morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Icewater Springs Shelter-13.8 miles

To: Tricorner Shelter-12.6 miles
Miles today: 12.6

The "Toe Socks" were the first up this morning, but we were right behind them. Just as we left the shelter, there was solid ICE for about 1/10 of a mile. We had to go very slow and choose our steps very carefully..and not make any quick steps. I tried to step exactly where Comer showed me as he was blazing the Trail. The "Toe Socks" were happy they could follow our trail over the ice. We met 6 sectional hikers and a ridgerunner today. When we got to Peck's Corner Shelter, we ate lunch and Otto caught up with us. He was a VERY SPECIAL "Trail Angel" to us last night. He is much younger than we are, so when he got to Newfound Gap yesterday afternoon, he caught a ride to and from Gatlinburg..bought supplies for himself and brought Comer and me a Subway sandwich!! We were so surprised! He had worried about our long day and wanted to treat us with extra food! We have sheltered with him for 3 nights through the Smokies. One of the hardest things today, other than the long ups, was blow downs on the Trail that you had to swing yourself (with pack on) under in order to keep going. Comer can manage these with ease; or it seems to me. I try to do as he does, but I always get stuck. Today, I thought I'd surely break my leg, as he is trying to help pull me from under the tree and I somehow managed to get one leg caught under a limb on the tree. I'm sure I looked very funny and Comer wanted to laugh, but he knew how hard this was on my body. After about the 3rd one, I took my pack off and crawled under the tree! So far, there are 9 of us at the shelter..5 of us are thru-hikers.
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Tricorner Shelter-12.6 miles

To: Standing Bear Hostel-18.5 miles
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's hike began, as always it seems, with two long ups, but with really good views of the Smoky Mtns. When we got to Cosby Knob Shelter, we stopped for lunch. As we finished lunch, a hiker we had sheltered with last night came in and said Otto has found my water bottle. This was my extra bottle and I had not realized it had dropped from my pack. About 5 minutes later, Otto came in with my bottle. Once again, he was my Trail Angel! By noon, we were back on the Trail with over 5 miles of downs on our way to Davenport Gap Shelter. We met several day hikers and a runner about a mile before the shelter. He was so impressed that this was a 2nd thru-hike for us..when he finished his run, he came by the shelter where we were having our evening meal and asked lots of questions about our hike. So far this year, we seem to be the oldest couple thru-hiking. Hikers have a GREAT COMMUNICATION system up and down the Trail. Almost daily, we see someone who already knows about us from the faster, younger hikers who have gone ahead! It was 4pm by the time we had eaten our meal, so we decided we could hike another 3.3 miles to Standing Bear Hostel. It made for a long day, but well worth it to have a HOT SHOWER a day sooner than I had thought! Curtis and Maria, who own the Standing Bear Hostel, are SUPER NICE and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND them to future hikers. To add to our already exciting day, Curtis has first come in to tell us about a forest fire that has started between the Trail and the Hostel. We can see the blaze and have been watching all the fire trucks come by. Curtis and Maria both have assured us that we will evacuate to a motel if necessary. The A.T. is only 200 yards from Standing Bear Hostel where we are spending the night...the fire was between the A.T. and the Hostel, so they will NOT have to close any sections...so, we will be hiking tomorrow!!
Date: 2007-03-14
From: Standing Bear Hostel-18.5 miles

To: Tented 1 mile past Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Jennifer prepared bacon, eggs and cheese for breakfast at Standing Bear for herself and the 4 other thru-hikers who were there last night. Pilgrim assisted and contributed our orange juice and Grizzly made our pot of coffee. Comer got clean up duty with Pilgrim and Grizzly's assistance. I phoned Teresa to give her updates on our location...I lucked out on the cooking and cleanup duties today! We shared a 3 bed cabin with Jennifer and Pilgrim at the hostel.As we were leaving Standing Bear to begin our 5 mile hike up Snowbird Mtn., we looked at the damage the forest fire had done about 200 yards from where we had spent the night. It was 10:30am before we began our hike and there was lots of activity all around..the forestry workers were already beginning cleanup and a helicopter was flying overhead to assess the damage. We stopped at Groundhog Creek Shelter for lunch before the long climb up Hamon Den Mtn..Right before we got to the shelter, we met Jennifer and Pilgrim who were slack packing from Max Patch back to Standing Bear Hostel. Curtis shuttled them there and will bring them back to Max Patch tomorrow to continue North. After our meal, we hiked on to Max Patch and about a mile past Roaring Fork Shelter where we tented for the night.
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Tented 1 mile past Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC-17.8 miles
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up at 5:30am this morning. Comer prepared Blueberry & Granola for breakfast while I packed our backpacks. We were on the Trail by 6:45am and had to use our head lights to see the path. A bat kept diving down close to Comer's light...I guess Comer must have had bugs close to his head!! The first 4 miles were fairly easy and then we started having steep ups. The climb up Walnut Mtn. had lots of red lights. The ATC has cut all the trees on Walnut Mtn. to return the fields back to what they were a long time ago. We stopped at Walnut Mtn. Shelter and cooked a meal. In the hiker register, we read where a hiker ahead of us said the mice were so bad that they came out in the daytime to see what he was cooking..we didn't see any while we cooked and ate. Then we started about 10 miles of LONG DOWNS towards Hot Springs. We stopped at the sign to Deer Park Mtn. Shelter and ate Mac & Cheese to get enough energy to complete the last 3.3 miles down to Hot Springs. Our feet were burning and our knees were aching from all the long downs. We are spending the night at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. When we arrived, Backyard Buggy announced,"Comer & Jean are here"!! The lady at Elmer's came running to the door and said,"Papa Smurf and Flame had phoned and asked her to give us a hug when we arrived"!!! THANK YOU, PAPA SMURF AND FLAME...YOU MADE OUR DAY!!!
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Tented about 4 miles past Spring Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

While we were taking a zero day yesterday at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn in Hot Springs, "Chuck Norris & Tigger" stopped by to visit Sunny. It was hard to tell who was more surprised..us or them when we walked into the Inn and saw them!! We had met and made friends with them last year in Damascus during Trail Days. They had been following our journal and they didn't think we were this far. They will begin their thru-hike March 28th.After a night and day of rain and weather in the 20's, we began our hike across the French Broad River, and a steep up to Lovers Leap Rock. We were GASPING for breath from our HEAVY resupply at Hot Springs. We are always ready to begin, but it always takes us a mile or two to get into our normal rhythm for the day. Once we reached the summit, the ENDLESS ups and downs before we reached Tanyard Gap, made us shift to "Granny Gear" for the next 2 1/2 miles up to Rick Mtn.We stopped at a spring for water and to eat a meal before reaching the top. A 3/4 mile down was a relief to our leg muscles, but stressed our feet and knees. AND THEN, it started ALL OVER AGAIN....the ENDLESS ups and downs for the rest of the day.....WHEW!!!!!
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Tented about 4 miles past Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Flint Gap-16.9 miles
Miles today: 16.9

It was very COLD and WINDY as we began our hike. After about 5 miles of continuous ups, we were walking in snow and ice. Our cheeks were burning, our noses were cold and running; however, we took very few breaks because of the cold winds. From Camp Creek to Big Butt, all the trees were covered in ice. The Trail was frozen and there were patches of ice that we had to be careful crossing. We saw only 1 hiker today, Tabasco. As soon as he saw us, he yelled, "Comer & Jean"..he said he had been following us through our journal and had hoped to meet us one day! It was tooooo cold to spend much time talking. We had to keep moving to stay warm.We descended down to Flint Gap and since there was no ice or snow in this area, we are tenting for the night. Whenever you camp in a Gap, you can expect cold winds at night and early morning. We prefer tenting as the shelters are always colder.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Flint Gap-16.9 miles

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter-9.6 miles
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

We were late getting started because of cold temperatures. Our water bottles began to freeze as we walked. The first 5 miles were little ups and downs as we descended to Devil Fork Gap. Then things started to change. We started a LONG 3 mile up to higher elevation. There was so much water in the Trail that it had frozen under the leaves and pebbles in the Trail. It stuck up like icicles from 1 to 2 inches long. As we walked along, we were crunching these and they sounded like we were walking on crushed ice. This made walking hard. It was like post holeing with our hiking poles in the snow. The leaves and pebbles covering the ice made it very slippery. We were lucky not to have falls from all the slipping and sliding. We were glad to see Hogback Ridge Shelter where we made camp after a cold, windy day.
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter-9.6 miles

To: Tented at Whistling Gap-13.4 miles
Miles today: 13.4

As we crossed Sam's Gap this morning, several NC Trail Mainteners were our performing trail maintenance. They hiked along with us for about a mile, and we enjoyed talking with them as we hurried along. They were very friendly, and we thanked them for the work they do. After about mid morning, we found that most of the ice had melted and the Trail became very muddy and slippery at the lower elevations. The ups were very, very HARD on us today. We just didn't seem to have the energy to keep a steady rhythm walking up the mountains. The climb up Big Bald really whipped us, but the VIEW was AWESOME! On days like this things are almost like a blur..all you can do is concentrate on PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER and getting to where you can stop for the day. We are camping at Whistling Gap.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Tented at Whistling Gap-13.4 miles

To: Erwin, TN-13.5 miles
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Whistling Gap stood up to its name. When we got up the wind was blowing. It was not as cold as yesterday, but chilly until around mid morning. The climb up to High Rock Mtn. was very slow. We debated about taking off 1 layer of clothing, but thought we might get chilled. When we reached Spivey Gap, we were able to take off the 1 layer because of the next long up and the wind was not as strong by then. We stopped to get water near No Business Knob Shelter from a spring on the A.T...we ate Chicken Stew for lunch and we needed water to get us the last 6 miles into Erwin, TN. We met 2 hikers at the shelter from Gainsville, Ga. Four of the last 6 miles were steep downs. Our feet and toes cried out for relief many times before we we got to Erwin. We are getting STRONGER, but we aren't there yet..we hope by Damascus, Va. (about 500 miles) that the ups will come easier for us. It rained last night and the Trail was extremely muddy. Comer was leading and he was slipping and sliding so much that I kept laughing at him! He stopped at one point and said, "QUIT laughing or we are going to have a MUD FIGHT..THEN we will see WHO has the last laugh!!!!!" Of course, I had my share of slipping and stumbling. For a long span, I seemed to stumble over EVERY root and rock. Comer asked if I was trying to fall down the mountain! My legs were so tired, I just could NOT concentrate on the Trail...well, you know..that and all that laughing at Comer!!!!!!
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Erwin, TN-13.5 miles

To: Camped before Deep Gap-11.1 miles
Miles today: 11.1

Hey Everyone..Teresa here..sorry there hasn't been any updates for awhile, but we have been out of town on Spring Break! I have lots of entries to add and will do so as quickly as I can!Our hike today started with a little breeze but, much warmer. We only needed our basic layer of clothing. With HEAVY packs, we started up to Curly Maple Gap..an elevation of 3080ft. It's always stop and go at first..adjusting to 6 days of food and getting used to our packs. We carry about a liter of water each since we are finding PLENTY of springs and streams along this section. With the weather being warmer, we are sweating on the ups. Shortly after Curly Maple Gap, we had to refill our water bottles. We did not see any other hikers today. We took a long break at Indian Grave Gap and ate a meal to give us enough energy to climb to 4437 feet elevation to Beauty Spot. We decided to call it a day and camp just before Deep Gap.At the outfitters the other day, Comer wanted to buy a pair of flip flops so he could send his bulky Teva's home. He bought a size 10 to the counter. I told him they were too big. He said he wore a size 10 boot. The girl helping us said you usually buy your boot size. I took them back and got a size 9. That night when we camped, Comer took off his boots, pulled out his flip flops and tried to put them on...they were TOO TIGHT..BUT, fit ME PERFECTLY!! Comer said so that's why you wanted me to buy the 9's instead of the 10's..he is wearing my Teva's for now...but, he REMINDS me EVERY night that I am wearing HIS flip flops!!
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Camped before Deep Gap-11.1 miles

To: Camped 1 mile before Clyde Smith Shelter-12.9 mile
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

We were late getting started today since neither of us seemed to have the energy to get going. As we started up Unaka Mtn., it was a very slow climb because of roots and rocks. On the 2 miles down the path, it had many, many roots which made for slippery footing. We stopped at Cherry Gap Shelter for a short break. This gave us a little energy for the next tough climb over Little Bald Knob. Once we started down Little Bald Knob, it was a roller coaster (many little ups and downs) until we stopped to camp. We made camp about a mile before Clyde Smith Shelter. We met 3 interesting section hikers.. O.T., Day Dreamer and Doc..who camped near us. Doc is from Macon, Ga.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Camped 1 mile before Clyde Smith Shelter-12.9 mile

To: Overmountain Shelter-14.1 miles
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

We were up early because we knew we were facing a very hard day of hiking. We started at 4044ft. and went up to 6285ft. with many HARD ups and downs in between. We were taking short, hard steps up all day long. Once we summited Roan Mtn., it was like the little rabbit on t.v. that beats the drum and keeps on going. Well, we were going UP, UP, UP all day long. Even on the downs, we had to go up and down to get down. On the long downs our feet were hurting, our knees were aching and our packs felt heavier than ever. Comer had to stop and look after a blister on one of his toes. We stopped twice today and took off our boots and let our socks and sock liners dry. We met many sectional hikers today...2 from Atlanta, Ga.. The shelter is filled with hikers and there are several tents around us tonight. We started making camp around 5pm. It was a long, tiring day.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Overmountain Shelter-14.1 miles

To: Camped near Mountaineer Shelter-17.4 miles
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

We started breaking camp at 5:15 this morning. As soon as we left camp, the Trail goes UP, UP, UP for about 1.5 miles. Little Hump Mtn. is a bald. The views were AWESOME! Looking north from Little Hump, we could see the Trail going down 3/4 mile and up 1 mile to Hump Mtn. Bald. We made pictures and took a short break before starting a long 5 miles down to Apple House Shelter. We thought we would never arrive, but got to the shelter around noon. We stopped for lunch before continuing the rest of the afternoon. Because of the ups and downs, we camped after 9 more miles near Mountaineer Shelter. This was another long and tiring day.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Camped near Mountaineer Shelter-17.4 miles

To: Kinkora Hikers Hostel-15.1 miles
Miles today: 15.1

Todays hike consisted of ups that were 200 to 300 feet in elevation that lasted for 9 miles. The weather was hot with very little breeze. We were constantly wiping sweat from our faces. We had to continue drinking lots of water. We stopped at Moreland Gap Shelter for lunch ..chicken stew. We met "Zero", a thru-hiker, and as we were leaving, another hiker "Cough Drop" stopped in for a break. The last 6 miles consisted of one long mile up and 5 miles of downs. The path was rocky, steep, and had lots of leaves in places making it very slippery. When we got to Kinkora Hikers Hostel where we are spending the night, 2 hikers had fell. One has a sprained ankle and the other has a cut on his arm. Tonight the hostel has Osprey, Fex Ex, Mouse Trap, Zero, Justin, Larry, Jennifer, and Comer and I. The group decided Comer & I should have the only private accommodation...which is a TREE HOUSE! Yes, it is a REAL tree house. Jennifer, so graciously, prepared Comer and me an egg and cheese omelet for dinner. Osprey made fresh apple pies and he and Mouse Trap served the entire group of hikers apple pie and ice cream for dessert!
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Kinkora Hikers Hostel-15.1 miles

To: U.S.321 Hampton,TN 44 South-8.9 miles
Miles today: 8.9

After a wonderful breakfast at the hostel this morning with our fellow thru-hikers, which was cooked by Osprey, Bob shuttled all of us to U.S.321. We slack packed back to the hostel as most of us needed to get food drops and/or resupply in town. Tomorrow morning he will shuttle us back to U.S.321 to continue our hike north. After 5 weeks of carrying our packs everyday, having a day pack with water and snacks felt almost as if we were not carrying anything. Actually, I was not carrying a pack since Comer and I only needed one pack and being the sweet gentleman that he is, he carried our day pack. I felt so light footed and found that I could enjoy the walk and the beauty of everything around me so much more. I found my senses were more acute and that I was thoroughly enjoying the sound of restling dry leaves crunching under my feet. The Mountain Laurel is beginning to bloom and the air had a sweet fragrance as we passed. The wild flowers are beginning to bloom giving color along the sides of the footpath. After the first 5 miles, we walked for about 2 miles along the river. The sound of the Laurel Falls could be heard a long way before we could see it. This was such a peaceful, relaxing sound on a warm spring day. After we arrived back at the hostel, some of the hikers went into town for supplies for dinner. While they were gone, 4 more hikers arrived at the hostel..Alley Cat, Hawk, Pilgrim and Bubba. We grilled hamburgers with all the trimmings and topped it off with Strawberry Shortcake.
Date: 2007-03-28
From: U.S.321 Hampton,TN 44 South-8.9 miles

To: Iron Mountain Shelter-15.4 miles
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

All of the thru-hikers at the hostel this morning shared a big breakfast of eggs and cheese, bacon, sausage and apple pancakes before Bob shuttled us back to U.S.321 for our continued hike north. Our hike began near the Watauga Lake. As we crossed the Dam, we met a TVA employee who gave us the history of the building of the Watauga Lake and Power Plant. All the young hikers started out ahead of us because they were in a hurry to get to Damascus,Va..The first couple of miles were not that hard. Soon after Watauga Lake Shelter we started up..which continued for 7 miles. It was another roller coaster day of ups and downs. We were hot and sweaty and had to stop more often for water today because of the heat. Late in the afternoon we could hear it thundering in the distance. As soon as we got to Iron Mtn. Shelter, it began to rain. There were a few lightening strikes nearby, but we were safe in the shelter. Soon the storm moved away from us and the fog moved in immediately. We had our socks hanging to dry, but the humidity is keeping them wet. We would have tented if the rain had not moved in because shelters have mice. So far, we are the only ones in the shelter. One hiker is behind us who may come in tonight, or he may stop at the last shelter which is 6.8 miles away.
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Iron Mountain Shelter-15.4 miles

To: Camped 3 miles past Abingdon Gap Shelter-18.9 mile
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

We woke up early and it was raining. I was ILL with Comer ALL DAY...I started out first and walked as FAST as I could...he had the NERVE to say if I had slowed my pace..we could have gotten a few more miles in today. I was VERY TIRED by 5pm and was the one who suggested we find a spot to camp. This 18.9 miles was tiring ups and downs. We didn't take many breaks breaks. We usually take one every few miles or every hour. We met 2 women day hikers who were out for a few days and caught up with a fellow thru-hiker .."Zero"..at Abingdon Gap Shelter. He was at the last hostel with us. He got caught in the storm last night and had to quickly go down the side of the mountain to below tree level because of the lightening. The wind was very strong most of the day, and it was a little chilly. Our legs are getting STRONGER, but the weight of the packs still drain our energy. We should be in Damascus tomorrow and may take a zero day...NO HIKING!!
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Camped 3 miles past Abingdon Gap Shelter-18.9 mile

To: Damascus, Va.-7 miles
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We were anxious to break camp and get to Damascus to see our GOOD FRIEND Ginny at the Lazy Fox Inn Bed & Breakfast. She serves the BEST cheese grits you would ever want to eat. We stayed here on our 2001 thru-hike and have been staying with Ginny during Trail Days ever since then! The 7 miles today were not that hard. We made good time and got into Damascus around 10am. We met "Stick" at the Post Offic and gave him "Fed Ex's" cap that we had found in a shelter. "Fed Ex" and some other thru-hikers were slack packing today. They were a day ahead of us getting into town. We are going through our gear again to see if there is anyway we can lighten our loads. We are having to adjust our food drops because our mileage is higher than we thought we could do. Our appetite is increasing, and we losing a little weight (mostly fat)! We can tell our muscles are toning. The young hikers are amazed at our stamina. I'm in VERY GOOD spirits today and Comer is cetainly GLAD that I am!
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Damascus, Va.-7 miles

To: VA600 Elk Garden (South)-23.8 miles
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

After a BIG, DELICIOUS breakfast with Ginny at the Lazy Fox, we slack packed from VA600 Elk Gardens back to Damascus. The first up for about 3 miles , we were going slow to warm up our muscles. From the Forest Service Road 89, an elevation of 5400 feet, the Trail starts manny little ups and downs all the way back to Damascus. We stopped every 3 or 4 miles for a snack break. About 10 miles into the walk, the A.T. joins the Virginia Creepers Trail. It was very tempting not to follow the Creeper Trail back into Damascus. We wanted to locate the little pond where I fell through several feet down in 2001 and broke my nose and badly bruised my right shin. The area does not look the same. From there on we were hiking around 3 miles per hour. The weather was not hot, but it was a little humid. Within a mile of Damascus, the A.T. rejoins the Creeper Trail. We arrived back at the Lazy Fox Inn before dark.