morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-15
From: US 321

To: notes from Dutch Tapes journal
Miles today: 0.0

April 15thStanding Bear Farm ¢ north of the Smokies where we stayed for the night. It is a world unto itself. Many small out buildings for hikers to use are : kitchen/laundry bldg; store; outhouse ; 2 bunkhouses ; huge barn ( I asked what was in the barn and what it was used for ¢ its used for ¢shagging¢. I looked at C.B. and he shrugged his shoulders. This place is a trip and a half and culture shock to the weak of heart. Even though there are a few dogs living here ¢ Bears are seen frequently.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Maggie Valley, NC

To: Brown Gap Camping
Miles today: 10.1

4/16 Brown Gap. 10.1 miles. We were the early risers at Standing Bear because of the party atmosphere last night. It is a place that has to be experienced by all because of the trail culture but people do tend to cut loose and lose a little momentum the next day. So a really big climb out of there has you going up 2800' in 4.7 miles to Snowbird Mtn. Noone tells you but Snowbird is a small bald with an FAA facility on top and some great views toward Max Patch. We had our lunch up top and then made our way to Groundhog Creek Shelter. After chatting with I-Slack, Dutchess, Red Hawk and a few others, we decided to try for Brown Gap. This turned out to be a bad idea. We both became very tired half way there and trudged on and on to try and make the remaining 2.9 miles. Finally, at 6:30 we came to the road at Brown Gap and found the water source and made camp near the road. DT colapsed from exaustion and as I filtered water, one if the locals rolled up in his car and started making trouble. After a few minutes of him trying to intimidate us about the bears, mtn lions and etc he took his leave and we decided to move our camp. A few hundred yards up trail, we set up and waited nervously for their return. Early the next morning, another vehicle was parked in the road and we could hear someone making turkey calls in the distance. We packed quickly and made for the hills at first light. Never ever again will we setup near a road no matter how tired we are!
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Brown Gap Camping

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

4/17 walnut mtn shelter. 10.2 milesAfter a helacious night last night we left our camp site asap in the morning and were on trail by 7:45. Lots of uphill from brown gap but we made time because of all the banjo music behind us.....  We made the 2.5 miles to Max Patch by 10:00 and got to see the foggy side of the view.  Visibility was 50' and 40 mph winds. Beatiful fog and quite the experience. We were in Roaring Fork shelter by 11:30. 5.3 miles in 3:45 min! Great time for us! We had a really nice lunch and chatted with Wolf and Little Red nobo '07 as well as Red Hawk and were off again at 1:00 to finish the day at Walnut Mtn. We saw so many flowers and plants today putting on their best shows for us. Wall to wall flowers and the photos just can't show them off right. Passed an army of grasshoppers on the way up that sounded like falling rain as they hopped through the leaves. 4:30 and the tent was up and we caught up on the trail gossip..... And just who is responsible for the broken guitar at Standing Bear Hostel? Sounds like one too many beer runs there last night. Dinner and dishes are done and we are in the tent by 7:30.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Walnut Mtn Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

4/18 Hot Springs NC 13.1milesAfter a very cold night camping on top of the ridge line at Walnut Mtn, we left camp at 7:45 and had breakfast a half hour later when we were out of the wind and warmed up a little. Lesson learned: tenting on top of exposed ridges is BAD. We should have figured this out way back at Tray Mtn when we both froze our tushies off there. Some things are hard to get through to the thru hiker brain. Off and running trying to get ourselves positioned for Hot Springs and we pushed the miles as we climbed over Bluff Mtn. Very pretty trail all the way up to the top and then, dun dun dun dun dun dun dada, more of those god awful switchbacks! We criss-crossed that ridiculous Mtn. 15 or 20 times before we got to the bottom. It was a long roller coaster ride from there down to town but we made our longest day yet of 13.1 miles by 4:30 and sidled into the Smoky Moutain diner for the thru hiker special. Mission accomplished. Time for a day off and see if we can find City Slicker.  April 18Missing the Pink Angels. Hope they all got their little gift that Rachel and I made. Hope Ruth and Elaine are off on their adventure. Our adventure continues. Hiked 13 miles into Hot Springs where we first thought of our stomachs as we entered town!! The hikers have taken over the town! Most of the inns, motels, etc. are filled !!! Eating, laundry and partying seem to be the only agenda. My feet ache so I am not in the mood for anything that is going to keep me up past hiker midnight (9 p.m.)Many wild flowers are in bloom and just a joy to see the woods filled with thousands of them. To name a few that I can identify in these open air botanical gardens are ; white, purple, pink violets: dutchman¢s breeches; yellow violets with round leaves; bloodroot; trout lilies; dogwood; redbud; all colors of trillium; solomon¢s seal; beginnings of jack-in-the-pulpit; dwarf ginseng; colonies of May-apples everywhere; mountain laurel is budding up; Galax is everywhere; wood sorrel leaves but no buds as yet; and blue berry bushes budding up! So much diversity in the flora here. When we get back to MA. I am going to be adding more varieties of perennials to our gardens.Night all. DTLeaving Hot Spring after day and a half of doing nothing but eating, laundry and seeing trail friend plus meeting town folk. Thanks again everyone for your e-mails and trail journal responses.Hugs ¢ D.T. & C.B.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Hot Springs NC

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

4/19 zero day in Hot springs. A day off to resupply and wait for Rachel. Word is she is a day behind us. We need to leave town soon though because it is emptying our wallets. River and Fable stumbled in around 7 pm so we are catching up with out group! Btw, the iron horse station is a really nice place to stay. The nicest we've had so far. Hiker rate if $55 for a beautiful room and really comfy bed. April 19thBoston Marathon Day! It¢s interesting that one can stay connected to where one lives by dates- (birthdays, traditions, events) ¢ out here its day after day of hiking, but with great memories via t.j. or photos. If CB did not have his I Phone I would not know dates nor would I care. Life is so much simpler here. We have no TV¢s or radios of what is going on outside of this hiker world..and I don¢t care. Family and friends is all I care about and I am sure CB thinks the same. Slept late today and had a huge ¢skillet¢ breakfast. We went to P.O. to get stamps; the library; the outfitters to pick up our food box ( thanks Bob K. for your help) and wandered around town taking to hikers. This afternoon after a grilled cheese sandwich and BLT Brian and I watched something ¢go down¢ in front of the ¢Dollar General¢ store. Cops everywhere! To get a better look at all the excitement after lunch we proceeded to the ¢Hillbilly Market¢ (the real name of the place) to see better what was happening. 6 Baby Ruth¢s later and nothing new to be found out by the cops gathering. Oh well. Excitement then escalated when we went to the Smoky Mtn. Diner to sit on the rocking chairs and watched traffic go by. OMG!! 6 Rolls Royce¢s (antiques) paraded by. A show stopper. Then a minister came by and we chatted for about 45 minutes. Later off to a great inn to check it out ¢ walking of course. It is the Mtn. Magnolia Inn in Hot Springs. Nice place! They accept hikers and were on ¢this Old House¢ and HGTV at one point in time. FYI 800-914-9306 www.mountainmagnoliainn.comm (no idea of $) News in C.S., Fable and River are coming off the mtn. this afternoon. Hope to hook up with them. Am off to finish my book and hope to finish it before hiking tomorrow. Many dogs coming off trail today and most will be sent home. It¢s a tough life out on the trail for them. Makes us very homesick for our babies. I know if we got a chance to see them we wouldn¢t go back on trail. GO ANGELS!!!! Hugs D.T.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

4/20 hot springs. We were eating breakfast when city slicker rolled in and we decided to wait out the predicted rain today and start out with our friends tomorrow. One more day of spending too much money and we can finaly hit the trail together. All is good with us and we are ready to roll tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: US 321

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

April 21 WednesdayWe got out of Hot Springs @ 7:30 am and crossed the French Broad River( OMG I had sweaty palms) on the way to Spring Mtn. shelter ¢ 10 miles or so. Pretty simple hiking today through rhody archways, a wonderful pond with camping area and an area purchased by the Forest Service in 1970 called Mill Ridge as a brood area for turkeys and grouse. N.C. Wildlife resource comm. helps manage this area. Many streams and an area where Boy Scouts have treated the hemlocks with a soil applied pesticide to kill the aldegid. This will supposedly add 5-10 years to the life of these trees. About 10 at the shelter tonight. Finally got a fire going. No wind tonight so we stayed around fire for about a hour and chatted. There was poison ivy along the whole 10 miles, that we walked today. The 70 % chance of rain produced clouds and a few droplets of rain¢¦ A beautiful day. Time to sleep. Night all. Dutch Tape and C.B.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: US 321

To: ??
Miles today: 0.0

April 22Left Spring Mtn. Shelter @ 3300¢ and were at Little Laurel Shelter at 3:15. 8.6 miles. Had a lunch break and I slept on the trail. So quiet and peaceful. We met up with Hercules, Guy and Green Abe at the shelter. I can¢t believe we passed up a chance to get ice cream which was only miles from trailhead @ Hemlock Hollow Farm (423-787-0917). This section from Fontana Dam to Erwin, TN HAS NO AT&T wireless service. CB made his first wrong turn as we entered the Cherokee national Forest. We have been in and out of TN and North Cackalackie for a few days now. We are heading out now(its about 4 pm) and will no doubt stealth camp(camping at a sight that is not designated on a map) ***what we miss back home :!) our doggies, 2) Mom Glass¢s choc. Chip cookies 3) Ham¢s homemade bread..Beautiful hiking day once again. BYE ! C.B. and D.T.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: US 321

To: Flint Gap
Miles today: 0.0

April 23 ( in my sleeping bag)A nice day after a rainy night. Varied terrain all day ¢ 3 up miles of woods walking; stony ridge walking that made DT nervous, a few balds with old orchards, cliff walking, rhody tunnels, a few miles of forest service road walking, and then switchbacks down 1100¢ to stealth campsite. We are a couple of days out of Erwin, TN CB is going to have his pack checked as it is bothering his hip. My osprey pack has caused my water bag to leak. DUCT TAPE is holding it together so far. Ran into g-hippie and pony tail Dave yesterday. Green Abe thinks 65 is old and ¢Guy¢ is glad I am not sitting in a rocking chair! I need sleep! DT Yawn.
Date: 2010-04-24
From: US 321

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

April 24Devil Fork Gap 9:30 am cloudy with sunWe just walked 3.5 miles from Flint Gap to be treated to breakfast by BODACIUOS TRAIL MAGIC. Cooler full of Pepsi, apples, DUCT TAPE and Little Debbie¢s, oatmeal creams (and we thought we had seen the last of Little Debbie¢s treats yesterday ¢ when we ate our last smashed Honey Buns. Tears of joy seeing Little Debbie again. After this snack we are at a main road which may lead to a real diner. My hopes are up for a HUGE breakfast, but it may not happen. Thanks again BODACIOUS- see you at trail days. 1:30 pm ¢ clouding over and @ Rice Gap we put on our rain gear and beat it to the hog back ridge shelter. Fog and rain now. We are staying in the shelter with Turtle, Pig pen, H2, Landfill, CB and Twinkles. We are all talking FOOD!! Good group here.
Date: 2010-04-25
From: US 321

To: Stealth camping a few miles before Big Bald
Miles today: 0.0

April 25 7:00 am Rained like a son of a gun last night with some terrific lightening shows. Not raining yet, but sky is getting brighter. Tornadoes were forecast on border of SC and TN ¢ We got wind and rain and shelter roof remained in place! The long night led to hiker hunger. After a 2.4 mi. easy hike we ended up on highway 23 @ intersection of I-26(Sam¢s Gap). Appalachian pages suggested Little Creek Caf© and a market 3.2 mi. away on HWY 23E. As we were doing hiker laundry in the parking lot (spreading our gear out to dry ¢ THINK YARD SALE!) We four tried to hitch cause we were hungry ¢ CB, Dutch Tape, Cope, and Landfill. After an hour of getting our clothes dry we walked down an 8% grade and DT and Cope knocked on every door in backwoods. (back road TN of course this was Sunday am. No one answered their doors probably because we were hiker trash. We didn¢t hear any BANJO music! CB was very disappointed. Finally our newest trail angel, Sarah Presley stopped and asked us if we wanted a ride. Monsieur Cope used all his southern charm and dazzled her to death. She took us to Mars Hill, NC (she was headed this way) to the Ingles Super Market, and I do mean Super, for us to eat and shop. Sarah returned 1 12 hrs later to pick us up after we cleaned out the store. DT washed her hair in the ladies room and CB took a hobo bath. OMG what trash we have become. While at Ingles CB ate fried chicken, stuffing, green beans, corn bread, ice cream and soda. Dutch Tape, who is losing weight believe it or not ate a huge spinach salad, 2 chicken breasts, a fruit salad, cherry pie w/ vanilla ice cream, o.j., and a quart of whole milk. Sarah dropped us back at the trail-head and all the food in our bellies slowed us down to a snails pace for a while.Thank you Sarah and big hugs from CB and DT. (our photos will be entered at some point)We are now in our tent @ 7:15 with full bellies looking up at a sunny sky. Sarah is in the top 3 for TRAIL MAGIC.We actually talked to Jenny and Josie and Gene for a few minutes today as we finally got reception after about 2 weeks. Thank you for your input and following us on our journey. Where ever we are in about 6 months is where we¢ll be ¢ hope you understand this statement.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Erwin, TN

To: Zero day
Miles today: 0.0

4/28 Erwin zero day. Nothing like a day off and a lot of town food to make us happy again. We spent the day running around town eating, doing laundry, eating, getting our resupply, lunch, stopping off at the library, eating an afternoon snack and cleaning and drying the gear after the last few days of rain. When we returned to our room we found a gift of 5 bottles of Yonhling beer and a huge bag of gormet trailix from Red Beard and Fairy Princess. They are so great and we have really enjoyed their company on the trail. Thanks guys! We chatted briefly with City Slicker and River who were at the Holiday Inn 2 miles away-too far away to walk to after our day of resupply. They had gotton off trail back some 26 miles and have been slack packing to make up the distance, somerthing we didn't want to pay to do. We have been hanging around with Sabbath Keeper, The Professor, Uncus, Mad Mike, Rock Star and her hubby Magenet, Red Beard and his wife Fairy Princess and several others staying at the Super 8 with us. We hope to head out of town I the am. We just need to find a shuttle to the trail head. Erwin is not laid out well for the through hiker. It is several miles ling and nothing is close to anything else. The hostel is on one side of town, the PO in the middle and the laundry and mexican restaurant at the other. Looking forward to staying at the overmountain shelter in s few days as well as a visit from my parents.CB and DT
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Zero day

To: Deep Gap Camping area
Miles today: 12.1

4/29 deep gap camping. Near beauty spot. 12.1 miles. We left town as early as we could to head up here today. Called Uncle Johnny's to see about a shuttle and was taken aback as I was lambasted for having the gaul to "presume that they were my personal taxi service..." Now I went down there yesterday to pick up my mail drop and spent some good money on gear in his shop and today they were as rude as can be to me on the phone. I was very polite when I called and ask if they had any time to help me out and that I didn't want to make any difficulties for them but to be treated the way I was is inexcusable! They are in a service business and charge for the shuttle service and lord knows I had the cash on hand but they were down right rude and unhelpful and I have to say to anyone considering staying there don't. Noone deserves that kind of mistreatment. He was so bad on the phone that I told thanks but no thanks and hung up on him. Funny thing is, he showed up 15 minutes later and picked us up. Odd buch down there. So here we are at deep gap with a great sunset getting readdy for bed. We had a great day and never really felt tired at all as we headed up here. The mountain on the way up had been recently burned ( last year or two) and the trees were all dead but the underbrush was making an amazing recovery and the flowers were great. Nice views from the bald and a very unlevel campsite tonight. Good night!CB and DT
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Deep Gap Camping area

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

4/30 Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel. 12.2 miles. We had a great night's sleep on our very sloped site last night and today turned into a warm and sunny one. The hike up Unaka Mtn was beautiful and reminded us of New England with all of the spruce trees and the smell of pine in the air. We checked our Appalachian pages guide book and saw that the Greasy Creek Hostel was only 12.2 miles down the road and we wanted hot home cooked food for dinner. The rest is history. We were in by mid-late afternoon and were welcomed in by CC who imediately made us feel at home. She made us fresh burgers, manicotti, eggs and toast, chips, bananas and drinks to help satisfy our hiker hunger. We took the deluxe accomodations (the room inside the house) and had a great time. If you have the chance, please make a point of giving CC your business!CB & DT
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: broken clouds

5/1 Roan High Knob shelter. 8.3 very tough uphill miles. After we left Greasy Creek, we pudded along to the Clyde Smith Shelter. It turned out to be a long way off the trail so we passed without stopping and climbed over little rock knob. We ran into Radar and another hiker at Hughes Gap having lunch and decided to go on a little farther before we stopped. The climb out of Hughs Gap was helacious and continued for 3ish miles up to Roan high knob. The shelter here is the highest on the Appalachian Trail at 6285 feet. We have set our tent up and hope the predicted thunder showers will miss us so we can do a short day to the OverMountain Shelter tomorrow. We both are so excited to finaly make it to the famous barn shelter and hang around for the day!DT & CB
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: light rain

5/2 overmountain shelter. 6.5 miles. Well we lucked out last night and only had a few showers and lows in the mid forties. We head down into Carvers Gap and were treated to some amazing views from there up and over Janes Bald. Winds were gusting around 40 mph for the two hours we were out in the open balds. We arrived at Overmountain Shelter around 3:30 and only had a few minutes to look around before other people began to show up. We set up our tent inside the second floor in preperation for the predicted severe weather. We ended up with at least 15 people doing the same and a few hardier hikers set up in the exposed area below. Lots of snoring and wind dominated the night and showers started around 3:30 am. Overall a great place to wait out the weather. CB & DT
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: notes from DT's journal
Miles today: 0.0

May 2We hiked about 7 miles today. Jane Bald was a howling screaming windy hike. 30 m/hr with gusting to 60 m/hr. We are at Over Mountain shelter with about 20 hikers and one dog. Tomorrow looks stormy over a few balds and we won¢t go over the top if it is too dangerous. Last 2 days the weather was to be bad but no such occurrence. Really two good hiking days. We are meeting C.B.¢s parents on Tuesday as they return from Chattanooga TN. Rain tonight would be great and sunny tomorrow. Glad we will be at Mtn. Harbor B&B and hostel tomorrow! Good hike today and as we walked on highway there was Brian¢s Mom and Dad¢s car coming towards us! They left Nashville a day early because of the flooding!! Serendipity. We went to Johnson City with them after checking in to Mountain Harbor B&B for the next day. Had a lovely time with Bri¢s parents ¢ eating and laundry were top on our list of course.
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Johnson City TN
Miles today: 9.2

5/3 Johson City TN. 9.2 miles. We woke to heavy rain this am and lulled about trying to decide what to do. The forcast was for severe thunderstorms in the am and again in the afternoon. We had breakfast and the rain slowed to a light drizzle so we decided to chance crossing little Hump and Hump Mtns. As we left the clouds danced up and down around the mountains and made for some breathtaking scenery and the rain held off for us as we made our way to Roan Mtn Tennesee. We took a million photos of the balds, clouds and sights as we crossed the open areas above 5500 feet. The last two days have been the most beautiful sections of the trail so far. When we finaly got to the road at 4:30 and walked toward the Mountain Harbor B & B, my parents drove by us and stopped to pick us up. After a few minutes checking in with the gang, we decided to join my folks in Johnson City at the Super 8 and here we lie now, our bellies are VERY full and we are clean once again with a nice bed to sleep on tonight :-) what a fantastic day. We will remember this one for sure. It is so nice to have visitors from home and I will be leaving with my banjo in hand!CB & DT
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Hump Mt & Trail Days - by Bob Tina

To: Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 0.0

5/4 zero day at Mountain Harbour B&B. We had a really nice time with Mom & Dad in Johnson City. We cleaned out the continental breakfast at the Super 8 and then they took us to the Super Walmart for a great resupply. We were able to exchange some gear with some stuff they brought from home but, mort importantly, we got a bunch of Mom's famous cowboy cookies! We stayed in the B&B on a fantastically comfortable matress and watched a few movies on bed. A gourmet breakfast was served in the am. A great day off. DT & CB
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Mountain Harbour B&B

To: Laurel Fork camping
Miles today: 12.6

5/5 Laurel Fork camping. 12.6 miles. We got off to a good start as Terry from Moutain Harbour drove us up to the trailhead. The trail is very easy out  of Roam Mtn. TN and we cruised along to the Jones Falls side trail for lunch. What a pretty set of falls to enjoy while we ate. It is only .1 miles off trail and totally worth the trip. We took lots of pictures and soaked our feet and headed off to Mountaineer Shelter. We arrived around 3:30 and chatted with Ohibro for an hour and decided to push on for a little while longer. We covered the 3.8 miles to Laurel Fork in an hour and a half and decided to camp by the small cascade of water. After struggling with the bear bag for 45 minutes we are finally settled in for the night. Nice clear skies and 50's tonight as well as the sound of the water will make for a great sleep!CB & DT