morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Comment text added by grzz: AnnaK and Padre more or less cussed their way up Pond Flat, with no idea at all why it has that name. Then, on across the Watauga Dam. Cold, very blustery, wet, wind-driven snow most of the way and mostly into their faces. They chose Vandeventer as the target for the day because it was the best choice for the overall plan of getting to Damascus, VA, by the end of AnnaK's section. Unfortunately, Vandeventer Shelter is oriented with its open end facing right into the wind and snow, so they woke up the next morning warm enough but well-covered with wet snow. Hiking is fun! R-i-i-ght ...
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: TN 91
Miles today: 11.4

COmment text added by grzz: Padre called from near or at Vandeventer Shelter in the morning and asked me to meet them at the AT crossing on TN 91, south of Shady Valley, TN. It was another cold, very blustery day with heavy snow squalls coming through about every 20 - 30 minutes and lasting 15 minutes or so. Even on the flat in Johnson City, TN, where I stayed at a Super 8, 2-3 inches of snow fell Monday night (6th) and the car was covered. I got up to the crossing about noon and the car was covered again within just a few minutes -- the snow was much heavier and the winds much stronger on the ridge, of course. At 2:50 pm Padre hove into view, dropped his pack and went back to meet up with AnnaK, and at about 3 pm they both got back. Again, they had a day of driving snow in their faces, heavy squalls, snow up to 15 inches in various places. The parking lot at that point had about 5 inches accumulation, the temperature was probably about 33F. It wasn't a pleasant walk in the woods, for sure, but they were both in good spirits. (AnnaK apparently expressed herself very bluntly, candidly, and often while climbing, slipping, and twisting her way over it all.) Their preparation, equipment, and food were all ok, although they both learned a lot about improvements, also.Dinner at the Golden Corral in Bristol, VA, which was an excellent choice, and we all recommend that chain to all readers. It's an all-you-want buffet with 5 or 6 different buffet stations for different kinds of food, all fresh, well-prepared, and tasty. (Check the 'net for locations near you. There happens to be one in Springfield, MA.)We all stayed at the Super 8 in Abingdon, VA, and
Date: 2009-04-08
From: TN 91

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Comment text added by grzz: Padre decided to take advantage of the opportunity to slack-pack for part of the day (Wednesday, 8th), and AnnaK wanted to slack-pack some sections also. We drove back up to AT X TN 91, AnnaK decided not to tackle the section from there to Damascus. Padre took off at 10:03, lightly loaded. Partly sunny weather, much less wind, some snow drifts up to 2 feet deep, temperature in the mid-30s, but not too slushy. AnnaK and I drove up to the AT X US 421 (Low Gap) to check the possibility of her slack-pack from there up to McQueen Gap, and from that end it looked ok. We decided to check out the McQueen Gap end, though, so we drive up there. Unpaved road (USFS 69), quite narrow, the twistiest of the very many I saw during my week down there. Driving alone, I wouldn't have tried it, but with AnnaK along and with the Element's 4WD to depend on, I was willing to do so. The key issue was simply about turning around, if needed. The road was so narrow that it would have taken "a 12-point turn", as Anna said -- between one wall, one pretty sheer drop into tangles of trees --, easy enough to do with someone spotting from outside but not likely to be comfortable for this driver to do alone. But we made it to the top just fine. At the top, though, the ridge trail looked pretty rough and there was lots of snow, so Anna decided against hiking the section.We went back to Damascus to wait for Padre, who reported making a snow angel in an open field on the way as part of a good, short day hike.
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Damascus, VA

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: clear sky

COmment text added by grzz: Padre again decided to take the opportunity for slack-packing, especially because he remembered the hike northbound out of Damascus as being one of those been-there-done-that-once and don't-need-to-do-it-again joys and pleasures. Because of hearing some grizzled beard's comment in Mt Rogers Outfitters about southbound into Damascus being 'way easier than northbound out of town, Padre's said, "Yeah for sure", and so we took him up to AT X VA 600, just north of Whitetop Mountain, to slack-pack back into town. 24 miles. He left at 8:35 am, arrived in Damascus at 3:05 pm. Trucking right along, for sure. Warmed up at that point, Padre decided to have us drive back to AT X VA 600 so that he could go further, and he took off at 4:07 pm fully loaded, northbound into the wild ponies' field, headed for Thomas Knob Shelter.AnnaK and I started driving back to Massachusetts.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Kimberling Creek Campsite

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: light rain

Greetings from Pearisburg! I've been cruising right along since Damascus, making pretty big days for the last week or so. The hostel in town isn't open for the season yet, so I'm staying at the Rendezvous Motel right on the Trail - the woman who runs the place is a riot, and very accomodating to hikers, so it's worth it.The weather's been about "normal" - a few days of sun, a few days of rain, and repeat. At least the snow melted though; walking through ankle-deep slush is not the highlight of my experience.I'm going to go through today and get my mileages up to date for the trip so far - that way my "stats" page should be accurate. I also uploaded my pictures to my Picasa page: http://picasaweb.google.com/mil1233/AppalachianTrail2009 . When I get the chance I'll shrink them down a bit and upload them to my journal's gallery (I was all set to do that, but the trailjournals site was down...).I'll be heading back out on Wednesday (hopefully), passing through Troutville/Daleville for a quick resupply on Sunday, and then moving on to Waynesboro for my next break around the 25th. I've got a new hip belt for my pack (my current one is to big) and a new pair of shoes (850 miles is pretty good for one pair) being shipped to the post office there, and I'll be taking a zero, too. Fun!
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It's been a whirlwind of a week! I very hesitantly left Pearisburg at about 4:30pm on the 15th and did a few miles to the first shelter; the prospect of another night in town was pretty tempting, but I held strong and decided to save my money. Then, on the 17th, Evergreen's friend Redneck came down from Ohio and slackpacked Evergreen, Blue, and I for 2 1/2 days. This guy was incredible - he showed up with a truck full of food and drinks, cooked us a bunch of amazing meals and shuttled us all over the place. He even took us into Roanoke for a movie - a rare and awesome treat for a bunch of hikers! I can't even begin to explain how much he spoiled us - it's going to make it really hard to go back to "regular" hiking again after the first class treatment. Thanks Redneck - I totally owe you one!Unfortunately, a few misplaced steps put a bit of a damper on my fun. Coming down the hill into Pearisburg in the rain I tweeked my knee going around a switchback. Apparently big, flat rocks are pretty slippery when wet! A couple days later I slid on some loose rocks heading down to the War Spur Shelter...more bad news for the knee. After walking over the Dragon's Tooth (a steep, rocky pinacle with loads of steep slopes, steps, and rebar cleats) I decided that I needed a break so I came took the day off to ice the knee and recover a bit so I don't over-do it. It isn't a bad day to be off the trail either - it was pouring a minute ago, and it's nice to be inside and not worry about the rain. I'll head back out tomorrow and see how the knee feels, then hopefully motor on in to Waynesboro by Monday!Oh, and by the way - here's the link to the photos my dad took while he was down visiting at the beginning of the month. Eventually I'll upload some of them to the journal's photo album, too: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=miller40&target=ALBUM&id=5324973447680150097&authkey=Gv1sRgCNei6-SMw4figQE&authkey=Gv1sRgCNei6-SMw4figQE&feat=email
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Troutville, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 133.9
Weather: light rain

Well, it's been a while, and I guess I should probably put up a status update. I'm temporarily off the trail - I had planned to take a few days off and rest the knee, then continue on, but that wasn't going to happen; even walking around on completely flat pavement was painful. So after much deliberation I decided that it would be best to head home and see an othopedist and find out what was really wrong (the diagnosis at the Urgent Care center was "lacking" lets say).On Tuesday I went and saw the doctor in Massachusetts, who, in less than 15 minutes, knew exactly what I had done - I partially tore the MCL below my right knee, and gave myself bursitis. So now I'm chillin at my parents house in a knee immobilizer. Hopefully in two weeks it will heal itself back up - I have another appointment om May 12th, so if the doctor gives me his blessing I'll be back out hiking after Trail Days.This does have a somewhat positive side to it, though: it means that I'll definitely be driving back down to Damascus for Trail Days (I'll be heading down there regardless of whether I can start hiking again afterwards). So if any hikers happen to stumble upon this and are looking for a free, guaranteed ride to Damascus and back, shoot me an email. I'll be driving the entire length of the Trail between about Lee, MA and Damascus, VA, and can easily swing by any of a number of road crossings on my way down. Just let me know where you'll be and we can work something out.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Nicholson Hollow Trail

To: Skyline Drive Mi. 17.7
Miles today: 21.6

Well, I'm back on the trail. Whew. I started walking north into Shenandoah from Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro) on Monday morning, and I'm conservatively optimistic that it's going well. So far I've only been slackpacking, but there has been no pain in my knee at all. My feet are another story - 5 weeks off trail made my feet all soft and pink again, and lots of walking and sweating in new shoes has made them pretty raw. Oh well - they'll heal up eventually. :-)My dad's been great to have around, meeting me at various trail crossing with water and food. I know a few other hikers have appreciated him too - he's been slackpacking, shuttling, and generally helping people out all over the place. At one point I got to the road crossing and he had 5 other packs in the car! He's had a great time meeting all the hikers - Gator, Turtle, Steps, Mother Nature, a group of comically dysfunctional section-hiking college kids, and probably some others I've forgotten. All in all, it's been a great week. Tomorrow I'm planning on loading up all my gear to see how it goes; if it goes well I'll keep going past Front Royal and make tracks for Harper's Ferry. The slackpacking's been great, but I'm psyched to really start hiking again!Just before I left one of the seams on my backpack blew out. A quick call to Granite Gear fixed that - with in two days I had a new backpack waiting for me at the Luray, VA post office. Thanks guys! The backpack is awesome enough that I probably would have bought another one if I had to, and its even more awesome to have a company that stands by it's gear.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Skyline Drive Mi. 17.7

To: Manassas Gap/VA 55
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, so I gave in and accepted another night in a motel. My dad was interested in staying around for another day, so how could I resist? It's pretty nice to have a warm shower at the end of a day of hiking. :-)I did carry my full pack today, though, to make sure that the added weight would feel ok with my knee. I'll tell you, the first 2 miles or so sucked - adding ~30 lbs. after 5 days of slackpacking makes a HUGE difference... I got used to it again pretty quick though, and when I put my pack on again after lunch if felt natural.The weather today was wonderful, and seeing that it's the weekend the trails were totally packed with people. Right off the bat I passed 25-30 Japanese tourists heading south - it was pretty unbelievable to see such a large group. Trail-wise the hiking was pretty easy. It was generally downhill all the way to Front Royal, and then I had two big climbs on the way to Manassas gap. I swear the second hill wasn't there the last time I came through - it looked no steeper than the hill out of Front Royal (and was only 500' instead of 1000'), but it ended up being the hill from Hell. It was wicked steep and muddy enough that every time I took a step it seemed like my foot just slid back down to where it started. The downhill was even steeper and was really rocky to boot...it took me a while to pick my way down. There was a nice bench under a tree at the top, and I saw a woodchuck and a box turtle up there too...but it still wasn't worth it. Tomorrow, as far as I know, I will ACTUALLY head into the woods and stay there...so if all goes as planned I shouldn't be updating again for a bit. I'm excited to finish up Virginia and move on PA - because that makes me that little bit closer to New England!
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Leroy A Smith Shelter

To: Deleware Water Gap, NJ
Miles today: 22.1

Yay, New Jersey! I've been cruisin for a while, and it's good to be in another state already - although I suppose I've come through four since my last update (VA, WV, MD, and now PA).Northern Virginia and Maryland treated me fairly well. "The Roller Coaster" in northern VA - a 13 mile stretch of constant ups and downs - was a wild ride, but it was real great to get to stay with Redwing and Hopeful ('05) at the Bears Den Hostel. The next day I left VA, and planned to stop in at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters in Harper's Ferry, WV to register, and have my picture taken. I showed up at the front door at 5:10 pm - they closed at 5:00. Oh well... Instead of paying a fortune to stay in town, I just headed across the Potomac River into MD and kept walking.The weather cooperated up until the day before I walked into Pennsylvania. One afternoon we got a huge thunderstorm - rain, wind, lightening, hail, the whole shebang - and I've been wet ever since. The PA section of trail is renowned for being very dry...this year most of the trail was under running water. Having my feet wet for so many days in a row started to take it's toll, but a day off to rest and dry out in Duncannon helped out. My feet still resemble hamburger, but they don't hurt so much any more :-). My knee, however, has been feeling fine. Even the rock fields didn't give me too much trouble, but I did slow me down quite a bit.When I got to Port Clinton, PA to resupply, it started to rain again. It's been raining since - my tent got so wet from one night in the rain that it must have gone from weighing 2 lbs to 5 lbs. Luckily, Anna met me at Fox Gap, slackpacked with me for about 8 miles (in the rain, mind you - she's a real trooper), and brought me back to her parents house to dry out, do laundry, eat, and relax for the evening. It's a much needed break from the bad weather...even though I'll just be heading back into the rain tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to stay in shelters for the next few nights so I don't need to tent in the rain...it gets old pretty quick...The plan from here is to walk for another week (until Friday 6/26) when Anna's going to meet me somewhere in the Connecticut side of New York, and I may take another zero day. Then I'll only be a day or two away from New England - that's pretty amazing to think about!
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-to
Miles today: 19.7

Hey everybody - I just wanted to post a quick update...I know I've been neglecting this journal, but here's a brief update anyway. I've been making good progress through NJ, NY, and CT, and cruised into MA yesterday morning. A few more days and I'll be in VT - gotta love these short states, right?!I spent last weekend up in Clifton Park, NY visiting Anna, and my parents met me today to resupply and feed me and give me a chance to do my laundry (It seems like I always forget a pair of socks...this time I managed to wash them all). In another week or so my sister will be picking me up for another quick break as I get near Rutland, VT. It's pretty strange to have all this attention on the trail, but I guess that's what happens when everyone you know on the East Coast lives along 200 miles of trail. Once I get out of Vermont, though, I think I'm on my own for the last ~440 miles to Kathadin.Things have been going well hiking-wise. It's been raining for a couple weeks again (not so much fun) and all the wetness has caused the mosquitoes and bugs to flourish (not so much fun either), but my knee is feeling good and my feet are finally toughening up - both good things. Hopefully the weather will improve over the next few days (that's what the reports call for...but we all know how accurate those are...) so I can dry out again.I'm very excited to get getting into some hills again - Yesterday I climbed over 2500' for the first time since VA. Soon I'll be going over Mt. Greylock, and then I'll be climbing through VT. Even though climbing mountains is harder than walking over ridges it feels more satisfying - it's nice to have a challenge and then feel like you've accomplished something at the end of the day.It's hard to believe I'm already cruising through New England, and that before I know it I'll be passing through Hanover, NH and into some new territory. I can't wait!
Date: 2009-07-04
From: October Mtn Lean-to

To: 83 Depot St. via Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 21.1

I stopped by Tom's place at 83 Depot Street on my way through Dalton, but wasn't ready to call it a day yet. So he agreed to come up to Cheshire and pick me up when I got there. We had a great 4th of July celebration, complete with a local amateur fireworks display. A special thanks to Tom for being so accommodating to hikers for so many years!
Date: 2009-07-06
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was absolutely one of the nicest days on the trail this year! It was clear, breezy, dry, and not too hot! I got some great views from Glastonbury Mountain, where I stopped for lunch. I couldn't believe it, but it was actually chilly up there in the look-out tower!
Date: 2009-07-11
From: Pomfret-South Pomfret Rd.

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Alright! Another state done! It's good to be in New Hampshire at last. I had a pretty quick trip through Vermont, with one stop in Manchester Center to resupply. My sister came down from camp and slack packed me over Stratton, then drove me all around town getting my stuff done.I had a couple days of sun, but otherwise it rained at least a little bit every day. As Cabot said in one shelter register, Vermont is enthusiastic about it's precipitation. That means lots of mud...lots and lots of mud. Hopefully we'll get a good long dry patch to dry it all up (doubtful).Now, after a couple more days of gently rolling hills I hit the real mountains in the Whites. I can't wait...I just hope that it doesn't rain the whole time I'm there. Time will tell, won't it?!
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

FINALLY in the Whites! I was giddy with anticipation for Mt. Moosilauke, so I got up early and was at the top in 1 1/2 hours. It was cold up there! Had a nice trip down, but it started raining on my way out of Kinsman Notch. The rain stopped for a bit but started again when I got on top of S. Kinsman - at least I got the rock scramble out of the way before the rain. There's a nice shelter at Kinsman Pond, but it was full of a camp group; I didn't have the heart to boot them so I'm tenting in the rain. Tent platforms are NOT designed for Tarptents!! What a pain. I need to go on a feeding binge tomorrow in town. It took me two hours and dinner before I warmed up after the drenching rain. Gotta get some fat on the bones - it isn't even that cold here!If the weather's ok tomorrow I may still shoot for Guyot; if not I may either stop at Garfield Campsite or just nero in town and graze for the day. We'll have to see. I'm diggin the real mountains though - they didn't even kick my ass as badly as I feared they might!
Date: 2009-07-31
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Yay for short days...even when they do end in the rain. I was out earl, moved fast, and had real easy walking. There were a few muddy and flooded sections, but no worse than yesterday (someone said this was the muddiest - 5 miles of swamp...thank goodness it wasn't true).In the morning I finally got to see Katahdin form the top and side of Nesuntabunt Mountain. Thw weather was ok until I stopped for lunch at Rainbow Springs Campsite, then it rained until now. Oh well. Tomorrow I have 3 miles to Abol Bridge where I'll meet Mom and Dad and Anna (who hasn't shown up for the night - I hope that means a bigger cabin), then I'll walk to Katahdin Stream, spend the night and with a little luck I'll climb Catahdin on the 2nd!Wow - hart to believe that tomorrow's the end of it. Let's just hope the weather improves :-)
Date: 2006-01-21
To: Decision to hike the AT.
Miles today: 0.0

Mount Dora, Florida, Winter of 2005.   I had been retired since 1995 and my wife Judy and I had traveled in our RV all over Colorado and west. During those years, I hiked all over Rocky Mountain National Park and some of Yellowstone. In 2005 on our return trip home to Florida, we made the choice to start exploring the the Eastern states the next summer. We would start in the Southeast and working our way north. At this point, I made the decision (with my wife's concurrence) to start Section Hiking the AT. We would be following our plan of exploring the Southeast and working our way north.   Our plan would be to live in our motor home at campground located near my hiking sections. I would hike three or four days a week, returning to the RV for rest and resupply. My wife was my Support Team in doing all my shuttling to road access points along the AT. She would drop me off and then pick me up at pre-designated times and road locations. This plan ended up working great.   My plan was to take my time and enjoy the hike. I have the greatest amount of respect for the challenge that Thru-Hikers endure and for their accomplishments. However, at my age, I was more interested in the journey, rather than the daily miles. Thus I set off with the idea of recording my Appalachian Trail journey in pictures and journals.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: few clouds

Exploration Hike 06-00 (Springer Mountain, GA, Day Hike)Monday, 15 May 2006. Today we would be doing a "Day Hike" up to Springer Mountain Shelter. Judy and I drove up Forest Road 42 to within a mile of the Southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (AT). We parked and hiked south for about a mile to the summit on Springer Mountain. At Springer Mountain summit, there were two Appalachian Trail plaques showing a hiker on the trail. There we took in a beautiful view of the mountains and took pictures. We then hiked to the Shelter and there we met several other hikers, one had a dog complete with a small backpack. We returned to our car for a nice drive back to our motor home in Hiawassee, Georgia. This is where our RV will be parked at a nice campground on a lake for the next 30 days while I section hike in Georgia.