morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-02-13
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a nero day. Finished Smoky Mountain hike in five days and a brief hike to Standing Bear hostel. While hiking there got the first snow of the trip thus far (today marks 3 weeks since I started in Springer).Arrived at Standing Bear and spoke for a while with Maria. Curtis will be bakc later this afternoon. Took care of priority items - bought a pizza and cooked it in their pizza oven - it was gone in 15 minutes. A couple of colas to wash it down and some food for the two day trip to Hot Springs. Next - throwing some damp clothes in the dryer while Hopeful got a great wood fire going in the bunkroom stove. A nice pleasant night here; a shower and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow starts about a 30-mile, two day hike to Hot Springs. Looks like I'll be picking up my food and bounce box Saturday morning and maybe spend Saturday night at Elmers. Then a five day trip to Erwin where Trail Boss and I will meet up for several days to relax a bit.Once again, I have about 20 new pictures to add, but the computer here at Standing Bear does not have a high-speed connection - so the pics will have to wait until Erwin. Okay, here's the scoop on Standing Bear Hostel: Cost to stay is $15 They have about 12 bunks in a bunkhouse (heated by a wood-burning stove) They have a pretty large food and hiker accessory selection that is priced a bit on the steep side (but you don't have any alternative choice around here) Their bathroom is a self-composting privy They have a kitchen with microwave, fridge and pizza oven They have a very basic shower/sink area. The best way to describe Standing Bear is a work-in-progress in a rustic style. But again, remember that Mountain Momma's is no longer open so Standing Bear is your ONLY choice until you get to Hot Springs.
Date: 2008-02-14
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

This wasn't that easy a hiking day - starting with the climb up Snowbird Mountain. Intended to cover 18 miles so that I would arrive in Hot Springs the following afternoon.Surprised that I was feeling so good and covering the terrain - just kept going. Finally got to the climb up Walnut Mountain and made it to the top. That climb was a rough way to end the day. That made my first 20 mile day on this hike. Went a bit further up the trail to a campground and set up my tent for the night. (The shelter had a tarp in place and I just didn't like sleeping in a dark shelter when it is still light outside).Max patch was really nice and I had the place to myself. The hike north of Max Patch is pretty much level for a while. Just walking around the side of the mountains with little elevation change. Saw my first snowfall (about 2-3 inches) - no ice, just snow. Made for some really pretty Trail.
Date: 2008-02-15
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it in to Hot Springs in time to pick up my mail drop. Post office closes at 4pm but I was in town by 1:30pm. Given that I started hiking at 8:30am - a pretty good 13 miles. The post office is also open on Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 but then Monday is Presidents Day and that is just too long to wait for the mail drop.We could have sent the mail drop to the Outfitter Store, which is open 7 days a week, but I was able to hump it and get in on time so everything worked out.There is no cell phone reception in Hot Springs so I'm having to rely on calling cards and pay phones.Regardless of what others say, I stayed at the Alpine Motel and thought it was pretty decent. Rate is $44 (including tax). Real rooms - cable TV, bathroom, etc.Got my resupply and bounce box from the Post Office. Then a trip to the washateria for some non-stinky clothes. A shower and then I'm ready for the Dinner. Gigantic meal of chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, fried okra, milk (I love milk). Checked out stuff at the Dollar Store, back to the room for some TV and then asleep.
Date: 2008-02-16
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is my second, legitimate zero day on the trail. Not too bad given that my hike started just 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Besides, I have to time my departure from Hot Springs so I arrive in Erwin when Trail Boss gets there (next Thursday).I'm over at Bluff Mountain Outfitters entering pictures and daily entries - nice folks. Library is closed on Saturdays.This will be a lazy day. There is no cell reception (at least not for AT&T) so I'm stuck using the pay phones. Will contact the "boss" after finishing up here.Probably another dinner at the dinner tonight. Then a beer at Paddlers Pub. Will be heading out towards Erwin Sunday (tomorrow) morning.Happy and safe hiking everyone. During dinner in came "Hopeful" and we sat together talking about our hiking plans. He had opted to stay in a hostel/private home near the railway tracks. I hadn't heard of the place before.
Date: 2008-02-17
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Late start this morning - not on the Trail until 9:45am. Hey - sometimes the alarm clock doesn't always make me get up on time.Supposed to be 70% chance of rain. God knows I'm overdue. Will be shooting for 15 miles today - we will see.Only made it to Spring Mountain Shelter. Opted to tent at a nearby campsite. Had heavy rain and winds overnight. I've been using my MSR Hubba tent with the optional footprint. This is mainly to protect the tent floor from sharp/protruding items on the ground. But also to protect from ground water getting into the tent floor. Well this night I apparently set up the footprint wrong - some of the footprint stuck out from the tent and allowed water to get under the tent and onto the footprint. In the morning, there was a little bit of water under my Z-rest pad, inside the tent. I think that water soaked through the floor after puddling on the footprint. In the future I'm going to try and not use the footprint and see how the water does. Of course, this means not setting up the tent where the rain can puddle - and the ground slopes down a bit. It might work best to just not use the footprint if I can't get it to fit under the tent (and not sticking out). It seems MSR would have sized the footprint a bit smaller to insure it does stay under the tent.
Date: 2008-02-18
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Left for today's hike at 9:15am - a bit late. Will do 15 miles today and make up some of the mileage missed tomorrow.No sun today. Some freezing rain/sleet began to fall at 1pm. Did not last that long.It was enjoyable climbing the ridgeline known as the "Blackstaff Cliffs". These include a number of rocks to scramble and several ridges to hike along. There is also a blue-blaze alternate trail for bad weather.Made it to Jerry Cabin Shelter at 5pm. Almost 16 miles today. Set up tent in the empty shelter. Seems like I'm using the tent more often when the shelters are empty. That helps make the shelter a bit more mouse-proof; and allows sleeping in a relatively cleaner tent. Plus I don't have to put on the rain fly. It does take a bit more time in the evening/morning to setup/take down things. And for all I know the mice may not even be that much active during the cold winter. (But that reminds me of the night I spent at the NOC in a cabin. I could both hear and see a mouse runninf around on the porch. So I guess they can still be around during winter).
Date: 2008-02-19
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got on the road a little bit earlier - 9am. Want to try again for 15 miles - working on 15 miles a day to get me into Erwin on Thursday - when Trail Boss will be arriving. A gray morning turned into freezing temps and snow falling in the morning. Some of these "up and downs" were pretty steep. I had to stop periodically and take little breaks. Carrying a 45 pound pack is doable with the Osprey Aether - but you still have to give your back a break or two every so often. Decided to stop at Hogback Ridge Shelter for the night and did complete my 15 miles. Hogback is a relatively nice shelter and I was able to fit my MSR Hubba inside the shelter with no problem.
Date: 2008-02-20
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Began hiking at 8:30am. Only other person met on the Trail was a local hiker out for a day hike. He was parked at Sam's Gap. Approaching Sam's Gap I noticed a number of gallon plastic water jugs that were empty. Apparently they had been placed earlier by trail angels to provide water for Southbounders.I've mentioned it before but to repeat - there has been water present at every shelter thus far. Some have been slow running - but they have had water. The majority of water sources in Wingfoot's 2006 guidebook did have running water.Today I got the idea of pushing for my second 20-mile hiking day in the one month I've been hiking. Well, I did it - but it was a struggle. I had planned on being finished by 6pm and it doesn't get dark until around 6:20pm. Well, the last hour I had some difficulty finding enough water for overnight cooking/drinking/cleaning (usually around 3 liters). By the time I had located the water it was dark. That meant hiking the last 30-45 minutes by head lamp and my back began to suffer from the long day and extra water weight. But eventually I made it to No Business Shelter.This leaves only 6 miles tomorrow into Erwin.
Date: 2008-02-21
From: No Business Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Allowed myself to sleep in this morning since I only have a short mileage day. Pleasant hike into Erwin - only 6 miles - but there are a awful lot of switchbacks down to the town.Hiked the miles to the Holiday Inn Select. A car pulled over offering a lift. Turns out the guy was the same day hiker I met yesterday - with the car parked in Sams Gap. I thanked him but told him I just had a short distance more to go.Well - here's the plan for the next several days. Trail Boss is driving down from Maryland (isn't that nice of her?) and will be in around midnight. I'll take two zero days (Friday and Saturday) and head back onto the Trail around noon, Sunday. She and I will get our logistics organized for the next month and head over to Johnson City for some good food and sights."Hopeful" told me he might be in Erwin while we are here. If he is here the plan is for him to give us a call and we can all take the car and head out for dinner or wherever we made need to go.I guess that's it for now. Off to wash my body, my clothes, go to the convenience store next door for some food and drink, and kick back and get caught up on the news on television.By the way - when you hike down from Big Bald, there is this black "muck" on the Trail that you pretty much have to walk through. It sticks to your boots like glue. It causes you to slide and (possibly) fall if you aren't careful. It's even hard to pull out your hiking pole. And it isn't that easy to walk around the muck. Watch out!By the way, as it turns out I've been running into a number of hikers/hostel owners/maintainers/etc. who have recognized me as "Jaws", my former trail name. These folks have included "Hopeful", Curtis Owen (Standing Bear Hostel), owner of Alpine Motel in Hot Springs, and some other hikers and folks I've run into around Erwin. It seems a bit too complicated to tell them my current trail name is "The Unknown Hiker". So it's fine for them to call me whatever they want. I guess a one-syllable "Jaws" is easier to say/remember. But I'll keep on using "The Unknown Hiker" in this journal.
Date: 2008-02-22
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

First zero day in Erwin. Weather looks like a lot of rain for the weekend. That's okay, Trail Boss and I have plenty of planning to do for future mail drops. We also plan on heading into Johnson City (it's really nice when you have a vehicle) to walk around the mall, check out the Outfitters (Mahoney's), and have some dinner.Speaking of dinner, "Mango" and his wife will be meeting us for burgers tonight. Mango did a NB thru-hike in 2006. I think though he had already finished by the time I started my SB in late July. Anyway, it will be nice to meet him and his wife.From a resupply standpoint, I think I can leave Erwin with enough food to get to Bob People's hostel (I think he accepts a mail drop - will have to call him and see). That drop will easily get me to Damascus. Trail Boss will send another food drop there. By the way, I wanted to mention that while in Hot Springs I checked out a pac at the Bluff Mountain Outfitter. It was a Osprey Atmos pack. It's novelty was a larger mesh breathing space behind your back. The pack still holds a good amount of gear. But the only problem for me is that it is not as durable as my Osprey Aether. To be fair, the Atmos is only designed to carry around 35 pounds. For a winter gear pack, that's getting close to the weight limit. The Aether can comfortably carry that weight and more. But for a summer pack, the Atmos looks pretty nice.Lastly - info on the Holiday Inn Select in Erwin: cost for a "thru-hiker" rate is $65 for a room ($69 for room with microwave and fridge). For that you get a pretty nice room, continental breakfast (pretty good size) from 6:30 to 9:30; hot tub outside; washer & dryer; and (when in stock) a pint of Ben & Jerry's for each day you stay. They didn't have any while I was here.
Date: 2008-02-25
From: near Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Left camp at 9:45am. Snow on the ground and cold. Sky later cleared and the sun came out.I met 2 local hikers and one SOBO hiker named Skipper. The weather radio said there was a front coming in and there would be 3-6 inches of snow. Supposed to be windy, 3-6 inches of snow on the ground. Temps in the single digits.
Date: 2008-02-26
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

It was supposed to snow but it only rained today. I climbed Roan Mountain. The weather station up-graded the forecast to a winter weather advisory. I got lost for a little while, but finally got back on track.Got to the blue-blaze trail sign for the Overmountain Shelter but somehow went down the wrong trail. Wasted a good hour before I found the right way. When I got to Overmountain Shelter, I had to hunt for water. It was windy and cold and I set up my tent on the second floor. Still pretty drafty.
Date: 2008-02-27
From: Overmoutain Shelter

To: Bradley Gap
Miles today: 3.0

There was about 4 inches on the ground when I left and it was coming down heavily. The snow got deeper and was up to my knees soon. The winds caused visbility problems. The high temp during the day was 18F & that night it got down to -5F. I got lost trying to find Little Hump Moutain. I evemtually found it and climbed over Little Hump, the winds were strong around 50 miles/hr on top. Visibility was close to white-out. I had to tent that afternoon before I could go over Hump Mountain the next day, and tented near Bradley Gap. I took several pictures during this day but the camera did not save them - apparently due to the weather.
Date: 2008-02-28
From: Bradley Gap

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel, Roan, TN
Miles today: 6.0

In the morning I began the approach to Hump Mountain. The winds terrible and near white-out conditions. Thanks to the white-blaze wooden posts (about 5 feet above ground) I could see well enough to navigate over the mountain. There wasn't that much snow on top because the winds blew it off. I had hoped that there would be less snow on the other side of the mountain but I was wrong! It was worse than the day before and there were times the snow was up to my waist. But by the time I made it to Apple House Shelter, there were only a few inches on the ground.I hiked on to 19E highway and tried calling Kinkora Hostel to see if Bob Peoples could pick me up - but no reception. I noticed in my guidebook that there was a hostel (Mountain Harbor Hostel) three-tenths of a mile down the road.Turned out to be a very nice place to stay. They have a very nice hostel above their barn. Charge is $15 for the stay; $4 for laundry; and $4 for a shuttle into town.The owner gave me a ride to the grocery store to pick up food and washed and dried my clothes.
Date: 2008-02-29
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel, Roan, TN

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel, Roan, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Here's their website: http://www.mountainharbour.netI'm taking a zero day so my boots can dry out and I can rest up. I'm exhausted after so much post-holing. Tomorrow, onward to Kincora.
Date: 2008-03-02
From: Campsite North of 19E

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 11.0

Left campsite at 8:15am. Shortly thereafter crossed "Hardcore Cascade" which marks the 400-mile completed mark on the Trail.Weather was beautiful today. Sunny and temps in the upper 60's. Definitely shorts and t-shirt hiking weather.Arrived in the afternoon and chatted with Bob Peoples for a while. He said he has guested well over 20,000 hikers since he opened. Picked up my food re-supply box and decided to stay for the night. You should see all of the pictures sent from hikers completing their thru-hikes. Very impressive. "Hopeful" has a food drop waiting - I hoped to see him this night but he didn't make it.
Date: 2008-03-03
From: Kinkora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

The weather is beautiful but expecting heavy rains on Tuesday - then clearing up on Wednesday. Left Kinkora Hostel at 8am. Soon passed by Laurel Gorge and Laurel Waterfall. This area was simply beautiful. You should definitely slow down to enjoy the scenery. Today the temps got up into the low 70's - unbelievable. Almost too hot climbing up Pond Flats. Pond Flats has sections that go straight up at a 45-degree or greater angle - rough climbing.Decided to head for Vandeventer Shelter for tonight. Got into the shelter around 6:30pm after passing by Lake Watauga and the Watauga Dam. Very pretty to view. The Lake looks like it is still below normal water levels after the draught.In the shelter the winds began to blow strongly. Tomorrow will head to either Iron Mountain Shelter (7 miles) or Double Springs Shelter (15 miles). Will depend on how much rain we get.I had also met a section hiker and we shared the Vandeventer Shelter. He has to be in Damascus by Wednesday evening - so he has to hike to the further shelter tomorrow.
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

Left camp at 8:30am. Expected rain all day - and wasn't disappointed. Was soon soaked even wearing my rain gear. I know a lot of the water was my own sweat, but it still seems like the rain gear should have performed better.After hiking 7 miles I decided to call it a day at Irin Mountain Shelter. It is supposed to be a lot nicer (weather) tomorrow and made more sense to sit out the rain and make up the mileage later. Had enough room to set up my tent in the shelter - a good thing because the winds were blowing the rain inside.While in the shelter (and still raining) I hung up my wet clothes to dry. I should have known that wouldn't happen - but thought it was worth a try. The next morning everything was still wet - or wetter. Spent rest of the afternoon reading my book.While in the shelter I looked around and found a un-opened portion of military MREs (Meals Ready To Eat). There was a foil pouch containing Minestrone and a smaller pouch of peanut butter. I made sure they hadn't been opened and then heated them with my stove. Very tasy. I wonder if they were left behind by Sgt. Rock when he passed through about a week earlier.
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Tentsite a mile north of Virginia border
Miles today: 23.0

Set my alarm for 6am (think I'll use that time for now on). All packed by 8am and on the trail (yes I take an inordinate amount of time to eat and pack things up).Shooting for 16-18 miles today and then a 10-12 mile hike into Damascus for tomorrow. It was supposed to be sunny and in the low 50's today. But someone failed to tell the Weather Gods. Stayed very foggy/cloudy and the temp for the first few hours was around 28 degrees. There was even a little bit of snow falling.Made good time (as Bob Peoples had told me) and was at the Abingdon Shelter by 2:45pm. Wingfoot's book says it is only 200 feet down to the water supply. WRONG!! It had to be at least two or three-tenths of a mile down (and back up) a steep slope.Met another section hiker at the shelter and we chatted for a bit about gear, how long it took to get "hiker legs", etc.I was now carrying a total of four liters of water (8 extra pounds) and decided to only push on to a campsite 1 or 2 miles further. But then I got into the hike and decided to try for 20 miles - which would be my third 20-miler for the hike. I kept looking for a tenting spot and couldn't find one. A lot of the terrain in this area involves ridge walking.I soon past the sign announcing Mt. Rogers Recreation Area. This is where Tennessee ends and Virgina starts. About a half-mile further I found a suitable tenting spot around 6pm. When I checked my guidebook I realized I had completed 23 miles for the day - longest distance yet. Better yet - only 3 miles to Damascus tomorrow.
Date: 2008-03-06
From: Tentsite a mile north of Virginia border

To: Damascus
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: few clouds

Slept until 8am (reward for the long-mileage yesterday). On the trail by 9:30am. Surprisingly it had gotten pretty cold overnight and I had quite a bit of frost on the tent and some other items. Figured I'd just pack everything now and wash in Damascus at the Washeteria.Very sunny day today. It would be nice to hike all day in this weather - but Damascus is only about an hour away.Hiked into town and headed to the Mt. Rogers Outfitters. I wanted to get a bunk for the night at their hostel (across the street). I was a bit worried because I'd heard that a bunch of college students on spring-break had booked up the place a few days back. But I had no problem getting a room.Also picked up my food resupply box from Trail Boss. Headed over to my room (two bunks per room - but I have my room to myself). Took all of my dirty clothes (that means everything) and walked down to the washeteria.While washing my clothes in walked two guys. Guess who? It was Sgt. Rock and Lone Wolf. We talked a bit and found out Sgt. Rock is shuttling up to Atkins today and will hike back to Damascus.While my clothes were drying, I walked down to the other outfitter in town - Sundog Outfitters. I was disappointed in his selection - not much. I guess Mt. Rogers gets most of the business.That's it for now. I've got to go pick up my clean clothes, get a shower, and locate a pay phone to call Trail Boss. The cell reception (AT&T) is non-existent here.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: 13 miles north of Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to bright sunshine but very cold. Supposed to be a nice weather day, today. Had to take extra time brushing the frost/condensation from the tent fly. I've been told that if you keep the fly door open, it helps prevent inside condensation. I'll have to give it a try.On the trail by 9:45am. There was a good bit of snow (4 inches) while hiking over Whitetop Mountain. This slowed my pace down quite a bit - although someone had already passed through and left some compressed tracks.I had planned on stopping at a shelter about 12 miles away. But reached the site by 4:45pm. Opted to just get water and keep hiking, looking for a tenting spot. Took until 6pm to find one. Totak miles today was only 13.5 - a pretty rough hiking day.