morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-05
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 26:In cool and sunny temps i walked over my favorite section to date. This section of trail is referred to as the Roans. The trail goes over Roan Mountain, sometimes dubbed groan mnt for its nearly three-mile steady upward ascent. At times the trail slopes steeply offering ardous climbs even to the most seasoned hiker. At over 6300 feet, Roan soars above miss washington in the Whites. Although the terrain was tough on the body, i felt like i was in whites of new Hampshire, my weekend tramping grounds. With each breath i could smell the aroma of pine and evergreen permeating the air. The huge rocks and rough terrain was very much reminiscent of the trails around Franconia Notch.Though comparable in elevation, Tennesse at 6300 feet is far more tame in windspeed and in predictablilty of inclement weather than is any point above 4000 feet (or treeline) in the White Mountains. At the summit was a parking lot and whereever a parking lot exists on a mountain top means that cars will be there, which means people will be there, which means that people will need bathroom facilities, which means that hikers can take a modified shower and fill up water bottles from "safer" source. Whether the source is safer than the rivers from which we hydrate is questionable. On this day there were no sight seers or day hikers but only a few dirty hikers as it was the middle of the week. After i drenched myself, i layed atop the heated pavement for some 40 minuites while i recharged my "batteries".The afternoon became quite cool as the hours passed at the shelter. By 9 pm I had all my clothes on. The fire (compliments of sweetooth) was blazing freely to the appreciation of all who stayed there. I slept very cold on this evening with dreams of warm weather dancing in my head."He that wanders is not lost"
Date: 2003-06-06
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 14.5

Day 27:I slept late into the morning. I left with Lazy Bob around 10:30 am. Lazy Bob (whom i met yesterday afternoon) has lived up to his reputation and is very deserving of his trail pseudonym. Once he gets cranking, he can sure out hike anyone out there. So i wasnt much worried about the possibility of remaining idle that day.We once again had perfect walking weather for climbing up and over Little Hump and Hump Mountains. We hked only 3.5 miles when we stopped at the nearest shelter north. There i met three day hiking women in their late forties. At first glance i felt as though they were frightened by me. We got to talking about the trail, terrain, and the wonderful day that they had picked to hike. Fair-weather hikers have the opportunity to pick a promising day, while the thru-hiker is stuck in a system of unpredictabliity. Although they are in the same system they have a car run to in bad weather. They were snacking on treats and i was looking on like Yogi the bear. They asked me if i accept food and i told her that i have never refused a meal in the month i have been walking. Each lady handed me someting, one carrots, another and orangae, and finally a pb sandwhich. One of the ladies even said "it is like feeding the animals only legal". I found the comment rather amusing.Lazy Bob and i continued on to Overmountain shelter, by far the best shelter, situated deep in a vally, affording some of the most up-and-personal views to date. I was kinda bummed that i only spent a few hours there and missed a killer sunset, but we had awesome weather in which to climb two more bald mountains. The Humps rocked even though they were plastered with cow dung.I made it to Apple house Shelter where i met glutonos monk, tybe-pete, and nature boy. At around 11pm, we were awoken by flashlights and voices coming closer to the shelter. We were only a half mile from a main road and sometimes the locals come out and use the shelter. I was a bit concerned. The raqeuet ended up to be a church youth group and their leaders lookng for a place to camp for the evening. The rain was falling down hard upon them as they frenzied to set up tents for the night. I found it quite comical, but that wasnt me ot there in the rain.Only 70 miles to virginia!
Date: 2003-06-07
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Dennis Cove, Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 23.6

Day 28:It rained all night and into the morning. We were informed by the church group that the weather forecast called for torrential downpours and possible flash flooding in lowlands abutting rivers. Not very promising. With the proper motivatin however, that is shower, bed, and pizza, a hungry thru hiker will climb his way through anything mother nature throws at him. The prospect of crawling over mountains, shin deep mud, and wading floods looked so cool on paper through goggles of machismo. Only 24 miles to our destination. Brimming with confidence i made my first steps and a half mile later i sat at the road that connected to several inexpensive motels. Hmmm...Im going walking. Though of less conficence at the time, here i sit comfortabely in a library with the advantage of hindsight at my discretion. I was there already. We road the gravy train some 8 miles before we took a seriois snack break. we passed a cemetary and several open fields where 8 horses where crowded under the largest tree in the area. Did i mention that the trail went right under that tree? They were calm having seen many hundreds of hikers passerbyes in the past months, and years for that matter.One high point of the trek was that i ran into Warren Doyle, a trail icon and repository of knowledge and international lore. He has hiked the A.T 12 times; 7 thru hikes and 5 section hikes. He currently teaches 3 credit classes at two local colleges where he takes studets into the woods for day hikes. He teaches people about the trail, its history, geology, and flora and fauna. I was star struck for sure. He offered advice about the upcoming trail location (which addeed three miles) but now avoids local farming, hunting lands, and hostilities by locals that had recently resulted in shelter burnings and trail degredation. Many southern locals have apparant distrust for the federal government and their dealings. Many do. This sentiment is becoming more apparant all over the country.Late in the afternoon we had hiked 18 miles to moreland gap shelter where we ate dinner and regrouped. I squeezed my socks of water and mud like juicing an orange, it was. Only 6 miles over easy terrain. I could smell the pizza cooking.I spent the night at kincora hostile. By far some of the nicest folks on the trail. Great people who open their home to weary hikers in return for a reasonable donation of 4 dollars, shower and laundry included.Boy had we earned our dinner on this day. As good as it gets-
Date: 2003-06-08
From: Dennis Cove, Kincora Hostel

To: Watuga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Day 29:I spent the morning amongst the comforts afforded by the hostel. The couch just wouldnt let me go on my way. Lazy Bob and Glutonous Monk opted to work a day performing trail construction with Bob Peoples, the proprietor of the hostel and crew chief of A.T trail construction. Its an example of hikers and those who enjoy the fruits of the trail to give back. The trail has been created and maintained by volunteers since its creation in the 1930's. Thats something amazing.Nearly out of food and ready to resupply in a town, I opted to scrap together some food from the community cache at the hostel and walk the nine miles to the road connecting to Hampton TE. On the way i once again came across Warren Doyle who is forever flowing with informative tidbits. The trail dipped down into Laural Creek falls where a waterfall some 70 feet wide and 90 feet long was crashing and splashing. The river was raging mad from the many inches of rain recieved a day earlier. The river brown with uprooted sediment and mud ran high. The trail skirted its way around rock caverns which hugged the river. the Trail consisted of several dangerous climbs, right where the river had taken over the trail. Many hikers opted for the blue blaze trail which avoided that messs. I didnt know that avenue existed.I hitched my way into town by way of friendly man in large tow-truck. I told him that a young kid in a pickup truck flipped me off with both hands as i extended my thumb to the road. He chuckled and assured me that he wouldnt have flipped me off unless he was going 55 mph in a car. I agreed. Two minutes later i was waiting in line at the local Mcdonalds where i met wolfman and chef, two young guys who started around the same time as i. After a resupply at the Dollar general, (just enough to get to Damascas Va) i hitched back to the trail near Watuga Lake. Wolfman, Chef, and I drank beers as we soaked our feet in the cold mountain steam. We would have drank in the shelter but there was a "hoods in the woods" juvenile youth program spending the night in tents near the sheleter. For many of these kids, the woods is an alternative to jail. On a lighter note-if i knew that every time i was bad i could go to the woods, i may be a bad boy too. "In nature, no orgainic substance is sythesized without a provision for its degradation, recycling is enforced".                     -Ecotopia
Date: 2003-06-09
From: Watuga Lake Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 30:From Watuga Lake shelter only 40 miles remain before Damascas, VA. Its been a tradition for some time to attempt the FORTY-MILE challange into the town. The terrain is gradual with few climbs over a couple hundred feet in a stretch. It does require small frequent bursts of energy up a hill, down a hill, etcetera. Most go to bed early that night and wake up around 2:00 am and begin the 16-20 hour crawl in the darkness of night. But, most hikers only talk about it. When presented with the idea, i had to decline. I knew for sure the havoc that 40 miles in one day would have on my body, mostly my poor feet. We decided to break it up into two days rather than one. I had great views from Watuga Dam and Vandeventer shelter to Watuga Lake and the surrounding valley farms. We made it to the shelter by 630 where we gathered wood for a fire. There is just something so intriging about sitting around a fire and gazing stoically within.After streching my tired extreminities i called it a night, drifting in dreams of Damascas and Virginia.Mountains to climb
Date: 2003-06-10
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascas, VA
Miles today: 18.3

Day 31:It has now been a complete month from the time i began my trek back in Georgia on May 11, 2003. Nearly 470 miles in 30 days and i need a break. Damascas is the perfect town for such healing. We made it into town by 4:00 pm and promptly walked into Sicily's for some hand-tossed pizza and pepsis. I rolled my way over to Mount rogers outfitters where i picked up 4 packages; two from myself, one from christina (containing a multitude of reading material), and one from Mom, containing both letters and homemade chocolate-chip cookies. I sat in the late afternoon sun reading the treasures recieved through the mail.I am staying at "The Place, a donation only hostel run by the local church for both hikers and bikers. It is a short distance from any amenity a hungry/tired hiker could ask for. I ate dinner at the Side-Street Cafe and hit the pillow early.
Date: 2003-06-11
From: Damascas, VA

To: Nowhere but here
Miles today: 0.0

Day 32:After breakfast at Cowboy's, ISpent the day running a few errands, but for the most part rested my bruised and battered feet. I have instruction from home to search for the mighty lama "Snow chief", who treks paying customers on day-long journies through the wild mountains of Virginia. So far i have had no luck. But, my sources tell me that the Lama Farm is 12 miles down interstate 91 in Glade Spring off the exit on the left. I must hatch a plan and find the lamas.I just dont know what to do with myself...After days and days of being on the move, a day away from it breeds a sense of cabin fever. Another day off tommorow."I wish i was a cowboy"
Date: 2003-06-12
From: Nowhere but here

To: Damascas
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today i made final arrangements to meet my lady friend in Bland Virginia, some 120 miles up the trail. This will mean an average of 12 miles per day. However, this will give me time to rest my right foot which has been bothering me over the last 2 weeks. Two really worthy reasons to slow down for a while. The miles will come later. I will leave Damascas sometime tommorow."Sage"
Date: 2003-06-13
From: Damascas

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

I packed my gear and hit the road at high noon. On the way, I stopped to chat with Lazy Bob, Moose, Zigzag, Medicine Woman, and Stoker. They warned me of the coming thunderstorm, but i knew it was my time to hit the trail. The rain fell in buckets, cooling me off as walked the first five miles. Steam persipred from my body just as smoke from a tired, infrequently used machine does. Days off from the trail have somewhat of a double-edged sword. Idylness can heal just as easily as it can break a solid rythym. Later i heard some heavy rustinling in the brush below the trail ridge. Assuming the presence of deer, i continued along without breaking my gate. Curiousity however, took over and I looked to my right to see two nervous cubs making a run eastward. Moma was nowhere in sight. A really cool experience.AFter eating dinner at saunders sheelter i decided to make a break for the next shelter 6 miles down trail. I slept the night comfortably in my hammock. The warm weather is on her way."Sage"
Date: 2003-06-14
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

I walked today in sunny 75 degree temps, without rain until the late afternoon.I hit Elk Garden, Va where i met my friend "Moon" (only a year ago) to walk with him on his thru-hike for a month in 02'. In 02 I walked with "Moon" for the next 280 miles to Daleville, VA. This upcoming section (The Grayson Highlands) was the most enjoyable for me. I walked through the cow pastures and up to the highlands surrounding Mount Rogers, the highest point in VA. I stopped early in the afternoon for lunch at Thomas Knob Shelter where i met a half dozen hikers out for the weekend. One man in the group urked me some. He told me that there was nothing to see up here. Why would anybody want to spend more than a day here, he told me. I told him that ive been out for 35 days. The woods isnt for everybody, this I know. He missed his boat, tennis club, tanning parlor, and other various pampering activities. I left soon after for the next shelter.I walked through the Grayson Highlands: Rhododendrun Gap and Wilburn ridge up and over rocky areas, down through crevasse-like caves. I passed dozens of campers and day hikers, but no fellow thru hikers. The rain began to fall later that afternoon as I decended the final arm of the the "Scotish Highlands". I met two layed back weekenders in their early forties at the wise shelter. Pete and Mike were their names. Surprised to see only two in the shetler, i considered myself lucky. I was greeted with a glassful of homeade strawberry meade by Mike. I graciasouly accepted and a half hour later i was on my third glass. Later, they pulled two steaks from their bag. We cooked them over an open fire. I cooked mashed potattoes and pete cooked rice pilaf. We feasted late into the evening.I crossed a favore trail secntin of mine, met great people, and feasted to my hearts desire.A great day indeed.
Date: 2003-06-15
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked out by 10 am with hopes of pulling a twenty-mile day. This would not happen. In the middle of the day my foot-pain bothered me to the point of anger and frustration. This led me to hike at a rapid sloppy style. I stopped at a sidetrail abutting a campground after walking 14 miles in 5.5 hours. I calmed myself down with a little reason and some pink lemonade. I decided that i should remove myself from the woods for the afternoon and spend the night at a hostel in smalltown troutdale. My love for the woods can become hatred in times of anger and frustration. Kind of odd wouldnt you say, but certainly true.I came to the road and got picked up by a pickup truck filled with other thru hikers on their way back from marion VA. Five minutes later i was in a town.I decided to shower, eat, and relax some. I decided to go to the Troutdale medical clinic in the morning to have my foot checked out by the doctor. I slept on a picnic bench under a tin-roofed pavillion. The rain came down fiercely.
Date: 2003-06-16
From: Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel

To: Troutdale Medical Clinic
Miles today: 0.0

I walked to the Troutdale Trading Post diner for a mean breakfast of french toast hashbrowns, and a steak & tomatoe biscuit. After getting directions from a find southern gentleman, i walked a mile or so to the clinic. I was told that they treat and charge patients (especially hikers) on a sliding scale. I filled out a bunch of paper work, essentially crying poor. I have no income, no job, no health insurance, i told them. The secretary Phylus was very helpful. She asked me if i had any bank accounts and i told her "yes". She asked me again, very sternly "do you have any bank accounts". I said, "no of course not, no money". Five minutes later i was being checked out by the doctor.I told me that i had no stress fractture, but i had stressed the tendon in big toe on my left food. I asked him if a week off would behove me. He said no, and told me to slow down my pace, daily milage, and downhill speed. I agreed and thanked him for his help. i knew i could continue, but would have to change my walking style. I was charged 5 dollars for the checkup. i would have payed alot more for the piece of mind that i had recieved on this day.Ending up taking the reset of the day off to write in my journal, relax, and hitch my way into sugar grove for a meal of fried chicken and ice cream.Tommorow I go north.
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Troutdale Medical Clinic

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

As the morning rains ended, I hitched my way back to the trail compliments of a family of three in an old pickup truck. The weather was cool, perfect for walking in the mountains. The terrain was flat and mostly gentle. I took several breaks in between 2-3 mile sections of progress. One was at the South Holston river where i met a group of young backpackers on a two week journey south to Damascas VA. I sat down and they fed me a hearty meal of tortila, hummus, pb & J, and other delectable items. They were curious of my journey and the upcoming terrain. I gave them my best estimates and continued on to the shetler. A nice bunch of kids indeed. I walked the next eight miles patiently without stopping and made it to the shetler at around 5 pm. This shelter is the HIlton of all shelters because it has a giant privy, shower, and pay phone at the Mt rogers outdoor station only 250 yrds away. I was met my moose,nuge, tucker, glutonous monk, snuggles, and songline. We ordered pizza, pop, and cheese cake-we feasted prodiguously.I also called home to talk with my brother eric, sister lauren, and mother sue at work. I enjoyed catching up with all of them.
Date: 2003-06-18
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, Va
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Tucker and I had a safty meeting after a breakfast of oatmeal and chocolate.We left at 10 am and walked 11.5 miles by 2 in the afternoon. We were thrilled with the pace and even happier to get a hot shower in the Relax Inn in Atkins.We ate dinner at the Barn and desert at the local Dairy Queen. 5 of us split a room and hung out for the evneing. I hadnt watched tv for over a month now. I found myself glued to the television for the remainder of the evening.Not far now to bland.
Date: 2003-06-19
From: Atkins, Va

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Sharing a hotel room with 5 other hikers and their smelly hiker shit creates some of the most rank odor ive ever encountered. I gathered my gear and made a break for the door while my friends decided to eat some more diner food. I dont know if i can stomach any more soupy mashed potatoes and salty vegatable sides. I can cook a better meal in the one pot that i carry in my pack. I walked the road for a few minutes and went under the I-81 andin to chest high wet grass. Within five minuites i was soaked. If i had waited an hour the grass would have been dryed by the sunshine. Oh well! I stopped at the shelter for a cigar and some liquid. For the remainder of the day, the trail snaked its way around and over cow pastures and open meadows. Two substantial climbs later i was at the shelter for the evening.Looking forward to Bland. Not because its Bland, but because I am meeting my lady-friend Christina. I will be entertaining her for four days.
Date: 2003-06-20
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

6/2//03 Day 40: Today i walked 9 splendid miles in splendid sunshine across meadows, mountains, and molehils. I took a siesta high on a grass ridge near a spring fed pond. I hung my clothes on my treking poles and let the sun warm them dry.I made my way farther along the ridge to the shelter at 4400 feet. The shelter was a primitive stone structure with four walls and a fully enforced tin roof.I decided that i would walk no further. In the nearly 6 weeks on the trail, i had not seen a sunset from above treeline. Tonight would be the night.I watched the sun dip below the horizon 9 (as i sipped hot cider) at around 9:00pm. The air became cold and the wind whipped its way across chestnut knob.Tommorow is the first day of summer."He that wanders is not lost""Sage"
Date: 2003-06-21
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Bland, Va
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: broken clouds

The summer solstice. Though informal, June 21st is a national holiday for hikers on the trail. It is national hike nude day on the A.T. I was looking forward to this day for sometime now. After a very cold night of sleepin in the shelter last night i woke early and made some hot cider. Although the sun was out, the air was still quite frigid. After collecting and organizting my stuff i brought it outside as to not disturb my fellow hikers with my bare ass. I slowly acclimated myself to the air on the exposed ridge by taking a layer of clothing off one at a time. First the raincoat, then the fleece, long undies, teeshirt, and shorts. There i stood with my fleece hat on top and boots on the bottom. I decided to hang a make shift bandana "putta cova" from my hipbelt to cover my unmentionables for the time being. however, this putta cova only remained practical when i had my pack on my back and i could have that on all day. So after lunch i decided to use the bandana as a sweat rag and nothing else.8.5 miles later i had walked "22 in the nude" right into town. Tucker and i took some pictures, joked around, and eventually clothed for the hitch into Bland VA. We decided to hotel for the night and celebreat a great day of walking with a blizzard from DQ. I realy like hiking nude. i think i will try it again sometime real soon. Preferably on a day when we dont cross too many roads. I dont want to get nabbed by a cop who was tipped offf by a soccer mom in a mini van with a cell phone. Damn the cell phone, i say.