morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Newfound Gap and Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Pouring rain this morning. I decided to stay another day. At first, I felt guilty about letting the rain keep me from hiking. That is, until I went out to breakfast and ran into a bunch of other hikers who decided the same thing. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, and we'll all be back on the trail then.Last night Mom read the guestbook entries from my journal page to me over the phone. Thanks to everyone for your supportive words. They really keep me motivated to hike on!There is a lot that happens on the trail that I don't always remember to write about. Like the coyotes wailing and yipping one night. I thought I was dreaming. Or the hiker from Israel that I sent in the wrong direction one morning. He looked a bit pissed when he returned to the shelter after realizing he was hiking southbound. Whoops.Well, the rest of my zero day plans include napping, eating, and showering. I could get used to this!
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Gatlinburg

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: few clouds

The ride from Gatlinburg back to the trail was a trip. The shuttle driver entertained us with history and factoids about the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. For instance, 91% of the park's visitors never put their feet on dirt. Of the remaining 9%, most never venture more than a mile from their car. I liked seeing it the way I did--dirty feet and all.Today's hike was easy. Started after 11 a.m. and made the 10 miles to the shelter with time to spare. A cold front has come in and temps are expected to drop into the 20s. I'll be sharing my sleeping bag with my water bottle and fuel canister, to keep them from freezing.
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Great hike today. Sunny and cool. The terrain was easy--just walking on high ridges and some gentle climbs. The mountain views were amazing. During a snack break (I take one every hour or so), I watched a tiny butterfly. He was orange, yellow, and black--striped almost, like a tiger. He landed on the edge of the trail and just sat there opening and closing his wings in the sunshine. It was just one of those moments.This is my last night in the Smoky Mountains. It's really beautiful here, and I really hope to come back again some day.
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Easy hike today. Did 10 miles by 2 p.m. Just at the turnoff for the hostel there was a cool, fast-flowing creek. Hiker "Pokey" was sitting there, on a rock, cooling his feet in the water. It looked so fun, I stopped and took my shoes off and plunged my feet in. The water was icy cold--great for my sore achilles tendon. I stayed for about a half hour, dunking my feet in until they were numb, then taking them out to warm so I could dunk them again. I walked the 150 yards to the hostel in my sandals.The hostel here is pretty cool. It's very rustic, with a bunkhouse and an open-air kitchen. Showers are in a little wood building, and the toilet is an outhouse. The owners are a very laid-back couple with two little girls. They gave us a ride to the local convenience store. I picked up a 12-pack of Bud to share with the 8 or so other hikers. We're having a campfire tonight. Should be fun.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Brown Gap Campsite
Miles today: 10.2

I'm hiking now with Laura, a.k.a. Grandma Lala. She's one of 8 women who started the hike together after meeting over e-mail. Her hiking partner, "Quilter," quit the trail and went home this morning. Her knees were torturing her, and she'd had enough.We started out with the ambitious plan of a 16-mile day. We want to hit Hot Springs, NC, early on Sunday; and that requires two big-mile days. But my Achilles (and the hills)got the best of me, and we decided to set up camp after about 10 miles. It was nice to set up early and have some time to relax.I'm now facing the fact that the Achilles tendonitis is back in full force. I need to give my feet a break. When I get to Hot Springs, I'm going to see if I can find a shuttle to Erwin, TN. The trail between the two towns is about 70 miles with no re-supply options. That means carrying a lot of weight in food and doing big mile days that my tendon can't handle now. If I skip that section and take a few days' rest, I should be able to continue for a while. The reality is that tendonitis does not go away on its own. It requires rest...lots of rest. I'll keep hiking as long as I can, though. I am still loving it out here, and the rest of my body is strong. Even those pesky knees are ready for more. Mentally, I'm not ready to stop. I'm shooting for at least Damascus, VA, the 500-mile mark. We'll see how it goes from there.Laura has turned in for the night, so I just took out my little radio to see if I could get any reception on this gap. Miracle of miracles, I found a jazz station. In the woods of Tennessee, I'm listening to Chick Corea. Cool!
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Brown Gap Campsite

To: Campsite Near Big Rock Spring
Miles today: 14.0

Good day today. We started out in a drizzle that kept up, off and on, for most of the day. We climbed Max Patch, a "bald" mountain, in the morning. "Balds" are common in this are. They are mountains that have no trees on the top. They have thick, long grass and some bushes, but no trees. If it had been a clear day, we could have seen all of the Smokies from Max Patch. Instead, we walked inside the clouds. The misty, foggy feeling up there was really cool.On the way up the next mountain, Bluff Mountain, we came across a large pile of bear poop - right in the middle of the trail. It looked to be very fresh, so we walked slowly and quietly along the trail, hoping to spot the bear among the trees. After a few hundred yards, there was a second pile of bear poop. A second bear? Or was it the same one, taunting us? We continued to tiptoe along but never did see the bear. I'm sure he was watching us, though.Tonight we're camping on the far side of Bluff Mountain. We have our food sacks hanging from a tree. I hope that bear doesn't find it!Tomorrow we head into Hot Springs. We'll take a zero day on Monday. I'm going to use that day to figure out my best strategy to keep on hiking. Shuttle ahead, take some time off? or hit the outfitter and get some lighter gear? Both? I'll see how I feel on Monday.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Campsite Near Big Rock Spring

To: ??
Miles today: 6.0

May 6, 2004 (Transcriber's Note: She's skipped some entries and skipped some segments, so the starting and ending locations and miles hiked are no longer accurate)I haven't written an entry in a while, but there wasn't much to write about. I decided to do everything I could to extend my hike. I bought a new, lighter backpack. I also changed around my clothing and some other stuff to lighten my load. Then I arranged for a ride from Hot Springs, NC to Erwin, TN, so I could avoid that long stretch and take a couple of days of rest.Hot Springs was a great town. Very friendly people, and everything a hiker needs was right on the main drag, which is all of about 3 blocks long. There was a diner, a cafe, laundromat,ICE CREAM SHOP, an outfitter, and a great pub with a nice beer selection. A lot of hikers extended their stay to multiple days. I took one zero day there and moved on to Erwin for two more zero days. Grandma Lala came with me. We tried to stay in Miss Janet's Hostel, a much-praised stop on the trail. But it was full, with a long waiting list, so we grouped up at the Super 8 Motel with many other hikers. On Wednesday, Grandma Lala did a 19-mile "Slackpack" while I rested and paid a visit to a dentist. I have a minor infection above a tooth. I'm now taking antibiotics and am back on the trail.We did a short hike yesterday, just 6 miles, starting from where Lala's slackhike left off (Iron Mountain Gap). So I skipped a total of 86 miles. I will come back some day to do that section. It's pretty out here and I want to see it all.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: ??

To: She just doesn't say
Miles today: 11.0

Today is my 39th birthday, and I'm spending it exactly how I want--on the trail. It's 6:20 a.m. now, and I'm sipping coffee and waiting for the sun to peek over the mountain in the distance. Today we plan to do 13 miles, which includes Roan Mountain. Roan will be our last 6,000-footer until Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. It's supposed to be a hot day, and the climb will be tough, but I'm looking forward to it.Speaking of my birthday, in Hot Springs I received a PILE of cards. I want to thank everyone for being so thoughtful and generous! It means so much to hear from loved ones when out on the trail. Turning 39 can be a depressing time for a woman, but I think this is my happiest birthday ever.The sun is coming up now; I'm going to go watch.LATER: Roan Mountain kicked my butt! It was a tough climb, scrambling over rocks and using trees to pull ourselves up the mountain. After we came down into the gap, we met a guy called Outrider, who was sitting in his truck giving sodas to thru-hikers. Turns out he's there providing vehicle support to his father and sister who plan to do the "triple crown" of hiking: The AT, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. That's about 8,000 miles total, and they are trying to do it in one year. We made arrangements with Outrider to meet us tomorrow at a road crossing. He's going to take us to Laurel Creek Hostel, which we'll set up as our home base for a few days of slackpacking.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: She just doesn't say

To: Laurel Creek Hostel
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Great day hiking in the very Scottish-sounding highlands of Roan. Amazing views from grassy balds. Grandma Lala and I felt like singing "The hills are Alive with the Sound of Music..." when we were on top of the bald.We met Outrider at the end of our hiking day and have arrived at Laurel Creek Hostel. This is a great place! Lala and I are sharing a cabin for only $12 each!My weather luck continued today, as thunder started as soon as we arrived at the hostel. Before long, there was a big downpour, including HAIL! Glad to be indoors tonight. Tomorrow we're planning a light day, slackpacking just 10 miles.Slackpacking, by the way, is basically day hiking on the AT. We are going to hike a few days carrying only lunch, snacks, and water. At the end of the day, instead of setting up camp, we'll get a ride back here to the hostel. Most thru-hikers do some slackpacking during their trip. It's a great way to get some miles in without the physical stress of carrying a pack. I'm looking forward to it!
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Laurel Creek Hostel

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 35.0
Weather: light rain

5/9, 10 miles; 5/10, 13 miles; 5/11,0 miles; 5/12, 12 milesThe past few days have been great. I really loved slackpacking through this area. We saw some pretty waterfalls and lots of spring flowers blooming. We ended each day with a hot meal and a SHOWER. It feels so decadent. Speaking of decadent, today we're going to Damascus, VA, for trail days. This is an annual festival that celebrates the Appalachian Trail. Thru-hikers from all over the trail, plus past and future hikers, all descend on the town and set up camp in a kind of tent city near the main part of town. It's kind of like Woodstock, and it will go all weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing hikers I've met along the way and meeting lots of new people, too.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Damascus, VA

To: Troutdave, VA (Dickie Gap)
Miles today: 45.6

5/17, 13 miles and tent5/18 12.2 miles and tent5/19 11.9 miles and motel in Marion, VA5/20 8.5 miles and hostel in Troutdave, VATotal 45.6Trail days was a blast! I ran into people I haven't seen in weeks, and I met lots of new folks, too. Caught up with my old hiking partners Mike and Leila. Mike was planning to head up to Maine after Trail Days, so I was glad to see him before he left. Leila was there with her car, so I had rides around town whenever we needed to run errands.In addition to revelry and debauchery, Trail Days is about FREE STUFF! I got the Garmont boot rep to send me a free replacement pair of hiking shoes, and Leila got a free pair of Leki trekking poles. A cute guy gave me a homemade alcohol stove, too. Some people even got free backpacks by agreeing to be a gear tester.After Trail Days, we hit the woods again. I felt like I was coming home. I really love it out here. One section we hiked was the Greyson Highlands. There is a herd of feral ponies living freely there. I was disappointed, though, as we walked through it in rain and thick fog. No views, and only a couple of ponies to be seen.Leila had her car taken up to a road crossing 40 miles north of Damascus. She needed it to drive home for her daughter's graduation on Friday. We made the 40 miles by Wednesday, though, so she took me and three other hikers into town for re-supply and a motel stay. It was nice to be clean and laundered and fed. Then, today, we hiked to a free hostel near the trail. Another shower and more laundry--sheer joy! Tomorrow I'm hiking alone again. I'm looking forward to the solitude.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Troutdave, VA (Dickie Gap)

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I am really feeling great. My knees are at about 90%. I rarely feel pain, just the occasional twinge on the descents. The rest of me feels strong and healthy, except for the Achilles tendon. The Achilles is no better and no worse. I was able to do over 14 miles today, and I think if I continue to "baby" it, it will be okay to continue on. If it doesn't get any worse, I feel I could go all the way to Maine.Tonight I'm at the infamous Partnership Shelter. It's located just 50 yards from a park visitors center, which has an outside pay phone and access to the road. We used the phone to order pizza! This is a great thru-hiker tradition which I thoroughly enjoyed. The shelter itself even has a water spigot and a solar-heated shower! Luxury!It's only 11.5 miles from here to the town of Atkins. I have to pick up my new (free) shoes there at the post office. Unfortunately, I can't make it before they close at 11:30 a.m. So instead of hiking straight to town tomorrow, I'm going to split the miles into two short days and go into town on Sunday. I'll do my errands and spend the night there, then get my mail Monday morning before I hit the trail. Two other hikers are in the same predicament, so we're going to share a room to save $$. These days I'm ALL about saving money. I need to stretch the budget as far as I can.
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice easy relaxing day. I started out late, walked slow, took lots of breaks and just enjoyed it. I was in camp by 2:30.Tomorrow I'm going to rise early and have just coffee and a balance bar before heading to town. It's an easy 4.5 miles, so I should be there in a couple hours. I'm planning on breakfast at the truck stop that's right by the trail. Bacon & eggs--YUM!
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Atkins, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Unexpected zero day today. My shoes didn't make it to the P.O. I called the company and it turns out they didn't ship them until Thursday (I ordered them on Monday). My current shoes are in bad shape, so I have to stay another day and hope they arrive tomorrow. So much for saving money. I don't have anyone to share this room with. $35 down the drain. The people here at the Relax Inn are very nice, though, and they gave me the best deal they could. I really hope the shoes arrive tomorrow. I can't really afford another night here.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Atkins, VA

To: Crawfish Valley Campsite
Miles today: 6.3

Well, I got stuck in Atkins for SIX DAYS waiting for my shoes. They finally arrived at the post office this morning. I checked the postmark, and they had been mailed on the 19th by Priority Mail. It took 10 days for the shoes to reach their destination! It was definitely not the fault of the shoe company. They were very nice and helpful. The postmaster in Atkins was also very nice, but there wasn't much he could do. There's no way to trace a package sent by Priority Mail. It feels great to be back in the woods! I had planned to hike about 13 miles today, which is a reasonable day for me. But I hadn't factored in the effect of wearing new shoes.My feet were aching from the stiff soles. Around 3:00 I came upon this lovely spot, perfect for camping. There's a babbling brook rushing by, and I'm encircled by rhododendrons and tall, tall trees. A perfect spot to stop for the day and rest my aching feet. I'll have to make up the miles during the week, though, as I promised to call my friend Beth on Thursday. She's in Pennsylvania this week and we're trying to arrange to meet. I'm really looking forward to seeing her. It's 4:00 now, and I just made myself a snack and a cup of coffee. It's so pretty and peaceful here. I kind of hope no other hikers come. I'm enjoying the solitude.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Crawfish Valley Campsite

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: moderate rain

No other hikers used the campsite last night. I enjoyed my first night alone on the trail. Usually I camp at or near a shelter so there are lots of people around. I woke up a few times during the night, thinking I had heard something - a deer, a pack of coyotes, some hillbillies right out of the movie "Deliverance" - but nothing came of it, and I went back to sleep.Today, however, was the first time I was really scared on the trail. I got caught in a severe thunderstorm. The day started out fine, a little overcast but not hinting at any bad weather. The trail took me up over a mountain and then down to some grazing pastures (yes, with cows). While I was crossing one of the pastures, I heard some distant thunder. I picked up my pace a bit as I didn't want to be in an open field if lightening should develop. It started raining lightly as I rushed across the pasture heading for where the trail re-enters the woods. Once n the trees, I felt a bit safer as the thunder was getting louder. It seemed the storm was heading right for me. I soon came to a road crossing, and I decided I should put on my rainjacket and pack cover. Before I even took my pack off, the skies opened up. Torrential downpour unlike any I've experienced so far on the trail. In the few seconds it took to get my raingear (I keep it strapped to the outside of my pack), I was drenched to the bone. I covered up anyway, hoisted my pack, and hiked on.It was raining buckets and the thunder was getting very close; and I realized I needed to take cover. It was two miles, over a mountain, to the next shelter. I crossed a flat grassy patch of ground and briefly considered pitching my tent and crawling inside to ride out the storm. But I was in a kind of gulley, and the flash flood warnings of the previous week were on my mind. The thunder was louder, and there was lightening now, too. I saw ahead that the trail went up a short steep slope. I climbed it and found refuge under the branches of a hemlock tree. Its flat needles protected me a bit from the rain. Now the storm was right on tope of me. I grabbed my hiking poles and stuck them into the ground about 4 feet away from me, returned to the spot under the hemlock branches, and crouched low. The thunder was defening, and lightening flashed overhead. Luckily, no bolts came down or I think I would have wet my pants!Finally the storm passed and I hiked, wet and cold, over Mt. Brushy to the shelter. I peeled off my wet clothes and put on my day "camp clothes." I hear more thunder in the distance, so I think I'll just call it a day and stay here tonight.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 73.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5/31, 9 miles, Shelter, Chestnut Knob6/1, 14.6 miles, Tent, Laurel Creek6/2, 6.9 miles, motel, Bland, VA6/3 12.1 miles, tent, Sonny Knob Shelter6/4, 14.2 miles, shelter, Wapiti Shelter6/5, 6.2 miles, hostel, Woods Hole6/6, 10.0 miles, Motel, Pearisburg, VAThe one word to describe this leg of my trip is W-E-T! Rain every day, every night. Streams overrun and are now rivers. The trail itself is a stream. Wet feet, wet clothes, wet tent. Wet, wet, wet.On the 31st, the streams were running so high and fast, they were nearly impassable. On that day, though, I was lucky to be hiking behind a group of about a dozen teenage boys and their teachers, out on a two-week trip. Twice they built makeship bridges using rocks and logs to get over the creeks. They even helped me across, holding my hand so I wouldn't fall in.The rains also brought in a cold front. You wouldn't think it possible to get hypothermia in June, in Southern Virginia, but it definitely is. I got chilled whenever I stopped for a break in my wet hiking clothes. On the night of 6/5, the temps dropped dramatically. It must have been in the 40's. We could see our breath. Luckily, I was at Woods Hole Hostel and they had plenty of extra blankets to keep us warm. Woods Hole is a great hostel. Run for many years by Tillie Wood, now in her 80's. Her husband started it, and the hostel is a FREE stay for cold and weary hikers. Tillie was great, and she served us a delicious breakfast before we hiked on to Pearisburg. My dearest friend, Beth, met me here in town. I'm taking a zero day today so we can spend time together before I return to the trail and she goes back to L.A. As of today, I think I have hit the 500-mile mark. I'm not keeping a cumulative total, so I could be off by a day or two. I feel great, and my Achilles is holding up. I hope to continue for another month or so, to make it to Harper's Ferry. At that point, I'll reassess my finances and my health and decide if I can keep hiking. I hope I can!
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

Yesterday, Beth was a true Trail Angel. She drove me around, running all my errands with me. We went to two different outfitters and made a couple of Wal-Mart runs. Also, she brought from home some homemade chocolate chip cookies and homemade cheesecake. LOTS. Enough to feed me and any hikers we might meet. Additionally, she brought my favorite snack--Cheez-its. 24 snack packs of Cheez-its. Yum! When she took me to the trail head this afternoon, she left a bag of goodies hanging from a tree for hikers to enjoy.As usual, the climb out of town was long and steep. This shelter tonight is a nice spot, and with a storm on the way I think I'll be sleeping here.