morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Met Rosie and Steve, Greensboro, NC natives--wkend hiking with their dog Hank. Not raining this a.m. Temps in low 80's. Everyone took his time getting started this morning. Guess we're all ready for a break from doing the big miles. Ty is feeling nauseated and Rich( both from NJ) plan to hike to Jennings Creek to get picked up by their wives. Today was hot and still, mostly climbing, gaining about 3000 ft. Saw a good-sized doe that peacefully grazed and moved along with us for several minutes. Saw runners on a trail who complained to hikers that the race people didnt provide enought water. Other sights were Liberty University folks overturning rocks and logs, inventorying Peaks of Otter salamanders which are unique to this area around the rock formation known as the Guillotine: they found many. That's about it for today's highlights so far. Piglette and Smoky are setting up their tent now after getting caught in the big afternoon thunder/lightning and rain storm that passed thru(we made it to the shelter before it broke). 6p.m.: a man who turned out to be John Hasty walked up to the shelter without a pack--as he approached, Thud said hopefully, "Here comes trail magic"--and he was right! John asked if anyone was hungry. Even tho we'd all eaten, the answer was a hearty, "YES!". Thud walked the 1/3 mile down to the road with him to fetch his Coleman grill, pancake mix, sausages, butter, syrup, eggs, and M&M choc covered peanuts and cashews---a feast! John Hasty says he comes up to the shelter every now and then to serve hikers. His son "Snake" hiked the AT yrs ago. John lives near Buchanan in Botetourt Cty and drives about 45 minutes to get here. Thank you, John! Tech guy from Maryland(RainKing) and his buddy(Dead Weight) joined us for the meal since they were here talking to us as they camped(they're out for a few days). 7:30 p.m. rain began again, John had to pack up. John even collected our trash we'd accummulated during the past few days hiking---so kind!
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Wildwood Campground

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

None of us slept well last night, cept Take It Easy who slept best--what a surprise! We even had all windows open to keep it cool. Poor Max whined at the screen door for his master throughout the night. Just Rick treated us to trail magic hardboiled eggs for breakfast--goody! Said goodbye to Just Rick, wishing him all the best. The wind blew, the rain poured and we sloshed our way up the mountain past the memorial where the body of 4 year old Ottie Powell was found. Back in 1891 he strayed 7 miles from his schoolyard, and died in the forest. Met Big Foot and Riley 5 pack eating lunch in the shelter when we arrived. Then Hit and Miss showed up for lunch, then Thud and Max. I hiked in sopping wet shorts thruout the day, once I realized the pants weren't doing anything to keep me dry. Raingear failure . Ted, a fellow who's hiking with a rather agressive dog named Coffee(has to ALWAYS be on leash to keep him from attacking when people get too close) is here at the shelter. 6:30 Ted says he's going to hike with Coffee down a logging rd to the Dollar STore to get some food, and expects to return around 10:30(lots of miles to cover to do that trip)Ted kindly offered to pick up items we may need. Ramen and Snickers were our requests. Ted returned within an hour to say he couldn't locate the proper logging rd, so trip cancelled. It was kind of Ted to try so hard. Saw a box turtle on the trail during the rain. Glad to be drying out at the shelter.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

The wind blew, but no rain in the a.m. thank goodness, as it was 43 degrees in the shelter. Windchill was uncomfortable. Thud and us lingered in our sleeping bags til almost 8 before getting brave enough to emerge. Ted came over with the weather report: low temps, high winds, rain by middday--boo ! We all decided to hustle at least to the next shelter. no rain came before we got to this shelter. Ted and Coffee decided to hike another 20+ miles so he can go to town towmorrow to purchase more food. Today's hike was marvelous after the first 40 minutes it took to warm up; even had to peel off clothes. Trail surface was soft in most places.Trail passed beside a reservoir created by Pedlar River. Then we came upon an interpretive sign here in Brown Mt. Creek Valley announcing that the creeek in this valley was home to a community of freed slaves who dwelt here from the Civil War til about 1918. The sign said to look for remains of their cabins and that archaeological studies are underway in the valley. During our hike along the creek to the shelter, the only evidence of past inhabitants we saw were the 3-4 ft. tall walls of piled up rocks which formed dam walls. They were set back about 15 ft from the creek's shores, running for the past mile +. Perhaps tomorrow we'll see more of the freed slave community. Tonight's weather calls for temps in town around 34 degrees...brrrr. , with strong winds, At our higher elevation we'll be bundled up good in our sleeping gabs for the frigid night. Thud, Take It Easy, and I(kinda--but it's a "guy thing") made a good fire in the fire ring(I contributed a handful of dry branches). It's 3:45 p.m.; winter hats are on; we're sitting at the picnic table next to the wind-fanned flames to stay comfy now the clouds are rolling in, covering the sun's warming rays. Tonight I'll have this weeks dinner special: peanut butter spread on a flour tortilla: delicious! I just ate 2 cookies as an appetizer. Wonder who else will show up here for the night. Entertaining company would be fun, but if not, regardless, it won't be long and we'll be tucked into our bags waiting for darkness. Thud talked in sleep last night: "Copy the receipts, then operate," he siad clearly. What will he say tonight? Marathon from the Michigan Upper Peninsula stopped in. He's doing 22-30 miles daily. He snacked and left. This shelter is in a beautiful setting perched on the steep gully overlooking the rapids of the creek. Wildlife: junko bird couple and their babies are in a nest at eye level behind this shelter; Thud saw a hummingbird at the shelter entrance twice! Smoky and Piglette are here now--tenting. The free hiker lunch offered by the Arnolds at Dutch Haus ahead is calling to us. Gonna get up early to do the miles to make Dutch Haus when they serve the lunch.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

Fascinating climb out of Brown Mt. Creek Valley. Piles of stone remain of the freed slave homes and 2 intact stone fireplaces stand along the stone dam-lined stream. The dam/fence goes on for over 1.4 miles. Other sights today: one pitcher plant and good views from the bald of Cold Mt.. Hiking up to the bald, bleached bones of fallen trees laid scattered everywhere in the forest. Made me wonder if they were once proud pines, or just blowdowns from long ago storms. At a snack stop, Thud came up, then The General(a trail celebrity) came along. It was fun to meet The General as I'd read his trailjournal before our hike began. The General was slackpacking, nursing his stress fracture. He'd been dropped off on the AT by the Dutch Jaus folks to be picked up later today. Based on our increasing cravings for "real" food and the General's recommendations, we're all(Thud and us) aiming to arrive at Dutch Haus for the free hiker lunch tomorrow. While hiking this afternoon we ran into a southbound couple wh'd just come from the Dutch Haus lunch. They ate hamburgers, Boca burgers, fruit salad, pum[kin cheesecake--yum yum! Can't wait to find out what we'll be served. Oh, forgot to tell you about the hiking part of the day(gee-I've noticed I'm writing more and more about food and less about hiking ). Day started at 42 degrees with clear skies, had an elevation gain(this means a CLIMB) of 2664 ft in 4.6 miles, reaching 4059 ft altitude. Cold breezes kept us quite comfortable really so the uphill didn't make us sweat...nice. Coyote howling 3 times. Warpaint here cooking dinner now. Says he saw Piglette and Smoky trying to hitch round noon into Buena Vista--who knows why. Hope they're ok. Forgot to mention the ruby-throated hummingbird that fluttered around the shelter entrance this morn. 7p.m. barred owl calling: who cooks for you? Warpaint leaving trail in a few wks to attend his Boston high school graduation. Has to finish AT by early August cause of college starting in August. Now we're up high again we have great views cause spring hasn't arrived here--no leaves unfurling yet here. Thermometer now reads 40 degrees.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

The forest was quiet last night. Just us 3 at the shelter. All got up and moving before 7 a.m. Left shelter and cruised to the Montebello store for resupply. Met their friendly employees, one of whom is 86 yr old woman who got married in Newport News! While sitting there we watched a couple fish the trout pond--they caught 10 lds of fish in less than an hour! Another fellow came by(the post office is in the adjacent bldg), and chatted with Thud and us. Turns out he knows Thud's hometown area well(Traverse City, Michigan). He wound up shuttling Thud and Moneyshot Max to Dutch Haus. Earl Arnold picked Take It Easy and me up from the store where we'd resupplied with enough food to last us til Waynesboro. Lois Arnold served us a filling, yummy lunch at her home/b&b, The Dutch Haus. Chicken fajitas, with corn, beans, and onions and plenty of chicken, guacamole, and tortillas, and apple upside down cake for dessert. We got to meet her grandson, son, and daughter-in-law who are visiting from Maine, too. Saw acres of skunk cabbage growing near streams close to the forest service-run Fish Hatchery(where the f.s. raises trout to stock local streams and ponds). Crazy Legs stopped by this shelter to water up--he's going on to the next shelter where Thud and Max went after lunch. He, just as is Thud, is looking forward to the all you can eat chinese buffet at Ming Garden in Waynesboro. Cuda, and Start stopped in to eat before moving on to the next shelter as well. Besides the awasome meal, today we met a hiker who's lost 80 lbs since starting his hike in January! Staying the night here are Big Daddy Duct Tape(a southbounder who's hiked here starting from Harper's Ferry), Rod & Paul(from Lancaster, United Kingdom, here in USA for a few days to try out hiking the AT-they're tenting), and twins(also tenting).
Date: 2008-05-02
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

Didn't get to sleep on time cause twins played music kinda loud til around 10p.m. Up and out before 7:30. Sunny sky and temp reached upper 60's. Bummer day: WAY TOO Many miles of rocks, rocks and more rocks. We had to descend 3000+ft. TORTURE?BRUTAL! under the beaming warm sun. Tomorrow holds 15 miles to the next shelter. Hope it's better terrain. Tonight The Twins ate and left to try to reach next shelter by 10p.m. Here to stay the night are Cookie(from Little Rock), Fish, Kirby(will be a high school senior this fall--got permission from school board to do this AT hike-is doing it at age 17--confident and brave guy). Nice conversations with Kirby and Cookie who are hiking together as they hike at similar fast pace. Saw tiny succulent-looking cabbage plants(remind me of my Mom's)--don't know what they are. Just before 9p.m., AFTER we'd gone to bed, a 25yr or so old girl, a man around age 40, and 3 college/high school aged guys walked into camp together, up to the picnic table a few ft in front of the shelter where we laid. Girl loudly told them to put all food, toothpaste, deodorant and smelly things into her large food bag. One guy said, "What about eating dinner?". She said, "You have a granola bar," he responded whiningly,"But it's in the food bag now". "Oh, well," she said with a shrug. Another boy asked about brushing his teeth. She told him, "Not tonight." Man asked where to go to the bathroom. She pointed out the privy. He asked,"You do everything there?" She said, "Yes." Golly, didn't these people talk or plan together before having her lead them into the woods? They went off to find a branch to hang the 30 lb bag of food(to protect it from scavenger bears) and to set up their tents. Amusing.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: YMCA Campground Waynesboro
Miles today: 20.6

Cookie got up at 6'ish so all got up and set out about 7:30. We'd all decided to get an early start so this was quite fine. Sunny, pleasant temps, high winds, later to become hazy and blustery as if a storm was brewing. We set out for the next shelter, decidely against pushing ourselves or Take It Easy's feet to do the 20+ miles necesary to get into Waynesboro, even tho we were envious of the ease at which Kirby and Cookie planned their hike into town. Take It Easy and I hiked over and around tons of rocks again today for hrs and hrs. Does western VA have anything but rocks to walk on? Finally around 1 p.m. we crested Humpback Mt and the trail surface began to have more leaf duff and soft dirt, much to our feet's delight. Take it Easy took a flying fall when he stumped his foot against a short stump in the path. He turned his shoulder so he mainly went down on his right bicep and the pack absorbed the brunt of the fall. He got up and declared himself injury-free, 'cept for a scraped knuckle. Whew! Muddy but intact! Cause the trail had improved, we reset our goal for the day. If we made it to the shelter that was to be our nightspot before 3 p.m., we'd do the 5 miles additional into town. Sure'nuf, after I stepped off the rocks into a stream with BOTH feet(hey, did you know that slanted rocks with mossy faces don't hold a hiker up?)we reached the shelter. Changed my socks into dry(helps dry the shoes a smidgen), we set off with steam Waynesboro bound! The trail dumped us out on RT 250, in front of the Visitors Center at 5:03 p.m. Sign on door says it closed at 5p.m. Shucks. There goes our opportunity to get a ride into Waynesboro 2.5 miles away. The V.Center maintains a list of trail angels they call to pick up hikers and transport them to town and hotels. Before we walked back out to the rd to hitch while we walked, a vehicle pulled up. A woman from Richmond and new son were in need of directions and were disappointed to find the V.Center closed. But...she offered to take us into Waynesboro. She and her son and dog just finished dayhiking in the area. Even tho she's unfamiliar with W'boro, she drove us around til we saw people in front of the tattoo parlor who were able to direct us to the YMCA. We'd been told by hikers we'd run into that no hotel rooms were available cause of James Madison's graduation. So free camping on the riverfront acreage owned by the YMCA was our best/only option. The trail magic ride to the campground was wonderful! We checked in at the Y 40 minutes before they closed, pitched tent, returned to the Y for free showers complete with soap and fresh towels!!...out of the Y doors clean just 5 minutes before the YMCA closed for the day!! Walked to nearby gas station food store to pick up "dinner"--too tired to hike the half mile to restaurants. Returned to dine waterside at the campground picnic table. Kirby, Cookie, and a hiker named Lance(we'd met him hiking around Erwin last yr) joined us for sunset conversation. Nice evening. Went to sleep with comfy temps, Canada geese honking all around us in the nearby waterways.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: YMCA Campground Waynesboro

To: Quality Inn Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0

Up and out to Weazie's(pancake spot) and laundromat across the st from pancake house. 1st goal: get clothes into washer. Wore rainsuit to pancake house. Coolie and Kirby were at pancake place. We ate at adjacent boothes and chatted. Take It Easy ate 5 huge pancakes--they have a hiker pancake competition ongoing each season--Take It Easy didn't come close to winning. I got Texas french toast, 3 eggs scrambled and bacon. Ummmm good! Back to put clothes in dryer, then changed into clean clothes in laundromat restroom. We started walking the mile or so to the Q. Inn to see about a room. Hadn't walked 100 ft before a man with his toddler son pulled up and offered to drive us anywhere we wanted--sweet trail magic! To Q. Inn we went, secured a room while our trail angel waited patiently in case we needed to go to another hotel. Thank you, Trail Angel! He and son pulled off, now back on course to go on their planned hike today. When we exited the hotel lobby, up bounded Thud! He's staying here, too. Neat! Good to see him. He says he's talked to the 4 Sisters. They're at least 3 days behind, so he's going to have to quit dawdling and move up the trail. We fetched our tent and gear; said goodbyes to Kirby and Cookie, lugged our armloads(TIE said we only needed one pack---wrong!) with us to Kroger where we dumped iot all in a shopping cart and pushed it around while we shopped the deli for lunch. We looked like street people living out of a shopping cart. Managed to tote everything back to QI, ate, moseyed over to CVS across the street for Take It Easy to puchase new insole pads to help his slightly achey feet. It's a pretty and warm day, but we're content to hang out in the room and watch nature shows on tv. Dinner time nears. We don't feel much like mustering ujp the energy to go to a restaurant. So we call Thud and offer him trail magic pizza. He couldn't turn it down! Take It Easy and I walked over to Little Caesar's Pizza, bought 2 different types of pizza, brought them to Thud's room, split them up so we'd get some of each topping. Said our goodbyes to Thud and Max. Perhaps we'll see him at tomorrow's continental breakfast. If not, he's off and running. Thud's considering starting a trailjournals.com journal. If so, it'll be fun to keep up with his trail adventures.
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Quality Inn Waynesboro

To: Calf Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.0

Hustle bustle morning. I ate 3 bowls of Cheerios and cup of tea to get started. Then off to the P.O. to mail 5 lbs of stuff back to NN; Kroger's for resupply; library for final posts. I attempted to email Persistent, our hiking friend from last yr--she made it to Katahdin, Maine and cheers us on. I don't think the emiail wint thru. So Persistent, we do love trail magic, but we're not doing maildrops, but we should be in Harper's Ferry in a few days and will check at the P.O. there for packages. Thanks so much for thinking of us, everyone. Saw Marguerite this a.m. right after breakfast. She's picking us up at 1 to shuttle us to the trailhead. Ended up that she got us, along with SnidelyWhiplash and Applecore, and delivered us to the trailhead. It sprinkled a few drops, but otherwise a great smooth trail with some rocks. Saw at least 5 piles of bear scat; some were cub-sized. This is our first bear scat since starting back on the trail this year. Fun conversations at dinner. Sketch, an architect from Wilmington, NC, whose wife worked at ECU, showed us his sketch book that's filling up with pencil sketches of trail scenes. They are amazing in their detail and artistic quality--good work, Sketch!
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Calf Mt. Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

Here in the Shenandoah National Park. Allergic rhinitis tormented me during the night. Drip, drip, achoo! achoo! were my noises that others claimed didn't disturb them. Pill I took at 2:30 a.m. took about an hour to turn off the suffering so I and others could sleep. Bright sunny day around 80 degrees. Rolling trail with mostly good surface. Next thing we knew, our plans shifted from doing the original goal of 13 miles to the next shelter, to doing 20.4 miles to the Loft Mountain Wayside where we could order and eat fast food for an early dinner. Snidely and Applecore think they might do the same. We all have to zoom to make it to the wayside before they close at 5:30. Wouldn't you know it...another change of plans. As all four of us hit the road crossing at the same time, there was a ranger stopping vehicle traffic and hikers. They're doing a planned burn, it's in progress up the road. The ranger said for us to walk up the trail to where we'd run into a ranger sitting in a lawn chair. That ranger called another to drive down in the Park SUV and shuttle us through the 250 acre burn area. The burn zone encompassed the next shelter(but wouldn't destroy it they say). Well, that put us definitely in a good position to reach the wayside before closing time since it shaved off about 3 miles of trail hiking. The four of us trotted on the trail, getting to the wayside in good time. I downed a grilled cheese sandwich on wheat bread & a BBQ sandwich & french fries&large Sierra Mist& one beer. Take It Easy ate 2 burgers& french fries& Sieera Mist& a beer. TIE and I shared a blackberry milkshake. Snidely at 3 burgers, a salad and who knows what else. Applecore ate a salad and more other food, too. Then at 5 pm. we hiked the hr or so to this shelter. What a surprise-filled day! We got to see a freshly killed copperhead snake on the road, lots of expansive views from Skyline Drive overviews when the trail intersected with them. We got a close-up look at a "controlled burn" when the ranger drove us past the fireworkers. One fire worker took a picture of all of us being shuttled in the vehicle with the ranger and a fire worker who was being transported with us. We saw the workers, trucks and low flames covering over 200 acres of mountain. The smoke and heat was amazing. We also got to see fireworkers trying to put out a fire on the WRONG side of the road; cinders must have blown over the rd and caught a patch of leaves on fire. They don't want that! They put it out succesfully. Whew!
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Ugh...it's 3:59 a.m. and the wrist watch alarm is sounding off on one of the section hikers. The only one who woke up was me The 2 section hikers got up at 5:15 a.m., packed their gear and left before 6. The rest of us played possum til later since it was raining. Headed out, leaving new hiker "Pilgrim" at the shelter. Pleasant guy. Pilgrim's only been out a day, hiking in sandals, has raw feet, gonna stay at shelter today to rest feet---they look terrible--he's gonna need more than a few days to heal. Discovered today there are 2 Fred's and 2 Andy's on the trail One hiker we'd leapfrogged with ran across 2 cubs and a momma bear when he rounded a turn in the trail3:56 p.m. in the shlter. Ridgerunner "Midnight" is here chatting now. Midnight lives in Baltimore 4 days a wk, ridgeruns for 10 checking on shelters and hikers. Also here are Chatterbox and Domas. Snigely and Applecore trucked on, trying to close in on Skyland's wayside restaurant's steak dinner. Chatterbox and Domas are Va.Tech students who are thru hiking. Domas had his backpack stolen from outside a restaurant in Damascus, VA! Many places ask hikers to leave packs outside. So while it was out of his sight, someone took it. What a shame! Stealing a pack full of a hiker's survival gear! Other hikers and Mount Rogers Outfitters in Damascus generously assisted hime in obtaining a new pack and supplies. 6:11p.m. now, and it's just Take It Easy and me, watching the fog swirl in, fuzzing our view of the trees and underbrush. Dense fog, thunder, lightning, and downpouring rain at bedtime. Just us here for the night.