morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

It rained last night (starting about 2 am) and the wind blew non-stop. But I kept warm and dry in my tent and it was really hard to get up and get going. I finally got on the trail about 9 am. The morning remained really foggy and cool, great for hiking, but not so good for seeing anything but 50 feet of tread heading north (I think). On the way to Big Firescab Mountain, I ran into a crew of trail volunteers doing needed trail maintenance work. You can never thank these folks enough for all the work they do to keep the trails open, with out compensation. Thank you very much, you are making my life a bit easier!I was really counting on seeing Big Firescab Mountain this trip as it was snowy and foggy in 2005 when we passed here, but today was pretty much the same without the cold and snow.I found fresh bear tracks in the mud today, the first really recent sign since it rained last night. I figure this critter passed just a few hours before I cut the tracks.Met Habitual Hiker and Umbrella at Jerry Cabin shelter (3,570') and we were later joined by Nimble Toes and Shadow. We ate lunch and then pushed on north.Tonight sleeping at Flint Mtn Shelter are Pinky and Brain, Habitual Hiker and Umbrella and myself, a pretty small group after last night. Nimble Toes and Shadow decided to push on to a camping spot a mile or so north.The afternoon finally broke the fog and it cleared off to a very nice, comfortably warm evening.The owls are out just about every evening hooting it up and the grouse are drumming during the day--really cool!
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Big Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was another serious climbing day. While the day started out really nice with a smooth glide down hill to (2,960') Rector Laurel Rd, it then turned upward to (4,460') High Rock, took a drop to (3,850) Sam's Gap and then took a final late day climb (5,300') to Big Stamp. There were a bunch of un-named knobs tossed in along the route. I hiked most of the day following Pinky and Brain, or maybe they were just trying to keep track of me in case I fell off the trail someplace. Anyhow, they are fun to hike with but can go much faster than I do. I generally catch up when they take a break.We (Pinky, Brain and I) are staying at Big Mountain shelter (5,180') which is about 1 mile north of Big Stamp. Also, there is a class of college students here doing their practical exercise for an outdoor class-about a dozen or so folks camped around the shelter.Coming over Big Bald (5,516'), I heard a tom turkey calling his mates so I tried to locate him and get a picture, but no luck as he got really quiet every time I tried to sneak in his direction. I did take several scenery pictures off the top-this is a really great view point.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Big Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

It rained and the wind blew during the night so I was really glad to be in the shelter. I skipped cooking breakfast and ate a couple breakfast bars before heading north in rain gear. About 30 minutes of downhill hiking and I was a walking sauna so I took off the rain gear and kept going. The college group was broken up into groups of 3 or 4 folks as I passed them heading down hill. At Spivy Gap (3,200'), the college group had a ride home waiting. But for me (and Pinky and Brain), Spivy Gap was a short rest, some trail magic and then a steep 600' climb back uphill. One of the college folks twisted her foot and was pretty sore so it was going to be a long and difficult walk. I hope she made it home alright, at least there was a large crew to help get her out of the woods.We stopped at No Business Knob shelter (3,180') for lunch and I avoided a 15 minute rain shower. Here for lunch is 5 String (and dog Daisy), Eleven, Pinky, Brain and me. I figured if I waited until everyone else left in their rain gear, then it would stop raining and I would not have to put mine on--yep, I was right and I cruised out of the shelter in the usual short sleeve shirt and shorts dress code.Along the way to No Business, I met Silver Streak (06' Thru hiker) who was finishing up a section he missed due to snow last year. I also met Sardine and Noodle doing a slack pack from Spivey Gap to Nolichucky.I called Ms Janet's Hostel from Temple Ridge (3,850') and the hostel is full up for the night-not a good sign. I called Super 8 from Nolichucky River (1,700') and got a shuttle ride to Erwin.Tomorrow will be a town day. I need to buy more food, wash clothes, update trail journal, etc. I hope to work out something on my boots too--either my feet have lost weight (not likely as they are always plenty heavy) or the boot leather has stretched and my feet are sliding forward (most likely). Bottom line, my toes are crashing into the end of the boots on the down hill stretches and I now have blisters on the ends of some toes. One of the blisters is under a toe nail back to the root and since the nail has a new whitish cast, I am anticipating a few ounce loss of foot weight when the nail falls out. I tried wearing three pair of socks today and it seems to be helping, but I need a better solution.I called Carla after I arrived here. It is sure nice to talk with her, especially on a weekend/town day when things are much more relaxed. While this hike is a lot of fun, I sure do miss Carla and all the rest of the family.I am now at 338 miles and the next stop in Kincora Hostel which is the last stop before Virginia. I hope to cross into Kincora on Friday or Saturday and then into Damascus on Monday or Tuesday for the next town day. Roan High Bluff is coming up next and it is the last 6,000 foot plus peak until I reach New Hampshire. Not that the trail is getting any easier, but getting all these big peaks down will be a relief. I am hoping for good weather up top side as the views are pretty special at that elevation.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I spent the town day running around-to the IGA for groceries, the laundry to wash clothes, the library to update the trail journal (in the one hour maximum time limit), the shoe store to check out shoes and get shoe laces, the hardware store for stove fuel, the pharmacy for mole skin & foot powder, McDonalds for dinner and the gas station for a soda and candy bar. Called Carla, Tonia and Brenda and the day was over.Erwin is a nice, friendly town and being close to down town made getting all the chores done fairly easy.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Erwin TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

I ate breakfast at the Super 8 Motel, packed up and got a shuttle ride to the trail-all by 8 am.Stopped at Uncle Johnnie's place and left the excess stove fuel in the hiker box, said good morning to Brain, and departed heading north.The trail follows the Jones Branch Creek through rhododendron thickets for a mile or so. Its very pretty now, but would be spectacular when the rhododendrons bloom. After the first mile, the trail does a 180 degree switch back and a steep climb to the Curley Maple Gap shelter (3,070'). I signed the shelter book and continued northbound.About 11 am, I called Carla and then hiked to Indian Grave Gap. There was a big black snake in the trail along the way so I took a few pictures before pushing the snake off the trail. Because it is not to warm, the snake was a bit cool and not too active. Still a rather large snake.I ate lunch after the Gap and was overtaken by Brain and 5-String before we reached Beauty Spot. I took some pictures from Beauty Spot in the nice clear weather. It was nice taking a break in such a pretty spot.Next was the steep, hot climb up and over Unaka Mountain (5,180), descent to Low Gap (3,900'), climb to be climbing and descent into Cherry Gap shelter (3,900'). Along the way, I met a Boy Scout troop on a 50 mile hike (going southbound).Here at the shelter is TroCar, Brain & Pinky, 5-String and myself. There are 3 thru's camped by the shelter, not sure of their names, but I think it is Stash, Remax and Fitch.I made a short trip down to the stream and washed my feet in the cold creek-a real treat for tired feet.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night at 12:16 am, the storm rolled in and pounded our shelter. The wind blew hard, the rains pounded down and the lightening and thunder rolled through the mountains. It was awesome and kept me awake pretty much the rest of the night. There was not much of a gap between light and noise which means the strikes were really close. I suspect yesterday's black snake got a serious bath last night.I put on my raingear and headed north as it was still raining and windy after breakfast. The trail wasn't too muddy, and the ups and downs soon warmed me up so I took off the rain gear.I ate lunch with Brain at the Clyde Smith shelter and it was really cold.   Lunch and water gathering only lasted about 30 minutes before I was back on the trail.After a few more ups and downs, the trail drops into Hugh's Gap (4,040') before turning upward and climbs 2,235 in three miles to Roan High Knob shelter at 6,275' elevation. When I reached the top, the wind was blowing strong and cold and the ground was frozen. I could see my breath. With the temperature dropping, I decided it was way too cold to stay up here so I continued northward figuring I would camp at a lower elevation. One step led to another and I finally called it a day when I reached Stan Murray shelter (5,050'). 5-string was camped out at the shelter and Remax and Stash arrived later. The wind is still blowing and it continues to get colder. It is going to be a cold night.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

Last night was really cold and windy, the coldest night yet on the trail. The wind blew so hard the shelter was shaking most of the night. I ate my pop tart and packed up and headed out in the wind. The trail was froze solid and the wind was blowing so strong it made travel extremely difficult. The wind was blowing ice from the bushes across the trail like a snow storm and this made travel even colder. Thank goodness for trek poles which I used to keep my balance. Over Little Hump (5,459') and Hump (5,587'), there is no getting out of the wind and it was blowing 40-50 mph constant.I met up with Otto, Trocar, Stash and Remax as we hiked down the mountain. They arranged for a shuttle to Kincora Hostel from Hwy 19 and 5-String met his folks there for a couple days off the trail. I continued on the new Mountaineer's shelter in a very protected location, but it was still another very cold night. Being at a lower elevation and getting out of the wind really made the night much better than the last one.The section of trail from Hwy 19 to here is really nice--good grades up and down and not too many rocks. I stopped at Jones Falls along the way and took some pictures. I also had a snack by the river, but did not see any fish in the water. Maybe they all went south to warmer weather.I met HubCap, a south bound hiker carrying a hubcap who should finish up his thru hike in a few weeks.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora)
Miles today: 15.3

I got up late and ate my last warm breakfast and headed down the trail about 8:30 am. It continued a pretty easy hike. I stopped at Moreland Gap shelter (3,815') for lunch where I met Noodle and Sardine. They had stayed at Amy's Hostel last night and were really happy with the great hospitality of the hosts.After lunch, I continued on to Kincora and coasted in to the Hostel just before the snow started. The more it snowed, the colder it was getting so I was really glad to luck out and have a warm place to stay.I got my hiker box from Bob and called Carla to let her know I was off the mountain.For dinner, Otto made a town run and brought Eleven and I back a pizza which we split.Here at the Hostel is Butch & Sundance, Remax, Stash, Trocar, Santa's Helper, Eleven, Grey Wolf, Long Tall, Jester and Otto
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Dennis Cove (Kincora)

To: Kincora
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night the temperature dropped down to 16 degrees and it snowed most of the night. The prediction is for even colder temperatures tonight. Maybe on Sunday it will warm up a bit.Otto, LongTall and Jester are making plans for a big dinner on Easter. Originally, I had planned to stay here only one night, but with the cold weather and plans for a big feast, I changed my plans and will take another zero day. This sounds like it could be a lot of fun.There are a lot of folks coming in from the mountain where there is a lot more snow than there is here. I learned that 16 hikers were stuck at Overton Mountain (4,550' where I passed a two days ago) and had to leave the trail down a back trail in snow drifts knee to waist deep. There is about a foot of snow on Iron Mountain (4,000') where I am headed next. It is turning out that taking a second zero day was a very good decision, or a stroke of luck.In addition to the people that were here yesterday, Fish and Chips (two guys from England and Sardine and Noodle are here. Remax, Trocar, Eleven and Stash decided to continue hiking. I hope they do not get too cold.I called Carla and got to talk with Mitchell and Meredith-what a pleasant surprise.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Kincora

To: Kincora
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I lost track of everyone who is here, but Kincora is totally full as almost all hikers have come off the trail to escape the cold and snowy weather. I heard that a thru hiker came off the trail with frost bitten fingers.After it warmed up a bit today (it was 9 degrees last night), I took a short hike down to Laurel Falls and took some pictures. It's a nice clear and sunny (but very cold) day. It was nice to take a walk to escape all the noise in the Hostel.The weather forecast is for a slow warming trend--nice! Tomorrow I will start hiking north again.We had a huge Easter dinner, many thanks to Bob and Otto's organization and Long Tall and Jester's outstanding cooking. There was an incredible amount of food with a lot left for dessert tomorrow.I called home and talked with my folks, Carla, Brenda, Tonia, Janis and Lester who all came over for the weekend. It was nice to hear family voices on Easter and made me wish I was home as well.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Kincora

To: Spring
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up at 6:45 am and went down stairs for coffee and breakfast-but no coffee. So, I ate leftover cake and pie and had a large glass of orange juice. Packed up my gear and was out the door about 8 am.It is still pretty cool so I hiked in my rain coat as a wind breaker going down the canyon. When I reached the up hill trail section to Pond Mountain, I took off the rain coat and hiked in my short sleeve shirt. There are still patches of snow in the shady spots along the trail. When I stopped walking, I quickly chilled. At Pond Flats, I met Brain and Pinky slack packing south to Kincora. I made really good travel time and stopped at Watauga shelter (2,130') for lunch and filtered more water. It has warmed up to the high 40's and is sunny.After crossing the dam, I did the steep climb up onto Iron Mountain (4,125') and I am now camped at the spring north of Vandevente shelter (3,620) and it is getting cold as the sun goes down.Flick, Golden Boy and I built a fire and have been talking about the great time we had at Kincora and gear.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Spring

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Up with first light. Last night was cool, but not too cold. I put my water bottles and water filter/pump at the bottom of my sleeping bag and they did not freeze-life is good. It was probably in the mid 20's. The hike today was pretty uneventful. Easy hiking on a long ridge in cool sun light. The ups and downs were short and gradual so the 18+ miles came pretty fast.I met Umbrella and Habitual Hiker heading south bound. It's always nice to meet someone you have met before on the trail.I was finally able to talk with Carla about noon today-phone coverage has been really bad. I messed up and forgot to ask Carla to mail my next box so it will be close when I reach Adkins. I also called the Montgomery house for a reservation for tomorrow night. I stayed there with Brian in 2005 and it's a great place to stay--breakfast is good!The weather forecast is for rain tonight and tomorrow and I hope they are wrong about tomorrow as I have a lot of running around to do in Damascus.I saw a white tail deer along the trail today.Here at Abingdon Gap shelter is Grey Wolf who is going to meet his wife in Damascus and then take a couple days off; and, Golden Boy.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus (Montgomery House)
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

I skipped a cooked breakfast and ate a couple breakfast bars so I could get an early start to Damascus. I was out of the shelter at 7:15 am and into Damascus (1,928') by 11 am. It was rainy and windy when I left the shelter and I ended up wearing my rain coat all the way to Damascus.I met Stumpknocker and Mrs Gorp at Dave's Place. They are on their across the county bike ride. For me it was really exciting to meet such great trail people and I wish them luck on their next adventure.I checked into the Montgomery House and will spend the rest of the day running around getting town things done.While at the library updating my Trail Journal, Stumpknocker and Mrs Gorp stopped by to use the computers. I met them again at the Mt Rogers Outfitters. How impressive to meet trail icons. They are now biking across the US. Really nice people and we spent a few minutes talking about their bike trip and the At.After updating the trail journal, it was off to the outfitters for stove fuel and water filter. My filter froze a couple times so to be on the safe side it was replaced. I then went to do laundry and grocery store to get food.I had dinner at Sicily's, great food and a repeat of great hospitality from 2005. Great food stop.After dinner, I went back to Montgomery B&B to recharge my pack and I called Carla.Lights out at midnight as the afternoon rain storm turns into a thunder and lightening storm.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Damascus (Montgomery House)

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

I got up about 6:30 am, took a shower and finished loading up my pack. I then ate breakfast, went to the post office to mail home some excess gear and hiked out of town, heading generally north.I can not say enough good things to describe the Montgomery B&B. This is my second visit and I truly enjoyed myself both times.While hiking, I met Butch, Sundance, Twofer (first meeting but he also has a trail journal so I knew he was on the trail), Pinky and Brain slack packing back to Damascus.The trail is a bit muddy from the recent rains so the leaves are making the rocks slippery--but no dust!I saw a grouse and white tailed deer today--unusual event!Tonight as I make notes for trail journal, I am listening to 5-string play the banjo--how good can life be? We are the only two people at Lost Mountain shelter (3,360).The temperature is dropping and it is suppose to be in the 20's tonight. today was a good day for hiking, cool and clear.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter, Grayson Highlands
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

I woke up several times during the night, just could not sleep. Finally gave up laying in the sleeping bag and got up about 6:30 am. Made some tea and ate bagels for breakfast. They are a nice change from hot cereal, but the weight is to much and they take up a lot of space. I don't plan this treat too often.Packed up and was on the trail about 8:15 am. The trail starts out slow downhill and then goes for the sky with a 1,500' climb to Whitetop Mountain (5,080') with a 700' descent followed by another 1,000' climb to Rhododendron Gap (5,440'). The climbing was not too bad, but the downhill in the rocks was no fun. I twisted my right knee really bad and tomorrow it may be hard to walk on. Guess I'll see in the morning.There were lots of ponies to see today. Three bands with a total of 11 ponies. I took some pictures to capture the moment.It was cool and windy on top, but not to bad down here--but the night is young and it is only 40 degrees right now. Tomorrow the forecast is for rain, same for Sunday and Monday. Maybe, the previous snow forecast is changed.Tried to call Carla several times, but no coverage.Here at the Wise shelter (4,460') is Backyard Boogie and 5-string.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Wise Shelter, Grayson Highlands

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night there was a band of coyotes hunting around the shelter and they were making noise most of the night. It started raining late last night and continued until 7 am or so. I got up about 6:30 am and made some hot tea to go with the bagels. After breakfast, I packed up and took off north up the trail.At Old Orchard shelter (4,050' and 5 miles), I made a snack break and took a pain killer for my knee which is now bothering my hiking. The pain killer went to work in a few minutes so I got back on the trail which has turned to a nice tread after all the previous rocks.It was pretty foggy up on the balds so I took a few interesting pictures of it. Also, there were a couple ponies at the first creek crossing and again at the top of the balds.Stopped at the new Hurricane Mountain shelter for lunch. The new shelter is really a nice one. At the shelter, I met Toe Socks 1 and Toe Socks 2 and Road Dog as they were leaving.After lunch, continued hiking and met Toe Socks 1 & 2 and Road Dog on the trail.In the late afternoon, it started raining about 1/2 hour from the end of my hike. So, on with the rain gear.It continued to rain hard all evening and has finally let up a bit.Here at the Trimpi shelter (2,900')is Road Dog, Butch, Sundance, Pinky, Brain, 5-string and myself. Backyard Boogie is at Hurricane Ridge shelter and Toe Socks 1 & 2 went to town for supplies.The forecast for snow has changed to just rain so I guess we will see in the morning.No cell coverage for 2 days--bummer!
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

It rained hard all night and there was a large pond of water in the tenting site when we got up this morning. Fortunately, I was in the shelter on the top bunk.After breakfast, I packed up and sat around for a little while thinking the rain might let up. Finally, I gave up and put on my rain gear. I started walking north and 15 minutes into the hike, the rain stopped so I took off my rain gear. It kept looking like it was going to rain, low clouds and fog.All the rain has made the trail pretty muddy and slippery, but the hike was pretty uneventful and the trail was not too much up and down.About 3/4 mile from Partnership shelter, it started to rain again so I put the rain gear back on and walked slowly to the shelter trying to keep from sweating too much.After I arrived at the shelter, the rain let up so I walked out to the pay phone at the Visitors Center (3,360') and called Carla. While we were talking, the wind came up really strong, the rain came back and the temperature dropped a couple of degrees on the Visitor Center thermometer. In an hour, it was snowing hard. And, figuring the snow was going to close the highway, we hurried up and ordered pizzas. Pizza was delivered an hour later in a real heavy snow storm and strong winds.Three section hikers were with us for a little while, but they were cold, wet and not prepared for the weather so they called 911 (after trying to get a shuttle ride) and were taken off the mountain.The temperatures continued to drop, the winds got stronger and it snowed most of the afternoon.Here at the shelter is 5-string, Brain, Pinky, Road Dog, Butch and Sundance (Butch and Sundance later went to town with the cold section hikers).