morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Day 32We left the shelter by 8:30am. Michael said he slept great but I was awake from about midnight off and on with pain in my hip or back. Guess I need to take ibuprofen when I wake up.When we got to the shelter about 4:30pm there was just enough room for the 2 of us. Tentshaker was there with a burned foot. Apparently he was cooking his meal or boiling water last evening on his alcohol stove and the pot got knocked over and he burned the top of one foot. He was at the shelter about 2 miles ahead when it happened and walked back to this shelter today because it is closest to a forest service road for someone to come in and help him out. He had hiked in a sandal on that foot and had an antibiotic ointment on it. Luckily he had no pain in the foot. Finally his help came (the volunteer fire department) with a one-wheeled carrier. He was able to walk so they just put his pack in the carrier. G came in late after several others had been turned away because there had been no room until Tentshaker left. G was wet because it had been raining and when he came in T-2 was working on getting a campfire going. G cooks his meals over a campfire or in a fireplace so he was glad to have the heat for warmth and a fire to cook over. When he saw me he asked where Toto was and I explained that T-2 was Toto for 2 weeks since Toto had to get off to work for 3 more months. Mike had given him some fire sticks to use to start fires with since he always starts fires for his cooking. After that, 2 other hikers, Burning Man and T-Bone came in and had to set up their tent. The others that had been turned away went on to the next shelter, 1.8 miles ahead. Our hiking day was cloudy and cool but we wore short sleeves most of the day until it started raining lightly later in the morning. We alternated between our rain jackets and our fleece the rest of the day. The highlight of the day was climbing to the top of Max Patch. Even though it was cloudy we did have views and took several pictures. We did get quite cool though, while we were just standing and not hiking.   Max Patch is the site of an old homestead and logging camp. It was originally forested, but early inhabitants cleared the mountaintop to graze sheep and cattle. The summit has also been used for a landing strip for small planes. In 1982, the USFS purchased the 392-acre grassy-top mountain for the A.T. and now uses mowing and controlled burns to maintain the bald appearance. The summit, at 4629 feet, offers panoramic views of the Smokys to the South and a glimpse of Mt. Mitchell (at 6684 feet, the highest peak east of the Mississippi to the east. It was somewhat overcast and I did not know at the time to look for the highest peak. It started raining on us lightly before we got to the shelter and we were very tired. Michaels's boot is bothering him on his left ankle and he was glad to be out of them and into his Crocs. We'll be in Hot Springs in a couple of days and we may have to go to the outfitter there to get something else for him to wear.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Day 33It was not raining when we awakened but it rained about all night with some lightening and thunder. There is a small sky light in the shelter and I could see the lightening through it. We started out about 9am and had another long day (for us) ahead. T-2 has a sore spot on his ankle from the boot but he would not put any mole skin on it--he said it would not do any good. SO he put a boot on one foot and the Croc on the sore foot. We had a lot of ups today and at the end a long descent. His foot felt a lot better, he said, by wearing the Croc. He said he would wear both Crocs tomorrow. My knee started giving me a problem on the downhill but I slowed way up and started paying more attention to how I was moving the leg. It finally did go away but I think the downhills are hard on almost anyone's knees, especially when the descents are very long. The hike today provided some very nice trail in spite of the ups and downs. We were in clouds most of the day and it was a rather cool day but we were short sleeved until around 2pm when it began to rain fairly heavy. We had to stop to put on our rain coats but it wasn't raining hard enough for rain pants. It rained all the way to the shelter and after getting into the sleeping bags. The vegetation along the trail is phenomenal. There were blueberries bushes with blossoms on them, Dutchman¢s britches, water lilies, ramps, and other flowers that we could not name. Many plants that probably will have flowers but we did not know what they were. It was hard not to stand and just look in awe at all the plant life that is just coming to life. The mayflowers were coming up in all stages from just popping out of the ground to a fully open leafed plant. There were no flowers seen on them, though. I wanted to take pictures of every flower I saw.When we got to the shelter they had room for 2 more. Then Snowman came in and they said there was room for him, too. Thirsty Boots, after a while said he would tent even though it was still raining. Someone said he was brave but I think he would have been braver to have stayed and be packed like sardines. A couple other hikers came in and they had to tent. They were in their full rain suits and they looked very wet and cold. It has been a good day and it is only 3.2 miles into Hot Springs tomorrow where we will be staying.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 35We started out today with a breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner across the street. I decided that I would eat a smaller breakfast today because it was all I could do yesterday to eat what I had. So I decided in the breakfast with 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and bacon. When the waitress took the order she asked if I wanted grits or hash browns and if I wanted toast, a biscuit, or an English muffin. I then ended up with more than I wanted but somehow I ate everything except half a biscuit. I did not eat anything else except a cookie that Icicle offered and a few triscuits because we signed up for Elmer's 8pm dinner. The dinner consisted of broccoli soup, a delicious salad with an equally delicious dressing that was made from scratch. The main course was a vegetarian tomato sauce over couscous topped with blue cheese and slivered almonds. Then came spearment tea and then pecan pie topped with vanilla ice cream. Of course as I was passing the salad to the person next to me, I knocked my glass of water over and got the tablecloth soaked. Michael (T-2) was sitting across from me so he is the one that got some water in his lap. Sam, who is working for Elmer, came to the rescue with towels to soak up the water. We had to go around the table at the beginning of the meal and introduce ourselves, tell where we are from, and what we did in our former life (before the trail). Then we had to say who we would like to have dinner with (it had to be a famous person), and where. Not being a very fast thinker the only person I could really think of was Julie Andrews in England somewhere. T-2 and I enjoyed the Hot Springs mineral bath and then a massage. It was fabulous. It was after that that we walked back to the Inn and ate the carefully prepared dinner and now it is bedtime. I'm sure that tomorrow I will be able to get up the trail a little quicker and will have a spring in my step. Right!!!We have food to carry us over to Erwin, TN. and we are anxious to hit the trail after our R&R here.On a sad note we are sorry to see Phoenix have to leave the trail due to a fracture in his foot as well as a stress fracture in the same foot. After eating a breakfast here in the morning that Elmer prepares we will be headed out of town on the trail. The town is small and everything we have needed has been within walking distance. Looking forward to more adventures and meeting others up the trail. Goodnight.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

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

Day 36Before leaving the Sunnybank Inn we had breakfast with Elmer, his staff, and several other hikers. Pecan waffles with maple, apple, and blueberry syrup, granola, apple juice, cantaloupe, and coffee was the fare for today. It was just what we needed to get us started on the trail this morning. We went through town and missed the turn-off for the trail on the other side of the bridge that crosses the French Broad River. We walked quite a way past it (and uphill) until we turned back. We had seen the double white blaze but didn't see where it went. Once we got on the trail we followed the river for maybe half a mile before the trail went up the mountain.There were several look-outs where we could look back on Hot Springs. The trail went up most of the day and much of the forest had been burned. At first it was on both sides of the trail and further up it was burned only on the left side. Everyone thought it had been a controlled burn. There was a fire tower that we walked up to but it was so windy that I did not stay up there. Michael did get some pictures, though. We had expected to tent tonight but there was space in the shelter. It was a bit windy and getting colder so we are in the shelter. Most of the hikers are different ones than the ones we've been sheltering with. Butterfly Moon is here. Jake Brake and Low Gear are here--they started with us from Springer and we have stayed at the same shelters several times. Hopeful Hiker has what he thinks are shin splints and he was going to the clinic this morning.We will do only 8.6 miles tomorrow to the next shelter. The next one after that is 15 miles from here. I don't think my feet want to do that. Anyway, we have plenty of time to get to Erwin. It is dark and time to sleep. The next few days are supposed to be beautiful like it was today. We should have a good last week of hiking for T-2.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Little Laurel Shelter

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

Day 38We were on the trail @ 7:15 this a.m. because we have a long day today. We started out with a 1.3 mile climb to the top of the mountain and then the fire tower was on up the mountain some more. T-2 went up to the tower while I was still trudging along to just get up the mountain. On the way down, the trail turned to rocks and boulders. Further on we followed the exposed ridge trail which was a climb up over boulders and down on the other side over boulders. On top of the ridge you could see to the east nothing but mountains and to the west you could see past the next range of mountains to lowlands with fields, roads, houses, etc. It was the first time I had looked out from a mountain and not seen mountains as far as I could see. Once down from the ridge the trail was still rocky but they were smaller, making it hard to find a place to plant your feet. A couple of miles before we reached the shelter we ran out of water in our water bladders. We had water in a Nalgene bottle which we shared and looked for a spring that we never did see. When we reached the shelter the water source was a very nice spring on the trail a little ways north. We both put our aching feet in the cold water which felt really great. We were the only ones in the shelter until 2 hikers came later. T-2 had a fire going in the fire pit and since these hikers only cook on fires they were happy not to have to build the fire.I began to not feel very well while I was trying to throw the rope over a limb to hang our food bag. I got dizzy and felt weak. I was afraid I might pass out so knelt down to the ground. My stomach felt queasy, too. After the bag was hung I went straight to my sleeping bag and lay down. I could not even journal, though I tried. I think it maybe was a combination of too much sun and maybe not having enough to drink, although I drank over 2 liters of water today. Tiredness from the hiking does not help matters, either.Tomorrow is a new day.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 39I still felt weak and had a queasy stomach after I got up. I would start to do something and then have to sit down to rest. I also had awakened with a headache very early in the morning due to not having coffee yesterday. I only had coffee this morning and did not eat anything until later when we were out on the trail. I began to feel better but I was hot-hotter than I felt I should be. I had put on and taken off my fleece several times before we started hiking and soon, after we started hiking, I had to remove it after warming up. I kept taking sips of water to try to get more hydrated. Finally, I began to feel better but seemed to stay too warm. At 7:50 a.m. we took off from the shelter. We had a short day today compared to yesterday. The trail was much nicer today for the most part. There was a down that was fairly long but not too steep. The trail then crossed 2 roads and then started up gradually. Actually, there were several degrees of steepness which were not bad. There was a beautiful water-fall coming down the mountain and I stopped to wet my bandana in the water to wipe my face, arms, and neck.There were many flowers along the trail today--mayapples (none were seen that had flowers), trout lilies, dutchman's britches, bloodroot, yellow and purple violets, red and white triliums, and so many spring beauties that the scent of them filled the air.   Before getting to the shelter we had a fairly big up which was steeper than what we had had earlier in the day. The shelter is 0.1 mile off the trail and the water source is 0.3 mile further. It was quite a trek down and back carrying over 6 liters of water. After we got what we needed we offered it to Just Feeblin Along, a trail angel that has hiked the whole trail over 20 years. He came in from Sam's Gap with strawberries, short-cake, and whipped cream. On the way back to the shelter with the water I saw a big owl fly onto a branch high up in a tree just off the trail. It flew again to a nearer tree and then off further. T-2 said it was most likely a Great Horned owl. It started raining soon after we got here. By the time the first hikers came in and walked the long hike to get water the rain had made the spring water a bit murky. It did not rain long but when it was raining it sure was good to be in the shelter and the sound of it hitting the tin roof was great. There was some thunder and lightening, also, but the shower lasted probably less than an hour. Some of the hikers had received some trail magic at the road crossing earlier and were given a printed copy of the weather forecast for the next several days. It calls for scattered rain showers over the next few days. Two section hikers, Jeff and Monte, from Tiffin, Ohio, are here doing the section from Davenport Gap to Erwin. Other hikers here are Piker and McKay, Eagle Eye, Nate, Irish, and Icicle and Snowman. Well, it is getting dark and even though there is plenty of activity going on there are several already down for the night.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Erwin, Tenn.

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

Day 42 I called the clinic this morning to get a time to be seen and they said to come in right away. I was able to get a shuttle by the hotel owner. An older Dr. saw me and prescribed an antibiotic, a decongestant, and a cough medicine with codeine in it. When I was ready to leave I called the motel from the clinic and asked if my husband had made it in. The owner of the motel said that he was there and that they had been trying to reach me to see if I was ready to come back. Toto than came for me and we went to Rite Aid to get the prescriptions filled. I also bought a generic brand of Nyquil to give T-2 to take because he had been coughing a lot at night. For lunch we went to Pizza Plus for AYCE pizza and salad bar. The place was filled with hikers and it felt like we were at home with friends we had known forever. The hikers that knew Toto before he left the trail were glad to see him and the ones that T-2 and I had met since T-2 started hiking all knew about Toto and got to meet him. Toto did some shuttling of hikers back to their motels, hostels, etc. He loved being able to pay forward what others had done for us. Next we went to Miss Janet's Hostel to pick up the mail drop we had sent there. The place was packed with hikers and many of them were sweeping, dusting, cleaning windows, mirrors, etc. in order to pay for their stay there. The daily rate is $15.Next on the agenda was the laundry-mat. I told Toto to pick me up in an hour and when he came back Snowman and Icicle were with him. They had hiked into town this morning and were at the motel when Toto ran into them. While their clothes were in the washer we went to Wendy's as they had not had lunch. I decided to have a Frosty and, boy, was it good! I felt that with all the calories I have been burning it could not hurt me. I have lost around 10 pounds since hiking and I'm sure there will be a few more shed before this hike is over. I do not eat that much on the trail but in towns I do eat more.We decided that we would go to the River's Edge Restaurant this evening. We had heard that they have terrific food. Well, we heard correctly. The food is great and the atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful. Since it was a weekend night there was a group playing some bluegrass music and singing. They were very good. They even sang the song about Rocky Top Tennessee which will forever be a song that brings back a memory since we were on top of Rocky Top back in the Smoky¢s. We are tired tonight. Toto was asleep early since he was up at 4am to get ready to drive down here. I wanted to stay up since I have electricity to allow me to do so. On the trail when it gets dark it is time to go to bed.Oh, the bed feels SO good. Good night.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Erwin Tenn

To: Erwin Tenn
Miles today: 0.0

Day 44 Toto and T-2 left around 9am. It was hard to see them leave. It would have been easier if I was hiking out today but we awakened to snow this morning covering the cars in the parking lot and it was still snowing. The snow was blowing horizontally and the temperature was 30*. So to keep myself busy I washed up my "dishes" and got my pack packed to see if I would have room for everything. It was tight. Red Hat moved in today and so did Scholar. Scholar had thought of slack-packing today but decided it was just too cold and windy out.We walked to McDonald's for lunch and then later went for Chinese. I started reading my book, took a little nap, and not much else. The snow stopped earlier in the day but never did change to rain. It still is cold and windy out. Tomorrow is supposed to be better--up in the 60's with a low of 34, I think. That must mean colder in the mountains. The sky is still pretty full of dark clouds but the sun has peeked through a little today. I could slack-pack about 8 miles tomorrow from north to south into town but then I would have to stay in town somewhere again. There is a campground I could stay in if I did that and I would avoid the steep climb out of this gorge.
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Erwin Tenn

To: Beauty Spot Gap
Miles today: 11.1

Day 45I got a ride to the river with Miss Janet in her van. She had about 7-8 others, also, that she was shuttling plus she was going back to get more. She pointed out Big Bald with snow on it. Nothing else around it had snow that we could see and it was very visible. At the river was a hiker looking for a ride to town. Her name is Hotflash. She asked me if I was Diana Duhl on trailjournals--she said she recognized me and had wondered if I was still hiking. A large percentage of hikers have gotten off the trail by this far up the trail. Maybe I'll see her up the trail. She still has some hiking before this point to finish. I met Montreal and Kutsa. I told them I had heard about them from Creaky Bonze and they were anxious to hear about her. She is planning to get back on the trail in May sometime.Snowman told Toto before he left that he would look out for me the first few days out of town. We are camped at a little camping spot south of Beauty Spot, which offers a nice view of the mountains and even a little of the town of Erwin. The trail followed a stream for a ways before we started climbing the mountain and even after that we crossed it several times. There were lots of rhododendrons, pines, and hemlocks along the trail and lots of rocks and roots in the trail. I was wearing my New Balance trail-runners and sent my boots on to Damascus in case I want them back when I get there. My toes did not feel crunched but my whole foot was sore and achy. Maybe I need my boots back. Today was a strange day without Toto or T-2. I had to make all decisions by myself like where to stop, etc. Snowman was present whenever I was on a break but I think I can do ok by myself. Tomorrow I hope I can make all the right decisions. As of now I think I will either stay at the first shelter or walk on to Greasy Creek Friendly. Depends on how my feet feel.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Day 47I awakened early but we were told that C.C., Packrat's wife does not start breakfast until 7:30a.m. A couple of guys in the bunkhouse had gotten up to go to the bathroom in the house and when the last one came back he said no one was up yet in the house. When I went in, people were up and about. Breakfast items are charged by the item at a very fair rate. I had 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 hash brown patties, coffee, and a very nice fresh fruit cup.Four of the hikers here slack-packed from Carter Gap north of here and hiked south to here over Roan Mountain. When Packrat came back from shuttling them up to the gap he said it was sleeting and snowing up there. It is in the 30's here and raining and sure to be colder up on Roan Mountain which is over 6000 feet. The four of us that were going to hike out decided not to hike today. As much as I hate to take another zero mile day I just do not want to go out into the cold. When the slack-packers came back they said there was ice on the trail on the mountain and when coming down they walked in the snow that had fallen over the weekend. They reported that it was quite breezy on the mountain also. As they came down there was wet snow that fell but it did not stick. I am going to attempt to hike out in the morning but it is sure to be muddy and slippery. The climb will be one of the biggest and steepest yet. The bunkhouse does not have heat and the door was partly open most of the night. The sign on the door says to prop a stick against it to keep it shut but it was ignored. I was a bit cold as were the others. Tonight since there are more hikers here I volunteered to stay in where it is warm and give up my cold bunk. I'll be sleeping on the floor on my sleep pad and in my sleeping bag but that is OK.I sent my maildrop that was sent here back home today because it was more food than I could carry. At the time it was sent, T-2 was to make it this far with me and we were going to need food for 2 people to get us to Damascus. Since he got on the trail earlier and had only 2 weeks to walk with me we did not make it this far together. When I get to the next hostel in 3-4 days I can re-supply for the days it will take to get to Damascus.I have been catching up on some e-mailing today, reading in my Wizard of Oz book and plain just relaxing. It has been a bit hectic today with several different conversations going on at the same time and sometimes tripping over people getting around the living/dining area. The owners are eager to please and offer a menu for breakfast and dinner. I even had an ice cream sundae. But as great as it has been I am anxious to get back on the trail and to especially get over Roan Mountain. Once everyone is finished eating and the room is cleared for floor space we will all settle down to sleep and I am more than ready. I forgot to take my cough medicine last night and woke up coughing. Til¢ tomorrow--good night.