morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

The rain finally quit sometime early this morning. We (H2, Pigpen, and I) were planning on doing 20 miles today, leaving 6 to Erwin, TN, where we would split a room at the Super 8 and get lots of pizza and do laundry. Dutch Tape and Cabana Boy were planning on doing 2.4 to Sam's Gap, hitching a ride to a diner 2.9 miles away, and then returning to camp a bit further up the trail. Pigpen left early, then everyone else, then "Cope"(some guy who'd just shown up in the middle of the night), then me. We (Cope and I) caught D.T. and C.B. at the road crossing. Everyone put their wet clothes/tents out on the pavement to dry. After a few minutes I was convinced to join the diner breakfast, as was Cope. No cars came, so we started walking. Cope and I hid our packs in an abandoned/condemned house near the trailhead. We walked past a bunch of redneck houses with appliances on the porch and exercise equipment out on the lawn. Still no cars. Eventually this woman pulled over and asked where we were going. After a small chat, she offered to bring us to an Ingles (grocery store chain) over in Ashville so we could eat and resupply! She was going to visit her son at his college so it was right on the way. She even set a time to pick us up and bring us back to the trail. So we hit the Ingles salad and chicken wings bar, had subs, and ben and jerry's. I ate an entire pint of Chunky Monkey (1200 calories), a pound of chicken, and a pound of fruit. Also I was able to get a lot of food for later. I tried to think of something good to get Pigpen and H2, seeing as they weren't around for the shopping trip, so I got a bunch of oreos. As the 4 of us were dropped off, some other hikers were coming off the trail. I'd met them all before. Two (Cubbie and Dilly Dally), I'd last seen about 300 miles ago (an hour after I first started the hike). They'd been following my entries in the registers that most shelters have. A register is basically a notebook and pen; people sign and write little notes when they pass through. The other 2 people were "Yoga Matt" and "Heads Up". I hadn't seen Yoga since he went into Gatlinburg (110 miles back) or Heads Up since Fontana Dam (145 miles ago). They hike quickly, so I headed up the mountain with them. After about 10 miles they quit and I continued in the dark for a few more. There was a nearly full moon so it was easy enough to see the trail. I camped out by myself, making a decent fire and dinner and then hid from the bears and coyotes in my tent. If I can't find Pigpen or H2 tomorrow I can just split a room with those guys.
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

This morning I departed from my solo campsite in sporadic rain and hiked the 11.4 miles into Erwin, Tennessee. Pigpen and H2 were nowhere to be found, so I decided to wait for my other 2 friends and split a room with them. Right along the trail rests "Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel", with its bunkhouses and outfitter store. I arrived early in the morning and found a few of my hiker friends there already; "Rockstar", her husband "Magnet", one of the guys from Alabama, etc. Uncle Johnny himself (picture: grizzled sea captain)came out onto the front deck with a beer. He said that I couldn't buy any there, but they did have bikes and daypacks that I could borrow if I wanted to ride the mile to the big gas station/A&W/Long John Silver supercenter and get some. So that's how I ended up riding a bike down the roads of Erwin, TN at 11 in the morning in full rain gear.When I returned, it was fun sitting around with everyone while safe from the rain. That guy from Alabama had been dehydrated on the mountain and went into Erwin early, separating from his other 2 guys. He is a firefighter and is using his vacation time to hike. When Yoga Matt and Heads Up finally showed up, we were shown their best cabin, at a ridiculous price of only $65 total, so around $22 per person. It was either that, or get bunks for $15, or tent out for about $8. The cabin had a TV, its own shower and bathroom, kitchen area (stocked with pancake stuff) and DVD player. So it was a pretty easy decision. We didn't want to wait for the dinner shuttle, so the three of us plus the Alabaman hitchhiked into town. We were at the KFC buffet for a LONG time. They had fried squash, which was great. Sadly, many other people were there that shouldn't have been anywhere near a buffet. You know something is wrong when a guy from Alabama is calling people fat. I shouldn't be so mean to the people of Erwin, except it's hard not to when their town's claim to fame is that they actually hung an elephant back in 1916. Go look it up.The guy running the shuttle was supposed to pick us up at the grocery store after the dinner run, but they forgot about us and we were stuck in the vestibule for about 3 hours. People kept walking by and asking if we were hikers and it was funny.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Unintentional zero day. I was fully intending to stay for a bit after checkout and lunch and then do between 4 and 16 miles. After lunch (3 McDoubles) and Library/Post Office, we came back to freezing rain that wouldn't stop. After about 5 PM we gave up on the 4 miles and decided to just tent under the bridge across the river. But the storm wouldn't even let up a few minutes for us to run over there. Many people were lounging around in the bunkhouse. I peeked in and was so warmed up that I found it very difficult to leave. We watched a comedy: Wet Hot American Summer on VHS and it was a good night. I think Uncle Johnny and his hostel employees subsist on a strict diet of Pizza Hut, Wendy's, Dominos, and McDonald's. Every time a shuttle comes back there is always a big load of food for them. Also, a McDouble is a double cheeseburger with one fewer slice of cheese. It's the crucial difference that allows McDonald's to put it on the dollar menu.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Erwin, TN

To: Random Apple Orchard Campsite
Miles today: 21.4

Finally we left!!!! It was a rough day, but the rain is finally over. The Nolichucky River is at 1700', Unaka Mountain is at 5180' and has a lot of snow on top. We found a perfect Disney Movie pasture of a campsite to settle down tonight. The rain seems to have spread everyone out, I didn't pass anyone on the trail today. Tomorrow we're going to make it over Roan Mountain to the converted barn shelter that is very popular. It is wicked cold tonight and the wind isn't even blowing!
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Random Apple Orchard Campsite

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Huge day today! I woke/got up at 9 with a serious condensation problem in my tent. One side had actually collapsed in under the weight of the water, drenching my stuff inside. It's because the night air was so cold vs my body heat inside. The temperature differential was very bad. The other 2 guys had already left. I saw "Magnet" pass by right as I was getting up. It took a bit of time to get going because my stuff needed to dry out in the sun. At the first shelter I had lunch with Magnet (he gave me a bag of bacon bits). Then there was tremendous elevation as I hiked by myself, talking with the occasional person I came across. The elevation starts at 4000', climbs to 4900', then drops to 4000' again. That 900 feet was just for fun. Then it jumps up to 6285', the summit of Roan Mountain. That's the last time AT northbounders will hit 6 thousand feet until Mt Washington. I passed through Roan High Knob Shelter, the coldest shelter on the trail (at 6275') Lots of snow and ice around. I saw the foundation and other remnants of the "Cloudland Hotel" which formerly operated on the summit. It also sounds like the smartest person in Tennessee spent a whole week thinking up its name. Also I saw a rabbit. It was getting late, so I ran down the old railroad bed which supported the hotel, into Carver's Gap (visitor/tourist center). Then came a giant climb over Round Top and again over Jane Bald. They both offered great views to the surrounding mountains. The bald tops are beautiful at their peaks; they look like a cross between grazing land and soccer fields. After a few more miles came Overmountain Shelter. Overmountain is a converted barn that claims to sleep 20, but could easily fit 60 people. It has an open porch facing out on the mountains directly northward. I was up on the second floor all by myself in the giant creepy barn loft, very exciting!
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Laurel Fork Campsite

To: Kincora Hiking Hostel
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

This morning the 4 of us got up and hurried the 11.8 miles through sauna-level humidity to Kincora Hiking Hostel. The idea was to resupply in the town of Hampton and to avoid being out in the mountains when Saturday's expected thunderstorms rolled in. The hostel was almost full. During the dinner shuttle, I crammed in the back of an enclosed pickup truck bed with 5 other people. 7 more were in the front section, also 3 full packs. Kicora is run by Bob Peoples, a kindly older guy who has hiked all over the world and done lots of AT trail planning and maintenance. It is a great deal: 3 bathrooms, kitchen, shower, laundry, shuttles, denatured alcohol, lots of bunks, all for a "suggested donation" of $4. On Saturday Bob goes to church, so the nearby dinner choices were a Chinese Buffet or Mexican food. Magnet, Yoga Matt, some guy with the trail name Tarzan (Louisiana), and I buffeted. Everyone else went to the Mexican place, mainly because they served beer. The buffet had really fresh vegetables and great food/Ice cream, for only $7.25!Kincora offers a slackpacking shuttle that will drop you off about 9 miles up the trail. You can leave your sleeping bag, rain clothes, tent, and all heavy unnecessary stuff back at the Hostel, then bring only light food and water and hike the 9 miles South (and downhill) to Kincora. Just be ready around 8 AM. I'll probably do that in the morning.
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Kincora Hiking Hostel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Many of us did the early morning slackpack shuttle to the Shook Branch Recreation Area on Watauga Lake. About 10 of us did the 8.9 miles South back to the Hostel. 3 people (Tarzan, Olive Oil, and Kumquat) went North, having slackpacked the day before. We met 3 more people from Maine; Jibitz (Girl around my age), Little Aspen and Toothpick (couple from Maine around my age). Also "The Wolfpack" (a German couple). Magnet also joined us. Magnet is an older guy who thru-Hiked 27 years ago. He started this year with his wife, but she got tired of it and went home. These people were all hiking South with me, Heads Up, Yoga Matt, and Buckaroo. It was a million degrees out and humid, so it was a great day to have a lighter pack. The trail went along a deep river gorge area with icy water. I met 2 older British guys: "Winston" and "Churchill" coming North.We found a great water hole and went for a dip. The water was tragically cold. Also I learned that Buckaroo is 18 though he possesses the biggest beard out of all of us. Afterward, Bob Peoples brought us in on the dinner shuttle and then dropped us off at the trailhead, where we continued to the next shelter. We all slept inside because it was going to rain. Buckaroo didn't show up so we think he fell asleep at the hostel. Even without him it was 4 people from Maine and then me and Heads Up (Indiana). I don't notice any particular mannerisms that differentiate the Mainers from everyone else, but there sure are a lot of them on the Trail.
Date: 2010-05-03
To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

We all woke up to lots of rain. The "Small bear" that everyone had written about in the register never showed up. It was unbelievable humid, though not particularly hot. The terrain was not very difficult either. Magnet showed up early, he and I kept running into each other throughout the day, taking long, lingering breaks. I'm now at Iron Mountain Shelter (6:00 PM), not enough time to make it to the next before dark (8 miles). Most of the people are ahead.Magnet and I are sleeping in the shelter, Little Aspen, Toothpick, and the 2 brits are tenting out. Magnet and I are going to get up early and do about 27 miles to Damascus, VA tomorrow.2 dogs are here with us: a Rotweiler/German shepard (smaller than you'd think) and a black lab/Hound (big). They showed up and have been hanging out with us all night.
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: The Place (Damascus)
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: clear sky

Magnet woke me up at 5:10 in the morning. As we snuck out of camp in the darkness, the two dogs got up and followed us.The first point of interest was the Nick Grindstaff monument. Nick went out West in the 1800s to find his fortune, but was robbed of everything he owned. He returned and became a hermit on Iron Mountain. The monument reads: Nick Grindstaff: "Lived alone, suffered alone, died alone." I captured the best picture of the hike thusfar near this monument.Then we encountered some trail magic in the form of oatmeal cream cookies, sierra mist, and Dr Pepper. A Baptist church has a big metal box hidden out on the trail that they keep stocked with goodies for hikers. We ran into that joy at the perfect time for morning energy. Speaking of morning energy, a couple of times we encountered deer and the dogs just took off chasing them through the woods, straight up or down extreme inclines.After about 22.5 miles, we crossed from Tennessee into Virginia, and could finally start using big words again. After 26.1 miles we showed up in Damascus, VA. The place to stay in this town is ironically "The Place." It is a donation-based house run by the Baptist Church where hikers and bikers can stay for 2 nights and shower/cook food. Damascus is the intersection between the AT and the Virginia Creeper trail (100+ mile biking trail).My buddy Fig was there, along with everyone else I'd been hiking with recently. We all went out for dinner and beer. The big black dog got distracted and wandered off. The other one waited for us outside "The Place" until the dogcatcher came and took him away. They said that this happens often and that the owners usually turn up over 50 miles away.I met up with the son from that father/son group that I hadn't seen since Fontana. He now has the trailname "Hotfoot" (something about stepping into a fire). We all painted the town red and had fun.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: The Place (Damascus)

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Today I spent exploring the town of Damascus, VA and the surrounding areas. I had breakfast at the cafe, lunch at subway, and dinner at the first shelter out of town (9.4 miles). I'd gathered up all my dirty laundry right before breakfast, and lo and behold, when I returned, it was all gone! Luckily my dirty socks were on the floor, but still, SOMEONE definitely absconded with my shirt, shorts, sock liners, stuff sack, and compression boxer-briefs. Yes there were things of actual value in the area, and yes there were actually clean clothes also nearby, but the scoundrel decided that the best way to be a minor annoyance was to make sure that I spent more money at the outfitters. Besides replacement stuff (not shorts, I'll be ok with 1 pair), I got a new sleeping bag. The old one weighs about 4.5 lbs, is bulkier than 3 footballs, and is rated for 5 degree weather. The new one weighs about 1.5 lbs, is about a softball of volume, and is rated for 40 degrees. Ahhhh what a difference that weight and space savings makes! I sent the old one home along with a Mother's Day card.The trail today was brief, steep, and ran parallel to the Virginia Creeper bike path for sections. Lots of people were tenting out at the shelter; only 3 stayed inside. A bear was sighted minutes before I arrived. I met "Supermax", a girl whose old hiking poles I picked up from the hiker box at the NOC about 340 miles prior. She'd heard about me and thought it funny that that they were still in use. They are being held together with duct tape. We took a picture to commemorate our meeting.Fig was also at the shelter. He has a schedule to do an 18, a 16, and then a 20 mile day to put us at Partnership Shelter (where you can order pizza!!)
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Saunders Shelter 

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was a hard load of uphill mileage. Fig and Supermax left at the crack of dawn, then Kumquat (a girl around my age from Maine), then me. Everyone else was lingering. There was a section of ridiculous steep vertical gain to reach "Buzzard Rock", a huge stony outcropping looming over the side of the mountainous mass. To give a good idea of what the climb was like, Our low point for the day was 2690' and our high point was 5490'. Not to mention the 1 or 2 thousand-foot ups and downs in the middle.This wouldn't have been a big deal, except my body is fading away. The muscles are fine but I have no energy. At one point I sat in an old farm field under a tree and did nothing for almost an hour. It was really hard to get motivated for the climb.Close to 5000', we met "Mr Beals" who thru hiked back in 1990. He is a gigantic overweight guy who gave us the advice "When you're done with the trail, don't live every day for the next 20 years like it's a town day". In the forest near Mr. Beals I saw maple syrup being harvested.Tonight we are at a shelter at 5400'. Kumquat, Jibitz, Heads Up, Yoga, and I are in the loft upstairs. Fig, Supermax, and 3 random old guys are on the bottom. Ponies are outside. I can't see them but they are easily heard. A few people are tenting but they each have a dog in their party. Tomorrow we'll see the ponies in daylight. My camera is out of batteries but other people offered to capture some shots for me.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Great Day! A bunch of us left the shelter late and took about a 45 minute pony break. There were 4 babies that the mothers kept away from us, but the rest came up and played with us, trying to get food. Around 14 ponies in the first group. Problem: When this land was bought from farmers in order to protect the AT, it was noticed that the bald tops were starting to fill in. Solution: a bunch of hardy ponies were brought in and allowed to run wild, maintaining the vegetation. Every year they are rounded up and given checkups, and a few are sold to keep numbers down. They were adorable and the terrain was unbelievable! Giant open mountain pastures and monolithic rocks jutting out everywhere formed the landscapes. Also a pony skeleton which a bear had presumably dragged right next to the trail. There was also the narrow crevice between boulders called the "Fatman Squeeze" that we all successfully made it through. Mr Beals had expressed concern over this feature when we met. After the first shelter we came across a great swimming hole, perfect for the hot day. We also got some trail magic in the form of cold drinks and chips that a couple from Ontatio gave us at the trailhead. A very good day all in all.
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Quick 19.7 miles today! It rained last night, I started at 8:30, and finished at 4:30! It was downright quick. Many rhododendron tunnels to meander through as well. The best part of Partnership Shelter is that you can order pizza for delivery. This is possible because it is located .2 miles from the Mt Rogers Visitor Center, which is on a main road. Jibitz ordered a large pizza and breadsticks for when we arrived. The 4 of us then tried to hitchhike into the town of Marion, VA to resupply and get more food. An old lady stopped, immediately saying that she wasn't going to pick us up. She then asked where we were all from. Next she struggled to open the back door of her van, explaining that it sticks sometimes. Finally she got it open, giving us a glimpse of an entire empty van with plenty of room. Lastly she shut the door, said "I'd like to help you but my husband says not to pick up any strangers", and drove away. I thought that once we were out of Tennessee these ridiculous things would stop happening, but maybe we're still too close to the border. We ended up getting a ride into Marion, where it turns out the nicest bar/restaurant is called "Mackadoo's". We didn't have time for that so it was the Chinese Buffet, then dollar store, then grocery. The ride back was very difficult to procure, but eventually we squeezed into the back of a pickup truck, amongst empty beer cans and shotgun shells. I'm not making this up.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Relax Inn (Hotel in Atkins, VA)
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

It was freezing last night and into today. I got up early and left before most everyone. It was too cold to linger! I had to keep moving to stay warm. Barely anyone was on the trail. I stopped on a mountain to make a Mother's Day phone call. Today was a quick forest/field 11.6 miles to Atkins, VA, where a small truckstop area yields a convenience store/diner and Relax Inn. It was supposed to be a resupply point but I met a couple other hikers and had dinner with them: "Griz" and "Sweetcheeks." Before we got to the diner, Griz and I put pennies on the train tracks. Unfortunately none came across while we were there. Right after dinner (Burger + 2 hot dogs), my other hiking buddies showed up. Someone came up with quitting early and getting a room, which was a great idea. We ended up with 6 people in the room. It was fun to watch actual TV. Before bed I met some other hikers in the inn. "Gouda", "Able" (West Virginia guys), "So Far" and "Joe" (retired Marine drill instructor). We hung out under a bridge next to the inn, drinking beer and listening to Joe's military stories. Then Gouda fell in the water and we called it a night.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Relax Inn (Hotel in Atkins, VA)

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Everyone was tired this morning, probably from drinking too much and staying up all night. I had 2 breakfasts from the diner, which amounted to a large pile of buttery cheese. On the way out I also purchased the 2lb "indulgent trail mix" full of chocolate, peanut butter, and white chocolate chips. 150 calories per serving, 28 servings per container! That's a lot of hiking energy in one package. Everyone set out for the 14 mile shelter. After a mile I had stomach issues and had to use the natural facilities. This is noteworthy because I scared the living giblets out of a turkey that was hiding down in a ravine. It shot out of there like a missile! Afterwards I took a nap by the side of the trail. By around noon I'd made it to the 3 mile mark. I met "Southpaw", doing a 25 mile day. Lots of cow activity today. One of them ran away, then turned around right on the trail and stared me down for a few minutes. Lastly I took some great deer pictures before stumbling to the shelter right before dark. Griz and a bunch of boisterous hikers were there and we had a talent show followed by some group storytelling games. Jibitz and Heads Up went ahead so it's a smaller group now. I also found a giant cow vertebrae and took a picture.