morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up last night to pee, and the stars were amazing. Stood out there for five minutes looking at them until I got cold. Very easy trail to first shelter and road crossing. 3+ mph. Then we had to pay for it coming up Frozen Knob, 1600 foot plus gain elevation. Knee hurt (continue to do so) for later par tof hike, after ibuprofin wore off. Planned a 20 tomorrow then easyt 6 into Erwin but we'll see how it pans out. Here with Mike, and POW. Very nice with just us here. Quiet, not busy with activity at all. Have converstaion with everyone in it and not multiple ones going on at the same time. Guess the price to pay for that is the water is ridiculously far away. Beautiful sunrise and now watching an equally amazing sunset. Crazy occurance of the day; Come into camp and take a look around. Shelter, picnic table, small fire ring, privy left, water right. The three of us had been there for probably 45-60 minutes, and all of a sudden we see smoke from the fire ring, and a fire started. Dang, the embers lasted from the previous night and ignited when we got there and the wind picked up. Things I miss- family and friends, Owen, sports. Crazily, food isn't missed that much by me. I crave it, but the fare I'm having out here suits me fine, until I reach civilization again. I do want to try and break the AYCE pancake record in Waynesboro, which stand at 24. But yeah, I miss watching sports. No March Madness or NBA playoffs for me. Or Spring Training and Regular Season MLB, or NASCAR. Oh well, it'll be there when I get back.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

Two lightning shows, err storms, during the middle of the night, with accompaning thunder that shook the shelter. Heavy rains too. Didn't want to get up b/c of the drizzle, but had wanted to get a very early start at an attempt of my first 20. Last one to get up, but first to leave. Getting good at getting going in the morning, unlike when I began the hike. I know what to do now and am efficient doing it, saves much time. Passed Sam's Gap (I-26/US 23) and Big Bald today. I was expecting something like Max Patch from Big Bald, but didn't get it. It was windy as all get out, blowing me all over the place. So I didn't even want to stay up there with that going on. Add to it clouds covering up the mountains in the background. I think I saw where Mt Mitchell is supposed to be, but the peak was covered up, and like I said, I didn't want to stay up there and hope the coulds moved. Lunch @ Bald Mtn. Shelter. Hoping POW would show before I left so we could talk but he didn't and I wanted to get a move on to cover the last 10 miles. He is staying ther tonight, then I think 10 tomorrow, easy into Erwin next day and zeroing following that. Says needs to rest his old bones. Also wants to let Mango catch up with him so they can continue hiking with one another. I think Mike is at that shelter too, tonight. Had to wait to pick up brother at Sams Gap and that was mid-day, still 8 miles to shelter; plus his brother isn't used to hiking like the rest of us. SO here I lay, 6 miles shy or Erwin, all by my lonesome. First night yet I'e been alone. The 20 felt good today, legs feeling good, getting into the routine. Like the breathing technique of pregnancies, I've got one for going uphills, where I can actually catch my breath while going up. Physically, only problem remains to be the left knee. Hope to do some internet/library research tomorrow to see if I can find out what it is (please don't be a ligament). Oh, and I must tell you about the granola bars I've been eating. Too lazt to get out of my warm bag and dig around my food bag for the brand, but I think they are put out by Sun Belt. I was in the Dollar General the other day, getting some resupply. Was going to get Little Debbies but saw granola bars, 8 for $1.50 and grab two boxes. They can't be that bad, anything tastes good out here. Two flavors, both chocolatechip, to choose from. One was fudge dipped, the other was not. I opted for the fudge dipped (60 more calories per bar). So I crack one open first day out of Hot Springs and a flavor explosion in my mouth. The thing tastes exactly like a "samoas" girl scout cookie. The chocolate, coconut, caramel, everything. Jsut glad I bought two boxes of them. Try em' for yourself.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN @ Miss Janet's
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

Easy 6 into town, knee hurt a lot though. Walked at least a mile before a hitch, that wasn't too nice. Now at Miss Janet's- awesomeness, relaxed place. Ate at Erwin Burito w/ POW, then Sonic with POW and Matt (now Jebus). Hung our, shot breeze with Pebbles, Kurly, Swansons lil bro, No worries, Red B, and Miss J till late. Tired after an easy day.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Erwin, TN @ Miss Janet's

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm a bum. I too a fat zero today to rest the knee. Hopefully it'll feel a little better tomorrow. Then I bummed around all day. Watched "Trail Magic" part of Star-wars, and part of "trek." So basically I'm just a bum. But it felt oh so good. Sir Hawk came in, ate the burrito again. Talked with him, Restless, Two Shoers, and Miss J till bed time.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Iron Mountain Gap (we went SOBO)

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

A fat breakfast of casserole (I helped make), fried apples, biscuts, and sausage started the day out right. Yesterday's pancackes, bacon and eggs were killer too. Late start, 11:20, but Sir Hawk and I were only slack packing, so no biggie. Lot easier to move without a huge pack on your back vs. a small daypack. Kinda overcast and rain for most of the 19 miles, but it wasn't miserable. The top of Unaka Mountain had some awesome forest looking like something out of Lord of the Rings. Saw POW, Mango; probably meet them again tomorrow or next day. SH is quite interesting, hiked the whole way together and talked the entire time. Quite the world traveler, living/ going to Africa, Italy, India, Mexico and China in a couple of months. Eat at the Barita again, and see Low Key, 4 today, Saspirilla, Crumbs, Uber Dude. Watch some office space, and Milton( the swingline stapler guy) looks, acts, talks, exactly like a guy named Minnesota Smith, hilarious. Have an icecream party. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Ocean. Was a key hitch late in the day right after we were through. We were gonna have to walk it instead. It is stuff like that that makes you so happy out here. So the knee felt good all day today, sweetness. Starts to hurt again, which I know it will, I'll just pony up. So all is well here in Erwin, TN, onward to Damascus.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Iron Mtn. Gap

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

      Another feast from the kitchen of Miss J, consisting of french toast, eggs, sausage, and bacon. Got started about 11, pretty easy till first shelter, then the climbing started. 1400'+ gain in 1.4 miles; not so bad but the total climb up Roan (the Groan up Roan) is more than 2200', with very, very few flat sections. Hiked with Sir Hawk the I.W.O.C most of the day, but I was pretty spent after 12 and he continued on at least another 5. Here with Alexander the organ maker, Grizzly from App State, Bravefoot, and Karuna Miel (Compassion Honey, in Sanscript and French).       Supposed to be bad storms tonight, thunder/lightning, golf-ball sized hail, possible tornado. Oh, and we just so happen to be in the highest shelter on the AT (6285') and it is also supposedly the coldest point on the AT averaged over the entire year. It is solid though, CCC knew how to build them back in the 30s.      Knee is feeling good, feeling great. I think it had to do with the way I was lifting my leg/foot each time I strode. Fixed that in a hurry.       Really glad to stay at Miss Janet's for three days. Heard so much about it and her and it more than lived up to what I thought it'd be. Plus, I got some totally new perspectives on things that wouldn't have come from another hostel.       Eating like a king, because I'm carrying a ridiculously heavy food bag. Have way too much food to get to next resupply, so I've been having to fix that in the quantity I'm consuming. Checked out how much calories I consumed for dinner, just curious, and it was 1910+ how many are in 1/3 box mac and cheese. Dang I love eating.       Only 90 to Damascus.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: AppleHouse Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

      Rained all night and into the morning. Didn't want to get up and do in it, so a late start around 9 or so. First 1.5 miles no rain, just a stream of a trail, then the rain hit. All day, drenching, soaking, wet rain for the rest of my hike. Really the first rainy day yet; I had expected it just not gotten it yet. Hiked with Grizzly for much of the day and talked, so the day went fairly quickly.      I don't know what I was complaining about yesterday with climbing. Today, a 1200' in .6 miles, up Little Hump. Little and Big Humps, essentially balds, were crazy. Wind so bad the rain came in sideways, in sheets. Wind that pushed you where it pleased. It was fun watching these two small birds trying to fly in it; they only went backwards. And on and on and on did you go over these balds, with no wind breaks so when I finally reached tree line I was estatic.       I think I'm finally dried out now, after a few hours. Shoulda seen my feet when I took my socks off. Pruned like no other after sloshing in the puddles in my shoes for seven or so hours. Here with KarunaMiel and Alexander. Can see a house from the door, maybe 100 or so yards away.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: AppleHouse Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road (Kincora Hostel)
Miles today: 24.3

      Woke up early, because had an 18 planned for today. Ate Pop-Tarts on the trail, pretty hard to do while walking and using one hand for your pole(s). Met up with Grizzly and Bravefoot about 9 miles in, and they gave me the idea to go all the way to Dennis Cove (and Kincora) today, making it a 24. I took off and didn't see them for the rest of the day. Made good time all day, felt good did my biggest day yet.      Now at Kincora and there are a ton of people here. I got in before Grizzly and Bravefoot, so I got the couch and they get the floor; all the bunks are taken. Met Stinky, Orangutan, Snake, SparrowHawk. Others include Yeti, Granite, Jebus, Sir Hawk, Mike, Kurly, Swansons, Restless, Two Shoes, Tofurky, Overflow, No Worries, Lil Bro, and Sticker (2nd yellowblaze). This place is awesome, Bob and Pat People are too.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Dennis Cove Road (Kincora Hostel)

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

      Get another pretty early start, Restless the only one before me; most others doing small miles are eating bacon/eggs. Beautiful falls at Laurel Falls, in the cool morning air. You walk right along side the water, on a ledge that juts out. Didn't like climbing over Pong Flats right after that though, the legs were definately tired from the previous day. They got under me, though, after I got on the downhill to Watauga Lake. Walking across the damn, I wasn't very interested in the view of the water and lake, I liked looking on the opposite side; Because it is an earthen damn and was looking at the exposed rock and geology on the other side.       Water at the shelter is so far away, but when you are dry it doesn't matter, as long as there is some to get. But the view from the shelter overlooking the lake and town, with a huge vertical dropoff off the rocks made the trek for the water well worth it. The sunset over the lake was also primo.       Here with Restless, Mike, and TwoShoes.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Vandeventer Shelter

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

      Yet another early start, as I followed Restless' lead and get up early. Now Sparrowhawk was camped with us in the morning. Said he was camping by the water source and cooking and a bear strolled up into his camp, so he came back up with us in the middle of the night. Apparently, the bear didn't see him, was just followed his nose to the food and when SparrowHawk said, "Hey bear," it took off. Also, Sir Hawk, as we later found out, cruised by at 1 AM or so. Was doing with 11 to first shelter but then decided to do the Damascus Challenge, for the last 40 or 50 into Damascus in a single day.      Saw four white tail deer, and trail maintainers. Ate lunch with Kurly, Swansons, and Mike (now Doogie Howzer - I gave him the name) at second shelter. On the way to this shelter, I pass, who else buy Sticker (YellowBlaze #3, and only known him since Jerry Cabin). Another packed house tonight, Restless, TwoShoes, Doogie, Kurly, Swansons, JayWalker, 3 weeklongers, and 1 sectioner. Legs feeling good after another 20. Onto Damascus tomorrow, and into VA, with three states down.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, 'The Place'
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

      Early start due to Restless, but watching a pink sunrise makes up for it. What everyone hyped up to be a super easy day into Damascus had built into my mind an extremely easy, short day. But 10 miles is still 10 miles, and I made it harder than it was. Reached the TN/VA border, went back to give TN a goodbye watering because I don't want to be on VA's bad side.       Now at 'The Place', a converted house into a hostel run by the Methodist Church. Legendary among hikers, can sleep a ton of people. Got to do many chores already today, because of the short day, in at around 11. Grub, laundry, shower, second grub, outfitters, more grub. Good stuff. And library too. Good to finally be in the Big D, but VA is a pretty big place.
Date: 2006-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

      Took it easy all day. Had a fat breakfast at Dairy King, libraryed it up, outfitters, grocery. Just rested and relaxed all day. So we had a little mouse problem last night, they were brave and showed their faces before we went to sleep last night. Brave doesn't equal smart. Two packs of mousetraps and some CheeseWhiz later, we just got the first one, under my bed. Anyway, took a few naps in the sun too.      --So I kinda started hiking because I don't really have any real responsibilities as far as job, payments, family, etc. But out here you have to be responsible for all your stuff. You have all the real responsibility concerning anything, so you definately learn it quickly if you don't already have it.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Damascus, 'The Place'

To: Lost Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

      Luckily I got the early start I wanted because sleeping with the windows open, Mike heard the birds and it woke him up. So he started packing and it woke me up. Very good day of hiking, felt very strong and some great views to go with it.       Walking on the VA Creeper Trail and over the long bridge was pretty cool. Got to the shelter early, with YooHoo and Doogie there. Set mousetrap and he took the frickin bait (PB and honey tortilla). Put PB on second time but he didn't go for it, just sniffed at it, realized what we were up to and left.      Very crowded site tonight. 10 weekenders, large group of troubled teens (criminals) with their leaders (LoneWolf calls them the Hoods-n-the Woods), + Sparrowhawk, Buree, and Tofurky tented, with me, Doogie, YooHoo, SunDancer, Bugs, Grizzly, and Sticker in the shelter. Lonewolf, who I'd read much about and in stories, who lives in Damascus is here. Glad I got to meet and talk with him. Verry cool guy with laid back attitude on some stuff, but other stuff he'll definately speak his mind. And he gave Meatloaf (aka Sticker) hell all night about his meatloaf; we were all ragging on him even after he went to sleep. After YB #4, and him bragging about the meatloaf sandwich on white bread with lots of salt and pepper and separate tomato and lettuce so it wouldn't make it soggy and with a brownie, we all gave him crap. He coulda got anything, turky, roast beef, ham; but meatloaf??      Talked around the fire till we hit the hay, after we watched the moon rise over Whitetop.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Lost Mtn. Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

      Awake to the sounds of three people packing up and me usually wanting to get an early start but not the first to rise, thought it was time for me to get up. Look out and teh dang moon is out, not any shade lighter than dark is the sky, has to be like 5 AM. Go back to sleep for few hours.      After I get going, Whitetop comes and does. Pretty neat, kinda like Max Patch, but not. Expected a big climb up to Thomas Knob Shelter because guidebook has it, but it never comes. Prolly just getting in shape. Doogie and I go the .5 mile blue-blazed trail up to the top of Mt. Rogers, highest point in VA, but no views whatsoever. Return to our packs and reach the shelter to find Meatloaf. Can't figure if he actually hiked the 12 or YBed it. Was going to stop there, but Doogie mentioned next shelter and I hopped on that, especially with Meatloaf there, and also considering it was still pretty early. Went through the Grayson Highlands, where there are wild ponies that live up there. Some get close enough to pet/feed, but not for me. I saw 11 of them. Now at the shelter with Buree and Doogie, and the privy has an awesome view looking up at the mountains we came over today. I like the fewer people at shelters, still. The conversation is better, more intimate.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

      Beautiful day all day, starting to get a little hot, especially without leaf cover but the breeze all day helped out. Easy hiking all day, in part because I think I'm finally rounding into shape. Can do big miles everyday and it feels good, not hard to do them. Feels good to cruise up what I once thought were big climbs and now don't even notice them. Fly by people who look to be in at least semi-decent shape with either no pack at all or very minimal day packs. The long and powerful, yet effortless, strides go on all day now and can only remember how labor-intensive it was the first few weeks. Foot-eye coordination now, too, is incredible; allowing you to view much more. Whereas before you had to concentrate and ook at all your steps, now, depending on how level and rocky the terrain is, I can look 10, 15, 20 feet ahead and get a mental picture of it in my mind, and not look at trail again until I've outwalked the mental picutre.      Here with Sparrowhawk, Burre, Mr. Rodgers, and Doogie, along with a sectioner John.
Date: 2006-04-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Update time.The short of it is that I¢m no longer on the trail.      It was a pretty tough decision for me to come home, but I eventually made it. I had been thinking about it when I was in Damascus, but wanted to give the trail a fair shot and think about it a while longer. So sixty miles later at the Partnership Shelter (which has to be the best shelter I had saw; nice materials, large, a loft, shower, indoor privy, could order delivery pizza/subs from the visitor center like .1 miles away) and the road crossing for Marion, VA I hitched in after a short 10 mile day from Trimpi Shelter. So took the back half of that day and then zeroed in Marion the next day to think about things.      Yes I failed in my original goal of thru-hiking, but my hike did not fail at all. I got to experience so many people and culture that I wouldn¢t ever have encountered otherwise, really learned about those people. And through them, learned much about myself. So why did I come home after only 500 miles? Let me say this first off, it definitely was not anything to do with me physically (ie. my knee). When I first got home, that was the question everyone asked, and it was so funny to me because that wasn¢t the issue whatsoever. But because I¢d only send out my journals to PJ every week or so, and then it¢d take a week for him to get them and post them, everyone was reading what was going on like two weeks ago. After you get into Virginia (and I am really of the opinion of after you get through the Smokies), it is all mental; only a really serious physical injury would do you in. SO¢¦ I set out on this for it to be a super fun adventure, and it was, especially at end of the day when at the shelter or in town or wherever. But for me, the actual hiking got to be not so fun at all anymore. And I knew some parts of it would suck, but to hang in there anyway because in the end, it¢d be worth it. But with more than 1600 miles still to go, I didn¢t want to hike on just to say that I had hiked the AT. I could have continued to hike it just to say that I had thru-hiked and have that great accomplishment under my belt, but I would not have been happy with myself or my decision to do so just so I could say I thru-hiked. And for most people, a thru-hike is far superior to a section hike, but for me that isn¢t the case. A section hike is just as great of an achievement, and that is the way to go for me. And that is all that matters; what is right for me and what I want to do. In hiking terms, ¢hike your own hike¢. I had great support from so many people and I¢m sure all of them wanted to see me succeed, but that isn¢t a reason I should continue. Again, what matters is what is right for me; not what others want to see me do.Would I do it over if I knew the end result? Absolutely. It is such a wonderful experience for anyone to go through. I do want to do the whole trail, only I figured out that I want to do it in sections rather than do a thru.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Baxter State Park

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are almost ready to start. We are trying to finetune the weight of the packs. They are now 35 lbs. That feels too heavy. Would like to get them down to 25 and 30. We are planning to hit the trail this weekend. Just hope there will be a few days without rain when we start.   It has been such a rainy summer so far. The family will take us to Abol bridge where we will start our jouney. We are looking forward to the adventure. Will connect with folks once we get to Monson. Only a few more days left til the adventure begins.   Jim
Date: 2006-07-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After checking the weather for the next 10 days, we will plan to start on Weds. We will stay near Baxter at my sister and her husband's camp. The whole family will be there. It will seem like a vacation before we committ to the trail. Once on the trail, who knows what it will be like. I am expecting lots of mosquitos, mud, blisters and sore muscles. I can handle this, but who knows how a 15 year old kid will do with those discomforts.   Guess we'll find out. J
Date: 2006-07-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My older son is planning to join us for a week at Monson. He is a student at Bowdoin and I know there is a Bowdoin Outing Club shelter somewhere near Monson. Think we might try to check it out once Chris joins us. Hope we can be in Monson in 3 weeks. We'll see. Jim.
Date: 2006-07-07
From: 100 mile wilderness

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 8.0

The father and son team of Jim and Glen (no trail names yet) got started on July 5th after several days on fishing on Millinocket lake. They are starting with the 100 mile wilderness stretch and hope to hike all of Maine returning to finish with Katahdin. There has been no word from them for several days but hope to get word once they reach White House Landing. At least the weather has been decent for once.What started as a joke has become a reality.   Thanks to Jody for planting the seed and awakening the dream. (jim started hiking the trail in the 70's and always wanted to return) Thanks to the father daugther team of Ebony and Ralph for showing us it could be done. Thanks to Matt at Cadallac Mt. Sports for helping with equipment and the most fun shopping experience ever. Thanks to Suzanne for helping us secure some funding. And thanks to Micki & Kari, Warren & Nancy for helping it all to come together. You have all helped make the dream a reality.They're off!!!!