morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Sams Gap at I-26
Miles today: 2.4

Four Days on The AT With Seabear:Seabear (Jimmy) and I put in 4 days ago at Allen Gap (286.5 on the trail) and started up the AT. This will be one of my best parts of my hike. After a couple of miles we passed log cabin drive and saw adds for a new hostel just a few yards from the trail; SHOULD I? We studied the map and found it was only 12 miles to Erwin, TN by walking the Old US hiway. It is 70 miles on the AT; SHOULD I? We followed the white blaze up the trail and arrived at Little Laurel Shelter where we spent the night.We left the next mornign at 7:30AM and we spotted the Camp Creek Bald Fire tower. We were looking to go over the Blackstack Cliffs but never knew when we passed over them. We stopped at Whiter Rock Cliffs and took a couple of photos. I did not go too near the edge of the rocks. Later we arrived at Jerry Cabin Shelter where we ate lunch with another thru hiker, Emily.After lunch we were back on the trail. We passed over Big Butt Mountain and the 300 mile mark on the trail. Soon we passed the Shelton Gravesite on the trail. Seabear told me the story of the Sheltons and town of Shelton Laurel in the Civil War. Again we took photos and headed onto Flint Mountain Shelter. This shelter was full and many tents around it. It rained all night on the tin roof and I slept well.We pulled out agiain and had only 8.8 miles to the Hogback Ridge Shelter. The trail up up to Frozen Knob from Devils Fork Gap whipped me. We climbed 1400 feet but it seamed like 4000. WHY DID I not take the Old US Hiway and miss this 70 miles? I did see a beautiful white tail deer on the way up.We arrived at Hogback Ridge shlter and spent the night. We headed down the AT the next morning toward Sams Gap (mile 315.3 on the AT) where Cub (Carey) was to meet us and take me to meet Dottie, Marvin and Marion. At the Gap I ran into the Ranger a 2009 thru hiker. He and his family had set up a great trail magic. He was cooking hot dogs, hamburgers and he had every kind of snack food you could imagine. I sat and talked to him for close to an hour. After two homemade sausage biscuits and two diet cokes I felt great.Thanks Seabear and Cub for a great week in North Carolina.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Sams Gap at I-26

To: Sams Gap at I-26
Miles today: 0.0

Today I took a zero day after Dottie, Marion and Marvin let me off. My right hip was killing me. I will start early in the morning back at Sams Gap. My plan is to reach 19E by Friday.I will have to average 15 miles per day to do this. Dottie and Family will meet me late Friday.The Shelton Graves of the AT:The mountains of North Carolina had split loyalties during the Civil War. The Shelton Laurel Community had loyalties to the North. The graves on the AT were of two Shelton's who were Union soldiers sneaking back into the Valley. They were led by a thirteen year old boy. They were spotted on the mountain and ambushed. The U.S. placed grave markers at this site in the 1900's.
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Sams Gap at I-26

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: light rain

Muddy started the day with the twenty-mile goal of making it to River Road in Erwin, TN so he could spend another night at Uncle Johnny's Hostel. He walked for 17 miles until he reached No Business Knob Shetler. Here he was so fatigued, wet, and cold that he thought he just couldn't go any farther. He resigned himself to stopping here at 4:30 p.m. and spending the night six miles short of his goal. The longer he stayed at the shelter the colder his feet got and the better the warm hostel sounded so he packed up and walked the six miles in record time. So much so that he made the dinner shuttle to town and had a nice Mexican dinner. Here are some pics of his week hiking with Seabear (who should have been in at least one photo!!):White Rock CliffsShelton Civil War Grave Site.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap USFS230
Miles today: 12.5

Making The Right Decision:Today I had a choice to leave Uncle Johnny's and start heading North on the AT, Slack Pack to Deep Gap (12 Miles), or Slack Pack to Iron Mountain Gap, TN 107(20 Miles). After the hard day yesterday I decided to Slack Pack to Deep Gap.As the rain got heaver and the sleet started, I smiled all the way down the trail. Tonight I am warm again at Uncle Johnny's for my third night. Tomorrow I will head out from Deep Gap and head north. I will try to reach the Clyde Smith Shelter which will give me a fourteen mile day.This week has been a sad week. Four of the group that I have been treking with since Georgia left the trail and headed home this week. I don't understand how they could give up after already putting over 300 miles into this.I am looking forward to Walking Too (Marvin) joining me on the AT this week.
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: US 19E Roan Mtn. , TN
Miles today: 15.9

The last three days were amazing. I saw six inches of snow on top of Roan Mountain and saw amazing views form High Bluff Knob. The trail through Carver Gap looke like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. There were fir trees with snow weighing down the limbs. The trails down were mud covered. I almost fell many times.I stoped at the Overmountain Shelter, which is an old barn from the revolutionary war period. There were 32 people in this shelter the night before I went through.The Little Hump views were amazing and then there were long horn cattle on top of Hump Mountain. While the trail went straight up and down it was an amazing 45 miles. I think this was the most beautiful part of the AT so far.The last six miles for my trip were straigh down. I made it to the Mountain Harbour B&B/ Hostel. This is the nicest Hostel so far. I will clean up and wash clothes in the morning and wait for the family to arrive.
Date: 2010-04-30
From: US 19E Roan Mtn. , TN

To: US 19E Roan Mtn. , TN
Miles today: 0.0

Today I saw off Stumble Wolf from the Hostel. I asked Stumble Wolf how he got his name and this is the story he told me."When I was ten I suffered a bad head injury. I was told by the doctors that I would never walk again. I spent four years in a wheel chair but I knew I could walk. I took the name WOLF because I had the drive of a wolf to walk and I did. I added the STUMBLE because I still fall alot because of my brain injury and the way my body works.""My parents were afraid for me to be on the trail as I was their brain injured child. But a buddy and me started at Springer Mountain in March. My buddy decided the AT was not for him after the first week. I was by myself on the trail My Dad wanted me to come home but I kept going. Now they are proud of me and my journey. After I finish my through hike this year I want to come back next year and work for one of the outfitters on the trail."
Date: 2010-05-01
From: US 19E Roan Mtn. , TN

To: Us 19E Roan Mtn. , TN
Miles today: 10.0

Muddy spent the morning in Johnson City, TN with family and friends. He spent the rest of the day at Mountain Harbor Hostel in Roan Mountain, TN with Walking Too who is gearing up to begin his AT hike.
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Walnut Mountain Road

To: Dennis Cove Road (Kincora)
Miles today: 14.0

Muddy and Walking Too slack packed 10 from Walnut Mountain Road back to US 19E after starting with an amazing breakfast at the Mountain Harbour Hostel. The day turned out to be better than expected given the awful flooding to the west in Tennessee. He only had about 1 1/2 hours of rain before the day turned beautiful. Muddy ran into HDMama whom he thought was way ahead of him by now and enjoyed talking to her. Tonight it is back in the hostel after a dinner at Bob's Dairyland in Roan Mountain. More slack packing for the next two days.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Wilbur Dam Road

To: Damascus bound
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another 14 mile day for Muddy. He slack packed from Dennis Cove Road (Kinkora Hostel) to Wilbur Damn road crossing over the TVA earthen Watauga Dam. The hostel picked him up and brought him back. Tonight is his last night in the hostel and he will be sleeping under the stars until he reaches Virginia. Muddy with Emily, Mitchell and Kevin at Watauga Dam, TN
Date: 2010-05-08
To: Demascus, Va
Miles today: 18.8

Damascus, Virginia Click to see Muddy's AlbumMuddy is in Virginia! He arrived in Damascus today and he said for the first time since he started this trek he passed another hiker. Up until now he has been passed daily by the "freight train", as he calls it, of hikers who leave the shelter two hours after him and has never passed another hiker going slower than himself.   He also caught up to another hiker who started a week before him. He plans to get a hotel room here for the night.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Grayson Highlands State Park
Miles today: 14.5

Muddy has made it to the entrance of Grayson Highlands State Park. He averaged 3 miles an hour today and spoke highly of the gentle terrain. He met up with some veteran thru-hikers who were hanging around for Trail Days in Damascus and they gave him a ride to Wendy's for dinner.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Today Muddy slack packed today with Jerry from Jerry's Kitchen and Goods. He opted not to do the full marathon slack pack and ended up doing 14.5. He has come down with the 24 hour trail flu he believes so he was lucky he didn't opt for the full 26 miles. He rode from Partnership Shelter to Adkins, VA with Jerry where he will spend the night tonight and hopefully return to the trail tomorrow for more slack packing. He ran into Peter J. Barr (can't remember his trail name), author of the book Hiking North Carolina's Lookout Towers, whom he hasn't seen since Georgia. Peter is a newlywed who decided to hike the trail just after getting married and misses his new wife terribly. His story of leaving his new wife to fulfill his dream and the tears he has shed for her was remarkable to Muddy so he was excited to see him again today.Peter's Website: Peter's Website
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins,VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I slacked packed again and I spent the night in a dry hotel room."It started out foggy and rainy this morning. It wasn¢t bad. It was hard to say exactly what it was. I wasn¢t even sure it was raining at all. It might have been, but then again, the mist may just have been condensing against the leaves and then dripping off. It doesn¢t have to be that wet before a few occasional drips can make you think that you are actually in the middle of a monsoon¢ as each individual drop crashed against the foliage below and reverberates around under the forest canopy. It can be hard to convince yourself that you are not being drenched when, in fact, you are not. Initially you get a little damp but then just stay that way. The occasional drip that actually hits merely replacing previous moisture that has evaporated off."* I was soaked. My glasses were wet. When you walk all day you just look at rhe ground. When you are wet you imagine it's raining. Today the moisture came from me after a high humidity. Even Bubba who gave me a ride to my hotel could tell. I think he wanted to put my pack in the truck and put me in the truck bed. I've got to go walk again. Happy Trails.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Atkins,VA

To: USFS 222
Miles today: 19.0

Today I finished twenty five percent of the AT.Today was another warm and humid day. Bubba picked up again and let me off at at the AT crossing and I slack packed again. Judy asked me if I had crossed many fences yesterday and I told her a few. Today I crossed many fences. The first part of my hike today took me through private farm land. I think this is the only part of the AT that is on private land. The ATC has an easment for about five miles.I had to watch for cow patties and push some cows and calves off the trail. The country side was beautiful. I enjoyed talking to the other through hikers as I traveled backwards on the trail. I had another first today; I passed a naked hiker. I think I scared the crap out of him. He thought he was all alone in the woods.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: USFS 222

To: Laurel Creek, VA
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was the first hard day I have had in Virginia. I crossed Chestnut Knobb, Garden Mountain and Brushy Mountain today. There were alot of up and downs. I'm glad I slacked packed again today. I have made some good progress in Virginia while slack packing.I am now staying in Bland, VA. My ankles looks like I have poision ivey under my socks. I guess it must be chiggers or some bug because my ankles were covered by my gators.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Laurel Creek, VA

To: VA 611
Miles today: 15.9

Today started out cool and it started raining in the afternoon. This was one of the easiest parts of the trail I have hiked. It was all flat.Tomorrow I will start to Paisisburg, VA. It should take me two days to get there. I hope to meet up with Silverback and Cotton Patch on the 19th. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

Today is Dottie and Muddy's aniversary of a sort. 30 years ago today we quit smoking.Today was cool and was easy walking. I stopped at Hardees on the way into Pearisburg and had a great hamburger and fries. I also had a gallon of real tea. Today I will ship my winter camping gear home and reduce my pack weight.I am staying tonight at the Holiday Motor Lodge and I plan to take a zero day tomorrow and I hopefully will meet up with Cotton Patch and Silverback.I will head north on May 20th.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Symms Gap Meadow
Miles today: 14.3

Muddy is once again out in the woods with his pack. It was a beautiful, refreshing, low humidity day in Virginia. He stopped to camp at Symms Gap Meadow today after being "wiped out" from not carrying his pack for several days. He said today was crowded on the trail as all of the trail fest hikers have caught up to him.
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 12.6

Muddy said it was another rainy day on the trail. He managed just over 12.6 miles today to bring him to 699.3. I asked him why he could just do another .7 and he said he wanted to eat at the Homeplace Restaurant, restock his pack and sleep behind the General Store in Catawba. He said he passed by the Audie Murphy Memorial today. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier during WWII that turned actor and starred in 39 Hollywood films. His plane crashed close to the AT and a bronze marker has been placed on a rock in his memory. Muddy also passed the Dragon's Tooth today. He should be in Daleville, VA in the next day or two, depending on his mileage tomorrow. He will send his pics from the hotel when he has WiFi.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Catawba, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

WHAT a trip through Virginia!Today was all highs and lows.Highs: I had sasuage biscuits at the general store before I started hiking. It did not rain.I made it to McAfee Knob and had my picture made sitting near the edge. I could never have imagined that I would sit on the edge of a cliff. I have a fear of high places. There were six other hikers on the knob when I arrived and they shamed me into getting my picture made. The picture describes today.I made 700 miles on the AT.I learned the right way to hike up hills and use the rest step Seabear used. Why didn't I learn this early?I saw the view from Hay Rock Ridge.I made it to Daleville, VA and will spend tonight at the HoJo.Lows:I missed the trail at the Tinker Cliffs and got scratched up and had to rock climb to get back on the AT.I passed the High Voltage Power Lines shown in the Guide and thought I had one mile to go; I thought I was making record time. Then I passed 4 more sets of power lines that were not shown in the guide and I had four miles to Daleville.All in all its wonderful to be able to hike the AT; both the highs and the lows.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Daleville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I left Daleville headed north. I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first timeon the AT. I walked near it for quite awhile. Today was easy and dry. Judy is at Disney World this weekend so I can only update the journal when my iPhone works. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I followed the BRP for the first few miles. I stopped for the night at one of the largest shelters on the AT. I met Dewayne from Florida next to the shelter. He started the AT on April 27 and is averaging more than 30miles a day. He will finish the trail in 2 1/2 months. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today the trail is still near the BRP. The views are amazing at Apple Orchard Mountai.I walked under a large rock formation called the quillotine. It did not come down. It thundered all night but did not rain. It is super hot and humid. Back to walking. Happy Trails.
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The flowers (rhodo's) are blooming all along the trail. Today's hike was nice except the hike up to High Cock Knob. The trail curved alon a ridge and I coul see the area I had just completed. It stormed with lightening and hail. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: James River Bridge
Miles today: 12.0

I crossed the James River Foot Bridge and I watched hikers and locals jump into the river from the bridge. A couple from SC took a photo for me then I rested in the parking lot. A trail angel offered to drive me to Bena Vista. I will spend the night at the Budget Inn and start walking again tomorrow. The 10 day forecast calls for heat and thunder storms. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-05-31
From: James River Bridge

To: US60 Buena Vista
Miles today: 13.7

Happy Memorial DayI always think of my dad on this day. He had 9 combat jumps with the 82nd Airbourne during WWII. I miss him. There were a lot of day hikers out today at the James River. I hiked the distance to US60. Most of the trail was great but there was a steep downhill climb at Rice Mountain. I am back in a motel and it is supposed to rain tonight. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-06-02
From: US60 Buena Vista

To: Seely Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: few clouds

Muddy broke the 800 mile mark today. He stopped at 811.7 at the Seely-Woodworth Shelter. Here are some recent photos of Muddy-just click on them to see the rest of his photos:Muddy Being "Brave" at Mcafee KnobMuddy Having Well-Deserved Fried ChickenHomeplace Restaurant, Catawaba VA Muddy at James River Bridge
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Dripping Rock Parking Area
Miles today: 12.7

Muddy is hiking early in the morning, starting at 6 a.m., to beat the heat. He stopped at Dripping Rock Parking Area because one of the guys' parents is giving some trail magic in the form of burgers, hot dogs and beer. He plans to camp here and enjoy some more dinner magic. Tomorrow he will push on to Waynesboro possibly for the entrance to Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Dripping Rock Parking Area

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Do I talk about the climb over Humpback again? I think every state has a Humpback Mountain. Do I talk about the view at Glass Hollow Overlook? Each view on the Blue Ridge Parkway was amazing. Do I talk about the trail down to Rockfish Gap? I am now in a hotel in Waynesboro, VA.Do I talk about Trail Angels? The last three days have been filled with Trail Angels helping hikers with all kinds of stuff including hamburgers and beer. It amazes me that so many thru-hikers and families of thru-hikers will come and help others with their journey of the AT. Waynesboro has a list of Angels that shuttle hikers around for free. I guess next year I will have to pass it forward and serve my time as an Angel.Do I talk about my love of this thru-hike? I'm excited about the next few weeks. I will hike next to the Skyland Drive for the next 110 miles. The AT crosses it many times and AT hikers can take advantage of the stores and waysides in the Shenandoah National Park. This lightens the pack because you only have to carry a couple days food at any time. You can drink a blackberry milk shake while you hike the AT.Do I talk about is whats next? The Shenandoah National Park is just 300 square miles and has a large bear populaton. I might get to see bears as I hike. This is one of the most asked question: Have you seen a bear? My answer has been: No.I also will leave Virginia the longest state of the trail so far. I will complete the 1000 mile mark of the trail in the next two weeks as I arrive in West Virginia. I plan to take the Amtrak Train from the AT station in Harpers Ferry, WV and head home for a few days.When I return to the trail I will leave West Virginia and go into Maryland. Hagerstown, MD is just west of the AT. I hope to get there as this the birthplace of my dad and I have never been this close to the town I heard about from my dad. A short while after this I will reach Pennsylvania and the half way point of the trail. Sorry for rambling on but the AT is still fun.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Big Meadows Wayside

To: Lauray, VA
Miles today: 16.0

Muddy is working his way through the Shenandoah National Forest this week. He has accumulated nearly 80 miles through a variety of conditions including a couple of days of rain and slippery mud.Finally, after 900 miles on the AT, Muddy has been greeted by the presence of bears! He's seen five bears total thus far in Shenandoah, which boasts a huge bear population per square foot, including a Mamma with her two cubs. He said they don't seem terribly startled by people but luckily his experience has been looking at them from a distance and one bolting out of a tree next to him. That wasn't the case for a hiker named Pistol Pete, who was delayed a day because of a Mama bear standing in the middle of the trail watching her cub who didn't want to come out of the tree. She was unimpressed at his attempts to make noise and scare her away. In fact after two or three seperate attempts at varying times of day to get her to leave the trail he gave up and spent another night at Loft Mountain Campround. Smartly, he was not bold enough to walk past her.In addition to the bears Muddy has observed rattlesnakes, turkeys, and tons of bird watchers in Shenandoah. Of all the wildlife he says the bird watchers are the most startling. He still gets a shiver when he walks along and sees a human pearched in the woods along the AT. He is impressed at the park rangers and group of volunteers however that are pulling up a non-native weed that is poisonous to caterpillar eggs laid on them. Quite a task for the group of 10 people in the 300 square mile park.Today Muddy booked his airline home for a week of vacation from his adventure. He will leave Harper's Ferry next Friday and return a week later after watching Mitchell and Emily swim. He promises tons of beautiful pictures once he is able to visit a place with wifi!
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Skyland 66.7

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I left the Shenandoah National Park and I am spending the night in a hotel in Front Royal. I had an easy day today. I hated to leave beauty and splendor of the SNP.I am excited that in 5 days I will be able to visit home for a few days and regroup for the last half of my trip. I will pass the 1000 mile marker on the AT in a few days. My Stats:Trip Miles 960.20 Total Number of Days 83 Total Number of Zero Mile Days 14 Total Number of Hiking Days 69 Average Miles per Day 11.57 Average Miles per Hiking Day 13.92 Average Miles per Week 80.98 Number of days in Trail Towns 14 Number of nights in a Shelter 55 Number of nights in a Tent 10 Happy Trails