morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 4.2

Up at 6:30 I was out of camp by 7:15. Rhododendron tunnels flanked the mostly level trail and several times I crossed streams on narrow wooden footbridges. As it was only four miles to UJ¢s hostel I thought I might make the 9 AM breakfast shuttle into town but the first sign of civilization turned out to be a river campground. Then the trail ascended along a rocky cliff face, which slowed my progress.The sound of a train whistle told me I was getting close to civilization and the hostel but when I reached the railroad tracks my path was blocked by a motionless freight train. Fortunately, the train decided to move before I was put to the test of what to do. I reached Uncle Johnny¢s hostel at 9:20 and immediately phoned the Osprey backpack headquarters in Colorado. They promised to UPS a replacement part to me the following day.I took the noon shuttle to Pizza Plus with Hunter who has no trail name yet. We had the AYCE pizza and salad bar for $7.50. Back at the hostel I phoned my buddy who had his doctor¢s appointment tomorrow to check out a shoulder problem but was planning to join me on Friday. After checking my emails I had my first shower and shave in five days. I tried to chill under the hostel¢s shaded deck but it was another extremely hot day with the temperature in the nineties.Moses, Woods and two young northbound hikers accompanied me to the Pizza Hut in Erwin, TN, on the dinner shuttle where we shared three large pizzas. Our charming waitress, Candace, named after Candace Bergen kept our glasses full of ice cold Pepsi. Moses, who I had never met before generously picked up the tab.Back at the hostel it was a humid night and I was alone in the bunkhouse. Didn¢t get to sleep till midnight constantly checking and rechecking my gear for tomorrow¢s hike. /images/photos/journals/12691/tj12691_102811_132516_643593.jpg
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Spivey Gap

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 11.2

After hydrating with more than a liter of water I had a quick cup of coffee on the hostel deck. As I needed to wait for a UPS package from Osprey for a new pack strap, I decided to do a day hike.Uncle Johnny drove me along Highway 19W to Spivey Gap ($25 shuttle fee + $5 tip) where I began hiking northbound back to the hostel on this beautiful, sunny day. It felt good to be wearing sneakers and a day pack for the first time on the trip. It took me 27 minutes to ascend the first summit on a narrow, dirt path. As I climbed I heard songs of the wood thrush, hooded warbler, and red-eyed vireo. I followed a path with switchbacks until I reached the No Business Knob Shelter at 10:20. I chatted with Rocky, a thru hiker and her husband before having lunch. Later, I talked with a heavy-set father wearing a ¢Katahdin¢ shirt and his ~25 year old son and their dog before leaving the shelter at 11 AM. At 12:45 on a mostly beautifully graded jeep trail I reached the Temple Hill summit, after passing two or three false summits. As the trail meandered on the hilltop I had a couple of excellent views of the Nolichucky Gorge but at the open vistas the heat was intense. I reached Uncle Johnny¢s hostel at 2:05. The heat there was even worse probably due to the heat absorption by roads and buildings. My UPS package from Osprey was waiting for me and I replaced my broken torso strap. I went with Pipe Maker to the liquor store and got a twelve pack of Budweiser for the hostel crew. I talked to my buddy on the phone and he informed me that he has a torn rotator cuff, needs rest and therapy, and won¢t be joining me on the hike! I took the 6 PM shuttle to Erwin, with five in the truck cab and nine in the open back. Had an AYCE dinner at KFC with two thru hikers, former Tennessee football players, who are doing twenty-mile days. They have super light packs and poncho-tarps. Unsure of how to proceed with my trip and not wanting to spend another night at the hostel I got a room at the nearby Holiday Inn Express to ¢rest and re-evaluate¢. The shower felt great as did a bed and watching TV.
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: scattered clouds

In the hotel lobby I used the Internet service, had a nice breakfast and spoke to a man whose wife and daughter are in the midst of a long AT section hike. He is supporting them, meeting them at various towns and road crossings along the way. After his praise of Hot Springs, NC, a famous hiker town I got directions at the desk and drove to Hot Springs (Routes 352-212-208). At the Bluff Mountain Outfitter in Hot Springs I got a $5 shuttle north to Tanyard Gap where I began the 6.1-mile hike back to Hot Springs.Began hiking at 12:20. The hike was fairly uneventful until I reached the area of ¢Lover¢s Leap¢ where I lost the trail twice. There were some nice overlooks of the town as I made the steep ascent to the French Broad River on this very hot day.Once in town I got a room at Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn, an 1870 Victorian House that has been an AT hostel for many years. The private room was $25 and had a queen-size brass bed. After a refreshing shower I took a brief nap. Before dinner I enjoyed sitting on the upstairs porch talking to the other hikers. The one hour, fifteen minute organic, vegetarian dinner cost $10 and included black bean soup, black-eyed peas, kale, red potatoes, salad, pea pods, muffins, and spearmint tea. For dessert we had walnut cinnamon banana bread with vanilla ice cream. The dinner guests included A Fortune Cookie, Pap from PA, Scar, and his son, Bookworm (later Bookhawk), Frodo and Samwise. The hobbits carry a ring, feel like Hot Springs is Rivendell, that the dinner attendees are the ¢Fellowship¢, and Mount Katahdin is really ¢Mount Doom¢.After dinner Scar, Five Stones, Jimmy (Montclair, NJ) and I went to the Iron Horse Station to watch the Dallas Mavericks/ Miami Heat basketball finals. When I entered the bar I saw a wedding party at a large table so I walked over and congratulated them. After learning they were also NJ residents they offered me a piece of their wedding cake. At the bar I enjoyed a pint of Ninja Porter.I crashed soon after returning to the hostel.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Hemlock Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 10.4

Early in the morning I saw two young possums in a large bucket on the hostel¢s back porch, accidentally trapped during their nighttime search for food. A Fortune Cookie lent me his phone, as my T-mobile cell phone had no service in town. I tried phoning the Hemlock Hollow Hostel, ~18 trail miles north of Hot Springs but got their voice mail. I decided to drive there anyway and was able to arrange for a shuttle to Tanyard Gap from Todd, formerly from NJ.I started hiking north from Tanyard Gap at 9:30. Reached the fire tower turnoff at 10:52. The short and partially enclosed staircase and tower provided excellent cell phone reception so I was able to call my friend, Keith, and check my voice mail at home. I enjoyed eating an apple as I took in the view. At 11:42 I reached Hurricane Gap passing a tall stand of cow parsnip as tall fields of weeds and wildflowers brushed against my leg on the narrow woods path. Shortly after flushing a wild turkey I reached the small, dingy, log cabin-style Spring Mountain Shelter. It only sleeps six and has a corrugated tin roof. As I swatted gnats I hurriedly signed the register and said a quick goodbye to Saerin, a thru hiker I had met on the trail earlier in the morning. A short while later I met Earth Shaker, a thru hiker from Florida who hiked with me for a while. After crossing Allen Gap, I proceeded an additional 1.7 miles to Log Cabin Road. After talking briefly to Earth Shaker I walked for fifteen minutes down Log Cabin Road to the Hemlock Hollow Hostel where Pap from Pa was sitting on the porch smiling. We had a catfish dinner together on the porch where Pap flirted with the waitress. After much uncertainty and deliberation I decided to take a ¢zero day¢ tomorrow after seven straight days of hiking. I reviewed my gear with Pap on the bunkhouse back porch. In general, he liked my equipment selections except for my 2.25 lb. tarp. His gear is similar, except each piece is lighter, especially the skeleton Thermarest that slides inside his sleeping bag.Later I learned that Pap who was doing a section hike from Neels Gap to UJ's hostel never used his two-pound tent during his entire 310-mile long section hike.I slept soundly as I had finally made a decision regarding my plan for tomorrow.
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

We started the morning with coffee in the bunkhouse thanks to Pap¢s preparations (he had gotten a coffee filter and other fixings at the office the night before). At 6:30 I dropped Pap at the trailhead as he continued his hike north. I told him I would likely see him in a couple of days when I continued my hike southbound. Then I returned to the bunkhouse where I enjoyed a second cup of coffee, grounds included.After a twenty-five minute drive to Hot Springs I did my laundry, then went to the outfitter where I got a lighter sleeping bag and 50-foot bear rope/clothesline. Then I spent an hour at the library using their free Internet service.During the afternoon I soaked in the hot springs for an hour for $14. The 102-degree temperature felt great, and I was finally able to sooth a slightly swollen elbow and toe, numerous bug bites and tired muscles. I spent a couple of hours watching a civil war reenactment in the large field adjacent to the springs. I also enjoyed a pint or two at the pub before and after the war games. Had a bit of the blues on the drive back to the Hemlock Hollow Hostel, and while assembling my gear for the morning. Crashed by 9:30 thinking of my new hiking friends scattered across more than 100 miles of shelters in three states.
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Spivey Gap

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: few clouds

I was awake at 5 PM and packed, then ate a hurried breakfast. I made a new ziplock bag of gorp after discovering a mouse had eaten a hole in the one I had prepared the night before. At 8 AM I logged onto the computer to attend to some personal business then got a one-hour shuttle to Spivey Gap from Todd and began hiking south at 9:18. The ascent southbound from Spivey Gap had some nice switchbacks with a few short rocky ascents mixed in. I could feel the sun getting stronger in the open areas though it was breezy at times. At 10:30 after hiking 1.6 miles I reached a rock formation the size of a house called High Rocks. I decided not to take the short blue blaze trail to the summit as rain was in the forcast.Soon after I passed Bear and Harrison section hiking to NJ, I passed Raven who confirmed I was on the ascent of Little Bald Mountain, which contained a series of gradual switchbacks. At 12:30 I reached the top of Little Bald Mountain (no sign). Then I walked on an old jeep road for quite a way before reaching the Bald Mountain Shelter turnoff at 1 PM. After getting water at the spring, I swept the shelter floor and added leaves to the privy basket. Changing into dry clothing felt great and I hung my dripping wet hiking gear on my new clothesline. Earth Shaker arrived at camp after 3 PM, and two couples on a day hike stopped by to say hello. Saerin reached the shelter a short time later and Pap from PA arrived at 6 PM. When he saw me Pap said, ¢you never have a gun when you need one!¢ Soon after Earth Shaker got a fire going I crashed in my new sleeping bag, which kept me warm. Four hours of very heavy thunderstorms soon began, so severe that I was anxious regarding the storm damage I might find on the trail in the morning.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

It was cool and a bit breezy at 6 AM when Pap and Earth Shaker left camp. Saerin left soon after. By 7 AM after a bit of a climb I crossed two grassy balds with beautiful views. Thick fog immersed the valleys. With the wet vegetation my low cut, non-gortex boots were soaked in a very short time. Leaving the balds there was a short rocky downhill section and side hill descents. After about two hours I started meeting many northbounders including Frodo, Samwise, Five Stones, and Jimmy (Montclair, NJ). At 9:45 I took a break on a large boulder near a buried cable easement. After meeting A Fortune Cookie I reached Sam¢s Gap at 11 AM where I laid all my wet clothing on the grassy highway shoulder to dry in the ever-increasing heat and humidity. My socks were so wet I was able to ring out a suprising amount of water. A nearby patrolman, collecting data regarding an automobile break-in phoned his wife for me, then relayed that a hot and dry weather was forecast for the next few days. I had lunch while I relaxed on the roadside and was able to get rid of the accumulating garbage in my pack at the nearby garbage cans. Getting a cell phone signal I talked to my sister, Mary, then checking my home phone found that my high school friend, Joe Schill had called. The climb out of the gap was tiring and I stopped often. I reached the Hogback Ridge Shelter at 1:30. Did my usual camp chores. Scar, Bookworm (he changed his name a few hundred miles later to Bookhawk), and Laser Legs pulled into camp in the late afternoon. After I arose from a short afternoon nap I saw that Al from New Mexico had also arrived. Scar and his son got a roaring fire started which glowed till we awoke the next morning. Scar gave me a black nylon sock to assist in filtering the water sediment, which was collecting in my water bag from the spring. I crashed by 8:45 after giving Bookworm my phone number as I hoped to give him and his dad a day off from the trail when they reached NJ.
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hemlock Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 10.1

I left camp at 6:40 while my two bunkmates were still in the sack. At 7:28 I reached ¢The exposed Ridgeline Trail¢ and ¢the Bad Weather by-pass trail¢. Several hikers raved about this area with one hiker indicating it was one of his favorite experiences in the past month. Another hiker warned me not to be caught on top of the ridgeline in a storm. Taking the exposed ridgeline I climbed up, down, and around varying size boulders for the next one hour and 10 minutes. I took one short break before I crossed the exposed ridgeline. Once I descended the ridgeline I felt disappointed as I didn¢t feel it was that big of a deal. That will teach me to believe everything another hiker tells me. I took two side trips to Blackstack Cliffs and White Rock Cliffs but never saw a sign for the fire tower. Only Blackstack Cliffs was worth the side trip. The next two miles of the trail had very few white blazes and I was happy if I could find one blaze every ten minutes. I was hiking pretty fast today probably because my pack was lighter (I had eaten six pounds of food in three days and drank about 2-1/2 pounds of water), and after hiking 102 miles in eleven days I guess I was getting into shape. At 10:40 I reached the Little Laurel Shelter where several thru hikers were taking a break. One of the hikers, Style greeted me saying, ¢Do you know what you walked into?¢ I replied, ¢trail magic?¢ With that he smiled and handed me four Fig Newtons. After my short break I hiked on meeting three other hikers. During our conversations I updated them on the condition and approximate location of some of their hiking buddies who were anywhere from a day to a week ahead of them. The trail telegraph is marvelous!At 12:08 I reached Log Cabin Road, my ending point six days earlier. At this point I left the AT and headed the 34 mile to the Hemlock Hollow Hostel and my car. The lack of shade and the heat absorbed macadam road made the walk grueling. A cute brunette mail carrier pulled up next to me in her mail delivery van and asked if I was OK but couldn¢t offer me a ride as it was a federal vehicle.When I reached the hostel Todd gave me an ice-cold bottled water. I paid my bill; drove to Hot Springs, NC and got room #3 at Elmer¢s Sunnyside hostel for $25. I stopped at the religious retreat parking lot above town and tied a blue flag near the trailhead kiosk noting my ending point on this trip. I had a hamburger at the Smoky Mountain Diner, across from the hostel. I used Internet access at the outfitter as the library closed at 2 PM. I weighed myself at the outfitter and realized I had lost nine pounds in six days. The shower at the hostel felt great and I quickly took a nap after talking for a while to a German hiker on the upstairs porch. Later at the diner I had a dinner of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, cold slaw, and cornbread. I stopped for a beer at the Rock Bottom Grill. I watched a DVD at the hostel, ¢Trek¢ about four thru hikers who hiked the trail in 2001. Crashed at 11 PM.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Up at 5:30 and went to the diner for coffee. Returning to the hostel I had a breakfast of juice, granola with soymilk, blueberry waffles with syrup, watermelon, and spearmint tea. Did chores in town and pondered what to do. The heat was really bothering me and I felt very listless so I napped at the hostel. After getting a sub-par hero at the sub shop I started to watch a DVD at the hostel when most of the town lost power due to a violent thunder storm. Nomad Man, I hiker I had met earlier arrived at the hostel in late evening and we shared a few warm beers on the porch. Without my flashlight, I stumbled blindly throughout the house until I found my room then crashed by 9:30. I had decided earlier in the day to end my hike for this year as the heat was really bothering me. I made the 11 hour drive home to NJ the next day.
Date: 2011-10-25
To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

An AT section hiker since 1995 with 1,530 trail miles completed I am planning a spring hike from Amicalola Falls, GA to Hot Springs, NC. I plan to begin the second week in May, 2012.It is funny that after years of hiking I find myself rechecking all my gear, reweighing everything, and trying to find ways to get lighter and better prepared.
Date: 2011-12-28
From: Camp Mohigan Road, Blairstown, NJ

To: Catfish Fire Tower, NJ
Miles today: 5.6

Today I decided to do an out & back day hike. The ridge was chilly and quiet. There was plenty of evidence of distruction from our October snow storm but trail workers had done a great job in removing fallen trees from the trail. I was rewarded with great views from the fire tower but the strong winds accelerated the closer I got to the top.A brief sleet storm did not diminish my enthusium as I completed 1,000 miles of hiking in 2011.Happy 2012 everyone!
Date: 2012-01-16
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

With the temperature in the low thirties, I set out for a day hike at the Delaware Water Gap, PA, an hour drive from my NJ home. After a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage & coffee at the Delaware Water Gap diner I set out at 10 AM hiking southbound on the AT into PA. The trail was covered with 1/4 inch of snow, and many rocks. There was a thin layer of ice in shady areas of the trail. Evidence of a freak October storm was still evident - a few small trees, and tree limbs had fallen across the trail.I met a few day hikers, and a couple who were just concluding a 3-day hike. Fortunately, there was little wind as I crested the ridgeline. The winter solitude allowed me to be alone with my thoughts and I was able to reach the Kirkridge Shelter, 6.1 miles away, in 3 hours flat. While eating my lunch I enjoyed reading the shelter register, which includes entries of several thru-hikers I met last year while I was hiking in NC & TN.I made the return trip to DWG in 2 hours, 45 minutes. At my car, I unloaded my 15-pound pack which included a 5 pound Webster's Dictionary, which I added at the last minute for a better workout.This was a good conditoning hike for my 300 mile-long AT section hike planned for May/June. With this January hike completed, I have now hiked on the AT every month of the year.
Date: 2012-02-10
To: Merrill Creek Reservoir
Miles today: 0.0

During today's 7.5 mile hike at Merrill Creek Reservoir I expected to find plenty of Snow Geese. Each year 15-40,000 Snow Geese leave their home in the artic circle to winter in this Warren County, NJ reservoir, and its surrounding farm fields. Due to the mild winter, the lake is free of ice and the birds are absent.On my circuit of the reservoir I was able to spot a snowy owl that has been seen daily over the past few weeks.The trails were in good shape and mostly free of snow and ice. Plenty of people were out on the trail enjoying the fall-like temperatures and trying to get pictures of the abundant bird life.
Date: 2012-02-14
To: Pyramid Mountain
Miles today: 8.0

My preparation hike today was at Pyramid Mountain in Boonton, NJ. I covered approximately 8 miles in 4 hours over rolling, rocky terrain. Temp was in the mid-high 40s with no wind. The trail was muddy in places with no trace of snow or ice. Met two long hikers, and one group of 10-12 hikers. Great workout!
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Pyramid Mountain

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Did another shakedown hike today at Pyramid Mountain in Boonton, NJ. It was a beautiful day. Saw no one for the first three hours. Lots of birds active, especially woodpeckers. The trail was muddy and I slipped a few times on the downhills. Covered about 10 miles in 4 hours. Two months from today I hope to leave for Atlanta to start my hike.
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Mohigan Outdoor Center, Blairstown, NJ

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Started my overnight hike on my birthday. It was sunny and clear with the temperature in the low fifties. I encountered very strong wind gusts on the ridge. The trail was very rocky but clear of obstacles. Knats were troublesome at Sunfish Pond where I found many rock sculptures made from piles of rocks. This is a sort of tradition for passing hikers. I met two groups of day hikers before I reached I-80. I put on my rain jacket, held onto my cap and crouched low while crossing over the Delaware River Bridge. The winds were vicious and moved me from side to side until I reached the safety of the toll booths on the PA side of the bridge. Had a good meal at the diner, a beer at a pub, and crashed at the hostel. Did the 11 mile hike in 4-1/2 hours.
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Mohigan Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

After a good breakfast at the DWG diner, and a trip to the post office to get the postmaster's recommendations regarding "mail drops", I started hiking north at 10:30. It was a sunny day with a light breeze. The 1,500 foot ascent to the ridge was very gradual. I took a lunch break at Sunfish Pond where a beautiful white glider pass silently overhead. I met a few day hikers, and two groups of fearless outdoor enthusiasts who camped overnight in the twenty degree weather. I intercepted a pair of bluebirds just south of Raccoon Ridge, where turkey vulturers were riding the thermals. For those hikers wanting to do this hike in the future, please note it is very rocky, especially along the sunfish pond shoreline. Once you reach the ridgeline north of the pond there are good views. I reached my car after a satisfying 5-1/2 hour hike.