morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 2.4

Crazy BritToday¢s miles on the Trail a whopping big 2.4 miles on the trailWell we had a great night camping out just outside Damascus Trail town USA . We got up about 6:45 am and were packed up and on the trail at about 7:15am.We had just an easy walk into town, coming out between two houses and walked a short distance to the AT arch welcoming us to Damascus.There was a guy there taking his son to school he was into Kayaking so was right up David¢s alley.We had a photo shoot at the Welcome sign and proceeded into town, this is a really small town only got 800 full time people, which as we are told up to 200,000 visitors either going on the Virginia creeper cycle ride ,this is on a old railway line and goes to the top of White Top Mountain.This must be a big draw as there are lots of out fitters in town catering to this attraction, then of course you have the AT Trail which goes right up thru Mainstreet.This was the first Trail town to embrace the Trail, in fact this is where the Largest Trail-days is held, thousands of Old and New AT hikers attend a three day festival with vendors and amusements for the whole family .They have a parade where past and present hikers walk thru the town in there class year, they get sprayed with water to cleanse them as walking on the trail gets pretty smelly.We are all nice and clean having had showers and our clothes washed we have had a great breakfast at Mo Jo¢s also had dinner there, got our food all set for Four day¢s.I am now walking up to the Damascus Brewing company to sample a few Ales, it¢s a bit out of town but am told it¢s worth it.Crazy Brit outTo embarrassed to put mileage and footsteps.Anyone can walk on on the flat ¢ hope I can after a few beers tonight¢Only got 1721.0 miles to go to Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Damascus 

To: 487.5
Miles today: 18.2

Crazy BritToday we were up waiting for the restaurant to open at 7:00am. Mo. Jo¢s is a great place to eat breakfast, had biscuits and gravy soothing to stick to my Ribs when I am hiking.It was all uphill I would estimate we were going uphill for 90% of the day, just ask my feet, even my arms are sore from the Trekking poles.For some of the way we were following the route of the Virginia Creeper, this is an old railway track that has been turned over to the public for walking and biking.There are a lot of Outfitters in town that rent out bikes and they will transport you to the top of the mountain. It is then an easy ride back to Damascus it¢s only about 18 miles so it¢s perfect for all the family. There is even an ice cream store halfway.The river also follows the rail track it is a beautiful river, saw some fishermen Fly fishing wish I had more time to watch them they did have some fish Brown and Rainbow Trout.We carried on up and up. We got passed by our young friends they always give us a hard time we are the old guys, they all have a lot of respect for us especially David as he has done an AT before they ask his advice.They are really cool guys, when they get going they really move fast, most of them stopped at the Lost Mountain Shelter. You could see it was going to be noisy there so we carried on to a campsite by some huge Fir Trees, great site water was pretty close.Put up our tents got water and made dinner tonight I am having Lasagna, cup of coffee and a Gator Bar, good stuff.One of our friends ¢trail name Burn¢ has just come in to stay with us, he is a Chef hence the name Burn. The sun has just gone down over the mountains and the temperatures have already dropped. Great hiking in shorts today, should be the same tomorrow, then we are expecting rain for the next three days after that.The rain adds a new dimension to hiking, it¢s not bad walking in the rain, just the putting up and taking down of the tent, it sucks oh well it¢s all life on the trail everything runs around the weather systems, when to go when to stay.I will catch you all tomorrowCrazy Brit out18.2 miles45.320 steps280 FloorsAnyone can walk on on the flat ¢if you can find it here again.Only got 1703.4 miles to Mt KatahdinBig day tomorrow we push thru 500 miles.
Date: 2018-04-22
From: US 58 foot bridge

To: Massie Gap parking lot
Miles today: 16.5

Crazy BritWe were up and packing gear and tents at 5:30am this morning. While taking down the tent I had my coffee going, all packed ready to go, sit down have a coffee, think I have won David over to having a coffee and breakfast before we hit the trail.As always it¢s uphill to start, but this went on all day, until we came out to buzzard Rock, Wow what a view 360 degrees.Then of course it was uphill AGAIN, finally we came out to the Thomas Knob Shelter where we stopped for a rest, snacks and drinks. Here we met up with Which way and Next Step we had met them early on the trail, nice people we are staying at the same place tonight.Back to the hike, we eventually came to the Grayson Highlands State Park. This is where the famous ponies are, they All came over from Wales in the UK, really friendly ponies maybe because I had an apple to give them.Just after this came the Fat Man Squeese, being thin guys we did it with ease although on the video I make it look hard.We saw a lot more ponies with foals, lots of Day visitors come up here to see these great animals.We then walked to our pick up point and got picked up by Denis and taken to the Greyson Highlands General store and Inn, free shuttle from the trail and good food I had a Salmon Burger with fries and couple of beers.We get a breakfast and shuttle back to the trail, one big problem is that tomorrow they are expecting rain, a lot of rain in fact they will be on a flood watch for next couple of days so will be an interesting few days.More fun tomorrow16.5 miles37.335 steps 184 floorsAny one can walk on the flatOnly got another 1668.7 miles to MY Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.4

Crazy BritRain all DayWe had a great evening last night sat out on the patio.Some girls we met gave us a bottle Whiskey because I was 70 years old, I bought some Coke and ice and we were set up.David was up first as usual all ready to go, we were told Breakfast was at 7:00 am, of course we were ready to go, But the owner turned up at 7:20 am, David was not happy.We had coffee and ordered our food, great French Toast with home made Maple syrup real good.David is now chomping at the bit ready for our ride to take us to the car park, the other people are still having their breakfast.David talked to a really cool lady Debra K Roberts, she was staying here with a photography group, she is a real Trail Angel, David asked her if it was possible for a ride, before you know it we were in the car and headed up the mountain, thank you Debra.Of course the top of the mountain was shrouded in mist and rain, we had this for a long time up and down the mountains, when the mist lifted it started to rain and this kept up all day.One of the problems with it raining is that you are all wrapped up to keep dry ,this makes it hard to hike because of sweating, so you are wet from that on the inside not good.The little streams that are all over the mountains start to swell so it¢s harder to cross, water on the trail starts to pool up and of course the rocks and roots get really slippery all in all you have to keep your wits about you.We had lunch at Hurricane Mtn Shelter met up with some youngsters, they were in a hiker family, we told them we were going to stop at the Troutdale Baptist hostel but no they said they were going to camp out.They left and we followed, of course they were gone. We walked all day hard hiking in these conditions, we had to do the 18.4 miles because there is no place to get off the trail.Near the end of the day we came across the young guys camped out it was lashing with rain, Oh well they are young and can do that!!!We passed by and came out on a forest road that ran into VA 16. We started to thumb a lift a couple of cars went by then a car came the other way it had passed us, he shouted out I am coming back to pick you up.The rain was flooding the road but sure enough he turned down the road and had us in the car ,another Trail Angel ,his name was Tony he took us right to the door of our Hostel,thank you Tony ,wow two Trail Angels in one day .We are now settled in our bunk house having coffee going to cook our dinner, life is good, all our stuff is drying out ready for another soaking tomorrow.Only got 14.1 miles to get into Marion tomorrow, start time is 7:00am Sharp.Oh forgot to say the wind was forecasted to be 35 mph with Higher gusts in high elevations, guess where we were?????18.4 Wet miles 44.314 Wet Steps Wet FloorsAnyone can walk on the flat. ¢ but only if you can see the trail thru the Mud and Water ¢Only got 1671.3 miles to go to Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.1

Crazy BritWow, last night after I wrote my Journal, David and I were all settled in our little cabin, there was a noise outside, there was four of our hiker group.There was One Step- Which Way-Heart Burn and Butter Knife this was about two hours after we had got in, they were soaked thru, they moved into next door.I went in and turned on the heater for them, they were lucky to get a ride down to the Hostel, we asked them about another guy his name is Spirit Walker.Time went on we were getting ready for bed, when we heard a truck outside it was about 9:15 pm dark, cold and raining like hell .It was Spirit Walker riding in the back up of a pickup truck, he was walking into the hostel knocking on doors, he is about 6.5 feet tall soaking wet with a headlight on, a very imposing figure, these young guys picked him up and brought him here.He was very close to being Hyperthermic, very delirious and in shock, we gave him coffee to warm him up, told him to get out of his wet things and get into his sleeping bag, thankfully he did all the above, he was very close to being very ill.We got up in the morning and got shuttled back to the trail by Bob a 79 year old who Volunteers for the forest service he built many of the bridges on the trail.We started on the trail and had to hike the 14.1 miles to the road VA 16 that will take us into Marion.It rained all day, Cold and Wet .We eventually came out of the forest after a really hard Hike, now we had to get a ride to our Motel in Marion. We stood there for about 15 minutes getting colder and colder, when a car pulled up on the other side of the road.It was our Trail Angel From Sunday Debra Roberts. She had driven by recognized us and turned around to give us another ride.Debra has been elevated to a super Trail Angel, unbelievable, she was on her way home, what are the chances she would meet us. We had a ride right to our hotel, thank you Debra you will get a photo of myself and Dave as we stand on top of Mt Katahdin.We are now nice and warm had a shower, had some food all is good in the World.14.1 Miles32.350 Steps191 floorsAnyone can walk on the Flat¢ if you have a Trail Angel like Debra¢Only got another1657.2 miles to get to Mt Katahdin.
Date: 2018-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy BritNo miles. Zero DayHad a bit of a lie in today as we are taking a Zero Day, which means no miles walked on the trail, just sorting out bits and pieces in town.We had breakfast down stairs in the lounge, we shared our time with, Next Step- One way- Heart Burn and Butter Knife.I need to apologize to Butter Knife as I never mentioned our conversation while we were hiking, she is from Sydney in Australia, and is a keen sailor. Her father had a Hanse sailboat, and it appears we know a lot of the same people.It¢s really cool out here in the middle of know where to meet a person like this, it helps pass the miles when you are conversing with someone with the same interests.The four of them were going back out to the trail today, while we were taking a day off out of the rain.We went up to the local Walmart then caught the local Transit bus to the Launderette, this was really cool as for 25 cents we had a ride all around the town.Our driver dropped us of at the door said he would be back in an hour to get us.Long time since I sat and watched our washing, but we got if done, it was only a mile back to Walmart, we started to walk but then thought again, the bus came 5 mins later took us back to the Walmart.There was a hairdresser in the same shopping center so I got my haircut as I promised Janice I would, after that exciting time it was back to Walmart did some shopping, then back to Motel for a Nap.Our exciting day ended with a Mexican meal then back to our hotel to watch movies.What a restful dayNo milesAnyone can walk on the flatStill got 1657.2 miles to get to MT Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-26
From: VA 622

To: Davis Hollow
Miles today: 13.5

Crazy BritThe day started out great had breakfast at the Econo Motel then Carrie arrived she is our 7:00am shuttle driver. Her and her husband Jim have been doing this for years ever since Jim walked the AT.She was early so D2 and Pete our new friend from Denmark loaded her van and we were off to the Jennings Visitor Center, this was where we were picked up by Debra our Super Trail Angel.All started out great until I wanted to take a photo of our start!!!!!!!!!!!!!.No bloody phone, I went just a little Crazy. I thought then it must have dropped out of my pocket in the car, great we cannot call the car no cell phone coverage where we are.I walked back to the Visitor Center to use there Hiker pick up phone, called Jim, Carrie was not back yet so he had this number and would call on her return.I walked around in circles more times than I could count then the phone rang !!!!!! Yes they had my phone and were going to bring it up to me.Jim and Carrie have now both been Elevated to Super Trail Angels. They arrived with my phone, perfect, while they were coming back two more hikers came out of the Forest and needed rides into town, it all worked out in the end, but we were now 45 mins late in our start!!!!The hiking was great bit of climbing, soon stopping to remove some clothes, Temps are perfect, there is a big black cloud on the horizon and it¢s going to rain on us again in the afternoon.We are going at a good pace and we soon get to the Lindamood School. This is a one roomed school house built in 1894. Last used in 1937 and the teacher was paid $30.00 per month.The local Methodist Church stocks the Cooler with Sodas and water together with almost every thing a Thru hiker needs. Never seen anything like it, we have a coke and rest up for a bit, can¢t wait to long the rain is coming.We hike on and come to the Interstate and the Barn Restaurant where we grab a quick burger and fries, can¢t mess around we are in a hurry we get to our campsite and start to set up our tents, it starts to rain just to tease us but then stops so we can get organized.We make a few telephone calls make coffee some other hikers are coming in to get set up before the rain but as we settle down to make dinner the rain comes in, it¢s supposed to rain until about 8:00 pm just enough to have a wet tent to pack up in the morning, oh Well that¢s the AT I suppose.Be up bright and early in the morning to hike into Atkins it¢s only about 8.5 miles so an easy day apart from some rather large climbs we have to do.Crazy Brit out all tucked up in my sleeping bag, after all it is 5:37 pm.Anyone can walk on on the flat13.5 Miles31.503 StepsFloorsOnly got 1637.7 miles to go to Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.5

Crazy BritAfter sending yesterday¢s journal, we were all settled in nice and comfortable knowing that it was going to rain, a few other hikers had come in by now getting their tents up, ready for the impending rain.We never had chance to make dinner before it started, both David and Myself got in our tents, had our dinner and another coffee, I got in my sleeping bag and wrote my journal.This damn rain lasted all night, think it stopped about 4:00am. David gave me a call just before 6:00am, so time to get up. Packed up my sleeping bag in it¢s compression bag, deflate my air mattress, get all my other gear ready while still in my liner keeping warm.What I do next is put on my water, I do this on a slow boil so I can get my tent down and packed away, today it¢s wet so it¢s a pain, anyway the water is by now boiling so I can make my coffee and porridge oats, ready to start hiking by 6:30am. David is an early bird and it¢s light enough to see without head lights.It¢s a great time to be hiking in the woods, things are just waking up, we do surprise a family of White Tail deer, they were shy but only ran up the hill and kept an eye on us.We are only doing 8.5 miles today as we are staying at the Quarter Way Hostel and Inn. This we do by 10:30 am a really nice hike, of course there were lots of climbing involved.This place is Awesome,we have coffee and are shown our room, really nice and clean, the shower is especially nice, the owner Tina supplies loaner clothes so you can wash all your clothes and get smelling good again.They have a good supply of food for us to restock as we will be camping out for the next three nights just hope it does not want to rain.We have a great room with nice comfortable beds, we are Styling.We will be heading to Woods Hole Hostel it¢s about 69 miles away, and it¢s one of David¢s Favorite places to stay great food and great Strawberry Smoothies. David will walk miles for a smoothie or a milkshake.Looking outside the Sun is out could be a good omen for tomorrow.8.5. Miles20.748. steps143 FloorsAnyone can walk on the flat ¢ but not when you have your feet up drinking a Coke¢Only got 1635.7 miles to go for Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-28
From: VA 610 old rich valley road

To: Walker Gap dirt road
Miles today: 15.8

Crazy BritWe started the day off great a big fried breakfast at the Quarter Way Hostel, didn¢t get on the trail until 8:15 am, we were aiming to get to our campsite at Walker Gap some 16 miles.But in front of us were two big huge climbs, we did the first tough but ok then we descended into a valley with a river and an old water wheel, it was way past repair but a great photo shot.The terrain her was ok just small ups and downs, we came to another river at lunch time so sat on a small pebble beach soaked our feet and had lunch.Now this cold water soaking was not very good for my athritis in my big toes they hurt like hell, it took a long time for them to warm up while hiking for the pain to dissipate a bit, they always hurt but I could have a lot worse.We were getting closer to our big climb of the day, we were hiking on a flattish section approaching a service road, Dave says there might be trail magic, I of course doubt this as there has been none in Virginia.Sure enough as we approach the white Van there is a sign Trail Magic Help yourselves, we have a Coke and some Chocolate Biscuits, Awesome!This extra burst of sugar will help us climb the mountain, it took just over 3 1/2 hours of relentless climbing it was really hard my legs were killing me.This climb went on and on, even when we were almost there there was a mile stretch of pasture land and going right up thru the center was a 12 inch wide dirt trail. This is the Famous AT stretching out in front were these little posts with white blazes on them, when are they going to end .Then all of a sudden we come out to Chestnut Knob Shelter, a stone structure tied down with big wire straps, must get windy up here,it is all enclosed with windows and even a door, and it has individual bunks very up market.This place would be great in the summer but now inside it was freezing and tonight it will get really windy, temps are dropping to the 30 degrees, wind is going to be up in the 40 mile per hour range, no place for us to be.We head down to Walker Gap it¢s supposed to be a good campsite, this is 1.6 miles down to the gap good trail and we make it in good time, about to set up our tents when a truck pulls up with two guys in it, they are waiting for a couple of hiker friends of ours, they are on their way down.Looking at these guys it looked like they might be carrying beer, so I asked them if they had any spare, sure enough they handed over two cans for me and one for Dave great guys.Now tents are all set up Dinner has been eaten, beer has been drank and I am settled down writing this journal, ready for tomorrow WHAT HILLS Today ??????15.8 Miles38.698. Steps295 FloorsAnyone can walk on the flat ¢ but not around here¢Only got 1620.3. Miles to go to MT Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.5

Crazy BritStarted on the Trail at 6:35am it¢s a great time to start, birds are up singing, the sun is peeping over the mountains, all is great with the world.Only thing bad is it¢s freezing cold, we were lucky we camped in a Gap gray area to camp, but just up the road about 100 yards it was blowing like hell, this would drop the temperature even more, we were in the 20 degree range, and it¢s the first of May in two days ridiculous!!!!!!!!!Our hike was good but now we have lots of ¢ P.u.d.s ,¢ pointless.ups .and downs¢. We are hiking along a Ridge, and it is really blowing hard and COLD.We have all our gear on I have even got my Buff up over my nose to keep my face warm, after a while the sun becomes stronger as it climbs up in the sky.Now you have to start stripping off your clothes. Dave is down to shorts and a tee shirt, me still long pants and a shirt.The whole forest now takes on a different light, there are now leaf coverage yet so we have no canopy protection it is now really hot, strange weather patterns we are having.Hiking along the ridge we have a gentle forested side on the right with huge hard wood trees. On the left is a vertical drop on to huge rocks, a slip here and you are done for.We are aiming for Jenkins Shelter for lunch, nice shelter with a clean Privi. After lunch the trail gets better passing thru lots of Mountain Laurel groves, these shrubs grow to about 10 feet tall and are abundant all over the forests here there are only buds at the moment.The Mountain Laurel will have abundant white cupped flowers, hope to see these further up the Trail. Spring is certainly arriving here in Virginia as every day you see new forms of summer life starting to form.I can¢t wait to see all the different colored greens of the leaves, it¢s not going to be long, a lot of the flowers and leaf covering should be out when we start to hit the Shenandoah¢s at the end of the month of May, looking forward to that, also it should start to get warmer, this is what I want more than anything, this skinny body likes heat!!!!We are now camped by a road VA 615 it¢s just a gravel road that the AT crosses but there is a car park just down the road and we saw some day hikers going up the mountain so would suggest a local Beauty Spot on top of the Mountain. We shall see tomorrow morning, we should see that at Dawn, Awesome.There are 5 hikers here at the moment David -D2 ... Hydro.... Spirit Man and Rampage it¢s a great place you can here the river rapids running.Well it¢s 8:04 time for all good hikers to be in bed, Goodnight.14.3. Miles36.959. StepsFloors