morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took a zero. Doctor said knee is fine, If I'd just rest it. My interpretation, was "Get off your lazy butt and stop whining. So, of course I'm headed up Wayah Bald tomorrow morning. I'll rest it when I get to NOC where it's much cheaper to live out of my truck. I went to K-mart and found the most delicious homemade chocolate peanut butter fudge at a bake sale. Mailed birthday cards, Ate at Burger King, and did other chores, then moved over to the Budget Inn and shared a room with Spud. Ron Haven brought the short bus for the afternoon dinner shuttle and we had another homecooked meal at the Banquet Table of St. Agnes Parish House with Candyman, Are we there yet, Spud, Crash, Gimpy, Midget Mom, and others. Crash came over and "Crashed" with us for a while in our room with beer and tortilla chips. Not a bad way to zero!
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

OK, so I sleep pretty good, considering that Bisbee doesn't know how to share the bed. Checked out Ron's bear photos which were amazing, then rode the short bus shuttle back to Winding Stair Gap. Ron gave us a tour on the way and I think he could run for Mayor. He's certainly a very good solicitor for the town of Franklin. Off down the trail in overcast skies. Spud caught me eating a snack at the trail to Siler Bald Shelter, then the rain started. It was more of an off and on drizzle. There were 3 classes of 5th graders on Siler's Bald. Some of them quite interested in the thru-hikers. Wooly caught up to us as we left Wayah Bald and we hurried on to Cold Spring Shelter hoping for an open spot! Well, that didn't happen! It was over flowing! Ate dinner and camped up on the ridge which turned out to be beautiful. And, No rain! Even better. One of the hikers named Peter, (Doesn't like trail names), said he was an extra in lots of movies involving lynchings and volunteered to hang my bear bag for me after watching my pityful attempts. I thought Spud would just use my rope, but turns out she tried to throw her own and ended up losing it in a tangled mess on the wire. Anyways, like I said, Bear Pinatas!
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful sunrise! no rain during the night, but heavy condensation. Headed out early and didn't see many hikers. The tower where I met Chef last year had a great view, but I waited forever and nobody showed up. So off I went. A couple kids were at the Jump-off going south so I knew it was all down hill from there on. I saw a strange lady with a humongous pack, very colorful shorts and probably 60 years old or so. It's starting to get too hot for Bisbee, but at least it's not lightning on these ridges. Back at NOC, I had a lemonade with Are we there yet, and waited for Spud and Wooly. Ate the Chicken Sherpa with Spud then waited for a ride with George from the outfitters to give me a ride to the Hike Inn to get my truck. It was a pretty expensive shuttle, but cheaper than renting a whole cabin for Bisbee and I. Thanked Jeff and Nancy for storing my truck, but forgot to get my mail. Stopped on the way back to NOC to get cigarettes for another hiker with a dog with a broken tail. Otherwise, It feels good to be clean.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Funny how things just happen on the trail. I was just eating breakfast with Spud at the River's End and a guy walked in. He asked the waitress if she knew of anyone that would help unload a few things for $10 bucks. I overheard this, and asked Spud if she wanted to make $10 bucks. She hesitated, so I walked over and introduced myself and asked if I could help. He introduced himself as Horace Holden and Bisbee and I got in his little pick up and drove about 5 miles out of town. There he had a u-haul backed up to the house with just a few awkward pieces of furniture left to be unloaded. It maybe took us half an hour. All the while this guy is talking about the NOC. He founded it! His name is on the bridge I had photographed earlier! It was really interesting, he told me pretty much how the NOC had come to be from just a float pond to all that it is now. And it amazes me that this guy is still so involved and has so much energy, he's still moving furniture like he's a 25 year old. He gave me $15 but I told him I really didn't do it for the money, but he insisted. Anyways, it took the sting out of the shuttle fee I paid yesterday! And now, it's raining. Hung out with Spud, met Sam-I-Am from last year, Are we there yet was still around and Doggie Bag and Cheezeburger, Others who's names I don't recall were hanging out at the Paddler's Pub, but I opted for a cheaper meal at the River's End.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I watched as Spud hiked out of NOC with a strange twist in my gut as I figured I'd probably not see her again. We had hiked off and on for just a short time since Springer, yet I'll miss her. I headed for Trailfest! Going to hang out here and rest the knee! Gave Tommy and his dog Ginger a ride around the smokies. I got my haircut and a sub sandwich at Waynesville and then found a campsite in Hot Springs. There's a few people here I know, Chuck Norris and Tigger from 2006 are in town. We ate the spaghetti dinner with them and I met Fire Hazard, Glenn, Hawaii. Walmart Joe and Chris Hunter were camped near us.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Trailfest
Miles today: 0.0

Trailfest was a hoot! Saw many hikers I recognized from Stecoah Gap, Lamar, EarthQuake, Hawaii, PackRat, Wonder, and others from AT 2006; AT Hugger, Chuck Norris and his new wife Tigger, And met many more, including Buford! Tommy introduced me to Crazy Horse, and Crazy Kathy who shared her hot tub with me and fed us chicken rice dinner and salad! I came in last in the hiker games, couldn't quite get the pack cover on! I guess I like my Packa! But it was a great day, some awesome musicians and the boy scouts make some great chilli! Oh, and Shorty got a trail name. He left his blue tooth in the shower and a hiker came looking for him to return it. It's pretty fitting being he is such a gadget man anyways! The hiker was Walmart Joe and his friend Chris Hunter. I checked the mail and Bisbee got a care package from Kermit! A gourmet doggy bone. I got gourmet jelly bellies and my favorite cookies and a fruit medley with a sweet note! I love care packages. My first was from AT Hugger last year, what a great surprise! So anyways, I'm glad I went, but camping wasn't exactly free and a lot of hikers were pretty disappointed!
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Trailfest

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

OK River Weasel, I'm done with the whining about my knee, Thanks for the reminder, can't let down the class of '06! I'm back at NOC and ready to rock and roll again! I'm going to climb over Cheoah Bald, A climb I swore I didn't plan to do ever again last year, but here I am! Can't let a little bump on the map get in my way. I just may end up at Katahdin again and I'd hate to say I skipped a weasely 13.8 mile little bump, Well maybe it's not so little, but I'm back on trail! Trying desperately to walk into trail days!
Date: 2007-04-30
From: NOC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

It was everything I remembered! Hot, up, up and up some more, then down. Yeah, just like every other section of the AT and today it was 88 degrees. Only hope the Smokies are this sunny! I'd love to see Clingman's dome on a clear day! So, not many hikers on the trail today, but I did meet Windy, Green King and Bob. And at the Gap I met Beth and Mike, also from Arizona, Scottsdale to be exact. Blue tooth was set up with cold drinks and fruit and water. Then we had salad and spaghetti. And if I wasn't ever surprised to see Moose coming down the trail. I didn't recognize him till I saw his pack, but he remembered me from Carter Gap in 2005! I think it's Bisbee that everyone actually remembers! He is such a good puppy! Today I think he met his match though, he's asleep and it's only 7:00! I also got to thank a couple trail maintenace workers, Keith and Pam! And once again, I just want to say thanks to those patiently waiting for me to label the photos! It's just such a slow process to upload them and edit them. I'm waiting for a free internet site, Maybe in Fontana!
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

OK, Another hot day hike brings me to the brink of Fontana Dam. I carried my pack for training purposes, but just for fun I slacked that last 1.8 miles to the dam. It's kind of a tradition now. For three years in a row now I have slackpacked that section! I hiked all day and didn't see a soul. Good practice for the PCT. But then I ran into Mike and Beth, and Bob waiting for the shuttle. Did laundry and then played on the computer for hours trying to get internet, but the router was down or something and cell phone didn't work. All this technology and nada. Anyways, It's supposed to be nice one more day then thunderstorms for the next four anyway.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Fontana Dam

To: Clingman's Dome
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I carefully thought out a plan to slackpack 30 miles to Clingman's dome, Slack 8 to Newfound and pick up my pack and do another 10, then a 20 out to Davenport Gap. Three days through the Smokies and I'd be back on track to get to Damascus for trail days. I repacked my bag and got everything ready for an early morning start. Then I went to bed. Thankfully during the night I came to my senses. We drove to Clingman's dome and did trail magic instead! Just oranges and some candy. I almost got there before the clouds moved in. I could see quite a bit though, so I was happy about that! And! I saw Candyman again, Met Tatonka, Edge, Slowpoke and Politician. And I met Centipede and her friend Motion. Centipede thru hiked last year as well and she was just ahead of me by a few days at the finish. We had a ball remembering all the hikers we met, some in common, some not. Oh, this is good times for sure. Not feeling bad about yellow blazing at all. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do another thru-hike or not, but for now, I'm just having fun! As one hiker put it! I'd paid my dues. So anyways, I moved down to Indian Gap and handed out a few more cold drinks and donuts. And watched an awesome sunset.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Clingman's Dome

To: Erwin, Tennesee
Miles today: 0.0

See, here's the thing, Once you yellow blaze, you're not really a Thru-hiker anymore, so now that I'm free of that mentality, I am just having fun. Which was the plan anyways. So, I am now in Erwin and the plan is to base out of here for a few days, kayak on the Nolichucky and day hike if the rain ever lets up. It's pouring buckets and Bisbee is happy to be inside! There's lots of hikers here that I recognize from trail magic and Barking Spider even treated us to dinner! And I love mexican too! Well, got to get to work,
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Erwin, Tennesee

To: Erwin, Tennesee
Miles today: 0.0

Well I finally found time to label some of the photos, so if you see any photos with the wrong name or no name at all, please help me identify them? Please! And this is only a few of the many hikers Bare Bear and I met at Stecoah Gap! I put the photo number in the description to reference the names when I figure them out. Oh, and I printed out the whole batch, over 400 hikers so look for me at Trail Days and check them out! So, anyways, the library closed at 6:00 so I went looking for Chuck Norris and Tigger. Went to miss Janets and found it was overflowing at the seams. We took Quick Toes and three other hikers and some really large maildrops to the Super 8 and there was Clay and Branch from '06. Certain was there too. By the time we got back to Miss Janet's there were two more wet hikers looking to go to the Super 8. Anyways, after that Stiches and Tommy and Blue tooth and I went to the Chineese restaurant for dinner. Excellent! Oh, and Spiderman 3 came out today, so we had to see it too. We went too early, so we stopped to get a shake at Sonic. Rocked Miss Janet's van as she was stopped at the light. We saw her cruise by again. Maybe that's the thing to do in Erwin, just go cruisin'. Anyways, the movie was great, about a dozen hikers put in for the superman backpack with miss janet's name and she won! Thanks Tommy for watching Bisbee.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Erwin, Tennesee

To: Erwin, Tennesee
Miles today: 0.0

It's a beautiful day to be in Erwin. I love this town. Camped at the Salvation Army Church close to the Library. Current plans are to work at the Library 11 to 3:00 today, and Rafting on the Upper Nolichucky tomorrow morning, then hiking out Monday, probably from 19 miles north of Erwin. Wherever that it? For Cinco de Mayo, a lot of hikers went to Johnson City for a Mexican restaurant that served Margaritas!
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Erwin, Tennesee

To: Rafting on the Nolichucky
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's raining! But do I care? No! I'm going rafting! I convinced Stitches to go along too. There were 23 of us in 4 rafts doing the Upper Nolichucky after 3 days of rain! It was awesome! Our Guide, Tim, got us stuck, on purpose I think, quite a few times and yet we never fell out, in fact, one of the rafters, Bryce, downright dared him to dunk us! Well, he was indeed a very experienced guide and waited for just the right hole to dump Bryce and only Bryce into the river! I saw the look on his face, it was priceless, Like, Oh S___, I didn't really think he could do it! This water is cold! Oh, help, get me back in the raft! Well, the kid behind him was rather small, so I reached over and pulled him in, meanwhile we all had a good laugh. The sun popped out and made for a beautiful morning as we cruised through the deepest gorge in Tennessee, past a bear's den, a sunken train, and a movie set! After showers at Miss Janet's I hung out my gear to dry and watched as Baltimore Jack repacked his pack, drinking all the while, and chasing after his packing list that kept blowing away. About 4 hours later, they headed back to Hot Springs, I headed for a chicken basket at Sonic and turned in early. Almost as tired as if I had hiked!
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Rafting on the Nolichucky

To: Roan Mt to Iron Mt Gap
Miles today: 12.1

Had breakfast this morning with Miss Janet. It was incredible! not just the Quiesh, bacon, and cinnamon rolls, but the company gathered and the discussions. The question of the morning was something like, name something about the trail that surpised you and was different than you expected. The answers were varied and included the obvious like how hard it was and how great the people are, but my answer was how hard the trail was to walk away from! I had a great year in 2005, though it wasn't the thru-hike I had envisioned. I had came back to thru-hike in 2006 and had the most incredible summer ever, yet I thought it would be enough, and I would move on to some other adventure. Nope! Here I am again, on a victory lap, I just haven't had enough of it yet, and perhaps never will. So anyways, We made a Get Well sign for a girl named Laura that broke her ankle and sent it with a card and her drop box back home. Those at breakfast included but may not be comprehensive: Ring Master, Big Brother, Boognish Rising, Bullwinkle, Fishstick, Stitches, Jay Silverhills, Granny Franny, Mr. Smooth, Rebel with a cause, Hangman, Miss Janet, of course, Tim, and Just Jack, Flaxseed, Fuzzy Monkey, Sweetwater, and Joker helping out with dishes.Then finally, about noon, Stitches and I shuttled up to Roan Mountain and hiked southbound to Iron Mountain Gap. I had a light pack so I carried a pack full of oranges and apples and gave them out to the northbound hikers. I have hiked up Roan mountain twice and it is one of the hardest climbs I remember second to Stecoah Gap. It was much easier going downhill. I was practically skipping down the trail. And it is so much fun to surprise hikers with an orange. So today I got photos of 41 hikers and luckily the last 4 had just gotten trail magic at Iron Mountain because I was down to my last orange! It occured to me that while hiking against the normal flow, I probably saw two days worth of hikers on the trail! Starting with Ronnin, Big B, Circadian, ____, Gray Turtle, Night Train, Wishbone, Patch Monkey, Walker, Mellow, E-minor, 6-2, Joe the Show, 4 section hikers at Hughes Gap, Sideshow, Chach, Further, Kelsey the dog, Sir Privy Winks, Z-man, Cuyahoga, Alpine Strider, Second Wind, Yellow Jacket, Take it easy, Hurdy Gurdy Mate, Almost Lucky, Bandaid Kid, Red Arm, U-turn, Red, Corporal, Ramblin Man, Copperhead, Luner, Just Steve, Round to it, Bloody Nose, Pogo, Rub a dub, Stroker, Optimus Prime, Moosehead, and Birdstar! Oh and I had to pull a tick off my left hip just after Hughes Gap!
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Roan Mt to Iron Mt Gap

To: Roan Mt to 19E
Miles today: 15.9

Well, Stitches and I are finally hiking in a northbound direction again towards Damascus! This happens to be one of my favorite stretches of trail and what a beautiful day for it! Leaving the pine forests behind, we desended to Carver's Gap passing Miss Janet's gang of sobo's Big Brother, Just Jack, Boognish Rising, and the dog Fabian. On to the Lovely balds including Jane Bald where Mouse has dedicated a new sign to Jangles. I summited with them last year so it was really special to be there!I met up with Copperhead and Moosehead at the Stan Murray Shelter and Alpine Strider as she was on the final assent of Hump Mountain. At the summit, Second Wind was sleeping away. He was planning to spend the night right there. And it wasn't a bad idea either. It was a beautiful spot and a clear night. But we left the beautiful balds behind and headed down the mountain. Rocks and Roots replaced the smooth trail on top and there were even a few cliffs that could easily hide a fallen hiker for years before they would be discovered. Arriving at Apple House Shelter, we found a large group of hikers, most I had met on the day before on my southbound section. They were carrying down armloads of pizza and beer from the road crossing. Looked like a very lively evening coming up. So on the way out Stitches is trying very hard to convince me that I should call for pizza. And I should do it now, since it may take an hour. And that it would be really good to have pizza ready as soon as we had showered and on and on. I listned objectively, but I never got the phone out. We came across Futher and his dog Kelsey. Apparently someone had gone through their drop box and took a few things including dog food. I had plenty, so I made a friend right away. Though Bisbee gets really jealous if I pet other dogs. Anyways, it was a long day, but a great one, and it was all the better, when I sat down to a large plate of homemade spaghetti and an orange soda thanks to Blue Tooth! Stitches never said another word about pizza!
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Roan Mt to 19E

To: Watauga Lake
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After a great night's sleep, I woke up this morning and Stitches announced her new plans to hang out at the B&B with her friend August. I thought about hiking the 23 miles to Kincora for about 2 seconds and decided to go sit by Watauga lake today and do trail magic instead. It was a great idea, had lots of fun, met many more hikers, though it's hard to keep from nibblin' away at the jellybeans and munching on the other goodies all day long. There were even a few hikers I had met before! We counted 22 hikers that stopped and 2 that just waved and hiked on by! Two hikers had already gone around the lake and dropped their packs and came back! Those we saw today included: Radar, Swen, Ufda, Willy Goat, Trail Dancer, Usual Suspect, Tennessee Ted, Robo, Ranger Rick, Orange Moon, Ginger Snap, April Showers, Montreal, Skip, Lucky, Manitoba, Coyote, Fire Hazartd, Blaze, Brisk, Brady (Tater), and No-Problem. The last four actually went swimming and were playing a game of ultimate frisbee when we left! We found out that Laura, the girl that broke her ankle was one of their tribe members!
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Damascas, VA

To: Back Bone Rock
Miles today: 0.0

Camped at Backbone Rock State Park. It's really a nice place! Met the Singing Horseman there and Blaine and Terry the camp hosts are great. Anyways, I just thought I'd take Bisbee for a walk on the waterfall trail and up on top of Back Bone Rock (The shortest tunnel in the world!) and there were 4 kids getting ready to do some rock climbing! Paul, the ringleader, asked if I wanted to try rappelling. I declined, I didn't want to take up any of their time, since there were four of them and only 1 rope. I watched as they rappelled down and hiked on down to the bottom. We watched for a while and they again invited me to join in. They had all climbed yesterday and were getting tired. My gear was in the truck just a block away, so I couldn't resist anymore. The rock looked really interesting. Not like anything I've climbed in Oregon or Phoenix. It was big and blocky and except for the very top, very solid! I had a great time, even for being out of shape! Kermit, you'd be jealous, I know! So in 2009, I'll have a rope ready for you! And Phoenix Rising, Are you here yet!!!
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Back Bone Rock

To: Grayson Highlands State Park
Miles today: 0.0

Drove up to Massie Gap today to see the ponies again. Beautiful sunny day, not too hot, and right on cue, a cute little brown pony was waiting at the junction of the AT trail. He walked right up to me and Bisbee! We walked up the trail to the south and ran into "Retriever" or Tom Golden, we'd met at Stecoah Gap! And more ponies everywhere. A cute little black one walked right up to bisbee! More interested in him than me. Bisbee didn't know what to do! So he got jealous of me petting the pony and started jumping all over me. Drove over to the Buzzard Look out and hung out at the general store. Rocking chairs on the porch. This is really a neat laid back area. I love it!
Date: 2007-05-23
To: That's all Folks!
Miles today: 0.0

Well it's been really cool to see everyone at Trail Days. Met lots of new folks too. I'm headed home now. I gathered lots of info for my anticipated thru hike of the PCT next year. I'm really looking forward to it! Just watched Lion King's new DVD on the PCT and It's going to be really amazing, I can't wait. So, I didn't lose all the weight I was hoping to. I would eat like a thru hiker, but I didn't hike like one. Really, I just kind of joy hiked all the best sections that last year were rainy or I hiked in the dark. I had fun doing trail magic at times, and got to sleep on a softer bed than most of last year, but I missed the purpose and continuity of thru-hiking. It wasn't the same, but then I had such an amazing thru hike last year, It would have been hard to top that. I hope to see many of you out on the PCT next year and happy hiking to all the class of 2007! Send me your summit photos!
Date: 2007-01-06
To: 5 million things to do
Miles today: 0.0

There are still many things to do as we wrap things up here in Madison, Wis. We are planning to not only hike much of the Appalachian Trail, but to find its history both of its people and of the land they helped change. This will be much more a mission of research than any "thru-hike". Of course, to know a place one must explore it as thoroughly as possible and this is our rough plan. We'll start in northern Greorgia and end up in Maine but be led more by serendipity or circumstance than white blazes and trail bench. We're not just planning what gear to take, but which archives to visit, who to interview, how to get to them and how to gather all this data en route. Not a difficult or unfulfilling chore but an tedious one.We hope to start hiking by March 5th. Each day before then there will be much to do.