morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-31
To: Road 728, VA Creek
Miles today: 14.1

By LeftyI am not 100% yet, but feeling a lot better after 2 days of rest. Today we will hike out of Damascus. The hot sun has finally cought up with us. Today it will be 89. That won't be easy, that's for sure. talk to you soon, by BuoyToday we still kept it a littler ¢lighter¢ Lefty has just spent 2 days sick in bed with the flu and is still a little weak. The Trail from Damascus to the intersection with the Creeper Trail is not too tough. We all wished we could hike the parallel Creeper Trail. This other trail follows an old railroad bed and a beautiful river. It is a wonderful place for bicycle rides. The AT in contrast just goes through the woods and has no views. We started a little later since Susan bought a new backpack. It has been a long way coming but now she found the perfect bag. We now have a collection of 5 backpacks in the car. I have one. Lefty has one. Righty has three . Well its not that bad. The old bag actually has been sent back to the store and the even older external frame pack will go back to Pappy in a few days. The AT in Virginia is so much better maintained than it was the case in Tennessee. There are signs everywhere and the shelters are all brand-new and clean. Today was a very humid and hot day. The summer is really coming now and our hiking experience will change dramatically. It is pretty draining to walk through a steam bath climate. I am already starting to miss our clear and crisp West Coast weather.By RightyWe left at 10:30 am to hike out of town. It was hot and humid. After 4 miles, we started to hear thunder in the distance and it wasn't long until we were soaking wet. I took a picture of Lefty and Buoy sitting in the rain on the trail at the halfway point. The rhodendrum were in bloom all along the river. All in all it was a fairly easy hike.
Date: 2006-06-02
To: Dicky Gap, VA
Miles today: 18.3

by BuoyToday started out very humid and hot. The air was stagnant and heavy even in the woods. First the trail was pretty level but later that day I needed to climb up into the Grayson Highlands. It took not long till the first thunderstorm hit. In 20 minutes it soaked me to the bone. After the thunderstorm the air was much fresher and cooler. Its funny that after every rain storm all the birds start singing. Its almost like they tell each other that they are ok. The Rhododendron is in full bloom and after every storm the trail is covered with blossoms. At least today I had my rain jacket and my pack cover with me. The second storm hit right after Lefty , Righty and me had met for the key exchange ceremony. Still every day hikers ask me how we go about the car business. I think I explain it ar least twice a day. I should prepare a flier that I can hand out (just kidding). I ran up the hill to the next shelter where I rode out the next storm. This one was heavy with lots of rain and cold wind. I could not wait out the whole length of the storm and reluctantly started to move on in the rain. I had a bunch of good hours and even saw the sun for a little bit. Than it started to rain again. I have learned that it usually is no problem to walk through light rain without my raincoat. I just walk a little closer to the trees and 15 minutes later it often stops. If the rain gets stronger I have enough time to get out the jacket. This time it was very different. Without warning the sky opened up. The rain did not come from an electrical storm. It was a strong cold front. The rain was extremely heavy and very cold. My Jacket was turned the wrong way and my pack cover was all the way in the bottom of my pack. My Ipod fell into the mud and I was cursing unprintable words. I was absolteley wet a third time in one day before I got into my equipment. This rain stayed with me for the last 2 hours of my hike. I had to cross the bald in it and it was actually pretty scary. Very strong winds and parallel rain was hitting me while I was in unprotected high mountains. The whole time I thought about lightning and was happy that at least that did not happen. When I came to the parking lot Lefty and righty were already waiting for me. They had been waiting for over and hour. I was so happy to see them.By RightyIt was cloudy and overcast in the morning when we started out. It was a long drive from our camping place to the trailhead. We saw the wild ponies first thing and went prepared with carrotts. It was a challenge to feed them because some of them were so aggressive and intimidated the others. We really wanted to feed the babies, but they were a little skittish. We had thunderstorms and heavy rain from about 1pm to 3 pm so of course we hiked the rest of the day wet. What a surprise, huh! They say "no rain, no pain, No Maine" and I guess it's true.
Date: 2006-06-03
To: Zero Day with Shana, Jack & Jill
Miles today: 0.0

By Righty-Today we left Damascus for good and drove to Atkins to do laundry and look for another camping spot while we waited for Shana to get there from Bluff City, TN, We found a campground north of Atkins in a town called Rural Retreat. We ate at a KFC and had "all you can eat". Shana got to watch us put up our tents and set up camp and then we also went through our packs and extra suitcase to send stuff home with her. We all definitely had more things than we needed and it was good to clean house. I know this was terribly exciting for Shana. She drove 6 hours to visit for a day and all we did was "necessaary" stuff. It was great for us to all have a chance to visit and for me to get to spend some time with my "other" daughter as well as Jack and Jill.
Date: 2006-06-04
To: USFS Road 86, VA
Miles today: 18.7

by BuoyToday I ran into more people than ever before. I had not even left the trailhead yet and already I had talked to ¢Ben here¢ and 2 more section hikers. This went on all day long and by the time I ran into Lefty and Righty I was hours behind in schedule. After my first mountain had been conquered I arrived at Partnership Shelter. Its the only Shelter on the AT that provides a shower. Shortly after my break at partnership shelter I met ¢happy¢ a beautifull dog who was found on the trail a few years back. I had a short exchange with the owner before I walked on. In the afternoon I really had to make up some time. I walked way past my normal speed and was so happy when I saw the car. The first sighting of the car is always one of the highlights of my day. The car represents comfort, shelter and rest. Lefty and Righty had killed time at the partnership shelter and by doing so avoided todays thunderstorm. I had to walk through it again. By now the daily soaking has become a part of the routine. By RightyIt was sunshining and beautiful in the morning and late afternoon. Thunderstorms and hail mid day. Fortunately for Lefty and I, we were at Partnership Shelter taking a break and visiting with other hikers when the rain started, so we waited it out and didn't get too wet. It was a pretty easy 18 miles. I can't believe I'm saying that; but it's true. Thre's definitely something to be said for "slack-packing"!
Date: 2006-06-05
To: Road 42, VA
Miles today: 19.2

by BuoyHad a terrible time finding the trail this morning. There was no sign. I stopped at a parking lot with some trail sign, not the AT sign and started looking for the trail on foot. I had to bushwack through tall grass straight into the forest before I intersected with the AT. I followed the AT south to find the actual trailhead. In general it often takes a long time to find the AT in the morning. Than around noon when I run into Lefty and Righty they wonder why I am so slow and behind. When I tell them how long it took to find the trail they never really fully believe me . They just think I am chatting all day long and walk slow like a grandma. I was determined to make it on time today. Therefore I ran the whole day. Towards the end every part of my body hurt but I hiked 19 miles in 8 hours. Right at the end I found another view that was incredible. It was a look back on what I had hiked today. I could see every mountain and cow pasture I had crossed. The first mountain was honestly at the horizon and looked very far away. Made me feel real good.By RightyThe day started out cloudy but it cleared off and turned out beautiful. The first half of the day we hiked through rhodendrums in bloom on the side of the trail, across meadows with wildflowers blooming, through pastures with cattle grazing, and through farmlands. We went up and over more than a dozen stiles -- these are ladders that are built on the borders of private property so that you can cross over the barbed wire fences that separates the AT from the private land. Some of these ladders are very high and hard to climb. I've seen more than one hiker hung up on them before. This is the first hike where we have crossed over a road (actually I81) where we were able to stop and eat. We went to the Old Barn and had a BBQ dinner then continued on our hike. This part of Virginia appears to have "kinder, gentler" hills and it was an easy day. We made really good time even with stopping for lunch.
Date: 2006-06-06
To: Road 623, VA
Miles today: 17.1

by BuoyToday we first drove the very long USF 623 to the Trailhead. Sometime Forst Service Roads can be pretty time consuming. We wanted to provide some trail magic to fellow hikers. Kelley took out our cooler. She filled it with sodas and wrote on it with a magic marker ¢take one for each dirty smelly thirsty Thruhiker¢ We were just done with setting this up when the first very thirsty hikers came in. They had not had water for 15 miles and were so grateful and happy about the coke.The hike started on a high rocky ridge. At one point I had a just wonderful view down the mountain. I was standing on a large sandstone bolder in the early morning sun. The air smelled crisp and fresh. There was no sound and I looked down into Brooks Garden valley. Just a few minutes into my hike I realized that my shin was hurting. I took 4 Ibuprofen and it made no difference. I had pushed myself too much the day before and needed to slow down today. Some hot and sweaty miles later I reached Chestnut Knob Shelter on top of a beautiful bald. This shelter is an old cabin and therefore has 4 walls and a door. Great views but no water. The water had to be taken from a pond one hour hike south of the shelter. I watched the Hawks soaring over my head. They are by far my favoured wildlife. The trail came by a gas station which allowed me to have a chilly dog and ships for lunch. What a wonderfull treat. Well I also got pretty sick from it a little later on. I think food preparation standards just do not apply to many places in the Appalachian Mountains.By RightyToday was clear with blue skys. Lefty and I had long hard up hills all morning. The climb payed off though with wonderful views of the valley below. We stopped for a lunch break at a stone shelter on the top. We saw many deer, a raccoon and turkey buzzards during the day. We also met several other thru hikers, Cats Paw, who is doing about 30 miles a day, Socket and Acceptance, and a section hiker, Skyline. It was a good day.
Date: 2006-06-07
To: Road 612, VA
Miles today: 16.3

by BuoyStarted with a hot hike on a long concrete road and was pretty happy when the trail went back into the forest.At the end of the day on top of Garden mountain I had a great wildlife encounter. Remember my bear encounter? That one was not as scary as this one. A small little pheasant defended its nest when I came by. That pheasant had no fear. It was coming right at me making terrible sounds. It somehow made himself look way bigger than it actually was. I really skipped a few heartbeats. That little thing was real scary. It was a total bluff charge and the whole thing was over in 3 seconds. But I really respect that brave little bird.We started staying at Trents Campground between Bland and Perrisburgh. It has a great big concrete shower (very dirty though) and the only gas station in miles. This is a very remote place. Food has become a problem. The best place around for breakfast and dinner is one lonely Subway . So we have breakfast and dinner at Subway. I soo miss 'Punchab" and all of our other restaurants in San Francisco.By RightyToday was a clear, sunny day and it was a fairly easy day of hiking. We actually had to "blue blaze" today because a bridge was out and the AT was redirected over a high water trail. Normally, blue-blazing is a "NO NO" as some hikers do this to avoid difficult terrain or to take short cuts. Today, following the blue blaze actually made the hike longer. I took a photo of Lefty and Buoy in front of the "Blue blaze".Oh, and I saw a bear today, but that will be a separate journal entry.
Date: 2006-06-08
To: Road 606, VA
Miles today: 18.0

By RightyIt rained all night but I was dry and cozy in my very small tent. It was overcast, but not raining in the morning. Buoy was able to hike right out of our campsite today. Thats always such a treat. Lefty and I stopped by the PO to check for a package and drove to the trailhead. It was an easy day of hiking for us. We did 18 miles in less than 7 hours. I couldn't believe it. I must have had wings! We saw several thru hikers today: Acceptance, Joe Crow and Sy, and Cat Paws again. We also saw Ben Here who had really already been here. He was going the wrong way, back-tracking, to go into Bland to meet a friend.By LeftyBuoy insisted on shaving off his beard today. I asked him to save the mustashe for a few minutes so I could see what he looked like before I knew him. What do you think?By BuoyToday I just walked out of our campground. The shortest commute ever. First I crossed a beautiful suspension bridge. It looked like a miniature Golden Gate in brown. I loved how it moved and swayed under my weight. It had rained during the night and therefore the forest was real wet. Under these conditions the hiker gets soaking wet just by brushing against the overgrow.It was the most overgrown trail I have seen so far and it had the very fitting name ¢ Brushy Mountain¢ Right after I met up with Lefty and Righty it started raining. For the remainder of the afternoon I hiked in rain. This is almost not newsworthy anymore but today I hiked in rain while just a few miles away from me Lefty and Righty stayed totally dry. I had some pretty persistent local weather following me.
Date: 2006-06-09
To: Sugar Run Gap, Va
Miles today: 15.5

By Righty- It rained last night again but this morning was clear with blue sky. Lefty and I hiked out of our campsite today. Our hike started out differently today. The first 5-6 miles were all way down deep in the forest. The trail followed the Dismal Creek (aptly named) for about 3miles. Wild rhododendrum grew profusely all along the path. Everything was still wet from the rain and so green it looked like a rain forest. Ferns grew wild as far as the eye could see. We went over dozens of foot bridges, some over the creek and some across flood areas. Once we started climbing, it was a shocker. The trail went from flat and gradual to straight up... about 1000 feet in a mile. Once on the top of the ridge it leveled off again. There was a spectacular view that made it all worth while. There was an outcropping of boulders that you could walk out on that put you right on the edge of the mountain. Rhodendrum were in bloom all around you and you could see the valley below. The second peak was a much easier climb as it went more gradually uphill over a 2 mile period. All in all, it was a great day.Today we crossed the 600 miles mark of the trail. This would have been the whole country of Germany. In the US it will take a little longer to cross the whole country.It was fun to hike into the campground. Its nicer when you do not have a car commute at the end of the hiking day. The trail is so wonderfully flat here which is a real treat. Lefty and me went into Pearisburg to scout out the town. Nothing special really but never the less it will be our home for a little while.
Date: 2006-06-10
To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

By Lefty Today we hiked a short 12. We are staying at a fabulous hiker hostel built and supported by the Holy Family Catholic Church. Church members renovated an old barn on church property into a hiker hostel. We are camping on the lawn near the hostel. The views are amazing. We will hike anoter 19.5 tomorrow and stay here one more night. After another short 13 on Monday, Buoy and I are headed for an anniversary getaway....meaning we're getting away from mom. Monday 6/12 will be 7 years for Buoy and I. Yes, we have lots of journal entries to catch up on, and not enough time or hotspots to get them done in a timely manner, sorry! We're doing the best we can. Hey, I just noticed that for the first time EVER our journal is being highlighted on the front page of trailjournals.com under "updated journals". Fun, Fun!We passed the the one quarter mark of the AT a couple of weeks ago. Our goal is to hit the half way mark in PN by July 8. Buoy says that if we hiked the whole length of Germany from Garmish in the south to Kiel in the north we would have crossed the entire country already. We are having the time of our lives. More later- LeftyBy RightyWe packed up our tents this morning and said good bye to Trent's where we have been camping for 4 days. Today was a short day and a fairly easy hike into Pearisville where we are going to stay in a hostel. We'll probably see lots of other hikers there as this is a very popular place. As I write this, Lefty has gone to pick up Buoy at the trailhead and she left me in the Hardees in town to get these journal entries entered.By BuoyToday I had to climb a real brutal 2100 foot mountain coming out of Pearisburg. It really beat me up. It was steep and very long. Also hiking the trail close to the city was not that easy. The trail was very narrow and broken up. It also really smelled bad. Fisrt it went by the local landfill and than by a textile plant.. This is not the first time that this happened to me. The mountains are so clean and pristine. They are beautiful, peaceful and standing there so proud and majestic. And than the towns are dirty, smelly and loud. The architecture usually is simple, cheap and lasts a mere 50 years. Every time I come out of one of these towns the cool fresh woods feel like home. We just need to build a log home movie theater, a log home Indian restaurant and a log home for me and Lefty in the woods and we would be set J Oh and a log library and log Thai restaurant and and and ¢¦ J I guess I am still a city person after all.
Date: 2006-06-10
To: Righty's Bear Story
Miles today: 0.0

By RightyI saw my first bear today! It was a little unnearving. Here's how it happened. I had just left Lefty and Buoy to have a lunch break together. We had to take a blue blaze trail which put me out on a Forest Service Road before I picked up the AT again. I always get nervous when the trail dumps you onto a road because I can't always find the "blazes" that lead you back into the woods. I was walking down the road holding my hiking poles in one hand since the road was flat. I had just noticed a sign up ahead saying "one lane bridge ahead" and a big curve in the road and was thinking to myself "I hope there's another blaze on the trees around that bend" because it had been quite a while since I had seen one. About then, two full grown female deer came running down the road right by me. When they saw me they went down the enbankment and into the woods. I watched them in amazement. They are so fluid and beautiful in motion. I continued on and as I rounded the curve, I saw a BIG BEAR about20 yards ahead of me standing with his back to me and his front legs extended up a tree. I stopped dead in my tracks. He had not heard me or seen me. I remember thinking he looked 3 to 4 times larger than my daughterr's chocolate lab, Jack; which would put him at 300-400 pounds. I also noticed that his fur was not smooth and silky looking; in fact, it looked coarse and shaggy. He also looked more dark brown in color than black. Of course, these thoughts ran through my mind in a matter of seconds, I'm sure. I do remember EXACTLY what transpired next. i glanced up in the tree to see if there were any cubs there and saw nothing. Next, I slowly moved my poles from my right hand to my left hand. then with my right hand, I reached down and unhooked my whistle and pepper spray from my waistbelt. I must have made a noise then because the bear turned and looked at me. He dropped down onto all fours and turned his head (which did look black) towards me and opened his mourh. I expected to hear a hugh roar or growl (or whatever noise it is that bears make) but heard no sound. Once the bear heard me and looked at me, I realized that I was staring at him (which is a NONO, I;m told). I quickly adverted my eyes and started slowly stepping backwards. About that time, the bear casually went down the embankment towards the creek. It wasn't tilll then that I felt any fear. Delayed reaction, I guess. But my legs started shaking and I was breathless. Hoping that Lefty wasn't far behind me, I blew my whistle once, loudly; but I got no return whistle. At this point, the bear did take off into the woods. They really don't like loud noises, I guess. In recounting the events to others, I think I pieced together what traspired. I think the bearhad been asleep in the tree, was on his way down when he saw me and when he opened his mouth, I think he was yawning. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!
Date: 2006-06-11
To: Road 635, VA
Miles today: 19.7

By RightyIt rained all night and was foggy and overcast in the am.We had a 3 hour uphill at first which was strenuous but doable with many switchbacks. Then 12 miles across the top which were relatively easy. We had no views from the top as it was all fogged in. A bridge was out (destroyed by a hurriicane in 2004) towards the end so we had to ford the stream. Lefty opted to take off her shoes and put on her crocks; but since I didn't have my crocks with me, I left on my boots to go across.The hike should have been an EASY 20; but I had a sore foot and leg from my fall the day before so it wasn't as easy as it should have been. Lefty would tell you it was a piece of cake.
Date: 2006-06-12
To: Road 601, VA
Miles today: 13.1

by LeftyGot up at the crack. Lots of driving to trailheads today. Dropped mom off by 4pm and headed out to find somewhere to celebrate our anniversary.by RightyWe stayed at the Holy Family Catholic Church Hostel in Pearisburg last night. Lefty had Buoy up at 5:30 to take him to his trailhead. He was hiking by 7am. She came back for me at 7am for us to go to our trailhead. We had to hike 16 miles and wanted to be done as early in the afternoon as possible so Lefty and Bouy could head out to Wythesville to celebrate their anniversary. We got back by 3pm and they were on their way without Mom tagging along.I spent the evening visiting with other hikers at the hostel. There were about a dozen hikers there: Trouble, Cat, Granite, and Sockett who I had met before. Also, Kiwi, Tonka and Pockets, Rickles and Doc who I hadn't met before. It was nice knowing that I didn't have to be up at the crack of dawn the next day as I was taking a zero day.
Date: 2006-06-13
To: Buoy and I in Wytheville Celebrating Anniversary
Miles today: 0.0

by LeftyChecked into a great room at the Hampton Inn in Wytheville last night. Had dinner at a steakhouse. Went to a quarterly meeting of Wythe County Historical Society and learned about slave burial grounds that are locatable with GPS. Very interesting. Hanging out in the room most of day, except for catching a movie later. Was able to get 2 nights for the price of one which makes me very, very happy.