morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

¢And on the 8th day God said let there be burgers . . . ¢- Dingle, from Deer Park Mountain Shelter RegisterThe funny thing is that the closer hikers get to a trail town, the more they think about town food ¢ something different than Ramen, peanut butter, mashed potatoes, cous cous, Lipton¢s noodles, etc. ¢ and today is no exception. After 6 days being out of Fontana Dam, hikers are filling the registers with visions of cheeseburgers, steaks, and beer ¢ and I¢m one of them.It¢s extremely humid today, and I find out later that the high was near 90 degrees ¢ it feels too hot too soon (although that¢ll be the norm later). The walking is pretty good, mostly downhill, with the notable exception of Walnut Mountain and Bluff Mountain (4,686 feet). I spot my first Black Snake of the hike ¢ a 3 and a half footer ¢ just south of Garenflo Gap. It¢s all kinked up from a recent meal, and grudgingly moves off the trail only when I get within 3 feet of it.I take an hour off for lunch at Deer Park Mountain Shelter, despite being only 3.2 miles from Hot Springs. The heat and humidity are overwhelming, but I can envision a thought balloon floating over my head, filled with a rib eye steak from Paddler¢s Pub, and that¢s enough motivation to brave the oppressive early afternoon heat and humidity.Once in Hot Springs I¢m dismayed to learn that Elmer¢s is full up for the night, in fact, I talk to one hiker who tells me that they¢re so full that 3 people are sleeping on the porch. Elmer¢s is one of the neatest hostels on the trail ¢ organic vegetarian food, ample libraries, a converted Victorian mansion . . .   But for me, it¢s the Alpine Court Motel, which is fine ¢ I stayed here in 2001 (it has the strongest, most pressurized shower on the trail) and it¢s very clean, so I¢m happy!Hot Springs is full of hikers tonight. Apparently many hikers took a zero day today so that¢s why Elmer¢s was full by mid-morning. I¢m quite surprised to find Baltimore Jack working at Bluff Mountain Outfitters for the season instead of undertaking his 9th consecutive thru-hike this year ¢ he says he¢s going to hike a big chunk of Virginia but doesn¢t want to do more due to his bad knee. I know M, Doc, and Rising Sun (formerly Dawn), and with the exception of Sleepy the Arab ¢ who was shuttled here from Fontana Dam ¢ I¢ll be meeting a slew of new hikers later tonight (and tomorrow). But first I have a very important appointment with an 18 ounce Zealand rib eye at Paddler¢s Pub ¢ I¢m as happy as a Tiger Swallow Butterfly on a newly sprouted Trillium. Go figure!
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: overcast clouds

¢Home to the only hot springs east of the Mississippi River, Hot Springs, N.C. is the natural choice for relaxation and healing . . . ¢- from guide at Hot Springs Visitor CenterYesterday, I inquired with Dan Gallagher, the owner of Bluff Mountain Outfitters, about the possibility of hiking a few miles into town so I wouldn¢t have to take a zero day waiting for the post office to open on Monday morning. I found out he was driving Doc to the Asheville airport at 7:15 a.m. today, so I decided to do a ¢virtual zero day¢, or as Baltimore Jack calls it, a ¢nearo¢ - that¢s when one hikes a half day or less, a relatively short distance and still enjoys a day off.So I hiked back to Hot Springs from Tanyard Gap ¢ 5.9 miles ¢ and was done walking for the day at 9:20 a.m. So tomorrow, after I get my bounce box, mail it ahead, and mail some stuff home, I¢ll be driven back up to Tanyard Gap and start hiking north again 5.9 miles out of town. I like ¢nearos¢!I did spot a number of Goldfinches this morning near the Mill Ridge Fields. The Goldfinches are a brilliant, almost day-glo yellow ¢ quite spectacular. The Mill Ridge is a section of hilly fields south of Tanyard Gap that used to be tobacco fields, and now it¢s maintained as a breeding area for Grouse and Wild Turkey. I also spot an Eastern Cottontail Hare. The hiking, despite the humidity, was quite nice, mostly downhill coming into Hot Springs.In town, it was mostly ¢chore¢ sort of stuff ¢ re-supply and laundry. But there was a bit of trail magic at the Creekside Restaurant. The new owner, the Yogi Master (GA-ME 1992), gave Speak Up and me a free round of beer ¢ trail magic.Wildman, Spot, Speak Up, Tarzan, and others came into town, and many of the hikers at Elmer¢s didn¢t leave today, so I couldn¢t move over there.
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: moderate rain

¢Not only do I get to enjoy the beautiful rain, I get a free shower too! Woo hoo!¢- Sierra Marmot, from Little Laurel Shelter RegisterWhat a slog! It started raining around 9 p.m. last night, and it¢s supposed to last all day as a cold front moves through ¢ we really need it to cool down a bit.I took my first 2 diggers today, on the slippery clay that comprises the tread way here ¢ in an instant I was just as dirty as I was before I went into Hot Springs and did laundry and took 3 showers.I met Father Ounce and Sampson taking a break at Spring Mountain Shelter, just like, me, wanting to get out of the rain and wind for a while. But it was north of the shelter where I made the most bizarre wildlife spotting I¢ve ever seen on the trail ¢ a Peacock! At first I thought I was hallucinating, but no, there it was! It allowed me to get within 5 feet to snap a photograph. The poor bird was as soggy and drenched as I was. It was obviously habituated to humans ¢ probably got loose from a nearby farm.The rain finally relented around 3 p.m., and it took a long while to dry out and warm up. I stopped for dinner at Little Laurel Shelter, where Indigo, Father Ounce, Sampson, and a few others were trying to dry out and stay warm in their sleeping bags. I didn¢t feel like stopping at six o¢clock, and pushed on.I arrived around 9 p.m. at Jerry Cabin Shelter, and was about to set up my tent when Friar, who was tending the fireplace inside the shelter, said there were two spots inside ¢ ¢excellent-good!¢ Warm and dry by the fire! Also here are Pension, Mushroom, Spider Web, Sierra Marmot, and Joanne.Tomorrow, clear weather.
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: few clouds

¢Anyone else spot the rare Painted Trillium just before the shelter?¢- Joe Flamingo, from Hogback Ridge Shelter RegisterCold, then cool and breezy, then cold again late. Lows expected around 30 degrees tonight. Up, down, up, down . . . the 300 mile mark near the gravesites of brothers and a nephew ambushed by confederate troops . . . 3 turkey hunters dressed up in camouflage walking at me with shotguns ¢ unnerving . . . up, down, up, down . . . hot lunch . . . up, down, up, down . . . cold dinner . . . up, down . . . I¢m tenting near Fishing Fred who is hiking into Damascus and Trail Days . . . I¢m tired. Good night!
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Low Gap

To: Nolichucky River, Erwin TN
Miles today: 20.8

¢Today¢s plan . . . looking forward to Erwin Burrito . . . I¢m grateful the sun is shining.¢- Slow Barbara, from No Business Knob Shelter RegisterIt was very cold last night ¢ there was frost on both sides of Big Bald Mountain. It was an ¢excellent-good¢ hiking day, with temperatures hovering in the 60¢s by mid-day, and moderate walking all day.There were outstanding views from the top of Big Bald Mountain (5,516 feet); on a clear day like today, there seem to be 100-mile views, 360 degrees around, of endless ridges receding into the distance. It¢s surprising how much development continues to sprout up around Big Bald ¢ ritzy mountain homes, a golf course, and a ski resort.At Whistling Gap I met Ace and Fly, a mother and daughter hiking duo, and their dog Jake the Trail Chihuahua. Fly told me that in yesterday¢s gusty weather she had to carry Jake ¢ who has his own sweater and rain jacket ¢ over Big Bald for fear that the feisty 10-pounder would be blown off the mountain. At Spivey Gap, I was able to soak my feet in a cold stream for 15 minutes ¢ what an amazing way to revivify your feet after 10 miles. I should be doing this more often. At No Business Knob Shelter I meet 2 hikers going from Damascus, VA, to Springer where they¢ll leapfrog back to Damascus and walk to Maine, and a lady from Northern Quebec, who spoke very little English, who hikes the trail for a week every year.I¢m headed into Erwin, TN tonight with the Erwin Burrito Company and a soft bed on my mind. I¢ll be spending most of the day in town (re-supplying, eating, a relaxing a bit) tomorrow, so it¢ll be a short day out of Erwin, TN. Oh yeah, I weighed myself and it seems I¢ve lost over 20 pounds in 21 days ¢ now that¢s ¢excellent-good!¢ I¢m staying at the Super 8 tonight, and the manager told me there are approximately 10 other hikers here.
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Nolichucky River, Erwin TN

To: Near Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: scattered clouds

¢ . . . Refueled, refreshed, and recharged . . .¢- Diesel, from Curley maple Gap Shelter RegisterIt was a relatively relaxing day in Erwin, TN. After getting in last night at 7:30 p.m., I had no intention of checking out of my room until checkout ¢ 11:00 a.m. I spent the afternoon at the Erwin Burrito Company ¢ eating my fill ¢ and at the library trying to answer some e-mail. Many thanks to all who have signed by guest book. As I get into trail towns I¢ll try to answer them all.On my 3 mile walk to re-supply, and back to the trail, I was offered a ride by two very nice ladies ¢ Virginia and Lucinda ¢ two lifelong residents of Erwin. They dropped me off at White¢s Supermarket for 10 minutes, and then drove me back to the trail. They drove a few miles in the direction of Spivey Gap ¢ 12 miles south, where I was yesterday at 2 p.m. ¢ before I told them to drop me off at the Nolichucky River. They were very nice ladies ¢ trail angels.I hit the trail at 4 p.m. and stopped at a full Curley Maple Gap Shelter. Trail Dog, Joe, Joanne, Cameron, High Trailer, and 3 others were there for the night, and I had passed Slow Barbara, Turtle Don, and another hiker on the way up. I¢m having a snack, getting water, and moving on a few miles ahead.I stop at a nice campsite, within sight of the Gap but high enough to have a great sunset view and the lights of Erwin in the distance in a valley to the west. It¢s a clear, breezy night and the stars will soon adorn the sky.Not a bad three-quarters of a day off, and escaped the Erwin, TN vortex.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Near Indian Grave Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: moderate rain

¢A wet day! Glad to finally get here and dry out.¢- Mouse, from Clyde Smith Shelter RegisterI knew the moment I hit Indian Grave Gap ¢ about a half-mile out this morning ¢ that it would be a slow day. My legs felt sapped and rubbery, and I had no punch in my stride; and to complicate matters, a nasty looking storm was brewing to the west. By the time I hit Beauty Spot, visibility was down to 100 feet and by Unaka Mountain (5,180 feet) it was raining.I felt thoroughly enervated all day ¢ I felt like a slug in the rain. The rain did abate around 1:30 p.m., but my condition did not improve. I had wanted to walk to Ash Gap, and take a chunk out of the 4 mile and 2000+ foot ascent up Roan Mountain, but my body shut down.I came into Clyde Smith Shelter hoping to have dinner and go, but my feet and legs said: ¢No mo¢.¢ So I¢m done ¢ I¢m toast right now. Staying here with me tonight are: Joe Flamingo (yes, he¢s carrying an inflatable one), Milo, C-Biscuit, and Gabe and his wife are tenting.I¢m hoping for better weather and fresh legs tomorrow ¢ or Roan will make me groan and moan.
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 21.1

¢. . . Those steers were freaking huge! I almost promised to never eat another burger if they didn¢t kill me.¢- Tang, from Apple House Shelter RegisterWhat an ¢excellent-good¢ hiking day today, especially after the way I felt yesterday. Today I walked over Roan High Knob (6,285 feet), Round Bald (5,826 feet), Grassy Ridge (6,189 feet), Little Hump Mountain (5,459 feet), and Hump Mountain (5,587 feet) ¢ the last of the Great Southern Balds. And I almost had as many different weather conditions.First, Roan was mysterious ¢ socked in a low level cloud, visibility was about 100 feet, and it was quite misty over the last 1,500 feet of the ascent and descent. I still went to the interpretive signs at the summit ¢ the ones that regale you with stories of the old resort that stood here during the late 19th century. It was said that the banquet table straddled the Tennessee and North Carolina state line ¢ drinking was legal on the Tennessee side, and a North Carolina sheriff would frequent the place hoping to catch drinkers on the North Carolina side.On Round Bald we had a little sunshine and a good view of the next 8 miles of the trail over the humps. Later, going over the humps, it was quite blustery and I could see an ominous looking cloud system moving quickly towards the humps. And just after I snapped a few shots of the legendary Longhorn (or is it Watusi?) cattle on the top of Hump Mountain, the clouds closed in. Luckily, no rain.I made it in to Apple House Shelter where Sunshine and Meanderthal are also staying, as well as another hiker tenting outside. Meanderthal is a nice guy from Ellsworth, ME. He works for the Ellsworth American newspaper and is sending back weekly dispatches, as well as being a trailjournals.com journalist. In safe from the forecasted rain tonight.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 24.1

¢. . . Just did 400 miles. Onward!¢- Ranger Jim, from Moreland Gap Shelter RegisterIt started raining at 5 a.m. and did not let up all day. It¢s difficult to keep the ¢excellent-good¢ attitude afloat after spending 12 hours and 35 minutes in a cold driving rain ¢ but I did!First, the relocations along today¢s 24-mile section are ¢excellent-good!¢ The crews cleaned up a lot of the trash that used to be strewn about the 19E area, although there is still a dump site (full of garbage, old stoves, tires, election placards, and every imaginable refuse) by the first creek crossing. One of the best things about the relocation is that it excised about half a dozen PUDS (pointless ups and downs) from this section ¢ although there are still plenty to go around. Then there are the waterfalls and the river walk. There are two waterfalls that the trail takes you to ¢ Mountain Falls, a small falls right on the trail, and the spectacularly tall Jones Waterfall (only 0.1 mile from the trail). Jones is nearly a hundred foot vertical falls of modest water volume, but when viewed again from the other side of the cove the trail hugs, they seem quite impressive.The relocation also takes you for about three quarters of a mile on the west bank of the Elk River ¢ quite a change from the garbage strewn and liquor mill ruins the trail used to highlight in this area. I also used spotted two Eastern Cottontail Hare, and a newt (or Red Eft?) near the 400 mile mark today ¢ it augurs well, I think.The cold rain was relentless. In fact, now at 10:30 p.m., it¢s still raining! So the decision was made early to push for a long day in order to get dry, eat hot, and sleep warm. I¢m at Laurel Creek Hostel, which is hosting nearly two dozen hikers, and Kincora Hostel down the street is full as well.I met a very nice young couple named The Honeymooners (they were married 4 days before starting their hike) who have a raging fire blazing in the chow house, where I¢ve been ensconced now for two hours, drying out, eating pizza, and getting warm.The Honeymooners tell me that the weather was especially bad near Damascus, VA (50 miles north of here) where a tornado did some damage today. They say the weather may get worse tomorrow . . . I may feel a zero day coming on.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 0.0

¢Great stay, John gives 110% . . . heading up the trail.¢- Happy Trails, from Laurel Fork Lodge RegisterWell, I felt a zero day coming on, and well, it¢s here. I hadn¢t taken a real zero day ¢ where I don¢t walk any miles on the trail at all (not ¢nearo¢s¢) ¢ in 19 days. And it felt ¢excellent-good¢! It certainly didn¢t hurt that all the rain lately preceded a cold front that is forecasted to bring frost overnight tonight. I¢d rather be dry and warm and deal with it another day, when I don¢t have lodging choices. And anyway, I was due for some time off.We just hung out today. I met Archaeopteryx, who thru-hiked in 1999, and is now based in New Zealand, where he leads quite an interesting life as a consultant on cases against large oil concerns, and manages a Maori rugby team ¢ a very interesting guy. I got to see Wildman again, fresh from another rousing side trail adventure off of Little Hump Mountain. He¢s staying at Kincora Hostel down the street, but came over here tonight for a beer and trail talk. He¢s having an awfully big adventure on this year¢s hike.A number of hikers either came in off the trail, or came over from Kincora. Among them are: Lumber, Ski Bum, Joe Flamingo, Milo, Tabasco T, Gabe and Barb, and C-biscuit, and Diesel and Homeboy were already here since last night. The day is relaxing, especially the part about not walking, and staying off your feet. We head into Elizabethton, TN for re-supply and Chinese buffet. John, who was here back when Dennis and Mary owned the place, now manages Laurel Creek Lodge, and he¢s doing a great job catering to hikers. Despite Dennis and Mary¢s absence, this is still a great place to visit and stay.Tomorrow it¢s back to walking. I¢d really like to celebrate my first month on the trail in Damascus, VA ¢ it¢s 50 miles in 2 days, but I¢d really like to do it. I feel a ¢personal challenge¢ coming on.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: TN-N.C. Mile 267.0
Miles today: 21.3

¢ . . . Watauga Dam . . . was completed in 1948, and the impoundment displaced 700 people living along the river banks . . .- From the ALDHA Thru-Hiker¢s CompanionThere¢s patchy fog this morning around Dennis Cove as I head back to the trail ¢ it¢s in the 30¢s! Nonetheless, it¢s the best walking weather I¢ve had ¢ highs in the 60¢s, clear with plenty of cover from the canopy.The first part of the day takes us through Laurel Gorge and Laurel Falls. The gorge is an impressive looking small canyon that may look more at home in Colorado ¢ primordial and rugged. And I do spot the first Flame Azalea of the hike on the north side of Pond Flats Mountain. It¢s also a good day for bird spotting: Cardinals, a Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jays, and an odd little black and gray-white speckled wading bird having a feast o¢ worms on the shoreline of Watauga Lake.I forgot how impressive Watauga Dam is. While it¢s nowhere near as large as Fontana Dam, it¢s an earthen dam and the surrounding hills have the scars to prove it. The dam is 300 feet long and 900 feet high ¢ that¢s ¢dam impressive.¢At Vandeventer Shelter, Wildman leaves me a note that he may be up ahead at Iron Mountain Shelter. I don¢t plan on walking that far, but after dinner I take off to hopefully get within 30 miles of Damascus. I plan to make tomorrow a ¢personal challenge¢ day, and will try to do nearly 30 miles.To my surprise, the campsite I was headed to is already occupied by Kat and Wildman! Wildman has a tremendous campfire going, which is what we need because Kat says it¢s 38 degrees at 9 p.m. It¢s going to be cold. Regardless, it¢s Damascus tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-05
From: TN-N.C. Mile 267.0

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 29.3
Weather: scattered clouds

¢This is the place of hiking legends. I¢m blessed to be able to see this house . . . ¢- Pastor Paul, from The Place Hostel RegisterI get up at 4:36 a.m., and I¢m hiking by 5:15 a.m. It¢s overcast, so the light of the full moon is nullified and I hike by headlamp for the first hour. The town lights (Hampton? Shady Valley?) are ablaze in the valleys to the east. It¢s a cold morning, but not quite as cold as the 38 degrees it was last night at 10.By 6:30 a.m., I¢m having breakfast at Iron Mountain Shelter ¢ only Cuppa Joe is stirring, breaking down camp and heading out on the trail. A couple of miles later, Cuppa Joe and I exchange snapshots at the Nick Grindstaff memorial. Nick Grindstaff headed west on a stagecoach as a young man to make his fortune, but on the way there he was robbed and beaten. He returned to these Tennessee Mountains where he lived out his life as a hermit. His nephew erected a monument on the sight of the homestead that reads: Uncle Nick Grindstaff, born Dec. 26, 1857, died July 22, 1923, . . . lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone. Later, at Tenn. 91, the trail has been relocated (sometime after 2002) through a neat abandoned farm, and beautiful rolling pastureland, where there is a large flock of Goldfinches flitting about. Today is about a ¢personal challenge¢ ¢ to walk a 29.3 miles day ¢ so I minimize my breaks to a 50 minute lunch at Double Springs Shelter, a 45 minute second lunch at Abingdon Gap Shelter, and a couple of other 15 minute breaks. I meet some new north bounders today: Cuppa Joe, Stretch, and Hot Rock. I also run into Mr. Fix-A-Lot and Blue Sky again. The walk today is mostly ridge walking with few views, so most hikers have long days through this section called the Tennessee Turnpike.Right now, I¢m sitting at Sicily¢s in Damascus having devoured a lasagna, garlic bread, and salad. And I¢m waiting for a grilled cheese and fries. I¢m dead tired, and I wish I could somehow disconnect my throbbing feet from my legs. I¢ll be checking in later at the most renown hostel on the trail ¢ The Place.The Place is nearly full to capacity, I¢ve never seen it this crowded before Trail Days. There are nearly 3 dozen hikers staying here: The Honeymooners, Mountain Doo, Wooly, Hot Rock, Stretch, Lumber, Big Stick, and countless others ¢ it¢s a zoo!