morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Well, Today I hit a couple more milestones. I am more than 1/2 ways thru the Smoky Mts. but more significantly, I hit the 200-mile mark on the A.T. I also passed Clingmans Dome, the highest point in elevation on the entire A.T. at 6,643 feet. I decided last minute today to hitch 15 miles into Gatlinburg. It was around lunchtime so I figured I would stop in to get a decent meal. I went to a Mexican restaurant that was recommended by the local outfitter. It is the second Mexican restaurant I have eaten at on the trail and both are quite authentic.Last night I camped with about 20 thru hikers to only wake up to about 3 remaining. After I went to bed, they decided to get up at 4:30AM to watch the sunrise from Clingmans Dome. I saw some pictures and it looked nice, but it was way too early for me to get up. I have gotten a little concerned about my left ankle today. It has been bothering me a little for about 10 days now but nothing too bad. I am not quite sure the problem but I think it is a tendon between my ankle and foot. It is not sore or hurting when I am just sitting around and not bad when I was walking on flat ground in town today but it is starting to affect my hike during the day.Ever since I started my hike almost three weeks ago, my Achilles tendon would give out one or two times a day and I think this has something to do with it. I do not know why it is giving out but it scares me when it does because I feel like I am going to fall to the ground. I do not know if there is anything I could do for this, but I hope it goes away soon!I am staying in the shelter tonight because:1. I have to because I am still in the Smokies and2. It is supposed to rain. I really, really, really hope I don't stay up all night with someone snoring!!!!!Just to give you a better understanding on the sleeping situation, there are about 20 of us in a double-decked shelter. The shelter is about 10 yards wide. That leaves everyone shoulder to shoulder. I kind of know the one person to my right but never seen the person to my left before. If the awkwardness is not enough to make it hard to sleep, the snoring only makes it worse.One other note.I saw, well, actually heard first and then saw a grouse. It scared the crap out of me. Oh, I also saw bear tracks about 100 feet before our shelter as well. I am gettng closer to seeing my first bear!! Actually, let me take back what I said, I just looked in my Thru-Hiker companion which shows animal tracks and it wasn't a bear. It appears to be a mountain lion. Either way, it would have been cool to see.Well, I hope my ankle feels better during tomorrows hike. I was going to do my first 20-mile day, but I am going to take it a little easier.And one last, last thing. I talked with some friends and family today while in town. It is always a good thing to do and is good for the morale even though morale is still high!!Good night,
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I don't know what to say about today. I was the first out this morning after another night of being kept up by snoring. The scenery was beautiful this morning especially at Charlies Bunion.Great pictures from here. The weather turned bad as expected around 11:30AM and I ate a quick lunch under a downed conifer tree in the ran.I was taking my time this morning because of my ankle and it was doing well until the rain came. At that point, I picked up my pace to try to get to the shelter quicker but it just ended up hurting my ankle more.I am gettng pretty scared at this point. The pain is getting worse but I am not sure what is causing the problem. Although the pain is getting pretty bad, I am more concerned and scared that it might be something serious. It really hit me today how upset I would be if I had to end my hike short due to injury. I gave up too much to not go all the way.I got to camp early, around 2:30PM and have just been hanging out. I would like to do more miles since the rain stopped for a while but I do not feel great on my ankle. We have a Ridgerunner (person paid to hike and oversee a specific section of trail) spending the night with us and he is really pissing me off.I understand he needs to teach us and make sure we follow the rules but he is going overboard. For example: after dinner tonight I was walking over to the spring to get water to wash out my pot and before I even did he asked me "you aren't going to clean your pot in the spring are you?" According to a couple people, I gave him a crazy look and just said, "No, I'm just gettng water to clean it with". He thought I was going to dump my dirty pot into the water and I wasn't so I was a little pissed that he was trying to correct me before I even did anything. So anyway, the weather is going to be bad again tomorrow but I am going to try to take it slow and hopefully the ankle will hold up.Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Waterville School Road
Miles today: 18.1

4/23/05 > Crazy Legs Crim (Syracuse, NY)4/23/05 > Slim (Binghamton, NY)18.1 miles: this place hit the spot on a damp, rainy, snowy day. Great Time!!I left my journal out here in the kitchen at Standing Bear Farm Hostel and I think Crazy Legs and Slim thought my note pad was the register.Anyway, life out here is amazing. You can go from such a low to a great high and right now life is good even though it is hailing and raining outside.The weather & my ankle have been the story of the day.My ankle held up great today. I ended up doing 18.1 miles (my second longest day) and my ankle feels fine. My legs are tired from the long day but the ankle is doing fine.I hiked the whole day directly behind Slim because he goes at a slower pace and I thought my ankle problem had something to do with me hiking too fast. Still not sure of the reason but I just hope it doesn't come back because it really scared me. I may have mentioned yesterday that my ankle problem has only reinforced my desire about how much I want to complete the A.T. I would be devastated if I had to call it quits.As for the weather today, it has been crazy. I woke up before 7:00AM. Because it wasn't raining, I thought I would get going but the rain started soon after. I left with Slim shortly after 8:00AM. I already knew it would be a crazy day as it already had rained, snowed, and sleeted before I even got going. We camped at nearly 6,000 feet so the weather was obviously going to be crazy. It sleeted most of the day mixed in with snow and rain. The snow was at the highest elevation and rain at the lower. We went from 6,000 feet to below 2,000 feet where I am now.I am currently hanging out at the hostel. It is amazing how much some simple things mean to you out here. Someone left some pork chops behind and we cooked those up. We could only cook about 3 chops at a time so I would eat one out of a bowl and pass off the bowl with my bones and someone else would eat one and then pass back the dirty bowl. We also made a beer run and I picked up a 6 pack of Caroline Blonde. Someone drove here from Wilmington and brought some Yuengling and I was trying to trade some of my beer but they just ran out of their Yuengling.This area might have a little access to some moonshine. I never drank it before but I am going to have to try it since I am in Tennessee.Oh yeah, one more very important thing. I finished the Smokies today. Another big accomplishment completed!Today is also my 21st day completed. All is good and I am doing great!
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Waterville School Road

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 10.1

I got off to a late start today at 11:30AM. It is easy to waste away the morning when you stay at a hostel or town.I had my two best nights of sleep in a row after 3 weeks. However, I was woken to some goofball trying to start a fire in the furnace at 6:30AM. I still cannot figure out why he started a fire. It wasn't cold. He was making all kinds of noise stomping around dropping wood on the floor and tearing up cardboard. Then the room filled up with smoke so he had to opened the door and it got cold!This is the kind of stuff you have to put up with when you stay in a hostel or camp at the shelter.It is funny because people think I am out here by myself and a lot of times I do hike by myself however going to bed, sleeping and waking up is usually with a group of people. This is something I am not used to and one thing I do not like about being out here. Today's hike was quite difficult despite only being just over 10 miles. I had to climb about 3,000 feet during the first 5 miles and it was in fresh powder from the night before. It was just a dusting starting out but was I trampling through 6 inches or so at times near the top. I currently have my tent set up in about 1"-2" of snow and the temperature is supposed to drop into the low 20's tonight with winds around 15-25mph. I am pretty confident I will stay warm despite the conditions.It is only 7:45PM but I am stuck in my tent because of the weather. I am going to read a little and try to get a radio station in before I go to sleep.Hope everyone is doing well!!!
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Brown Gap

To: Deer Park Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I am tired. I had my first 20 mile day today despite not getting started until 9:45AM. It was a cold night last nite and a couple people tenting next to me said they couldn't sleep because they were too cold. I slept buried in my 15 degree bag with pretty much all my clothes on including my thermal underwear, pants, fleece, two t-shirts and hat. I stayed warm and finally slept good once again.Today's hike was interesting. I had been looking forward to Max Patch (a bald mountain covered with grass at 4,600 feet) before I started my trip however, I didn't get to see it as expected. I barely stopped long enough to take a few pictures because of the snow drifts, cold and wind. the snow had drifted here and in other places today over a foot. It was a cold start to the day especially at Max Patch were the winds were at a constant 30-40 mph. The day ended warming up which transformed the snow covered trails into slushy streams. My boots were soaked all the way through. It isn't even 8:00PM yet but I am extremely tired so I am going to try to finish up the last chapter of "The Richest Man In Babylon" before I fall asleep.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Deer Park Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, it is after midnight already so I am quite tired. I had a very easy hike into town today so I could hang out and relax. I did my laundry and showered for the first time in 8 days. I am feeling a lot cleaner now. I am staying in an old Victorian style house for $15.00 a night. Not Bad. I have one other person in my room and I have an actual bed, pillow and sheets for the first time since I left.I got a bunch of packages today. Thanks Mom, Hane, Uncle Paul and Group Sales, you guys rock!!!!It is so exciting to get mail please send more!!!!!!!!I also went to a natural hot spring today. It was nice but nothing like the hot springs in Costa Rica. These were basically hot tubs with imported natural hot water. It was nice on my aching body.I wish I had more time to write but I need sleep.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Last night was really nice sleeping in a bed with 2 pillows. It was even better waking up in a bed!! I ate breakfast this morning at the hostel. Elmer, the owner, prepares an organic vegetarian breakfast and dinner each day for $6.00 & $9.00 respectively.There were about 8 of us and he made scrambled eggs, grits, biscuits, gravy, and cereal. They were all sooooo good and prepared differently than I¢ve ever eaten before. It was served family style and I got to eat as much as I could. Oh, there was also fresh cantaloupe.After breakfast I got my stuff together which pretty much consisted of trying to figure how to pack everything into my bag. This is usually difficult on days that I leave town because I have so much food.I got out of town around noon today and ended up hiking 11 miles. I am starting to notice that I usually don¢t enjoy the day after leaving towns.1.        I have to leave with a heavy pack2.        Towns are in valleys so I have a lot of elevation to climb to get back into the mountains.3.        Having to leave the conveniences of town isn¢t always exciting.The weather was also amazing today. The weather was about 45° and it would rain for a little and then clear up. I was wearing my rain coat so when it cleared up I got really hot and sweaty but I couldn¢t take off my jacket because the rain would start back up. Oh, by the way, it wasn¢t just rain there was also hail mixed in.I also met up with some people that I haven¢t seen in a while. Apparently the snow got really bad in the Smokies and they got snowed in with about 12-3 feet of snow. I got out just in time.Before I go, I want to dedicate this journal entry to Burr because he wants me to mention him more. What¢s about it Burr ?!! This is T !
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Spring Mt. Shelter

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

I had a much better day today. I wasn¢t in the best of spirits yesterday but doing well today. The weather was bad today. It rained for the second half of the day. Even though I don¢t like shelters I am staying in one tonight because of the rain. Crazy Legs also gave me a pair of earplugs so that should help. I had a pretty cool hike along a ridge. It was pretty tricky footing and some climbing involved. There was a side trail that is recommended during bad weather and although it was raining I decided to take the ridge because there wasn¢t any thunder or lightning.Speaking of lightning, I hope my old co-worker Adam Burr is doing fine. Rock On Dude!!It was also a good day today because right around lunch time I came to a road crossing and there was a sign saying ¢Trail Magic: 300 yards down on left at house with concrete driveway¢. I stopped in and the husband and wife were great people with great food. I had a bowl of stew, biscuits, ice cream cake with banana and sweet tea. They also had a ton of candy. It was Great!!!The weather has been pretty bad this week and I think it will be for another few days. It¢s kind of funny because Hane asked me what a typical day was like last week and at the time the weather was nice so I told him how I would take a nap and get a tan during lunch but it hasn¢t been the case in quite a while.Well, that¢s all for now. Hope everyone, especially Burr, is doing good!
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Another rainy day. I hear the weather is supposed to clear up overnight. I hope so because I¢ve had enough for a while. The mud was pretty bad today. I was having a tough time climbing some hills today because each step I took; I slid back half a step. Not fun!I think I¢ve mentioned in a previous journal entry how I don¢t like waking up in the morning with a bunch of people around and it was getting to me again. Today the smoke from the fireplace was getting to me and then people starting smoking when I was trying to eat my breakfast. It was raining out so I couldn¢t get away. I will be looking forward to after Damascus because I hear a lot of people will be dropping out.Everything else is going pretty well. I went over the 300 mile mark today. The miles just keep adding up! I also wanted to mention that my ankle problem has been good. I gave myself a good scare, but all is well now¢¦¢¦¢¦.knock on wood!Oh, one other thing. I saw an owl today. I think it was a Great Horned Owl. It was big and almost had human like facial features¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦neat!What¢s up Burr!!!!!!
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Stealth Camped north of Spivey Gap
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a decent day despite being awoken several times in the night by mice. It was kind of creepy because I could hear them and was nervous they were going to crawl on me. I have heard crazy stories of mice falling on people or getting into sleeping bags but luckily I had no problem. I was the first one out this morning and Crazy Legs and I made a breakfast stop about 3 miles into the hike. We came to a road crossing that we heard had a restaurant a few miles down the road. Well, when we got to the road it was pouring down rain and there were two different roads. We went to the busy one which looked like an interstate and put out our thumbs. Cars were flying by and we were getting wet. After about 5 minutes of no luck, we decided we would skip breakfast. We went down to the other road and saw some hikers getting dropped off out of a pickup truck. Luckily we didn¢t get a ride because we were on the wrong road. The driver ended up giving us a ride to this restaurant and boy it was good. I ordered a ham & cheese omelet and two pancakes (1 blueberry and 1 pecan) and washed it down with several glasses of sweet tea. It was good sweet tea, almost as good as the tea that Adam Burr and I get at Kojacks. We got some weird looks from some Rednecks while we were eating which was kind of weird. But right as we were leaving we met a nice man and lady who offered us a ride back to the trail¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦.great timing!It has continued to rain off and on again today but is supposed to clear up tomorrow. I¢ve had enough bad weather for a while. I am ready for some nice days again.It was really frustrating hiking again today because the trail was so muddy. It made for an exhausting and at times very frustrating day.Well, I hope Annie is right when she said, ¢The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar there¢ll be sun¢.
Date: 2005-05-01
From: Stealth Camp north of Spivey Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Motel, Hotel, HOLIDAY INN !!!!!That¢s where I am. I had a quick 10 mile hike into Erwin today and got in before 11:30AM.   It was finally a rain, snow, sleet, free day today but an awfully cold start to the day.I hitched a ride to Miss Janet¢s House, a hostel, but found out it was already full. I ended up splurging and decided to stay at a Holiday Inn. I resupplied at the grocery store, did laundry, soaked in the hot tub and got a shower¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦.a nice relaxing afternoon.With it being a Sunday (free cell phone minutes) and in a town with cell phone reception, I was able to call friends and family. It was nice catching up with everyone, but I must have spent over 6 hours on the phone. I have had enough talking for awhile!I think most of the crew I have been hiking with is going to be slackpacking tomorrow but I feel like I am cheating if I do it.Slackpacking is when you don¢t carry your whole bag or just your essentials. Someone takes it for you and delivers it to a location down the trail.It isn¢t necessarily wrong because a lot of people do it, but I am choosing not to take this short cut, not yet anyway.Well, it is another late night after being on the phone all night so I am going to bed.
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Erwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

It was an excellent hiking day. I was curious to see what the day brought me because I have been noticing a trend where I am not in the greatest mood or spirit on a day after being in town.I ended up doing a bunch of miles despite starting after 12:00 PM. I also had a couple big climbs but also had some smooth sailing. I did 16.3 miles in just over 6 hours. I felt good physically and mentally! I finally got my wish of not having many hikers around. I hiked the whole day by myself. Had a quick lunch with a few people and now at the shelter with one other person¢¦..he is staying in his tent. I thought I was going to have the whole area to myself but he came in at dusk. No big deal. I don¢t want to sound like a wuss but I am glad there is at least one person nearby.The rest of the crew I was with decided to slack pack today. Everyone has there own reasons for being out here but I feel I would be cheating myself if I went that route.Most people slack but I am going to try to avoid it at all cost.It was a beautiful partly cloudy day today in the upper 50°s and tonight should be cold in the 30°s. I am going to bundle up now, listen to a few songs on the radio and get some rest.Little side note: I barely drink any water during the day...just not interested. However, at night I can't stop drinking water. I am like Burr drinking liquor on a Tuesday night! I can't stop!!!OUT!
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

I¢M FREEZING! BURR!!!I am spending the night at Roan High Knob Shelter. It is the highest shelter on the A.T. at 6,285 feet.I had a very challenging climb to get up here as well. I climbed over 2,200 feet in just over 3 miles¢¦without water! I was fortunate enough to grab a couple ice cycles off a rock and that was refreshing for a few minutes. I know I have been saying that I don¢t drink much while I hike but today was an exception. I think it was the toughest climb of the trail so far.This is the last mountain of 6,000 feet that I will have to climb until I get to New Hampshire! I am probably in as good of shape now as I will be on the trail and now the terrain is supposed to get easier. I am looking forward to pumping out more miles. It is getting really cold. They say this is the coldest spot on the Southern part of the A.T. The temperature is probably right about freezing now at 7:20 PM and expected to be in the 20°s overnight. I am going to bundle up!
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

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

Today was awesome. It was the best day of my trip so far. The weather was perfect. Temperature was in the mid 50°s and partly cloudy. Even better was the terrain that I covered. It was nice knowing that I was leaving Roan Mt. and will not be climbing to 6,000 feet for a while. What I liked most was the mountains that I crossed. Little Hump Mt. and Hump Mt. are bald over a mile high. I have passed through some other bald mountains on my hike but the weather has always been rainy, snowy, foggy, cold, or windy. They might have been beautiful as well but I couldn¢t tell. These grass-covered mountains are spectacular and unique. I have never been on one (in good weather that is). I am used to seeing mountains covered with trees and it is really neat seeing a bald mountain with just grass. Even better is the view from the top. I got some great pictures and videos to prove it.I was planning to stay the night at Apple House Shelter, located right before the U.S. 19E road crossing, so I could get in first thing in the morning to resupply. When I got to the shelter, I came across two posters. The first was a poster telling about Trail Magic at the road. The second mentioned a free hostel so I ended up going to the road for some free food and then went in for the free hostel. I am a little nervous and can¢t figure out why there would be a free hostel but it seems pretty legit.I am also a little nervous because I have heard the hillbillies are pretty nasty around here. I will be sleeping with one eye open tonight.Now with that being said, I am going to bed.