morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek Campground
Miles today: 16.8

Nice morning as Stops, Alice and I departed the shelter. Stops and I surged ahead and made our first encounter with the Blue Ridge Parkway(BRP). Something we would hike along and across for several hundred miles. Much of the AT runs along the BRP and in many instances your never out of ear shot of cars whizzing by on the parkway.We decided to make a valiant attempt to get to Jennings Creek, a notedCamp ground with nice campsites along a favorite swimming hole for locals and hikers.We caught up to Kentucky and we all made into Jennings Creek after a long day. After a needed dip in the swimming hole we opted to camp at a nearby Forest Service Campsite. We bought beer, burgers, and some steaks and had a nice cookout after which we retired to our tents for the night as it began to rain ever so slightly.Feet hurt as usual.NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Jennings Creek Campground

To: Blue Ridge Parkway mile 76.3
Miles today: 13.8

We left Jennings Creek on a nice morning as are hike would take us by the BRP and one 4 mile stretch that would surely test our metal. We saw a large whitetail deer early charge up the hill. Also, a nice size hornet¢s nest. Vertical Eddie got stung as he was taking a picture of the nest. I got my picture and moved on quickly.We arrived at Bryant shelter which is new, multi-level and sleeps 30. I was pretty cool as shelters go. It would be the start of our four mile hike uphill. A few young hikers in the shelter said the climb was a killer on the feet coming down which told me it would be really tough on me.After several hours I was still climbing wondering if I would ever reach the summit of this friggin mountain (Mt. Floyd). It was extremely humid and I was sweating profusely. It was as if I had taken a shower with my clothes on it was so humid.I finally reached the top of the mountain and was glad it was over. I found a cell phone signal and called my golf country club, Augusta Pines in Texas, to report my position. They have an AT map on the men's locker room wall and are tracking my progress north. I reported my position to Juan, the head man in the locker room, and also spoke with Dandy Don of our golf group. Everything was normal back in Texas meaning Don was losing as usual. It was hot with no rain for the month of June. We finished the hike on a cross-over at a BRP mile marker. Another day on the AT.Life is good!NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Blue Ridge Parkway mile 76.3

To: James River Footbridge
Miles today: 15.3

We started out on another aggressive hike beginning on the BRP. Today would be long, but mostly down hill all the way to the famous James River Footbridge.Alice, Tatter( a college teacher from N.C.) and I motored off hoping the 15 mile day would be a breeze.The first five miles was all down hill and very easy. We passed a Wilderness Group of boy's and had a nice chat with them.It was a very long day! Even though it was mostly down hill, it was equally tough on the feet. I find going down hill much more difficult on my feet than the up hills. By the end of the day my feet hurt just a much as any other day.We met KT at Matt's Creek Shelter just before the footbridge. She was taking a day off because of stomach problems. Tatter and I had a nice chat with her while we waited for Alice. KT was a medical graduate getting ready to start her advance program in surgery with continuing interests in plastic surgery. Nice lady from Germany who attended that beauty school Duke!We crossed the James River Footbridge around sunset and ended another long day on the trail. A cold beer really hit the spot.NedHamara@pocktmail.com Ned Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-04
From: James River Footbridge

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Short hiking day today considering it's America' Birthday. Was a quick hike up Bluff Mountain (3372 feet from 710).Nice day even though it was rainy and foggy when we got up. Hiking with a sore left ankle today. Must have stressed it out yesterday. Seems you awake everyday to some new ailment that was not present when you went to bed. Who was it told me that after the age of 50 you can go to sleep alone and wake up injured the next morning. Go figure.Read a journal entry in the Punchbowl Shelter from hiker Bumps. Met her several days back near Cornelius Creek Shelter. In her entry she wrote about stringing her hammock up for the night near Rice Shelter. Later that night several "angry bears" pestered her enough to send her running to a nearby road. She said she returned the next morning to get her hammock and food bag that were still there. Bumps is a young tall brunette from CA I believe. She was having a few problems with chiggers as I recall.Don't know how far tomorrow I will hike considering my ankle. I'll take it day by day.Nedhamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: US 60 Exit to Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 10.9

Today Stops a Lot, Vertical Eddie and myself started just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Punchbowl Shelter. For reminders, Stops is a retired pipe line worker from Alaska and Eddie is a former real estate agent from D.C. Go ask Alice went north to meet a friend in SNF.We really had no idea how far we would go considering my sore right ankle. Actually, just above the ankle so I believe it is probably an inflamed tendon. Does not hurt going uphill only down so much of today's hike was downhill as you would expect.We past over Rice Mountain which is the place where Bumps was attacked by the "angry bears." We saw no bears or beers!We crossed over a neat suspension bridge which was new and re-routed are hike passed the Pedlar Dam. We also crossed a footbridge over the Brown Mt. Creek which had a neat waterfall and was perfect for a quick dip in frigid waters. We made it to the Brown Mt. Creek Shelter around 3PM so decided to push on to US Highway 60 and test are hiker luck! We arrived at US 60 which left almost zero options which I was afraid of. I would have opted to stay at the last shelter. However, looks like were headed into Buena Vista for the evening(9.5 miles). A hot shower will be very welcome even though it was not anticipated for at least 5 more days. Sleeping in my tent last night I could have used one of those things you hang in cars to freshen things up. Boy, do socks and hikers smell after a few days out on the trail. Wish I could bottle it and send it to my "best friends" like Grampa Paul!. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Pauly!!Looking forward to getting into Waynesboro where I plan to overhaul my pack and drop about 12/14 pounds. Getting rid of sleeping bag(2lbs), rain jacket(2lbs), 7 pounds of food, and 4 pounds of water. SNF is hiker friendly and provides many hike needs along the road. More about all this later. NTFNedhamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-06
From: US 60 Exit to Buena Vista, VA

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started today after an unexpected night in town. It was nice to have a hot shower after about a week on the trail.This morning¢s hike was very demanding from the start. A three mile 2000 foot elevation climb to Bald Knob followed by another climb to Cold Mountain.I headed first before Stops a Lot and Vertical Eddie. I must now have some half-way good developed trail legs as I never saw the other two all day which is usually not the case.A problem occurred when I hit my first downhill. The pain in my right leg just above the ankle was now more severe than the previous day. Initially, I didn't think I could make it through the day so I just continued walking the entire day. Half-way to my destination Finn, a young man from Michigan about 26 passed me. I later learned he had spotted a timber rattlesnake just after he had gone by me. I saw nothing.I finally reached the shelter after a long and grueling day. Finn had arrived just prior to me and was on his way to get water. I joined him and we found one of the best piped spring's on the AT.Stops and Vertical arrived shortly later and we settled in for a little dinner and nice camp fire.So what to do about my leg pain?NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 2.3
Weather: light rain

I decided the most prudent course of action was to seek medical advice. This meant getting to Waynesboro, VA., and see if I could find a clinic to x-ray my leg for a possible stress fracture. Being a former paramedic I knew the location of the pain was either being caused by a developing stress fracture or possible tendonitis so I needed to rule out the prior.We hiked to Fish Hatchery Road where I left Stops and Vertical who continued on towards Priest Shelter.Finn, Lucky (from Ireland) who stumbled in during the night and I headed down the service road toward Montebello. The 2.5 mile trip down the road was painful, but necessary. We arrived at the Montebello Camping & Fishing store. Finn and Lucky were looking for a place to stay to weather the remnants of a tropical storm headed our way later that day. I called the Dutch Haus, a nearby B & B and Lois answered the phone. She said she would mosey on down and pick us up.Lois arrived and shuttled us the short distance to her B & B. I was a beautiful house nestled in the woods. The plan was for Lois to do laundry for Finn and Lucky then we would all drive into Waynesboro for resupply and drop me of at a local medical clinic.While Lois did laundry it was neat to watch about 10-15 hummingbirds out the front window feeding. In the back were numerous squirrels and an assorted array of gold finches and other birds. What a neat place!We drove the 30 miles into Waynesboro via the Blue Ridge Parkway and Lois dropped me off at a local medical clinic. There I signed in and waited three hours to see a physician.After x-rays the diagnosis was, you guessed it, undetermined if I had a stress fracture or. They would send the film off to their radiologist for further review and call me the next day. GREAT!I got a taxi to a motel and settled in for the night.NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Montebello, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I waited around all day to hear from the medical clinic regarding the further diagnosis of my x-ray; however, none was forthcoming. I even got a ride to the clinic to inquire about the results, but the answer was they had not heard from their radiologist. They promised to call!!!!!!!!!! I heard nothing from them the remainder of the day. I figured as much. If I did hear I anticipated the response that the diagnosis was still uncertain and that I should consult a specialist.The plan now is to hold up in Waynesboro until Monday and rest the leg. Then venture forward on the AT entering the SNF. Yes, I skipped about 40 miles of the AT, but something I will deal with in the future should I contemplate completing the entire AT. I think I've done pretty well since starting this endeavor and I've certainly done much better than most hikers completing 337 miles so far without incident until now. Most hikers leave the trail in the first 100 miles of starting whether beginning in January or June.The next three days I'll hang out at the Tree Inn B & B in Waynesboro, VA., which is a neat Victorian style house with pool and plenty of space for doing nothing. This weekend is festival week in Waynesboro when they celebrate the 4th of July, a week later than usual. Local bands and festival fun in the park.Stops a Lot and Vertical Eddie should arrive Waynesboro around Monday and we'll head north into the tourist congested SNF. Reports are the terrain is much easier there so it will be nice to have a gradual test to see if the leg holds up.If the severe pain does continue then I'll probably make the decision to return to Texas and seek consultation from an orthopedist.Until then I have three days of leisure to attend to.NedHamara@pocketmail.comP.S. Cell phone will be on during next three days. 936 689-8063Ned Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Spent another zero day here in Waynesboro, Virginia. Called the medical clinic and they purported the radiologist reviewed my x-ray and saw no evidence of a stress fracture. So why am I not convinced of their veracity!While out walking today incurred some very sharp pains going down a hill which questions the report from the medical clinic. However, walked down the same hill later in the day with no severe pain so hopefully a few more days of rest will help get me back on the trail.Spent a large part of the day categorizing the 205 photos I've taken so far. I sent a Photo CD to my transcriber Linda Hamilton in The Woodlands, but she never received it. I'll send a new one to her tomorrow so hopefully this week she will be able to post a few photos of my hike.Hello to all the guys back at Augusta Pines. I'm sure my handicap has gone up since I left! I'll have to post all those rounds in the 90's I've played while on the AT when I get back.NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another zero day at the beautiful Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast in Waynesboro, Virginia. Hosts Bill and Nicki are great. Breakfast would be described by any hiker as fabulous!Also, another day of getting further organized pack wise. Each day I consider eliminating another possible item from my backpack.Food also represents itself as another problem to deal with. Tuna packets take up very little space but weigh 3 to 7 ounces. Mountain House dinners weigh just over 3 ounces but take up a lot of space and are much more filling than tuna. However, on these warm summer nights in the Blue Ridge eating a hot dinner is less appetizing than something quick and cold. Decisions decisions!!!!!. Plus there is an abundance of tourist food available all along the hundred mile stretch of the SNF. I think a few tuna packets, protein bars, and trail mix will suffice. Let¢s make it simple.Leg feels much better today so the rest is obviously been a plus. Time will tell if it holds up or if the pain comes back when I continue my hike. If the severe pain quickly returns I'll be headed back home to Texas and begin collecting the "easy" money again at the golf course!!NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last day off resting my leg which feels much better. So far, no pain incurred going down the hills near the B & B in the last two days. So I'm ready to get back hiking!Backpack is re-tooled and now has so much free space there is no need to cram gear into every nick and cranny. Sent another box of bulky gear home to Texas. However, should I make it to Harpers Ferry and decided to flip flop to Maine and hike south I'll definitely will need some of the old bulky gear back.Also, if I decide to hike south from Maine I'll probably fly home to Texas and reorganize my pack. Then turn around and fly back up to Maine.Hey Steve, got a buddy pass from Dulles to IAH? Also, how about taxi service from Harpers Ferry to Leesburg?NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-12
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my first day back on the trail after 4 days of rest in efforts to heal my right leg. Last few days the leg has felt pretty good.We started later in the morning as Stops and Vertical were unorganized as usual. Today would be a short day of hiking which was fine with me. Good day to test my leg to see if the pain would return.I started out before the rest of the group and never looked back. Made the shelter without stopping and no pain what so ever. So far, so good!It turned out to be a crowed shelter with more people than the shelter could hold. Stops a Lot, Vertical Eddie, Kentucky, Flyboy, Chris, Tramp Shorty, Andy, Ghost, Lucky and a few others.Good fire but lousy night's sleep with people talking in there sleep. A bear had visited the shelter the night before, but I think the fire kept it at bay last night.Thunderstrom passed by as well.NedHamara@pocketmail,comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Dundo Campground
Miles today: 15.3

Since I could not sleep, Stops a Lot (SAL) and I headed out before everyone else leaving camp around 7:30AM.We made great time criss-crossing Skyline Drive a number of times. It's kind of not like hiking in the wilderness being so close to a major tourist highway. The good thing though food is not so far away.We made it to Dundo Campground only to discover it was a private campground for groups. It was late in the day and a storm was approaching so we lucked out and got a ride to Loft Mountain Campground 5 miles down the road.We set up camp as the storm was approaching and rushed down to the camp store where we did some laundry and took a quick shower. One dollar for a 5 minute shower. While we were doing all this the storm slammed into the mountain with thick fog and crashing rain. The rain lighten after a while and we made the quarter mile trek up o our campsite. It was a long day so we retired after a quick bite to eat.NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Dundo Campground

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

We awoke to a soggy campsite and decided to slack pack back up from Dundo campground to Loft Mt. So we left our campsite intact and took just food and water and hitched a ride up Skyline Drive to Dundo Campground. Thanks to the gentleman and his son from Charlottesville(?) who gave us the ride as he departed Loft Mt.We made the 5 miles back to Loft Mt., in 90 minutes, packed up our gear from the tent site and headed north on the AT again in heavy fog and rain.We made it to Pinefield Hut Shelter early in the PM and met Brad from Broward County, Fl. We spent a soggy rest of the day in the shelter exchanging hiker stories. That night a thunderstorm hammered us about 3 AM. Brad was meeting his sister the next day and leaving the trail to go home to FL., after a week of hiking the AT.NedHamara@pocketmail.com Ned Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Swift Run Gap
Miles today: 11.9

As we awoke to another soggy morning and were gathering our gear together a whitetail deer walked by the shelter picnic table just to say good morning and hoped we had a good hike that day.We left Brad in the shelter as he had only two miles to hike to the ranger station to meet his sister for his ride out of Skyline Drive.The day involved some major climbs and I was cold and tired as we approached Hightop Hut. As we arrived we met a group of Boy Scouts who were hiking south for a week. We exchanged info about the trail ahead and both headed out in are respective directions.We made it to Swift Run Gap which intersects US33 and Skyline Drive. Having hiked about 12 miles we decided to hitch a ride ahead to Lewis Mountain campground then make up the ground skipped the next day. As it seemed our hitch hiking attempts were failing all of a sudden a small blue car that had sped by made a quick u-turn. It was Brad from the shelter and his sister who had picked him up around 2PM. They were kind enough to give a ride to Lewis Mountain campground where we set up camp and had a nice evening.We saw a lot of whitetail deer during the day and a pair of barred owls.Again it was nice to have a shower and beer.Nedhamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-16
From: Swift Run Gap

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light rain

We got up early and intended to hitch hike back up to Swift Run Gap and make up the 5 miles we skipped the next day. No one picked us up so we decided to hike south from Lewis campground to Swift Run Gap and then hike back from there.We met flipper on the way. A young lad making a thru-hike attempt starting way late. However, having started May 15, he had accomplished hiking nearly 900 miles since with taking 15 days off. A major endeavor, but it's a lot easier when you are young and have cartilage in your knee joints!We made it to Swift Run Gap and got a ride back to Lewis Mountain. We were deciding whether to stay and rest the legs for the day or head north to Big Meadows. It was Saturday and we received info that the campground at Big Meadows was nearly full.Vertical Eddy, who had Yellow Blazed ahead called us and said he had secured a campsite at BM for us so we repacked our gear and got a ride 8 miles north to the major tourist Mecca known as Big Meadows.We arrived late in the afternoon, set up camp, and had a few beers to get into the mood. The BM campground was huge and packed to the hilt. Surprisingly crowded the campground was relatively quiet. A storm threatened but passed by.We had dinner at the Big Meadows Lodge which was actually very good for a tourist trap.No fire tonight as we turned in early and slept rather comfortably.NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara
Date: 2005-07-17
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Since we were at BM campground we decided no to bother attempting to hitch back to Lewis Mountain campground and hike north, but to hike south from BM. The AT trail was about 50 feet from our BM campsite so we slacked packed south starting around 8AM.It was an easy hike and we were making great time. Just passed Bootens Gap were were strolling along the trail as usual. I was about 10 yards behind Stops when I noticed this black stick looking thing about a foot away as I walked away. I immediately said hey a snake!! I put my hiking polls down and reached for the camera not knowing what kind of snake it was. As I grew near in efforts to get a picture the snake coiled and began to rattle. It was a good size completely black timber rattler. I took a few good pictures and even a short video of the snake rattling. It had about 7-8 rattles so it was a mature older snake. After that the snake moved on so did we.Just shortly after we rounded the path to see a small black bear picking up rocks looking for grubs. It paid very little attention to us as we snapped a few photos and moved on. Finally a day with some wildlife after being on the trail for nearly 7 weeks.It was a good day. Now back at BM we plan to head north. Only about 100 miles to complete the state of Virginia and the longest leg on the Appalachian Trail!!!!NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara