morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Total miles: 339.8Today is Sunday. Last Sunday at 6:00 pm I got into Hot Springs, NC and reunited with the light of my life - Mary Lynn. It is true - absence DOES make the heart grow fonder! It hardly seems possible - this deeper sense of oneness and bliss. I can't remember a time we've been apart this long before. The sweetness of being together flavored a week of fellowship as a number of my new hiker friends joined us at the cabin. Fantastic food (Mary Lynn cooked meals with food she brought from home)a hot tub, plus slack packing throughout the week made the time truly magical. Friday, Mary Lynn moved our base to Erwin, TN having slackpacked us all the way there. Now I am about to head back to "real" backpacking after 68 miles of easier, but longer, hikes. (Friday Dave from Maine, Twinkletoes and I covered 21.7 miles!). All but the fastest of my companions (except the two with me now) are behind us so we can go slower hoping they will catch up. I don't really think 'fast' is an option what with the weight and grade of the trail leaving Erwin. It's been wonderful being with Mary Lynn and it hurts to know our time together is ending but I'm heading home rapidly now and that eases the pain of her departure.Later . . .Alec
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 155.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This is my first attempt to post from the trail. First I am posting an outrageous mileage to try to get the total miles adjusted up to the mileage I have walked. Second I am using Twinkletoe's laptop and I am poor w/ the new keyboard so I m going to leave in a LOT of typos or this will take too long. The actual mileage for this post is 4.2 Now baack to april 27Today wasn't much of a day for hiking. Mary Lynn left after a weeks visit. Dave from Maine left with her to go to Roanoke so he can catch a bus home. My backpack geels like it weighs a TON and it was gloomy and rainy. Twinkletoes and I made it ot Curly Maple Gap Shelter around 2pm and called it a day. That is way too early to stop but we didn't feel like pulling the 12.2 miles and 2250 feet of elev. gain up over Unaka Mtn ahead of us. Losing Dave's lighthearted spirit and experience out here left me feeling totally out of the mood to even be here. I'll be OK but it'll take another day or two. One new experience happened here after our arrival. David and Danielle from Ervin TN came motoring right up to the shelter on an atv. You don't see that every day! They used the old forest service roads to get close then bushwacked down to the shelter. After a pleasant exchange they headed on around the slope above us. Later other atvs passed by up there. What next?Later, Alec
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

It rained a good bit during the night but at dawn the rain had let up to intermittent showers sgo I got breakfast cooked,took the tent down and packed up w/o getting very wet. That would come later. Todays hike had a good bit of climb, especially up and over Unaka Mtn. It rainedt steadily from about 10am to noon w/ one spell of hard rain for about 10 minutes. The pack with it's cover and my raincoat kept my top 1/2 fairly dry but my legst and feet got wet. It is the first time i/ve hiked w/ wet feet. I got borderline cold but niver cold enoujgh to add a long sleeve shirt. You have to make sure you do not sweat yourself wet inside your clothes. It got colder as we ascended the heights but the rain quit and it is warmer at lower elevations. Some interesting folks are here tonite and it was dry and comfortable at cookingtime. I even got my wet tent ground sheet and socks dried out but it's raining again now as I write this. I sure hope it's sunny and warmer tomorrow. Day after tomorrow I'll cross Roan Mtn(6275') and that will be chilly enough for both days.Later, Aledc
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Ted and Florence Woody's home!
Miles today: 2.7

Well my hopes for warm went down the drain. During the night last night it rained hard at times. The wind roared up over the ridges above us(I guess it is by good location of these shelters that this phenomenon keeps repeating)but we were not in the big wind. This isn't to say wind didnt blow. Sometime during the night the winds brought along some temperature drop. I didn't know until I peeked out that it had frozen at the end of the rain. The ground was pretty much covered w/ a coating of sleety ice. I got taught a lesson I already knew. You do NOT assume regarding the weather. At dawn the temperature was 22. I failed to get equipment that can't be allowed to freeze into the tent last night. The rain got down into my fuel pump and froze rendering the stove useless. The water filter had frozen. My water bottle was almost frozen totally. In addition to these foul ups the tent fly (which did a great job of keeping me warm all night) was so iced up it made my fingers like ice trying to take it down and fold it up. Luckily I had an out. On the morning's little hike I called Ted Woody and asked if he'd come get Twinkletoes and me. He did! Down at the Woody home we were fed and given showers, laundry and sunshine in the lee of the chill wind to thaw out the ice and dry gear. Ted then took us to Spruce Pine to get supplies(You cannot believe how Las Vegaslike the inside of a Wal-Mart looks after the AT) and to eat at Western Sizzling. We ate a LOT. After a really good nite's rest and huge breakfast(a la Florence) Ted took us back up to Iron Mtn gap and the AT. Among a trail maintenance crew about to head south to work we bid Ted farewell and headed off again. THANK YOU BAKERSVILLE RESCUE, Alec
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Ted and Florence Woody's home!

To: AshGap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm 1/2 way up Roan Mtn now at Ash Gap. Today was a beautiful day of hiking. After Ted let us out at Iron Mtn Gap we met up w/ Cookie Monster who filled us in on the location of some of the people we were hiking w/ before. It was a boost to find out we were in the midst of our old group. Spectacular views east into Tennessee added to the upbeat feel of the hiking today. There was a lot of exertion as we lifted a good bit up onto Little Rock Knob and then down to Hughes Gap to then have more lift to get up to Ash Gap. The site here is beautiful and flat. In the morning we have another near 1000' climb up to the top of Roan but for now we get a nice break and enjoy the company of yet another of our fellow Virginians, Brahma Bull and Sweet Potatoe who of all coincidences attended William and Mary as did Twinkletoes! small world Oh....I also got up the mother of all food bag hangs. With the slope down off our perch here you can shoot the rope over what are very hi limbs while standing upslope cutting the throw distance down but making a bear have to really work to get at the food. It took tying two ropes togeter to get it up there but no chance of a repeat of Roaring Fork.Later, alec
Date: 2008-05-01
From: AshGap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike started out hard. The 1 mile & 900+ foot elevation gain made the climb to the top of Roan difficult . . . best done early to move ahead as Roan was unnoteworthy. There is, or rather was, a thriving resort from the late 19th century at the crest of the mountain but nothing remains of the Cloudland Hotel. Twinkletoes & I looked in vain for any indication of its existance but no remnants of gaiety, music, laugther or even the slightest disturbance can be found in the soil. Reportedly (according to the trail sign) a line was painted on the ballroom floor & on a dining room table to mark the division between TN & NC. Now not even the state line is marked. I find it hard to believe that in roughly 80 years the land reclaimed one of man's edifices so thoroughly but it obviously did here. When rhododendron are blooming this place must be magnificent. Today, however, it seemed stark. Yesterday's royal blue sky is now a muted blue. The wind is whipping through small trees & urging us on so we push ahead. A brief walk led us to the AT's highest shelter - Roan High Knob and on down to Carver's Gap then on to Grassy Ridge and the first of four balds each offering spectacular views of the mountains surrounding us. The air was holding moisture so views were slightly muted but still grand. Tonight I'm at a shelter with a view. I'm tenting but the barn/shelter is perched on an acre of level land overlooking a high mountain valley that appears to run for about 10 miles into more distant mountains.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: US 19E
Miles today: 8.7

This has been a leisurely day of hiking with incredible views from atop Little Hump Mt. then Big Hump Mt. Twinkletoes' Mom & Dad are picking her up where the trail intersects US 19E between Roan Mt, TN and Elk Park, NC. I'm mooching a ride in to town (Elizabethton) for more R & R. With the short hiking distance comes the freedom to just relax along the way & enjoy the views. The climb up the Humps were a bit strenuous but the rewards made the memory of physical exertion fade quickly. We rested atop Little Hump for about 30 minutes and for about 2 hours atop Big Hump Mt. If you set your backpack on the ground just so it functions like an easy chair where you can recline and enjoy the vistas around you. We would turn our "chairs" first one direction then another to capture the 360 degree views. The sun was so warm and my "chair" so comfortable I even took a short nap! Today has probably been the most rewarding of the entire hike. The hike relatively easy, spectacular views and a leisurely pace. Ah . . .if only everyday could be like this. Eventually we bade our penthouse adieu & hiked the last 1/2 mile of the bald, now heading downhill toward the highway & our late-day pick up. At Applehouse Shelter (1/2 mile south of the highway) we visited with a section hiker from MD. He knew a lot about the AT. I even got to shave and take a little bath while talking (sounds impossible, I know, but you have to understand the definition of "bath" on the trail). I doubt my bath produced the results I was hoping for before meeting Twinkletoes' parents. Twinkletoes' parents arrived right on time and now I'm in Elizabethton enjoying the amenities of a hotel. I'm doing too much of this town stuff but since it will be a couple of weeks without such I don't care.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Elizabethton,TN

To: Laurel Fork
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Our zero day (Sat,May 3) included an exploration of one end of Elzabethton plus the usual showering, laundry & resupply. Amazement and bliss . . porcelain bathroom fixtures . . . ahhhh! I guess you have to spend a few days in the woods with its more static energy to truly feel the jarring nature of modern cities. When you are in Walmart or Ingles' grocery store you feel such a strong urge to BUY tons of stuff knowing there is no way you can have it because you can't get it in your backpack nor carry it if you did.Neither Walmart, Hibbert Sports or Buriss carry socks that were appropriate for my needs (mostly wool) but I finally found a pair at Magic Mart. I needed a pair of socks to replace the pair I "melted" by leaving them too close to one of Twinkletoes' raging campfires. The Howells (Twinkletoes' parents) put us back on the trail by 10 am today and off we went. I could tell Twinkletoes had some of the separation "depression" I'd suffered when Mary Lynn left us in Erwin but hiking and hooking back up with friends seemed to ease our transition back to "our world". Here the trail is easier than much of the earlier stretches. There are mountains but the lifts are a couple 100' not 1000 - 2000' as before. Twinkletoes and I are still trying to catch up to the buddies we were with in Gatlinburg - a very good bunch to be with. Our unplanned day with Ted and Florence in Bakersville changed our position relative to theirs so that they are now ahead of us. Tonight we are camped in a campsite in the forest but not near one of the shelters. It seems like we are not too far from houses and people as we heard people's voices in the distance and saw a guy leisurely walking his dog near the trail. Being near "civilization" means it's less likely bears are about and planning some mischief plus bear hunting is allowed in this section of forest. Most of the places we encountered bears in NC were due to the fact we were in a wildlife sanctuary - something the bears seem to be acutely aware of. I have a new respect for bears after the Roaring Fork episode.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Laurel Fork

To: Laurel Fork Falls
Miles today: 12.7

Today started out lazy. I fell asleep fast last night & slept well but woke up slowly and late (7:50 am). After oatmeal & hot cider (ran out of coffee) we headed out but neither Twinkletoes or I felt good hiking. My pack felt heavy & I felt sluggish. Still, we needed some miles to close the gap between us and our friends ahead so we pressed on. I started off in front & got ahead of Twinkletoes and so arrived at the Moreland Gap shelter ahead of her. There I met AboMan, also a Hokie, now living in Fredericksburg, VA After lunch I hiked to Dennis Cove Road arriving at the short road walk to Kincorra Hostel, our next destination. There, lounging around on the porch, were Thinker, Pic, Rabid, No Amp & Spidey - all my old group!! I had a resupply box to pick up at the hostel and needed to recharge my cell phone. The gang had not intended to stay at Kincorra that day. They were only going to pick up their resupply boxes, grab a shower, do laundry and get back on the trail (which they had actually done). A couple 100 yards up the trail Rabid announced it was May 5 - Cinquo de Mayo (sp?)- and they were compelled to celebrate appropriately with a trip to Elizabethton's only Mexican restaurant. This bought enough time for me to catch up to them at Kincorra. Sweet!I was so happy to have reconnected with my buddies I didn't think about showering or laundry - just got my resupply box and took off with them. Twinkletoes stayed to catch the evening ride to Hampton for an Arby's meal with the intent to catch up to us at the next shelter. We hiked the mile to Laurel Fork Falls & stopped to appreciate its beauty. Just downstream was a campsite so we stopped there. I called Kincorra hostel and got them to tell Twinkletoes not to take the short-cut blue blaze trail to the shelter so she wouldn't overshoot us. After her arrival at the campsite we were all together again plus we were camping in one of the most beautiful campsites I've seen so far - a gorge alongside a mountain stream. Ahhh -this is the life!!!Later . . .Alec
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Laurel Fork Falls

To: Near Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Our hike today had two really big climbs. The one in the morning was tough but not a killer. The afternoon climb, which on maps looks less steep, was a killer. Between the climbs we enjoyed lunch at Watauga Lake, a TVA recreational area. A few hardy hikers joined day visitors to the lake in the frigid water but most of us lounged on the grass & ate. I took an upper body "bath" in the restroom facilities which made me feel much better. I washed my only T-shirt there, too. Now, we are camped about 5.5 miles from the dam up on a long ridge that runs most of the way to Damascus. I walked about on the ridge for a while after dark trying to get a phone signal. I ended up at the top of the ridge. From there I could see the night lights of homes in the valley west of us, Hampton to the south and the marina & lakefront homes to the east. I hope this great weather holds a bit longer. The forecast calls for thunderstorms for the next 3 or 4 days but so far this week the weather has been perfect. In addition, mountain laurel & azaleas have been in full bloom along the way. One plant we guessed to be azalea had beautiful orange blossoms. There was also one rhododrendron which had one bud ready to open.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Near Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

This is the hiking I've been waiting for, especially after the two big climbs yesterday. My little group moved almost 15 miles without much effort! I'll have to admit I was quite sluggish this morning but that's probably due to yesterday's hard climbing. There is not much to report except a farm visit. About 4 pm we came upon a road crossing - TN 91. There is a forest service sign board typical of entry points to roads but on this one was a description of how the ATC had acquired the farm across the road to further the hiking experience. You walk right through a grassland farm. An old shed and an old delapidated farmhouse are there. It's hard to tell if all the open land is part of one farm or whether some is private but if it's all ONE farm it is probably 100 acres. A bench has been installed in the middle of one field which gives those seated spectacular views of the Holston & Iron Mts as well as distant views of what I feel are some of the VA mountains. I wish there were more detailed info as to why the ATC acquired the whole farm instead of just a right-of-way. The place appears to be a hay farm now. I think it would be an ideal farm for the American Farmland Trust to acquire so a young farmer pursuing sustainable ag practices could make a living here. Thinker & I have it all figured out already!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up early this morning (5:50 am). Did not want to make a lot of noise since I'm tenting only 50' from the main group. I cooked breakfast and then found myself the last one ready to break camp since I was trying to help Twinkletoes line up a shuttle for medical attention. She has an infection in her left eye which she most likely developed from scratching her eyes so much due to allergies. I hiked back the 1.5 miles to TN91 with her making sure she was in good(Raffle Queen's and Lipstick's)hands. That added miles to my already long hike for the day trying to reach Damascus and my meet up with Charlie Wade. I made it to town by 7:30 pm soaking wet from the thigh down. I went ahead and hiked thru my first thunderstorm. I had come slightly off the ridgetops so I figured I wouldn't get hit by lightning there. It does get squishy in your boots with water in there tho. Charlie is putting me up in his apartment. It's nice to see somebody from home. He works in the timber industry here so he spends as much time as I do hiking in the woods. No trail for him, though. I learned a few more details about the mountains & forests around here. It's good to have forestry resource people availalbe when walking the AT!Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Beartree Gap 
Miles today: 11.7

Today it was hard to get going to leave Damascus. I walked to the center of town through all the droves of people crowding around yardsale wares and cars parked everywhere. It got worse by the time I ate, bought a small nalgene bottle I wanted for carrying butter and got back to pack. Heading back across town to leave the pack felt back to it's "town exit anvil" state. For about an hour this persisted. I hiked alone since I was behind everyone I hiked with except Spidey and No Amp who hadn't left "The Place" ( a hostel the Methodists provide) as yet. At an outcrop of trail/mountainside where an expansive view was to be seen I chatted at length with section hiking SOBO Harry Williams of Bristol, VA. He was accompanied by the most beautiful two Poodles I've ever seen. Their hair was like sheep's wool, not having been clipped in the usual ridiculous "Poodle" manner. Their stature(almost waist high on me) and gentle demeanor made them the more impressive. Despite being a Wahoo Harry's pleasant discourse lifted my sagging spirits and the weight issues weren't much bother for me after that. The trail dropped down to a large creek and the VA creeper trail. It's a distraction to be zoned out in your hike and catch flashes of color speeding by out the the corner of your eye as a biker whizzes by a few yards away. At first I stopped to watch but after 15 minutes or so I got used to it. Then 3 horse riders galloped by going up instead of down the mountain. Soon the trail turned away from the Creeper Trail and ascended 1000 ft to the first VA shelter, Saunders Shelter. I stopped to filter water, sign the trail register( a matter of recording where you are to other hikers) and spoke w/ the folks staying there for the night. I then hiked the 3 miles to where I found Pick, Rabid, The Thinker and Toze and setup for the night. We are at a small pond and frogs peep/chirp loudly until an owl hoots, then silence. Again the frogs start up til an owl hoots and so on. Peaceful and tranquil. Until later, Alec
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Beartree Gap 

To: Whitetop Mtn 
Miles today: 9.7

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!! Wish I were there in H'burg but at least I am in VA. Today was forcast to be rainy. I awoke to leaden skies after a very windy night but so far no rain. After maybe my best breakfast yet(steel cut oats that I soaked in whey overnight and seasoned w/ walnuts,raisins,butter & brown sugar) I headed out. The mountains are beautiful in a misty morning like this and once again we linked up w/ the VA Creeper Trail even walking on it for a while. A trestle/bridge conjured a time when the train would have been in our exact postion as steamem across the ravine I had stopped to admire. Soon I came upon road work crews of the Konnaroc AT maintenance crew(http://konnarock.home.mindspring.com/news-crewsin-to-the-future.htm) a unit that works more expansively than the local crews. There must have been 25 or more people working over a mile of the trail that Sunday morning in the misty rain. Needless to say most of us stopped to thank these friends of our path. I arrived at Lost Mtn shelter and ate an early lunch while our little band regrouped. A thunderstorm was gathering and I had reservations about heading on in the face of that and indeed it arrived just as our hardiest folk headed out. The Thinker, Pick, Rabid, Freefall and Bert went out. Twinkletoes announced that there was NO WAY she was leaving in that and Racoon just sat at the back of the perfectly positioned shed (winds blew against it's tightly enclosed backside) eating as he had arrived at the same time as the storm. I hesitated then decided I'd wait out this event even if it took til tomorrow. 45 minutes later the rain stopped and the sun peeked thru breaks in the clouds. With that we trekked on. Twinketoes, Racoon and I now forming a new group. We had about 5 miles to hike up Whitetop mountain and that took around 3 1/2 hours due to the elevation gain of 2000'. At Buzzard Rock, short of the top were spectacular views of surrounding mtns and countryside. Also of dark clouds off to the southwest. Racoon's wife was to meet him atop the mountain on a Forest Service road to an overlook on or near the top. She hadn't arrived yet so Racoon hiked up the the upper parking lot to see if she was there( a 15 minute walk) as Twinkletoes and I set up our tents in a well placed camping area just shielded enough by the lay of the terrain and trees to block much of the winds lashing the mountaintop. I figured I could get Racoon, me and our stuff in the dry if need be. Intimate but dry. Lipstick arrived just as Racoon and the new storm did. He jumped in their SUV and said they would rearrange it inside to camp out in it for the night so we all headed for bed by 5:30. Luckily I could get a local radio station and listened to a public radio show about Appalachian life at the same time I was experiencing a piece of such life I had always dreamed of...just as long as Sierra Designs had made this tent strong enough to weather a Whitetop Mtn cold, windy night. Same for Twinkletoes and MSR.Later, Alec