morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5/13/04Start: Apple House ShelterEnd: Moreland Gap ShelterDistance: 18.0 milesToday I did my first day over twenty miles. I know, it says 18 miles up there. But four of my miles were unintentional.We left the shelter early, around 7 AM knowing we had a long hard hike to do 18 miles. We planned some breaks at some nice spots along the trail. One of those breaks was at Jones Falls some rather spectacular water falls deep in the woods about 1/10 of a mile off the AT on a blue blazed trail. I was a bit groggy today. I decided to get some water at the last minute as everyone else left the falls to continue along the trail. After filling my water bottles I shouldered my pack and started on my way enjoying the sunshine and the trees along the trail. After about one hour I spotted a pair of blue cotton shorts beside a brook. Now they looked just like the pair I saw earlier in the day. I thought that is funny, two pairs of shorts each beside a babbling brook. Egad, I'm going the wrong way. I had walked two miles in the wrong direction. I had to turn around and walk for an hour just to get back to were I left the water fall. Then I had to pick up my pace to catch up with Pokey, Julie and Bill. Soon I was hot and very tired. I stopped at a stream for a short break and to soak my feet. Eventually, I heard Julie calling my name. She and Bill were worried when I did not show up at our designated lunch spot after they had been there for 2 hours. They are so thoughtful. They were on a rescue mission. Fortunately I was ok, just a little tired with very sore feet. We still had 9 miles to hike and it was already 2:30 PM. Julie and Bill headed out. Pokey waited while I had a quick lunch and soaked my feet again. We all bitched about how long it took to do those 9 miles especially since so much of the trail was up hill. The last 1.5 miles seemed impossible because it felt like it was straight up and it looked like we would be dealing with a t-storm at any minute. We finally arrived in camp about 7:40 PM. We had barely enough time to cook dinner and set up our stuff before it was too dark to see without headlamps. We did see several deer and a couple of large black snakes along the trail. But I am very sore and tired.Santa is again sharing the shelter with me and Pokey. Bill and Julie prefer to set up their tent. Santa believes he is on a mission from God. He arrived at Amicalola Falls with a backpack that he discarded and started his hike with all his possessions in a plastic trash bag. He looked like Santa so that's how he got his name. He depends on hike boxes and the generosity of others to make it through each day. He claims he is trusting in the Lord to help succeed in his thru hike.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-14
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 6.1

Today I get to see Sue after 6 weeks apart. I woke up at 4:45 AM. Too early to hike or wake the others in camp. I went back to sleep or at least tried. About 6:15 I couldn't stand it anymore so I began to reorganize my backpack. Slowly the rest of the crew began to rise. By 7:00 AM I was hiking up hill again. Still tired from my big miles yesterday I needed to take a few breaks along the way. After about 3 hours I came to the nicest view of the day from a rock ledge. Bill and Julie showed up and joined me for a break. Then Pokey arrived. Pokey guessed we had another 2 miles. I figured 1 mile. It took us about 35-40 minutes to reach Dennis Cove. I guess that means we were about 1.5 miles from the road.We met Bob Peoples at Kincora where we all took showers and made arrangements with Bob to get a ride to Damascus. Poor Sue had been waiting for me since 11:00 AM. We didn't arrive until 2:00 PM. We brought Pokey to the Lazy Fox Bed and Breakfast where he joined several other hikers who were setting up tents on the lawn. Sue will drive us back to Kincora on Monday. Now Sue and I need a little private time. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-15
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Trail Days is overwhelming. We left our hotel in Abingdon to find the post office getting there at 8:30 AM before it opened by 1/2 hour. So we found a Laundromat instead and washed my stinky hiking clothes. There was an elderly gentleman doing his laundry who talked with us all the while we were there. He told us all kinds of stories including one about an itinerant salesman know as the goat man who traveled with a herd of goats selling who knows what.We headed to Damascus dropping off my food drops for the next three sections and we left a food drop in the Mt Rogers Outfitters since would not cost for postage that way. Spent some money on socks and a small water bottle then off to the drug store which was not open during Trail Days!!!!! I don't see how that makes any sense. We went to the park to check out the booths looking for the Leki Hiking poles booth. About every 5 steps I ran into someone I knew. I was very hot in the sunshine which took it¢s toll on Sue. She decided to sit it out in the shade and ended up having a long conversation with Thomas Hennessey's brother about the hammock business and Tom's success. At the fire house we enjoyed the chicken barbecue in the company of Tim Miller, the hiker who gave me my trail name. Apparently he had been hunting all over for me to offer some trail magic but I was too far from Damascus to make that practical. He helped a few other hikers out including Radio Flyer.Then we walked all the way to the camping area to visit the Leki booth. The sun really got to Sue. We wanted to use the free shuttle service but not one bus came by while we walked. We walked back from the camping area to watch the parade. We stopped a the Side Bar Cafe to use the bath rooms which were flooded with 2 inches of water. By this time Sue was cooked. So we drove back to the camping area to pick up my hiking poles which had been repaired for free with new tips and locking devices worth a total of $32.00. Good deal. We went back to the hotel where Sue let me know how trying the day had been on her. I felt really bad.   I can be so stupid sometimes. We really needed more private time. I promised to make it up to her. We had dinner at Wendy's because they have a really nice salad then took in a nice movie.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Dennis Cove

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

After the three days excitement of Trail Days in Damascus we made it back to the trail with only minor difficulty. Sue and I picked up Pokey at the post office in Damascus then I stopped in to the Mt Rogers Outfitters to ask directions on how to get back to Kincora (Dennis Cove). We headed south on Rt. 133 not knowing it was a mountainous road through a national forest. Eventually we came to Elisabethton TN and connected with Rt. 321. Problems began here when we headed the wrong way-easy to do because both turns onto 321 indicated it was going south. We just needed the other south. We eventually found our way to the trailhead about 11 AM - a late start for hiking almost 11 miles. It was a tough goodbye for me. I wanted to jump in the car and head for NH with Sue because I miss her so much. We hiked through some beautiful woods and into a rock faced gorge through which passed the Laurel Creek. A huge water fall attracted the attention of some day hikers. I took some pictures then carefully hiked along the very narrow trail that was sided by the river on one side and a rock face on the other side. The footing was tricky especially when the rocks were wet. I stopped at Laurel Fork Shelter for a lunch break and to wait for Pokey. I took off my shirt and hung it on a tree to dry, but had to retrieve it when the rain began. Pokey showed up and we decided to wait out the t-storm. A little time passed when Burny arrived. I found out tonight she got her trail name because she had so much trouble with her stove the first few days on the trail. I thought she looked a bit down. Her partner, Libby, better know as Rat Pack is off the trail because of stress fractures in her feet. Burny hikes slowly so does not get to spend much time with other hikers who speed past her! I decided to slow down and hike with her today - and maybe longer. She is a sweet girl. We waited almost 2 hours for the storm to subside then headed over the dreaded Pond Mountain. It did not turn out to be that bad. We made it to Watauga Lake by 6:30 and we were cooking dinner before 9 PMLife Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 13.7

Another rainy day. We hiked all day on Iron Mountain which is a long ridge running parallel to Watauga Lake. It was mostly a slow up hill hike today. We crossed Watauga Dam which is smaller and no where near as pretty as Fontana Dam. We took a 2 hour break at Vanderventer Shelter which has a great view of the lake and surrounding area.Fugative and Eric saw two bears just before the shelter. I saw a huge bear poop in the middle of the trail. Burny is hiking with us and doing great. Santa is putting in big miles heading another 16 miles tonight. Roadrunner just showed up at the shelter, its 9 PM. Rainbow is here. She camped with us last night too. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Iron Mt. Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

Fog so thick I couldn¢t find my way back from the privy. Actually there are no privies in Tennessee. There are shovels at most shelters for us to bury our own excrement. Not a fun task but I'm getting petty good at it. The first few times I defecated in the woods I used a tree to wedge my backside against. I guess I must be getting stronger because now I can just squat and stand in that position for as long as it takes.Well, the fog lasted all morning. Pokey, Burnie and I hiked to Double Spring Shelter by noon. That is 8 miles in less than 3 hours. We decided we could use a longer lunch break and a nap before tackling the next 8 miles. We were lucky to be at a shelter when a line of thunder showers came through. It rained heavily along with thunder and lightning for 3 hours. We took off when the rain stopped. Did finally reach the shelter about 7:15 PM. That would be a 10 hour work day. Phew. After setting up my hammock, because the shelter is full, we prepared and ate dinner. It is after 10 PM an hour after hiker midnight. Time for me to get some sleep.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The vortex got us again. Burnie woke this morning with a slightly swollen knee and sore feet. She met a number of hikers who have had to leave the trail because of injury including her hiking partner, Libby, aka Ratpack. She is frightened that her problems will take her off the trail. I think it is finally getting to her that Libby is no longer hiking with her. She tries to act tough but she broke down today at the library when I prodded her a bit. We have all been trying to convince her that a little swelling does not mean doom and gloom. She is a sweet girl and I hate to see her suffer. Ultimately Pokey and I decided to take a zero today with her.We went to subway for lunch and to talk. Then back to The Place where we sat outside on the grass and talked with other hikers including a church group from NC. We went to the Mill Side restaurant for dinner with Heesu, a hiker we have been leap frogging with since April. I ordered a rack of ribs. The others were impressed that I could eat the ribs with a fork and knife. Well, Heesu decided I didn't eat all of the meat off of the ribs so he took the ribs and ate the stuff I missed.We got back to the place around 10 PM. Burnie¢s knee stiffened up at dinner. She was getting upset again. It was really nice outside so she suggested we pack up and hike in the dark. Might as well see if the knee works now instead of tomorrow. Pokey was up for it. I eventually talked them out of it and we set up my tarp in the back yard of The Place and camped outside like a bunch of kids. It was fun but the local dogs barked often a loudly so sleep was elusive. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Damascus

To: Pond/Campsite
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

We managed to break the strangle hold of the town vortex and headed out before 8:30 AM. A local boy scout troop was serving food all day long to hikers at the hostel across the street from Mt Rogers Outfitters. So we had a little breakfast there before heading out.We left The Place following the Creeper trail then crossed rt. 91 when the AT headed into the mountains. Burnie was walking very slowly today so we took our time and stopped often so she could catch up with us. At one point Pokey had to do his business in the woods. I walked on to find a place to change my socks again. Burnie was so intent on walking that she went right by me without seeing me. I called out to her so she turned. She decided to keep walking to get a little head start. The AT parallels the Creeper Trail crowded with bicyclers. We would try to get their attention by whistling and waving.We stopped at the Saunders Shelter for a lunch break and stayed 2 hours. Pokey discovered he left his socks back where he pooped in the woods. He had his socks tucked under his shorts to protect his hips from his backpack. While we ate at the shelter a hiker came to the shelter looking for a water spicket. He didn't understand that we had to filter or purify water. He didn't have a backpack and was not carrying any kind of container for water. I think he expected a water fountain.About 5 PM we headed on to our final destination another 2.3 miles down the trail. We got to the pond around 6:30 PM and began setting up camp. I helped Pokey set up his hammock for the first time while Burnie set up her tent. All of a sudden Burnie let out an "Oh Shit". She had left her sleeping pad back at the shelter. Armed with her headlamp, whistle and hiking poles she headed back down the trail to find her gear.Pokey and I cooked dinner and worried about Burnie. We came up with all kinds of reasons for what we should have done before leaving the shelter and how we should have waited until morning to retrieve her sleeping pad. We tried to come up with emergency plans if she didn't return at a reasonable time.Burnie got back to camp about 9:30 PM. She was actually very happy and positive about her experience. She is very surprised by the noise the bull frogs are making around the pond. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Pond/Campsite

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

We started the day with a thunderstorm. Pokey jumped back into his hammock to read while Burnie and I huddled under the tarp and ate our breakfasts while it rained. It was stormy all day with threatening thunder and lightening. We stopped at Lost Mountain Shelter for an early lunch and stayed over an hour.Burnie¢s feet were hurting and her knees were giving her a little grief. She was walking about 1.5 miles per hour while Pokey was moving at 2.5 miles per hour. Pokey took many breaks to allow us to catch up since I tried to stay behind Burnie all day today.We reached Buzzard Rocks around 4 PM where Pokey had been waiting for 30 minutes. He guestimated we had another 7 miles to the shelter. I suggested that we hike until 6 then find a place to camp for the night and get an early start in the morning. Pokey headed out first.Burnie and I started over White Cap Mountain and hiked our slower pace until 6:30 when we reached Elk Park intersection with high way 600. There was a register entry from Pokey signed in at 6:12 PM.   Turtle Dom was there with a message from Pokey that he decided to hike on to the shelter and we could do what we wanted. Burnie and I decided to hike on to the shelter even if we had to hike in the dark.We took a 1/2 hour break leaving the road at 7:00 PM. We had to open a gate a walk up hill through a field filled with cows. Burnie ws pretty comfortable with her second encounter with cows. She picked up her pace to about 2 miles per hour. She can be a real trooper when she wants. It got dark by 9:15 but we plugged on without our headlamps making it to the shelter by 9:30PM. Burnie is incredible. We had a hot dinner and got into our bag for the night. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Grayson Highlands is awesome. I want to visit it again. We left the shelter late (after 9 AM). Heading north in the balds. About 100 yards up the trail was a stile over a barbed wire fence. On the other side of the fence was a herd of ponies. Two hikers were already on the other side on the opposite sides of the ponies. The ponies scattered just as Burnie crossed the stile.We hiked on with Pokey in the lead. Over rocks, around mountain laurel we walked in a heavy wind. We climbed several rocks for views - mostly fog until 11 AM.We made it to the stile for Grayson Highlands where we spotted a large herd of ponies. Pokey suggested we drop our packs before crossing the stile. We were to give him the cameras and see if we could get close to the ponies. Burnie and I sat on a rock very still. After a while one pony approached us. Burnie gave it some of my gorp. I gave it some more gorp. Soon we were surrounded by ponies looking for handouts. We stayed there for almost 2 hours playing with the ponies and taking pictures. At one point a pony started licking Burnie¢s arms and legs. He tried to nuzzle under her hiking skirt when she stopped him.We hiked on to Wise Shelter where we met a group from a private boy¢s high school designed as a wilderness school. They were on a two week school trip. The boys sleep outside in tents all year round.At one point today I tripped on a root and fell on my knees and elbows. I cut both knees and banged up my knee cap which is sore and stiff right now. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Trail Magic Day today. Dave, who's assisting Allegheny after his injury, met us at Dickey Gap with his car filled with soda, brownies, gatorade, and more. We each had a coke and brownie which we downed like it was going out of style. Then he offered to bring us to Troutdale to resupply. We stopped at the post office where Burnie got a mail drop then we headed to the Trading Post so Pokey could buy some groceries. I bought an ice cream and wolfed it down on the spot. Then Dave brought us back to the trail where he offered us gatorade and water to fill our bottles. He spent over 2 hours with us and told us a bunch of stories from his 1990 thru hike with Warren Doyle.It didn't rain at all today and the 14 miles was relatively easy. My knee only hurts when I try to kneel on it. Walking is not a problem. We made it to the shelter by 6:30 PM where we were joined by another Dave, RainBow, and Doctor Space Monkey 5000.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up to a thunder storm at 5:00 AM. Rainbow didn't want to pack a wet tent so she hauled all her stuff including the tent into the shelter during the downpour. It took her two trips and was a futile effort since everything was instantly soaked. Last night was torture. The temperature was in the seventies so our sleeping bags were way too warm. I'm still using my zero degree bag. So I tried to sleep on top of the bag. First I was attacked by mosquitos then a small black knat-like bug took over when the mosquitos had finished their meals. I tried going back into the sleeping bag but it was just too hot. I tried listening to the radio to ignore the bugs. That only worked marginally.We left the den of insects around 9 AM in a dense fog and distant rumbles. It threatened rain all day with lots of thunder and lightning. Pokey took off pretty fast and was soon out of sight. I walked with Burnie all morning but got ahead of her when she stopped for a potty break and then did lunch. I saw her later when she caught up to me changing my socks and getting on my rain gear for the next onslaught. She claimed she was not feeling well. She asked me to hike on ahead so we both didn't get drenched in the t-storm. I made it to Partnership Shelter where I learned Pokey had ordered us two large pizzas. Burnie made it here shortly after me about 2:00 PM. It started storming pretty hard. The pizza was great. Not only could we order pizza from this log cabin style luxury shelter there was hot water for showers and a privy with toilet paper.Burnie felt better. Timex and Rainbow have already set up their spaces in the huge loft of the shelter. Welch Nomad has her hammock set up and has been here two days with Peek-A-Boo. I've been so hoping to meet her. She just received word that a good friend of hers has passed away and she is a bit bummed. She will only be hiking another day or two because her feet are still bothering her.Julie and Bill left us a note that they decided to attend a Garrison Keeler show in Maryland this weekend then get back on the trail at Harpers Ferry. Pokey is very upset. He has hiked with them a long time. They have been concerned since the beginning of getting snow bound in Maine at the end of their hike. They plan to come back to Virginia after Maine and finish up.   Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Today was awesome. No t-storms. No rain, no fog. Just sunshine and easy walking. We stopped several times to look at views, snack, or change socks. Then we visited The Settlers Museum, a farm established just before the revolutionary war by German immigrants. It was very interesting and a great change from walking all day long. I hope we have more opportunities like this.It has been cool to spend the day with Peek A Boo. I wish she could get back on the trail. She is a strong hiker but her feet crap out on her after 6 or 7 miles. She did the full 11.6 miles with us today but it was over easy terrain.Tomorrow, Burnie will have a visit from her parents. She will be off the trail for a couple of days. We are trying to figure out a pace that would allow her to catch up with us without our having to lose more days from our schedule.We are at the Relax Inn. A young couple bought the motel just 6 weeks ago. They were not told about the hikers until the day of the closing. They seem to be dealing with it pretty well. The motel is full but no cars are in the parking lot because it is occupied with hikers. The owners provide shuttles to town, computer access and fuel for hiker camps stoves. They also accept mail drops.We stopped at Dairy Queen for Blizzards then some dinner. I'm working on doing laundry while Heesu and Pokey, my room mates go into town for resupply. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman