morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-29
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: clear sky

Ken arrived at 9 this morning to take our full packs away, leaving us again with daypacks, and arranged to meet us at Black Horse Gap along the Blue Ridge Parkway (or the BURP, as I wittily refer to it). After 19 miles, my heel blisters were yelling and I decided to hop on the road for 6 miles of blissfully level "hiking." By the time I reached Black Horse Gap, Ken had passed me twice (once on his way to leave the packs with HP and then on his way back). I found HP there with my ridiculously heavy full pack and a few jugs of water. I put my heavy pack on for the first time in several days and struggled 3 miles to the next shelter. Tomorrow I will carry it 12 miles to town. So ends my slackpacking adventure. Next week: sherpas.
Date: 2007-09-30
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

I wish I could slackpack to Georgia. Today should have been an easy day but slackpacking has made me weak. Carrying a full pack was a rude awakening. HP and I shared a room at the Econolodge with Megan and Amy. Solar, Lunar and Violet and Portajon got rooms there too- it was a grand old hiker party. Solar and HP recently celebrated their birthdays, so Solar asked waiter at a Mexican restaurant for "the birthday thing. You know, the loud, obnoxious one." Even though our waiter chuckled and replied, "oh, the one with whipped cream on the faces?" she and HP couldn't have expected him to bring out two whipped cream pies and decorate their faces (and their clothes) with them.
Date: 2007-10-01
From: Daleville, VA

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Woke up early to hit the Country Cookin' Buffet. Turns out they only do the buffet on weekends, so we headed across the street to Shoney's. Thank goodness for multiple breakfast buffet options within walking distance. Today's hike included two beautiful spots- Tinker Cliffs and McAfee's Knob. HP and I reached the cliffs around 5:30. After enjoying the view for a few minutes, we irrationally decided that we should try to get to McAfee's Knob to watch the sun go down. A great plan, but the knob was 6 miles away, the sun sets around 7:15 these days, and 3mph is outside my comfort zone even on a good slackpack day. But I pushed hard enough to get there in time to discover that, while beautiful, the knob does not face west. So I made my exhausted way to the next shelter, signed the hiking sticks of a group of enamored young juvenile delinquents, and settled down for another night of non-sleep.
Date: 2007-10-02
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Trout Creek
Miles today: 15.6

I was walking through a pasture today and noticed lots of little black dots bouncing around. The black dots distracted me and kept me from noticing the large hole I was about to step in, so I turned my ankle and faceplanted in order to examine them more closely. They were crickets, and there were literally thousands of them. The climb up to Dragon's Tooth- one of Virginia's more spectacular spots- reminded me of the northern AT. The descent was, unexpectedly, mostly uphill. So by the time we got to the river at the bottom, HP and I were ready to cut our planned 24mile day short. The river was flowing- a novelty at this point in the hike- and we stealthed in the woods beyond the road with a former northbounder, CheezWhiz. One stunning advantage for northbounders: when they summit Katahdin, GAME (Georgia to Maine) becomes GAME OVER. MEGA OVER doesn't work quite as well.
Date: 2007-10-03
From: Trout Creek

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Four months on trail! How silly. Today was mostly a blur, except for the mules and the aggressive cows. I have nothing really to say about the mules except that, well, they were there. My encounter with the cows, though, was perhaps my scariest moment on trail. Now that I think of it, it was my 3rd scariest moment, preceded by the rabbits in the night and the 60 foot cliff jump and followed closely by both of my encounters with mama bears. I have a detailed diagram in the journal I keep on trail, but to summarize: the AT went through a cowfield. There were at least 30 cows there. The moment I stepped into the field every cow turned and glared at me menacingly. Four cows were directly on the path when I stepped onto the field. A fifth mooed at me menacingly (the only word I can think of when I think of cows is: menacing) and moved onto the path as I approached. I had to bushwhack (pasturewhack?) around them as they continued to glare at me menacingly. The uninitiated might not recognize this as an aggressive cow encounter. "Well... they just stood there and looked at you," one might say. But they looked at me menacingly, and it was terrifying.
Date: 2007-10-05
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I felt surprisingly good this morning considering I walked THIRTY MILES yesterday. HP and I got to Wade's Market around 11 and found Solar, Lunar and Portajon eating outside. When HP, Jon and I hitched into town, Solar and Lunar were dejectedly preparing to hike 16 more miles. We chuckled at their silly plans and waved goodbye. Our ride dropped us off at the Holiday Motor Inn, where I received catcalls from permanent residents both male and female. We were joined shortly by Solar and Lunar, who looked decidedly more cheerful.
Date: 2007-10-08
From: Pearisburg

To: Dismal Creek
Miles today: 22.4

Today's plan did not include 22.4 miles. Today's plan called for 16 miles and was based on the assumption that there would be water in the "reliable stream" that served as a water source for Wapiti shelter. With two days of rain in the past few months, however, even the reliable sources of water have become unreliable. So I pushed forward another 6 miles- the closest water source with actual water- in the dark. The water was guarded by a very large and very creepy spider. I stood back while HP, manly man that he is, stepped up and dealt with the spider. By flicking him into the water we wanted to drink.
Date: 2007-10-10
From: N. Fork of the Holston River

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Last night I had the good fortune to discover that while I can sleep on a head-to-toe slant, I cannot sleep on a sideways slant.An easy 10.4 brought me to Atkins, where the trail runs right past a gas station/restaurant. I lingered over my chicken tenders, not at all relishing the idea of 11 more miles to Partnership Shelter. I lingered so long, in fact, that I was still eating when a huge group of southbounders I had passed during my hitchhiking adventures yesterday showed up- Dutch, Juice, Caveman, Salty Dog, Yellowbird, and Solar and Lunar. They didn't have a hard time convincing HP and I to stay at the RelaxInn for the night. The apple pie I ordered for dessert did not remotely resemble apple pie.
Date: 2007-10-11
From: Atkins, VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Three days ago it was 90 degrees out. When I arrived at Partnership Shelter around 3:15, the thermometer read 48 degrees. Partnership Shelter, for those unfamiliar with the place, is one of the few trail Hilton's. Two floors, an attached warm-water shower (which, for the record, is warm only when it is warm outside) and sink, and the kicker: pizza/sandwich delivery. The joy of eating real food- cooked by someone else- in a shelter is beyond description.
Date: 2007-10-12
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 14.5

HP and I reached a dirt road about 9 miles in right as a pickup truck was driving by. He stuck his thumb out, half joking, and the driver gave us a thumbs up and drove right on by. We sat down for a snack and were surprised to see another truck heading the other direction. We stuck our thumbs out, this time in earnest, and the guy stopped. He told us he was going the wrong way- if we wanted to get to Troutdale, we would have to find someone going the other way to take us to a paved road that would lead right to Troutdale. We figured we wouldn't see many other drivers on the rough gravel road, so we finished our snacks and prepared to hike 5 more into town. As I was strapping my pack on, another truck came around the corner. It was headed the right way and we stuck our thumbs out one more time. The truck stopped and the hunters inside said they'd be happy to take us to the paved road. We threw our gear and ourselves in back as Salty Dog came sprinting down the trail to catch us before we drove off. They stopped when they reached the paved road and we started to get out, but the guy stuck his head out the window and said he would bring us all the way in. They let us out at Jerry's Restaurant and pulled a U-turn- turns out they were going to hunt 1/4 mile from where they had picked us up and had gone WAY out of their way to drop us off. Hunters are AWESOME.The shower room at the hostel was freezing, so I turned on the heat. That, combined with the steam from the shower, revived a "dead" wasp on the floor. I jumped out, turned the heat off and retreated to the safety of running water. The wasp quickly reverted to death mode. Cool.This hostel has been adopted by a friendly hen.
Date: 2007-10-14
From: Damascus- Dave's Place

To: Damascus- The Place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Biked the Creeper Trail to 'make up' 17 of the miles I hitched around yesterday (and yes, purists, I know it doesn't really work that way ). 17 miles downhill on an ex-railroad bed- I barely even had to pedal!So far I have entered Damascus by vehicle and bicycle. Perhaps tomorrow I'll do it by foot, the way I was supposed to do it the first time!
Date: 2007-10-15
From: Damascus- The Place

To: Damascus/Abingdon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

If you haven't figured it out by now, every town is a vortex that all but the most determined of hikers find impossible to avoid. Damascus is the most vortexiest of towns. It is home to Trail Days. It has at least five outfitters and two hostels. It is full of ex-thru-hikers, repeat thru-hikers, and thru-hikers who stop to take one zero and end up taking three, or twenty, or several zears. One such hiker even installed a phone on his porch with unlimited long-distance for hikers in need. What a place.As if to prove the hiker-friendliness of Damascus, Andrew of Sundog Outfitters offered to take HP and I home for the night. So instead of staying at the warm and welcoming but utterly mattress- and TV-less Place, I have a bed and about 400 channels to surf.
Date: 2007-10-16
From: Damascus/Abingdon

To: Tenn. 91 (or, Damascus/Abingdon)
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Andrew generously offered to spend part of his day off slackpacking me and HP. He drove us to the trailhead at Tenn. 91 (TENNESSEE!!!! NOT VIRGINIA!!!) and pointed us north, back towards Damascus. We hiked an easy and beautiful 21 miles back into town- finally I enter Damascus on foot! Dutch, Juice, Caveman, Salty Dog, and Yellowbird were at The Place, and in true Damascusinian spirit, Andrew brought all of us (sans Dutch, who left to attend his sister's wedding) back to his house for another night of mattresses and TV. GO SOX!
Date: 2007-10-17
From: Tenn. 91 (or, Damascus/Abingdon)

To: Tenn. 91 (or, Damascus/Abingdon)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

For those of you who have never experienced riding in the back of a pickup truck moving 65mph, let me enlighten you: it is terrifying.And for those of you who have never experienced riding in the back of a pickup truck driving up (also, down) a gravel road that is switchbacked because it is so steep, let me enlighten you: it is also terrifying.
Date: 2007-10-18
From: Tenn. 91 (or, Damascus/Abingdon)

To: Tenn. 91 (or, Damascus/Abingdon)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Like I said, Damascus is the most vortexiest of trail towns. At least I learned something new today. What did I learn, you ask? Well. I learned that a determined and hungry hiker (me) can open a can of Spaghettio's with a thumbtack and a butter knife. TOMORROW I HIKE!(cross your fingers...)
Date: 2007-10-19
From: Tenn. 91 (or, Damascus/Abingdon)

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: moderate rain

Southbound again! Only four miles today, but at least I'm not in Damascus!Almost 5 months on trail and I still haven't mastered the skill of lifting my feet up and entirely over obstacles in the path- rocks, roots, my poles, my own feet etc.A caution to wet hikers: building a fire IN the shelter is a BAD PLAN.
Date: 2007-10-20
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Laurel Fork Lodge
Miles today: 24.2

Most long-distance hikers tend to drop weight from their packs as they go. But I'm not a follower, so I've steadily added weight. I now carry an iPod, three pairs of socks instead of two, a cotton T-shirt, six tent stakes instead of four, several inexplicable pieces of string, two phone batteries, and an abundance of coins. I'm a fool and I'm happy.
Date: 2007-10-21
From: Laurel Fork Lodge

To: Doll Flats
Miles today: 26.8

I'm at a loss for words. Today included approximately 14 river fords, a ride down a mountain on the bumper- yes, BUMPER- of an SUV, and wind that made getting a tent set up, let alone keeping said tent up, very difficult. Crazy/fun/awesome.
Date: 2007-10-27
From: Uncle Johnny's Place

To: Sam's Gap (or, Uncle Johnny's Place)
Miles today: 24.5

Since I celebrated the creation of a deadline with a zero yesterday, I decided to make up some miles today by slackpacking from Sam's Gap back to Uncle Johnny's Place. When I arrived at Sam's Gap at 7:30 it was cold and foggy and still dark out. When I reached the top of Big Bald, it was cold and foggy and somewhat light out. I resigned myself to hiking past another bald in poor weather and kept going. As soon as I reached the shelter half a mile past the bald, the sun came out full force. Of course. Little Bald was in no way bald, but it did have a herd of mountain goats.
Date: 2007-10-28
From: Sam's Gap (or, Uncle Johnny's Place

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm in the South. I thought the South was supposed to be warm. Why, then, was it 48 degrees at noon today? Also, Camp Creek Bald was in no way bald. Why, then, was it called Camp Creek BALD? That's like calling Moose Mountain a mountain.
Date: 2007-10-29
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Two years later, I'm back to finish what I started. (the journal, not the hike). Today was full of dreamy trail and a blue-blaze down the old AT into Hot Springs. The leaves are starting to fall full-force and walking is so noisy that I probably wouldn't hear an elephant, let alone a thru-hiker, tromping along behind me. HP's uncle is a well-known Hot Springs resident and paddler/guide, so all we had to do was ask the first person we saw and they pointed us to his house. In other news, the famed boil of October 23 is nearly gone. I didn't even have time to give it a name.
Date: 2007-10-30
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Awesome zero! Ryan's uncle took us around Hot Springs and showed us all his favorite river spots. Also, I bought a rain jacket! It's a real rain jacket! It's actually waterproof! And most importantly, it's bright green! I'm glad I waited until now instead of getting one in, say, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Date: 2007-10-31
From: Hot Springs

To: Max Patch (or, Hot Springs)
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Happy Halloween! In celebration, HP and I slacked north from Max Patch back into Hot Springs. I finally got to see what a bald is like in nice weather- gorgeous!This was a perfect section to hike northbound- approximately 15 miles gently downhill, instead of the 15 mile gentle climb I would have had if I was a respectable southbounder. Awesome day! Southbound again tomorrow, and into the Smokies the day after!!
Date: 2007-11-01
From: Max Patch (or, Hot Springs)

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Standing Bear Farm is a phenomenal establishment. Real mattresses and sheets, a hiker store operating on the honor system, internet and laundry... Thanks, Curtis!!Before I the joy of Standing Bear Farm, however, I experienced one of the most humiliating moments of my hike. I was defeated by a meal. The skillet meal at the diner in Hot Springs, to be exact. I am ashamed.
Date: 2007-11-02
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: few clouds

 After figuring out backcountry permits for the Smokies, I climbed approximately one billion miles and then descended two miles to the shelter. I'd heard about the bears in the Smokies, but my animal encounter today was of an entirely different nature. I had paused at one of the few viewpoints on the way up whatever mountain I was on and was enjoying a Twix when I heard the strangest noise. It sounded like hikers- a LOT of hikers. A lot of FAST hikers. A lot of fast hikers in metal shoes. I stood up and walked back a few steps back to the trail to investigate. Now, I don't know much about trail etiquette when horses are involved, but I'm pretty sure the proper thing to do when you see a pack of horses on the trail is NOT to scream, jump backward, and fall over a root. But that's exactly what I did. Luckily these horses were the gentle, calm, rental kind of horse, so they just blinked at me while their riders tried not to laugh. They continued up the trail while I finished my snack and regained my composure. Twenty minutes later I had the bizarre satisfaction of catching up and asking the riders to stop their horses so I could hike past. Thought of the day: Bear cables are much easier to operate than bear poles. In other news, the old boil is completely gone. A new one is rising nearby.
Date: 2007-11-03
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Pigeon Forge
Miles today: 15.6

I'd heard horror stories of the water situation through the Smokies- it's scarce, but it's most definitely there, and I've had no problems yet. Woke up to frost- it's cold! Not enough food. Two choices- yogiing, or hitching 25 miles into Gatlinburg. That's a long hitch, so I decided to yogi (ok, beg). Every single person I talked to gave me food. Deep thought of the day: why are the simple kindnesses that are so common on the trail so incredibly rare in real life?The 15.6 miles should actually be 16.6, and once again my camera is to blame. I left it at a viewpoint, which are fairly constant and absolutely gorgeous here in the Smokies, and hiked another mile until I realized. I almost did the same thing yesterday, but one of the horsewomen rescued it for me. When I got to Newfound Gap, I had finished a lot of the donated food and I was COLD. After a quick photo op- people actually lined up to take pictures of me and HP- we stuck our thumbs out. The people who had taken our pictures all drove past us, avoiding eye contact, but a nice couple named Lawrence and Cynthia picked us up. They didn't even realize we were hikers until we asked them if they had space in the trunk for our packs. Since they seemed to know the area, we asked about cheap accomodations. They suggested Pigeon Forge, 5 miles past the frightening tourist trap that is Gatlinburg. A few minutes after they suggested Pigeon Forge, they suggested their cabin in Pigeon Forge. It didn't take too much to convince us. They took us to Food City for a resupply. Someone had set off stink bombs, so it wasn't too noticeable. They grilled us burgers, corn and baked potatoes, and we watched a remake of Journey to the Center of the Earth. We declined the offer to turn on the hot tub but took them up on the hot shower and fell asleep on their super comfy sofabed. What amazing people!!
Date: 2007-11-04
From: Pigeon Forge

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Lawrence and Cynthia dropped us off at Newfound Gap around 10:30. Thanks!!Daylight Savings Time meant it was still light at 6:30- yay! I hit the highest spot on the AT today, Clingmans Dome, and climbed up the wheelchair-accessible ramp for a view. Got some priceless looks, and one slightly disgusted sniff, from some of the people who had driven up to the tower. 6,643 feet up and you have to climb a tower just to get a view past the trees! I'm in the south for sure...The smokies have been gorgeous, but some bug is killing all the big spruce and fir trees. Sad. There aren't any privies here- just "toilet areas" and a shovel for catholes. Some people are too lazy to use the shovel to bury their waste, and the "toilet area" is a dangerous place after dark!
Date: 2007-11-05
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday Dad!!! I'm in no rush to crank out big miles, but there was no water between Derrick Knob and Fontana Dam. HP pulled heroic moves, filling my water bottle this morning (the source was way downhill, and I was contemplating attacking the 23 miles with an almost-empty bottle) and carrying the tent even though it was my turn today. A mouse climbed on my pack and ripped up my TP (to make a nest, I guess) but otherwise left my stuff alone. RAN downhill today after a couple more encounters with horses and crossed Fontana Dam just after dark. The visitors center was closed and the soda machines wouldn't take $5, but the showers were open and free. The rooms had a very "Psycho" feel to them, so I made HP guard the ladies room in case anyone tried to come in and kill me. Hiked .3 to the "Fontana Hilton"- right on the lake and has running water!It's warm down here!
Date: 2007-11-06
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap- Robbinsville
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Hiked a mile and hit Fontana Marina, where a phone had a sign that said to call 265 for a shuttle. So I did, and a woman picked us up and brought us to a reastaurant in Fontana Village. Once again I couldn't finish breakfast. Reached Stecoah Gap around 5:30 and couldn't find the alleged spring there. It was freezing- I was hiking in every layer I had and was still cold, so night time wasn't looking too fun. I whipped out my handy cell phone and made a few calls. No vacancy at the Hike Inn. No shuttle to the Fontana Inn. HP and I had no idea where we were, so we started hailing cars going either direction. It took a long time, but a guy stopped and took us to Phillips Motel in Robbinsville. The motel lady looked alarmed- I guess they don't get that many thru-hikers that far from the trail- but once we told her we were hikers she was so nice!
Date: 2007-11-07
From: Stecoah Gap- Robbinsville

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Started late today- tough hitch out of Robbinsville.Cheoah Bald was absolutely gorgeous and followed by a nice long downhill to the NOC. Ate almost a whole pizza and didn't feel up for Ben and Jerry's. Something really strange is going on with my appetite. I think I'm so hungry that my stomach hurts, which kills my appetite, which makes me hungrier, which makes my stomach hurt more... and so on. It doesn't help that both my body and mind are starting to reject sugar... and the sugary snacks are what was keeping the calorie intake high enough. Just thinking about a Pop Tart makes me feel nauseous. HP looked into slacking out of here- $85! What! No thanks!