morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Chilly night last night at 6,000 ft. Haven't had to wear all my clothes in the bag since, oh, last week. Good ol' bag liner. I was only a little cold at times. Woke up to put my space blanket under the sleeping pad and was pretty happy after that...but enough about that and on to the day.Special treat for us:   Sun. At least, that's what you'd think. You see, over the last few days of wind, wet, snow and cold, them thar fir trees got themselves a nice layer of ice. Especially the dead trees with only their branches covered in ice. We'll get to that in just a moment. As the sun warmed the earth, all of this ice that previously resided in the trees began to make it's way down to earth...where I happened to be walking. So, all morning I was pelted with bits of ice. Some very small and barely noticeable, some, no most, were of the larger and painful variety. After several of the larger chunks smacked me in the head, I was really wishing I had a hard hat. But not as much as I did later on in the day. Now, I already mentioned how the dead trees still standing had large amounts of ice on their branches. When this ice came down, there was no canopy of branches underneath to slow the fall or help to break up the chunks. You could hear the ice as it dislodged from it's branch and came crashing down in anywhere from golf ball to grapefruit sized chunks. Some right on to the trail. Those of you that are quick on the uptake might realize that this posed somewhat of a hazard to my fragile skull. However, it took me a little more time to realize that this might be bad. So, there I was walking along when I hear the rumbling and cracking above me. Ice bits start raining down. I let out a quick expletive and started running. After a few quick steps, I hear a thud just behind me. Ice storm over, I turn around and stare at the largest chunk of ice I've seen all day. Sucker was the size of a canteloupe, and in the middle of the trail. Lucky me. A step slower and I'd have been in trouble or dead. Maybe even both. As this all sank in, there were a few more expletives and then I did what anyone else would do in my situation...I kept hiking. Needless to say, for the rest of the day I was keenly aware of my surroundings and took off, arms over my head, at the slightest noise from above. Eventually though, the trail took me to lower elevations and sunny sides of slopes. Did a little drying out as well. Full house at the shelter tonight with the added bonus of snorers. Tomorrow I'll be out of the Smokies. Oh, and at some point today, we hit the 10% mark. 23 days, 10% through. Now there's some progress for ya.
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Up this morning to see the sunrise. Shelter happened to open up to the east. I happened to be up to see it. Nice. Up shortly after and out before 8. Amazing. Somebody turned on the heater today, the sun was out and a'blazin. Knocked out the downhill to Davenport Gap before noon and caught a ride down to Mountain Mamma's. For three days I had heard tell of the tasty cheeseburgers at this diner/grocery. So me, Blackbro, Cracker and Dad's Grin ordered ourselves the "giant cheeseburger". It was tasty. Got a few groceries afterword and sat on the porch for awhile. About the time I was ready to get back on the trail, a couple of weekend hikers I had chatted with for awhile the night before rolled up on their way home. They were kind enough to ferry my butt back up to the trail. So, there I was. Full of greasy cheeseburger and fries, sun shining bright. Heat and a big ol' hill waiting for me. Ugh. Not a happy hiker, but I did hike with Dad's Grin and chatted with him to keep my mind off the unhappy lunch. Crossed under I-40 along the way, but not before spending a few minutes looking for the trail. Darn near wandered onto the highway in the process. After a little ways, I came to the Standing Bear Farm. Curtis, the owner, runs a hostel out of the place. Conveniently located 200 yds. off the trail, he had a nice little place set up. Tank, Eric, Proteus, Buttah, Red Rover and Team GB (4 Brits) were all hanging out waiting on me to roll in. At that point I was pretty dehydrated and just plain pissed off when I showed up. I took some time out in the shade with a liter of water and felt much better. As things get warmer and the hiker hotter, I find I'm not staying well hydrated. Definitely something I've got to get better at. But anyways, did laundry, took a shower and snacked from the pantry. It was well stocked with goodies; just pay as you go all on the honor system. Curtis ran a shuttle to a nearby truck stop for all our grocery and beer needs. Sat around the fire that evening shooting the breeze with the Brits and the other assortment of characters there. Fortunately, all the beer was gone by about 8. Before I slinked back off to the bunkhouse, I stayed up late chatting with Rover and Dude - a southbound thru hiker out since August. It was great talking with someone that had just come through all the places I am heading. He had lots of good advice on the road ahead and it was just plain awesome to see the guy almost there.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

No trouble with the old body this morning. I've managed to get through the trip so far without entrusting my fortunes in the wonder of ibuprofin. No need thus far except for the creaky knees in Fontana. But anyway, the weather we thought might blow through last night lingers still. Not much rain last night, so I figured we'd be in for it today. Managed to get up the first mountain and halfway up Bluff Mountain before the rains came. Fortunately, they were short-lived, but clouds lingered all around. Actually, one might say I lingered in the cloud. I was in a T-shirt and shorts (since it's casual Friday) and whipped out my rain jacket from time to time to keep the cold wind off. The rains left after the brief spitting and we had overcast skies for the remainder of the walk. Played leapfrog on the trail with Red Rover, Eric and Cracker. I hiked awhile with Cracker. He's new to the backpacking thing and was having some issues with his pack. I did my best to give him help on how to get a better fit. Turns out he was a pharmacist in a previous life, so he gave me some advice on what to do about my poison-something rash. The update on that: The giant patch on my side has gradually faded out to a shade of red closer to a mild sunburn and it don't itch so much. I've used the ignore-it-and-it-will-go-away approach after I decided that the Caladryl I'd been smearing was only making things worse. So, just about every patch that was present in Franklin when I got the 'roids is faded out now. In the meantime, poison ugly has embedded itself on one of my shins, grown and prospered. I am just about convinced I can not win. No idea how it got there. Some patches elsewhere on my feet, but none irritating or large. So, it'll be back to a regimen of benadryl and a couple other things Cracker recommended. I'm pretty much open to just about any suggestions. What's that you say? Chicken blood? virgin sacrifice? Done. And some rum while we're at it. But I digress...Back to the hike, I got to the shelter just before Hot Springs at 2:30. No one there, so I said screw it and went the next 3 miles into town. Weekend coming up, I justified it with making it to the P.O. to pick up my box. Scoring a place to stay down here was quite the ordeal. Since the trail creeps right down the main drag of town, it's crawling with hikers and everybody's staying. Rain in the forecast too. Need I say more? I eventually did manage to score a room at some cottages by the tracks. Cleaned up, then over to the Paddlers Pub for some grub. Had a grand ol' time with the crew gathered there. Introduced the Brits to Sweetwater 420, one of my favorite beers. Welcome to America, my work here is done.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Zero day in Hot Springs. Have a visitor in from Atlanta. Drove down to Asheville to find a new pair of shoes. The outfitter in Hot Springs didn't have anything that appealed to my feet. Scored a different brand of shoe, but same style - trail runners. Made sure both were the same size this time. Can't believe the pair I started with at Springer were one 12 and one 11 1/2. Explained the mystery of why the little toe on my right foot was getting chewed up, though. Sometimes I wonder how I do it...
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Rich Mountain
Miles today: 8.2

Can't sleep in anymore, even if I try. It's like the body senses sunlight and starts activating itself. Mind you, that is still a slow process, but I'd rather be sleeping. Watched some TV as I packed up all my things once I finally rolled out of bed. Headed over to the outfitter to check the internet right fast. Paid the credit card bill, skimmed through a couple emails and read the trail journals guest book entries. Neat to see all the well wishes from folks. Reminded me that I'm not alone in the bubble here. I ran into Baltimore Jack again and he gave me some of the low-down on the trail ahead - good campsites and what have you. Dude's got about 7 thru hikes or so under his belt and more trail stories than you would ever want to hear. He was the guy in the T-shirt that reads, "Bill Bryson is a candy-ass". Note to self: read the Bryson book when I get finished here. Before I got out of town, I finished up the rest of the chores. Put the journal pages in the mail back to the folks. Made a phone call, ate lunch, and sent my friend back to Atlanta. Back to the trail. Had to hop over the guard rail to get on the trail. Followed the French Broad River for a little ways, then up the hill. Stopped at a flat spot and called it a day.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Rich Mountain

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in today. Got up out of the tent around 9:30. Took my sweet time and hit the trail about 10:30 ish. Nah, call it 11. Just not so motivated to get anywhere today. Started hiking and went slow, slow, slow. Felt like I left my trail legs in Hot Springs or something. My pack is heavy, but I am going into a longer stretch with no resupply. Still, I seem to think I carry too much food. I have yet to get that part of it down. Carry just enough food to get to the next town plus a little extra. We'll see how it works out, but I think I might be in the a-lot extra category. I don't know how many people have starved to death on the AT, but let me assure you now that it won't be me this week. At some point, I'll shed some weight as opposed to taking more on. The weather today was warm, borderline hot. With no leaves on the trees, wherever the sun shines now it's warm. Better than cold. There were some snow drifts along the way. Reminded me how glad I was that I just so happened to be in Hot Springs when the snow rolled in. The trail took me through an area that had been burned at some point. Not a tree-killing crown fire, but just the stuff on the ground burned. Smelled like a campfire. Stopped to eat lunch on the side of the trail. I was going to wait for the shelter, but I got hungry and tired of waiting. Finished lunch, found the shelter not 100 yds. just over the hill. As the day wore on, the day wore on me. Finally showed up at the shelter for the night around 7:30 ish. Longest 11 miles I've hiked. Seemed like I'd never get there. Full shelter tonight so I pitched the tent a little ways away. Only about 4 or 5 thru hikers here, but there are a few more section hikers than that. Cooked dinner and threw the line for my bear bag as the sun was going down. Learned the hard way a few nights ago to throw the line before the sun goes down. Much more of a struggle in the dark. Risk of injury, lose the rope, etc. Then it was time to whip out the ol' radio and listen to the NCAA basketball championship game. I'll spare you the score update since by the time you'll be reading this, the game will be long over. Heck, it might even be next season already...
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Side-of-the-trail campsite

To: Spring S. of Big Bald
Miles today: 16.0

Ican and Seneca were the alarm clock this morning. I was off around 8:30. Still takes about an hour from when I wake up to crawl out of my bag, break camp, load up, scarf a pop tart and granola bar, brush the teeth and hit the trail. Hiked down to a road and back up the hillside. Followed a stream part of the way. There were a couple nice waterfalls along the way. Took a lot of breaks and stared for awhile at the water. All this snow melting makes lots of water apparently. Sun was out and heating up the place again. Wind was up as well. Lots of ridge walking today, so it was hot. Need us some leaves on the trees. Hit a shelter for lunch, Hogback Ridge, and sat in the shade for awhile. Even though I've got sunscreen, I'm still getting roasted. Took off again and encountered lots of PUDS (Pointless Ups and Downs) on the way down to Sam's Gap. Of course, I suppose one could argue that since I'm here to hike the AT, and the PUDS are part of the AT, then they aren't really so pointless. Maybe they should be just UDS. So anyway, up and down the UDS, and then under the highway I went. Nice climb after the gap, up to a grassy meadow with a view of Big Bald. I don't think I could describe it any better. Big. Bald. I considered making the climb up over it, but it was getting late in the day, and weather was moving in. Things really clouded up in an hour or two. Not really sure how long it would take to get up and over the bald, and not entirely certain how much light was left, I made camp for the day around 6 p.m. Pitched the tent where I was headed into the wind. Then I repitched when the wind shifted on me. Sun ended up going down around 7:30. Plenty light til 8. Damn. Regardless, I've done plenty for the day, and the tent keeps the rain off.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Spring S. of Big Bald

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

What a night. The wind only picked up as the sun went down and the night wore on. I just so happened to be on a ridge and high up. Ripe for wind. To my surprise, the tent held up well. I had my doubts, though. The wind at points was broadsiding my tent. I staked it out, and my seemingly poor job of sewing a few weeks back held wonderfully. Needless to say, with the freight train blowing all night, and the tent shuckin' and jivin', I didn't sleep much or well. The velcro on the door ripped open only once, but when it did, I got sprayed with rain. Delightfully refreshing it was not.   Should've just pushed on to the shelter in hindsight (it was only an hour away) but I suppose I had to get the "high-wind-and-rain" test in on the tent before I got much further north. It passed, thank goodness. But on to today...It was cloudy, 20 yd. visibility if my eight-to-five is still right. No view from Big Bald except for grass 20 yds. (or so) all around. Spectacular. The cloud spit occasionally, so it was on and off with the rain jacket depending on wind and rain. Descended by way of many ups and downs (MUDS) down to a road, some water, and Tennessee. I think we're done with NC, since there were nice contour walks (relatively flat with some up and down following nearly the same elevation or contour line on a map) to the shelter. I got to the No Business Knob shelter around 3:30. Either it was walk the 6 into the road to Erwin or camp here. Sun was coming out by this point, so I chose to stay. There were 4 other guys and one dog here as well. 3 weren't so talkative, but the other was. Come to think of it, the dog didn't say much either. They all set up tents nearby. Mine was still a little wet, so I pitched as well. Got a few other things laid out for drying too. Shot the breeze for awhile and caught up on journaling. Turns out they're alright guys, just not so talkative at first. Healed is flip-flopping for a sixth time. He happens to be hiking along with Sean, English Bob and another whose name I can't remember. Heard some more stories about the snow that came through Saturday. Stuff piled everywhere apparently. One guy out there had to wrap himself up in his tarp by the side of the trail for reasons only guessed at, but ended up doing so only .2 miles from the next shelter. And I thought my stopping for lunch close to the shelter was annoying. Apparently, hikers all over got off and collected in nearby towns for a day or two. Yup, still glad I happened to be zeroing in Hot Springs that day. As darkness set in, more folks started appearing at the shelter. Funny, I went all day without seeing a single person til I got to the shelter. 8 hours of me and my thoughts. Frightful as that may seem, I guess I wasn't exactly expecting so many here. Oh well. And just as everything dried, rains came again. Bye bye blue sky. Build fire. Fire good. Up later than usual...Yawn. BTW - I'm into my 2nd month already. Yikes!
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Erwin, TN

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

Today ended up being a big fat zero. I didn't really plan on it, but...After breakfast I called my folks and talked with them for awhile. By the time I was done with that, the bus for the trail was leaving. Missed it, as all my stuff was still scattered about my bunk and the front porch. OK. No worries. Miss Janet has some things to do this morning, then she'll run a shuttle after lunch. I'll go grab a burger and wait around. So in the meantime I pack up all my stuff, eat some fast food and lounge around on the porch. Took care of some other business, like ordering maps online (I like 'em, I'll keep using them) and calling to outfitters up the trail. I seem to have slimmed down a bit around the waist and the hip belt on my pack is just about out of strap to cinch down any further. The outfitter in Damascus should be holding a smaller one for me. But anyway, the day wasn't a total loss. Round about 2ish Bramble showed up. He shuttled some people to the trail as he's got his friend's car for a bit, but didn't have room for everyone. OK. Second trip. After a stop on the way back to Miss Janet's, it was near 3. Bramble was planning on going into Johnson City to the music store there, and asked if I wanted to come along. I caved. We spent about an hour playing guitars in the store, then grabbed some grub (and beer for me) at the Hooters. Watched some of the Masters and headed back to Erwin. I got to know Bramble a little better and just by sitting there talking with him about what he's doing out here, I learned some things from the experience. He'll be off the trail for awhile, so I'll likely not see him again. I wished him luck and set out on my way.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Erwin, TN

To: Beauty Spot Gap
Miles today: 11.0

Bramble had the car again last night, so we went out to Johnson City. Out entirely too late, but it was fun. Woke up feeling terrible. Stumbled to the breakfast table for pancakes and bacon. Miss Janet does a fine breakfast. Tried to take another little nap afterward, but failed. Showered and walked over to the post office to drop my previous week's journal pages off to my folks - the transcribers. Sent one of my memory cards full of pictures (well, not quite full) back as well. I've got three cards in rotation, so I tend to hold on to those a little longer before sending them off. Oakie gave me a lift back to the trail. It was 1 or 2ish by then. Another late start. Hiked along the Nolichucky River for a bit, then turned up a creek. That was a pretty section full of pines and rhodedendron. I stopped several times and just sat by the creek. Of course, I wasn't back to 100 percent either, so breaks were frequent anyway and lasted longer than normal. No worries. Spotted a small trout in a hole, but scared him off when I swatted at a fly. Stopped at a shelter 4 miles or so in and ate lunch/dinner as it was nearly 5 by this point. Filled up on water and took off again. Water was on the trail everywhere for several miles, but I failed to stop any more than once to fill my Nalgene. And then there was no more water. Now, had I been keeping up with my progress in the data book, I would have seen that there was a long, dry stretch already. But alas, I did not. The map lied and showed water along the way, but as it turns out the scale is too large to make that trustworthy in any way. So, as the evening wore on, I drank myself dry. Granted, had I been really screwed, I spotted a couple of places where I could have done some off-trail venturing and probably found something. But that would have been a ways off, and no guarantees I'd score any H2O. I had the campsite listed as the next water source, so I was committed to going there for the night. Watched sunset from the trail. It was pretty. Soon I won't be able to do such things once the leaves grow out. Got up to the bald that is called Beauty Spot at twilight. Stopped for just a moment to take in the view of the shadows of mountains under the pink sky and moved along. Put the headlamp on and almost immediately hit the campsite, did the water thing, pitched my tent, crawled in and went to sleep. The woods are much better for sleeping than the towns.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Beauty Spot Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Slept in like a champ. Heard some turkeys nearby this morning, but by the time I packed up and got out of the tent, they were nowhere to be seen. I was hiking by 10 a.m. I am getting to be the king of late starts. Climb, climb, climb was the morning routine. Got to the top of Unaka Mountain and boy was it nice. Top was covered in fir trees and the floor covered in needles and moss. I stopped in about 3 places up there and sat for 10 minutes apiece probably, just soaking it in. The trail was tough to follow in spots. I had to play find-the-white-blaze from tree to tree since it was such a dense forest. The dirt path was just covered in the blanket of needles. Somewhere coming off Unaka, I stopped and cooked some mac 'n cheese for lunch. Sat by a stream in the sun and caught up on the journal again. The day just went slow, it seemed. Pretty relaxing until in the evening. I pushed to make it to this shelter. Was sort of hoping I would see other hikers when I pulled in at dark, but no such luck. Shelter to myself. Only saw two people today, none before 4 p.m. Saw one southbound hiker and one motorcycle rider hanging out at a road crossing. Not sure how I do it. I'll probably run into folks tomorrow, though. Afternoon most likely. We shall see. Roan Mountain might keep the rockets behind me.