morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Standing Bear Farm 

To: Roaring Fork Shelter 
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

What an awesome night at Standing Bear Farm last night!! This place is really neat, there are several log buildings that make up all the things a hiker needs. There is a bunkhouse, a kitchen, a laundry/computer/telephone room, and a resupply store. There is a stream that runs by the sitting/campfire area with a little bridge across it. It is a hiker paradise. There was probably 20 hikers in for the day since it is the first resupply point coming out of the Smokies. There was a hiker there by the trail name of Baltimore Jack. He has thru-hiked 7 times and is on #8. He is one of the best known hikers as well as an awesome cook. The hostel has a guy,Sprocket, that lives here year-round and helps out. He was out of town working some kind of food show, and had just returned. His car was packed full of extra food. He was kind enough to share it all with us! We had a feast that was unbelievable. Baltimore Jack cooked and we all pitched in cutting fruit and veggies. Our dinner consisted of a huge salad with all kinds of fresh veg., a fruit salad, and lobster ravioli in a pesto sauce. We were in heaven!! It didn't stop there this morning Baltimore Jack cooked breakfast (again thanks to Sprocket and his free food!). We had eggs with veggies and lots of sausage patties and more fruit salad. Great place, great food, and the best part... GREAT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Hot Springs

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Frank came into the bunkhouse this morning saying his friend had driven into Hot Springs during the night and slept out in the driveway. They were going back to Waterville to pick up his stuff and Marty was willing to give me a ride to Newport, so I didn't have to pay for a shuttle. They were leaving after breakfast. I accepted the offer and quickly got my stuff packed. I thought I would sit outside and fix my oatmeal while I waited for them to eat their breakfast. Frank had ordered an extra breakfast so I could eat with them. Thanks Roadrunner!! We had a great breakfast and I enjoyed talking with the other guests as well. I would highly recommend the Duckett House Inn to anyone staying in the Hot Springs area. The ride back to Standing Bear and on to Newport was very entertaining. Marty is a neat guy and has some great stories to tell. I truly enjoyed meeting and spending time with both of them. Thanks Marty and Frank!!
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Hot Springs

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Back on the trail!!!!! I hit the trail in Hot Springs about 11:00 after returning the car and getting shuttled around. It was a nice day and I was ready to be out of the car and hiking again. The 12 miles today took a toll on me after so many days off. The hike was mostly up hill, although it was not super steep. The trail went from 1300' to 3300' over about 6 miles. The first mile or so follows The French Broad River. I would have loved to have been out on it in my kayak. (If I was in the kayak and saw a backpacker on the A.T., I would be saying how much I would love to be on the trail! There just isn't enough time!!) The trail heads up to Lovers Leap and some great viewpoints. I had a standoff with a snake on the trail today. I dont think it was a poisonous one but it wasn't one I recognized. It was about 3' long and lying in the middle of the trail. I tossed a stick to try to get it to move, but it just looked at me without the slightest movement. It's head was up ,so I know it was alive. Finally, I went up the hill on the side of the trail to go around it. As the trail climbed up, and the day went on, it became increasingly hotter. I am so glad I had my shaved before I left to come back to the trail! Yes, I had my head shaved and it feels great!!! It is so much cooler and no more mice running through my hair. I stopped at Spring Mtn Shelter around 6pm for dinner. I ate and then moved on a few more miles until it got close to dark. I ended my day in Deep Gap and had to travel deep into the gap to find the water. I made it back to my tent with water for coffee and all is well again.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Deep Gap

To: Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

A very long day with lots of ups! You dont just climb up to 4800', you go to 4500 and down to 4100 back up to 4700 down to 3500... you get the point. The positive side of this is the views. There were some really great rock outcroppings and overhangs today. Those are my favorites!! I could sit up there for hours. I was hiking into the evening tonight, enjoying the coolness that sundown brings. If only it could be like this all day. I started getting tired and my feet were starting to ache, so I started looking for some level ground to set up my tent. I was heading down off Big Butt Mtn so i figured it wouldn't be long before things flatten out. Now my knees and feet were hurting and I was ready for this day to be over with. Not a single even semi-level spot for miles (and I am not picky). Finally, I see a flat area up ahead. I was so excited, it was even grassy. There was a fire circle and a log to sit on and oh what's this... grave stones! The only flat spot for miles and it is a grave!! Now obviously others have camped here. But I could not bring myself to do it. It somehow felt disrespectful. So I moved on into the night and reached a great spot to tent 3 miles later and close to the shelter. It is well after 10pm and I am beat!!p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE!!
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Flint Mtn Shelter 

To: Bald Mtn Campsite 
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: broken clouds

Since I hiked until so late last night, I slept in until 8. When I walked over to the shelter, around 8:30 or 9, I saw Otter and his dog Max. Otter was still in his bag, which was a bit odd. He told me that he had injured his ankle coming down a mountain and was taking a day off to try to rest it. He slept where he was the day it happened, and then ditched some stuff to lighten his pack enough so he could walk on it. He ditched his tent! He said it was 5 or 6 pounds and it was that or food. So he is going to try to continue going shelter to shelter at a slow pace and hope it heals. The hikers that had been at the shelter last night, left him extra food in case he was holed up a few days. Hikers are good about looking out for each other.I hung out for a while talking with him and trying to encourage him not to give up hope. With a few days rest it might feel better. It's much better to take time out now and possibly be able to continue, then to push it and cause more damage. It was nice to talk to him; I hadn't seen him since before the Smokies. I left him with some Advil and a wrap for his ankle.It was about 10:30 when I finally got going. It was a nice day to be hiking although a little too hot for me. I stopped at Hogback Ridge Shelter late afternoon for water and to cook dinner. The water source was .3 miles down hill from the shelter. That adds over half a mile and isn't even part of the A.T., so it is not added in to my mileage for the day!! I had no choice; the next water on the trail was 6 miles away. I had dinner and was on my way again.In Sam's Gap the trail crossed under the highway. As I hiked through the underpass, I wondered how it is that homeless people can actually sleep underneath a highway. It is loud and the ground vibrates as the cars pass. I wasn't curious enough to try it! I was excited to see a trash can in the parking area on the side of the road. I only had a sandwich size zip lock of trash to dump, but for some reason mentally my pack felt lighter. When I reached Big Bald Mountain at 5516' it was around 10:30pm. I don't think I have ever seen so many stars. I still am amazed every time I get to the top of a Bald. To have a mountain totally covered in grass, with no trees to obstruct the view. It makes you want to throw down your sleeping bag and sleep under the stars.I continued on to get to the campsite just past the shelter. I arrived about 11:15, exhausted and ready to sleep. Nights like this I have no trouble sleeping!
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Erwin Tn

To: Curley Maple Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up this morning on a real mattress with sheets and a pillow! What a great way to wake up on Mothers Day. The only thing wrong with this picture is Francie was not with me:< Last year she made breakfast for me all by herself. At least I am not totally alone, today I had breakfast with about 18 other hikers. Miss Janet cooked a great meal. She makes really good bisquits and sausage gravy. She went around the table having us each take a turn saying our trail name, hometown, most craved food on the trail (we weren't allowed to say pizza or burgers), and the strangest food we had eaten on the trail. It was fun, she really has a family style atmosphere at her hostel. I spent half the day getting my town chores done (laundry, resupply, etc...)and then Miss Janet gave me a ride down to the river to get back on the trail. There were people floating down stream on tubes. It was tempting to take off my pack, rent a tube and float the rest of the day away. I continued up the trail. The trail crosses the Nolichucky river before heading into the woods. In the first mile or two there were alot of stream crossings with little wooden bridges over them. This is an area I would like to come back to sometime, I really like it. I hate coming out of town, the trail is always up and my pack is at it's heaviest with a full resupply. I had a 1300' climb to get back up to 3000'. There was no one else out on the trail this afternoon. The couple of hikers that were going to head back when I did decided to stay another night in town and slack-pack(hike without a pack) tomorrow. I have noticed that most people slack this area. There are so many road crossing that hostels shuttle people back and forth from the various trailheads over several days. Hikers can cover big miles with just a day pack on and stay in town each night. I am too much of a purist, I want to carry my pack the whole way. Although, this slack-packing thing is looking pretty good right now. p.s. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Curley Maple Gap

To: Cherry Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The shelter I tented near was empty last night. Most hikers are staying in town and slackpacking. I woke up with a headache and in a bit of a funk. I broke my frame stay in my pack, so it is very uncomfortable the way it is riding. As I was hiking along, I realized part of the reason for my funk is that I am missing my family and friends. I think that talking to everyone when I was in town made me homesick. Then coming out in the woods alone and not even having other hikers around made it feel that much more lonely. I reminded myself that I CHOOSE to be here and I will have many days like this throughout my hike."This too shall pass".I was in a much better mood by the time I reached Beauty Spot, where I stopped for a break. The weather was clear, so I had great views. It would have been a great spot to camp had it been later in the day. There is a large fire ring and logs in the middle of the bald.I set up tent near Cherry Gap Shelter. There were three guys doing a section hike, Hopeful Hiker (a class of 05 thru-hiker), Tommy and his son Thomas. I talked to them for a long time, Hopeful is also a Gear Head, so we had a lot to talk about! They had too much food with them so they wanted to lighten their food bags. I was happy to help them out. They shared their raspberry crumble, cliff bars, homemade oatmeal, trail mix and a mixture of instant breakfast and coffee(I never thought of that). I was even given a snickers bar, hikers DONT give away snickers! Thanks guys!! In return I shared some blister advice (I'm becoming quite the expert)and treatment products.Will and Michele, hikers doing a couple hundred mile section hike to Damascus, came in and set up their tent. I was talking with Michele as we both cooked dinner. I have run into the two of them several times and really enjoy talking with them. They both hike in Crocs. I have done it for short distances but I cant imagine trying to do that everyday.Although my day started out with me having a meltdown, it turned out to be an enjoyable day.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Cherry Gap 

To: Roan High Knob
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

 Wow, that last 3 miles kicked my butt! The trail went up 2300' to climb Beartown Mountain and Roan High Knob. It is always worse when the big climbs are at the end of the day.Earlier coming down into Hughes Gap, I ran into two local ladies day hiking. One of which had thru-hiked before. They commented that I looked too clean to be a thru-hiker. I was only two days out from my last town visit so I was still somewhat presentable. Although I did advice them to stay upwind of me.This shelter is the highest (and coldest) on the AT. It was renovated so it's closed in, but without any insulation it isn't much warmer then outside. The one advantage is getting out of the wind. On the hike up here I put a jacket on because it had gotten so cold and windy. Michele and Will are here tonight, as well as a hiker I don't know , who is tenting nearby. The water source here is very poor, so Will was hiking back down a ways to get water. He offered to fill a bottle for me, since he was going anyway. Hikers help each other out like that a lot. It is a wonderful community out here.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I spent the day today in Damascus at the Trail Days Festival. Every year the town hosts the event, which draws thousands of hikers from all over the country. There is tons of food, entertainment, and gear vendors. There is a full schedule all weekend of various speakers and clinics, all hiking related.The local churches are very involved, offering free showers (this is probably more for the benefit of the towns people!), meals and free health check-ups.Most hikers stay just outside of town in an area designated for free camping. This area is called Tent City, and let me tell you, it is packed full of tents. This is also where the major gear companies have booths set up for free gear repair. This is the main reason I came into town for the event. I have a broken tent pole and frame stay in my pack that I hope to have fixed.Trail Days is an opportunity to see hikers you haven't seen since Georgia. Many hikers who are already past Damascus, or not yet there, get a ride back into town for the event.It was nice to touch base with hikers I haven't seen in a while. My gear is being fixed and should be ready in the morning. I will be glad to get out of town, too many people for me. I am going to attempt to sleep to the sound of drums around the bon fire.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: US58

To: AT mile 484
Miles today: 7.6

I had a short hiking day today due to most of my day being spent in a car. The drive back from N. Y. was a long one. Of course the trail was mostly uphill, what else would I expect! It was good to get the legs moving again today and now it is time to put them to rest for the night. I AM BEAT!!!
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Campsite 
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Pizza for breakfast!! I saved a piece of pizza and half a calzone, from last night, to cover breakfast and lunch today. It's kind of heavy food to be sitting in the stomach when you're hiking. But I will suffer through it.I had a terrible night sleep, due to a bunch of drunk hikers at the shelter. The problem with a shelter near civilization is it easy to hitch into town for alcohol. There is a group that likes to party. I woke to someone puking not too far from my tent.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: US220

To: Bobblets Gap
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

I woke up to a beautiful morning, although it feels like it is going to be quite warm. I was hoping the storm last night would cool things off a bit. The first couple of miles this morning passed through an area with ripe blackberries along the side of the trail. I love coming upon stuff like that, what a wonderful treat. It slows me down, because I keep stopping, but it is well worth it. Hopefully I will find more patches like that! The hike for the last 2 days has really been great for the body. The trail has been kind to us, a much needed break. It is nice, for a change, to look at the guide and see I have already been 6 miles and have hardly broken a sweat. The trail crosses the Blueridge Parkway several times and comes out near the overlook pull-offs. There are some amazing sights, I love the Blueridge Mountains. The deer in this area are way too tame. They come right up within 10 feet of you. I had one close by when I was stopped at a view point. I took a photo of the deer on the ridge with the mountains in the background. Hopefully it turns out the way I saw it. There has actually been a ton of wildlife in this stretch, deer, rabbits, squirels, and even a few bear sightings! Days like the last two remind me of why I am out here. I am having the rare opportunity to really experience their world.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Tye River 

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I started my hike today crossing over another suspension bridge. This time, I was on the lookout for bees! Fortunately there weren't any. The bridge takes you over the Tye River, where there are several nice camping areas near the water.I stopped for a quick meal at Harpers Creek Shelter, where I met a woman from Ohio, who is out here doing a 2 week section hike. We talked for a while and before I knew it I had taken a 2 hour break. So much for my quick meal! It was nice to have company for a while and I think I needed the break. I am not handling the heat very well. I headed out just as it was trying to rain.I had several steep up and downs today, as I hiked over Chimney Rocks, The Three Ridges, and Bee Mountain. There were some nice view points, although it was overcast.The storm hit in full force with lightning and thunder. I stopped for the night when I hit Maupin Shelter. It was a shorter day then I would have liked, but with the elevation changes I still feel as though I had a good hike.There is a rustic, primitive hostel near here, but it is 3 miles, one way, off the trail. That is more then I want to do in the storm. This shelter is nice and I have it to myself so far, so it is home for the night!
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Shippensburg rd

To: Iron Masters Hostel (Pine Grove Furnance)
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

HALFWAY!!!!! Wow, I don't know if I am happy or depressed. Is it half full or half empty? The answer changes on a daily basis. Today I'm feeling good about my accomplishments. Francie hiking with me is really helping me take time and enjoy my days out here. I was getting caught up in the miles and the pressure of deadlines. This is a chance of a lifetime for me and I don't want to spend it counting the miles. We had a great day for hiking today, the weather was nice and the trail was good. Francie has adapted to trail life and seems to be doing well carrying her pack. We stop a lot to enjoy our surroundings and have had a lot of great conversations. I have been listening to stories from her trip to Europe, and she has been able to see how I have been living these past few months. This has been the highlight of my journey! "The Half Gallon Challenge"... It is a thru-hiker tradition, to celebrate the halfway point by consuming a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting (with out letting it melt!). The record is 4 min. and 14 sec., I don't have any intention of trying to beat that time! Giggles ( Francie's trail name) thinks it is cool that I get to try this today, since it is my birthday. She also is insistant on trying it herself! We decided that with her size and weight, the pint size would be equal to me eating a half gallon. So we got a half gallon of Vanilla and a pint of Mint Chocolate Chip and sat outside, at the picnic table, with several other hikers to willingly make ourselves sick. Giggles finished hers fairly easily although the last few bites looked painful, I on the other hand... failed. After eating about 2/3 of my container, I threw in the towel. The thought of puking on my birthday doesn't appeal to me. I can force myself to walk through snow, sleet, pouring rain, and all kinds of physical pain, but I can't force down a half gallon of ice cream!! So Giggles took home a souviner spoon and got to register in the offical log book and I walked away smiling instead of puking.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Pine Grove Furnance

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: few clouds

After spending the last several days hiking with Francie (AKA Giggles), it feels lonely out here today. I walked by the empty beach area at Fuller lake, where we stopped for a swim a few days ago, and the marks where I buried her legs in the sand were stillthere. It made me smile, but miss her even more. The first mile or so today was really nice, it was a wide flat path that followed the creek. There was several spots to go right down to the water. Giggles would have liked looking for cool rocks there. It is a hot day already and it is only 9am. Several of the streams I have crossed since leaving the creek have been dried up. I remembered this from my previous PA hikes in the summer months, so I am carrying extra water (and weight!). I am taking a short break here at James Frye Shelter. I am not going to bother checking out the water source. It is .4 miles off the trail and a note from several days ago says the spring is dry. So I will finish my trail mix and move on. I found a nice stream about 4 miles after leaving the last shelter. It is really hot so I am taking a long break here under a shade tree. I decided it is a good idea to camel up while I'm here. If it weren't so buggy, I would take a nap. I just arrived in Boiling Springs after a long day. The trail comes into town along the lake in the park. It is a nice area, with walk ways completely around the water. It is dusk and the park is active with people sitting on benches by the water, walking dogs, and others jogging. I am going to stay in the camping area on the edge of town. The ATC has a regional office here in town and I would like to check it out in the morning. It is getting dark and I am ready to hit the hay. With the terrain being fairly gentle, I have been able to get my miles in and end my day before dark for a change!