morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, Virginia
Miles today: 8.2

We hit the trail before 7:00 am as we all had errands to run in town and we hoped to make the most of the day. We managed to get into town and get checked into the Plaza Motel in Pearisburg, Virginia by 11:00 am. I found a cafe in town that had internet access to check email and such. I got a great email from my friend Jim Reese who suggested, based upon our group's age and propensity for self injury, that we adopt a variation of the Lewis and Clark "Corps of Discovery" moniker. He thought "Corps of Recovery" was more appropriate to our hike and we agreed. We are a loose confederation that is now referred to as the "Corps of Recovery". The Corps is planning on doing a hike tomorrow southbound back into Pearisburg. My new trail angel friends Greg and Betty Holcomb are going to drop us off north of town about 20 miles up the trail and we will hike back to town without most of our heavy gear. I haven't taken any days off since Damascus and my feet are pretty sore but I have some planned time off next week so I hope not to take any zeros until next weekend. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Pearisburg, Virginia

To: VA 635, Stony Creek
Miles today: 21.4

After getting dropped off by our trail angel Betty Holcomb, the Corps of Recovery spent the day hiking the 21+ miles back to Pearisburg. It was a pretty uneventful hike; not many views and rocky. As a result, we hunkered down and clicked off the miles and got back to town in about 8 hours. After getting cleaned up we got a real treat as Greg and Betty shuttled us into Blacksburg for dinner. We had great burgers at Mike's Place and enjoyed walking around town on the warm spring evening. School is in session at Virginia Tech and it was Friday night so it was pretty crowded. It was a little disconcerting at first as we haven't seen large numbers of clean people since Gatlinburg (insert joke here). The forecast is for lots of rain the next couple of days but we need to make some miles so we will have to wrap up and hike on! NOTE FROM TSC--We have loaded the past 3-4 days for Jukebox's Journal as TSC will be on the road for the next few days so go back a few pages and catchup. We will post again in a few days.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: VA 635, Stony Creek

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

Some days you got it, some days you don't. After a pretty big day yesterday, we took a purposeful late start this morning. Greg dropped us off at the trail crossing at about 10:00 am. I really can't thank Greg and Betty enough for their hospitality. They were a big help in Pearisburg! It was a very humid morning and we were dragging a bit from yesterday. We arrived at War Spur Shelter at about 4:00 pm and barely beat the forecasted rain and thunder. The original plan had been to push on but with the next section over the ridgeline, Corps of Recovery decided it best to call it a day and hoped to get an early start tomorrow. We have to hike about 40 miles in the next 2 days to meet the Trail Support Coordinator in Catawba. He has my summer gear and we are going to do a change out. My 15 degree bag has become a sauna and I am excited to lighten the load a bit. I have been picking up lots of useful tips on the trail, things I didn't know before I got out here but have really helped make the hike easier. I hope to have one of these a day in the journal, we'll see how far I get. Tip #1: jet boils are great but they can get very hot. Foods cooked in the pot have a tendency to burn and stick. The same applies to really any cook system (esbit, alcohol etc). Mountain House and Enertia Food have their own bags so boiling water can be poured in. However, many times hikers are carrying either repackaged bulk foods or Lipton sides and the zip locks that these foods are stored in are not thick enough for boiling water. The solution is to rinse out a used Mountain House or Enertia bag and use it as your "cooking" bag. It is easier to rinse out the bag than to clean a pot and the bag can be store in a clean zip lock to discourage varmints. I know, seems like a "duh" solution but it took Half Brew pointing this out to me before I started doing it.JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-04-27
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

When we crossed into Virginia, the ridgelines shifted from running primarily north and south to running primarily east and west. As a result instead of walking mostly along ridgelines during the day, we are into this routine of climbing 1800 feet, then walking 4-5 miles east along a ridgeline then down 1800 feet then 2-3 miles across a valley then up 1800 feet then 4-5 miles west along the ridgeline etc. I can see why some people get the "Virginia blues" because this can get old after a while. This is exactly what we did today, getting into the Niday Shelter just before the rain started again. The Corps of Recovery is sharing the shelter with 2 section hikers tonight. It is warm and wet which is a miserable combo for my 15 degree bag. I am trading out tomorrow and can't wait. Hiking tip #2: Many hikers carry tuna, salmon or chicken in foil packets. The problem is that eating cold out of the packet is unappetizing and adding it to your dinner can cool down the whole dinner. The solution is to use the whole packet as a lid for your stove as your water boils. It helps your water boil faster and heats up your chicken. JUKEBOX      ------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA 785(Blacksburg Road)
Miles today: 18.2

Note from TSC--Three days of journal posted today. Start back at 4/26 to catch up. TSCIt absolutely poured last night and was pouring when we woke up at o'dark thirty. We had to hike a big day to get over the infamous Dragon's Tooth and get to a road crossing to meet my dad(the trail support coordinator). Despite the cold and the rain, the Corps made 14 miles by 1:00 pm and started the descent off the Dragon's Tooth. The tooth is so named because of the huge rock spires that crown the peak. It also made for a pretty tricky, hand over hand rock climbing descent. It took us two hours to go the next two miles down the mountain. By the time we got to VA 785, we were tired, soaked and ready to come off the trail. We met the TSC right on time and motored into Daleville, Virginia and checked into a hotel just off the trail. We will be able to hike back into town from our exit point tomorrow but without a lot of our wet gear. The things of mine that didn't get wet were my sleeping bag, down jacket and clothes bag. This leads me to hiking tip #3. Seriously, if you are going to thru hike or long distance section, be sure to use a pack liner to protect your clothes and any down items. I use super large zip lock bags that I bought at Home Depot. In a heavy rain, your pack will get wet inside and out regardless of whether you are using a pack cover or not. Using a compactor bag or giant zip lock will provide a necessary layer of protection for your most important clothing items and your sleeping bag. Tomorrow we will either take a rest day or go back to hike the 24 miles left into Daleville. We will see how we feel in the morning! JUKEBOX ------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-04-29
From: VA 785(Blacksburg Road)

To: VA 785(Blacksburg Road)
Miles today: 0.0

After a tough day yesterday combined with the fact that we hadn't taken a day off in nearly two weeks, the team elected to take a zero today. With my folks still in town, we took advantage of the transportation and ran errands in the morning. It was a pretty quiet afternoon as we mostly vegged out. We went out for Thai food in Roanoke for dinner last night, a welcome change from the "just add water" diet we have enjoyed for the past 2 months. The plan for tomorrow is to do the 24+ miles from where we were picked up yesterday into Daleville. This stretch includes McAfee Knob which is as close to an iconic spot as you will find on the trail. The weather should be great, cool and clear, perfect for the promised vistas. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: VA 785(Blacksburg Road)

To: U.S. 220(Daleville, Virginia)
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Picture perfect day today and McAfee Knob did not disappoint. Probably just as cool was Tinker Cliffs, a 1/2 mile stretch of trail that runs across open cliff top directly across the valley from McAfee Knob. One small surprise today was the fact that we hiked on a good deal of brand new trail, reroutes and such that had been opened since the publication of our data books. The area was well signed and adding the new miles posted on the signage, I figured that we hiked closer to 26 miles rather than the listed 24 miles. Regardless, it was a long day and I walked into town at 7:00 pm pretty much exhausted. Hiking Tip #4--The prevailing advice when one is planning their hike is to spend as much as you can afford on your sleeping bag and I agree with this. I would also add, however, that taking the time to get a properly fitted pair of boots or runners and the proper pack is something that many hikers fail to do. I can't tell you how many hikers I saw buying new packs or boots 50 miles into their hike because they bought something that looked cool or was "gear of the year" or something rather than the right gear for their body type and hiking style. Many of these same hikers were changing packs or boots in Neels Gap because it was the first time they were getting expert advice. Take the time and find a good outfitter with someone experience in fitting packs and boots. It will save you money and aggravation in the long run. JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in
Date: 2008-05-01
From: U.S. 220(Daleville, Virginia)

To: VA 43/Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 21.6

Today was the last day of hiking for this incarnation of the Corps of Recovery. I will come off the trail for some planned short time away tomorrow and Thorny has nearly completed his flip flop thru hike. After today, he will have about 20 miles left and will finish on Saturday. When Thorny finished his southbound hike last year he buried a bottle of bourbon at the end point. Tomorrow he plans to dig it up and celebrate the completion of his thru hike. We will miss his companionship. Popeye and Lil Mak will continue northward and I am confident I will eventually catch up as they both plan short timeouts coming up. It could take several weeks but we will join up again soon. It was another great hiking day and we made some good miles with great views as we criss-crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time. The weather is considerably warmer and for the first time we are also walking with significant leaf cover which is a welcome change. One interesting thing that happened with the warming temps and longer miles is that have my first blister since the first week of the hike. It is a painful, nasty bugger on the side of my heel that will require some attention. Fortunately, it will have some time to heal up over the next few days. I am spending tomorrow in Buchanan, Virginia where my friends from Univ of Richmond days will pick me up for a timeout at Nags Head. I should be back on the trail here at Bear Wallow Gap sometime toward the end of next week. JUKEBOX------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: VA 43/Bearwallow Gap

To: VA 43/Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 0.0

I split off and left the rest of the Corps of Recovery team in Buchanan, VA this morning. Everyone is heading off for Thorny's completion celebration and I am headed off the trail for a few days for some planned time away. Getting some time to reconnect with Michelle and our friends is welcome but I am sad to leave my trail team. I have hiked with Popeye and Lil Mak for over 500 miles and it is tough to see them move on without me. Hopefully, I will see them later up the trail. My friends Scott and Sandi are driving out from Richmond to give me a lift to the Outer Banks of North Carolina; this is awesome of them and makes my travel arrangements a cinch. My plan is to be back on the trail next Sunday, 5/11. I feel very strong now and I am really looking forward to the remaining 2/3 of the trail. Until next week!
Date: 2008-05-10
From: VA 43/Bearwallow Gap

To: back on the trail
Miles today: 0.0

Leaving the Outer Banks is bittersweet. I have enjoyed tremendously spending some quality time with Michelle and catching up with all my friends, but I have also missed the connections with my hiker friends and hope they are well. I am definitely anxious to get back on the trail and meet the challenges that await. I will be back on the trail, however, 5-7 days behind everyone I have been hiking with for the last two months so I will certainly have the opportunity to meet some new friends. I can't get over how much lighter my pack is now that I have changed out to my summer gear. It certainly will allow me to carry more food, hopefully I can make it to Waynesboro without significant resupply. That is my intent as I head out tomorrow. Because of the drive, it won't be an early day, but I still should be able to get in double digit miles.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: VA 43/Bearwallow Gap

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

After a late night with friends and an early morning dropping my wife off at the airport, my friend Sandi drove me back to the trail from Richmond. Just before we got to Bearwallow Gap, the radio announced storm bulletins for the area. I told Sandi these were in a different area but I knew the storms were about 40 miles to the southwest and likely headed my way. There was no need in worrying her. I hit the trail about 12:30 pm and just made Cove Mountain Shelter at 1:45 pm when the storms hit. They finally started to blow through about 3:30 pm so I packed up and headed to the next shelter. After a 7 day layoff it was a little strange hiking at first, like I couldn't find the rhythm. I finally fell back into my old pace after about 5 miles and got to Bryant Ridge Shelter about 6:30 pm. I thought I was going to be like the new kid at school, not knowing anyone and having to make new friends. However, when I arrived at the shelter, I ran into Lady and the Tramp and Hold Steady. These were hikers I had last seen on Roan Mountain. Also staying in the shelter were 5 section hikers, all women. The shelter is huge (sleeps 20) but this is the most hikers I have seen at a shelter since Partnership Shelter near Mt Rogers. Interestingly enough, there is only one other man here so I am outnumbered for the first time in that category as well. Most of the women are newbies and there was much discussion about "mouse-proofing" one's gear and such. I told them I was going to mouse-proof my bag by spreading peanut butter on their food bags when they went to sleep. I don't think they thought this was as funny as I did. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Five words to describe today; rainy, cold, foggy, windy, miserable. I got a late start from the shelter because of the rain and things quickly went from bad to worse as I climbed Apple Orchard Mountain. It was just a day to put your head down and make some miles. I made the Matts Creek Shelter area by about 6:00 pm and it looked pretty rodent weary. So I decided to risk tenting it. Tip of the day concerns trail names. You make it easier on everyone if you pick a catchy trail name that uses at least some familiar terms. For example, a kid I met today goes by the name "Nips" because of his propensity for male THO which was in evidence when we met. Catchy, fun and descriptive, a great trail name! If you choose a trail name based upon some old Chippewa saying meaning "wanderer of many ancient souls" or some such, more power to you. Hike your own hike and all. But if you have to tell me what it is three times including a phonetic breakdown, I am not going to get it and you will likely be forever referenced in my journal as "Hiker #2" or "other NOBO in shelter". Tenting with me at the shelter tonight are Driftwood, Nips, Zipper and Hiker #2.   JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

It may be a bit trite, but what a difference a day makes. You sometimes forget how absolutely beautiful a morning can be until you have spent 2 days in the fog and the rain. Today was bright and clear with a bit of breeze and it made for a great day of hiking. I hiked by myself all day and really enjoyed the day until my feet started hurting about 17 miles along. After that it was a bit of a struggle to finish the day. I arrived at Brown Mountain Creek Shelter area around 7:00 pm and I was pretty wiped out. At the shelter was Toots and Burples (the Methane Sisters), a pair of hikers that I hadn't seen since Wayah Bald in the 2nd week of my hike. It was good to catch up on trail gossip and the rundown on all the hikers we had seen. They had hiked with Bear Trap for a bit but said that he was still behind them. I tented again tonight as the bugs have started to come out in force. Tip of the day: carry a bug head net early (it weighs nothing), which I did, and get some Deet before the bugs hit, which I did not. I will have to suffer until Waynesboro. In the shelter area tonight in addition to Toots and Burples are a SOBO Sectioner named Mick and Hiker #3 (his trail name is actually Kentatooc or something like that). He is a good guy and we ate dinner together but I still am not exactly sure of his name. JUKEBOX------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Brown Mountain Shelter

To: Fish Hatchery Road(Montebello, Va)
Miles today: 18.1

Great campsite along the creek last night but unfortunately, some varmints got into my pack and chomped up some of meds. Mostly they ate all of my glucosamine (I think because it may smell like food, it is a crustacean derivative.) So if you are hiking through this area and you see some very limber mice, you have me to thank me. I got an early start, on the trail by 7am, because I wanted to make good time to Montebello, Virginia and the Dutch Haus B & B. The Dutch Haus offers special rates for thru hikers and is supposed to be one of the best stops on the trail. I made it to the Seeley-Woodworth Shelter just before Montebello and ran into two other nobos, Halftime and Jack Frost, who were also heading to the Dutch Haus. Also at the shelter was Mike, an ATC Ridge Runner, and he offered to give us all a lift into Montebello. Ridge Runners are employees of the ATC and spend part of each week hiking between shelters along the trail reporting on conditions and providing info to hikers. Hooking up with Mike certainly made getting into town easier, thanks Mike! Lois and Earl at the Dutch Haus took good care of us and we got cleaned up, fed and got our laundry done. Another nobo, Respect, showed up later and the four of us decided to go about 20 miles further up the trail and hike back to Dutch Haus tomorrow as we are expecting heavy rain. Hiking in the rain is much easier if you can get dried out at the end of the day!------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Fish Hatchery Road(Montebello, Va)

To: Reeds Gap(VA 664)
Miles today: 19.9

The weather forecast today was for rain in the afternoon so we were properly motivated to make good time. However, the trail had different ideas offering us many temptations to slow down and enjoy the day. I was hiking with Jack Frost, Halftime and Respect and we decided to take a short detour using a blue blaze trail off of the AT. The AT is marked by 2x6 inch white blazes along its length. Some of the different side trails are marked by blue blazes (other trails are marked by yellow blazes, white diamonds etc) and they usually lead to off the trail overlooks and other points of interest. Some blue blazes are alternate trail routes that may be "foul weather" routes or former AT routes that have since been rerouted. Such is the case with the Mau-Har Trail, a side trail that used to be the AT and now parallels the trail. After walking along ridgeline vistas for the last 100 miles, we were all looking for a change and took this side trail for 3 miles. It turns out to be a very steep trail that runs through an awesome gorge with tremendous cascades. It is a shame that the trail was rerouted because as a group, we loved this section. We also had a great lunch by the Tye River, a beautiful trout stream outside of Montebello. The rest of the day was spent going up and over "the Priest", a 3100+ climb straight out of the gap. This may have been the longest sustained climb of the trip so far; we were wiped out when we finally reached the top. We hustled back to Montebello and got there just as the skies opened up. It was good to be inside, even if it was just a bunkhouse! On to Waynesboro, Virginia tomorrow and the Shenandoah National Park! JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Reeds Gap(VA 664)

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

The rain blew through during the night and by midmorning the sun had started to break through. It was a good thing because the trail was pretty rocky and wet rocks and hiking are a broken ankle waiting to happen. I had a few slips, but I kept upright until the trail dried out. I wanted to make Rockfish Gap by 5:00 pm because the visitors center there will coordinate shuttle rides to Waynesboro (it is 5 miles along a busy road and hitching is illegal). I made it with 20 minutes to spare and the gentleman working at the visitors center shuttled me, Respect, Halftime, and Toots and Burples to Waynesboro. Respect and I are splitting a room in town and plan on hitting the Chinese buffet tonight (they should be scared!). It will probably be a zero tomorrow (or a "beero" as Respect has noted) as we do post office runs and re-supply for our next leg plus we are pretty wiped after a big miles week. JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!