Soak ankle- Go to Dollar Store to look for container to hold olive oil (provides great source of fats for dinners), the outfitter didn't have the right size- Buy fuel for alcohol stove- Eat at Subway. Hmmmm...two foot longs?- Wonder what's for dinner- See if any place in town serves pie- Organize food- Pack equipment- Eat again- Go to Post Office to forward Bounce Box and mail stuff home- Have evening snack- Go to bed- Dream of the trail aheadGood night... Mount Rogers Outfitters, click on picture to see full size. Dave's Place Hostel Downtown Damascus Getting the mailboxes ready Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Hiker's Inn, Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Thu Apr 16, Day 37: The Zero Day in Damascus yesterday was a welcome break. My old hiking partners Trump and Turn Around showed up but they will now be a day behind me, as they are taking their Zero Day today. Leaving a good trail town is hard to do. It's that way in Damascus. Perhaps it's because everything is so convenient. I got some new boots in my mail drop and along with the new rain jacket I bought at the outfitters I¢m ready for this next segment of trail coming up. I went to Dot's Inn last night and scarfed down a ribeye sandwich and some cold beers with Turnaround, Trump, and Minstrel. What a good time especially with all the country music blaring from the juke box. I then went back to the Hiker's Inn to ice my sore right ankle. It's still a little swollen. Morning came early. I was ready to go at 0700 but Suzanne fixed coffee and homemade bread. We chat and before long it's time for me to mosey along. I trek out and stop at Cowboy's where I ponder another breakfast. Smiley, Turnaround, Trump, and Honey Do are there.I hit the trail about 0830 hours, late for me. There's a climb out of town and the trail parallels the Virginia Creeper Trail, a Rails-to-Trails Bicycle Path. The AT hits it at a couple of points along the way. I meet Smiley on the trail and we hike together for a little while. Virginia Creeper Trail, click on picture to see full size. Luther Hassinger Memorial Bridge on the Virginia Creeper Trail Spokes on the Luther Hassinger Memorial BridgeWhat a wonderful day. Blue skies, decent temperatures, and good trail. There are a couple of tough parts but mostly pretty gradual climbs.We make the Lost Mountain Shelter around 1515 hours. I'm done for the day, almost sixteen miles despite being loaded down with a pack full of food for the haul to Atkins, VA.. The new Keen boots are doing well, no problems with the feet! Interesting shelter, a lot of hikers showed up having made the hike out of Damascus. Unfortunately, cell phone coverage is spotty around here. Drats! Click here for audio journal