morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started straight uphill in the morning towards Clingmans Dome. Got up there by about 1000. The trio of Joker, Dogman and Scizzers climbed up over the lip of the observation tower and took pictures of themselves on the top. It was a gorgeous view from the top of the Dome. After that I lost track of them because they went into Gatlinburg to celebrate Scizzers birthday. The only other point of interest for the day was that the Mac and cheese mixed with the chicken patty maid one hell of a dinner. Candyman caught up with me on this day.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

This journal entry was written while I was hiding out in my tent because it was raining like a "you know what." When we made it in the shelter was full with all of the people that we were starting to catch up to so 4 of us had to pitch tent on a very uneven piece of ground. We just got set up and dinner cooked before it started raining. Eating was done in our seperate tents. During tht last two days the weather has been cloudy and we have been in the high pine country. It has made the weather much more suited for hiking. The heat was sucking the energy out of us for the first few days. Tore down a wet tent the next morning which is never a pleasant job.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hiker hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The race is on! Everyone at the shelter was heading for Standing Bear which has a great word of mouth reputation. Since space had to be limited we rolled early with no breakfast, no toilet break and no time to spare. We did a very fast 10.4 miles and got there by 1230. It was hiker Nirvana! For everyone who has been there, you know what I mean. We got a space in the bunkhouse which is pleasant enough. The highlight of the place is the hiker pantry completely full of every item that a hiker craves. There were packs of hotdogs, Hot Pockets, Dijourno's Pizza, soda, moonpies, etc, etc. I split an eightpack of hotdogs with Corker for lunch and them ate an entire pizza for dinner. Drank sodas faster than Forrest Gump. Probably the most fun night I spent on the trail. It started raining as soon as we got there and rained the rest of the day. Hikers just kept rolling in. It was the first night that Brother T and Joker were brought togather and the two of them were hilarious. They had us laughing so hard that people kept spitting out their beer. The demonstration of the "pee bottle" was probably the highlight of the evening. Glen who had cracked his ribs on Clingmans the day before spent the whole night holding on to them because they hurt everytime he laughed. Most of us signed the pee bottle at the end of the evening except for Joker who was "scared" of it. (You know you were) We also met the moonshine man, Popcorn. A great time was had by all and many Dijourno pizzas were sacrificed.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Standing Bear Hiker hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

It was raining the next morning and we were totally unmotivated to get out of there. I ate a 1000 calorie breakfast consisting of a Moonpie and 2 Hot Pockets. It was not raining when we left but it rained on us for most of the rest of the day. 2 Dicks and a chick were going to do a 33 mile day straight in to Hot Springs so they had left early. I thought they were crazy, but they eventually did it straight through and got there by 0330 and slept on the ground in the rain. We did a fast 15.4 and stayed in a shelter that I forgot the name of.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs North Carolina
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Did a very motivated 18+ to get into Hot Springs by 1730. Had a good meal at the Paddlers Pub with slow service. Reunited with a lot of people that we had not seen in days, like Cheeseburger and Peach. Drank some beer at the pub and told some war stories about the trai. The next day (7th) we zeroed. Spent all day shopping, mailing, eating, laundering, computering, etc. Getting back on the trail will be a relief. (Got your pictures Linds) Had a great breakfast at the cafe and will be heading out tomorrow for a 4 day push into Erwin. Our pace is slowly picking up.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Hot Springs North Carolina

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Had another great breakfast at the Smoky Mtn. Diner in Hot Springs. Got on the trail about 0930 after laying around a while. We are always slow to get out of town. Went from Hot Springs to Little Laurel Shelter. I got there about 1900 and Candyman rolled in about 40 minutes later. Not a cloud in the sky all day. Tatonka is camping with us and he has the same idea I have about doing three 20's and getting in to Erwin. We will see.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Broke off alone again today. Got started about 0820 and went from LL Shelter to Hogback Ridge Shelter. That stupid ridge trail in the morning cost me about an hour. If I didn't have integrity I would have blue blazed it. It was a huge rock scramble. It was another sunny and beautiful day for hiking. I rolled into the shelter at 2000 just as it was getting dark. Myself and Corker were the only two people in the place. Because of that I had a pretty good nights rest.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

My stupid water purification system was not working so it took me until 0900 to boil my water and get out of camp. Went from Hogback Ridge to No Business Knob Shelter. Pretty easy hiking day except for a steep little peace towards the end. Spent the night at the shelter with a huge group of over 20. I got a spot in the shelter so I could get an early start on the next day. Dogmans group, Wolf Taffee's group, Han's group and a bunch of singles were there. Stayed up way past hiker bedtime until after 2200.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

Everybody was up and racing into town by 0700. No food, No water, No bathroom festivities, just through your stuff in your bag and move the hell out! The Army has nothing on a group of thru hikers, as far as getting ready and moving out goes, when we are headed into a town. It is a mad rush. Rolled into town and was at Miss Janet's hostel by 0930 after leaving my wallet laying at Uncle Johnies. Got there in time for the "ask a question ritual." Paid for a spot on the couch because everything else was taken. Spent the rest of the day doing hiker chores, laundry, shopping, etc. Miss J's was a madhouse that night, sort of like a huge slightly out of control fraternity. Couldn't get to sleep until after midnight.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Had my second breakfast at Miss J's. Breakfast is great but you get a late start if you stay there. Got a ride out to Iron Mtn Gap for a slack pack at 1200. Walked the 19.1 miles in a little over 7 hours. It sure is easier without that pack. Moved out to Uncle Johnies into the bunkhouse for the night. All my old friends were out there, Dogman's group with the Joker and his girl (How did you get so lucky Joker?), Candyman, Corker, Hans, etc. Flapjack came off the trail for personal reasons.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took two zero days in Uncle Johnies cabin. Nice accomadations. I took the first one because I was lazy and wanted one, and I took the second because I wanted to see if Candyman was ready to get back on the trail after his slack pack today. The Doc told him to stay off the trail for 4 days, so he waited two and did a slack pack to see if his legs felt better. I could have went on alone but I am not in that big of hurry, until after Trail Days anyway. Hopefully I will be moving out tomorrow. We had a huge cookout last night courtisy of Afterburner and Chaco who bought the food. We grilled hamburgers and zuchini on the grill and cooked two hiker pots of baked beans. We pretty much stuffed ourselves silly as hikers will do when "on the feed." Despite these eating binges I have dropped at least 15 pounds, maybe more.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Erwin, TN

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

Took two zero days in Uncle Johnies cabin. Nice accomadations. I took the first one because I was lazy and wanted one, and I took the second because I wanted to see if Candyman was ready to get back on the trail after his slack pack today. The Doc told him to stay off the trail for 4 days, so he waited two and did a slack pack to see if his legs felt better. I could have went on alone but I am not in that big of hurry, until after Trail Days anyway. Hopefully I will be moving out tomorrow. We had a huge cookout last night courtisy of Afterburner and Chaco who bought the food. We grilled hamburgers and zuchini on the grill and cooked two hiker pots of baked beans. We pretty much stuffed ourselves silly as hikers will do when "on the feed." Despite these eating binges I have dropped at least 15 pounds, maybe more. Dogman, Joker, Scizzers and Moss are here also.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Overmountain shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Long Day, not so much milelage wise, it just seemed like a long day. Got dropped off by Uncle Johnny at the gap at about 0820. Said are goodbyes after spending three nights out there. It was a great place to stay and I cannot say enough good things about Uncle Johnny. Rolled in to the cool Overmountain shelter at about 1900. Great shelter, probably my favorite so far. It is a huge old barn that looks out over one of the better views that you will see on the trail. We had the usual group of suspects staying there; Dogman group, Wolf Taffee group, Edge, Tatonka, and three little old ladies in their 60's who were section hiking a piece at a time. Gourmand made a delicious peanut sauce that was eaten by all. Earlier in the day I had gotten some trail magic from a guy named Moose at one of the gaps. I was taking a break with Joker and his girl and this guy pulled up and asked if we were Thru-hikers. He offered us some beer and Doritos! Joker about hurt himself trying to get to the beer. Thanks Moose, it sure was good.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Overmountain shelter

To: Mountaineer shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Somehow at Overmountain I picked up a case of the "crud." At the time I thought it was just allergies or a sinus thing but have since realized that it is some kind of cold or something. It has been hard to shake. I slept badly that night and was not ready to head out until 1100. I woke up, felt like crap and took some medicine and got back in my "fart sack." Candyman patiently waited on me so we rolled out togather. We still made the miles by 1830. It rained hard on us the last half of the day and because of that we were flying the last eight miles. Of course the shelter was pretty much full because of the rain. We were numbers 11 and 12 in a shelter that sleeps 14. Mountaineer was built last year and is a beautifully designed shelter. It even has a carved bear in it. I met the "hellhound" a stray dog with a charmed life for the first time. He had followed a couple of section hikers into the shelter. More on him later.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Mountaineer shelter

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 15.6

My Birthday. Celebrated by hauling butt down the trail as fast as I could to get to Kincora hostel. Knocked out the 15.6 miles by 1430 and was cleaned and showered with a load of laundry in by 1600. Candyman and I got a ride in to town and started our celebration by eating about $20 worth of food at Arbys and believe me $20 buys a lot of food. My hiking partner surpasses me in the ability to put away large quantities of food at a single setting. I bought a 12 pack of cupcakes and some candles at the grocery store and took them back to the hostel to celebrate. Spent the night with Hans, Skittles, Nutella, Rosie, Wooly, rescue girls, and Caboosie and Blue who showed up with the "hellhound" who they had brought in to try to find a spot at the animal shelter. Met Lugnut, one of the guys who works with Bob on Hardcore, (trail maintenance program)
Date: 2007-05-18
From: U.S. 321

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 8.9

Slackpacked from the lake road back to Dennis Cove and the hostel while we killed time until Saturday when we were catching a ride up to Trail Days. It was a rough hike over Pond flats. The only thing of interest was the waterfall. We continued to eat as much food as possible. We had breakfast at the Copper Kettle in Hampton with Lugnut and then had dinner with him at a barbecue place called the Quarterback. Both meals were excellent and the waitress at the Quarterback was cute as a button which is always a bonus. The hostel cleared out as a lot of people hitched up to spend two days in Damascus. Kincora is a great hostel and Bob and Pat our two of the nicest people you will ever meet. The weather was cold and nasty for most of the day.
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Dennis Cove

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 0.0

Got a ride up to Trail Days after another big breakfast with Lugnut. He took Candyman, Wooly and me, while Rosie rode up with Bob. Spent the day roaming around the town and hanging out with other hikers that I had not seen for awhile. Hung out with Dogmans group and the former Wolf Taffee group for part of the day. Tossed the frisbee, drank some beer and once again consumed large quantities of food. (Are you starting to see a theme here. Food is consumed at every oppurtunity and yet somehow I now weigh 20 pounds less than when I started) Watched the parade and the talent show. There was a lot of water tossed at the hikers and by the hikers in the parade. There was even some talent in the talent show. Rolled back to the hostel that night.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: U.S. 321

To: Double Springs shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

Went from the drop off point to Double Springs shelter by about 1900. Candyman stayed a shelter back because he now had the cold that I had and it was kicking his butt. I felt like crap until about 1600 and then caught my second wind and pushed hard for the shelter. As I was coming in to the shelter at about 1900 I saw my first bear. I was only about 50 yards from the shelter when I saw him. His black butt headed up the hill at a rapid pace and my white butt headed for the shelter at the same rapid pace. Of coursr I was the only one at the shelter. I kepted a bear watch while I cooked my food and then luckily Hans, Skittles and the bear dog Lotus showed up to keep me company. We had a good fire, good food, good music and didn't think about the bear for the rest of the night. Lots of mice activity which kept Lotus occupied.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Double Springs shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Up and out by 0830. Knocked out the miles by 1545 and strolled right straight down to the Hikers Inn. It was a beautiful day of hiking. When I got to the Inn I was immediately offered a large glass of ice tea, followed later on by a strawberry daquiri. Can't beat that with a stick. Life on the trail can be really rough some time! While I was eating dinner at the Italian restaurant Candyman sauntered in to town. He had did a 26 mile day to get there. The stretch in to Damascus is an easy hike, but 26 miles is still 26 miles. We then went down to Dot's and ate again and drank a very cold pitcher of beer. Back to the Inn for a good nights sleep. It is another great place and the owner Suzanne is super nice. It is a very relaxing place to stay. Candyman stayed at the Place and then moved over to the Inn the next morning. Wooly showed up to complete our group.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day in the big "D" Had another huge breakfast and will spend the day doing errands and getting ready to hit the trail tomorrow. We are already considering doing a slackpack because it is so easy to catch a ride out of here. We will see. Everybody should spend a quiet day in this town when it is not trail days.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Summit Cut

To: Damascus
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up and diddled around. We never seem to move to fast when we are in town. Went in to town and bounced my box up to Bland. We started hitching at 1000 but could not get a ride out until about 1115. Slackpacked the 16.9 miles in 5 hours and 15 minutes. Had a huge cookout planned when we got back to the hostel. Between what Suzanne cooked and what I cooked we had brats, chichen, potatoes, beans, potato salad, watermelon and fresh salad from the garden. It was a hell of a feast. Needless to say Suzannes is now my favorite hostel. A nicer person you will not find on the trail. (Thank you for your hospitallity if you are reading this.) We had a pretty good crowd with Ballpark, Vera, Nature Boy, Just Jack, Candyman, Wooly, Town Slut, etc.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Summit Cut

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

Got up by 0700 but once again were slow getting on the trail. Had croisant sandwiches and fresh watermelon for breakfast. Took some group photos of all of us and then caught a ride from Vera up to Summit Cut with Bonkers and Just Jack who were slackpacking. We started at 1040 and did our 16.2 miles by 1900. Grayson Highlands was beautiful and I got some great pictures of the ponies who followed me around looking for a handout. The trail was rocky and nasty thru there and I cussed at it for most of the day. I saw the "Hellhound" for the last time I hope.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dicky Gap
Miles today: 16.1

Up at 0700 and rolling by 0830. Went the 16.1 miles by 1500. Got into town and went right straight to the Post Office to check on my box from my sister. Of course it was not there. My resupply system is broken already. The weather today was good but the trail once again sucked. Sucked for me apparently means any kind of rocky trail that makes it hard for me to put my size 13 feet down in a good spot. I don't mind the up and down but the rocks slow me down because I am apparently old and clumsy now. We stayed that night in a churc hostel with a bunch of other hikers who I call the back of the "Damascus bubble." These are the ones who hiked out of Damascus a couple of days after Trail Days ended. There are some strange cats at the back of the bubble.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Dicky Gap

To: U.S.F.S 86
Miles today: 18.7

Got up and down to Jerry's diner for another meal by 0650. Ate a big breakfast served to us by the same girl who had waited on us about 12 hours earlier. She was working some long days. Good place to eat and the only place in Troutdale. Went back to the Post Office and had them forward the box that my sister sent out late to Pearisburg. (About a week from now I will roll into Pearisburg and there will be no box. I will get a "flash of brilliance" and call Troutville instead of Troutdale and find out that my sister sent the box there. I will then forward said box to Daleville.) We were back on the trail by 0920. It was a hot muggy day in the mid 80's. Went from Dicky Gap to the campground at 86 and found a nice spot by the road. We had ordered and ate a pizza at Partnership shelter when we passed through there earlier in the day.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: U.S.F.S 86

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

Another nice hiking day. Pushed hard in the morning to knock out the 7.4 miles to Atkins so we could eat at a restaurant there called The Barn. We made it there by 1030 and had a huge breakfast/lunch. We unfortunately spent 2 hours there screwing around. I made it into the shelter by 1845 but Candyman did not get in until after dark. Spent a lousy night in the shelter, (probably my last) because it has now gotten to hot for me to get in the bag and the bugs are starting to come out. Also there was a world record snorer staying with us that night. Even the earplugs didn't make a dent in the noise.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Memorial Day and Candymans Birthday. We got started early because of the bad nights sleep. We had a lot of climbs that day but still managed to make 19 miles. Candyman came in much later than me and we decided to pitch a tent and stay the nighy at the shelter. I gave Candyman a candy bar for his birthday because that was all I had with me. We got some awesome trail magic at VA 623. Someone left us some cold drinks and some water. It was awesome. Thank God for trail angels.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Knocked out the 11.5 miles to get into the town of Bland. We were making such good time that we actually walked past the road to Bland and then had to walk back up a huge hill and start our hitch hike. Always seem to get picked up by an old guy in a truck for some reason. Had lunch at the Bland cafe. I have eaten at more places on the trail than I probably have in the last five years! We stayed at the Big Walker motel and managed to do our laundry in the hotel bathtub. We hung it out front on the split rail fence. It looked like an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies. I was the one who wanted a night in a motel. We had did a 120 miles in 7 days and I wanted to clean up. We managed to hit Dairy Queen and the Dollar General for food while we were there. Never go to the Dollar General when you are hungry.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Bland

To: VA 606, Trents
Miles today: 18.6

Had another big breakfast at the Bland cafe. A big meal seems to help our hiking speed in the morning. By the time we got back to the trail it was 1030. The weather was hot as it has been for awhile now. We hiked from Bland to a place called Trents grocery store. It was at a crossroad in the middle of nowhere with camping and a store all combined in one spot. Blackfoot, Trailbait and a bunch of other were there.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: VA 606, Trents

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Ate yet another meal in a store. Had a 1000 calorie meal at Trents before we got back on the trail. Started hiking at 0820 and finished almost exactly 12 hours later in the twilight. I was making good time but then took a two hour break at the last shelter because of a thunderstorm. I should have just kept hiking because I eventually hiked in the rain anyway. It was a pretty good day even with that many miles. The first hotel I came to in P-burg was full so I ended up at the Plaza. Candyman did not find me that night because he came down much later in the dark. The trail was very slippery at the end because of the rain. Candyman said he took at least three falls. The hiker poles all the only thing that saved my ass. I still had to walk up the road into town for .7 miles in the dark. I did get a shower and some food from DQ and still got to see the Cleveland win in double overtime over Detroit. Nice to watch a basketball game in clean smelling clothes.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Taking a Zero at P-burg as planned. Went to Post Office this morning and found out about my box. (See message from Troutdale) Plan to shoot my sister! The food is not such a big deal but my maps and the book for this part of the trail is in the box. Those things might come in handy. Will spend the rest of the day doing errands and trying to dry out my stuff. Also need to do some repair on my shoes which our coming apart a little.Took a second zero because I am lazy and because I wanted to see at least one game of the NBA finals. My foolproof system at double zeros is apparently getting to be my normal operating mode.