morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Tri Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Long hike today but it was to get out of the GSMNP. We are 0.8 miles from the park border. The hike was easy enough, some big ups but mostly down. It was another glorious day for hiking. Blue skies, great temps and a few inspiring views. But mostly it was just "get out of the park". The thought of a shower and laundry tomorrow is very appealing, but I will be off the trail for a few days. There were more large patches of snow and ice on the trail and alot of dead fall. It still amazes me how many downed trees there are in the forest, I don't know why. The other thing that surprises me is the quiet, I expected more bird song in the morning. The past few days there has been a very pretty bird song-someone told me it is probably a finch.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.9
Weather: clear sky

This is about as nero as a nero day can get! Marc met us all at the gap just a few minutes after we got there. He came bearing cokes and Little Debbie snack cakes. They were gobbled up in seconds! Then as everyone wanted to go for breakfast at Mountain Momma's, we crammed 13 packs into the SUV Marc had rented! What a sight. He drove all the packs the 1 1/2 miles to Mountain Momma's and then went back and shuttled all the people there- Hawkeye, Blue, Vegamite on Toast, Waltzing Matilda, Dangerzone, Mountain Doer, Strider, BraveFriend,Crazy, Armsleeve, Wildbill, me Heartfire, and I think I'm missing someone. Anyway we all had breakfast or lunch and then Marc shuttled them back up to the trail head before I headed home to Asheville. It was wonderful to get home, shower and shower again and get Starbucks! Then on to the out fitters for new boots, a jet boil and new water filter. Oh, and dinner at my favorite restaurant-Salsas! 4/12/06 and 4/13/06- zero days in Asheville for Passover
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Davenport Gap-(after 2 day break in Asheville)

To: Stealth Campsite-near Brown Gap
Miles today: 13.1

I got back on the trail at 09:00 am-exactly 72 hours from when I left and I am glad to be back. But it is tough after a few days off and especially so with new boots. I didn't see another soul on the trail for several hours and still all day I've only seen about 6 people. I did finally meet Transcriber so that was a very nice bonus for the day. It seems like alot of stuff has bloomed in the 3 days I've been gone. Especially the poison ivy! It's coming up everywhere. I saw lots of chestnuts and tulip trees leafing out, dogwoods and redbuds are in bloom everywhere. Lots of butterflies along with gnats, bees and flies. I guess the ticks will be out soon also! For having done 13 miles in new boots, my feet are ok-so far. I'm actually in my tent tonight. It's been quite awhile since I used my tent. I don't know how cold its supposed to get tonight-it was up to about 87 degrees today-really hot!
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Stealth Campsite-near Brown Gap

To: Stealth campsite on Bluff Mtn.
Miles today: 11.0

I'm camped part way up Bluff Mtn. at a "bald" with Transcriber. I slept well last night considering I was camped all by myself. The wind would whip up from time to time and wake me, it was also very hot last night. Today's hike took me over Max Patch which is a big bald mountain top. Swamp Donkey and Juice (?) were camped up there giving out trail magic. I had a cheese sandwich, some juice and a banana. It was very nice. It was really very windy up on the bald and you had a 360 degree view-very amazing. You could see the GSMNP. The rest of the day was nothing very special-just more of the same. Rickety bridges to cross, streams-some large, some small, a few small waterfalls. Lots of flowers but we're back up where the trees are still completely bare. It started out hot and sunny but the clouds came in at one point and cooled it off. I don't think it got much above 70 degrees. Still, I'm guzzling water! Three-four liters a day! I stop to re-fill every chance I get.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Stealth campsite on Bluff Mtn.

To: Elmers Sunny Bank Inn, Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up and hit the trail early this morning (07:30). I was anxious to get into Hot Springs to see if September was still here. I had seen some entries in the shelter registers-she was a day or two ahead of me. I was happy she took a zero day here. It was a long hike, parts were pretty, parts were ugly, it was hot-up to 91 degrees! It felt just like home (Houston) only not quite as humid. I finally caught sight of the town from way up on the mountainside and as always it seems to take forever to get down. The trail was pretty decent, not too steep. Well, I only had about a 1/2 mile or less when I wasn't watching my feet like I should and I took my first face plant! Eddie, Ruth-I'm fine, I just scraped my palm as I tried to break my fall. I really did hit the right side of my face but no lasting injury there. I had to release my pack before I could get up and brush off. I was glad no one was there to see me! I got to Elmers no problem. The house is fabulous-reminds me a little of the home I grew up in. After I dumped my pack in my room I went in search of September. I was told she was still in town and I found her at the out fitters here! Brave Friend, Crazy and Arm Sleeve are all still here so we will all head out together tomorrow. It would be nice to zero here in Hot springs but I really can't after the 3 zero days in Asheville. My new boots are ok but that's about it. No blisters but I have to fiddle with them to get them to sit still. I hope they get more comfortable as time goes on. Dinner at Elmers is at 7:00 pm-its an organic, vegan affair and is supposed to be fantastic. I'm looking forward to it. Then I have an appointment at 09:00 pm at the spa to soak in the hot tub till 10 pm! September is supposed to meet me there. Later: Dinner was great and my trip to the spa was fabulous. They have private hot tubs right in the river, September didn't show up, but I enjoyed the peace, just listening to the river, watching fireflies and the cool night air. After my soak I was hoping the bar would still be open so I could get a glass of wine. As I walked up to it, it looked closed but the door was open so I entered and they said it was closed but they could give me a "to go" cup of wine. I ended up sitting there with the owner for 3 glasses of wine! Then back to Elmers where I found some Sudoku puzzles to work on.................
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Elmers Sunny Bank Inn, Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

I was able to escape the vortex in Hot Springs although it almost sucked me in. After breakfast this morning at Elmers, I was sitting in the swing on the front porch with a cup of coffee. I could feel the vortex pulling me in but I was strong and resisted. September left 30 minutes before me (I left at 11:00 am) and I caught up to her pretty quickly. Todays 11 miles sure seemed a lot longer than it was but whenever you re-supply with food (carrying 5 days now) your pack is heavy and it seems long. There were also lots of ups today. Hot Springs is at an elevation of 1325' and we climbed up to about 3300'. The trail passes lots of old fire towers and of course I have to check them out. The views are always spectacular so there was about an extra 1/2 mile to this one today. The towers are a bit scary-very rickety old structures and the wind is very strong up there. After all, you are above all the surrounding mountains and trees. The weather this morning when i got up was very cloudy and looked like rain. But as usual the sky cleared up and I began to hike and it got very hot-upper 80's-and sunny. About 1/2 way here it did actually rain-for all of 10-15 minutes-enough time to put my rain jacket and pack cover on and then to have to take them right off. But it was a good soaking. Tomorrow I have a 15 1/2 mile day planned-we'll see if I make it. I think if I get started early and I take a long break (boots off), I will be ok. I just bought some thin DR. Scholl inserts and tried that in the right boot today-it seemed to fit better. I also got some foot powder and that helps too. My feet get very sweaty in the boots but still no blisters so, I guess they will be ok. I like my new water filter, its much smaller/lighter than the one I had but it takes 3 times as long to pump the water (which is ok-I get a longer break!). I talked to Jeffrey (my son) on the phone today-he has one of those long maps of the AT and has been using a push-pin to mark my progress. He told me I'd done about 5 inches but still have 3-4 feet to go! Oh! Barbara Kelly-if you are reading this-Thank you so much for the IPOD music. I just got an IPOD and its great-I love the variety of music you gave me.
Date: 2006-04-18
From: Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a long day! I was up and packed, ready to go at 08:15 am. September hadn't gotten out of her sleeping bag yet and she didn't want to do 15 miles, so I said goodbye and headed out with "Chill". We got about 4 miles to Allen Gap where there was a sign stating "trail magic". We followed directions to the home of Fal and Hercules who thru-hiked in 1999. There we had waffles, ice cream, Jello fruit salad etc. etc. It was very nice of them to open their home to all of us. After that it was about 6 miles of up hill! The elevation profile showed that it pretty much flattened out after that. Well, what we didn't know is that the trail over Bald Mt. was a major boulder scramble. There was a sign for a Blue Blaze Bad Weather Trail (a Blue Blaze Trail is usually a side trail to a campsite, water source or overlook). The sign said exposed ridge line. Well, it turned into about a 1-2 mile boulder scramble which was fun at first but became very long and tedious esp. when its the last 3 miles of a 15 mile day! I thought it was never going to end. Some of it was very precarious! At one point I couldn't figure out how I was going to climb over some rocks till I got right there and saw a small opening in the rock face to slip through. Then you had to climb back down-up is definitely easier! I wanted to turn around and face the rock to climb down but it was almost impossible to turn around. The footholds were only a few inches deep but I managed and finally pulled into camp. Tomorrow I have a 14 mile day planned. I may cut it shorter. I don't really enjoy the 15 mile days, but i do like getting to the shelter with other people. Oh, I have forgotten to mention so far I have seen a flock of wild turkeys, a chipmunk and several lizards.
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Flint Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 5.9

A storm woke me up at 4am. Thunder, lightning and rain. I was hoping it would pass over by 07:00 but nope its still pouring and thundering and lightning. I'm debating getting up and moving over staying put for awhile longer to see if it passes over. I finally packed up and got dressed by 08:00 am. There was a lull in the storm so I moved all my stuff into the shelter and was able to pack up my soaking wet tent but just as I was about to head out at 09:30 the storm came back with a vengeance. So, everyone crowded into the shelter. The Wanderers had a weather radio that said the storm would pass by 11:00am and it did so, that is when I hit the trail. Since my foot was hurting from yesterday I took a short day and got to the shelter early enough to get a space in the shelter. By now it was hot and sunny so I was able to dry out my tent. Banjo Man, Thin Mint, and Skunk are here too. Today's trail went past several grave stones, one of them from 1968 that died at 88 and had his ashes spread on the trail. The other site is 3 confederate soldiers that were killed here on their way home from the war. The trail at that part was along an "unnamed dirt road". I guess it was a road used during that era. There are lots of old roads that criss cross the trail as well as other trails. The Wanderers came in to join us at the shelter for the night. Gear, a 12 year old boy I taught to do Sudoku last night pulled out his puzzle and soon I had everyone at the table working on Sudoku puzzles! Tomorrow if I do about 14 miles it will take me to a campsite, and 14 the next day to a shelter. This will put me in Erwin, TN. early Saturday a.m.. Miss Janet's would be nice but I think a private room at a motel would be nice too. More gear changes to be made-I will send home my crocks and get a pair of Teva sandals. I think they will be more comfortable and more packable than crocks. Well today has been one month on the trail and 300 miles! 1/7th done! Thin Mint and The Wanderers all started the same day as me. Has it gotten any easier? I don't know, I've gotten used to it, I don't mind not taking a shower everyday (yuck!). Its a very interesting experience. The ebb and flow of the people on the trail and yes, I am finding out what I've read in so many other journals is that the trail is about the people out here! And the people are interesting! All sorts! Old, young, miserable, happy, angry, lost, those that want to be lost-so why am I here? I don't know. It still seems like just a neat thing to do and enjoy the woods, the people, the hard work it takes. I just hope my feet get more used to it.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Flint Mtn. Shelter

To: Low Gap Campsite
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, 15 miles to this campsite was enough for me today. And it seems I just got here in time! I'm here with September and Banjo Man, as everyone else went on further. I got here set up my tent, made dinner and got in my tent just a few seconds before the rain started! I crossed several roads today and had to climb two stiles. I passed a hunter-it was kind of scary (it was near a road crossing). He was all in camo with this huge rifle. He was nice enough but maybe I should get an orange pack cover instead of my black one. I took a picture of the mountainside all covered in green and flowers. Just a few feet later (and a higher elevation) the mountainside was all dead leaves and no flowers. Its amazing what a little elevation gain does. We go in and out of spring several times a day. Tomorrow is another 14 mile day. That leaves just 6 miles Sat. a.m. to get into Erwin, TN. It's only 6:00 pm-still a couple of daylight hours left but I'm stuck in my tent in the rain and as usual its on an angle. There is no place flat to put a tent. That's one of the reasons I do like the shelters-you get to sleep on a flat,level surface! The rain didn't last very long and 2 more people came into the campsite-Fire Fly another solo female hiker and a guy-not sure of his name.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Low Gap Campsite

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

Well, the rain held off until 06:30 this morning when it started back up. So, I waited until about 08:00 to see if it would stop but of course it didn't-just a steady mild rain. So, I finally got up, packed up a soaking wet tent (I was dry inside) and started out without breakfast. I was aiming for the next shelter-4 miles away to have breakfast there. So, I hiked in a steady rain with an occasional rumble of thunder over Big Bald Mtn. It was totally socked in-in the clouds. Visibility was about 30 feet. When I got off Big Bald the cloud cover lifted off it so I could see. Anyway, when I finally got to the Bald Mtn. Shelter, I saw a sign that said Spivey Gap 5.6 miles. I checked the map and there was a road there. Tennessee 19W, so not knowing how busy of a road it was, only that it went to Erwin, TN the decision was born to bail off the trail at that point. September (now going by Brain Freeze) finally caught up to me at the shelter and I informed her of our decision to go to town to dry off. So we hiked to the road crossing and sat down for a snack to wait for a car. About 10 minutes later the first car came by-I jumped up and he pulled over and said we looked pretty desperate! The most wonderful guy, Richard Sims of Sims Futon in Asheville, NC took us all the way into Erwin and found the Super 8 Motel for us. He would not take anything for gas money. When we got to the hotel the first thing of course was shower, then laundry, and grocery store. Then we walked to Miss Janet's to get out boxes. She gave us a ride-about a mile back to the Super 8 with all of out stuff. I met Bruno-Nuts there! Right now we are waiting for a pizza delivery and tomorrow we will slack pack the section we skipped today-Spivey Gap into Erwin-about 11 miles. Then on Sunday, Miss Janet will pick us up at 11:00 am and we will do a SOBO (southbound) slack pack from Indian Grave back to Erwin and stay at Miss Janet's Sunday night!
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Spivey Gap

To: Nolichucky River, Erwin, TN-Super 8 Motel
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: moderate rain

September and I slack packed the 11 miles we bailed on yesterday. It was really great slack packing. So much easier to hike uphill and downhill just carrying water and a snack. Tomorrow we will do a 19 mile slack pack going southbound. Anyway, it was still cool and drizzly this morning when we started. We were told the rain would clear up at noon. Well, that's when it decided to come down in buckets, but it was still fun hiking. My Marmot precip jacket soaks right through-I don't think it is all sweating which makes it so wet on the inside. Its just plain and simple not waterproof. I need to find something else. Perhaps a sil nylon poncho which would also keep the rain from going down my back, between my pack and me. It would also keep the straps on my pack dry. Anyway, the streams and creeks were really swollen today from all the storm run-off. We had to cross some pretty swollen creeks. I thought I was going to have water over the tops of my boots at one point. Gaiters really help to keep the water and junk out of boots. There was one area where we crossed the clef between two mountains-there was a boulder hop and a typical site for a stream to be ascending down the mountainside. Well, you could hear the thundering roar of the water and practically feel the vibration of it under our feet, only we didn't see any water-pretty cool! The rain finally did stop and the mist would roll in and out. It felt like we were in a rainforest. One area had huge vines hanging from the trees. We saw some early rhododendrons blooming. They had smaller size leaves and flowers-white ones only. When we got back to town we did "town errands", got something to eat, and back to our motel room. My tent is finally dry, now if I can get my boots dry as well!
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Iron Mtn Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Not a very long day, and only half of what I wanted to do, but I am exhausted, I guess from the 19 miles I did yesterday. I had to go to the post office this morning to mail my bounce box so I didn't get on the trail untilll 11 am. It was all I could do to hike this 6 miles, and I especially can't bear the thought of going over Roan Mountain today. So I'm here early, September (Brain Freeze) is staying too. Brave Friend, Crazy and ArmSleeve came in for a break and decided to stay as well,Later: The Shelter has become overrun with hikers, MSR Hybba city has been erected behind the shelter, and true to Tenn. there is no Privy here. The trail is still pretty much doing a border walk between the 2 states, but it does wander more into Tenn than NC. NC has swtich backs and privys, Tenn doesn't.It will take about 9 more days to get into Virgina, but after Roan Mt. the terrain looks much easier.
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

Very hard day today. It started with a climb straight up over Little Rock Knob, and then straight down into Hughes Gap. From there it was up Roan Mt. 3 miles of up up up. At times I had to put my poles down and pull myslef up over some of the rocks by grabbing onto trees. The morning started out looking overcast and ominous, and just as I started up Roan Mt it started dto rain, but it was not a very heavy rain, and as I was already soaking wet from sweat I didn't bother with my rain jacket. (it doens't keep me dry anyway). Up on top of Roan Mt was another Fir tree forest, but the views were non existant as I was up in the clouds. I almost missed the Roan Mt shelter, but went in for a lunch break. Roan High Knob Shelter has the distiction of being the highest shelter on the AT at 6,285 feet.Then, it was another 6 miles to Overmountain Shelter, the first few miles down were nice, there were good switch backs, although they were covered with my favorite loose rocks! but then the trail turned really really nice. Through a pretty forest area, good smooth trail as it emptied out into Carvers Gap which is the entrance to Roan Mt State park. The great trail continued over the next bald, this section has a very well funded trail maintence group! The trail was wide, they had put down tar paper and a honeycomb like mesh plastic stuff that was covered in small gravel! It was really easy to walk on, only it didn't last very long. You could see where it stopped at Jane Bald. And then, the trail got rough again. Parts were only wide enough for one foot in a deep furrowed out gouge in the earth that had lots of rocks in it.Well, I made it, this shelter is the Big Red Barn which has lots of holes in the floor and walls, at least the roof is solid. We are all sleeping upstairs in the loft.My feet are very very sore, esp. myleft foot, I bruised it back in the Smokies and the p[ast few days its really been hurting me. My kneees are aching from all the downhills, but I usually feel better in the morning. I actually took some ibuprophen today for the very first time on the trail.Its really a beautiful evening and there is such a gorgeous view from the shelter. The birds are singing, its a pretty sunset, very peaceful except for the storm clouds that are rapidly rolling in on us. Brave Friend, Crazy and ArmSleeve just decided to hike on another few miles, they will get caught in this storm.