morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Catawba, Virginia

To: McAfee Knob
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

04-30-2010Fraser Fir        Section HikerAppalachian TrailGeorgia to MaineDay Eight-Year Six-Seventeen MilesWell, today will be my last day on this section hike. I am so thankful for the opportunity to get out here and hike. Virginia is such a beautiful state. It has been wonderful to be out here, pretty much all alone and just engage with nature.I am up and packed before 8:00 a.m. I hike out to Hwy 624 and then turn left on Hwy 311 and see the Dragons Tooth Convenience Store. Hot dog!!This is where I splurge- no doubt about it.I purchase 4-32 ounce Gatorades. One diet Mtn. Dew. One Rocks tar Energy drink with electrolytes. One diet Dr. Pepper. I buy two chicken and bacon biscuits, some snicker bars and beef jerky!!Nothing like a $32.00 bill at the gas station and no gas!!There is a picnic area behind the convenience store and I drink up and eat up. I drink most of the fluids,(saving a few for my lunch time break at McAfee Knob.) I feel like a glutton. I cannot believe it but I drink almost every bit of the Gatorade, Rock Star and Mountain Dew!! The biscuits were wonderful. (even though they were a little dry I did not really care)The pay phone here is out of order, so I would not have had an easy way to call the Police last night even, if I wanted to!Today will take me to the summit of McAfee Knob. One of the most photographed places on the trail. It looks like another very exciting day in store! I can hardly wait¢¦to be continued¢¦.
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Catawba

To: McAfee Knob (entry two of the day)
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Fraser FirSection HikerAppalachian TrailGeorgia to MaineDay eight-year six-seventeen milesLast Entry of this sectionMy original intent was to make it all the way to Troutville but I am going to leave the trail tonight on a ¢good foot¢. Many miles were covered with many outstanding views and great nights of sleep.The section from Catawba to McAfee Knob was awesome.I walk through open farm land today and hop over yet a few more stiles and see yet a few more livestock.Knowing that my ride will pick me up around 6:00 pm, I really do try and take my time. I make it to McAfee Knob right at lunch time and eat up.After I eat, and take some pictures, I read my Bible and then my DeKker book. I hang out on top of McAfee Knob for almost four hours. It is an amazing day and people are everywhere. Although it is a Friday and the weather is a perfect 85 degrees or so, I still find my solitude amongst all of these folks.I help a few thru-hikers out in taking their photograph from the top of the Knob and take in views of the Roanoke Airport, West-Virginia and the Allegheny Mountains and the entire Blue Ridge. I sneak a peak to the east towards my next section and the Blue Ridge Parkway.I feel so blessed; so fortunate; so privileged to have the opportunity to take eight days out of my life and stop what I am doing and come out into the wilderness. On the way back down to the highway from McAfee Knob, I hear a rock band playing live music. It sounds like it is coming from Catawba for sure.Hiker upon hiker climb north as I am headed south. I see a guy carrying his sleeping bag because he does not have enough room in his pack! hah! I remember the time that I carried a suit case to the top of Max Patch (where I had my car parked) for an over nighter. Should have seen the reaction on some thru-hikers faces!!!A young guy tells me where to find a stash of Mountain Dew.I look and look and you know all I heard was Mountain Dew. I did not hear where he hid them so I was the looser there.Lo and behold in the parking lot, as I am covered in mud from searching every nook and cranny for Mt. Dew; I see my friend from Maine, Snowman and call out his name. He hiked up the road from the Homeplace and we catch up for a few mintues.He tells me that he will have trail magic waiting for me in Maine..awesome; I tell him that if he ever comes back through Georgia, I will do the same for him. Nice young man.In addition to being married, having two wonderful boys,a small group leader; I am definitely without a doubt living out my dream one mile at a time.See you next year on the trail.Love, Peace and Grace..
Date: 2010-05-01
From: McAfee Knob

To: Gainesville, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Fraser FirSection HikerGeorgia to MaineYear Six-2010Conclusion: Section Hike from Ceres, Virginia to McAfee Knob, VirginiaMy ride picked me up on time in Catawba. I had hunted everywhere for some Mountain Dews that a young man and his daddy said that they had put by the road, and to no avail, no success!!I was downright filthy, but it was all good.It took a good hour and a half to get back to my 1993 Ford Explorer. I was base-camped in Pearisburg.My ride back was with my friend who shuttled me a little bit over one week ago. We talked a little bit and he pointed out some of the sights.May hit close to 90 F before the week is out. I try to keep it clean and waxed and stuff. I hope to have my Explorer in the Moonshine Festival someday. The Moonshine Festival is a pretty big deal in our parts. That is in Dawsonville, Georgia. (Not far from Amicalola Falls S.P. Many of the show cars; muscle cars, etc... all the way back to Ford Model A¢s and Chevy Chevelles show up to show what is under the hood.Anyway, back to Pearisburg. My man rang me up for my shuttle and I was on my way. My car is acting stubborn again. I am having the hardest time shifting into high gear. I stop at Subway and get a foot-longer for the trip back to Anderson, S.C. where my family has been hanging out while I am out here havin fun and all¢¦..I have a little bit of ¢culture shock¢ after being in the woods for a few days as I go through the Dublin, Virginia Super Wal-mart center.   People are everywhere and young kids are textin and all this crazy stuff.. I just want to get into my car; turn on some good music and head south.I talk to Stephanie on the phone. It will be after 1:00 a.m. when I arrive in Anderson. I promise that I will be ¢alert¢ in the morning for the boys.I make it to Anderson without incident. My father-in-law takes my car for a ride the next morning and immediately takes in to the shop. The transmission is toast. I just Praise God that I made it back in one piece and did not break down on I-81 or I-77 or anywhere along the way.Of course, this is going to be expensive because I am not doing the work... but it is what it is.What a great walk across Central Virginia. Great people, great weather, great times.See you in 2011. Shooting for McAfee Knob to Big Meadows (210 Miles)We will just see will we not?? Thank you for joining me on this section hike. It has been wonderful.Notes to follow on my 05/03/2010 entry for acknowledgments and ¢shout outs¢Peace, Love and Grace to You all...
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Va Rte 42 Ceres, Virginia

To: Troutville, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

I would personally like to thank George and Ginny Fisher as well as Gary Keckley and Judy Massey for signing my trail journal guest book.I will probably get email this year.For now, I do not have it, so I wanted to thank these folks for taking time out of their day to sign my trail register and to thank George and Ginny for leaving the weather forecast and water for all of the hikers! You are appreciated!
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Va. Rte 42 Ceres, Virginia

To: Troutville, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Fraser Fir-Section Hiker North boundAppalachian TrailHiked from 04/23/10 to 04/30/10Year Six-completeI hiked approximately 160 Miles with trail re-locations, blue blaze and an ¢in-out¢ to McAfee Knob.Start: Va.Route 42 (548.2)End: McAfee Knob (700.6)Was it not Lou Gehrig that said that he considered himself to be the ¢luckiest¢ man alive?I do believe in good fortune and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time in Virginia.It was a time like no other. It was one of those times that I will never forget as long as I live.This section of the trail was absolutely amazing. You know what though, it has all been amazing.The trail magic; the generosity; the kind word; the helpful hand. You do not forget these things.I will go into great detail of each day of my section hike of Central Virginia in the upcoming days.I love to write, so this will be almost as fun as hiking.I will be a better person for meeting some of the kind folks such as Snowman, EZ, Lightning Bolt, the young lady at Rite Aid who let me leave my MP3 there to let in charge for a couple of hours....I will never be the same after this section hike. Life will be even simpler. A kind word should come quicker. Patience should endure longer.Finally, I want to thank my ¢support team¢ of my family - Stephanie, Bryson and Siler- I love you. My mother in law and father in law (Harry and BJ) and my friends who helped me kinda put this all together. Talk to you soon. My prayers are with you all.
Date: 2010-01-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello there, this is my first entry on here. i have about a month and a half to go before my hike starts. I am really looking forward to heading out and seeing if I can make it. I am just about finished as far as getting all my gear and preparations go. I am still trying to save up a little more money to feel comfortable with expenses once out on the trail. Thats about it. Just gonna sit and stare at the clock until it's March 12.
Date: 2010-02-24
To: Getting Closer
Miles today: 0.0

It's been about a month since my last entry and I only have about two weeks until I leave. I have now purchased all my major gear save for little things like my toothbrush and ibuprofen type purchases. For the past week I have been working on breaking in my new shoes too, wearing them around the house and going for short walks around my neighborhood. I put in my two weeks notice at my job last friday and only have a little over a week left there to work and save up what money I can for my trip. It's funny to think that I could be jobless and carefree for almost five months to come. I only have two hundred dollars left to save up for bills, etc. I am very anxious and nervous about this trip the closer it gets. I've been dreaming about it for almost two years now and now that it's actually here, it's a shock. I hope I'm ready and have prepared enough. Fifteen days to go!
Date: 2010-03-10
To: It's Finally Here!
Miles today: 0.0

The day has finally come! In two days I will be on the trail and hopefully on my way to Katahdin. I have now finished all my final purchases and have checked over all my gear. Today and tomorrow I am just going to be taking it easy, spending my last two days with my family and Amanda and finishing the fourth season of Dexter before I leave. I am super amped to be leaving friday except for the fact that it's suppose to rain all day friday and saturday, that will be a nice introduction to the trail! I'll be meeting Amanda in Hiawassee about five days in, so I can look forward to that after being rained on for the first week. This will be my last entry from home, the next will be either at neels gap or in town. Wish me luck!
Date: 2010-03-17
From: Approach Trail

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 52.0
Weather: light rain

Alright, first entry on here since I have left home. Left friday morning and headed to Amicalola Park. Since it had been raining for the past couple days, the road to Springer Mtn. was closed off, forcing me to hike the approach trail. This was not expected and very frustrating to hear. I had to hike eight miles in the rain and Iwasn't even on the AT yet. Luckily the days progressivly got nicer. Tuesday was a great and sunny day, the first I had seen on the trail. The hiking has been going pretty well. My feet are a little tender and my pack is leaving my hips and shoulders a little bruised but I'm having a great time so far. Only twenty miles to go until N.C.! As long as the rain holds out for a while, I'll be a happy camper.
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Frankling, N.C.
Miles today: 51.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, I have made it out of Ga! It's a nice feeling to get into a new state. All that hiking in the rain payed off and I'm now sitting pretty in a local motel here in Franklin for the day. Since I got back on the trail at Unicoi Gap the weather has been quite nice. Said bye to Amanda Thursday afternoon and hiked, quite depressed, up Trey Mtn. Got to the shelter and a few others like myself had brought some whiskey up. So, we all ate dinner and passed around three bottles till the fire went out. The next few days were actually quite hot and a nice change from all the rain. Ran into Zack and Jamie (double dribble) down at dicks creek gap and camped with them for the night after they lured me with burgers and beer. Headed out late around eleven next morning and crossed the Ga border at four. Have spent about two days in NC so far. The first day was brutal, hiking thirteen miles and getting rained on the entire day. Woke up the next morning and the rain had turned to snow. The hike into Franklin was really fun since it snowed the entire hike and the terrain was never to rough. Taking my first zero day (no hiking) here and heading back out wed. Plan on hitting the smokies by next week which should be amazing. They've had some nasty weather and talk of three feet of snow! Looking forward to it.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Frankling, N.C.

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 33.0
Weather: clear sky

Ok, it's been a while since I've been on here so I will break up the hike into sections. From Franklin I hiked about thirty miles or so to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Got my first blister of the trip going down that huge downhill there. The NOC was pretty cool and I picked up some food that was mailed to me. Showered and did laundry and headed out the next morning towards the smokies. Got rained on a good bit the second day and made it to fontana dam the third day. The shelter was very classy and held 20 people. A shuttle picked us up and drove us to the nearby village where they had junk food and beer. We ate burgers at the local restaurant and stumbled back to the shelter around nine. Walked around the dam and read up on the history. It was built because of a flood in carson city in the 40's (fun fact).
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Fontana Dam

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 72.0
Weather: light rain

From Fontana Shelter I walked over the damn a few miles to the entrance of the Smokies. The first day was quite strenuous as it was all uphill from about 1500 feet to around 5500. The first couple days were rough with many hills and few views. Met a lot of section hikers who were very interested in us. Made it up to clingmans dome, the highest point on the AT, around 6:30 and watched the sunrise by my lonesome. It was awesome being up there. But then the hike down sucked. There was about three feet deep of snow all the way down to newfound gap, about seven miles. Miserable hiking though. Came out to civilization and got lots of crazy stares. Headed into Gatlingburg, Tn and resupplied and had lunch. Worst town experience ever. I like to think of Gatlinburg as the anus of the US. Haven't been so happy to get back on the trail. Between the 7 of us we carried up about a gallon of whiskey and had a nice time up at the shelter. The last three days in the smokies were amazing. The hills calmed down and there were just amazing views left and right. Saw a little wildlife too. Saw some deer and heard cayotees (spell check?). Made it here to standing bear farm hostel after getting lost looking for it for about three hours. walked all the way to a local farm where they told me I was nowhere near the hostel. But finally made it and had a great big dinner and showered after a week and a half without one. Planning on making it to Hot Springs, NC in the next three days. Hopefully the weather will stay as nice as it's been.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Davenport Gap

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 37.0
Weather: light rain

So, from the standing bear farm hostel (which was pretty awesome) I planned on taking about three days to make it to hot springs. The first two days on the trail were HOT! it had to have gotten up to about 80-85 degrees. around mid day, made it to the top of a very nice bald, getting views in the distance of max patch bald. Camped with Krazy Karl, Creepy, and Thin Mint that night at brown gap. The next day was pretty exciting. Got up at seven and made it up to max patch bald by about ten. Had a nice leisurely breakfast on top of the bald with thin mint and creepy. Great views and nice weather kept us up there and from hiking. Finally headed out around noon and made it to the shelter I had planned on staying at by four. Unfortunately, the shelter was totally sketchy. There was garbage everywhere, the privy was tipped over, and the best part...bullet shells on the ground! I decided that I didn't feel like being murdered in the night by the local sodomist, so I pressed on ahead. There really wasn't anywhere reliable to camp along the way so I made the decision to hike my first twenty mile day to the next shelter. Got into camp around ten at night. Since my plan had been to go to town friday, I had a day to kill so I took a day off at the shelter. Unfortunately, it started raining at ten that morning and didn't stop until close to five. hung out in my tent most of the day resting or reading. Finally got out and walked around and saw that Tintin, Lab Rat, and Hightower had made it to the shelter. We all hung out together cooking dinner and catching up since we last saw each other. Woke up this morning about eight and got into town at eleven. Ran into many familiar faces in town like red hat, patch, chewie, and the twins. Met up with the fam and drove to asheville where we ate indian buffet! Planning on getting into hot springs tomorrow and back on the trail sunday. Today is amanda and I's four year anniversary. Got to talk to her today for a bit and tell her I miss her.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 70.0
Weather: clear sky

Had a fun morning at the hotel room going swimming with gabi and eating at the classy breakfast buffet. Headed back to hot springs around one. Went and had lunch with the fam while waiting for laundry. Said goodbye and stayed the rest of Saturday at Elmer¢s hostel. The house was fun to stay in. There was a neat music room and giant wraparound porch that I sat out on with Tintin. The next day I got a late start and couldn¢t seem to leave town. The climb out of Hot Springs was not much fun. It was pretty to see the town as we hiked higher but the sun was out and it was very hot. Tintin and I met up with Hyway where we stopped at an old fire tower. There was a couple up near the tower walking around. Tintin apparently left his camera laying up in the tower and while we were getting water the couple swiped it and drove off. Tintin wasn¢t too happy and even had to place a police report. The next couple days were pretty fun. The days were getting hot by ten and it forces you to take a few hours break to keep from passing out. The three of us hiked together all the way to Erwin, having a good time cracking jokes. We arrived at Uncle Johnny¢s hostel on our sixth day and got settled down. Resupplied, ate plenty of food, had some beers, and then went to go out and see Clash of the Titans with the crew.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Erwin, Tn

To: Iron Mtn. Gap
Miles today: 20.0

Was planning on leaving town the next morning, but ran into some setbacks. During the night I got rained on and was stuck in my tent until 9. Decided to take the breakfast shuttle before I left. The food was cheap and so heavy that I felt like I had been shot with a tranq gun. On the way back to the hostel we found out there was a forest fire on the trail, so my decision to stay and zero was final. Tintin mentioned slack packing in the morning and it sounded like a good idea as it would catch me back up with the miles I missed doing today. Slack packing, by the way, is where you only pack up food and water and leave your gear at the hostel. A shuttle drives you ahead of where you¢ve stopped hiking, in this instance it was twenty miles. You¢re dropped off and hike south returning to where you were that morning. With only five pounds in my pack, hiking became much more fun. Tintin, Hyway and I had a good time and walked through Uchaka Mtn. back to Uncle Johnny¢s.
Date: 2010-04-21
To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 52.0

The shuttle took us back to where we slack packed and we headed north. From here on I was on a bit of a schedule since I was planning on meeting Amanda in Damascus on the 25th. We hiked 19 miles to overmountain shelter, aka the coolest shelter. It was an old barn converted into a shelter with awesome views of the valley below. The next day was an interesting one too. Started the day off hiking over the roan highlands which I thought were gorgeous. But coming down and crossing the road to roan mtn. was a complete 180. There was garbage everywhere and beer cans hung on trees and plants and floating in rivers. Stayed at mountaineer shelter with Gumbo who I just met yesterday and Apollo who was the fourth thru hiker I met on my trip but just now met back up with. The three of us stuck together for the next couple days and made onto dennis cove rd. where we walked to kincora hostel run by the famous Bob Peoples.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 50.0
Weather: broken clouds

Went into town and grabbed some groceries and pizza and hung out with Gumbo and Apollo at the Kincora hostel. Headed out the next morning around ten and did about 17.5 miles to the shelter. There were some nasty hills and killer heat for the first few hours. Eventually hit Watuga lake which was a great lunch break. Gumbo was sitting there waiting for me and we sat under a nice big tree and ate looking out over the water. Gumbo and I made it to the shelter and set up camp. Gumbo eventually told me that night that he would be getting off the trail for good in Damascus. The next day I planned to have my longest hike on the trail yet. I hiked on and off that day with Apollo to the shelter 10 miles away from town, making it a 22.5 mile day. There were some hikers that day that passed me that were doing some insane 40 mile challenge straight into Damascus! Rolled into the shelter around 9:30 and made dinner and crawled into my sleeping bag late around eleven o'clock. To my luck, I slept right next to a hiker with sleep apnea and had a terrible nights rest. The next morning, I groggily got ready and hiked into Damascus. Crossed the Virginia border around noon and town by two. Went to the famous hostel "The Place." Saw Red Hat there and Hyway even showed up later that night. He, I, and a few other hikers went to a local bar that night.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Damascus, Va

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In Damascus, Amanda met me the next day and we spent a few days in the town hanging out and catching up. I introduced her to Hyway and Tintin and we had them both over for dinner one night. Hyway talked enough for the four of us all night. Amanda then drove the three of us and Tornado up and helped us slack pack the next day. There was a liverpool game on later that day that Tintin was rushed to watch. So we all ended up almost jogging the 24 miles into town, taking 6 hours to do the hike.....it hurt. Oh, and I was ready to sock Tintin when we came to find out that the game wasn't even on! The next day, Amanda drove us back to the trailhead and we said our goodbyes. It was a bummer to be leaving her again but she is coming back up to meet me around the halfway point.