morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

got a ride $35 from motel to gap...we both felt great..fresh legs...filled bodies...heavy packs (chocolate bars and moon pies)...7 days food....hopefully to hot springs...big climb right off...no problems...were going to go to next shelter...5 more miles....but we stopped to help a ridgerunner saw a blown down tree off the trail...and he said the shelter we were going for was full...and there was no camping around shelter because of no level ground...so we stopped here (1/2 damn mile of the trail)...will sucktomorrow climbing out of here...up hill...beautiful warm day...mid 70's...calm wind...blue skies...in tent...all fed...bearbag hung...sun going down..around 8ish....getting chilly...but NO SNOW!!...not as cold...tomorrow we shall go for 12 miles, and spend our last night in the damn smokies...they suck...hiked with chuck, tigger, and kokopelli...bullwinkle and sara....who brought hot dogs from fatlingburg..cooked them over campfire...got pic taken with ridgerunner..he was impressed a thruhiker would help him with the fallen tree...goofyass...all in all good day....as usual after a town day....hope houses are selling...appraisals coming in...and everyone at sea level is fine...kim gave us some great news about the stock market.....cujo and i celebrated....yesssss!!!!!come on down.....mr sailing catamaran...2009....yesssWhitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

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

hola to all sea levelers.....cujo and i worked thru the remainder of the damn smokies...only 8 more miles to escape....tomorrow..tomorrow...we leave it....tomorrow...not a great day...ups were high....but the downs were lonnnngggg.. nothing hurts knees like steep descents....my knees are NOT happy....either one of them...nor cujo's right ankle..not twisted... just hurtsenough complaining....this is hard..very hard...hot springs is calling....we shall regroup there..HAVE to get feet relief..bottoms of feet feel raw and worn....we have turned the corner on blisters...just sore bottoms...downhills do that...Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

had a great spot camping at crosby....as i was returning from retrieving the bear bag goodies..i started breakfast....mmmmm..grits for the bear...yankee grits (oatmeal) for cujo...an anniversary fit for the royal family..when out of the blue.....RAIN....so into rain mode the robersons go...remember, sleeping bags and backpacks do NOT like to be wet....so after we perilously garage everything in the tent....rain stops...cooking/eating continues...and we ready for our trip to civilization (standing bear hostel)..ready for rain at any second...cool breezes and sprinkles for the long climb up mt cammerer....so we can UNclimb it and cross our first interstate...I40...that is what we do...we climb and unclimb mtns...we eat...we sleep..we make friends with other unsavory charactors such as ourselves...who smell just as bad as we do...but today is different...we are free from the smokie mtns..see ya...and we wound up at the standing bear farm....a quaint and spread out old farm...with several buildings...one a structure for couples...a one room barntype with 2 double beds and a loftthingy for another couple...62 and eminor were leaving as we got there...fire hazard was in charge as curtis (the dude who runs the place) was ferrying hikers to fontana..she explained the rules...which were there were no rules...a store run on the honor system with frozen pizzas...a kitchen with a pizza oven....washer/dryer...and benches around a fire-ring that later was used by all...after curtis returned and made a beer run....to anyone who may be hiking there soon....curtis is cool...but don't waste time trying to bullshit him...he deals in the truth....and has a low boiling point...lay low...act right...and be there for the beer run..later (oh yes...the UNcoupled folk have to stay in the barrack-like bunkhouse..where smells, snoring, and lies of all kind run rampant...but there WAS a fire built...and much beer (pabst blue ribbon is popular here)...and 2 guitars and a banjo later we are all singing and having fun...rooster was head musician...c-shot plays 8000 times better than he sings....and thhey even knew a little john prine...kinda...a good time was had by all...some more than others....and cujo and i stayed up till 11pm...wowfunny listening to these folks talking about "splitting a 6 pack"....we spit a 1/2 case...bullwinkle and sara.their dogs rocky and parker...chuck and tigger in the couples house...koko..hawaii..big ole boy (who got his head shaved)...and a list too long to remember....new hikers were coming in all night....they tented as no more room in the inn
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Max Patch Bald
Miles today: 14.1

here we are at max patch bald...sun going down and a 50%chance of rain...we are tired...knees...feet....shoulders...backwhen we get to hot springs we'll address our pack weight issues...today we met the singing sisters who sang happy trails as we came to max patch road...they gave us fresh fruit and filtered water...we also hiked a while with mountain mike...a 70 year old guy fron Tennessee...also with a white beard...he also had trail magic..2 bud lights...what a treat...there are 2 other tents here on the bald tonight...tired....catch you later...Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Max Patch Bald

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

what a great mornig...waking up..seeing the bald...we camped right on the bald...so nice...the bad weather was supposed to hit last night..but blue skies today...about 3ish the wind did attempt to blow us away...but we prevailed...we did a quick 5 miles...downhill...kneekiller..and were soon faced with doing either 7 miles..or 16....so tomorrow we can lope into hot springs...we did 16...and the last 3 were killer...feet like hamburger...toes have become demons who scream with pain as they shoot darts at each other... and dont even talkto me about backs and shoulders...we MUST address the pack weight issue if we expect to continue....it is killing us...for real..shoulders scream with pain from about noon on...we are going to overdose on ibuprofen...we limped into deer park shelter...and began apologizing to our feet...staying with traildancer and williegoat...nice young couple from virginia...as we came over the last mtn, we were being chased by the storm...huge winds...rain...crap..we eventually beat the rain....and as we settled into the shelter...blue skies..that sucks..all that hiking in the rain...we are readying for hot springs tomorrow...and some zeros..Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: light rain

the storm petered out...small showers on the shelter roof....of course until you hear the mice running over the tin roof....sheltered with traildancer and williegoat...nice kids from virginia...she works with condoleeza rice...he has already finished one AT hike...and is doing this one wearing a kind of flip flop shoe sandal...cruised the 3.2 miles into hot springs....the fourth grade class greeted us as we hit town....interviewed is...took pics...and welcomed us to their city...it is the weekend for their trailfest...great timing...hell...cujo and i were walking the sidewalk...after breakfast...in full backpack regalia..when ...I SWEAR...a lady in a pickup came to a stop....asked us if we were thru hikers...and if she could take our pictures....naturally we agreed..being as cavalier as possible...found a great deal on a cottage on the river...microwave...fridge...direct tv...air cond...KINGSIZED bed...for 60 bucks....yesss!!!..and right in town....even a private patio on the river....resupplied (that means bud lights)...clothes washed ...and we address what we shall send back tomorrow..am sure that makes kim happy..staying friday and sat for now....perhaps more....we decided we are NOT hiking the AT....those people are TOOOOOO serious....we are ON the AT....hiking...but we are doing the whitebear and cujo RETIREMENT TOUR...we figured we have hiked 270 miles in 30 days....pretty paltry....BUT....we have taken 8 zero days....and 1 nero day (near zero)....thats 270 miles in 21 hiking days......we just are not in a hurry...and we enjoy the towns....so overall we have done well...PLUS....we have not slackpacked (where you get a ride to hike a section backward so it is easier..or they pick you up....or to hike a section withOUT a full pack...10 lbs instead of 36 lbs...and someone picks you up as you sleep in a motel)...no offence to anyone who does this....legally you ARE hiking the appalachian trail....but our reasoning is why the hell choose to do something this difficult, if you are not prepared to do the whole thing it is a ticklish topic....so whatever...we choose to be purists...if you dont agree...get over it...the integrity of hiking the trail is important to us....we may not make it...but if we do..we shall do it right...cujo is calling.....beer on the deck....spagetti supper for the hikers in town tonight....i like this town...the trail goes right thru the middle of it...in fact...the sidewalk has AT symbols impinted on it....and jarrod....cujo says she just finished her first roll of toilet paper....and i helped!!!..pehaps a goal for you...Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

just wanted to say a sincere thanks to everyone for their good wishes....be it in prayers....positive thoughts...true concern...best wishes..curiousity....or just plain interest in what we are doing....so many things have just fallen into place on this adventure...too many to think it could have happened without other forces blessing us...we appreciate it more than you could imagineof course our anniversary could have been nicer if 2 other couples had not been in our room with us...so think good thoughts a little harder..Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Hot Springs

To: trailfest
Miles today: 0.0

hola all.....hanging out here in hot springs.....tons more hikers coming in...met the legend michele at breakfast....nice lady....warm smiletrying to figure out when to leave....the next shelters are small, and we are wondering about tent space...not a lot of camping listed on guide.....fear the next section will be BUSY with folks....a shame that more OLD farts are not showing up...now you all KNOW cujo and i are not shy to enjoying a good time, but seems to be more and more folks (young i mean)...who party a bit too hard for us....it will be interesting...all you OLD FARTS....get off your OLD butts and come out here with us....thanks to kimberly for being our middle man in this thingy....we love you , honey....we shall call you today sometime...out phone is not functional here in hot springs for some reason....and payphones are hard to find and crowded...i am here at the outfitters on their pc...what a bunch of wonderful guys run this place...we are trying hard.....especially for IAN and KIM...feet are recovering..but still tender....see you sll soon....thanks for the emails....everyone feel free to email us here....just no attachments or pics....krr(at)pocketmail(dot)com (i think)
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

eating is great.....we eat ANYTHING...the more chocolatey the better...the more sugary the better..the more fat the better...this is wonderful.. course the rub is that 6 out of 7 days it is impossible to find these treats....UNLESS we bring them with us....our breakfasts now consists of cookies and honeybuns...snickers and other chocolate bars for anytime snacks...and when we REALLY need a lift....4 or 5 tangerine or mango sour altoids do the trick...and our new lunches needed to be more substantial, so we prepared bagels with cheeze and ham...we shall see....we cranked out of hot springs at 9:30...uphill most of the day....not so difficult...but not so easy either...warm day...sweat city...thank god for quick dry clothes...a shame the quick stink remains....laments of a thru hiker...we always get teased into smelling nice when in town, and it takes a couple of days to appreciate our true scent...as it ALWAYS returns....we took only 1 liter of water each...and i am carrying a titanium cup outside my pack, so when we pass a good water source...we take it...straight...but it has to be coming right out of the mtn...fresh...it saves us from carrying another 3 lbs of water...eachwe were pleased with our pack weights...even with 6 days of food...it DID seem lighter...but our feet...especially the bottoms really start to bother us at 9 or 10 miles....that is important, as tomorrow we have to decide to do either a 9 mile day, or a 15.5 mile day...our weather looks good...chuck,tigger,koko, and hawaii are here, and they are talking about 15....we shall see....because we shall have 2 zeros in erwin....at the holiday inn....where coffee and breakfast lives....and a washer and dryer is...7ish now....we are tucked in...wind blowing, but clear skies...nice tent spot overlooking the shelter...loud down there...earplug city tonight...wondering how talledega turned out today... Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

we saw it....we went for it....and we are paying for it.....15.4 miles...in 80 degree heat...an easy 10 miles by lunch....then lurked the monster....it appeared as merely another long mtn....nothing to get upset over...its listed name is camp creek bald..it should be renamed bust your butt bald....it was 1 1/2 miles up....but there were NO switchbacks....just a trail going straight up...to 4750'...as if she said you want some of me....come get it...sweat changes EVEYTHING!!!!...anyone who knows me, knows i sweat..alot..but cujo even had salt deposits on her clothes...but when we climbed it...in 3 more miles...we got the kicker...it came by the name of blackstaff cliffs and big firescald knob...some mtns rise like a cone, and come to a peak..these mtns were on the edge of the appalachians, and rose to a sharp edge that formed a ridge...then continued for about 2 miles...one of those thingys where you can see everything to your left and right...since where you are sanding is perhaps 8 feet wide...and somebody (god knows who)PLACED rocks....of all sizes..for us to climb over...i am talking about rocks weighing at least 1/2 ton to 2 tons....and placed them in a form of staircase...kinda...but not a perfect staircase...one that someone on crack coccaine would build....and it followed the entire ridge...where we would go up and down the ridge..poles were useless....hand climbing these damn crackhead rocks...and cujo's legs are quite short for this line of work.....it sucked....i dont care WHAT the fantastic view was..it was treacherous, slow, and potentially deadly.....cujo was NOT amused...and then more climbs at the end of the day....we thought someone stole the shelter....it would never appear...as we continued walking in our sweat-soaked outfits...both wondering silently..why are we here...we have noticed the small hardwoods starting to leaf out...as if we are bringing in the spring...we finally found the shelter..had to camp 1/2 mile away.....cujo has a bad stomach.....and our menu slection aint great out here....so as you all kiss your loved ones and go to sleep...clean, properly fed, and resting on a mattress...i am blowing up cujo's 2 inch air mattress so she can sleep on the ground..hoping another trip to the woods wont be necessary...swatting gnats that like our smell for some reason...we ho bathed the best we could...we aint he happiest we have ever been.....but we kissed goodnight...and if we could vote right now...we would kiss this trail goodnight... oh yes....more great news....blood blisters under the callouses on my heel appeared again....cant wait for cujo to dig that safety pin in again...and tomorrow we shall do it all again.Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: devil's fork gap
Miles today: 8.7

quick note to all.....cujo and i are back in atlanta....knees and feet chose not to comply with the trail...hitched into erwin....spent some time at the holiday inn...rested and evaluated out situation....we BOTH made the choice to return home...this probably ends our hike....many thanks for all prayers and thoughts....especially kimberly for doing everything she has done....we shall post more later....trying to get "home" reestablished....we have posted a few pics on flicker....http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenandpat/
Date: 2007-05-06
To: Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.....we needed and used and cherished every one of them.... we ended our attempt in erwin tenn....305.8 miles from where we started..... i cannot thank everyone....especially danny cook, for your support.....danny gave us something special...he gave us part of himself....his time...his true concern....he will always be cherished..... feet and knees were the deciding factors....blood blisters continuing under my heel calluses on both feet kept giving me problems...and pat having to dig and drain them every night....hard to keep everything clean out there in the wild....where baths are seldom....kinda unclean...if you know what i mean....and my knees were always my weakest point..... pat had knee and ankle problems...and a groin deal....but enough complaining..... we did not accomplish our goal...some may say quitters....that would not a lie...but we were also starters.....we did not accomplish what few people in the world have done....but we earnestly tried....we loved it...hated it...cursed it...cherished it... we learned much about ourselves and each other....there is no doubt in my mind now that pat and i can get thru ANYTHING....anything....our strength is in each other.... kim has some of the first pics....i have posted some on flickr.... here is the link... http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenandpat/ they are a testament of walking over mtns for a month....with 35 lbs on your back....looking for water....wishing for food....meeting every different type of person in the world.....sharing....helping others...getting stronger....and living life.... we realize what a treasure our friends are..... and how lucky we are to have each other.... peace and love to all of you.... ken and patricia formerly known as whitebear and cujops...we shall share our thoughts as we recuperate....about the trail, towns, but mostly the wonderful people we met....
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Atlanta

To: Veranda
Miles today: 0.0

we are in atlanta now....everyone knows that...and as i read the journals of our friends still on the trail i have to salute someone SPECIAL...HANGMAN...the BEST hiker we met on the trail....his hiking is strong and aggressive, his smile joyful, his demeaner "interesting" (LOL)...we met him and sneakertramp the very first day...at hawk mtn shelter...hangman is more than a great hiker....we are proud to call him friend...brother...lover of his family....a man of true virtue...we calculated milage, scouted campsites, ate gorp, dried socks, and sweated much together...so as i raise this icy cold beer to my lips, i only wish he could taste it....to you, perry....our friendwhitebear and cujo
Date: 2007-08-12
To: Pals
Miles today: 0.0

looking back...remembering Hangman....there is no way we can omit SNEAKERTRAMP...it took us a while before we got the official explanation for his name...lol... bruce was with hangman when we met them on that first day..it was a hot one on springer mtn, and as usual hangman took off doing 90 mph...leaving all of us in his wake...as cujo and i plodded onward, dripping with mtn sweat, we eventually passed one hiker lying on his back alongside the trail. he was hurting.   it was SNEAKER....he appeared to be hurting worse than us, but to our amazement at the end of the day, after we had called it a day and set up camp just before sassafrass mtn..who passed us on his way toward this tallllll mtn (at the end of the day)...ole sneaker...he caught up with hangman that day and earned our respect...he was a true friend...giving and such a pleasure to be with...be it hiking, freezing together in camp, at the bar, or sharing a refreshment in our room at fontana dam...he was the most universally liked hiker on the trail...young..old...in between...EVERYONE loved sneaker...as did we..we miss his ALWAYS loud laugh...his candor...and his presencewe shall remember him for the rest of our lives...
Date: 2007-08-13
To: The Twins
Miles today: 0.0

as we started remembering some of the folks we hiked with, many come to mind....so we thought about posting them....one a day...these young ladies were commonly referred to as simply "The Twins"...they are "Little Bug Shoe and Scuffles"...and although they are small in size, they are AWESOME hikers...they smile constantly and were such a pleasure to be around....unpretentious and fun-loving....they have hiked the "whites" before, so they know what it takes to finish...their pace was constant and strong....they were quick to break camp and hit the trail...i think few hikers were as focussed as they....we havent heard from them since erwin, where we gave them our hikerpro prefilter and plastic bucket....i hope it has served them well....they were young hikers depending on what was on their back and each other...and they were the creme of the crop when it came to young hikers...in every way...
Date: 2007-08-14
To: kokopelli
Miles today: 0.0

we met kokopelli in the restaurant at fontana dam....she was with a group of hikers....we had read her trail journal before we left home, and saw she was from atlanta....."ALPHARETTA" to be exact...lol.... alpharetta is considered extremely "high brow", so soon she was proclaimed "the queen of alpharetta"...she is so honestly nice...i doubt there is a mean bone in her body...her hiking was constant and steady,,,,and her smile was always such a welcome sight...she (like all of us)discovered how much strength and perseverance is inside....i remember how thrilled she was when she saw her first bear on a cold rainy day in the smokies....she loved to challenge herself, all the while missing her home and family...i think she learned much about herself on the trail..she had many families on the trail...she was a joy to hike with....and a good friend...
Date: 2007-08-15
To: Donnie and Sara
Miles today: 0.0

there were not that many couples we saw on the trail....donnie and sara were the first couple we met...it was at walasi yi...i think sara had a blister problem, so they were hanging out a couple of days there....it must have improved, because as we departed...going uphill...we heard someone behind us...closing fast...it was sara and parker (one of their dogs)..she greeted us and quick paced the mtn...they are quite a couple...their teamwork was always evident, even though they did not always hike together during the day...donnie was not always the earlies to rise from his slumber...donnie was king of the campfire, and dazzled all with hotdogs he would carry to share with all....they were great hikers, and they loved their 2 dogs...(rocky and parker)...4 hours after leaving standing bear hostel i realized i had "lost" my prescription sunglasses....so as cujo had to hear me bellyache all the way to hot springs, we ran into kokopelli...she informed us that sara found my glasses, and brought them all the way to me....i thank her to this day...so a tip of the glass to this lovely young couple...another set of hikers that brightened our trip