morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-01-31
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Mt Collins Shelter - Sunny, clear, frost Waking up this morning I was still tempted to go get my stove, but Sherlene wa in my care, Virus was waiting at the end of the Smokies, and my food supply was limited since I was down to no-cooking-required items. I had to ration, not a funny task when you have the appetite for two! With some cashews and an energy chunk in my stomach we headed off. 2 mi in 2 hours, got to Double Spring Shelter pretty fast. Sherlene decided she was OK to go on to Clingmans Dome as they have restroom facilities there - we could always bivy there if needed to. At 14:00 we finally arrived at the dome after striving through the snow and up the hills. No tracks in the snow - we were the first and only ones there. Couldn't resist - had to make a snow angel right there below the dome - kind of looked like a fallen angel there underneath the tower! Now it was down to those much discussed heated bathroom facilities - All closed and locked! What now? I guess it was time to invoke plan B - to follow the trail and pitch tent somewhere before dark. However, Sherlene thought she might be able to make it to the next shelter if we followed the road for 4 miles and then got back on the trail. It was time to yellow-blaze (walk the road instead of following the white blazes on the trail). It was tough going even on the road as it was also covered in snow and we were both tired. Finally found the trail and hiked back south 0.7 miles to arrive at the shelter, phew! we were two happy campers as we saw that shelter. The sky was still clear and incredible blue - a sign usually indicating a very cold night. Ate 4 oz of tuna with a little cheese and some dried cherries - food was good. All caged in behind the bear fence - kind of a spooky feeling, as if you were on display for the bears in a zoo- but the shelter was nice and clean and a plastic tarp kept the worst cold out.
Date: 2006-02-01
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Icewater Spring Shelter - Sunny, clear 40F It had been a cold night in the teens, however, not a single mouse was heard. Sherlene had slept better this night - maybe it was pure exhaustion or rather the thought of less mileage and getting out today that made sleep come easier? After sticking her very bushy-haired head out of the sleeping bag Sherlene said "and now we are going to do it all over again?" Yes, I guess that is exactly what a thru-hiker does: get up, eat, pack the backpack, hike all day, set camp, eat dinner, wash up, hang food bag, read a little before bed, and then do it all over again and again. The excitement comes with all the diffrent meals, the magnificent views, the bad jokes you can make up, and then there is always the people you meet along the trail and in the small towns. Today the hike took me through thickets of spruce, over open spaces with lots of sunshine and warmth, fighting knee-high drifts of snow where no one else had walked before us, Newfound Gap with lots of people noices and cars, and then peace again as I wandered of along the trail leaving Sherlene with her ride to Gatlinburg. At Newfound Gap Sherlene had given me all her food including peanut butter, a little bread, a packet of lunch meat, and very important 2 SNICKER BARS Then she was off to Gatlinburg where a hotelroom was awaiting her with a fireplace and a jacuzzi! - Makes me wonder why I did not get off the trail! I had been impressed with Sherlene's stamina and spirit. Throughout the stuggles of getting up the hills in the heavy snow and covering all the miles by going from shelter to shelter (as required by the park regulations) she kept on being impressed with the beauty of the nature, even when breathing got hard uphill she still found the positive in being out there doing it - and best yet, she is even now planning future hiking trips! But when she gets off the mountain she is first going to have a little "chat" with Virus who talked her into all this!!! The last 2.9 miles up the Icewater from Newfound Gap were easy as the snow on the trail was already packed. The shelter is great with lots of views - should have the possibility of getting a beautiful sunrise tomorrow.
Date: 2006-02-02
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Pecks Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Pecks Corner Shelter - Cloudy, windy, later foggy 30F Woke up just in time to see a beautiful sunrise over the mountain ridges, had otherwise planned to get up earlier to get a headstart on a long day. Ate a peanut butter sandwich - would have like three! Then is was time to leave. A little confused at first as there were no clear trail or markings anywhere due to fallen trees and the heavy snow coverage (7-10"). After a mile or so I got to Charlie's bunion. It was so named as John Kephart told his friend Charlie that he would put his friends name on the map! The rock outcrop was formed due to a couple of events: Alot of logging had taken place and all the debris had slided down the side of the mountain, which then fueled a forrest fire in 1925, later a disatrous rain fell and washed away all the shrubs and dirt thereby exposing the rock. It was really tough going today. The trail was mainly along the ridges and through deep snow drifts making for a very slow pace 0.75mi/hr. I felt I had to fight for every step as it was mostly uphill and the wind had really picked up. Already at 11:30 I was exhauseted from fighting the snow, very little sleep the night before, and too few calories in the diet. Decided to stop already at Pecks shelter instead of the possibility of having to pitch an "emergency" camp on the trail itself because I was getting too tired to continue. Got to Pecks Shelter in the afternoon. Ate a little and rested while reading "The Monkey Wrench Gang" by Edward Abbey. At 17:00 it was time to make dinner - granola! so that was quick and likewise was the fog that had swept in while I ate dinner. The fog was now laying as a heavy, damp, grey cloud. I had not seen anyone today -not even a dingle footstep. The last time someone had been in the shelter was Jan 21st. However, animal tracks had been plentyful -sometimes even making the trail looking like a super highway with four different tracks going both ways. Other times it was as if the poor critters had gotten lost as the tracks would form circles or go in 4 or 5 different directions. Tomorrow I will try and make it to Cosby Knob (13 mi) hoping it will be a little easier going than today.
Date: 2006-02-03
From: Pecks Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Cosby Knob Shelter Fog, cloudy, Windy It had rained some of the night causing most of the snow to fall off the trees and bushes, however, to my dismay the snow on the ground looked as deep as the day before. Even more so to my dismay was the discovery of adventurous mice that had crawled inside my pack, chewed on my socks, and then left their "business cards". I packed up and ate the rest of the peanut butter. First stop was Tricorner Shelter (5.8mi) It was tough going as the snow was slowly starting to melt making it wet and heavy. As I was walking I saw the sunrise and how the sun rays fought to penetrate through the forrest as the fog slowly lifted and rolled away. Again it was a walk in the dense green spruce forrest amd on tne northern side of the mountains the frost still held a grip on deep drifts of snow. I was starting to get tired and was looking for a place to stop as I saw the sign to Tricorner Shelter. I could not believe it - I had walked 5.8 miles in 3 hrs. Phew! I knew I felt good today but that fast? Took a long break eating cheese and crackers - Uhm just what I needed. Then it was off to Snake Den Trail and from there all the way to Cosby Knob a total of about 8 miles. This part of the trail had less and less snow as I started walking on the south side of the mountains and I got down lower in altitude. 40F felt so hot and as the elevation dropped further the temperature rose to a soaring 50F - I was now ready for shorts and t-shirt. It felt like Spring with all the warm weather, the green fernsand moss, and the sweet smell of rhododendrons. Arrived at Cosby Shelter at 15:15 time to get out of those stinky boots and socks. Well, that reminds me that today was the day that Mr. Stinky was born! Stinky is a true authentic Appalachian Trail hiking sock with all that entails such as mud, water, mice "wounds", and a lovely aroma of stinky leather boots. Stinky will after numerous washes become my handpuppet and will be my assistant in introducing Leave No Trace Ethics to elementary kids at different schools "Mr. Stinky & The Red Dane"!!! Gosh - if this is happening to me already now after one month of hiking - what can then happen after another five months - not sure I want to know!!!
Date: 2006-02-04
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light snow

Hey Guys I am back - Still haven't found a shelter with high-speed internet access, which is the reason for the gap in the journals! Davenport Gap Nothing like knowing you have an easy day so I slept in til 9:00 - well, actually I left the shelter at 9:00 so I could be at Davenport at 13:00. The weather had not been at its best with thundering and lightening all night and it was still raining this morning. A little further on the trail the clouds started spitting ice instead of rain and it was so foggy that I decided against going to Mt Kammerer (saved an extra mile that way too!) Was at the gap already at 12:18 and a truck was there - It was Sherlene with her husband Greg. They would drop me of at Knoxville on their way to Nashville. First, however, we stopped at Wendy's to get a chicken sandwich and some chili, and getting back in the truck they had a beer, a banana, and a piece of chocolate for me - It was a great ride Will be nice with a warm shower, a good town meal, and clean clothes. Ready for a couple of zero days.
Date: 2006-02-05
From: Knoxville

To: Knoxville
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in Knoxville - and did I remember to mention it is Superbowl Day!!?Helped Virus and his wife Sandie take down Wallpaper in their dining room. Later I worked hard on entering days into this journal - but priorities are priorities - had to leave ya'll to go watch the game between the Steelers and the Seahawks - did I remember to mention all the good food that was there!!?We had homemade lasagne, salad, a cold salsa-bean-cheese dip, a hot salsa-cheese dip, lots of fresh cut vegetables, and homemade brownies. I ate so much that I had to ask Virus to drive carefully - or I would get really car sick!
Date: 2006-02-06
From: Knoxville

To: Knoxville
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayRunning around trying to get ready. went to a couple of outfitters to find a new stove (got the Whisperlight International - $40 cheaper than the dragonfly) also got some more AquaMira (Water purification solution). Then off to walmart and Sams to find food and anything else needed. Called Erik's school to set up the time for the AT talk tomorrow. The day is flying by so fast. Spent the evening entering more days into this journal.
Date: 2006-02-07
From: Knoxville

To: Knoxville
Miles today: 0.0

Third Zero day - am I ever gonna get back on the trail? Mr. Stinky came to life today. Julie (Virus' daughter) helped me create him. He is a veteran AT sock until he got a medical discharge due to a heavy dosage of mice attack. He is now my assistant - a hand puppet to use for younger kids when talking about the AT. In prepping for the talk at Erik's school I had bought a fake mouse - nothing like a little tail sticking out of your mouth when explaining what we eat on the trail!!! kids love it. Got my pack ready and entered the last of many days into this journal, Phew! It is a lot of hard work and a load of fun to try and please all the curious readers - have you fallen asleep yet trying to read this stuff?
Date: 2006-02-08
From: Davenport Gap

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Groundhog Creek Shelter - Cloudy Virus got me up at 6:00 - he had decided he was going hiking too - at least for a day hike up Mt Sterling! Ate breakfast and said good bye to Sandie, Erik, and Julie. 8:45 and I am headed North from Davenport. It feels soooo good to be back on the trail. However, left foot started troubling me already after a mile. At the underpass of I-40 I had to stop and try to fix the superfeet sole in my boot as it was starting to really hurt. Off again - seemed sluggish not a lot of energy. So much for rest and zero days. - Or maybe it was those few extra pounds gained that made the uphill a little harder!!? A sign leading to a close-by shelter is such a welcoming sight, when you are tired. It was still rather early 14:00 so I unrolled my bag and took a nap - skipped dinner - and turned in for the night. ZZzzZ.
Date: 2006-02-11
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mt Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Spring Mt Shelter Awoke at 3:00, opened the left over bag of chips and ate a few before I dug under the down comforter again from which I did not emerge again until 7:30. Downstairs Jonathan was cooking his breakfast, I joined up next to the stove and cooked grits with prunes and grape fruit on the side. On the way out of town I stopped by the outfitters to buy some fuel. As I came in the door the guys greeted me with "Hi you must be Red Dane". They knew me from these journals. It makes you feel so welcome and a part of the trail community. When you are out there on the trails right now there are not a lot of people so the few greetings I get from day hikers, town people, and all of you signing the guest book means a lot and makes me so excited. Well, enough of this sappy happy stuff - just THANKS GUYS. Going out of town I crossed the bridge under which the French Broad is running. (Last time I went through I visited the spa, which I really would recommend especially in nice weather.) Up and up it went and the snow started falling again (seems to me that it always starts snowing when I leave towns!)I knew the area was under heavy snow advisory and it sure was snowing a lot. I stopped at Spring Mt Shelter as I was getting pretty hungry and my legs reminded me of the 14 miles I had done yesterday. Yeah, yeah, just laugh all you long distance people I will just have to laugh back as I make my chicken and broccoli dish with alfredo sauce instead of the light weight Ramen! One of my greater joys out here is to cook and I don't really mind carry a few extra pounds and taking a little longer - you have to make the trail your own trail instead of doing it the way other people tell you it should be done! Finished eating and made a bottle of hot cocoa for the sleeping bag. Put on all my dry layers and prepared for a cold night. Just as I had grabbed my pen to work on a little Su Doku I heard my stomach rumble and felt that well-known feeling of having to go - having to go right NOW! Life sure ain't that easy out here because first I had to dig out my rain gear (had I gone out in the snow with the layers I was wearing right then they would all have gotten wet.) Then there was the task of freeing myself from the sleeping bag, putting on the rain pants and rain coat, the boots only partially got on while I checked for toilet paper in the pocket. Walking/running to the privy, while putting on gloves and trying to prevent too much snow from entering into the boots, as there were not enough time to put on gaitors - gosh, how far away can they put a privy? Finally reaching the much desired goal I brushed of snow from the seat, pulled down rain pants, fleece pants, and two layers of long johns, before getting to the last layer all the while doing a little dance and prayer - AAaahhh, made it in the last second! Phew, No, life is not always that easy out here.
Date: 2006-02-13
From: Allen Gap (Nean)

To: Allen gap (Nean)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took a zero day as we had read on trail blazes and on trailjournals.com that the snow was waist deep up on the balds. Tue-Thur the weather should turn to 50F and sunny Heidi made pancakes with bananas - Uhmm they were soooo good. Are there anybody else out there that like food as much as i do? (Probably every hungry hiker!) We took of to Hot Springs as Nean had an early meeting there - however, after arrival we found out it had been rescheduled! From Bluff Mt Outfitters (Awesome guys) we were told that Mt Leconte was reported to have about 3 ft of snow! Asheville became our next destination where we visited several health food stores. (Have you ever had the thought that there might be anything else besides food that is worth considering while you are hiking - no, me neither - with the exception of a good beer!) Had Lunch at Rosetta's and afterwards chased the food down with a beer and some hummus at a local bar. Back at Nean's place the dogs (Naia, Esky, Anu, and Loke) greeted us as had we returned from the moon. It had only snowed a little today I am getting excited to see how much snow is up there tomorrow.
Date: 2006-02-14
From: Allen gap (Nean)

To: Jones Meadow
Miles today: 5.7

Tough call this morning - get off the trail now or try to make it throught to Erwin in time? Had to be in Nashville on Feb 20th. The sky was still grey and the snow had not melted any during the night so it was with a heavy heart I called virus to come pick me up now. Meanwhile, Heidi had created the most wonderful breakfast: scrambled eggs with spinach, whole wheat bisquits, and roasted potatoes with herbs - It was soo delicious, it would have been the perfect breakfast for someone who had to hit the trail. I was walking around first inside then outside feeling like cabin fever had set in. The decision I had made would set me back by more than two weeks. Around noon the sun had really gotten a grip on the frost and everything was dripping from snow melting. Snow was seen falling off branches and the temperature had risen quite a bit. I started walking back and forth even faster, really starting to doubt my decision. Looking at the map for the 16th time this day I went inside to talk to Nean. Nean pointed out to me that I could always get out at Sam's gap if I felt I couldn't push through the snow. Feeling like there were fail safe options I called virus back and told him I had changed my mind - he said "GREAT!, call me when you reach Erwin, and good luck". If there was an Olympic discipline in packing a back pack, then I most definately must have won Gold in Speed Packing Said Good Bye to Nean and Heidi. JUHUUUU - No longer so depressed. It was amazing how much that decision had affected me - so happy to be back on the trail. The trail was not bad at all and I made it up to Little Laurel Shelter in good time where I stopped to eat a bagel. Then It was off to the top before it got dark, however, the depth of the snow had gone from an inch or two up to about eight inches. After yet another half mile the snow was more than a foot deep. I felt like an old old lady who had smoked half a box of cigars right before this hike as I could only take 30-50 steps before I needed to stop and take a couple of breaths. It was the pure thought of not having to do this part tomorrow that kept me going on and on. At 18:15 it was absolutely time to stop as I was no longer sure whether or not I was on the trail and the daylight was dwindling fast. Stopped at the exact spot where I was and started shoveling snow to prep a place to pitch the tent. Got the tent set up with a nice snow wall all around. Dinner was a freeze dried meal as it now was dark and getting colder by the minute. At least tomorrow I will be well rested and can look for the trail.Included into my night prayers were the hopes of a lot of sun to let the snow melt fast. It was actually rather neat being in the yellow tent in the deep snow as everything seemed so much brighter.
Date: 2006-02-16
From: Flint Mt Shelter

To: Hog Back Shelter
Miles today: 8.7

I must have slept the sleep of wearied and tired because I did not wake up a single time until 6:30. Going down to Devil's Fork Gap I had the great pleasure of meeting Barry Deel who was out walking with his dog. We talked for a little while and he gave me a rain check for a cup of coffee. Mr. Deel does a lot of fine wood work and I would really like to see his work shop. Maybe on my way home from Maine I will have a chance to stop by? There were snow all the way down to the gap. The depth depended upon whether it was on the North side (Deep snow) or on the South side (Thinner layer of snow). even with full sun and 60F the snow was still at least 4" thick and it was wet and heavy. For lunch I stopped to eat a bagel with 2 tbls of butter and a package of tuna - it was soo good (thank you Nancy). Getting to the North side with deeper snow I decided to stop already at Hog Back Shelter. It was only 14:00 as I arrived but my legs were sore and tired from doing all the high knees yesterday. I was ready for a chance to let my boots and socks dry out a little. In front of the shelter was a table and I cleaned it of and sat on it while I let everything dry out. The sun felt so good on the skin. Today I had hiked in rain pants and a sun top. I had gotten sunburned in the face from all the reflections in the snow. After dinner two hikers suddenly came by. They were just in for a change of clothes and a snack before they went on to met a friend at the Gap. It had only been five minutes after the hikers left that yet another hiker came by - starting to feel like a super highway - three hikers in one day!!! Ryan had come to the shelter for the night. He was checking out his gear and the trail in preparation for his thru-hike later on this year (after the snow is gone). Ryan was the first one since Ga that I have shared a shelter with besides Virus and Sherlene! The first thing Ryan asks me was "Are you Red Dane?" after confirming this he thanks me for packing the snow for him the past 26 miles!!!!!!! Phew, and I who had wished for just a fox to follow! He said he did not know how to pay me back - I just started thinking in the lines of a big fat steak with a beer or sending him ahead of me the next 26 miles, but politely and "humbly" I just answered "Priceless!"
Date: 2006-02-18
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: snow

Thump, thump, thump,... the sleet started at 5:00 and quickly turned into ice and later big snowflakes. I quickly said a prayer of thanks for not being up at 5500ft with a whole lot more snow. Took a slow morning to get ready but the legs felt good and hiking went easy. The snow was coming down fast and the flakes would stick to my eye brows and lashes so I tried to take a picture of myself - Oh Dear! did not know I had gotten that sunburned I looked like a sunriped tomato with white lashes. The use of digital photography when you have no mirror can be rather shocking. I started getting hungry but I was prepared as I had a Cliff bar ready in side pocket. If you ever have watched a dog chew on raw hide you will have a pretty good picture of what I look like eating a frozen Cliff bar - but it sure is a treat worth working on Reaching the road I got a ride into town to miss Janets house. I just needed to borrow the phone to call Virus as he was coming to pick me up. Apple Pie was at the house so we got introduced and went out for lunch. Had three enormous hot cakes and an egg bisquit and just to be sure an extra tomato bisquit with cheese. Apple Pie had hiked from Damascus and she had previously done the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Talked briefly with Nean before Virus came to pick me up to take me to Knoxville, from where I needed to take a short trip to Nashville. I will return to the trail quickly.
Date: 2006-02-22
From: Knoxville

To: Knoxville
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the day updating all ya'll which is one of my favorite things to do when I am not hiking. I have to laugh too when I am writing some of these stories - especially since I am past it - such as the skunk story - a little unerving in the situation but really funny to think about later - as I am not "stinking" (Remember everything is relative!)