morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-12-11
From: Hightop Hut

To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.0

I've been hiking through the Shenandoahs, gazing up at the trees whose tops have been peeled from their trunks. Countless trees have been damaged. As I've moved south, the damage has increased, and elevations above 2,200 ft. lie desolate. The trail maintainers have cleaned up about 60 miles so far, but today I came to the place they had stopped. I hiked a 1.5-mile section of constant, dense blowdowns. It was aggravating to an extreme degree.When I finally reached the end of the section, I met Bill and Web Breaker, two trail maintainers out with a chainsaw. They could not believe that I had hiked through the mess, and told me that further south was still untouched. I then set out to hike Skyline Drive down to Rockfish Gap (abt 40 miles of roadwalking). But by the time I reached the road, an idea came to me... I turned around, went back up the trail and asked the maintainers if I could help them clear the trail for a ride into Waynesboro. Of course they were pleased... so I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon clearing blowdowns. When I got to Waynesboro, I did the usual errands...chinese buffet, post office, library...On my way back to the hotel I saw SuperDave, who I hiked with south of Gorham, NH with Social. He was staying in a nearby room, so we hung out for a while and then went to eat. It was really nice seeing a familiar face and enjoying good conversation. But Superdave is headed north, nearing Harpers Ferry and his A.T. terminus. God Bless,Easy
Date: 2006-12-13
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

Bill Gallagher drove SuperDave and I back to Rockfish Gap where we parted ways. It was raining, but forcasted to be clearing up. The rest of the day was beautiful, and I enjoyed some pretty amazing views, as well as a big climb over Humpback Mtn.Peace!
Date: 2006-12-14
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Seeley Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: clear sky

I am tired. What I thought was going to be a fairly easy 20-miler, turned out to be a beast. I started out with a 3-mile climb up Three Ridges Mtn, then down to the Tye River, and then back up The Priest. Priest Mtn was a BIG climb, but not unbearable. What got the best of me were the small ups and downs just south of the Priest. I chugged what little water I was carrying while climbing it, but didn't look in my log-book to see where the next water source was at. It turned out to be miles later--after all of the small ups and downs which I pushed through quite dehydrated.Goodnight!Easy
Date: 2006-12-24
From: Burlington, NC

To: Burlington, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Hellooooo,Sorry it has been so long since the last update. I will be going back in and filling out the mileage tables for the past few days of hiking, but will probably not go into much detail about each day of hiking. Although I must say that the past week of hiking was filled with gorgeous weather. Maybe some of the best yet.I hiked from Waynesboro, VA to Daleville/Troutville, VA where I got off the trail for Christmas. My soon to be brother-in-law met me in Daleville and brought me home. ---He's trying everything to earn brownie points with the family! (Just Kidding Kevin!!!) Since then (12/20), I've been living in the comforts of modern civilization, eating GOOD food, seeing old friends, wearing blue jeans, cotton t-shirts and YES, even deoderant. I did experience a little culture shock when I took to the steering wheel for the first time in four months. I'm not accustomed to paying for gas and fighting holiday traffic. I'm also not used to getting impatient when it takes me 45 minutes to move 15 miles down the road. And if I were still hiking, I would not be hearing about Rosie Odonell vs. Donald Trump, which seems to be a major concern around here. But I have not been "sucked in" so to speak to the "vortex" of town life. Although it has been very nice spending time with the family. The difficulty lies not in an "Angst" with getting back on the trail, but rather, an angst with the departure from familiar souls. The trail seems to have a soul as well... And I've become acquainted with its unpredictability. I've hiked over 1,400 miles. About 2/3rds of the trail is behind me, and 714 miles remain. I'm excited about the remainder of this Big Adventure and I expect new challenges as winter settles even in the southern valleys. I'm also excited about entering my own backyard. The NC/TN trail is my stomping ground. I've seen its shining face in the spring, sweated in its heavy summer heat and breathed its crisp fall air--I've only admired its frosty peaks on a cold winter morning from the valleys below. I'm sure that the Southern Appalachians have yet one more face to reveal from its elevated ridges, which are for me, "My Dear Blue Ridge." "Trailboss" Chris D. & family, Tom & Jen from New Brunswick, Donna B. & family, Barry & Alyssa, Lady Kathryn, The Rosesniffers, 46er & Storyteller, Joelle, mi gente de Chile, Uruguay y Espana...and all T.J. addicts...God Bless and Merry Christmas. Peace!Gray "Easy Feelin" Spainhour
Date: 2007-01-12
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm back. Sorry for the lapse in journaling, but I really haven't had much to say. I'm glad to be back on the trail, and I'm ready to touch the plaque on Springer. I'm not sure if I'll punch it, stomp it, slap it or collapse on top of it. I just hope it exists. PEACE!Easy Feelin
Date: 2007-01-17
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday I hiked out of Pearisburg in the sleet. But by the time I reached the shelter it had turned to snow and had accumulated a couple of inches. The shelter was located in a rhododendron thicket with a beautiful spring nearby. It's always nice to walk through rhododendron thickets, especially in the winter, when all else is monotonous, monochrome and dull. The shrub swallows up a hiker and spits him out somewhere down the trail. But while you walk through its tunnels, you become conscious only of what's in your immediate surroundings. It brings me into the present. And I appreciate a patch of green and life in a forest that's sleeping.Thankfully the heavens were dominated by high pressure and the sun melted most of the snow. I wore plastic bags over my socks so the cold wouldn't creep through my shoes, socks and eventually into my bones. It worked! Thanks to Superdave. This saves me from having to drop more money and buy waterproof shoes.Easy Feelin'
Date: 2007-01-18
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

After having hiked 20 miles, I came to the Laurel Creek. It was about 5:20, and getting dark fast. I walked up and down the bank of the wide creek searching for a way to cross. But all I found were some old concrete supports, where, obviously, a bridge once stood. So with a bit of dread, I took off my shoes, rolled up my pant legs and eased my way into the painfully cold water. It was short-lived, and I believe I may have exaggerated the experience beforehand in my mind. Actually, the worst part was that my feet were sliding on the slick rocks into cramped nooks where my toes were being crushed, or maybe it was just walking across the rocky shore on the other side. Peace,Easy
Date: 2007-01-24
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I wake up and hike all day. Occasionally something new and exciting comes my way. Today I hiked the remaining 4 miles in the dark. I settled into the shelter, cooked, ate and even had my dishes washed when two other hikers arrived. It was almost 10pm as I was just about to lay back and pass out. The first thing these guys said was: "So you're a thru hiker...then you must carry earplugs 'cause you're gonna need them." Then they started searching for firewood, which signaled me that this is going to be one long night. The initial irratation eventually gave way to pleasant conversation. It was a long night, but it was great getting to know Kendall and Tumbleweed from South Carolina who came up for the sole purpose of catching the winter storm.Around 3am another group arrived. However, the shelter was full and they were forced to pitch their tarp. Easy
Date: 2007-01-25
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Lost Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: light snow

I woke up to snow flying through the shelter and landing on my "oh so precious" sleeping bag, which, by the way, must never get wet. I packed up while the snow grew heavy, and by the time I was walking, it had accumulated a few inches. Kendall gave me a pair of sunglasses before I left so my eyelids wouldn't freeze shut when I reached the exposed Grayson Highlands.I was able to watch "the forest fill up with snow" as Robert Frost did. It was one of the prettiest snowfalls I've ever seen. Wild ponies roam the Highlands, and I caught a few of them on film. Digital film. Electronic memory. But hiking became precarious. Ice had formed in many spots up top, but it was hidden below the fresh snow. I fell a bunch, bruised up my knee and was slowed down considerably.The last 3 miles were spent hiking in the dark towards the Lost Mtn Shelter. Thankfully I found it with no problems.Damascus tomorrow.Easy
Date: 2007-01-27
From: Lost Mtn Shelter

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I'm at my friend Sarah's house in Abingdon, VA. She's not here, but her family has taken me in and I've gotten to know Joe, Betty and Joseph (her father, mother & brother). I had hiked 18 miles into Damascus and arrived around 2. Joe picked me up at Mt. Rogers Outfitters, and thankfully someone forewarned him about the thru-hiker aroma...or stinch...or funk...or whatever that invisible trail we leave behind is called. Somehow he managed to make it *15* miles in his little Honda without rolling down the windows--Impressive! (If I could use italics or boldface on my pocketmail, I would use both to stress 15. Instead I used asterisks.)Today I spent the afternoon bumming around Abingdon. There was an anti-war protest going on downtown, but it had ended by the time I arrived. I then wandered in the other direction until I found Zazzy'z bookstore & caf© where I spent the rest of the afternoon. It was a beautiful day, and Abingdon is a cool little town. EZ
Date: 2007-02-02
From: 19E

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I went over the Hump Mountains in harsh wind/snow, headed for the OvermountainShelter (a big red barn with enough space to house around 30 smelly hikers). Iarrived about an hour before dark and set up camp on the platforms of the firstfloor. Then the winds picked up and the snow started flying through theshelter, so I moved all my stuff to the second floor where I'd be shielded fromthe precipitation--the evil of backpacking. I read a bit of the novel I've beenpicking at and finished my mug of coffee before dozing off to sleep. At 11:45pm I was awakened by footsteps coming up the stairs. It wasn't a ghost. It wasn't an axe murderer...It was twenty boy scouts arriving just beforemidnight. I had a few choice words with one of the leaders before I was fully awake andconscious of what I was saying. I later apologized. But I still don'tunderstand why a few ill-equipped middle-aged men thought it would be a goodidea to bring a group of poorly-outfitted boys on a midnight expedition inFebruary to the Overmountain Shelter, situated at the lofty elevation of 4,700ft. It was one of the coldest nights I've had on the trail! The temperaturehovered around 5 degrees, not even considering the wind chill.
Date: 2007-02-03
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

The snow must have been steady last night because today I hiked through knee-high drifts while on my way up to Jane and Round Balds.The boyscouts survived the night, but this morning one of the first things they did was cast a vote to see who wanted to pack up and head home, or stick it out another night. It was unanimous---they all wanted to head back.
Date: 2007-02-15
From: Flat Rock, NC

To: Flat Rock, NC
Miles today: 0.0

I'm still out here. I just haven't written a journal in a while. On Superbowl Sunday I hiked to Indian Grave Gap where I got off the trail and went to Erwin, TN. Lonesome Dove (from the 100-mile wilderness) came and picked me up and took me to his house in Johnson City, TN where I spent a zero day, enjoyed wonderful hospitality and then slack-packed from Indian Grave to Spivey Gap. I got back on the trail and hiked to Sam's Gap where I walked to the Wolf Laurel exit on I-26. I called Bryson, a friend from college, and he came and picked me up...Mars Hill College is about 10 miles from the trail. I spent the night with my friends David & Ginger and spent some time hanging out with friends. The next day I was back on the trail at 2pm. I hiked 11 miles to the Flint Mountain Shelter. The next day I hiked 21.3 miles to the Spring Mtn. Shelter... Then 11 miles to Hot Springs where my friend Joelle picked me up.I'm getting ready to get back on the trail today...so more journals should be coming soon.Peace!Easy
Date: 2007-02-21
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

The past few days have been spent in the Smokies. I hiked the first half (Davenport Gap to Newfound Gap) with Kenny, a.k.a. "Retro"--due to his 80's backpacking gear and hot pink/purple gaitors. There were four inches of old snow on the ground when we started from the Pigeon River around noon. By Sunday we were trudging through thigh-high snow drifts. Lows were in the single digits and the highs never rose above 30 degrees. But the Smokies were absolutely gorgeous in the snow. I felt priviledged to have hiked them in such conditions. Many people see them in the warmer months...only a few saw what Kenny and I did the day after the big snow. The sky was bluer than I've ever seen it! The snow-covered hemlocks sagged just enough to swipe the tops of our packs and send the powdery white stuff down our backs. Charlies Bunion was awesome. Shortly thereafter we came to an ice field where we desperately needed some crampons. We scrambled our way to the top, and finally reached the Icewater Spring Shelter where we called it a day. Kenny got off at Newfound Gap and Shane got on. Shane and I hiked up to Clingman's Dome in dense fog and deep snow. By the end of our second day we were worn out. It's hard hiking uphill in snow. But last night God changed the situation real quick! The temps rose to 40 and a series of thunderstorms with long downpours rolled through. This morning all the snow was gone! About a foot or more was washed away overnight. It was strange. Today the temps were in the high forties with intervals of fog, sleet, rain, wind, and sun. The melted snow and precip made for a muddy hike.Tomorrow Shane "2nd Hand" Coxie is getting off at Fontana Dam and I'll be finishing out the 160 remaining miles of the A.T. (2nd Hand because most of his gear is used) I can't say how nice it was to hike with good friends. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store these next few miles.Coming soon: Springer MountainPeace,Easy Feelin'
Date: 2007-02-23
From: Fontana Lake

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 27.7
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday Kenny came and picked Shane and I up at Fontana Dam. We all went to eat before dropping me off at the Hike Inn hostel. So this morning I set out to hike a 20-mile day. Just as I was about to reach the shelter I crossed paths with a northbounder who had a profile map. It showed that nearly all of following miles were downhill.So I pushed on to the NOC. If I can hike a 23-miler tomorrow, then a 27-miler the next day, I'll be finishing up on March 2!!!Easy Feelin
Date: 2007-02-24
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

A looong 23-mile day. Still tired from yesterday's hike. But the AYCE breakfast at the N.O.C. was great, and I met Pablo, a kayaker who races for the chilean national team. Thunderstorms expected tonight and tomorrow.Peace,Easy
Date: 2007-02-25
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: light rain

A storm passed through late last night and on into this morning. It was in the process clearing for most of the day, and I finally saw some blue skies just before sunset. I watched the sunset as I hiked over Standing Indian mountain. It was odd because it was setting to my left. I think it was the first sunset I've seen while hiking north. I am hiking southbound, but sometimes the trail turns north...So for one evening I experienced a sunset the norhbounders nearly always see.Speaking of nobos, I've been seeing a lot of them lately. Yesterday I passed about 7. Today it rained hard in the a.m., so I didn't see one until 5pm at the Carter Gap Shelter. Thankfully I'm set up for finishing the trail, so no more 27-milers are needed. Peace,Easy
Date: 2007-03-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Ok! Just want to let everyone know that I summited Springer Mountain today around 10:30am!!! It was a beautiful sunny day!!!I'm overwhelmed! There's so much to say, and I have many mixed emotions.More to come in a couple of days!!! Stay tuned...Peace
Date: 2004-10-18
To: Prep one
Miles today: 0.0

Well, here is the first of what will be many entries into my journal. I started a thru-hike in 2004, made it to VA 603 and quit for various reasons. The plan now is to hike in the spring of 2006, starting over from the beginning. I still wanna work at camp, havent figured out how I'm gonna swing that yet though. No longer having the problems at home that I had, and with the experience that I gained from my first section hike I will hike until I'm dead or so injured that finishing is impossible. Thanks to everyone who reads this. I'll upload some photos and journals from my first trip soon.
Date: 2004-11-02
To: A New Hope
Miles today: 0.0

Since I last wrote it has been a wierd time for me. Wounds heal slow, and you never realize how bad of a funk you are in untill you start coming out of it. I've done bad things, I've done good things, treated people wrong, treated myself poorly. Although there is never a point where you can say "this is the moment I'm out of it" I do feel much better than I have in months. "Life is a great adventure or nothing at all"- Hellen Keller. I think that not finishing the Trail is just one more step in this great journey. I still want to hike it, and am tentativly planning to do it next spring. I am currently looking for a partner who wants to have lots of goofy fun hiking!
Date: 2005-07-20
To: who knows?
Miles today: 0.0

ok everyone, this is a poem I wrote at camp. tell me what you think of it.TO THE HILLSTake me back to where I belongAmongst hallowed Appalachian HillsWhere one can hear truth in nature's songThrough the nightime call of whipoorwillsBring me up to a moonlit mountaintoptoo see nightime shadows grow deepRevealing such beauty it makes one stopto sit, and watch shadows grow deepLead me beside a bubbling springgushing with water crisp and clearthe water gives life to every living thingFrom crawfish,to Thruhikers, and deerLet me take you with me, to see what I've seenmagic in a stone, the wind, a treeLet's watch the colors change from brown to greenand let our minds, bodies, and souls be free....I have others if you want to hear them....
Date: 2005-07-23
To: Mail drops
Miles today: 0.0

I just posted my tentative mail drop plan. In all likely hood it will change, I'll be dissapointed if it doesn't. It may look like I'm hiking a long ways in between drops, but I am taking some advice from Hippie Long Stockings (sort of) not wanting to carry too much food at once, I am stopping to buy food every two or three days. The mail drops are going to contain snacks like balance bars, GORP, snickers, and protien shakes, and all things it may be hard to find in Trail towns. I'll be stopping for food twice as often as my mail drops imply, and each mail drop will contain enough snacks to get me to the next mail drop. Is that confusing? It makes sense to me, but that doesn't mean much. With this system, I don't have to worry about reaching a post office as often, and if I do get to a mail drop town when the post office is closed, I can move on by just buying enough snacks and food to make it to the next town. Confusing? Just leave me some love on my guestbook if you send me a package, that way I can be sure to ask for it. Long days and pleasent nights.
Date: 2005-07-24
To: more mail drops
Miles today: 0.0

I said in my last entry I would be surprised and perturbed if my maildrops didn't change. Well I haven't even started and I already changed them. Right now I only have 13 mail drops (eleven listed, two with friends) In these I will send myself food, gear and other hoopla, feel free to send me stuff there too, just let me know its coming. Also, if you want to send something to another town get in contact with me, i may be making a stop in there to buy food between drops and just don't want to have to wait on the post office. So soon!! Can't wait to start!! Gonna crap my pants!!
Date: 2006-03-01
To: Belly Watch Part One!!
Miles today: 0.0

After five months of careful planning and over eating here is my final result. (See picture) I gained around 10 pounds!! So, in honor of being fatter than I ever have I'm going to start the Belly Watch!! How many miles will it take before I'm back to normal?!?! Make a guess, if you win, I'll buy you some ice cream when we meet up in town!! I'm guessing just a single look at the Trail and it will all just run away. What do you think? I'll report on it every chance I get.Other wise, in the world of Grey Fox, I may of just used up any willpower I had this past weekend. Two 04' hikers that i hiked with for a short time, Swiss Miss and Happy Feet, are hiking again. Happy Feet needed a ride down to Georgia this past weekend so he and the Chocolate Bandito-yo could start together. I offered to give him a ride since i had just finished work. Silly me though, i drove down to georgia with all of my gear. So imagine this, you're less than 5 days away from your thru-hike. You drive a friend down to Georgia. You decide to drop off some food at the Walasi-Yi and it is a beautiful day. You know that if called your parents they would drive down and pick up your car. (They're driving you to Georgia anyways.) So whats stopping you from hiking? Whew!!! I didn't even look at the Trail while dropping off food at Walasi-Yi, NOC, and Fontana, otherwise, I'd be outta here!!Only 2 more days though, i can handle it...maybe...oh yeah, check out my revised "about trailname"
Date: 2006-03-04
From: Home

To: USFS road below Springer
Miles today: 0.9

ok-now that i have some time, i am going to update my journal from the beginning:I have to admit I was fairly apprehensive during the drive down down to Amicalola. This was my second attempt at a Thru-hike, one of the biggest dreams I've had. We stayed at a friend of my Dad's place (thanks George!!) and drove to the Approach Trail in the morning. Two things happened that helped my apprehension go away slightly, First: I weighed my pack....27 pounds with 3 days of food and a liter of water!! Thats less than half of what I started with last time!! Thanks goes to Jay of 05' (I would IM him every so often, usually late at night after being in the bars in boone, and ask him gear questions.)and all of the crew at Ed's house in Todd.27 pounds...awesome. The second thing was that Ed finally showed up, seeing that grinning kilted fool just had to make me laugh. So that our parents could see us off from Springer Mountain we decided to SOBO the Approach Trail. Apprehension built up during the hike: Was I ready for this? Was Ed? Whats gonna happen in the next few months? Thankfully we made it back up to the forest service road where our friend Otto had some steaming hot chilly waiting for us. A few swigs of some cheap vodka calmed all the questions in my head down, and we went to bed.