morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Campsite past 'Beauty Spot'

To: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

When I looked at the guide this morning and saw Unaka Mountain was how I was going to begin the day I almost went back to bed. It is a long steep climb of 1.5 miles. You would think I would be getting used to this by now, maybe one of these days I will get those famous 'trail legs', unfortunately not yet.At Iron Mountain Gap there was trail magic, I had a choice between PBR, Coke or Strawberry soda. I so wanted the PBR but knew it would destroy me. I had a coke followed by strawberry soda. Met thru hiker 'Footloose' here. Started raining just after leaving the gap, hiked on the next 4.2 miles in the rain and decided to take the side trail the .6 miles to the hostel. Dreams of a private room danching in my head. Nope, it was so full that they had 'floor' space only. I was the 20 something person to arrive. A young man named 'Johnny Walker' already had a bunk but opted for the floor and gave me the bunk. Yay!!!Connie the hostess was a very nice person. Many of us watched the movie Patriot, ten retired for the evening. Here I met 'Zen Master', and wife, Cleveland, Stumbles and a few others. Karma was also in this hostel.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

To: Roan High Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Short mileage day but all about up and down, 4034 to 4918, then 4928 to 4040, then 4040 to 6212. The climb up the Little Rock Knob and then up Roan High Mountain did me in. RHM us the highest shelter on the entire AT 6194'. This is a two story shelter with 4 walls (not 3) and a DOOR. There were 6 of us downstairs (I should say downladder) and 6-8 up. Those I knew or met at shelter were Catnip and PS, Ole Boy, Zen Master. It was a cold night even with a 20 degree bag and a 15 degree liner. Catnip built a fire in the fire ring and most were asleep by just after 8.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Roan High Mountain Shelter

To: Doll Flats Campsite NC/Tn border
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

Long descent down from Roan to Carvers Gap where the paved road had yet another "Welcome to North Carolina" sign. This day also had much climbing to do. Passed over Round Bald then down, then up over Jane Bald, then down to Yellow Mountain gap. This gap is where the famed Overmountain Shelter is and since it was .3 off trail I passed it by. The climb out of the gap was straight up and I got some good pictures of the old barn which is the shelter, then up Little Hump and down, then up Hump and down. These are grassy mountains that you can see the hikers like ants going up to the top. Slowly. On the top I met a southbounder (a thru hiker coming from Maine headed to Ga.) who had started in June of last year and had to come off trail for some interviews, I believe he had said he was an attorney with the trail name of 'the principal'.Going off the bald and back into the trees I experienced some of the worst rock trail yet. In the flats there is a carved sign letting you know you are leaving NC, I assumed for the last time. At the campsite I up the tent as it began to rain. Old Boy and Hog Greer came in as I was finishing. I had cell service and called Nancy before joining them at the campfire they had built. As soon as I went to bed it started raining again.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Doll Flats Campsite NC/Tn border

To: Vango hostel
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed up slightly wet tent and started hiking at about 8:45 am. First 2.5 miles was mostly downhill to US 19E. Called Mountain harbor hostel from here before 10:30, they were already full so I pushed on. On the map it looked like an easy day. Many small ups and downs. Made it to the Vango hostel around 6 pm, got a frozen pizza, two cokes and a pint of B & J's Cherry Garcia.Crossed 400 miles today (created a trail sign..see photo). Also had my longest day yet, just under 16.
Date: 2013-04-29
From: Vango hostel

To: Black Bear Hostel
Miles today: 11.7

Left the hostel and had mostly an uneventful day. At the Moreland Gap shelter Ace (a young lady veteranarian I had met at Vango), was there ahead of me. Catnip and PS came in and he called and reserved a cabin at the Black Bear hostel. The cabins have 4 bunks and he invited us to share. My mail drop was at Kincora hostel which was .2 miles west of trail and Black Bear was .5 east. I went to Kincora to get my maildrop but no one was there. I waited on the steps for 20 minutes. As I gave up and started down the steps Bob Peoples pulled up the long driveway. Two hikers were walking up behind his car. I told Bob my earlier reservations that were unplanned and apologized, the other 2 asked for their maildrops too and that they were going on. Bob said he took them for people who would be staying there. I told I fully intended to pay the $5 donation, the other 2 just shrugged. I gave him the money as soon as he came back out with the packages. They just took their boxes and started going through them. He saw me struggling to affix it to my pack for the walk down the road. He offered to drive me down the road the .7 to Black Bear. I thanked him profusely. He drove by the other two without even looking at them. We had a nice chat about his trail maintenance and a section I had walked that day.The Black Bear was new and the cleanest with the most complete facilities yet for a hostel. I had milk chocolate, a Corona and a Heinekin, then I had a Heinekin and a Corona. Watched a video 'Signs' in the movie room with 3 other hikers until about 10:30, then off to bed.
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Black Bear Hostel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Gorgeous walk along the river for the first mile or so. Went down many many steep steps to Laurel Falls, and it was here that I lost my record of not falling for the entire hike. At 417.7 I busted my butt on a wet slick rock. This section of the trail was so maintained it was almost like a park. Then came the climb up Pond Mountain, 2 1/2 miles up. That took me 2 hours (as many of you know I have a slow uphill gear). Then down to Watauga Lake and around the lake via detour due to flooding of the lake part of the trail was underwater. Got to the shelter just before 5 PM, I was the only one here. Twenty minutes later the shelter is full with 6 and a tent is pitched for 2 others.Catnip learned from shelter journal about burger delivery to the road so he called and placed and order for five of us and as I write this, he and PS are backtracking the 1.7 miles to meet the guy delivering the food. It must be nice to be so young and full of energy. Have a 14 mile day planned for tomorrow....till then.
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Got up before 7:15 and made instant grits and coffee. 3 of the 8 people were already on the trail. Started by walking the 1.4 around the shore of the lake until it reached the dam. I crossed the dam and up a road and at the top the hill then into the woods and the always steep up. Although this day did not have a Pond Mtn. like yesterday, it was almost constant up from the dam to the first shelter where I stopped for lunch. This was about 4 miles into the day. The elevation change was from 1950 to 4118 for the day, much of which gained and lost repeatedly with the roller coaster effect. The view from the ridge walking looking over 2000' down on this lake that is shored with mountains and many inlets for miles was awesome. Walked 14 miles today and the lake will still be in front of me tomorrow.It took me till after 6 to get to Iron Mountain Shelter. About 4 miles before on a long uphill I look up ahead and about 50 yards in front I see a guy sitting on the trail with his head in his hands. I say hello loudly so I won't startle him as I approach. He doesn't respond. When I am adjacent and passing I said 'Hi', he mumbled hello and put his head back down. At this point we are 10-12 miles from any roads. It is obvious this guy is 'different', first he is carrying a large black duffle bag with a single strap (no backpack), a small plastic bucket with a few empty gatorade bottles sitting in the bucket and a Moses length wooden staff. When I got to the camp site that was about 3 1/2 miles before my shelter destination 2 fellow thru hikers I had met at Black Bear hostel Snoball a 65 year old male and his wife Escargot had already pitched their tent here. I headed down to the water source and filled up and about to leave when Snoball came up and asked me if I had passed that fellow. Before I could respond I looked up the trail and saw this guy coming down to us. He asked if we knew where the nearest water source was. He was practically leaning on the tree with the blue blazes (indicating water)on it. I said sure and showed him where it was. Snoball was creeped out and worried about staying there.When I arrived at Iron Mountain Shelter there were 5 tents pitched around it but still one spot left in the shelter. There was a great fire going and I had a cell signal and called Nancy for a chat. Off to sleeping bag at hiker midnight---8PM.
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Longest day so far. The idea today was to cover enough miles so that tomorrows hike into Demascus would be early enough to enjoy some town time and real food. I still don't have the insatiable hiker appetite but do crave real food. A couple of miles into hike I came upon a monument and grave of Nick Grindstaff 1851-1925, hope to edit in the photo journal soon, when I do zoom in on the stone.Just before the AT came to a road there was trail magic from a local church in the form of soda's and cookies in an iron cage in the woods. 20oz Pepsi was delicious. Prior to this hike all my sodas were diet. I have not had a diet soda in 2 months.The trail crossed a county road and entered private land, pasture grass, rolling gentle slopes with pea gravel path that is handicap accessible for the first half mile. Just after that ended the footpath continued through the pasture. As I came to stile to step over a farmer was trying to get some wayward cows back into the fenced area. All but one cooperated with him. He ran himself ragged and got pissed off and cussing the cow. One of his fellows came up with a pick up truck and bumped the cows butt, the cow headed right for me and further escape route, so I yelled at it and charged it banging my sticks together in front of me and it turned into the fence. My good deed for the day. After leaving the field and re-entering the woods I stopped at Double Springs shelter for lunch. It was here I met thru hiker Kopapelli, named for the flute playing SW indian. He played the flute and hikes with his dog DD. Kopapelli is in his early 60's (just a kid).When I arrived at my destination shelter of Abington Gap it was just after 6 pm. Blacksquatch, Kopapelli, Abraham, Tex (from CT) and another young hiker were there. Only BS and Kopi stayed the younger guys pushed on. Had a very interesting chat with both Kopapelli and Blacksquatch. Blacksquatch is a 50 year old born in Jamaica, but here since he was 7. Originally lived in Jersey but went to Florida in the early 80's on a track scholarship. He and I chatted philosophically around the camp fire for a couple of hours and off to bed. Oh yeah, when I first got to the shelter and asked where the water source was the young guys said it was .3 down behind the shelter and was the steepest climb of the day. My response "I'll eat dry". Five minutes later Blacksquatch walked by with and empty water bottle in his hand. I offered him a beer in town if he would fill my collapsible bucket. He took me up on it. Fanstastic!!!
Date: 2013-05-03
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Kopapelli was the first one up and out. He and I shared the shelter the night before. Blacksquatch was in his tent. I left after breakfast at approximately 8:30 am. It was a very easy walk today with only a few climbs. Six and half miles in I reached the Virginia border. While I was still there BS caught up with me. We both took the obligatory celebratory photos of finishing our third state. We are now entering the longest section of the trail. Got into Damascus a little after 1 pm. I checked into the Victorian Inn B&B. Took a long hot shower and began my town chores. Clothes to laundry mat while wearing my rain pants and shirt. Everything else went into the washer. Next a trip to the outfitter looking for size 15 shoes, not happening. I really wanted a steak so I asked Linda at the B&B and she suggested "The Old Mill". Got there and the daily special was prime rib--Yes!! Ordered a long island iced tea. No liquor but they did have beer and wine. I had both. Beer with meal and wine with my carrot cake. Left there and went to the local beer & pizza place where many of the hikers were. I joined BS and a bunch of people I had not met. Bought BS his well deserved beer and had a couple more myself. At the table were BS, me, Why Not, Tags, B-Line, Newton, Jet Lag, Dip & Sip, and S-Rocket (that's snot rocket for the non squeamish).Came back to my room at this very beautiful 1903 Victorian home. Talked with family and watched an hour of tv., off to sleep.
Date: 2013-05-04
From: Damascus, Va.

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in Damascus. Fantastic breakfast at the B@B. Catnip and PS were here last night but they headed on today. Went to the library and caught up on a couple weeks of the journal. They only allowed 2 hours time on computers and I used every minute. At this point I must make some apologies. I reviewed my entries and noticed and underlying theme, me complaining about the ups. Sorry about that folks. I'll try and quit the belly aching. Most of the previous entries have been dictated over the phone to Nancy and she has entered them. Thank you dear wife for that!!I did my resupply shopping to head out tomorrow and am about to head to supper. Tomorrow will be a walk in the rain, unless it is extreme I am headed out. Till then.
Date: 2013-05-05
From: Damascus, Va.

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Day started off with another great breakfast of scrambled eggs, breakfast porkchops, biscuits, O.J., coffee, fresh sliced fruit. Left the B&B at 9:45 and headed out. Goal today is a little over 15. If the rain is bad there is a shelter near 9 miles. Left town for the first .4 on the Virginia Creeper trail, a converted early 1900's railbed to a walking and bike path. Great easy walk by the river. The A.T. left the Creeper and ascended wooded steps up into the forest. Although the first half of the day was very cloudy was a great walk and my camera was busy on flower taking mode plus a couple of videos of me describing the trail and hikers I had met.Had a long climb off the river with many switchbacks. Weather worsened and on the first switchback that came around to the other side of the mountain the high wind and rain hit. This was just before the first shelter (Saunders)but since it was just after 2 I figured I could do the 6+ miles and still be in before 6 at Lost Mountain. I was very hungry by now so I sheltered under a low pine and ate. This is where I got the chill that took hard walking to attempt to shake. With the high wind-weather channel had predicted as much as 50mph in the mountains. I believe it was at least over 30 mph it was hard to generate body heat for any length of time. Finally made it to the shelter at 6. There were Sky Pilot a retired USAF pilot, Homebrew a 27 year old male and two others there already. Homebrew had come in the day before and zeroed there. I got out of my wet clothes, shoes and socks. Crooked a Mtn House supper,(dehydrated meal in a bag, just add boiling water), and into the warm sleeping bag. Heavy rain on the tin roof. This is a really nice and dry shelter. Off to sleep.
Date: 2013-05-06
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

RAined hard on the tin roof all night and well into the day. The two young guys headed out between 10 and 11 separately. We three over 40 and beyond (that would be me) are zeroing because it's wet raining cold and over 12 miles to the next shelter.Tomorrow is a go no matter what, otherwise I'll run out of food before reaching a resupply point. Out for now.
Date: 2013-05-07
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter to a partly sunny morning. Up from 3160 to 5235 got a good warm up that morning. Had a diverse variety of walking from mountain side to farm pastures through the stiles to ridge walking. Climbed up Mt. Rogers to the Thomas Knob shelter. Last 3 1/2 hours in a strong downpour. Saw a few of the wild ponies on the bald just below the summit of Mt. Rogers. When I reached Buzzard Rock earlier there was a section hiker taking a break. Within 15 minutes 5 other hikers showed up. For the first 10 minutes visibility was about 20 yards, then a wind blew a hole in the cover and you could see way down into the valley in an 180 degree arc. I got some great pictures.At the shelter it had been raining for hours and the shelter had filled up. This is a 2 level shelter that holds 16. I squeezed in out of the rail. These are normally "snore stations" this one was no different. There were roughly a dozen tents also pitched. Largest in the field group yet on the entire hike. Hikers from coast to coast and Great Britian, Australia, Germany and even New Zealand.Ate my first ramp here, a green onion/garlic like mountain plant, sweet and tasty. Some hikers a few days earlier had eaten some 'look alikes' and gotten sick.Slept good listening to the rain.
Date: 2013-05-08
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Left in a wet fog. This soon turned to serious rain for the balance of the day. Went through the famed Grayson Highlands. No views, no ponies just continuous rain. Highlight of the day was Wise Shelter the 500.0 mark of the hike so far.Fat Man's squeeze was also today. I squeezed through. The descent from Pine Mtn 5000' to 4084' at Old Orchard Shelter was in a trail that had turned into creek/stream. There is possibility on the A.T. of accidentally taking a side trail for a short way without realizing you are off trail. I actually took a side stream for about 5 yards before I realized I was in the wrong creek.When I got to Old Orchard Shelter only one hiker was already at the shelter. A couple of tents were up in the grassy spots. Ended up with me, Blood Orange, City Slicker, Blacksquatch and 2 new thru's from New Hampshire without trail names.Cooked, ate, slept.
Date: 2013-05-09
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Troutdale, Va.
Miles today: 10.2

Started hiking with no rain, Yay!!!From O O Shelter to Troutdale I knew that todays miles were not that long so waited a little later in the morning to the skys to clear, and they did. Great day for hiking. Crossed some beautiful streams that were very swollen from the last few days of rain. It was a relatively easy day.Got to Dickey Gap where the AT is next to Va. 16 which goes to Sugar Grove to left and to Troutdale to the right. I was perilously low on food so I opted to come off trail here and go to the "donation" hostel at the First Baptist Church in Troutdale. I had heard earlier that day that they had minimal resupply. I leaned my pack at the guardrail and started hitch hiking hoping to avoid the 2.6 miles of highway walking. Ten minutes later one of my shelter mates from the night before came up, he crossed the road and attempted to hitch to Sugar Grove. He was making a beer run. We both bombed out so started walking our separate directions.At the hostel there were two rooms each with 4 bunks. The only people there were two bikers pedaling from Yorktown Va. to Astoria Or. on the Transamerica Bike route. Within 2 hours all 8 bunks were full. Earlier the preachers wife had come by in her car and said you must be Fifteen. I asked how she knew and she said she had picked up 2 hitchhikers that had told her I would be here.My new biker friends enlisted her to take me back to the trail in the morning as she went to work. Thanks guys and good luck on your ride.That night the guy sleeping above me was snoring like a buzz saw- very little sleep. Woke up once during the night with night sweats, myself and upper part of the bag were drenched. This is the third time in a couple of weeks. Hope it passes. Till tomorrow.
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Troutdale, Va.

To: Partnership Shelter, Marion Va.
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day started off sunny with a 7:30 ride to the trailhead. Thank you Mary. She even had a breakfast burrito homemade for me and the other hiker passenger Jay. She is a true trail angel. Jay, a young S. Korean hiker was riding all the way into Marion to see a doctor about ankle problems and shin splints. Good luck Jay.Climbed out of the gap to begin my hike to Partnership shelter near Marion Va. When I reached a high ridge I tried to call my wife and actually got through. It was early afternoon. Shortly after the ominous black cloud off to my right all day decided to move over my head and do its flash flood act. I was wet by the time I got my rain jacket on. Since I am hiking in shorts I skipped the rain pants. Not long after the trail became a stream again. I got to the shelter at a little after 5 and said hi everybody and hiked on the .1 to the Visitor Center. I was going to call a cab for Marion and a warm night in a hotel room. No cell service. An employee--the area biologist was leaving the center and offered me a ride into town. More trail magic. He even stopped at the store for me without even being asked. There are some great people out here. Got to the hotel and took a hot reviving shower. Ordered pizza and wings delivered. Had my Sam Adams and pizza. Talked with family and off to bed.
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Partnership Shelter, Marion Va.

To: Marion Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Resupplied food for next section at Walmart. Went to nearby shoe store, no luck. Got a hair cut, very short. Bought 3 Sonic hot dogs, fries, and a milkshake. Went back to hotel and caught last week of the journal. Had a light rain this morning, just overcast this afternoon. Back on the trail in the morning. Next town in a week is Pearisburg Va. I broke one of my trekking poles a few days back and am now hiking with one. I called REI in Boise and they are shipping me a new set to Pearisburg. My wife will be sending me another pair of hiking trail runners from home to try out. My toes are totally destroyed on the downhill and the pain is starting to get to me and slow me. I had sent my boots home from Hot Springs NC to go with a lighter hiking shoe I bought at the outfitter there. Nothing more important than your feet if you want to keep moving and I do.Will try and update from Pearisburg...till then.
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Marion Va.

To: Marion Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Doing a double zero. Got up this morning with swollen feet, had the night sweats again and morning gray clouds only in a small portion of the sky but enough to convince me to recouperate one more day. Going to take some naps, read a book (Dean Koontz), and get myself re-motivated, fired up for the next section.Happy Mother's day Nancy, you have three great guys thinking of you right now.Back on the trail tomorrow even if I have to crawl. Till then.