morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Davenport Gap

To: Asheville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day in Asheville, NC. After weeks and weeks of painful feet I've decided to buy new shoes. Switching over to low-top trail runners: the Saloman XCR Pro 3D's or something like that. Bought a size 13 to give my feet a lot of extra room. The feet have been swelling a lot. Since I ran the NYC marathon 5 years ago I've gone from a 11.5 to a 12 (NJ Marathon)to a size 13. Hopefully this will help with the foot pain.At night hung around Asheville a little. Cool city.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Asheville, NC

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Talkerman's Son, Sam, dropped me and Talkerman off at the I-40 AT point. We slacked from I-40 point back to Davenport Gap. Once back we headed up into Pisgah National Forest. Had an easy 11 miles (common after zero days). The new shoes are working well so far. Passed by a weird looking FAA station up on a bald area by Snowbird Mountain. From a distance it looked like a UFO had landed. Staying at Groundhog Creek Shelter with Talkerman, Birdstar, Herdy Gerdy Man, and Copperhead. Finished reading my trashy sci-fi novel "Flight of the Eisenstein." Gonna have to wait till Hot Springs, NC, to get another book.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Great day of hiking! After 3 miles on the trail this morning we came down into a gap and saw a huge Tennessee Volunteers tent set up in a Forest Service Road. A former AT Thru-hiker named Ox was the host. He's been doing this for quite a few years. It was awesome trail magic. Had a cheeseburger, salad, potatoe chips, soda, and some cookies. The extra calories really made for an easy day of hiking.Had some great views at Max Patch today. Staying at a rinky dink shelter called Walnut Mountain Shelter. Here is my ode to this shelter:Ode to Walnut Mountain Shelter:Oh sweet Walnut Mountain Sheltergive of thy...um...shelter,protector of hikers, unyieldingto wind and rodent alike. Howwe praise thee and wish ye werea hotel!
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got into Hot Springs, NC, around 4pm today. Hiked a little over 13 miles to get here. Much of the late morning and early afternoon was a mix of light rain and heavy showers. Had lunch at Deer Park Mountain Shelter. Ran into the shelter in heavy rains. The shelter register indicated there was a lot of rodents in the area and another hiker said that the tree stump near the shelter was a den for copperhead snakes. Ended up getting really cold in the shelter because the rain kept the temperature cold so I wasn't drying off. After lunch I put on the rain gear and headed into Hot Springs.The weather turned around about a mile from town. Sun came out and as I got into town the white blazes that indicate the AT turned into diamonds on the ground in the sidewalk. Today there was a festival in town called Trail Fest. The little town square area had tents set up for music, food, and activities, including their "world famous" Duck Race. Ran into a lot of familiar faces in town; people I've hiked with, sheltered with, or camped with.All the places in town were full so ended up staying at the Hot Springs Campground. I set up my tarptent in the field on lot 224. Had dinner at the Paddler's Pub.The night turned out to be real beautiful: clear sky, no humidity, about 60 degrees F. Talked to my friend Jeff for like two hours on the phone. He's planning to hike the northern part of Virginia with me.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

No hiking! Zero day! Had breakfast at the diner on the south side of town: omlette and potatoes. Nice day. I ended up relaxing in the campground on what turned out to be a perfect day. Practically no clouds, warm, light breeze, 23-25 degrees C, and just awesome in general. I didn't feel like moving. It was rather picturesque. Ended up doing some reading (bought Ed Garvey's book: Appalachian Hiker III...Garvey is hiking legend and bought the book till I could grab my next book from my mail drop tomorrow). I thought about how much I DON'T miss the bump and grind back home. I'm not sure if I can go back to a cubicle after this.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Left Hot Springs. Said goodbye to "I am Not." He was questioning his reasons for being on the trail and he decided that it was time to move on. I wish him luck.Was up at 7:15am. Breakfast at 7:30am. Was at the Post Office at 8:30am to get my bounce box and hopefully some food that my Mother was sending me. Bounce box was there but the package from my mother was not. It was getting forwarded from Fontana Dam which must be a black hole for thru-hiker packages since a lot of hikers end up missing or losing something out of there. Resupplied at Outfitters: five days worth of food for the trip to Erwin, TN. On the trail by 11am. In at Spring Mountain Shelter by about 6pm or so. Three in shelter: me, Talkerman, and 1/2 Pint. Had rice, beans, and tuna for dinner. Very good. In bed by 9:30pm.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 6:45am. Began hiking around 7:50am. Hiked about 3 miles to Allen Gap where I met with Talkerman, his sister, and her husband (Sally and Dean). All four of us hiked into Little Laurel Shelter.Short hike today but it was nice since the weather turned real hot. 30 Deg C, 86 Deg F...in the shade. There wasn't much water along the trail so I arrived at the shelter a little thirsty around 2-3pm. Met Band-Aid Kid and Breeze there. Everyone was pretty much laying around the shelter trying to cool off. 1/2 Pint, Herdy Gerdy Man, and Birdstar showed up a little bit after us. Everyone pretty much took off after an hour or so. Birdstar and Herdy Gerdy stayed a little longer so they could get some night hiking in.Dinner was dirty rice, summer sausage, and a fig newton cookie. Had to make two trips to the water source because of the heat. During dinner another hiker showed up, Almost Lucky. He's starting an internship with the ATC in the fall after his thru-hike. He's also hiking to raise money for cancer research and has raised over $5600 so far. His website is www.hikingforacure.com.In bed at 10:00pm, camping out tonight in the tarptent. Looks like it's gonna be a great night. Temp at night is 20deg C/68deg F.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Awesome morning! The hike was nice. Saw lots of wild flowers (can't name them all but saw some Trillium and May Apples not in bloom). I passed the 300 mile mark.Started reading "Eye of the World" by Robert Jordan a few days ago. Gonna do some reading, sorry for the short entry.Oh, almost forgot: today I was witness to a mass outdoor, unexplained cricket migration...they migrated three feet down the side of a moutain. There was thousands of them.Staying at Flint Mountain Shelter. 11 mile day. Staying with Teacher and Talkerman.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 12.0

Woke up this morning at 6:35am. Slow to get up. I was feeling really tired. Had a little visitor in the shelter in the middle of the night. At about 3am I had a mouse crawling around loudly. I heard him scurrying about which woke me up. Just as I leaned up, he jumped from a middle table platform in the center of the shelter right onto a pile of stuff I had next to my sleeping bag. I had my Petzl head light in my hand in under a second and shined it right on him. He took off so fast I couldn't tell where he went. Needless to say, he didn't bother me the rest of the night.Hiked through some rural parts of Tennessee today. These aren't farms so I can't figure out what it is they do for work so far from a major city. Hiked to Hogback Ridge Shelter and got hit with a massive thunder and lightning storm. Waited an hour at the shelter for the downpour to let up a bit. Not too much later, the shelter was flowing with drenched hikers: Chef, Popeye, Lightweight, Dingo, another gentlemen, and a Smoky Mountain Hiking partner named Smokestack. After a lull in the rain, Talkerman and I made a break with the hopes of either getting to the next shelter before the rain started again or to Sam's Gap for a ride to Erwin, TN. Well, we weren't on the trail more than 10 minutes before the downpour started again. By the time I got to Sam's Gap I was completely soaked...rain gear does not keep you dry, no matter what the manufacterer tells you! Called Miss Janet's (hiker hostel) for a ride to Erwin. Talkerman and I hung out under the overpass (Sam's Gap goes under US 26) while waiting. Miss Janet picked us up about 30 minutes later and we stopped off at a BBQ place for dinner on the way back. Her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend were with her. Staying at the Super 8 motel for the night. Back to the trail in the morning! Glad to be dry again.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Up at 7:00am. Waited around the Super 8 for a shuttle to the trailhead at Sam's Gap. Slack packed from Sam's Gap to Spivey Gap. Even with the overcast and clouds, had some awesome views up at Big Bald. Apparently there are plans to build 700 luxury homes up on Big Bald. This will kill this awesome part of the trail.Stopped in Big Bald Mountain Shelter for lunch. Great shelter. The area around the shelter reminds me of a wilderness area in a movie. Passed by one part of the trail that had trees that looked like an apple trees. In fact, the whole area looked like an unorganized apple orchard. Snapped a few photos.On the way down out of the Big Bald area the thunder and lightning returned for round 2. Came down the mountain drenched...again. My trailrunner shoes were soaked inside and out despite the gortex and gators. Got another shuttle back to Erwin from Miss Janet. Had an awesome burrito at the trail famous Erwin Burrito. The walls were plastered with comic book posters and old records of country and blue grass albums. Oh, and an AT poster too.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Cinco de Mayo. In honor of this Mexican holiday I refuse to hike...zero day! It was also a convenient day to dry out my stuff from the previous two days of rain. My shoes will need it. Did some laundry today. Restocked at the local grocery place.Met up with Talkerman's sons, Sam and Nate. Went to dinner with them and Birdstar at another Mexican joint in town. Also got some more Aquamira today. I had run out it two days ago and had to drink the water straight from the spring (so far, no waterborn illness...fingers are crossed).
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curly Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Slack-packed with Talkerman and his two sons Nate and Same (and Sam's dog, Balun) from Spivey Gap to the Nolichucky River. Most of the hike was wet trail with puddles collecting at areas where the ground is about even. This makes the trail dangerous on steep sections and muddy on even grade areas. Tree roots and rocks can also make for slippery going because the grips on my trailrunner shoes are not as effective. Large parts of the trail are nothing but tree roots and rocks which requires me to take precise steps and slows me down. Great night. Camped out in the tarptent. Watched the stars come out. Venus was shining at full strength. Spanish rice and a package of Bumblebee chicken for dinner.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Curly Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Hiked up to Beauty Spot. Wow! Yet another bald area at the top of the mountain with a great view. Clear skies with visibility at max. I flexed the mountain bum muscles a little and took an hour long lunch break here. Threw the pack down, grabbed my stuff sack with my food, and proceded to lounge on the grass leaning on my pack and eating. A few hikers came by and took a picture of me lounging. After lunch, Talkerman's son, Sam, and his dog, Balun, had to depart. Hiking on with Talkerman and his other son Nate.Hiked 12+ miles and camping in the tarptent at Cherry Gap shelter. Cool night.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Couldn't get going today. Felt tired all day long which was made worse by a few nasty uphill sections. Stopped by the Greasy Creek Friendly (hiker hostel) today. Nice place, got a bottle of Gatorade. Apparently the neighbor across from the hostel hates hikers. He likes to turn on his lawn mower and keep it rev'ing right at sunrise. He'll shoot his gun into the air, etc. I only stayed for an hour but on the way out his dogs started running straight for us barking loudly. I just laughed...the dog's were behind a fence.Staying at Clyde Smith Shelter. Sleeping in the shelter on one of the top bunks. In bed early at 9am. Tomorrow is Roan Mountain; the hardest climb in the southern AT.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Roan!!!Metallica wrote a song about this mountain called "Wherever I May Roan." Tough climb. This mountain would not end. Took about 2 hours to get to the top but it was worth it. Great views at the top and some really nice areas to eat and rest plus...a public bathroom...and a trash can...LUXURY!Top of Roan is the site of the old Cloudland Hotel. Had lunch a the top on a nice grassy area. The summit has tons of Douglas Furs. Smelled like Christmas.After Roan, descended into Carvers Gap and then made my way to the a long stretch of bald moutain tops: Round Bald, Jane Bald, and one other. Had one of the best views on the trail to date. Took a few pictures and movies. Saw lots of wild flowers.Staying at Stan Murray shelter. Camping in the tarptent. Surrounded by thousands of white wild flowers. I'll get the name later. Hiked 11.2 miles. Rice and beans for dinner.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Roan Mt, TN
Miles today: 11.0

Short entry, I'm tired.Hiked into Roan Mtn, TN, today. Staying at the Moutain Harbor B&B hostel. Ate at the King of the Road restaurant. I was so hungry I ordered a two cheeseburgers, a chef salad, ice cream, and had about 4 glasses of sweet tea. The hunger was out of control.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Roan Mt, TN

To: Mountaineer Falls Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Had to leave Talkerman today. He's taking another zero day @ Mountain Harbor. I have cabin fever and I'm itching to get back on the trail.Today's hike was rainy. Went through some nasty weed fields. They are the armpit of the AT. Staying at the new shelter built last year by the Hard Core Trail Days crew: Mountaineer Falls Shelter. Staying with a totally new crew of people: past thru-hikers Sanford and Parkbench, Hicup and Yellow Snowman, JB, Tunabag, Melk, Josh and Aaron, and another couple whose names I can't recall. The shelter has a loft area, a carving of a bear (done with a chainsaw), and can accomodate 14 hikers. The highlight of the day was Jones Falls. Got a movie clip of it.Having dirty rice for dinner. In bed at 9:15pm.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Mountaineer Falls Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.7

On the trail at 7:55am. Not too many views but the hike was easy with some nice long easy trail sections. Laurel Fork was nice. As I got closer to the Laurel Fork stream I saw snake. By day's end, I had crossed paths with 5 snakes including a 5 foot black snake that wouldn't get out of the path. I banged my poles a couple of times. He just wouldn't budge. I clanked my poles even louder and closer to him and he coiled up a little getting ready to strike so I decided to just go around him a little. Black snakes aren't poisoness so I figure it wasn't a big deal. I got some movie clips and a few photos of the snakes.Hiked into the trail famous Kincora Hostel run by Bob Peoples. Hung out with the same people from last night and learned to play a card game called Euchre. I was so hungry I ate at Arby's (as I approached I quoted the Simpsons: "I'm so hungry I could eat at Arby's"...no one got it). Hiked 15.7 miles today. Re-supplied for the trek into Damascus, VA.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Wataugh Shelter
Miles today: 10.1

First part of the hike was really nice. Went through Pond Mountain Wilderness. Laurel Falls was very awesome. The climb out of Laurel Falls was a bitch though. Also saw some Azalea (beautiful orange-reddish flower) and Rhododenrens (sp?) in bloom.At about mile 8 I came up to Wataugh Lake. I used the public restroom and the water fountain. Saw another snake today. The lake area has a beach and I got some strange looks as I passed through the area. I must have that "hiker trash" look now. Staying at the Wataugh Shelter. The AT Companion claims that this shelter has a nice lake front view...it lies.Hiked 10 miles. Rice and beans for dinner.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Wataugh Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

According to the elevation profile on my map, it should have been an easy day. It was not. Saw more Azaleas and Rhodadendron in bloom. Crossed Wataugah Dam. Crossed paths with a southbounder who was hiking barefoot and all his gear was made out of Tyvek (Tyvek is used to seal houses and is usually placed behind brick or siding). His trail name is Tyvek. He has a website called www.thelongwalkhome.org. He is asking people to write their congressman and ask that veterans returning home be given a 2 week mandatory counseling and debriefing.Parts of the trail were overgrown with tall grass. My suspicion is the grass is a result of the small holes caused by trekking poles and the natural grass that grows in the area. Stopped off at Vandeventer shelter for lunch. Great view around the backside. The water source was so far away that I decided to huff it to the next source on 1/4 liter of water...big mistake. Next source wasn't for 3.1 miles and I ran out of water after about a mile. I was so freakin thirsty that I just drank the water straight from the source...untreated. (as I write this today, a few days later, things are good so far). The spring was clean so I didn't worry too much.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abbington Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

Up at 6:45am. On the trail by 7:45am. First 8 miles felt real good. The trail was even ground with a few roller coasters here and there. Passed by a nice grassy meadow with a farm about 1/4 mile away. As the trail headed into the meadow there was a Forest Service parking area. On the Northbound side of the parking area was a handicapped parking sign and the trail-head opening into the meadow was a ramp. I passed by Bob Peoples as I here and he said to me "we made the trail handicapped accessible because we knew Thru-hikers would be using it."Had a snack at Double Spring Shelter. Started raining 5 minutes after I got there. Ate a quick snack, signed the register, and headed on to the next shelter. About midway the rain really started coming down. Got to the shelter about 3:15pm, rain had stopped. Cooked dinner right away. Around 4:00pm the rain really started again and it was a massive downpour this time...like, we're talking biblical. All the campers in the area ran into the shelter to avoid it. The rain collected into large puddles and started streaming into the shelter area soaking all the gear on the ground.The shelter was packed but I got a spot thanks to Fuzzy Monkey who decided to tent. No rain throughout the night but temperatures dropped to about 40 degrees F. Had dirty rice, pop tarts, and two snickers bars for dinner...nutritious!!! In bed at 9pm.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Abbington Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 6:30am. Pretty much all my hiking gear was still wet. I decided to wait a little while before I took off. Wasted time getting water (water source is on a blue blazed trail about 1/4 mile down the mountain). Finally left camp at about 9am. I got about 10 minutes down the trail when I realized that I left my trekking poles at the shelter. Went back, got the poles, and took off for real.The trail was fast today. Did 10 miles in just under 3 hours. Most of it was even grade or downhill. Got to Damascus just before 1pm. The vendors were all setting up for Trail Days. Secured a bunk at a hostel called The Place (hostel run by the United Methodist Church in town). Ate a burrito at a cool place called Baja not too far from the hostel. Spent some time updating trailjournals.com. Bought some lighter weight pants (and a size smaller!). Ate a free dinner at the Baptist church in town with a few people I hiked the Smokies with: Lucky, Orangemoon, and Gingersnap. At night, headed over to a place called The Old Mill with a few hikers. Had a few beers and listend to live folk and bluegrass music. I requested Metallica but was turned down.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had a rough night's sleep. The Place is really quiet and has hardwood floors. So every snore, sniffle, turn, yawn, etc., can be heard throughout the bunkroom.Got up at 8am. Headed to the library to wait in the queue for the computer. Finally got on at 9:15am but ended up reading email and buying some much needed gear. Went to Tent City with my trekking poles for some free maintenance by Leki (my trekking pole manufacturer). Ran into a few people I hiked Georgia with: Ryan and Abby. Hitched a ride back into town (Tent City is about a mile outside of the center of town) and re-supplied at the Dollar General. Then went to the Post Office to grab some stuff from the bounce box and ship some un-needed stuff home.Ran into Oreomnos and Rafiki and we agreed to meet at Dot's at 6pm for beers. Packed my re-supply into my stuff sacks and then headed over to Dot's. We split a pitcher of beer and this is when the fun began. Some guy named "Double T" rolled in with a Karaoke machine and the locals proceeded to do their best southern crooner impressions. Some were good, some were a little scary. Oreomnos kicked out a wicked "Folsom Prison Blues" by Cash, after a little encouragement from me, and a perfect "What Your Name" by Skynyrd. We took off after the second pitcher of beer.On the way back we got some free pizza from a roadside vendor. We passed by the Baptist Church and they had a coffee house setup with nachos and dessert. Got some free ice cream and peach cobbler while listening to acoustic Christian power rock. Wasn't my taste of music but the peach cobbler rocked!Headed back to The Place afterwards and passed out. _____________Here's a list of wild flowers that I borrowed from one of Talkerman's entries where his sister lists all the wild flowers she could identify on the trail one day (around the Little Laurel Shelter area):"May Apple, Spring Beauty, Meadow Rue, Trillium (White, Painted & Red - awesome!), Trout Lily, Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (an orchid), Pink Lady Slipper, Showy Orchis (very, very special), many violets(one was yellow, called the Halberd-Leaved Violet, due to its spear-shaped leaves), Canada Mayflower, Lily of the Valley (large, like the garden variety), Foam Flower, Solomon's Seal (True & False), Crested Dwarf Iris (4" tall & lovely), Wild Geranium, Speckled Wood Lily (a white version of the yellow Clintonia that blooms in northern mts), Strawberry, Blueberry, Colt's Foot, Blood Root, Wood Anenome, Brook Lettuce (a Saxifrage that grows right in the water, and only in this part of the world), Bluets, Jack in the Pulpit, Pussytoes, Galax(leaves collected here for florists until prohibited), Bellwort, and Wild Oats. "