morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Time to hit the trail. For some it might have been confusing. The nineteen miles I did on Sunday were going south. This was done by shuttling us to Iron Mountain Gap.  This morning I was again shuttled back to Iron Mountain Gap, but this time I had my backpack and was again headed north. When CB let us off, the wind was blowing hard and there were warnings about high winds and colder temperatures.  It only took me a few minutes to add more layers.  It didn't take us long to scatter. We were hiking as fast as our legs could carry us just to keep from getting cold. There were plenty of mountains to keep the blood pumping.  We had lunch at the Clyde Smith Shelter.  I took the time to pull out my stove and make hot chocolate.  It didn't stay warm that long, but made me feel warmer.   We had one more mountain to climb Little Rock Mountain before tackling the second highest mountain just below Mt. Mitchell and just above Clingman¢s Dome in elevation. What made Roan Mountain stand out in my memory is that as we got higher, the snow got deeper and the trail in many spots was very slippery with ice.  Both on the way up and down, there are lots of springs and the water is trapped between the trail banks coating the small rocks with water which then freezes.  There were hardly any views as you were hiking in a pine (frazer and balsam spruce and some red spruce) forest. This will be the last in any numbers  of these trees until New England. The Christmas-liker trees covered with snow were breathtaking.  I took Repack¢s photo and said he should use it as next year¢s Christmas card. We never saw the remnants of the Cloudland Hotel (famous in the 1800s) or where the rhodedenron garden was.  Hundreds of visitors drive up to see this when they are in bloom. Just a little early. Nothing but a crazy thru- hiker taking in the non views!As we hurriedly left the summit, right in the middle of the trail was an old chimney all by itself. I sure wish it would have had fire to go with the chimney  It was getting late in the day and temperatures were dropping. Time to find shelter. Roan High Knob elevation 6285 feet.  It was remodeled by the Forest Service and is one of a few shelters completely enclosed  I'd have to debate the enclosed term.  There were lots of holes, but it did have a loft that I decided was where I wanted to be. The bears would have to climb a ladder and open a trap door to get to me.   No bear cables and forget trying to hang food bags unless you like frozen food.   As it was my water froze and as soon as dinner was cooked, I was in my bag by 6:15.  All in all it was a very challenging day, but one to rememberFly right,Ravon.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: U.S. 19E
Miles today: 15.2

That was the coldest night I've had on the trail... zero degrees. I was warm enough in my bag, but just barely. The morning was so cold my alcohol stove would not work, the tube to my camelback was frozen solid, and my other quart bottle was filled with ice. So decided to just pack up and get the body in motion. It was really beautiful with the snow and ice on all the vegetation. You really had to be careful as the trail was very icy. Once I got to Carver's Gap, it was full sun and beginning to warm. There was a gravel path up and over Round Bald. At times there must be lots of people, but this morning I had it to myself to enjoy. What amazing views. Jane's Bald was next and again it was so clear you could easily see far into the valley below. It seems that any place that is slightly flat has development. The valleys are also bright green with new spring growth as compared to the just beginning signs of spring on the balds. As I came off Jane¢s Bald, I finally got cell phone coverage and was able to talk to Robert. He was already on the trail! Unfortunately, I was still thirteen miles away. Still had two major climbs - Little Hump Mountain and Hump Mountain. Passed Overmountain Shelter which was one place I really wanted to stay. It is a red barn and is connected to history. Yellow Mountain Gap, where the barn sits, is also a cross trail called Overmountain Victory Trail. A group of volunteers formed here buying all their own gear. They marched through this gap in very cold and snowy conditions. I could really relate to that. They were able to defeat the Tories at King's Mountain, N.C. It was one of the turning points in the American Revolution. Found out later that Robert buzzed the barn in his twin engine airplane because he thought I was there. I sure wish I'd been there to see him fly over. As I climbed Hump Mountain, I thought there was a woman lying down with her legs in the air. Surprise! It was a huge Watusi cattle with longer horns than a Texas Longhorn. There were at least a dozen lying right on the trail. Now if I hadn't read a sign that described these cows, I might have really been frightened. They were imported from Africa to keep the balds open because they like to eat brambles and not grass. Still I wasn't sure how friendly they were, but I guess I was able to talk my way through. Another five and half miles to go. When I found Robert, he was smoking a cigar, barbecuing hot dogs and passing out beer to several of my hiking friends. He was a real trail angel. Thank you Bro for such creature comforts. That was a great tasting hot dog and beer. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-01
From: U.S. 19E

To: Mountaineer Falls Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

A night in a real bed with lots of pillows. This is a sure way to smooth out the trail bumps. It was less than twenty-four hours from the time Robert picked me up and returned me to the trail, but oh what a few hours can do to make you feel good. thank you for showing me your great home and buying a great dinner at your beautiful club. He dropped me off at 11:30 at 19E. When I get on the trail after seeing family, it always puts me in a pensive mood. this time my sister, Louisa, sent me two bags of bear cookies. They were the best and I am sure were filled with good energy. She also included old photos from our childhood. Robert and I got such a chuckle... all of us on our Christmas bikes, swinging on swings and playing with our dog Taffy. It made us realize that our parents had passed on three and six years ago. So I'm thinking about all of this and the trail takes me right by a cemetery out in the middle of the woods. Took some photos and then let it go. It did reinforce why I was out here. Mainly because I still can hike and carry a pack. So many would love to have the opportunity but don¢t. Their lives, or their bodies won't allow them to make such an adventure. Decided to do a little side trail to Jones Falls. What a beautiful long waterfall over all black rocks. Soaked my feet in the cascading water. It was an easy short hike only 8.7 miles to the shelter. Still seems hard because after a resupply your pack is weighted down with more food. Part of the hike went along the Elk River. I didn't think there were elk out here. Found out there used to be elk throughout the area and now they are trying to reintroduce them. Did see two huge ducks sleeping on rocks out in the middle of the water. They look to be a cross between Mallard and Muscovy ducks. The last part of the hike was again through a burned area. I'll be glad when I'm out of this section. The shelter was only three years old and it looked even newer. It¢s the first one that has three levels. I'm on the second where someone has written "Killed a Wolf Spider here and he was this big." Well you know this just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I really wanted to tent, but there was no place close by flat enough to put up a tent. There was a shelter mascot, a chain sawed three foot tall bear complete with Hawaiian Lei. Lots of hooks and nails, but no bear cables. Another first was a wash trap where you could drain your dishes and wash water. Time to turn in and dream of spiders. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Mountaineer Falls Shelter

To: Dennis Cove - USFS 50
Miles today: 15.6

Just realized I've hiked over 400 miles as of today. I can remember the 300 mile point on Kick Butt Mountain. This time, it was not as dramatic. It happened right after I crossed Laura Fork River. Now I'm staying at a combination hostel and cabin rentals. The Laura Fork River, a good sized stream, is flowing just a few feet from where I am writing. It's such a pleasant way to end the day. Too bad there are not more opportunities like this on the trail. Dinner was pulled pork barbeque. I had to talk the guy into making a delivery, but with several ordering, he decided it was worth his while to bring us dinner. It was not like my pork barbeque from Sandy¢s Mussel Shoals, Alabama recipe, but it was pretty good and there was cole slaw to put on the bun. The place did cook their own meat... a great switch from trail food. Most of the hikers go to the other hostel, Kincora. Probably because it¢s less expensive. Laura Fork Lodge is clean, quiet and doesn't allow pets or alcohol. My kind of place for a good night¢s sleep. No sheets, but most hikers prefer their own sleeping bags. I got a few more food items and will hit the trail early tomorrow. I would definitely recommend this place. It was the first time I've resupplied at a grocery store and a short term resupply place. I have four days to get to Damascus. This will be the first town in Virginia. Considered to be a real trail town. They have a huge celebration called Trail Days.  The past two days the temperature has gotten warmer. I can't believe I was freezing in snow just two days ago.  Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Dennis Cove - USFS 50

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It was very hard to get out of bed this morning. All night long, I could hear the river just feet from my head...very soothing. Started the day with real coffee and a bagel. What a treat! The trail followed for several miles one creek then forked to Laurel Falls. Between we were routed through sheer rock walls, much like the canyon country in Utah. There were blooming mountain laurel bushes filled with pink blossoms.  Laurel Falls was a stunning forty foot cascade with lots of water. In case of high water, there was a high water trail, but today it was flowing just below the line. They had created a concrete and rock path just inches from the water that you had to hand over hand around a sheer rock wall. I found it fun to climb around the rocks and see the rushing water flowing next to your feet. There were several campsites that would have made great places to stay.  Of course, it wouldn't be the AT with out a mountain to climb sometime during the day. This one didn't have a name, but was difficult enough to climb. At Horse Ridge Gap, almost at the top, I was so surprised to get cell reception. When I reached Sandy, not only did I get to talk to him, but to the whole Goedert family. It was so good to hear your voices Sophia, Uri, Tasha and Billy. Here I was standing in the middle of tall trees and I was able to hear you as if we were all standing around in the forest with me. Wanted to call more people, but a rain storm was moving through. Once over the mountain, the trail wound down to Watauga Lake. There I found two Canada geese with at least six goslings feeding on the grass. My big wildlife experience for the day. The goslings were so cute. Also saw orange flaming Azaleas. Its pretty low here, but I imagine more will be blooming higher in another week or two. I did find right next to the trail the largest lady slipper. Out west they seem smaller and more delicate, but this one had almost a two inch purplish toe box. The Watauga Lake Shelter was described as being on the lake, but here we are in one of the smallest shelters with no water in sight except what is falling from the sky! It only sleeps six and we are like sardines again. My hiker friends: White Boy, Uff Da, Earthbound, Hot Tang, RJ and Iowa are in the shelter. Outside is Hiker Dave, Duncan and Resin. It is a real crowd. Time to be a sardine. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

Most of the day was spent hiking above Watauga Lake on Holston Mountain. The lake is part of the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). By special permission Appalachian thru-hikers are allowed to go over the dam. I walked across the top - a road 840 feet long. It seems to be mostly rocks dumped in a canyon 320 feet deep. I climbed up to the ridge line and was afforded many views of Lake Watauga below. There was a marina across the lake, but not many boats out on the water. It sure seemed like a great day to either be hiking or boating. By the time I reached Vandeventer Shelter 6.8 miles, I was ready for food. The shelter was an older one with just the single platform. What made it special was the view from the boulders behind the shelter. You could see almost the entire lake some eighteen miles long. Islands seemingly floated on the water, but were really the tops of mountains. The TVA flooded the area in 1948. The old town of Butler was covered with water and 700 people were relocated to the new Butler. This new town you could see from the boulders. Occasionally, the TVA does drain the lake and old families will go to see the old homesites, school and churches. After being under a hundred feet of water, I can¢t imagine there being much, but maybe it would be like a sunken ship?Some people have asked about my daily routine. If I leave around 7:30 in the morning, I can now hike about fifteen miles and get to a shelter around 4:00. I still like to be near a shelter where I usually know some of the hikers. The first thing I do is decide whether to tent or stay in the shelter. I prefer to tent if the weather is good.Pitch my tentAir out my bag as it is usually damp when stuffed in the morning.Do a PTA bath in my tent and put on my dry clothes.Go get water. (My platypus 2 litter bag is enough water for dinner and next day.)Write my journal for the day either long hand or into my Blackberry.Cook dinner consisting of a couple of courses.Put away all gear, food, brush teeth.Hang my food bag in a tree.It is not unusual for hikers to be in the bag before dark. Most young people stay up and make a fire. It¢s entertaining to hear the singing, sometimes musical instruments being played and the laughter of story telling. Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

This day was a Tale of Two Trails. The first was a gentle hike through open forest with lots of wild flowers. Then it crossed grassy hills of an old farm with small wooden out buildings. At the top of a hill, someone had put a bench with the most beautiful view of the valley in the distance. There was a flowering apple tree that was giving a wonderful scent.  Several of us... Uff Da, White Boy, Hot Tang, Earthbound, and Ravon just sat soaking up the sun and taking in the views. This was the beauty side of the nature tale.  Shortly after this they either were doing another controlled burn or it was a real fire. The next couple of hours I had to smell burnt earth. It was fairly easy hiking so the miles slipped by.  I was really amazed when around a corner, the shelter appeared.  On the front someone had scratched "Holiday Inn". This was crudest log shelter I've seen so far. This called for a self photo.  I looked around for water, but none was to be found. Decided that I was going to hike on and tent camp. Forty-five minutes later, I found the real Abingdon Gap Shelter.. Iowa, RJ, Uff Da, Hot Tang, and Earthbound were already there.  We all laughed at how we thought the Old Historic Shelter was for real.  There was even a register inside and I left a message. Something about I think it would be good idea to delete this shelter from The Trail Companion. So tonight this place looks like a tent city. Everyone is hoping to get a super early start for the ten miles to Damascus. There are a bunch of hungry hikers looking for real food. Me too!Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

They say if you make it to Damascus you are almost 1/4 the way to Maine. Not sure about the math since the Appalachian Trail is 2176 miles long This would make 1/4 at 544 miles, a few more miles up the trail. I¢d be glad to count this town as a quarter and celebrate the fact. I do know it is the fourth sate I have entered...Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and now Virginia. It will be the longest state in which I will hike. A quarter of the Appalachian Trail is in Virginia and I¢m looking forward to exploring this state.Damascus is a small rural town with mostly family owned businesses. The celebration of Trails Days has made it famous. It will be held this year May 10 - 19. I know a lot of my hiker friends are planning to come back for the festival. I¢ll be a ways up the trail and will probably not come back. I got an early start at 7:11 and had hiked the 10 miles by 11:00. Found a beautiful B & B right on main street. Went for a homemade BLT at a little sandwich shop called ¢In the Country.¢ I am looking forward to a zero day tomorrow.Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

What has happened to Ravon? You know I didn¢t hike 63.7 miles in one day! In my last journal entry, I was in Damascus staying at the Apple Tree B & B. Debbie and Les were the most gracious and helpful people. Their place was a delight. Debbie serves a full breakfast designed not to let a hiker leave the table hungry... lots of homemade cooking and a beautiful table setting.On May 6th as I was uploading my journals at the library, I was sitting next to a member of the Appalachian Long Distance Hiker Association. He had just received a bulletin that turned out to be very disturbing. The trail is closed a hundred miles to the north. I won¢t go into all the details, but you can find out more if you goggle ¢shootings on the AT.¢ The person responsible is in custody and the trail was reopened on Thursday. At the time not knowing this, it was upsetting. I thought it might be time to take a break.I want to send a special thanks to Dr. Arch Woodward, a doc in shinning armor, who came to my rescue. He drove from Burnsville an hour and half to pick me up in Damascus and took me to the Tri-City Airport near Bristol. I arranged to come home for a few days and let events settle. It has given me a time to regroup, change out equipment, organize some future mail drops and see how the home front was doing...very well thanks to Sandy. I also have had a chance to read all those who signed my guest book. Thank you everyone for such encouraging words. As soon as I was able to think clearly again, I knew this adventure was not over. Hiking the trail has allowed me to meet other great hikers young and old, to see nature in her many different moods, to tell others about the experience through writing and to learn a lot about myself. Everyday, I say this Indian poem as I am hiking:In Beauty May I Walk        In beauty may I walk        All day long may I walk        Through the returning seasons may I walk        In beauty will I possess again        Beautiful birds, Beautifully joyous birds        On a trail marked with pollen, may I walk        In beauty may I walk        With beauty before me, may I walk        With beauty behind me, may I walk        With beauty above me, may I walk        With beauty around me, may I walk        In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty lively may I walk        In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty alive again may I walk        It is finished in beauty.Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Aspen, Colorado

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm back on the trail. So much of this adventure is based on a little faith. There is no way to plan for every detail. I was at the airport in Aspen at 6:00 a.m.  Three flights later, I landed at the Tri-City Regional Airport. It was almost a week since I had left this airport to fly home. From the airport, a shuttle took me to Mt. Roger's Headquarters. When I got there the gates were locked. I told the driver, I'd be OK. Across the parking lot, I could see a white blaze. I felt like I was in familiar territory again.  I didn't know which way the shelter was, so I let my feet take me. Sure enough not far at all, I saw the shelter.  As I walked up, three thru hikers called my name, "Ravon."... Flame thrower, Chewy, and Hiker Dave. The Partnership Shelter is a gorgeous wood structure as compared to many of the older, run-down places. It was built by volunteers from many groups in 1997. It looks new and can sleep 16. It has a privy, sink, picnic table and a solar shower. Probably due to all the rain, today it had only cold water. There are two levels, and I opted for the loft. We were all laughing at the 7 watt bulb installed. It was about as bright as a single Christmas light!  Another feature is that you could order a pizza from the phone hanging on the headquarter's wall.  I just missed out on the pizza. For me it was great just to be on the ground. I'll get pizza up the trail. Met some new hikers... Packs-a-lot and Buckeye. Did find out that the next shelter I was going to next was dismantled.  Now what? Heard a whip-poor-will as it was getting dark. I am glad I made the decision to continue the journey. Fly right, Ravon