morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Chestoa Bridge Nolichucky River Uncle Johnnys

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: broken clouds

Finally had agood nights sleep. up early & rearing to go but first the 9.00 am breakfast shuttle. had my usual double cheese 7 bacon burger & choc milk (iron man food) Back at the hostel im all packed & ready to go. Paid my bill said my goodbyes to CB & freebird Across the Nolichucky Bridge for the last time & suddenley we were on the trail again and back in the woods. Am a bit out of shape after 5 zero days.Felt like being home again. there is so much water & so many little bridges to cross. arrived at Maple gap shelter (4.2 miles)in no time at all. Had lunch & moved ontowards Beauty Spot. Beauty spot would be lovely on a warm sunny day.took a photo & kept hiking . Beauty Spot comes in 2 sections one on top of the bauld & the other around the back & onto another little bauld. Missed the campsite we were looking for but found another great camp site at Deep Gap. Singed was already in camp so we invited ourselves to join him to share his campfire. wind was very strong last night a good nights sleep despite sliding down my sleeping bag all night.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Deep Gap

To: Cherry Gap shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

On leaving the campsite i checked the registration box.So much hairy looking stuff in the box. I pulled it back & about 8 mice jumped out at me .I shut the lid & kept going. Hiked up Unak Mnt(5180ft) 7 with all the cloud covering the Mnt & walking thru the pine forrest it was quite spooky. Nice photo of me entering the forrest. One track shin spints are not in good shape so we decided on an earlt day. I would like to push on but respect one track has to rest.We spread our gear out & made a campfire . We were then joined by RLB old hobo stryder. Blu ray called in ate lunch then left. He got caught in the rain lightning thunder & hail storm that hit us 2 hrs later. It rained lightning thunder all night. the camp was awash with water. I nearly tented this night but decided not to ( a good call PHATMAN) . Went to sleep with rain & hail smashing on the roof & woke up in the clouds. Quick breakfast & back on the trail.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Cherry Gap shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

It seemed like a long time to get going this morning. Im anxious to make some miles but i know i dont wany to risk any more injuries. Body feels good but calf muscle still has a slight twinge. t need a few more supplies so i left one track & hiked ahead to Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel . I passed a SOBO hiker & passed on a message for one track to keep going to Clyde Smith shelter.I went down & down & down the hill & finally came to the hostel. Greeted by Shepard(thru hiker 2008). had a can of coke & resupplied.Blu ray was there drying out his gear. i reminded him of the nice warm shelter he left at Cherry Gap. LOL. Left the hostel & hiked uphill & back onto the trail. Got to Clyde Smith shelter sign & missed read the sign & kept going . Meet a SOBO sect hiker who told me i had gone too far BUGGER . Backed tracked & made my way to the shelter. One track is very sore RLB & blu ray ate lunch & moved on as did stryder. old hobo dave jeff one track & me are in for the night. Then the storm hit . VERY VERY heavy rain deafing lightning thunder .Another night of mice snoring GREATMATE
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

after a long day of rain the clouds finally opened up 7 we had sunshine & fresh air. it didnt take long to get back into the clouds & our views were all blocked out again. Have taken many photosof flowers bugz & insects as well.The hike up into the Roan High bluff 6200ft for me has been the hardest climb yet. Straight up thru tracks of water courses tree roots & slippery rocks. I forgot to mention at Clyde Smith shelter hiker jeff should see his GP asap. Ive never heard a man who can swallow his tongue & still keep breathing the weirdest noise. I also got sick & tired of kicking his bunk all night to turn over. Dave & Jeff were interesting to talk to. dave was an attorney in his town somewhere in Florida. Im not into politics its not my country but these guys do not have any quams about emailing there government & telling them there peace of mind. An interesting proposal is to get the conservation corp up & running rebuild & update alot of trails thru out the country . As with the A.T. there are many shelters that need updating. The Pacific Trail just needs shelters period. Back to the A.T. Roan High Knob shelter 6275 ft is the highest shelter on the A.T. We dropped in for lunch. Dont like these enclosed shelters but it can be justified with the cold rain & storms. Most of the trail is more of a river course. miles of water & rocks. got to rhododendren gardens & had a shave. Ive lost about 10 kgs in weight & feel great.at Carvers gap the bauld was very busy with so many people out enjoying a lovely afternoon flying kite and just walking the trails. I found a cell phone & asked a local to deal with it. one track was making a call & i brought to her attention that we were about to be hit by a lightning storm. Quikly put on our wet weather gear then down came the rain. We were high on a eposed bauld & thank god the lightning did not come. The amount of water in these Mnts is unbelievable.Fall over in the Mnts in Tennesee & you are likely deown Finally got to Stan Murray shelter after along day in the mnts
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: US 19E Mnt Harbour B&Bhostel 
Miles today: 10.9

What an afternoon After walking into Stan Murray shelter the gnats were unreal.I had just got my food out to cook when the gnats just disappeared 7 the bush went quite The temperature dropped. It was storm time.ell this shelter is the most crap shelter so far on the trail. It slopes in, if the rain hits & is driven by the wind you just get soaked in your sleeping bag.Old hobo one track & myself had just settled inro our sleeping bags when Kelley(NOBO)with her trail dog gracie entered the sheltersoacked to the bone. just as they pulled in the lightning hit about 10 mts form the shelter. The eerie bloody painfull yelping from gracie taking a full charge of electricity thru her paws was gut renching. I dragged gracie & kelley out of the water & into the shelter just as another bolt of lightning hit in the same spot. VERY VERY frightning and so close. We all sat around for 1 1/2 hrs then kelly & gracie took off to the next shelter. It rained all night & all of today. The to US19Ewas quite long up & over Hump Mnt 5587ft A long grassy bauld. It was freezing with wind & rain. I started to fell slightly hypothermic.I could fell my iner body temp starting to drop which is not good I knew we still had a way to go. On the downside of the bauld one track was not sure where the trail was and blew her whistle in the cloud ridden bauld. I blew my whistle to help guide her in the right direction. The visibility was very poor and one track did the right thing if in doubt blow your whistle for help. Coming off the back of Hump Mnt the amount of water coming out of the mnt still amazes me.We walked thru miles of water courses. Arrived at Apple Housr shelter to be greeted by this really weird guy. My gut feelling was to move on.A steak house near thehostel was also a draw card. It is to far to go to the next shelter so we booked in for the night. Got a shuttle up to the steak house with stryder old hobo & one track .Had a huge buffet & my belly is as full as a goog.Thishostel is lovely & relaxed. Sat around & watched videos all night with a wood fire burning In the hostel is stryder old hobo one track 2 NOBO hikers & me.Hopefully this rain will go away & we can have some sunshine to walk in. Weve had 3 days of sunshine in 3 weeks. Some mnt views would be nice instead of clouds & rain. Have a slight strain in my right calf muscle
Date: 2009-05-18
From: US 19E Mnt Harbour B&Bhostel 

To: Laurel Fork ((Abbey Hostel)
Miles today: 12.5

had a good nights sleep except for when the horses below the hostel decided to kick or rub up against the main support posts for the hostel(the whole hostel shook).Had a nice sleep in it was 38F deg outside . clear skies just right for a day of hiking. Watched 3 movies last night . Well it was out the front door by 9am. Stryder was quite sick & stayed put to go and see a doctor. Up the US19E to the trail head. I love walking in the mnts first thing in the morning.Everything thing is so fresh & lovely beautiful bush smells and clear air. With no big mnts to climb today we were in for a relative easy day on the trail. still a lot of boggy sections but the earth was firm & leafy Lots of water & little bridges. made a detour off the trail to jone Falls. quite a lovely water fall .1 miles off the trail with a spectacular cascade of water over 140ft. we stopped for a lunch break & was joined by Panama bill & just larry who stopped by took photos and kepy going. Lunch over the hiking was easy as we made our way towards Laurel Fork to camp the night by the stream.We were told it was going to be a very cold night below 30f deg so we blue blazed to ASbbeys Hostel. One track nearly fell in the stream as there is not a really good crossing. The hostel is still under construction $5 for the nightYep we thought it was worth it just to get out of the cold. Isat most of the night on th PC one track shut down early and was not amused with me staying up all night
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Laurel Fork ((Abbey Hostel)

To: LAUREL FORK SHELTER
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

what another crap nights sleep. This hostel is under construction, there is sawdust everywhere lovely heating no ventilation. A lovely setting but not to asphixiate(?)to death. I stayed up till 11pmtrying to sort out my journal with all the mistakes. one track is feeling sick & was in her sleeping bag early.I woke up feeling my head was not attached to me.T thought it was flu but that room did not have ventilation basically not enough oxygen in the body. We had a safer way to blue blaze back to the trail. Abit longer but safer. It was such a beautiful morning for hiking. One track is quite sick & not her usual self. The day turned out to be a struggle for both of us asi was sick as well. after a long day we came to Laurel fork falls.It was hard ups & downs but worth the effort. The water fall is the largest on the A.T. One track is very weak & does not take any photos. I ventured down & took photos for us then we walked the trail which is a ledge just above the water line. Quite special cosidering the mountain trails we were used to. arrived at Laurel Fork shelter & greeted by old hobo. We were both very sick & tired. In camp tonight is old hobo one track & phatmandu
Date: 2009-05-20
From: LAUREL FORK SHELTER

To: Hampton ( Braemar Castle)
Miles today: 7.0

Well one track is very sick & weak. She has lost her spirit to hike as well. I know ive lost my hiking buddy.It is a mixed emotion knowing the end is near for one track. it was a long slow decline to US321 with a 2 mile hitch into Hampton.One track picked up herr resupply box at the P.O. & was daunted by the fact she could lift her pack.We had lunch for which i just gorged myself. I did a little resupply at the $General store. One track has made a call for accommodation at the Braemar Castle hostel.We waitrd 1/2 hr before being taken to the castle.Sutton gave us the tour. One ytrack needed a room to herself with a bathroom. Panama & just larry also joined us & trapper was already there. I made arrangements with onr track that i would meet her and her parents in Damascus in a few days time. time to sleep again.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Hampton ( Braemar Castle)

To: Double Springs Shelter 
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After a good nights sleep @ 6.30 am Suttons wife Beverly took Panama Just larry & myself to the trailhead at Watauga Lake on a lovely sunny morning. There was a large road kill looked like a coyote. shame as would love to see one of these beasts in the wild. Shame as i would love to see one of these animals in the wild & not dead on the side of the road. Bev dropped us off & we were off again. It was really strange not having one track out in front slowing me down. Panama & myself left just larry in our wake. I had planned a big day. Passed by Watauga Lake shelter in less than an hour & kept going. Stopped to take photos at Watauga Dam. very scenic . The climb out of the dam face was all UP UP UPStopped for a snack & water resupply at Vandeventer shelter. Then headed onto Iron Mnt shelter & stopped for lunch. Very spectacular views. Talked to some sectional hikers & headed off. As we were walking down into a section that had water i yelled to Panama that there is a bear in the trees all i saw was the R SEND of the beast so it must have poo bear. Panama saw nothing but heard the bear running away. NO photo bugger. Arrived into Double Spring s Shelter absolutely exhausted. Ate a quick dinner & in the bag by 7.30pm. In camp tonight is E.O. panama bill just larry & phatmandu
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Double Springs Shelter 

To: Spring Camp before Damascus
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Im in trouble .Ive projectile vomited all night & diarrhea. Panama in the middle of the night decided to empty his back pack & wakes me up. I could not go back to sleep with his snoring & this terrible pain in my Guts.Early in the morning i started vvomiting & i dont know why. In the morning panama & just larry packed up & took off . I was wvery ill. Eventually E.O. got up & left. I was lying there not was wrong with me & why & what to do next.T got up to pack but had to vomit a bit more. I passed out & woke up in the middle of the camping ground beside the fire ring I dont have any idea how long i was laying there.It was quite scary really but not a good time to panic. Had to fight with myself to remain peaceful .I crawled back to the shelter & just lay there for 10 mons or so. It took all my energy to refocus on the situation. I packed my pack in between more vomiting but it felt like what every had invaded my body was trying to leave.The diarrhea also chipped in for a bit more of the action.I eventually headed off well after 9am. i was very weak but just kept going .The trail was kind to me.At Low Gap some trail trail magic awaited THANK YOU RABBIT . I had some fruit & 2 sodas which stayed in my body. I started to realise my body was seriously dehydrated. T thought back to yesterday.T drank over 4.5 litres of water. But it was at camp where i had mixed a large 4 scoops of gatorade & only a little water plus at dinner i put too much salt in my meal.The consequences of which i now suffered. T had a lot of dried fruit & trail mix . Iate as much as i could. no more diarrhea or vomiting but iwas still very weak & along way to go. The trailwas quite easy thank god. I got into Abington Gap shelter in good time . I had planned to stay there but got water & headed on to wards Demascus.I know i was pushing my body into a danger zone .2 sectional hikers asked me if i was ok or needed assistance. The only kind gesture so far. Crossed the Tennesee/Virgina state line. Have done 3 states 11 more to do. Came across a lovely camp site at 5pm 2.1 miles south of Demascus .set up camp for the night had dinner & in the bag by 6.15pm My stomach was sore & raw another long night eventually fell asleep
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Spring Camp before Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: overcast clouds

awoke early still weak but no diarrhea or vomiting thank god. had some trail mix for breakfast on the run & hiked into Damascus .I had a package to pick up from the P.o.@pam. Iwas walking thru town & bumped into old hobo.We had breakfast at dairy queen. I rang one track & made arrangements to be picked up at the P.O. at 10am.My package was ANZAC cookies & chocolate chip cookies specialy made by Maine Mooses wife MRS MOOSE. Trail magic and a great job THANK YOU MR & MRS MAINE MOOSE. i AM ABOUT 7>8 days behind the unknown scheduleI was trying to get here for trail days the week before.Trail life has other plans that you do not always see coming.I am not woried about my schedule at all have to let it go and be more concerned about my health.one track jim barb & maggie the dog arrived ontime They are really lovely people. It is really good to see one track again. with her medication she is well on her way to recovery from her illness.She is not as gaunt looking as when i had last seen her.There is a distance between us after the the past 3>4 weeks of hiking together. I realise she just wants to go home & is proud of her achievementsfor what she has done. One track has done alot from the novice hiker i meet along mileage ago.Thank YOU ONE TRACK for sharing so many UPS & DOWNS with me& hiking the SMOKIES N/P taking some great photos of me in particular CHARLIES BUNION on my birthday. THANK YOU Anyhow we have had a walk around Damascus & finally head out towards Abingdon river side camping ground.This camping ground is full of R.V. for which ive never seen the likes of.It is memorial weekendholiday & the camp is full> Jim & Barb are very easy to get along with.They are gratefull that ive helped look after one track.One tyrack has a loveky dog Maggie.We had a lovely lunch & snooze. Then it was time for a steak dinner.OH YES> A real steak cooked on a BBQ. After dinner it was time for games YAHTZEE.I LOST>end of story< I am still weak from the dehydration and the diarrhea has not gone away
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Damascus

To: Abingdon camping ground
Miles today: 0.0

Have done absoletely nothing Just sat around talked washed cloths & slept Jim i feel wants to go & do its a long way to come from Alabamma to sit around and do nothing . My body is still weak have drunk so much fluid trying to rehydrate my body (It would take another 3 days before my body fully rehydrated.) yesterday in Damascus bumped into just larry panama bill RLB E.O. & dude Dude has had enough & is going home The amount of thru hikers pulling out is astounding. some from broken bones feet injuries sickness but the most important one is a lost spirit. I am amazed at the obestity of so many kids in this camp ground & adults The camp ground is beautifully set besides a river with Mnt back drop. All we have done is sit around and recall alot of people places & incidents that one track & i have seen or done in our time hiking together. Im very grateful to jim & barb for there hospitality & kindnessIn the R.V tonight is jim barb one track maggie & phatmandu
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Abingdon camping ground

To: Abingdon camping ground
Miles today: 0.0

 Had another night of sitting on the toilet. jim & barb have made a decision to take me to E.M. in a hospital in Abingdon so i can be checked over. We packed up & left the camping ground by 7.30am & drove straight to the hospital. One track came with me as my official translator. Saw a doctor who prescribed an antibiotic. was in & out in less than 2 hrs. drove to a CVS for the prescription to be filled then on to a SHONIES for breakfast. My appetite was ravenous.I paid the bill & off to Damascus. Booked into Daves Place. A spartan hostel.A bunk shower toilet. Well i know one track just wants home. As they dropped me off at the hostel it started to pour down again. As quick as our hiking together had started it finished.I still feel one track has made a decision when she was very sick weak home sick run down . thats my opinion. time will tell if she has courage to come back to the trail??One track jim Barb & maggie headed home to birmingham alabamha.It would take them 7 hrs to get home.One Track THANK YOU for the trail memories & to JIM & BARB THANK YOU
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My body is not recovering Have taken my pills & fruit but still feeling poor.time will tell Met Neil from Scotland .He used to work with my EX sister in law when he was 16 yrs old   Baltimore Jack works here a trail legend 7 years in a row hiking the A.T.end to end Damascus is a hiker biker friendly townvery good harmony here .Hard to believe that on trail days the week before there were over 30000 people in town amazing
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mnt shelter
Miles today: 15.8

My body is still feeling weak but i know its time to go. Paid my bill ate some more fruit & had lunch 2 dairy queen . was glad to leave . My body is seezing up from sitting around. The hike out began quite easily then it was all uphill.Lovely to be back on the trail 7 straight into it. God i was suffering. thank god my body has recovered from where it was a few days ago. Got into Saunders shelter in quite good time. I was going to have an easy day but decided to push onto Lost Mnt shelter.Dont no why i push myself the way i do but just do.Got to the shelter about 7 pm.In camp is colins dangeles & 3 other section hikes are tenting Im stuffed good night
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Lost Mnt shelter

To: Wise shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

up & out early with a long day ahead.The climb up Beech Mnt & Whitetop was along haul up & over Buzzard Rock, WhitetopMnt 5080ft. I stopped to make a ph call on Buzzard rock The clouds were below & the views were lovely. With out warning the clouds changed direction then i was being chased by a thunder & lightning storm. i just hiked as fast as i could across the bauld to the safety of the forrest. The trail is getting easier .The scenery is spectacular. got into Thomas Knob shelter in good time. The country side is absolutely stunning.The ponies are near the shelter This the heart of the Grayson Highlands STUNNING (can almost see the cartwright boys from bonanza from here)Thomas Knob has the best views & setting but the shelter is full with about 20 sectional hikers. I decided to move on. When i left i came across so many ponies . T walked right up to the ponies and gave some a scratch between the ears so much dandruff. Wilburn Ridge &Massive Gap is stunning. I arrived at Wise Shelter feeling very tied & was welcomed into camp by 2 young men lefty (tom )& john A rain storm hit most of the night.The lightning & thunder show was loud spectacular and the coyotes howled early in the morning with full moon over head after the storm had moved on. a wonderfull night on the trail
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Wise shelter

To: Trimpi shelter 
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light rain

the coyotes howled thru the night. after the storm & in the quitness of the night & with a full moon above there heads they sang on & on Music to my ears even if i wanted to sleep i just had to listen and be blessed with what nature had to offer this night.I was up early as i was thinking LUNCH in troutdale HM.The trail is still quite easy but with so much rock & water path s to walk thru I got to the troutdale turnoff @ 2.30 & decided to push on instead. I had had enough for 1 day& only 4 miles toTrimpi shelter. Arrived to be greeted by mauri bob Soon rlb arrived & lucky then 3 section hikers. A fire was going inside the shelter for it was cold 7 wet .Had my first serious fall in the mud but my arm fell across a log which was soft. My adventure could have come to an end that easily but thank god i only had a slight swelling in my fore arm.Im loosing far to much weight & it could be a problem later on .Will just have to eat more but my pack is alreadt over weight.Lucky is unusual he has stange body language that is very different to 99.9% of other hikers ive met.