morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

A great day to the so-called "Cheese Factory Site". Evidently a derranged New Englander thought it would be a good idea to come down to the south and make cheese. Nothing is left of this factory today, but we did find some bricks. Had some sleet early, then the weather cleared up a bit. Storms rolling in tonight though. A nice little place to camp right on the AT. Bill built one of his tremendous fires, and we hunkered down for the rain. Saw a bunny on my way down to get water - the first real wildlife I've seen. May it continue.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: light snow

Hello Friends,The trail is treating me well.I've been on the trail for 6 days now, and have just finished a wonderful night's sleep at the Blueberry Patch Hostel in Haiawassee, GA. Weather has been cool, but not too cold, generaly above freezing with some flurries and icy trees at some summitts. It's been 66.6 miles 'till yesterday, and maybe today we'll make it to North Carolina, or at least to Plum Orchard Shelter. We'll see.I've been haning out with a few other folks about my age; Bill, Carissa, Trevor and Matt. Bill is from Kentuckey and a year ago got out of a 4 year stint in the army, spending time in Afghanistan and Iraq and now heading into Law school. Carissa graduated last year and is applying to med school. Matt left us at Unicoi gap because of some blister problems, but should be back on the trail soon. Trevor was just out for spring break, and he was living it up. We caught back up to him at the hostel last night be he grabbed a shuttle back to Springer this morning. Had a good night last night - pizza, fire in the wood stove and a phone chat with mom and dad. This morning got to talk to Liana however briefly and unprivately and heard some sad news. It is hard not to be home.Snow and rain and misery in the forecast, so we're looking forward to it. Just bumped my bounce box forward to Fontana Dam at the south end of the Smokies, and went to the grocery store to stock up for 6 days. The trail will be good. We'll see y'all up the way!Peace,
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

We have entered North Carolina! A long day today - 16.6miles to a small little campsite north of Standing Indian Mountain in NC. Morning was very cold and it was hard to get motivated. The trail crosses into NC at a place called Bly Gap with a spiffy knarled oak. Nice entrance. Then the trail says "welcome to North Carolina" and you go up - straight up - for quite some time. A long day, but the miles are ticking by. The "Poop N' Puddin' Crew" as we've been calling ourselves, consisting of Bill and Carissa is haning together. Another nice fire tonight.
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Beech Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

A georgous sunny day today. I left camp fairly early by myself, which is nice. Soon passed a bunch of people who were just waking up at the next shelter. I caught up to Geri, a young woman with some knee problems who we had met at the Blueberry Patch. There were some mountainous parts to the trail today - and some new reparis to some slides.Best part of the day, however - was some awesome Trail Magic just before Albert Mountain. A crew who used to be associated with the now defunct Standing Indian Campground had set up a base camp for a month and were providing the most delicous make-your-own burritos to hikers. Big wood fire and griddle, big cast-iron pot of bean, corn and TVP. Homemade salsa. Organic goodness. I ate three - and that sure powered me up to the top of Albert. There's an old fire tower at the top with 350 degree views of Georgia to the south and the Smokies to the north.
Date: 2005-03-21
From: 1 Mile before Licklog Gap

To: The NOC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

Is the trail not some form of escapism?Filled with people who know they can't find fullfillment in the 'real' world? Even yesterday an informational board put up by the Forest Service on Waya Bald talking about the AT mentioned that the original conception of the trail included the notion that it would be used by workers as a reprieve from modern industrial life. So why do we put up with modern industrial life and try to escape it instead of working to transform it into a life of fullfillment, simplicity and freedom?I for one worry that my hikin this trail is a form of escapism - when I should be out doing the good work that is to be done - modeling a life that has at its focus not just the necessary but the good.After a long day, and fantastic views from Wesser Bald Tower, we made it to the Nantahala Oudoor Center, got bunks and had a great meal. Mmmm... BBQ tempeh sandwich. Shared a couple beers with a few other hikers and got a good night's sleep.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: The NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather: AM clouds, rain starting @ 2:30.Didn't leave the NOC 'till 1:00ish. Had a nice, but short, chat with Liana, did laundry, delt with the footwear problem. I bought a pair of Solomon trail shoes which seem to be pretty nice, and not too pricy. I shipped my boots back to LOWA. They'll send a pair of something else to Hot Springs. Back before Hiawassee the plastic cuff on the ankle of the boot had worn and broken off the lace eye at the ankle. WHoopie Doo.Well. Rain. Yeah. 17 others here at Sassafrass Gap tonight. "42" has two tarps which he has strung up across the front so the wind isn't soooo strong blowing in the shelter. A good group, though. Sleep at last.
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Cloudy with occasional sprinkles.Good day - got started walking at 8. The 15 miles felt good. Some little trail magic at Yellow Creek Mountain Road - fresh fruit and Nattie Ice. Mmmmm... The apple was deffinately better than the beer. 7 of us in a shelter designed for 6 tonight: Ezra and Deborah, Tank and Eric, Bill and Carissa and myself. Porter and his buddy who's joined him for spring break are tenting up the hill. It's kind of cool to be with a whole group of people the same age, all sleeping in a shelter built in the late 30's by the CCC. Neat place. Tomorrow - into the Smokies!
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Campground 113
Miles today: 12.5

We're in the Smokies. I got the next two maps out of my bump box today at Fontana Dam and have a renewed sense of confidnence and feeling of a correct perspective on the trail. The view is getting longer - so it's not a stuggle every day and every task. The routine is finally setting in. I'm feeling socially free. A very good day. It sems like I've turned a mental corner. Probably the first of many.It's a good thing that Bill, Carissa and I cooked and ate a distance away from our tarps, as durring the night we got a visitation by a bear. No big deal - no panic or worry reall. It was kind of cool. We didn't tell the people who DID cook near their tent that the bear was sniffing around them in the night.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh dear - Gatlinburg, TN. Last night much rain and some hail. Today AM we're in the clouds and nasty and drippy. Got a ride into the Gat. Had a couple good meals and 4 days worth of food. Gosh it weighs a ton. Talked briefly to Liana. Weather in the Gat: Sunny and hot. Afternoon in the mountains - t-storms and clouds very windy.
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Painter Branch Tentsite
Miles today: 20.4

The cold front rolled through last night and this morning the ground was frozen and there was 1/2 an inch of snow on the ground. Trees frozen. It was an amazing experience starting from where we were - just shy of 6,000ft. down to almost 1,500. Like going through multiple climates - different temperatures and rocks and forest types. Amazing. Down the bottom it was HOT. We're now out of the Smokies, and had our first big highway crossing as we walked under I-40. Bill Carissa and I are camping again tonight. Now, onwards to Hot Springs!
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Elmer's, Hot Springs

To: Campsite by Mill Dam
Miles today: 4.9

Well, I bought a new pack today. A Granite Gear Ozone. I'm excited. It's 3lbs, as compared to my old Gregory which was over 6 and a half. Woah! Shipped home my Therm-a-rest in exchange for a 3/4 length foam Z-rest pad. Sent home the whisperlite stove and have started using alcohol to cook with. The plan tomorrow is to crank out another 20 mile day. I'm looking forward to it.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Campsite by Mill Dam

To: Spring Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 6.1

Early morning rain turned into snow. We stopped for hot lunch at Spring Mountain shelter and... well, crawled into our sleeping bags and didn't leave. Spent all afternoon reading talking and eating. Nice and warm in the bag, but it sure is crappy out. The snow kept coming all day. Where we were we got probably 4in. of accumulation, but higher up (where we're going next), I'm sure there is more.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Miserable AM cold. Snow in drifts up over 8 inches. Plowed on to the shelter with Bill, Carissa, the Tennessee Walkers (Josh and Hannah and dog Kaya), Quarter of the Way and Buckwheat. We hit a beautful ridgeline with georgous views to the west of Tennessee. Very nice, despite the snow.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Into Erwin, TN! We ate at the Erwin Burrito - an excellent bite! Hung out with Miss Janet, and Bill, Carissa and I used her house as a base for resupplying and phone calls etc. I had a phone interview for an internship position with the Friends Committee on National Legislation, which went really really well. Packed backa pint of Ben and Jerry's at the grocery store. Because the interview went so late I didn't leave to walk the 4 miles up to the shelter untill after 8pm, so had a nice bit of night hiking to do. Weee!
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

The forcasted T-storms never appeared and we rocked out the miles, staying in the shelter with Loki and the North Carolina Brothers. I had some brilliant thought on the trail but have completely forgotten what it/they were. Spent some of the day worry that I'll be impossible for me to eat enought to keep me going. I was dragging a bit in the 3rd quarter of the day. I need ro remember to eat more in town. To that end I uped the ante to 2 Liptons per night. Kickin' it up a notch.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

This has been the best day on the trail yet. Period.; Beginning of the day - the climb up Roan High Knob was awesome. Transitioning from deciduous tress with a carpet of new green on the ground up the mountain to a fir forest which was like hiking in Maine and northern New England - no switchbacks, no grade - just big rocks and roots. Up into the clouds with no view, but that was OK. At the top there was a road and parkinglot and bathroom all of which were closed. Big bummer because I was ready to take dump #2 for the day and was looking forward to not having to dig a hole in the ground. ...sigh... Then down to Carvers Gap, which was a nice easy grade. At the bottom, a bag of Pepsi's was found amidst the clouds and light showers. I ate lunch, foudn a trash can to unload stuff (including a shopping bag full of crap hauled out of Clyde Smith Shelter) into, and headed up a large bald. I was in the clouds until the very top, when I paused, drank some water, and the clouds lifted to reveal magnificant views and a big long streach of bald peaks and ridges away to the North. These are the spectacular Roan Highlands that Baltimore Jack was talking about in Hot Springs. He said if someone was just going to do a couple weeks section hike anywhere on the trail (except Maine) it should be from Hot Springs 'till after Mt. Rogers after Damascus. This is the reason for that recommendation. The clouds came and went several times, a few times with rain, as I made my way to Overmountain Shelter - a converted old red barn which overlooks the most spectacular pastoral valley. From here I can see the cloud topped hills that will be climbed tomorrow. The weather is supposed to clear out and be georgous. Despite the train and clouds - or maybe because of - this has bneen the best, most beautiful, and most amazing day on the trail yet. Hands down. Deja-vu (GA-ME '03) brought snacks and beers to us at Overmountain. Huge Rainbow to the east around 5:30pm. I slept on the lower level of the shelter - everyone else was up in the loft. It was nice to have some solitude to reflect after such an awesome day.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: few clouds

Thought: There are many factors which contribute to success in any venture. But among these the most important is not strength, intelligence, any kind of ability or passion, but simply sheer will. Nietzsche was onto something with the idea of the Will to Power. Big miles today Laurel Falls was absolutely georgous, followed by a neat walk along the Laurel Fork. Then a big up and down and another big up to the ridge. Rockin' out the miles.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: light rain

Hello Folks, I'm here now in Damascus, VA, the self proclaimed "friendliest town on the trail". I think they might be on to something. I'm staying at the most famous AT hostel known simply as "The Place", which is owned by the local Methodist Church. Today is going to be my first "Zero" day, which means - yes - I'm not going to hike any miles on the trail. Miles spent walking up and down the main street here in Damascus doesn't count. ;-)There are now a bunch of pictures here on thise site, but you can find more where my friend Payton uploads them to: www.earlham.edu/~oharjo Please feel free to use the "Suggest an Entry" button on the bottom of this page if there are questions you have, or things you would like to hear about. What are you curious about? Well, that's all for now - it's on up to the Grayson Highlands in Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. Peace,
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Zero in Damascus

To: Lost Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

After gourging on Subway this afternoon with Odyssa, I wound up going all the way to Lost Mountain, which I hadn't really planned on. Not bad for a half-day. Odyssa and I ended up delving deep into religion and spirituality. We certainly agreed on the second thing rather a lot, though not on the former. We decided that we needed to hike together some more and keep our discussion going. Snail, Cocoa Bean, Supercheese and her boyfriend, as well as Gel were all there. Set up tent, had a quick dinner in the dark and slept for the first time in my new sleeping bag - a Western Moutaineering Caribou which is rated for 35 degrees. I was a little cool in the night, but slept well.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Lost Mtn. Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

This was a spectacular day, in which I got to go through the beautiful Grayson Highlands. Although it felt a bit wierd seeing so much land which was kept bald through controlled burns, it was rather georgous. Big rock outcroping sticking up out of green fields on long ridges. I caught up with Odyssa when I came to the ponies. Yes... the ponies. There are a bunch of "wild" ponies which roam a few parts of the State Park. As the pictures will show, they aren't exactly wild - rather they're cute little beggars. With the ponies we also met our new friend Grey Fox, who had attempted to hike the trail the previous year - but that's a whole other story. Anyway, he hiked down with us to the Wise Shelter where he had set up camp and stashed a bunch of hiker goodies - ice cream, beer, fruit, canned veggies, and loads of other stuff. Since nobody else seemed like they were going to show up, we decided to go for the gold and eat it all. Grey Fox also made a rediculous proposal, which you'll read about tomorrow, so we continued into the dusk to Old Orchard Shelter. A great break - and it was if we didn't even have to try to do 23 miles.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 39.0

The CRAZY day. Grey Fox, Odyssa and I got up at 5am and hiked down the mile to the parking lot where G.F. had parked. Here's the deal: I'm really not in favor of Slackpacking - the practice of people shutteling hikers around so that they can hike without packs for a while. Many people were doing this based out of Miss Janet's house in Erwin as well as out of Damascus. I think the idea that they drive you somewhere and then you hike back to where you are staying (paying someone for all of this) is silly. So, when Grey Fox volunteered to slack us, I was skeptical. But when we figured that we could do a 40 mile day as a result, and we would never leave the trail, or have to hike southbound, or anything, I relented. So Odyssa and I hiked without packs all the way to Atkins, VA. We meet up, after our first 10 miles, with Tea Break, a great brittish lad who bought himself a titanium tea pot in Damascus, and with (help me, I don't know how to spell this) Purette, an older woman from Quebec. Grey Fox slacked them too, after stumbling upon them at Dickey Gap. It was a great day to be a thru-hiker. We passed the legendary school bus in the field, and after 24 miles got to Partnership Shelter, where we had pizza and sodas. Teabreak and Purette both were staying at Partnership, and Odyssa and I pressed on. When we arrived at Atkins, we dined at Dairy Queen, and resuplied for the rest of the trip to Pearisburg. I called and left a cryptic message on my parents answering machine saying that I'm not going to be meeting them in Bland, VA after all. Most of the last 3 miles to the shelter was done by headlamp, but it was a nice night out, and it was good sleeping out under the stars. What a crazy day!
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Garden Mountain Ridge
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Camped on the ridge of Garden Moutain - beautiful sunset overlooking a huge natural bowl valley filled with small little pastoral farms. Distant cow noisesfrom the top of the rockey ridge. Had a beautiful view of where we'd been from Chestnut Knob. Other highlights of the day - swimming at a big stream crossing - the first dip of the trip, and chatting with a couple of trail maintainers who were marking the trail for repairs to be done in June.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Garden Mountain Ridge

To: North of VA 606
Miles today: 34.0

Woke up early and had a great start. Many steam crossings today - had nice wet feet, which didn't help the blisters at all. When the feet get wet all the skin which has built up over the past month seems to just start peeling off. Kind of cool. Anyway, the wet feet was made up for by the fact that there was some awesome trail magic provided by the Round Mtn. Methodist Church. They brought us to the church, fed us lots of egg cassarole, pancakes, home made apple sauce, milk and OJ. Soooooo good. One of they guys gave me a ride to Bland so I could forward my bump box and my old sleeping bag to Pearisburg for my father to use. Kept walking passed the Jenny Knob Shelter and over a very awesome pedestrian suspention bridge over Kimberling Creek at dusk to camp on the north side of VA 606.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: North of VA 606

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: broken clouds

After some great walking, going along some beatiful ridge views, got to the Church of the Holy Family hostel in Pearisburg and found a great group of folks - Traction, Corduroy, Olive and Erica, Heidi and Feather, Billy, Hiker X and Easy. I set up the tent in a big open field. It was a great location. Had a bean and rice dinner and people read outloud from "Glamour" magazine. It was quite hillarious.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Zero in Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a beautiful day to hike today. Went to the hostel this morning after breakfast at Friends and Family Restaraunt, and picked up Corduroy, Easy and Billy and brought them to the trail head with us, since parents have a car. Life is really easy when you have a car. They all jetted ahead, and dad and I had a perfectly rounded day. He had some trouble with a little dehydration on his way up the mountain, but after lunch and clouding over while at Rice Field Shelter, he was much better, and we managed to crank out 19 miles. Very impressive! Ended up at Pine Swamp with only Roaming Gnome with us and the mice. A good night's sleep.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Salt Sulphur Turnpike
Miles today: 7.6

OK - we really went at least 2 more miles up the trail, and then retraced those couple of miles... but. We were trying to meet Mom via the War Spur trail, which we didn't manage to fine -> so trudged back 2 miles and down the road a couple miles all in the rain. Not my i9dea f fun, but at least dad got a taste for the weather. Saw Olive and Erica and Corduroy napping - they had 10 people in a small shelter last night because of the rain and no one slept. Anyway, went back to the motel for shower and Pizza hut with mom and dad. Thanks you guys!
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Salt Sulphur Turnpike

To: Camping past VA 621
Miles today: 26.1

Camped out on a ridge past VA 621 but before the crewst of the big ridge. It was cloudy most of the day. Said goodbye to mom and dad at Wind Rock - it was really nice to have mom walk up to the crest with us from the road, and we all took some pictures. Great views. A few AM sprinkles but not bad. Really windy all day, supposedly big front about to blow through tonight with maye some snow. I've got the Tarptent staked down real tight and extra stakes at the side too, holding it to the ground. Hopefully I'll be warm and the tent'll stay put. Looking forward to a long day tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Camping past VA 621

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up to cold - below freezing, and very very windy. A little pile of sleet lay around the edges of the tent. Walked and walked . Plenty of seemingly pointless ups and downs, and nobody else on the trail.. but after about 10 miles, Cove Mtn. and Draggon's Tooth made it all worth while. It was hard to orient myself, but the view loking towards Macafee's Knob was beautiful. The snow flurries continued on and off for the entire day. McAffee's Knob. Holy Cow. The most amazing view on the trail yet I think. I thought it was just the part that juts out, but it's really like a 270 degree wrap-around porch/cliff. You can see from Roanoke all the way around to east and can see north, and can see Dragon's tooth to the south. Simply amazing. But windy and cold, so I moved on to the shelter where Heidi, Feather, Pigpen, Gunther and the Maruchen were trying to stay warm with a couple of tarps draped across the front of the shelter. Team AT (Akron Thru-hikers) came in as we were all buttoning down. Good crew.