morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

I slept possibly one hour last night and today I've been as grumpy as hell.'Mountain Butterfly' snores like a drain. The noise from such a small body was incredible. I tried to think of a solution. Could I turn over and accidentally smother her? No. Garroting was out as I'd already used my nylon cord to hoist the foodbag outside.   I was thinking "Oh my God!" after a particularly violent string of snores when I heard 'Blink Blink' mutter "Oh my God!" from Butterfly's other side. After daybreak I slept a little, woke and sat up to find Butterfly sitting at the table smiling sweetly at me. She mouthed a silent "Good morning" so as not to disturb everyone else. How considerate! I smiled back with some difficulty and seethed with unreasonable resentment all morning. How could someone called 'Butterfly' be like that? The name is part of the problem. If she were called, say, '2nd Panzer Division', then expectations would be set, and I would be coping better with my emotions.She has been lovely today, and picked up leaves of certain trees and other specimens to show me. She has a Jekyll and Hyde quality, so I've decided she will be 'Mountain Butterfly' during the day, but should have her darker name from sundown to sunrise.We stopped for First Lunch at the footbridge over South Fork Holsten River. The sun was out, there was a clearing here, and layers of deciduous trees, pine and spruces ranked steeply up the mountain opposite provided a riot of colour. Oh, except of course, that every colour was a shade of green. The river was very clear and is home to brown and rainbow trout though I didn't see any. Seven of us gathered here, and we talked idly about siblings and the condition of our feet, a sensitive subject to those who bought new boots in Damascus. Like yesterday we walked almost entirely in shade, but the terrain was generally easy, and I arrived at Partnership Shelter about 4.00pm. This shelter is on two levels, the upper level more like the loft of a barn and reached by a long ladder. It may be the best shelter on the AT. There is running water and a hot shower. Perhaps best of all, at the Mt. Rogers Visitor Centre nearby, there is a payphone from which you can order pizza to be delivered. A massive order for about 15 pizzas went in and a car overflowing with red bags pulled up an hour later at the roadside down the hill. To the pizza lady in the car it must have looked like a scene from "The Night of the Living Dead", as hikers staggered and tottered down the hill towards her - a combination of fatigue, stiffness, pain, and hunger had taken its toll.Shortly before dark, I heard a Scottish voice by the shelter. It belonged to 'Neil', who is from Aberdeen. He worked with Shell but gave up his job to do the AT and will return to work in the oil industry in October. A nice fellow.I've taken a good corner space in the upper floor of the shelter, well away from '2nd Panzer Division' who is half-way along on the other side. I go to bed clean, warm and very well fed. Goodnight.
Date: 2003-05-27
From: Bland, Virginia

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 2.3
Weather: moderate rain

We are back on the Trail today after spending last night in a motel on the outskirts of Bland. This is really a services area for traffic from I-77, and apart from a Dairy Queen and Citgo, there isn't much else here. It's almost a mile into the centre of Bland, where the P.O. and grocery store are, and about 2.5 miles more from there back to the AT. Rides haven't been easy to get, even for the 'KC Girls', so getting resupplied and underway again has been a slow process.News from the outside world has been very sparse for a while, though I've just read that Christie Whitman has resigned as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. No wonder. What a thankless job that must be under this administration.Also read Sen. Robert Byrd has been laying into Bush, with some well deserved criticisms of the way he has deceived the American people about the need for war with Iraq. On which point, although we don't go out of our way to talk politics up here, I have to say that the hiking community on the whole has been very sceptical of the case for this war from the outset and very critical of Bush's motives for launching it. I can't think of anyone who has believed it had anything to do with 'the war on terrorism'.The war and its aftermath has seemed remote to us in the mountains but we aren't totally untouched by it. We have heard of a thru' hiker called 'Elwood' who arrived in Hot Springs to the news that his son had been killed by a landmine in Iraq. People who have never even met the man have been upset by the story.'Chafe Master', 'Two Speeds', 'Thistle' and I are in the shelter tonight with two sociable section hikers 'Triple Step' and 'Dancing Man' from Columbus, Ohio.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Swim Bald
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

I had originally planned a zero day at NOC. Then I had the half zero Sunday, so I figured I would go on early this morning. I had two good-sized boxes of food and other things which I picked up here, so after breakfast I needed to sort out what I was going to send on by mail and what I would need to carry for the next 7 days thru the Smokies. The group I mentioned last night was mostly planning to stop for a day in Fontana, so I figured I'd catch up with them soon anyway. Also, I knew from the past that Cheoah Bald is a beautiful place to camp, even tho it's only 8 miles from NOC.Then I got on the computer [last chance for a while], updating journals; so I didn't actually leave till almost 3:00. That worked out well, just a long slow walk up up up the mountain in the late afternoon!Wow! That late afternoon was very HOT [over 90 on my little thermometer] on the exposed side of the mountain, with no shade, and a LOT steeper than I remembered from coming DOWN the hill 2.5 years ago. I began to suspect that my pack is now nearly 50 pounds. It's not designed to carry that much, and maybe I'm not either [at least not at the speed I'd like to go!].With no leaves, it was evident that the trail passed very near to some people's houses. I guess it's hard to avoid some encroachment on the Trail corridor, when people want to have places out in the woods & mountains. I'm sure it's less obvious when the leaves are out.Some places the Trail wasn't very well marked ¢ I had to back-track at one point to be sure I was going the right way. As I went up the hill, it began getting smoky ¢soon it seemed like the whole gorge was on fire. Fortunately, I was going the other direction!Well, it soon became obvious that I wouldn't make it to Cheoah Bald before dark, or even to Sassafras Gap [3rd place name we've encountered with sassafras in it, & I still haven't seen a sassafras tree or leaf] shelter, so I was looking for a place to camp. After skipping a few that might have worked, I ended up on Swim Bald [no place to swim -- I can't explain the name] with Scavenger, from near Lafayette, Indiana. He had a fire going, which bothered me a little, but he did a good job of putting it out before we slept.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

Started early to see how many miles I could get- 16.5 didn't seem too bad, since it's mostly uphill. I walked all the way across the dam in the dark. That's not hard, but then comes a section of road-walk with no blazes -- I'm glad I had come this way before. I guess they figure when you are coming down you know you have to get to the dam somehow; when going up you have to get to the mountain somehow, but it's trickier in the dark. Hikers have to register before entering the National Park. So fortunately, it was light enough to find the registration box.The Trail went up 3000 feet in first few milesNot so many trees coming out up here. I had hoped for some pictures of the dam and the lake -- even went up a fire tower on Shuckstack Mtn, but it was too cloudy to see anything.Saw first Dutchman's Breeches & walked thru fields of Spring Beauties.I passed 2 nice shelters before stopping at the third.Kowabunga, She-Beast, Tex, & Vagabond showed up again.
Date: 2003-06-11
From: I-81 by Danville, Va.

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

'Dimple Rock' and 'Wrong Way' took a room at our motel this morning, which gave us the opportunity to say goodbye to them properly. They will be missed.Five of us - 'Chafe Master', 'Foxie', 'Thistle', Elliot and me - set off mid-morning, and it was quickly apparent to 'Thistle' and me that the weather has warmed up a lot in just a week. Still as wet as ever though.We had lunch at Full Hardt Knob - a place that fascinates the young female contingent for some reason - and this afternoon ran into the first of many predicted thunderstorms for this week. It was extremely humid, and after a couple of rain false alarms, I decided not to wrestle into my rain gear yet again when the rain came a third time. It was torrential. I was drenched which was refreshing, but my feet and boots were soaked too. It's good to be back.At one point, I was led up a series of switchbacks by a female wild turkey. She seemed to be following the white blazes as closely as I was, but just when I thought she might be aiming to claim a spot at the next shelter before me, she dived off into the woods. No doubt, content that I was a safe distance from her young.As I climbed up towards our final destination at Wilson Creek Shelter in the downpour, coming down to greet me was 'Two Speeds'. It was great to see him again. Also at this shelter are 'Shine', a friendly young Californian girl, and 'Lumberjack', a young lawyer from New York, with whom Elliot and I have had an enjoyable chat about British football (soccer). He follows it closely, as well as the fortunes of the Irish national team. As you would if your name is John O'Shea.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain dripping from the trees in the morning always sounds like it's still raining, so it's hard to get going. I did get moving fairly quickly, but She-Beast got out before me-- I didn't see her again till Hot Springs.I almost headed the wrong way on the AT. That can be tricky, especially when you come in in dim light, & the Trail seems to be going the wrong direction around the mountain. I walked with Peaches for a while, & with a bunch of new people I hadn't met before but had now caught up with, including Mother Theresa & Wilson. There was also a couple from Connecticut (the woman's dad was with them too thru the Smokies). I had seen tiny bits of snow on the slopes of Clingman's Dome, but none on the Trail. Today there was about 25 feet of snow turned to ice in my path. I didn't even bother to get out my ice tracks -- just used the "Youper shuffle" to get across.I had hoped to do another 20-mile day, but I was just going too slow for that. I suppose it's because I over-did it yesterday. I stopped at Tri-Corner Knob shelter for lunch & got to Cosby Knob around 4:00, too late to try for another 7 miles to Davenport Gap. I got a space in the shelter & dried out my wet gear. It seemed like a LOT of people camping on some very slopey sites. Then more came in ... some from the "wounded warrior" group of veterans, some with service dogs; then Hikergurl came in with her group of women hikers. Not much space to do anything.I'll get going as quickly as I can in the morning.
Date: 2003-06-12
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Last night in tent world was enlivened by a prolonged thunderstorm that never quite arrived directly overhead. But the lightning flashed away, rain pelted down for much of the night, and the distant whistle of frequent traffic on the Norfolk and Western railroad added to the general entertainment. It beats television.The morning though was clear and bright, and the tent was quite dry. Within a couple of hours of moving out, we were at Black Horse Gap where the Trail joins the Blue Ridge Parkway ofr the first time near its southern end. It was a pretty walk. Much of the path before and after the gap was heavily fringed by thickets of mountain laurel. Competing with them were lines of Galax whose spear-like columns of white flowers stretched up to about three feet alongside the path. At other points on the trail, Fire Pinks were in flower though never in great numbers. A hillside full of these would be a sight to see. I live in hope.Unfortunately, the day became humid and hazy. It had become very misty by the time we were moving along the ridge line by the Parkway in the afternoon. Disappointing because there were several fine overlooks along this section. But the mist receded just enough to allow us to make out the silhouettes of Sharp Mountain and Buzzard Roost to the southeast. These are two of the three peaks that constitute the Peaks of Otter recreation park. One of the two theories about the name of this area is that it is derived from a possible Cherokee word 3ttari meaning  high settlements . But anyone who has seen the striking similarity between Sharp Mt and Ben Doran in the west of Scotland would have no doubt that the true origin is from the Gaelic  doran  meaning 3tter .Late in the afternoon, the predicted thunderstorm headed our way. It developed lazily in its own good time. Often it sounded as if the sky was being slowly ripped like paper somewhere to your front, continuing round your side before ending with a dull boom behind your back. A fascinating effect.The rain stayed off for a long time but started about 6.00pm. In a very deep unnatural gloom we started the steep climb up from Bear Wallow Creek along a particularly tight corridor of mountain laurel. As we brushed the branches with our packs, we sent the beautiful blooms showering down to the path before and behind us. By the time we reached today s target, Cove Mt Shelter, the rain had passed. Waiting for us there was  Chafe Master J  who is southbounding back to Troutville and then Roanoke to spend a few days with his wife Jean. Apart from Thistle and Two Speeds, we are all settled in the shelter tonight, even me since I am expecting rain. At the moment though there is a full moon. The bugs are bad tonight.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm (Davenport Gap)
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I did get going pretty early -- only a few were up or getting up by the time I left. Actually, it surprises me how late some of the hikers sleep in the morning; I guess they are getting a lot more sleep than I am, but so far it's worked for me. When the days get hotter & dawn comes earlier, probably some will change their patterns. As I get toward the North end of the park, there are fewer evergreens again & more open woods. I knew I'd be going down hill much of the day to get to Davenport Gap, which turned out to be tougher than expected, mostly an old road, but a rough & rocky one. I walked a half mile off the Trail to visit the Mt Caemmerer observation tower, a 2-story stone tower, built with local stone by the CCC & named after the first GSMNP superintendent. Good view back over the park & some of the mountains ahead. The people from Connecticut came up there too. I visited Davenport Gap shelter on the way down. It's the only one in the park that still has chain-link fence to protect the occupants from bears. I remember how noisy it was when I had to go out to pee at night, but apparently the more serious problem was hikers TEASING the bears thru the fence! At the bottom of the gap there had been a re-route since my last visit. That eliminated a road walk & ran the trail past some pretty streams & waterfalls, but it was pretty warm at midday with no leaves. I arrived at Standing Bear Farm hostel in mid-afternoon. It seemed pretty full, with a lot of people in tents already, tho I got a space in the bunkhouse. Many started in drinking right away, but I had four mail-drop packages to sort & figure out what to carry & what to mail on. Some people who had rented the cabin kindly let me use their front porch for several hours, since it was raining off & on. It's really hard to believe that it took me all afternoon to complete that task, but it did. It's also been hard for me to believe how much drinking & smoking [cigarettes & other things] goes on along the Trail. They still seem to be able to hike the next day.
Date: 2003-06-13
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was a refined form of torture. The mosquitos, no-see-ums and other delights drove us inside our sleeping bags. The heat on a mild night drove us back out again. "Chafe" had planned an early rise to put in a big day but we were all up before 6.00 because of the insects. Most of us were on the road by 7.45. "Thistle" and "Two Speeds" were still asleep in their tents. It was another warm and extremely muggy day but we arrived at Bryant Ridge Creek and the shelter there about 12.30. The shelter is one of the most impressive on the AT. At least to look at. It has three levels, first a bottom level with picnic table and seating area, then up a level to the lower sleeping platform, then a top platform like a loft. New arrivals invariably came in with a "Wow", "Cool" or "Awesome" spilling from their lips. The shelter register told a different story. The roof leaked, and the insects were merciless. I picked up several bites in my first few minutes there. One register entry, from a young woman called "Nemo" we had met several times, was a very funny cartoon of a ferocious flying insect titled "No-see-um but we-feel-um".   Not one but two thunderstorms kept us here for four and a half hours, and it wasn't until 5.00 that we finally set off to tackle the formidable challenge of Floyd Mountain, about 2,000 feet over a 4-mile stretch. In the high humidity, it was murder. I staggered into Cornelius Creek Shelter three hours later a gasping, dripping, exhausted wreck. An earlier entry in the shelter register covered my feelings pretty well: "MY JOURNAL TODAY8.10 Broke camp11.30 At Bryant Ridge Shelter1.20 At foot of Floyd Mt.1.30 First stop for water on Floyd Mt.1.55 Cussed Floyd Mt.2.05 Second water break. Cussed Floyd Mt some more2.25 Invented two new cuss words for Floytd Mt. 2.35-2.55 Incessant cussing at Floyd Mt.3.05 At top of Floyd Mt.3.10 False alarm. Who the f*** wass Floyd anyway?3.30 Finally at top of Floyd MT."I'm tenting tonight amongst a bunch of girl scouts to create my own bug-free sanctuary. Great!
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Standing Bear Farm (Davenport Gap)

To: Along AT @ Cherry Creek Trail
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

I had to wait till after the beer truck arrived to get a ride to Post Office. I received 4 packages here; sent out 5. That should reduce my load some. I'm having to get used to how the pack rides now. Still seems heavy! I didn't start on Trail till 11:00; still made 12.3 miles, mostly uphill (getting out of Davenport Gap). It was getting quite hot & sunny till it began to rain. That always cools things off, but it brings its own problems: getting into rain gear, &c. I saw Kowabunga re-united with his dog & hiked with Zagit & Book, a young couple, Tech Eric & Friend, & later Jigsaw.Honey Badger & a couple from RI were waiting for Indian & some others at a pretty place along a stream.During the rain, many hikers stopped at the FAA facility at the top of a windy bald; so I got ahead of them for a while. I stopped at Deep Gap at 2:45, Brown Gap at 5.05.So Way passed near top next hill. By 6:50 I had reached Cherry Creek Trail, almost to Max Patch, & it was about to get dark.So I set up camp there with my tarp tent (1.5 lb.) and lighter sleeping bag. Feeling plenty warm.Noodles the elder, Tech (guy with solar panel), & his partner all came by after I set up.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Camping beyond Tanyard Gap

To: Jerry Cabin shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

It WAS a fairly cold night, & the slope was more than I like, but I made it thru all right. When I started out, I was still looking for the bear, but I never saw it again. Just a little beyond where I turned back last night, I saw a couple camped along the Trail. I mentioned the bear to them. They responded that they didn't expect to see any bears on their hike. Reason? ¢ they had two dogs.A mile or two later, I came to Rich Mtn. fire tower. I had stayed there overnight in a thunderstorm last time I came thru here ¢ today was calm & sunny, with good views. I met a couple of other hikers near the tower, still in their camp. I stopped to eat at Little Laurel shelter. "NBC" & another hiker passed while I was there. There were two section hikers also eating. One seemed utterly miserable. There is a thru-hiker out here with the trail-name "Misery", but he never seemed miserable when I've been with him. This guy, however, really seemed to deserve that name. To top it off, he was sitting there eating his noodles with his trowel! I dug out an extra spoon I was carrying & gave it to him. Using it didn't seem to cheer him up any.After leaving the shelter, I found I had good phone reception, so I spent some time talking with my daughter Katy. When I started hiking again, I felt unusually energetic. I seemed to be going faster than usual, & I managed to stay ahead of the young section hiker who came up behind me while on the phone. Then I came to rocks: Big Firescald Mtn. It felt like a foretaste of some of the rocks in New England, walking along a half mile of ups & down, twists & turns over rocks on the edge of a cliff. I actually felt pretty good bouncing along there ¢ I felt no need to take the "bad weather trail" that was offered.I must have slowed down some, tho, because it was getting dark by the time I got to Jerry Cabin shelter. I remembered it had a fireplace [It's an old stone structure], so I collected some firewood as I approached. I still had to look for some more after I got there & to use my new saw to cut it to size. Many people were camped around the shelter, but I was the only one to stay in it. The fire kept me warm while I was cooking supper, but it got pretty cold by the middle of the night.