morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Hot Springs TN

To: Hot Springs TN 0 day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

5/22/040 miles today.Well, I didn't plan on no miles today.....but.....Got up early. This is a sleepy little town with nothing but hikers and paddlers coming through. Nice though. I wouldn't mind living in a small town like this.I went to the gear store and got food supplies for my trip to Erwin. Then the postoffice......and a big big breakfast.Oh, at the outfitters.....there is a scale that the store says is pretty acurate and it says that I have lost thirty pounds. That's hard for me to believe but everyone says it is pretty acurate. What a diet plan huh??? Hike alot of miles and eat whatever you want. Ben and Jerry's later.......haha!Smack joined pigy and I for breakfast. She was moving on today. I bet I will see her later. And lots of other folks too.Piggy left the trail today. He had some business obligations to deal with. His original plan was to hike to Hot Springs anyhow....105 miles. Good job piggy. And hey to his wife Dotie and kids and grandkids. I feel like I know each of you from all the stories. Two pieces of advice if anyone decides to hike with him. Don't let him start the tv. He likes to use fuel to start fires. Hey Dottie.....check his arms and se if he has any hair left on them. And my second piece of advice......for anyone....don't talk politics on the trail, hey mate? :-)Then I went to the local dr. The Hot Springs health clinic. (a shameless free plug huh? heehee) Dr. Janice Coverdale and husband Dr.Lou Schroeder were my physicians. From all their advice and stories and climbing Mt. Katahdin.....I would bet they were thru-hikers. I am just real sensitive to the no seeums around here.....Got some meds and cream and I am ready to rock.Now.....here's the iffy part. I have a damn lump again.....right below my last biopsy. They think it is a lymph node and if the lump doesn't go away when I get to the next town...they think I should take a week off and go home and take care of it. Grrrrrrr.......this stuff is frustrating. I feel great.....I'm sure it's nothing but.......So, I guess right now I am just hoping and praying that it goes away. I am not much very religous but if anybody has some positive energy to send my way......I could use it.Off to the trail early tomorrow morning.Hey Clogger......I heard rocky top on a car radio and I could just picture you clogging on the sidewalk in Gatlinburg. You go boy!And to everyone who is sending me goodies and notes of encouragement.....I LOVE IT! over and outsparepocket
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Not Sure

To: Still North
Miles today: 8.2

Tuesday May 25 - 8.2 miles today. Nice and easy....plenty of water.....one thing is here and Doosie from Germany and K-bear from austraila. And the boyscouts. too tired right now. I will try to do better about writing tomorrow.later that evening...... one thing wears a skirt...he says it's a kilt but it's a skirt. I tease him but I think it looks great and it has to be cool. I may have to check into wearing a skirt....and woud make going to the bathroom easier too. I took a picture of him so you guys can be the judge.We've got the tv going and have the boyscouts here. They are a bunch of good kids and the leaders are nice too. And Mercury has the coolest bugsuit....it looks goofy but his legs and arms does not look like mine and one thing.Boy, so many things have happened and I can't remember. I need to start writing things down as they happen.over and outspare pocket
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Still North

To: On route to Erwin TN
Miles today: 15.0

Wed May 26 - 15.0 miles today.I am laying in my tent at 6:30 pm and it is pouring out. tent doing ok but honestly this is the first real down pour I have been in, in my tent. So far so good.About yesterday. Did I mention the trail magic? A 5 gallon bucket up a tree with apples and strawberries and homemade cookies and canned pineapple and orange juice and water and cider and home made jam. It was a perfect breakfast except One thing and I ate way too much.....I could hardly make it up the next mt. and one thing had an emergency poop later....good thing he wears a skirt huh?A great hike today. We missed the rain but went through lots and lots of clouds.We are at Spivey gap. Doosie went on....she was the first one here and didn't want to be near the road. I hope she is out of the rain. So, tonight I am in my tent....and Jacob from Ireland is in his tent and K bear is in a hammock and so is One thing. So, we'll see what weathers the storm better.later that evening.....location location location! well, I am dry.....so far. there is a river running outside my tent on both sides. it has rained so hard that the rain would slide off of the fly and splash UNDER the fly and onto my netting. I dont know if that is the tent or how I set it up...or my ground cloth or a combination. I will tell you that a comb make a great trenching tool.Oh, before I forget.....Hey Piggy that beef stroganoff was great! I love those mountain house meals....too bad they are a tad pricey.but snickers are a hikers steak. Hint hint! ;-)Into Erwin tomorrow....a day ahead of schedule. And H and debbie and brenda are coming for the long weekend.....woohooooo.....one thing might come along and I hope shoe gives us a call too. Real food.....woohoooooo!over and outsparepocket
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Ohio

To: From Ohio To Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This is Gertie, and I am traveling to Damascus VA to visit Karensioux over Memorial Day Week end. She called me today May 27 from Erwin TN, at Miss Janet's hostel and is doing fine. If you read her latest journals, the girl sounds delirious!! Says the bug bites are still very bad and itchy, the swelling in the lump has gone down somewhat!!! It will be a relief to see her and gauge for myself exactly how she is doing. I will try to post new pix on here Friday 5/29, and then you will not hear anything new till I return Wednesday June 2. Have a Happy and Safe week end!
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Spivey Gap

To: Miss Janet's
Miles today: 10.5

5/28/0410.something Spivey Gap to Miss Janets Hostel in Erwin Tenn.I survived the rain and stayed dry. I was amazed because it looked like a river on either side of my tent. My pack felt ten pounds heavier because of all the water. It rained the whole night. One thing got soaked. He set something up wrong with his hammock and everything was soaked. It's kinda funny because he hacd TWO flys over it. Jacob in his tent got completely soaked too. K-bear stayed dry and so did I. So, I guess it's a tie in tent vs. hammock. I flew up those mountains today. I had Ramen noodles for breakfast so maybe that's the secret. Or maybe it's because I knew I was coming into Erwin and a few days off. I am sitting on a rocking chair on the front porch....clean.....can life get better? Oh, yes it can. My lump is almost completely gone so it must have been a lymph node trying to keep up with all those nasty bug bites. Thanks for the email Dr. Rooney.....you helped ease my mind!One thing is coming to the house in Damascus as is K-bear. And Doosie? I haven't asked her yet but she walked 26 miles yesterday. Amazing huh? She got the creps when she got to the next shelter cause someones gear was there but no pack.....so she just kept walking. You go girl! The gear at the shelter ended up being a biologist who was out doing field work. It did look very odd walking into a shelter with cooking gear and a sleeping pad and no pack.Erwin is great. If not for the mountains in the background you would think you were sitting on someones porch in Canton.It will be so nice to have a few days off but I will be so ready to get back on the trail.Did I mention yesterday that I saw one of those giant woodpeckers? He was awesome.....I never would have gotten a picture of him though. Next time I see a snake I am going to photo him though.....after I decide it's not a copperhead! No snakes in two days though....I am a happy camper.One thing has me thinking about hiking in a skirt.....kilt....whatever. It would definately be cool.....or maybe a jumper.And here is some snake advice from K-bear when she was in the amazon. Never be the third hiker. The first hiker startles the snake....the second hiker annoys the snake and you can guess what happens to the third hiker.Mercury finally made it in to Miss janets on his bad ankle. He sprained it and just kept walking......and not just walking...climbing on wet and slippery rocks with a pack. The people are amazing out here. And speaking of tough people. Have I mentioned that K-bear has been hiking with a sore tooth and diahrea for five days. Let me tell you....it's embarrassing when someone sick passes you. I am getting stronger though. I did 70 some miles in five days....not bad huh?And hey Piggy...remember the burned sections we walked through? They were planned burns. One of the boyscout leaders was a fireman and rescue guy and he said they did it like a month ago.over and out for a few days.oh and Doosie is coming with us this weekend. woohooooooooospare pocket.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Akron Ohio

To: Green Cove Rockin D Cabin
Miles today: 0.0

Tue 6/1Hello from Gert - I have arrived safely back to Ohio after much driving and seeing the mountains of W Va., Virgina and Tennessee. Oh, yes - the best sight of all was Sparepocket and her AT friends! Myself, and two friends (Deb and Brenda) and their two dogs (Amber and Skittles), arrived at Green Cove Rockin D Cabin in Damascus Virgina Saturday morning 5/29 about 8:00 am, expecting to see the hikers preparing breakfast. Karen with her 3 friends had arrived there the day before, and to my surprise were still in their beds asleep. DooSie is from Frankfurt Germany; One Thing is from California, and K Bear, she is from Australia. All of them looked terrific, fit and enjoying there time off trail, in warm beds and lots of home cooked food prepared by Brenda. A special treat was the bright red, heart shaped jacuzzi tub in the large bathroom. Each of us spent some time in there! (Pictures to follow). I learned much about the AT ways, ounces add up to pounds and that IS NO GOOD!! Keeping that pack under 40 lbs (including food and water) is a much desired goal. Weigh and re-weigh, remove items and replace with light weight items - Oh I watched them do this over and over!!! We all met Annie and Eddie Blevins, the owners of Rockin D - the house had EVERYTHING we needed, was the perfect spot for our reunion. Thank you Annie and Eddie!!! (pics will be posted in a day or two).Monday morning 10:00 am 5/31, I drove all 4 hikers down to Erwin TN to pick up the trail where they left it on the previous Thursday. The last thing I saw of my friends was the bright blue of a pack cover being swallowed up by the thick forest. They were happy to be back on trail. They expect to be in Damascus VA in approx. 10 days. Tune in soon for further news and photos.Gertie in Ohio
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Erwin TN

To: Curly Maple gap shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Monday 5/31/04-----4.0 miles. Erwin to Curly Maple gap shelter.Well, we had a fabulous 3 days off. I ate way too much but boy was it good. Brenda, you are a great cook! That was the best sausage gravy I have ever had. And thanks for the use of the car too. Harriette drove us to Erwin after breakfast and I got my jacket from Miss Janets. Thanks! We didn't get started until almost one so we decided on a short day. I switched from my tent to a hammock. I got a great deal and boy is that thing comfy. I put it up for practice but I am staying in the shelter tonight. I can't wait to use it but it' probably going to rain tonight so I don't want to test it in the rain yet.the tv should be out in about an hour.....it took a while to get it started but it was a good one. I put my clothes on my treking poles and dried them. People kindof laughed but my clothes are nice and dry.Doosie is teaching us german. Wo ist mein Fruehstueck? Halt's Maul! That means, where is my breakfast? and the answer is shut up. Lol....I guess you had to be there.We also have secret trail names. We have good trail names and very very bad trail names.....for our secret society.more later.....doosie and I have the giggles.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Curly Maple gap shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Tues 6/1/04 --- 12.2 miles. Curly Maple gap shelter to cherry gap shelter.The weather was absolutely perfect. low 80's and low humidity. The most perfect weather day so far. And beautiful views too. I woke up around 3:30 to rain and I had to pee so bad but I hated to get up so I laid there and laid there and laid there.....and finally got up and then back to sleep late. I finally got going at 7:40 a.m. A few section hikers finishing up there hikes were yo yoing with me.We have a great fire going with two southbounders here. One thing is planning our hike tomorrow....he is such a worrier. We are planning on roan mt shelter tomorrow. The highest shelter on the A.T. gARY is afraid of freezing his you know what off. I told him if he'd wear a pair of pants instead of his skirt he wouldn't get so cold! Tomorrow is honesty day. K-bears idea. We have to be honest no matter what tomorrow. This should be fun. Doosie.....instead of saying village always says willage with her german accsent. She makes me howl. Today she says......"instead of willage maybe I should just say small town." We laughed and laughed at that. I wish I had a recording of her voice.And k-bear is trying to bribe everyone with chocolate. Especially One thing because she wants to know what his honest questions for tomorrow will be. We all love to make fun of eachother....in a very loving way. I have never laughed so hard in my life.Hariette cut our hair this weekend and K-bear said, "boy,she sure was confident" and I said "competent?" and the look on K-bears face.....and she said...."confident NOT competent! Doosies hair looks great though and garys new hair is a tad more orange than blonde and I have a little bald spot on my head. But it was free and lots of fun.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Wednesday June 2 ---- 15.2 miles and up up up roan mt. Cherry gap shelter to roan high knob shelter. The first hour was really tough.....not the climbs or anything....just that a guy came in late....he could hardly walk and then made so much noise and woke me up. So, I was up then and stoked up the tv and I needed water so I figured I might as well go get it. It was 11:00 at night and boy does the trail look diferent with a headlamp on. Stupid, I know but it's over now. So, I was really tired this morning. And pop tarts are not getting it for breakfast. And I don't want to cook in the morning....any suggestions?We climbed over 3,000 feet today....and we all feel like it.We are above 6,000 feet. We've got a nice fire going and k bear and one thing nearly hurt themselves breaking a branch. It snapped in two and they both fell over!It was a good day. Met a few section hikers going south. I will try not to listen to them too much in the future. One guy gave me a description of the trail and he scared me. He told me there was a ten foot section that was straight up and very narrow and he was very scared. I don't know exactly what he was talking about but he made it seem like there was a 1,000 feet drop on either side. So, I have decided that with nearly 400 miles under my belt that what scares section hikers isn't really scarey to me.It's gonna be a cold night tonight. I hope I didn't send my winter gear home too soon.Well, I must go. Doosie is harrassing me and I can't type.over and outsparepocket
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Roan Knob Shelter

To: Doll Flats Campground
Miles today: 12.0

Thursday 6/3/04 ---- 12. something today. Roan mt. shelter to doll flats campground. We stayed nice and comfy last night. Well, I did anyhow. I guess a mouse was harrassing one thing but I slept great.We had the best weather again today and the best views. This was one of the most incredible days so far. We walked up round bald and there were views everywhere. And then we climbed little hump mt and then big hump mt. And no, I am not making those names up. You could see the trail miles away.....it was so cool to see exactly where you were going to hike.....instead of being in the woods all day and not really seeing where you are going. Lots of section hikers and dogs today....so of course I was slow....it's hard with lots of people because I talk too much.I put the hammock up and wow...this thing is so comfy. And it's raining ...I don't want to get out of this thing! And my pack weight feels great! Now, if I can get some more body weight down I can fly!
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Dolls Flat Campground

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 11.0

Friday 6/4/04 ---11. something miles.slept in the hammock for the first time last night. I think once I get used to it, it will be fabulous. It rained most of the night....and I did stay dry. Unlike K-bear and One thing. It was the wind that got them....I just had beginers luck I think. I got up at 2:30 in the morning to pee....I hated to do it but I knew if I didn't I would be awake all night. So, first I took off my socks cause I knew they would just get wet and then I would be cold. [yping in the dark here so forgive all the misspellings. Anyhow...back in the hammock...aka the blackhole had eaten my socks....and my pocketmail which was on a hook had slid down the ridgeline of the hammock .....but I didn't know it. Now, I don't know if you can picture this but there is about a two foot velcro opening in the bottom to get in.....my pocketmail prevented it from closing properly and my feet and sleeping bag and pad kept popping out the bottom. Very frustrating.Ok, this day isn't even close to being done but I am at the Kincora hostel.....I will try to catch up tomorrow.sparepocket
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Slack Pack
Miles today: 9.0

Saturdsy 6/5/04 --- 9.0 miles today. Slackpacked. Slackpacking means that we left our gear and just carried some water and food. It was sooo nice. One reason we decided to do it was that I had a tendon in my foot that was really hurting yesterday.....I hiked six miles with it in bad shape and I was quite scared that it could take me off the trail....so, I soaked it and rubbbed it down with icy hot and this morning it was feeling better but we erred on the cautious side. I am so glad I did. Pased by some beautiful waterfalls today and I just kindof putzed along and my ankle tendon felt pretty good. I still feel it but it is much better.About the last couple of days. Doosie and I did a rain dance....I took a long cut of about two miles.....it rained again....the sun came out briefly.....it rained again. Oh, we got off trail for a few hours on a rainy cold morning and rode in the back of a pickup truck and had a huge breakfast. We resupplied at a gas station and had a bit of trouble getting a hitch back to the trail until I took over. I did my pathetic look with my bottom lip sticking out and my eyes wide open and the next truck stopped. Another 50 mile an hour ride in the back of a pick up pouring down rain. Does life get any better? I learned yesterday that you should never make fun of the mountain....or you should never laugh at it cause it will get you back! I took a wrong turn and hiked and hiked up some really steep hills and on top of one I did a little dance and said haha to the mountain....well, 20 minutes later I realized that there wasn't any boot prints in the mud puddles....which is what finally made me realize I made the wrong turn.....so up and down and up and down all the same mountains again. The mountain got me back I'd say! I bet I walked a mile out of my way. But I finally made it back and crossed a road and sitting on some baptist church steps were K-bear and one thing....waiting for me. I was so happy to see those two. The three of us have decided to hike together....we all hike alone but our mileage is about the same and we get along great so why not. I laugh so hard with those two. Doosie is too fast of a hiker for me and she is sooo disciplined....so she is off. Doosie I'! ll mis ya and I love ya....your'e my favorite dr. b.s....lol...a little inside joke there!
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Still North

To: Mail Drop Info
Miles today: 0.0

Sparepocket, One Thing and K-Bear will be in Damascus VA tomorrow 6/10 - if you are interested you can send them mail or packages for their NEXT town stop (approx. 6/17) to:HOLD FOR THRU HIKERKAREN ANDERSONTHE RELAX INN7253 LEE HIGHWAYRURAL RETREAT, VIRGINIA 24368their current favorite energy bars: Zero bars, Luna bars, Cliff barsbut all lightweight snacks are appreciated!!
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

6/6 -- 15.3 miles. kincora hostel to iron mountain shelter.pretty much an uneventful day. My foot is mending up well.Interesting night. Stacey and I made a new bed snack. We call it...More than smore.....until we come up with a better name....we took a special k Krave bar....sliced it in half....put in a roasted marshmallo and two dora the explorer gummy bears.....mmmmmmm....it was sooo good and I don't even like marshmallows. over and out....16 plus miles tomorrow.sparepocket
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abington Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

6/7 ---- 6.4 miles today. Abington shelter.we got up wayyy too early this morning. Started off at 7 am and by 10 had already done nearly 9 miles. Not bad huh? I keep getting stronger and stronger.we stopped at shelter for break and I invented a sandwich. not just any sandwich either. Picture this.....a thomas's whole wheat bagel....with pepperoni and a big soft chocolate chip cookie on top. I know, I know....it sounds disgusting but I made stacey try it and her eyes lit up....it's THAT good!