morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

May 6 Hot Springs, NC,   Zero Day, no miles        Constant Motion departed today. Papillon, Pebbles, Bam Bam, and Captain America all left yesterday. It is still raining, but a hiker has to keep moving towards Katahdin. Constant Motion said she hopes to catch up with Pebbles and Bam Bam so she doesn¢t have to hike alone (she will!) Joe Hiker is still here because the blister on his heel has become infected. Killroy, Chilli Willie, Lanapy John, Squaw, and Muk Tuk are all still in town because of the rain. Most will leave tomorrow even if the rain hasn¢t stopped. It has rained so much that the French Broad River outside of town and Spring Creek, which runs through town, have begun to swell well beyond their banks.        I have gone through my mail from family. Hannah and Kathryn (grandchildren) sent me notes and a picture; Ida Nissen sent me a lovely card; my wife sent me a very special card; and my brother Mike sent me a very upbeat and encouraging letter. Thanks so much to each and every one of you! Stay tuned. More to come.
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

May 7 Another zero day in the sleepy little town of Hot Springs. I went to church tonight at the First Babtist Church of Hot Springs. The service was lively and the music was very upbeat. I enjoyed it very much. It is always good to worship with the Lord's people.
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

May 8 My last zero day in Hot Springs. It has been a very delightful rest stop on my journey north. The Sunnybank Inn is a lovely place to repose and dine on delicious vegetarian fare. The owner, Elmer Hall, is a graduate of Duke University and a fine conversationalist. My shin is still a little sore, but it is time to move on. I plan to do only 6 miles my first day and , depending on how my leg feels, go from there. The rain has finally stopped but there has been tremendous flooding all around western North Carolina. Numerous hiking trails and mountain roads have been closed, even part of the AT has been under water, but the Trail is calling, so I shall start hiking in the morning. More to come.
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

5/9/03 Departed Hot Springs, NC   Destination: Little Laurel Shelter 19.6 MilesLast night I attended church at the First Baptist Church. They are having a ¢Celebrate Jesus¢ campaign this entire week. All the small Baptist churches in the general area of Hot Springs are participating. Great music, great preaching, and great fellowship. My spirits were definitely lifted by attending the service!Left Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn this morning right after breakfast. It was a great place to stay. Delicious food, spirited conversation, and a very relaxing atmosphere.The trail outside of town has been under water for several days. I took the road up to Tanyard Gap and got back on the old AT. My leg did well today. I did take two heavy doses of Ibuprofen, but that¢s what the doctor said to do. It worked. I did have some pain, but it was not severe. Hiked over Rich Mountain and Spring Mountain today. At two different locations, out in the middle of no where, I saw grave markers on the side of the trail. I took pictures of one because I thought it was so unusual. I also took a picture of one of the rhododendron tunnels that I frequently hike through. Papillon, No Pepsi and Constant Motion are three days ahead of me and Muk Tuk is one day out front. We will probably all be back together in Damascus, VA for Trail Days.Well, I have eaten and the fire is burning down, so I¢m going to bed. Good night all.
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

5/10/03 Departed Little Laurel Shelter   Destination: Flint Mountain Shelter   12.6 MilesThe climb out today was long but the grade was not too bad. Had some beautiful views from White Rock Cliffs. The valley was bathed in sunlight while the gorge emptying into the valley was in the shadows. Finally, I had a nice long stretch of flat ridge walking. It was wonderful. Met some young brothers section hiking. They are very nice and very strong hikers. They have their boxer Max hiking with them. Their names are Kevin, Patrick, and Bryan. Again, the shelter is full, and there are at least three tents set up near the shelter. The water source here is really great. A nice mountain stream that is ice cold. Several of us went down stream and ¢bathed¢ with our bandannas. It was really refreshing! Caught up with Muk Tuk at this shelter. He said his blind date, a friend of his sisters, was named Jill, and he had a great time in Asheville. He said it was well worth the time off the trail. Spiff and Weaver (Weaver is from Vermont) are also here at the shelter. Hiked over Blackstack Cliffs, White Rock Cliffs, and Big Butt Mountain today. My leg is still bothering me but the ibuprofen lets me hike. The black flies and gnats are awful. We have a good camp fire going to try to keep them at bay. Good hike today, great time for prayer, and an early arrival at the shelter. All in all, it was a great day. Off to the sleeping bag. Stay tuned.
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: moderate rain

5/11/03 Departed Flint Mountain Shelter, destination Hogback Ridge 8.7 milesRain today and lots of it. I didn¢t leave the shelter until 9:35 because it was raining so hard. I put my pack cover on and my gaiters and took off. It was cool and wet, but the hiking was not too strenuous until I got to Frozen Knob. Then the real climbing started, went from 2, 960 to 4, 579 feet in 2.8 miles. By the time I got to the shelter, my leg was hurting and so was the blister on my heel. Muk Tuk, Weaver, and the Three Brothers decided to push on to Sams Gap and hitch a ride to the little caf© on U.S. 23. I was going, but decided I was too tired and sore. Some more people came into the shelter, so I won¢t be alone tonight. Millipede, McGyver, Half Pint, and Psychedelic are all here. I had instant mashed potatoes with salmon, seasoned with Tabasco sauce, hot coffee, and caramel rice cakes for dinner. It was all good - I was famished. Hiked over Frozen Knob and Big Flat today. Saw several pretty mountain streams and a beautiful waterfall near Frozen Knob. Another bear was spotted by a hiker, but I haven¢t seen any (and that¢s okay). I¢ll probably keep my miles down to 10 a day until the blister on my heel gets better. The sky has cleared some and there is a very brisk wind blowing. It will probably be cold tonight. I¢ll have plenty of time to read the scriptures tonight because I¢m turning in early. The Lord is merciful and good. Good night all.
Date: 2003-05-12
From: Hogback Ridge

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

5/12/03 Departed Hogback Ridge Shelter, destination Bald Mountain Shelter 10.1 miles Got an early start this morning, headed for Sams Gap 2.5 miles away. Arrived at the Gap, hid my backpack in the bushes, and walked 1.9 miles on U.S. Hwy. 23 to Lyle and Diane¢s Diner for breakfast - real eggs, real toast, and real coffee. It was delicious. The cook gave me a ride back up to the Gap. Made some long climbs to get over Big Bald and Big Stamp. Up top, the wind was blowing so hard it nearly knocked me over. My hiking poles are the only thing that kept me upright. The wind is cold, too, especially on my sweat soaked clothes after such a long climb. I was shivering when I got to the shelter. Changed clothes and put on my fleece - warmed up quickly. At first, I thought I was going to be the only one at the shelter, so I built a camp fire and fixed my dinner - mashed potatoes with mushrooms and chili pepper (for zest). About 6:30 or 7:00, two more hikers arrived - Spoon from England and Vick from Ft. Lauderdale - so I will not be alone. Camp fire is burning low, and it is really turning cold. Sleeping bag here I come. More later.
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Erwin, TN

To: Braemer Castle Hostel
Miles today: 50.5

5/13-5/19 The past several days have been very, very busy....a lot has been going on....Trail Days...a Ramp Festival...helping other hikers....visiting other hikers .....anyway, during this time frame, I did manage to knock out a few more miles on the old AT...Slack packing can be extremely rewarding and enormously beneficial. So, I have taken advantage of the opportunity and slack packed an additional 50.5 miles. I even had rain, and lots of it, while I was slack packing...helps me keep my thru-hiker perspective. :} Now, on to Damascus and more challenges on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Braemer Castle Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

5/20/03 Departed Braemer Castle Hostel Destination Iron Mountain Shelter 15.6 milesHiked over some terrain Sam and I covered some time back - Watauga Lake and Watauga Dam. Had some great views of the lake and the surrounding country side. Saw a grouse hen, she tried the broken wing thing, so she must have a nest in the area. No rain today...wow, and praise the Lord. This morning I was hiking with no pain and feeling great. After lunch, my right hip started hurting and bothered me all the way to the shelter. Shins, knees, ankles..if it's not one thing its another. Such is the life of a thru-hiker. I was so wore out from the pain that I just sat in the shelter for about 30 minutes before I did anything. I did get a nice camp fire going, cooked a fine dinner, made my ¢bed¢, and then had to walk a quarter mile for more water. At the shelter tonight are Raven, Gerrie, Double A, and Ryan (a section hiker). We¢re hoping Ryan will play his guitar for us (yes, he¢s carrying a full size guitar) while we sit around the camp fire. ¢Something attempted, something done, has earned a night¢s repose.¢ Henry W. Longfellow.. So, with that quote, I¢ll get ready for the sack. More later.
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

5/21/03 Departed Iron Mountain Shelter Destination Abingdon Gap Shelter 15.9 milesWe did get Ryan to play his guitar last night as we sat around the camp fire. He played some country, some western, some rock, and some jazz numbers. He was very good. Well, it rained last night and all day today. My boots, socks and every piece of clothing was soaked by the time we got to the shelter. Even stuff in the outside pockets of my pack were damp, even with my pack cover over the pack. The Lord was watering His earth, and I got wet in the process. Except for the rain, the hiking terrain wasn¢t all that bad. Sam and I hiked through here about a year or so ago. No views because of the rain and the mist. No pain in my hip today, but my left knee started hurting after I stopped for lunch. If its not one thing, its another. Such is life on the trail. ¢Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.¢ GoetheWell, I am enjoying and enduring this thing called an AT thru-hike. Good night all. Stay tuned
Date: 2003-05-22
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

05/22/03 Departed Abingdon Gap Shelter; destination Damascus, VA. 10.0 milesWow, with the cool, wet weather, I managed to hike the last ten miles into Damascus in a record time for me - even with knee hurting as bad as it was. Yesterday was rain, rain, and more rain. The trail turned into a "stream," and I had to walk and slosh in water all day long. Wet, everything was wet, boot, socks, pants, shirt, hat, and bandanna. Rain, it can find "leaks" where you thought none existed. I'm still hiking alone during the day, which gives me a lot of time to meditate and pray, but I do see other hikers in the evening as we gather at the shelters. Since the weather has been so bad, most hikers are opting for the shelters rather than tenting. Although, it only sprinkled today, the trail was like a quagmire in places, with the mud trying to suck your boots off your feet. When I arrived in Damascus, I stopped in the park to rest my knee. It was really, really sore. Then, I stopped by the Mount Rogers Outfitters to check on the availability of spaces at "The Place" hostel. I am staying at "The Place." It is hiker hostel operated by the Damascus United Methodist Church. Sam and I parked a vehicle here when we were section hiking this section of the AT a few years ago. My knee is hurting a great deal this evening. I went to the drug store earlier today and bought an ACE knee brace. It doesn't seem to be helping very much. Well, I'm off to the Side Track Cafe (Formerly Quincy's) to eat supper, and then I'll wrap up in my sleeping bag and sleep at least until 7:00 tomorrow morning! :} Good night all.
Date: 2003-05-23
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

05/23/03 "Zero Day" at The Place in Damascus, VA. No miles, no rain, no pain¢¦ah, good old zero days. :} I¢ve washed my clothes, and my boots are still drying on the porch. I just returned from the clinic. Dr. Brickley Craven and another doctor looked at my knee and then called an orthopedic specialist in Abingdon. Their combined conclusion was that I had a stressed and highly inflamed tendon. They prescribed Vioxx (50 mg), at least four days rest, and ice packs every day. It seems like every couple of hundred miles or so   something "breaks down" on me. Oh, well, I¢ll just have to grin and bear it. I¢ll use this down time to write an article for the Pensacola News Journal, write some letters, and send some post cards. Oh, and by the way, I did get in touch with WNYC Radio Station in New York, and we did the interview for their "Next Big Thing" radio program. The people at the station, Jill, Amy, and Dean, are extremely nice and seem to be genuinely interested in my hike.   Dean Olsher is the program host, and he is a very pleasing and courteous gentleman with whom I truly enjoyed talking. It looks like I will be here a few more days. I had thought of going home, but there is no bus station nor car rental places in this small town. I¢ll just have to sit back and enjoy the small town life for a few days. I believe I can do that. That¢s all for now. Stay tuned.
Date: 2003-05-24
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

05/24/03 "Zero Day" at The Place in Damascus, VA. No miles, no trail activities. It is awfully hard to sit here and watch the hikers come and go, especially the ones I know and have hiked with at one time or another. I am quite anxious to get back on the trail. Some of the hikers that I know, or have met, that have been here at The Place are: Vic (Rock Hopper), No Pepsi, Blip, Swamp Ass, Semi-Sweet, The Hungry Hiker (A young man form Israel), Old Bill (From England), Mover, Woods Dragon, Double A (From Tallahassee), Demon Deacon (Student at Wake Forest), Crash, Stockcliff (Custom makes AT hiking sticks), Psycho Pat, Tipperary, and just plain Thomas. I¢ve had my knee packed in ice for most of the day. The pain goes away, but after I take the ice pack off, the pain comes back in about an hour. So, I don¢t know what to think. Give it a couple of more days, I guess. In the morning, Blip and I will attend a special early morning (First Light Service) for hikers and bikers (Bicycles) at the United Methodist Church. I¢m looking forward to it! This church is bigger than the Baptist church that I attended in Hot Springs, thus this special service for hikers and bikers. Sitting around like this really makes me want to go home, so I really want to start hiking soon. The AT is there waiting on me! Good night all. More later.
Date: 2003-05-25
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

05/25/03 The Place in Damascus, VA. Another "Zero Day."   Blip and I attended the First Light Service for hikers and bikers (Bicycles) at the United Methodist Church at 8:00 this morning. It was the very first such service the church has ever offered. They provided us with a continental breakfast that included a delicious oatmeal crunch souffl© with a French vanilla cream topping - very good! The service was informative and very upbeat. The text for the message was John 15:9-17 and the "choir" was a CD. It really was a great service, and I hope many more hikers will take advantage of it. This is just another way the church here seeks to serve the hiking community. Well, my knee is a lot better, not completely pain free, but 80% better. So, I believe I will start hiking again in the morning. I¢ve got to get moving again. Back on the trail¢¦ that is music to my ears. That¢s my plan right now, but I¢ll make the final decision in the morning after the knee has been without ice for the entire afternoon, evening, and night. We¢ll see how it feels then. The AT is the place to be! Good night and sweet dreams. More later.
Date: 2003-05-26
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

05/26/03 The Place in Damascus, VA. My last "Zero Day" here in Damascus. My knee started hurting before I could get to the "In The Country" restaurant to eat breakfast, so I decided another day on ice was what it needed. One more day, but that¢s it. Tell Footsteps that I¢ll hit the trail and "run it out." Hikers have been coming and going, and I¢ve got to get out there with them. In the past few days, I¢ve seen Wildflower, Muk Tuk, Free Radical, No Hear ¢Um, Stretch, Cross Roads, Cheesecake, Thoreau, and Spoon. I¢m ready to hike, to get out and do it! I¢m ready for Pearisburg and points North - onward and upward, as Papillon would say! Stay tuned.
Date: 2003-05-27
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

05/27/03 Departed The Place in Damascus, VA. Destination Lost Mountain Shelter. 15.8 miles.Departed "The Place" in a great mood, filled with excitement about being back on the trail. I stopped at the "In The Country" restaurant for breakfast. They serve a fantastic breakfast! My jovial mood did not last long. It didn¢t take twenty minutes of hiking before my knee began to ache and throb. The more I hiked, the worse it got (Well, so much for "running it out"). I tried stopping to let the pain subside, but that proved fruitless. I took a long lunch break, but I still had no relief. I was still taking the Vioxx, but it didn¢t seem to phase the pain. When I finally arrived at the shelter, I could hardly walk. I had to literally make myself put my weight on my left leg. If the pain is still this intense when Wilson and the guys from the church arrive, I¢m going to go back home with them and get this knee checked out again. Rest, ice packs, and Vioxx have not done the job. Something is definitely wrong, and I¢ll need to get it fixed if I want to finish this hike. Today, I hiked on both the AT and the Virginia Creeper Trail. They run together for a distance as they come out of Damascus. The Creeper Trail is actually an old railroad bed that was converted to a bike trail. It is a beautiful trail that crosses many little streams and creeks. At the shelter tonight are Arch, No Hear ¢Um, Spoon, Family Man, Crow, and Blue (From Montana). I couldn¢t eat much supper because the pain from my knee has impacted my appetite. I was not hungry at all. Now, as I lay on my sleeping bag, I¢m trying to figure out how to get out of the mountains if my knee hurts as bad tomorrow as it did today. I don¢t want to become totally disabled up here in the highlands, so I¢m making a plan to extract myself if the pain is this intense tomorrow. The Trail does offer its challenges, and I¢m doing what I can to face and overcome them. Well, it¢s time for lights out, so good night. More later.
Date: 2003-05-28
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Grayson Highlands State Park
Miles today: 19.3

05/28/03 Departed Lost Mountain Shelter. Destination Grayson Highlands. 19.3 miles Shortly after I left the shelter this morning, I knew my thru-hike was over for now. My knee was absolutely killing me. The pain was so sharp that it was making me nauseated. Crow (Section hiker) recommended that I hike to US 58 and try to thumb a ride to the Grayson Highlands State Park. That was the plan I had come up with last night, so his recommendation just confirmed it. I hiked to where the trail crossed the highway and then started hiking along the highway. I did not see a single vehicle for the first hour. Then only a couple the next few hours. Most of the drivers were women, so I did not get a ride. Who would want to pick up a wild haired mountain man? :} Even though the hiking was now on easy terrain, my knee was still hurting and throbbing so bad I could hardly stand it, but I knew I had to keep walking. In fact, the pain was actually a little more bearable if I kept moving and did not stop to rest the knee. I hiked for several more hours before someone finally stopped to give me a ride. I have no idea how I kept going. The grace of the Lord is my only explanation. The couple that did stop was one that I had met the day before on the Virginia Creeper Trail. They recognized me, knew I was in pain, and stopped. They drove me up to the ranger¢s office at the Park and helped me unload my gear. They were truly "Trail Angels" for me today. After I registered, the ranger drove me down to the camp ground. I will stay here until Wilson and the crew from church arrives. Getting the weight off my knee has eased the pain somewhat. The ranger gave me a camping spot right next to the bath house, so my walking will be limited. My camp site has several flame azaleas around it, and they are in full bloom - gorgeous. I have a very nice camp fire going tonight and have a seat to rest on. Things could be worse. Well, this is it. I¢m through for now. If my knee improves, I'll roam around the Highlands for the next couple of days. They are really beautiful and the wild ponies are an extra added attraction. I¢ll go home and let an orthopedic doctor check out my knee. Maybe, it will not be anything really serious, and I can be back out on the trail within a matter weeks - that¢s what I¢m hoping for anyway. That¢s all for now. More will follow.