morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-09
From: groundhog creek shelter

To: walnut mountain shelter 
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Well, good thing it didnt rain all night. It was a cold morning, near 30, and somehow my sleeping bag and inside the walls of my tent were more wet than they were this time yesterday. Most of the thruhikers left real early for a 20+ mile day to leave them just 3 miles to go till hot springs. Word was the trail magic 3 miles north at brown gap was still on, so carnivore got a jump on mule and I. Then we left around 945am.Great thanks to apple for the great heated tent, hot chocolate, pop tarts, and grape soda. He also made some hotdogs for mule and carnivore. Jukebox also joined us, she was at groundhog creek shelter with us the night before.It was a short push up max patch bald, which we timed perfectly. Not only were the views incredible, but we got to set up our tents and lay out our sleeping bags to dry. We had plenty of gear layed out between the 4 of us, it looked like a hiker garage sale. The sun was bright, the air was crisp, and it was almost warm when the wind layed down.We checked the register at the new roaring fork shelter and saw that bud had passed through. We will catch him tomorrow in hot springs I'm sure. We had one more climb to make, up walnut mountain. We walked through the clearcut on the summit and then arrived at the shelter. I met kentucky and malice who were in the documentory 2000 miles to maine. Theyre funny characters.Tenting with us tonight are chill out (from toms river, NJ), handlebar, jukebox, morning fit and outbreak. We last saw morning fit and outbreak when we left standing bear farm 2 nights ago. They were surprised to see us without bud, but happy that we made it through the crazy night in the rain. We all shared some laughs about it around the campfire.On to hot springs finally in 13 more miles. We should get there in the afternoon tomorrow. I get to find out who won the Masters, pick up my bouncebox, and give my body a rest with my first zero day. I'm also mailing back my camera chip to have more pictures posted by the end of the weekend, so be on the look out.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: walnut mountain shelter 

To: hot springs, nc
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Slept great last night, it was even warm enough in the morning for me to roll right out in my short sleeve shirt. Morning fit was first out of camp, followed by outbreak about an hour later. Jukebox left just before the 3 of us, figuring we would pass her pretty early on.I hiked out in front, and led a fast charge to hot springs. I think I hiked the 13 miles today in about 3 hours, breaking only for a few minutes at garenflo gap, and again to check out deer park mountain shelter. Rolling in there I passed morning fit, and met dinosaur and hell bent. They asked if I saw Jukebox, since they havent hiked with her in a few days. I told them that she should be coming up the trail anytime now.I raced into hot springs, and saw bud walking towards me. It was good to see him again, it felt like we lost him for a while. We went to the outfitter, got myself some frappucinos, and then some beer at the camp store. Mule and carnivore made it into town shortly there after, and we all set up tents at the campground. It was a really warm day, and we had quite the tent city going on. Railroad & critter, doubleshot, boulder, mule, carnivore, bud, jukebox, dinosaur, hell bent, and I were all set up in the same area. We had a great time at paddlers pub, ate a lot of good food, and then partied at the campfire till about 11pm. Handlebar also joined us, he is a real funny and nice guy.Tomorrow my friends parents are going to come get us and take us in for the day. I dont think the guys realize how great of a time they are about to have, Ill surprise them.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: hot springs, nc

To: barnardsville, nc
Miles today: 0.0

Got an early jump on breakfast, we were fed and ready to shower and do laundry around 11. My friend's parents picked us up around 130pm, and we enjoyed the best trail magic we could possibly get. Non-stop food, good beer, and great views from the deck. It was great fun playing with moondance their dog. We were all pretty much out by 11pm, exhausted from eating all day. Dennis and Bert Blewitt deserve all the thanks in the world!
Date: 2006-04-12
From: barnardsville, nc

To: asheville, nc
Miles today: 0.0

Well, we decided to take another zero and go into asheville, nc. We had a huge breakfast here at the house, and the idea of walking around town and enjoying the local breweries sounded better than hiking. We got into town around 130, and didnt get back to the house till around midnight. We were all exhausted and well fed and everyone had their fare shares of pale ales. Back to trail life tomorrow for sure.
Date: 2006-04-13
From: asheville, nc

To: Concret Dam Tentsites
Miles today: 4.9

Had another incredible breakfast compliments of Mrs. Blewitt, all of us definitely were fed well while we were there. Great thanks again to them, the guys keep thanking me for introducing them to such great people. We stopped at Ingles supermarket so we could resupply on the way back to hot springs, and arrived in town around 130.We sat outside the paddlers pub and had a beer while we packed up our food bags. Everyone has way too much food, our pack weights are the highest theyve been. I think mule is pushing 45lbs, Im at 40. I wouldnt mind if it slows our progress a little, I can eat for 5 days with what I have. No reason to get to erwin, tn any sooner, but we will see.Started hiking around 345, and stopped a few times heading up to lovers leap rock. Heavy packs along with 80+ degrees with the sun beating down on our faces made it a slow climb.We made it to our tentsites around 530, and were shortly joined by a young couple we had never met, suncrow and sunshine daydream. Later on dinosaur, hell bent, jukebox, tecumsah, and coolhand luke found us. It was good to see them again, we thought they beat us out of town today and went on to the shelter 6 miles up the trail.Im excited to be back out on the trail, after taking my first couple days off. More days off to come next week, probably friday and saturday, when my girlfriend flies in to asheville to see me. I may even try to get back to asheville on thursday night, one night earlier, to see my favorite band burning spear. Im trying to plan it right, but its so hard projecting a few days ahead nevermind a week. Id also have to see if I could get a ride somehow from somewhere a little north of erwin, tn. Might be tough.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Concret Dam Tentsites

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a very enjoyable night sleep with the warm temps. It was nice to roll out of your tent in shorts and a tshirt and not have to worry about being cold while you eat and break down camp. We started hiking around 1015.Enjoyed nice views from rich mountain firetower, and met grimes. We then went to spring mountain shelter for some lunch and a break from the heat. The bugs there were pretty bad, but we all needed a break from sweating. In the shelter journal, we read of trail magic at allen gap, and it was already 3pm and we didnt want to miss it.Fal and hercules (ga-me '99) open their house to thruhikers and have a nice offering. They even made me something seperate since I dont eat meat. Two big breakfast burritos with eggs, cheese, and salsa. They also had sweet tea, and killer desserts. I chose the chocolate brownie sundae, but the banana splits looked great too.We left allen gap around 615, and climbed up to little laurel shelter. Its packed here, and there is a severe lack of good tentsites. Im on a prettty good slope, but atleast its a downhill. The people here that I know are mule, carnivore, bud, jukebox, hell bender, dinosaur, railroad, critter, brains, brawn, tecumsah, coolhand luke, grimes, kentucky, malice, and sherpa. There are probably 4-6 others as well, along with a family using the shelter.Tomorrow we go over 300 miles hiked. Ive hiked this section before, last fall with my buddy dennis. Its nice to be on familiar ground.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Tentsites Before Devil Fork Gap
Miles today: 14.2

Well that slope I was on last night really was bad, since I woke up around 4am to find my tent had collapsed on me. Since I was sliding towards the foot of my tent, one of my front guidelines came unstaked, causing the collapse.The climb up to camp creek bald is just as I remembered it from last fall, steep. However, the exposed ridgeline hiking past white rock cliffs made the uphill well worth it. I remembered how beautiful it was from last fall.Had a lunch break at jerry cabin shelter, and was glad to see the spring flowing well. Last fall it was really dry, and dennis had to hunt down a puddle well down the ravine. The bugs were out in force again, so we left once we couldnt take anymore of it.Hell bender and dinosaur had been talking about a 300 mile party, so they relied on the wingfoot guide to pick out the spot. They said it would be held 1 mile past flint mountain shelter, so everyone was headed that way. They wrote in the last few shelter journals about it, so people behind us were trying to catch up I believe.Well, the campsite 1 mile past flint mountain shelter had space for 1 tent, and the water source wingfoot mentioned was lame also. We kept going hoping we would find a spot near water, and with enough room for all our tents. Jukebox stayed back with us, so we needed room for 5 tents, not always the easiest thing to find on the fly.Luckily we found some flat-ish land near a spring about 1.5 miles past flint mountain shelter. Soon after we set up and got a fire going, 42 and sanford showed up. They were looking for a party, and thought they found it. Then krake also showed up just before dark, hoping this was the party. He did 23 miles today trying to find it.I think those girls should have left a note on a tree once they cancelled their plans. Especially since it wasnt even going to be a real party, I think they were just trying to be cute. Not too cute if you've been reading about a party in shelter journals, trying to get there by doing big miles, and then no party.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Tentsites Before Devil Fork Gap

To: Tentsites After Sams Gap
Miles today: 11.7

I had another good night sleeping, I think going to bed later is the key. When it was cold, I was in my tent usually around 8. Now I'm getting in my tent usually around 930, and asleep by 1030.We had a little trail magic at devil fork gap, apples and oranges. An orange in the morning really hits the spot. I was then dreading the next uphill, remembering it from my section hike with dennis last year. This time it was hot though, which I thought was going to make it worse.The climb began and I thought I heard a scream from up the trail. I rounded a bend and saw mule up ahead sticking his head under a strong flowing 15ft waterfall. Just what we all needed. It was so refreshing that most us went back for a second soaking of the head. Krake joined us, along with jukebox. It powered us all up that mountain.The 2.7 miles from frozen knob to hogback ridge shelter seemed more like 4 miles. It took forever, and I remember it being that way last year. Once we got there, its another 0.5 miles to the water source and back. I had cell phone service, so I went off to the side and called home for easter.I left 15 minutes after everyone, but caught up before everyone got to sams gap. We were planning on checking out smoky bowl family farm, .3 miles downhill from sams gap. Anything for food and refreshments. Of course we got there and no one was home.Just as we were walking back up the hill, we saw a truck pull up in front, talk about good timing. We scored a delicious pasta primavera dinner, and filled up on water. All for just a $5 donation per person.Headed back up to the trail around 745pm, prepared for a possible night hike. Luckily we found a great site up on a mountain top just before a big meadow. Tenting here with us are jukebox, railroad, critter, and swiss miss the chocolate bandito. Carnivore, bud, and jukebox are all cowboy camping (no tents) out in the meadow. Great stars out tonight, and we can smell and see the smoke from a forrest fire near erwin, tn. Hope it doesnt come our way.
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Tentsites After Sams Gap

To: spivey gap / erwin, tn
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Woke up around 6am to some mean winds whipping my tent from the side. My treking poles that hold my tent up dont really enjoy that too much. Mule and I left first, before 9am, which led bud to the comment "I dont know what to say". We left the 3 of them behind (bud, carnivore, and jukebox), but knew that we would see them at big bald shelter for lunch.Big bald was amazing, I think it was nicer than max patch, or just as nice for sure. The crosswinds were sustained around 30mph, so when you walked, you had to lean into them. Only problem was when they would instantly let up, youd almost fall down from leaning left. We arrived at the shelter for lunch and it was empty, nice not to have to fight for room to eat/cook.Before long about 12 people joined us, including our group that we left in the dust that morning. Thunder was rumbling in the distance, but the skies were clear overhead. Wouldnt you know it, just as we left the shelter, the skies poured down on us. Now our plan was to hike all the way to chestoa bridge to make it to erwin, tn and miss janets house hostel.I flew down to spivey gap, hiking between 3.5-4mph and arrived there first. Mule was just behind me, and saw that I had that look in my eye that we should try to get to town now, instead of hiking the rest of the 11 miles to chestoa bridge. Bud came down the mountain next, followed by carnivore who took a little fall in the mud, no injury though. Just as everyone was together, I heard the first car approaching us, so I told mule to get out there with his thumb out. Wouldnt you know it was a guy in a pickup, going past erwin, so he gave us a ride. Its great how you never know where youll be next out here.We got to miss janets house, met baltimore jack, and shared some stories with the others. Erwin Burritos for dinner for me tonight, Ive been looking forward to it for a year. Nice to be dry after getting poured on.
Date: 2006-04-18
From: spivey gap / erwin, tn

To: erwin, tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up around 730am after staying up too late watching Walk the Line. A few of us didnt get to sleep till around 230am. When I woke up, I knew things werent right. Before long, I was throwing up all the food I had consumed on monday and couldnt hold anything down, solid or liquid. After getting sick for a few hours, the chills set in, and I knew I had to get out of there. I saw supersize when he stopped by miss janets, and he said he had gotten sick also. I gathered up any available energy to pack up my things and head to the super8 motel.Once I checked in, around 230pm, I immediately collapsed on the bed and didnt wake up till around 730pm. I definitely had a fever. I was able to hold down some sprite, but hadnt eaten anything all day. My body was in shock from not being able to consume any calories, especially since the calories I ate on monday all came up tuesday morning. Not fun.I had a pizza delivered around 9pm, just incase I felt like trying to pick on something. It didnt look too appealing though. Yes, thats right, a thruhiker who couldnt eat anything including a slice of pizza. I was definitely sick. Hopefully just a 24hr flu bug.
Date: 2006-04-19
From: erwin, tn

To: erwin, tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

When I woke up, I knew things were better. My fever was gone, and energy level was a lot higher than the previous day. I picked at some pizza in the morning, but still didnt have the stomach to eat a full meal. After the heavy morning rains let up, I went over the shell gas station minimart and got myself some fruit and some juice. It tasted great.I walked over to miss janets to see the guys, and now Mule was layed out. He hadnt thrown up, but he said he definitely didnt feel too good. Bud was ok and so was carnivore. Went to the erwin burrito, and I had a quesadilla which I was able to finish. It was good to be able to eat again. I certainly couldnt imagine how miserable it would be to get sick like that on the trail, glad that it happened in town.Bud came back to the motel with me to watch some baseball, and left after the game was out. The guys didnt really know when they were getting back out on the trail, but its good to be with a group of guys who watch out for each other and dont mind taking an extra zero day here or there to make sure everyone is healthy and ready to hike. Even though I will lose them when I head back to asheville on thursday, Im glad they didnt leave town on tuesday or wednesday which would have put me 4-6 days behind them.I stayed in my room all night, which would drive most people stir crazy. I was just glad to be resting and laying in bed. I arranged my ride to asheville for the next morning, and I'm glad I'll be healthy for Linda's visit and the Burning Spear show.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: erwin, tn

To: asheville, nc
Miles today: 0.0

Got off to an early start, as my ride to asheville said he would pick me up at the motel around 745am. I was surprised to see supersize still at the motel, thinking he had left for the trail on tuesday when I saw him at Miss Janets. He said he still had felt a little sick so he waited till today to take off. I was also glad to run in to brains and brawn. I hadnt seem them in a few days and always enjoy their company. Brains had gotten sick on the trail, but just stomach problems, no fever or chills. Hopefully she will start feeling better to get out there soon.I got into asheville around 9am, checked into my hotel, and walked around town a bit. I spoke to Dennis and Bert who took me and the guys in last week, and arranged to meet them for dinner at the mellow mushroom. I also called up to Miss Janets to see what the guys were up to. Mule decided to get his wisdom tooth taken care of, since its been bothering him for almost 2 weeks. Carnivore said they were probably taking another zero to give him some recovery time, but bud and jukebox were thinking of heading out in the late afternoon.The weather has been on and off rain/thunderstorms. I know you cant make it to maine without walking in rain, but Im glad my time off right now to see my girlfriend is coinciding with bad weather. If it were nice and sunny Id definitely be missing the trail.Had a great pizza with Dennis and Bert, showed them my posh hotel room, and then got ready for my Burning Spear show. It was incredible as usual, danced all night, and my legs werent even tired. When they played the song If we Should Live in the Hills, I thought to myself hey, I am living in the hills!!Linda visits tomorrow, I hope the weather can stay semi-dry so we can walk around town a lot. I really really like it here. Bud and jukebox left late in the day for the trail as planned, I hope they dont get soaked as the rains at night were pretty heavy. Carnivore and mule are waiting it out till tomorrow.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: asheville, nc

To: asheville, nc
Miles today: 0.0

Had an amazing time at the show last night. Awaited Linda's arrival all day, she got to the hotel around 5pm. Went out for great mexican food, then a quick pitstop back at the hotel. We went to a great bar called Jack of the Wood, and listened to a band perform acoustic led zepplin. It was great. Met some nice locals who just opened a rock, gem, and fossil store in town. Our initial plan of staying out for 3 beers turned into us staying till the band was finished playing. Rained all night, hard. Nice to be inside.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: asheville, nc

To: asheville, nc
Miles today: 0.0

Off to a slow start due to the late night previously. We went out for a big breakfast close to our hotel. The place had a great menu, especially for vegetarians. That is one of the big reasons why I like it here so much. After breakfast I called Dennis and Bert, and they said they would be in town in not too long to meet up. The plan was to walk around asheville, soaking up the shops and artwork and whatnot. Its really fun to do, some of the art galleries are very interesting.We ate dinner at The Laughing Seed, an incredible vegetarian resturant. They dont have 1 meat option on the menu. I was in heaven. After a great meal, Linda and I followed Dennis and Bert back to their house for a little porch sitting. Ive spent lots of time on that porch in the last couple weeks, and I thank you again for having me/us.Early night to bed tonight after a long day walking around town. Tomorrow is back on the trail for me, its been so long. I really cant wait, although having the time to relax in asheville especially with my girlfriend was a great wat to take a break.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: spivey gap

To: chestoa bridge / erwin, tn
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a nice day outside, glad it didnt look like rain since I was heading back out today. Linda's flight didnt leave till 6pm so she had time to run be back up to erwin and then to spivey gap. I dropped by miss janets house to see if there were any signs of the guys, or atleast knowledge of where they were. I had heard that they might be at trailfest in hot springs on friday night and into saturday, but thats all I knew.Turns out marco solo was watching miss janets house for the weekend while she was at trailfest. He told me mule, carnivore, bud, and jukebox were all there and on their way back shortly. I left them a note in the log at miss janets, and also stashed my bouncebox at her place. Linda dropped me off at the trailhead at spivey gap, and after some pictures and the goodbyes, I was off around 145pm. Not bad timing, and I didnt really know what my plans were for the hike. I didnt know if I wanted to hike the full 11.2 to erwin, or just tent somewhere just short of the nolichucky and arrive first thing in the morning. I really missed camping out in the time off the trail.I ended up flying through the 11.2 miles, I guess I had hotel legs. It felt Even with breaking for just over an hour throughout the hike, I got to the chestoa bridge over the nolichucky river by 530pm. I called miss janets and she had room, so I started walking towards her place, luckily someone picked me up about half way there.New faces here tonight, and I was informed of where my crew is and what their plans were. We are all volunteering at Merle Fest, a great music festival here in the south. In order for me to catch up, I will need to slackpack southbound tomorrow 19.1 miles. Then I have till wednesday 3pm to catch them at US19E. Time for me to start living up to my trail name. Glad everyone is close, and not 100 miles away like they could have been.