morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Flint Mountain Shelter 

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night, Patch's girlfriend Scout hiked in to the shelter from a road almost 3 miles out and had two Arby's Roast Beef Sandwiches, and Patch gave one to Hotdog and I to share. It was cold, but oh-so-good! Trail magic! Then this morning they left a Honey Bun and two Oatmeal Cream Pies for each of us at that road crossing! Awesome!We had a good hike today, nice and relaxing miles. We knew we had one good long climb, but didn't mind it because the weather was good. We crossed green, grassy meadows, lush green mountainside with waterfall running through it...all on a beautiful partly sunny, breezy day. About an hour after we arrived at the shelter, the rain started, and the breeze cooled off. We have 9 in this shelter for 6, and I believe Patch was planning on coming here tonight, possibly late. We will see what we can do for his sleeping arrangements too.Two beagle puppies followed Hotdog and I from about 4 miles south of here to here, and they are under the shelter now that it's raining. I was hoping they'd follow us for a bit then head back home, wherever that is, but they stayed with us. I hope they'll be okay, wherever they go.Here at the shelter are thruhikers Hotdog, Wench, Red, Blue, Sonic, Iguana, and Crusty, and two section hikers. I first met Sonic and Iguana at Standing Bear, but they took a zero there, or maybe two due to the snow. They are pretty cool, and went to the Front Porch Mexican/Bluegrass Restaurant with us. I was hoping we'd meet again.Everyone here hiked 15 miles, except for Hotdog and I. As anxious as I am to get to Erwin, there's no use getting there before the 9th. I mean, why should I bust my butt to get to a town to spend money when I can stay for free in the shelters? Hmmm... maybe for real food sooner??? Naaahhh... We're set up for two 10 mile days and then 6 miles into Erwin on the 9th. That sounds like a good plan to me!I am still frustrated about my feet. My legs feel good enough to go farther than what I've been doing, but my feet hurt at the end of the day anyway. I'm considering getting new boots, or trail shoes, or something. I just want them to be more comfortable, and not get blisters. But...for now, I'll do what they allow me to do, and so far, it seems 9-12 miles per day is it. I'll just take what's given me, and make do with that. So far, time is on my side.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a full house last night, and Hotdog and I tried, as usual, to be the last out of the shelter, but some were lollygagging more than the Lollygaggers and we were out before 4 others. The first 5 or 6 miles were pretty easy, with some short ups and downs. We didn't leave until 9:40, and had covered the first half of the day's miles before noon. After that, we climbed steadily, but not too steeply until the very top of Big Bald, where the trail was more of rock climbing than hiking. I was concerned about the view from Big Bald because it was a foggy day, but when I got up there, the clouds cleared and I had a view of Big Stamp, and Patch was ascending it. He looked like a speck on the trail. The clouds rolled in and out providing unique views of the mist, looking like smoke, on adjacent mountains. The wind was ripping up there, but provided a push as I descended. Hotdog and I got to the shelter before 3pm, and both were surprised about that. It seemed like a quick 10 miles. Of course, I realize how slow I am, when 20 minutes after I arrive at the shelter, someone who did twice as many miles as me strolls in. I bet he didn't start as late as us though. Hehe.Tomorrow's another 10ish mile day, and I probably won't be getting up all to early then either. Most of the 9 thruhikers here are planning on going the 16 miles into Erwin tomorrow. I would guess the next shelter might not be as crowded, just because it's so close to town, but I could be wrong. Someone said that the day we left Hot Springs, and the next night, Hot Springs was all booked up with hikers, and some were tenting on the trail just before town. So there could be a huge group of faster hikers pushing through, and passing by. I don't know. I guess I'll find out.I like when the shelters are not packed. I'm not much of a fan of crowds anyway, and sometimes it's too crowded in the shelters to do what needs to be done. That's a big reason I don't get up early in the mornings. I like getting going early, and do it when tenting, but not when in the shelter. It's especially difficult since the time changed. Before I know it, it's 7:30am! Oh well, I'll get used to it eventually.All day, I was thinking about Erwin, and food, and seeing my parents. I can't wait! This is the longest I've been on the trail before resupply or town stop. Seven days. It's not been too hard, but I skimped a little on food, and am looking forward to pigging out! Snack food, dinners, cookies, SODA! Salad bar, breakfast. Mmmmmm... I gotta stop thinking about this. One more night after tonight....
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

My thoughts of this being an empty shelter have been quite crushed. There are 8 in the shelter, and 9 or so tenting around the shelter. The shelter doesn't have a big roof for cooking under, but right now there are about 10 people hovering under it cooking and 4 of us who've already eaten hanging back by the shelter wall. All here are thruhikers, and all are eagerly anticipating town food. Some are planning on early departure from shelter and hitting McDonalds for breakfast, then a pizza buffet for lunch.Hotdog and I are planning on meeting Sonic and Iguana at Pizza Hut for lunch at noon. When we got to the shelter, around 2pm, they were finishing up lunch, and getting ready to head on down to Erwin. We thought about going on in too, but decided to hang out and take an easy day in in the morning. Hindsight is 20/20, and the shelter being as crowded as it is, maybe I should've gone on in. Naahhh... It's fine the way it is. Tonight, I'll, once again work on the Rotisserie Hiker. I made that term up to describe the way hikers turn over at night by spinning on their own axis and not disturbing the person right next to him/her. Tonight, I'm against the wall, so I only have one person to disturb when I roll over.I've been using earplugs at night so the snoring doesn't keep me awake, and it's been working out great! Hotdog's legendary snoring doesn't bother me too much anymore, but Sonic was quite the snorer, usually along with several others. I didn't think I'd like wearing earplugs, but so far, no problem.Once again, rain came after we got to the shelter. Since Sonic and Iguana went into town, and someone had built a nice firewood pyramid in the firepit, they gave us some marshmallows to roast. We even gathered more wood. Mother Nature had other plans though, so we ate the marshmallows without roasting them. Mmmm..... sugar.... mmmm....It's hard not to crash already. It's 7:30 and still quite light out. Also, the shelter is quite the busy place still. This morning, I woke up at 5am and didn't fall back asleep. That could explain my tiredness. I'm gonna have to use the privy, but it's not really a privy at this shelter, just the woods. In the rain. Lucky for me it's just a pee stop, so the light rain shouldn't bother me much. I'll be quick.
Date: 2003-04-09
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Nolichucky River (Erwin, TN)
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

As usual, Hotdog and I were almost last out of the shelter this morning. But once we got going, all I could think about was getting to town! I like the way the trail allows me to see the town well before getting there. What a tease! It took us 2 1/2 hours today, and the views of the Nolichucky River were wonderful! We also saw 3 trains, as we weaved our way down the mountain. Very cool!As we got to the road, we saw that Miss Janet was dropping off some hikers and praised our good timing! We were supposed to meet Guana and Sonic at Pizza Hut at noon, and it was almost 11:30. Miss Janet assessed everyone's desires of where they needed/wanted to go and decided to pick up all others going to Pizza Hut from her house and drop us off together. So, we picked up, among others, Guana and Sonic! At Pizza Hut, Miss Janet dropped of 9 hikers. I think the employees were scared, and the lunch buffet didn't stand a chance! MMmmmm... pizza, puddin', n Pepsi. Again, and again, and again! Six pieces of pizza, one plate of salad, six cinnamon sticks and two helpings of pudding later, I needed a nap!I hung around Miss Janet's until my parents arrived, then we checked into a hotel, and I FINALLY showered. It felt sooo good! I'd gone 7 days without a shower, and was feeling, and smelling it! This time I even used shampoo in my hair, instead of soap. What a difference that makes! After my shower, another treat....cotton clothes! I'd forgotten what it felt like.Since Hotdog and I, and a few others had been talking about Chili's for about 2 weeks, and my parents were visiting, we decided Chili's was the place for dinner. Ma, Pa, Hotdog, Sonic, Guana and I crammed in Ma's car, and we were off! We didn't know where Chili's was located, other than Johnson City, so Hotdog activated OnStar. Er, I mean, cell phone. He called Mrs. Hotdog and she directed us, with the use of the internet. The internet fooled us, so we did it the old fashioned way...we asked for directions. Finally, we made it! And it was GOOD. Mmmm... cold beer, chips with queso, and good dinners all around. Tomorrow night...maybe Outback.I'm glad to have my parents here. They came to see me, and I want to show them stuff. Views. Whatever. But the weather might not cooperate. I wanted to go back to Max Patch to see what it looks like without snow, but it's supposed to be cloudy tomorrow, so no views. Maybe I'll just do my chores tomorrow. And eat. A lot. I'll sleep on it, in this big queen size, no-rotisserie-hiker-tonight bed. Zzzzzzzz
Date: 2003-04-09
To: Random Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

Random ThoughtsI got to read my guestbook today, for the first time since Franklin, about 2 weeks ago. Thank you to everyone who signed! I appreciate all of your kind words, and I'm glad you're enjoying my journal. I know the thoughts are often scattered, but that's me...scatterbrained. And I write what I think of, at the moment.Some have asked for more photos. Unfortunately, my photo developing takes much longer than my journaling. I can send my journal entries via email from most phones, and my brother, Dan, uploads them quickly. Many people read my journal to see how their family member or friend is doing, since my journal is updated usually quickly. However, if only a payphone is available, I cannot, for some reason, use all payphones. Some of you spoiled readers were concerned when a new journal entry wasn't...well, entered in a timely fashion. I couldn't find a phone that'd work for me. Nothing wrong with me, or my hiking buddies, just technology that supersedes mine. :-)Photos, on the other hand, are mailed, developed, then sent to Dan, where he uploads each one individually. So, there's quite a lag in the time they show up. Plus, I haven't been taking as many photos as I should be. I'll work on that. I promise. I need to get a pouch so I can reach my camera without taking my pack off. I'll work on that too. Maybe in Hot Springs, NC or Erwin, TN. ;-)Keep on reading... I'll keep on writing whether you do or not. :-) Also, keep signing the guestbook. It's a great form of encouragement, and a way to have contact with you all. Thank you!:-)Wench
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Random Thoughts

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

How much can a person eat? It seems today's theme was FOOD. First, breakfast at The Elm's Restaurant. Then a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream that the hotel gives to hikers who get a room here. Next, shopping at Super Walmart...for food for the next several hiking days. Then, around 3pm, a late lunch at Sonic. After a quick nap, it was time to get ready for dinner at Outback. Hotdog, Sonic, Guana, Lite Shoe, POG, Ma and Pa and I had a good time, and a good meal. I think I've eaten enough for today. Tomorrow starts a new feeding frenzy.The Holiday Inn Express here in Erwin is extremely hiker-friendly. Free ice cream, washer and dryer, decent rate, internet access and very friendly and helpful staff make this a highly recommended hotel. The only gripe I have is that I cannot access aol.com from their computer for some reason. I've been able to access my journal though, and that's good enough.Hotdog, Ma, Pa and I visited 3 outfitters today. Well, we tried to anyway and found that a few aren't hiking outfitters. The outfitter in Erwin is not hiking oriented at all. It's more of a hunting/feed store, and that's a shame because it's so close to the trail. We got directions to Mahoney's in Johnson City, but the store we visited first was the hunting and fishing one. They kindly gave us directions to the Mahoney's for hiking. Ma got some boots, and a book, and the rest of us did some looking, but no purchasing. We found out that thruhikers Home Fries and Hash Browns are employees of the store. Hotdog and I had seen them at Clingman's Dome when the AT passed by.I'm taking another zero tomorrow, partially weather-related, but mostly to keep visiting with my parents. Some hikers reported up to 12" of snow in the mountains nearby. A group doing a 9-mile slackpack today encountered snow, a trail like a creek, and a stream that was knee-deep and fast-moving. Most of that group is taking a zero tomorrow too. The precipitation should be letting up, and the temperature rising by Saturday, and I'll probably head out then. It's hard to drive around town for a couple of days, but low 40s temps with steady light rain all day make it much easier. I'm glad I get to spend time with my parents, but will be glad to get back on the trail in a couple of days. I guess I miss it.
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ahhhh...another zero day, more car riding and eating. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? Well, I think I'm ready to get back on the trail. All that riding around in the car between here and Johnson City was making me carsick! Not quite, but we did our fair share of driving around looking for Heet or alcohol (Auto Zone, Erwin), a new bra, a camera pouch, and back to WalMart to get the photos on CD that they forgot to do yesterday. Ugh!I get stressed a little bit in towns. I don't know if it's all the choices of eateries, or the speed of the cars and the people rushing around, or what, but after a while it gets to me. If the day had been nicer (still raining and overcast), my parents and I would've done some hiking or sightseeing. It just wasn't meant to be.Restaurants visited today: Holiday Inn Express Continental Breakfast, Erwin Burrito, and A&W. It was all good...but I was getting tired of eating so much. Somehow, I forced it all down. I always seem to be able to do that. Tomorrow, on the trail, I'll probably pay for that. I had a good visit with my parents. It's nice to see them, and I look forward to the next time they come up. I think they enjoyed meeting some of my trail friends, and they offered rides anywhere we were going, even if it was a block away. I think they'd like to do more for hikers, but it's difficult since they live so far away from the trail. I'm sure they'll work something in next time they come to the trail.I'm ready to get back to the trail. Time to get on with this adventure. I look forward to towns while on the trail, and once in towns and chores are done, I look forward to the trail again. I look at towns as a means to get cleaned up a bit, get resupplied and get back to the trail. I'd better enjoy my last night in a bed...
Date: 2003-04-12
From: Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

I was excited to be heading back on the trail, but sorry to be leaving my parents again. I think, if they had any remaining doubts about what I'm doing, it helped for them to meet some of my trail friends. Unfortunately, right now, my trail friends and I are scattered about the mountains north of Erwin due to some slackpacking. I may or may not see them again for a while. Sonic and Guana said they're going to try to put in some good miles, because they're taking about a month off at the end of this month. Fly and Smoothie slacked 19 miles today, and will start from there tomorrow, so they're about 7 miles ahead. It's okay though. It's fun to read what they write in the shelter registers, and to catch up to them somewhere north of here.It was a beautiful day today. The sun burned the fog off, and the temperature was mild, probably in the 50s. The trail was wet. At one stream, which had nearly become a river, I had to walk through the water. I could use logs for about half the crossing then I just waded. The water was about ankle deep if I walked on rocks. Even though the waterproofing on my boots has mostly worn off, my feet stayed fairly dry. I was happy about that. A lot of the trail was a trickling stream, or muddy mess. There was snow on the mountains above about 3000', but in most places the trail was clear of snow.Hotdog and I sat down for lunch in a parking area about 9 miles north of the river, and while we were sitting there, along came Fly and Smoothie, and St.Nick and Princess heading south on their 19-mile day. They all sat down with us, as we had quick lunches. They told us there was still a good bit of snow, but we never encountered much. So far. We are camped at the foot of Unaka Mountain, which is over 5000', and maybe there's still a lot more snow up there. During an afternoon break, Hotdog and I sat on a log just past Beauty Gap, and threw snowballs at a hole in a log. We had about 1.3 miles to go until reaching this campsite, and since it was barely 3pm, we wasted some time doing that. Once we started hiking, he practiced his aim at slinging snow clumps off of his hiking poles, by using my head as a target. It was funny because I could see the shadow of the snow, and knew it was heading my way, but didn't know how close it was to my head. A couple buzzed my ears,! but no direct hits.I felt good today. My feet didn't feel like they were going to fall off. My knees hurt at the start, but quit complaining for most of the day. I was a little sluggish, probably due to all the eating I did in Erwin, but other than that, I was feeling good. If there weren't a 1000' climb staring at us, I think we would've gone the 4 miles to shelter. I'm happy we're camping though. I really like it, especially when the weather is good. The air is getting chillier, but I should sleep good in my tent tonight. I might even crash before sunset. I'll try not to, but it could happen. Of course that means I'll probably wake up early too. It's a vicious cycle!
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Deep Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

I enjoyed camping last night, and slept quite well in my tent. I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag or tent in the morning, but I had to go potty. Around 7am, I got up. When I sleep in my tent, I usually get up earlier. I guess it's because the shelters are dark, and in a tent, once the sun starts lighting up the sky, my bed is lit up too.Yesterday afternoon, I felt a little scratch in my throat, and after dinner yesterday, I was getting stuffed up. Last night I felt a cold coming on, and today I'm all clogged up. A fellow hiker asked me about my red eyes too, which is either from the sun, or from my cold. I hope it doesn't get any worse.Hotdog and I hiked in some snow today. Not much though. The trail was a stream in some places, mud in others, and the usual dirt and leaves in still others. I had quite a comical fall today. Or near-fall. We were descending Unaka Mountain and it was muddy on the steep downhill. I stepped in a slick spot with my right foot and started to slide, so quickly I put my left foot down and it slid too. I felt like a cartoon character, spinning my wheels backwards. Hotdog tried to save me by grabbing my Ted Towel, and that either helped or I gained enough control to end in a squat. Lucky me! No muddy butt! It was great for a laugh, as are most of our falls.It was a gorgeous day today! Sunshine and mild. More snow was melting today. On Unaka Mountain, I walked through hardwoods, rhododendron, and a beautiful pine forest. The pine area was awesome, letting almost no light through. It would make a great camping area.There were lots of PUDs today. (PUD=pointless ups and downs) Maybe it was that we were so concerned with the big mountains, that we underestimated the "little ones". Tomorrow, we have our share of both, but the big climb is Roan Mountain, over 6000' high. Today we got a peek at Roan Mountain. It was the tallest thing around, and, unfortunately, it was capped in snow. Hopefully it won't be too bad tomorrow, but I expect wet trail and mud, at best. Oh well, if it wears me out too much, I'll stop at the shelter on top, the highest shelter on the trail at 6285'. That'd be less than 7 miles, which is doubtful, but if I'm tired, or if the views from Roan are so great that I hang out for hours, then I'll stay there. I'm looking forward to it though. We've all been talking about it for so long, and it's one of the last 6000 footers until New England. According to what weather I've heard, tomorrow should be another beautiful day. I'm liking that.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Dennis Cove, USFS 50

To: Kincora Hostel, Dennis Cove Road 
Miles today: 0.0

Hotdog decided to go to the doctor today, and I decided on a zero day to give myself time to heal up too. Besides, it's cheaper here to take a zero than in Damascus. I told Hotdog, the only thing I knew for sure was that when I leave here, I'm hiking north. He said "That's allowed." I don't know if that means he's going to do the same or not, but it's the way I want to do it. If he wants to hike the next 9 southbound then hike from there north, it's still possible we could end up at the same place tomorrow night. Of course, I'm assuming he'll be hiking tomorrow. Doc gave him some meds, and I'm not sure what he plans on doing.Today was an interesting day. Early this morning, a bunch of hikers that were doing slackpacks today, got up, and two previous year AT hikers cooked breakfast for them, and everyone. Spiro and   ????? have been here the last two days, hanging out, offering rides, and cooking for this year's thruhikers. All of them were quite loud, but who's going to complain about free, home-cooked breakfast?When Hotdog was heading to town, I decided I'd ride along, and find some place to eat while he's at the clinic. Well, the clinic Bob took us to was closed, so we went with an alternate plan and dropped him off at a different clinic, with no restaurants nearby. Bob had to take a hiker to Johnson City to catch a bus, and Seiko, currently on his 14th thruhike, came along too. I spent hours riding around with Bob and Seiko, and Seiko did most of the talking. He is quite interesting and has a lot of stories to tell. I had a good time listening, and am thankful Bob didn't mind me riding along today.Tensions are running a little high in the bunkhouse tonight. That's not to say it's horrible, because it's not. It's just that some people get up early and others like to sleep a little later. The late-risers are making comments about the early-risers, and the early-risers are commenting back. It's not getting ugly or anything, but I don't like the negative vibes. I like positivity. Perhaps, after some sleep, all will be well. I know I'll feel better once I get back on the trail. I'm missing it.