morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs,NC
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night a front moved through and the wind was really strong. My tent flapped most of the night but we were still here this morning. There was a fifth tent in camp last night. Turns out it was occupied by Soul Searcher. He is medically separated from the service and is trying to figure out the next part of his life.Burgundy had left before Trail Trash and I got up. He says that way he doesn't get passed by Trail Trash too early in the day. He is getting faster too and it will not be long before he will be hiking as fast as Trail Trash.The trail into Hot Springs has always been shaded on my previous hikes. But the leaves are not on the trees yet and the hot sun took a toll on me. I made several stops for water including one at a little campsite with a cascade running across the trail.I caught up with Trail Trash and Burgundy at Deer Park Shelter. They had stopped for a break and water. I joined them. When it was time to start hiking again Trail Trash headed out to secure space at Elmer's. It is an older home listed in historical registry. The house is connected with mountain folk music. It has a music room which caught Trail Trash's eye.Since I had cell service I took the opportunity to call Susan. That's one of the best parts about towns. I get to hear her voice.Next I called Bread. He had gotten off the trail and made it into Hot Springs. We made plans to meet for supper. He says he is hiking tomorrow but the rest of us think he needs more time to heal.The rest of the day included showers, laundry and re-supplying our food bags. The weather report is for rain tomorrow. As they say "no rain, no Maine."
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Hot Springs,NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

This morning we awoke to overcast skies. I completed sending a few pictures to Susan by e-mail. Awhile later Elmer rang the bell for breakfast and we all gathered in the dining room. There was coffee and hot tea to drink. We also had granola, pancakes and cantalope. Elmer serves all the meals family style and everyone has to introduce themself and of course we discussed today's hike and weather. As we were finishing up Aikido Joe walked in. He and Roughing It are staying in town. He said Loose was a half day back and he was unsure about Longhaul.On the way out of town we stopped at Bluff Mountain Outfitters. The Dollar General had everything we needed except tuna packets. The Outfitter had just what we needed to complete our resupply.As we started the climb out of the gorge the rain started. I saw Tennessee Tom hiking back to town. He had slack packed from Allen Gap starting at 5:30 AM.The rain was cold but the walk was easy. When I got to the overpass for the highway I saw Trail Trash but not Burgundy. Turned out he missed a turn on the trail but figured it out and caught up later.When Trail Trash and I got to Spring Mountain Shelter there were three people there. It only sleeps five so we talked about hiking to the next shelter. When Burgundy showed up we discussed going on but Smoke Stack offered to put up his hammock. We decided to stay.Zen and her husband came in with their dog and set up a tent. Several others came up and tented.A little after 5 the rain stopped. I guess its time to fix supper.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Shelton Graves
Miles today: 18.9

This morning was a cold wet start. The rain stopped last night but everything was damp especially my clothes. Someone earlier asked how we keep dry. Well the answer is we don't. The humidity is usually so high after it rains clothes just don't dry. If the sun is bright then materials will dry quickly but heavy fabrics will stay damp. Everything I carry is in thin layers. My shirts are thin wool or synthetic. My pants are nylon. The socks I wear on the trail are two ply wool and synthetic material made at Wrightenberry Mills in Burlington. The only heavy layer I carry is the socks I sleep in. So what do I do when it rains? Well, I wear the minimum I can get by with. Yesterday that was shorts, shirt, cap and rain jacket. By the end of my walk everything was soaked. As soon as I got out of the rain I changed to my sleeping clothes with my rain pants, puffy insulation jacket and wind shirt. This helped me warm up. The rain jacket was turned inside out to dry. The shorts and shirt were placed under my sleeping pad. While they will not dry there, they will warm up overnight so that I can put them on again in the morning. This morning I started hiking with four layers on top and two on the bottom. As I warmed up I removed a layer. By late morning I was down to my now dry shorts and shirt.At Little Laurel Shelter I meet Heart Walker. He was waiting for a ranger to get him off the mountain. He injured his ankle last night and could not walk this morning. Hopefully he will be back soon. Tonight we are camped near a Confederate grave site. It is half way between two shelters. Tomorrow we will cross Sam's Gap. We are now over 300 miles from Springer Mountain. In a week and a half we will be in Virginia and have two more states completed!
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Shelton Graves

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Tonight we are camped near Big Bald. Trail Trash, Ron Burgundy and I are all excited about summiting in the morning. The sky is clear tonight so we are hoping for some spectacular views on top.Food seems to be of prime concern to hikers. Where to get it. How much to get. How much will it increase my pack weight. The truth is there are three kinds of food on the trail. The first is what you buy and carry yourself. For breakfast I am eating granola bars. The current selection is Quaker Oats chocolate dipped bars. I eat them as I start hiking in the mornings. During the day I eat an assortment of snicker bars, Twix bars, Slim Jims, peanuts and cookies. For supper Trail Trash and I cook two Lipton side meals and add a package of tuna. Selections for suppers has been limited this resupply.The second type of food is from other hikers. It is food they no longer want to carry or food they are tired of eating. At lunch today a hiker gave Trail Trash, We'll See and me a package of pepperoni flavor sausages. Then at supper Burgundy gave us a package of freeze dried beef stew. It all disappeared in short order.The third type of food is called "Trail Magic'. It comes when you least expect it. Today it was at Sam's Gap. A thru-hiker from last year named Zombie was passing out cold drinks and cookies. Nothing like a cold Coke on a warm afternoon. He also gave us an orange. Fruit tastes good anytime these days.So today my diet was balanced with portions from all three hiker food groups. I hope I can be so lucky tomorrow
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Low Gap

To: Erwin,TN
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

I could hear Burgundy when he got up this morning. It was still dark. He likes to get an early start on Trail Trash and me. I finally got up as the sun came over the mountain. I was on the trail at 8 AM. Trail Trash was close behind. On top of Big Bald, two hikers were camping. It is a restricted area and no camping is permitted. I've met these guys before and I'm sure they could care less about the fragile vegetation on a bald.Water is a big deal especially with the heat. Most days we are drinking a gallon and a half of water. Trail Trash and I are carrying a liter at a time. That may not seem like much but it weighs over 2 pounds.We treat the water with Aquamira. It's a two part system that disinfects the water with chlorine dioxide. We pre-mix the two parts each morning and store it in a dropper bottle to add to water as we collect it. Today I drank a liter every two hours.Tonight we gave ourselves a treat. We're in town at a Holiday Inn Express. We have showered, washed clothes and in a few minutes we're going to eat with a couple of other hikers.In the morning we'll check our food bags and pick up what we need before head back out on the trail.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Erwin,TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Last night Bread, Burgundy, Trail Trash and I all went to a Mexican restaurant for supper. The food was good and the company was even better. This morning Bread drove Trail Trash and me to the trail. He is taking time off to let his feet heal. Burgundy is taking a zero to spend with his wife. We are hoping to all get back together in Damascus next week.The climb out of Erwin was long and steep. It always seems the day you resupply is the day you get the uphills. I'm thinking someone needs to start a food supply business at the top of these hills instead of at the bottom.Sometime ago someone told me hiking the trail was a job. What they meant was each day you get up, set a goal and go out and achieve it. That's exactly what Trail Trash and I do. We plan for about a week where we want to be. Then we set our daily goals. At the present time we are shooting for 15-20 miles a day. That moves us a little over 100 miles a week. After Damascus we will increase the mileage again to take advantage of the rolling hills in Virginia.Tonight we are camped with Missionary, Boston, Willard, Piece of Cake and Buckwheat. Tomorrow will be a big day crossing Roan Mountain.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: overcast clouds

People have asked why we are covering so many miles a day. I have told them it's because we have already hiked this section and are eager to see new trail we have not hiked. However there is something special about hiking the same sections over. For instance today we were near Greasy Creek Gap. Last year while hiking that same area I heard someone call my name. It was Don Goodman from Greensboro, NC. He was out with a couple of friends for the weekend. I was by myself and it was good to see a familiar face. Near Hot Springs I remembered a hike with my Scout Troop. At Tray Mountain it was a trip with Gary Younger and a fire fighter named T-bone.Well next week we start covering new trail and new memories will be made.So why do we cover so many miles a day? Because we enjoy hiking big miles.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Over Mountain Shelter was a good place to stay. The view of the valley was like a picture book. While another hiker had warned us there would be a party there, the group was real laid back and everyone was asleep early.One of the hikers there was RA Wizard. He was one of the Tenners I had met online before the hike. I also met him at Neel's Gap. We traded information about all the other Tenners we knew about.The hike started with two balds, Little Hump and Big Hump. There was some rerouting of trail between the two balds and everyone was confused about which was the "real" AT. In 2175 miles it will not make a lot of difference.At Apple House Shelter a group stopped for lunch. There was a sign on the wall about a pizza place at 19E. Trail Trash and I decided to check it out, but when we discovered it was 1.1 miles down the road we decided to skip the pizza and hike the trail. At Jones Mountain Falls I stopped to clean up. The cold water was almost as good as the two days of dirt coming off my skin. The cold water actually made the next couple of miles easier to hike. I might have to start doing this every hot day.Tonight we are at a shelter that is only a couple of years old. There are eight of us here and most everyone is already in bed. There seems to be fewer and fewer partiers as we go north. That's a good thing.Oh, for any NOBOs checking trail conditions. There are several stretches of foot deep snow on the north side of Roan Mountain. Not a big deal like Clingman's. Just a little slow going at times.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

Last night was warm but damp which is normal near a water fall. The start of today's walk was uphill. Sometime around 9 AM we passed the 400 mile marker. Since Sunday morning we have hiked over 90 miles.Late morning I ran into Sonic. He carries a 60+ pound pack. Most of it is food. Last night he showed me a three layer chocolate cake stuffed in his pack. This morning I asked if there was any left. The answer was no, but he described the condition of the cake. The top layer was stuck to the top of the box. The middle layer was crumpled up. The bottom layer was smashed to the bottom of the box. He ate it all.By the time we got to Kincora I could have eaten a whole cake myself. We took care of showers and laundry first thing. At 5:00 Bob Peoples drove a group into town to pick up food. We ate at Arby's and then hit the IGA Supermarket. I'm having trouble finding chicken in foil pouches. All I find is in cans. I did find A deal as the deli closed. I got fifteen pieces of fried chicken for $3.50. Everyone at the hostel ate chicken tonight. I'm also working on a pint of turtle tracks ice cream. We had planned to spend tomorrow doing trail maintenance with Bob but the next project is Saturday. That's the day Susan, Erin and Sydney are coming to Watauga Lake. Trail Trash and I are going to cross Pond Flats tomorrow morning. It sounds easy but it's a path straight up a mountain. We'll then spend the rest of the day in Hampton.We are really looking forward to our visitors on Saturday.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

This was our first zero day. Trash and I discussed hiking to Hampton but in the end decided staying here was a better choice. It has been quiet and peaceful and made for a good day to let our bodies catch up with our miles.RA Wizard showed up this morning along with Buckwheat and Piece of Cake. Cricket decided to go home so when Bob took her to the bus station the rest of us went to the shopping center for lunch and supplies for the trail.Tonight the place is about full. Monkey, Lightning and Ring Leader are here. They are making a documentary about the trail and personalities like Bob. It should be interesting to view it when its finished.I'll See dropped by a few minutes but decided to camp just up the trail. We'll see him tomorrow on the way to Watauga Lake. That's where Susan, Erin and Sydney will be waiting for us with coke and Mellow Mushroom Pizza. We will be leaving early to hike the 10 miles between here and the lake. Before I go to bed I'll have everything ready to go.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was a day I have been looking forward to coming. My wife, daughter, and granddaughter came to visit at Watauga Lake. But first we had to get there.When I got up this morning it was raining. I was thinking, ¢so much for Bob's weather board.¢ However the rain tapered off to a drizzle and out the door Trash and I went.The trail along Laurel Fork passes Laurel Falls and requires walking along a ledge. It was a little slippery with all the wet rocks. Finally we started climbing up to Pond Flats. It's a steep climb up with just a few switch backs. I had been warned it is a hard climb but I've seen harder. Part the way up we saw RA Wizard. Soon we passed the top and started down to the lake.   About the time we could see the lake, I could see We'll See hiking in front of us. At the lake shore I called Susan to let her know we were there. She was stuck in traffic but said it would not be long. While we waited Bonnie Boy and Tup showed up. We were just sitting at a picnic table talking. Bonnie Boy started to leave and that's when I mentioned that pizza was on the way. You should have seen his face. Hikers rarely turn down food especially pizza.When they rolled up I was so happy to see them, especially Susan. I have missed her a lot while I have been out here.We laid out the pizza and everyone ate until they were full. Then we had brownies and banana pudding. While everyone was finishing up Sydney and I spent some time together. Next weekend she will turn 5 so I plan to call her that morning.All too soon it was time for them to leave and for Trail Trash and I to continue hiking. RA Wizard hiked a long day to Vandeventer. He said he was all fueled up and had to hike a ways. Bonnie Boy is farther up the trail and so is We'll See. Trail Trash and I are doing a big day tomorrow. We'll see both of them again.Susan, Erin and Sydney, Thanks so much for coming to visit and bringing the food. I miss all of you more than I can tell you.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was one of our longest days so far. Tonight we are just 6.5 miles from Virginia. It is the longest state but daily mileage picks up quickly here.Most of today we were on top of ridges. In the distance I could see farms and towns. Around Watauga Lake there were villages along the shore with big marinas out in the water.I saw We'll See and Bonnie Boy this afternoon. They were still talking about the trail magic Susan, Erin and Sydney brought to Watauga Lake yesterday. We have caught up with Traveler who we met at Kincora. Also Cheryl and Diesel are at the shelter tonight. Everyone is looking forward to Damascus in the morning.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus,VA
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning's hike was pretty much down hill as we completed our third state. When you consider we still have eleven to go, it seems like a small step. However in a normal year a large percentage of hikers never get this far. That doesn't give us any room to relax, because only half of the ones that get here, get to Harper's Ferry.When we arrived in town we started on our typical town chores. First a place to stay. We are at Dave's Place. It's a hostel run by Mount Rogers Outfitters. Next on the list was food. We'll See treated us to Subway. I usually eat a 6" sub but today a foot long disappeared almost before the wrapper was off. Then came showers and laundry.I did the shopping for resupply while Trash updated Facebook. Food City is the first grocery store I've found chicken in a foil pack. I still have not found sundried tomatoes except the ones in a jar of oil. They didn't even have that here.When I got back to the hostel Sideways had made a big salad and had a bunch leftover. She offered and I agreed to eat all that was left. When Trash returned we walked over to Quincey's for supper. Cheryl and Diesel asked us to eat with them. They are a really nice husband and wife just a little younger than me. Of course we talked about the trail and people we had met. They are staying in town a couple of days so it may be a while before we see them again.After supper we repacked food and gear so we can leave town before lunch tomorrow. Our next over night stay in a town will be Pearisburg,VA. That's 162 miles or about 8-9 days away.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Damascus,VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

First thing this morning I checked the weather. For days everyone has been telling us it would be clear into next week. According to Accuweather.com there is a chance of rain everyday. Bonnie Boy said it was because I bought a new rain jacket. I got packed early and then stopped at the post office to mail my old jacket home. Bread would have had a field day complaining about this office. They don't open until 8:30 and they opened late. Oh, well I got my stuff sent out. After checking out of Dave's Place we went to breakfast. At In the Country we had eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, apples and hash browns. A guy and his wife came in and he told her that was a thru-hiker's breakfast. He hiked half the trail last year. His trail name was Croc. He plans to start back in June. Who knows, we may see him on the trail in New England.We didn't see many people hiking today. Except for a few spots it was an easy grade to walk. The rain started about 3:00 but it wasn't enough to mess with a jacket. Around 4:15 I rolled into the shelter. Pop Pop and Willard had already settled in. As I'm writing this the Wizard hiked in. He had planned to zero in Damascus but changed his mind. Since he had hiked this section of the AT earlier he hiked the Creeper Trail or as he calls it the Creepy Trail.It's getting cold so I think I go pull on some more clothes.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: light rain

It rained hard all night and we were hoping it would end at sunrise. It didn't. I guess this was the reason I bought a new rain jacket in Damascus. I walked in the rain, mist and fog until afternoon. Even Trail Trash was starting to complain. Cold and wet are not fun.When I got to VA600 there was a group of men that had gotten lost. I helped them with their map. One of them gave me his phone number and asked me to call him when I got close to his home. He said I could wash clothes and get a shower at his place.As they were leaving I reached in my pack for my wind shirt. It wasn't there. It is about my favorite piece of gear. I had it with my gear at the shelter this morning and I was sure I packed it but it was gone. In almost 500 miles it was the first thing I have lost.Trail Trash and I entered Grayson Highlands under gray skies. The wind was cold as we ate lunch at Thomas Knob Shelter. We discussed staying at Wise Shelter but we both were hoping the weather would improve so we could get to Old Orchard.In the late afternoon we took a break at Wise Shelter. The skies looked better so we continued on. At Scales, three ponies came down to meet me. They must have thought I had food. I didn't, at least not for them. I finally got to Old Orchard about 7:00. Bonnie Boy is here as well as a section hiker called Bo. He is a Raleigh, NC firefighter. I set up my tent and started supper. While I was cooking Sonic walked in. He had brought my wind shirt from Lost Mountain Shelter. I was really happy to get it back.Tomorrow we are going to Partnership Shelter. You can get pizza delivered to the shelter there.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today was all about food. We talked about food as we hiked toward Partnership Shelter. There was a firefighter from Raleigh, NC at the shelter last night. His trail name was Bo. We talked about careers for awhile but he unfortunately was a truckie. There is nothing like riding on an engine company. Bonnie Boy left out first as usual. Then Trail Trash and I left about 8:00. Sonic slept in and left at 9:30. We all had the same goal in mind. Head to Partnership Shelter for pizza.The walk was easy. The weather was so much better than yesterday. The sun was bright and the temperature was very comfortable. We stopped at a waterfall and got water just before lunch. We caught up to Bonnie Boy just before lunch. Sonic caught up to us while we were eating lunch.So here we are at Partnership Shelter waiting for food to be delivered. Hopefully it will be here in a few minutes.There is nothing so good as food you don't get out of a backpack. I am so stuffed but by morning I'll be hungry again. A lot of you have signed my guest book. Thanks so much for words of encouragement. It always helps to hear from you!