morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Woods Hole Hostel at Sugar Run

To: Pearisburg-Catholic Church Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

10 miles in 3 hoursWe awoke to a quiet morning in the lovely Woods Hole setting. Tillie and her helpers fed us a fine southern breakfast. We felt a real sense of companionship around the table.I needed to catch the post office in Pearisburg before it closed, so Tillie drove me, No Worry and Minus One to Pearisburg.I chose to bring my pack to leave at the Church hostel in town. Tillie then returned the three of us to her hostel at 2 pm in time for us to "slack pack" back to Pearisburg.Our feet flew, since we'd learned of a reception for hikers being given by some local residents. Reached town just in time to clean up for the party.Approaching PearisburgWhat a great evening! Ray Smith, a professor at nearby Virginia Tech, his wife and four kids along with a physician friend, his wife and four kids threw a feast for the dozen or so of us hostel dwellers. Such food and good cheer. Also a chance to use their phone, internet and laundry! They really enjoyed our company and we theirs. No Worry wowed the kids with the Australian trick of sucking hot chocolate through a chocolate tea biscuit with the corners bitten off, so that it dissolved on their tongues. Wait a second to long and it dissoved in their fingers!Trail magic session at Smith's home outside Pearisburg: Navigator, Raven, the Hobbits, Spiderweb and HansWe got back to the hostel way post hiker midnight. A thousand thanks Ray, Al and families.A Zero day tomorrow. G'nite! Now or Never.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Pearisburg-Catholic Church Hostel

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero dayEnjoyed a quiet day at the church hostel with a large group of hikers, old acquaintances and new.Walked toward town with the wish to catch a church service and was given a ride once again by Tillie and her friend, in town from Woods Hole for the same purpose.We went to the Presbyterian Church and heard a good message from the visiting pastor stressing the common goals of all religious faiths. He made me think of all the kind actions of local people, who had nothing to gain by it. Raven has rethought his critical view of the strong religious streak in people down here. Until now we've only seen it as it appears in conservative politics on the national scene: anti-abortion, anti-evolution and other right wing beliefs.Now we see it manifested as a pervasive spirit of helping one's neighbor, even if he's a grimy stranger tramping through town. How much we need and appreciate such kindness!Pancake breakfast on porch of catholic church hostel, PearisburgThen Tillie dropped me off at a local AYCE restaurant buffet with a WalMart across the way for provisioning.Downtown PearisburgA quiet evening. Tomorrow sees a long trek starting toward Daleville. G'nite!Now or Never.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

21.6 miles in 10.5 hoursBill, the shelter caretaker, drove up at 7 am to take Raven and me to the trail head. In the rush to get ready, I left my stove and cook set. This nasty situation dawned on me as we hiked.We walked on poison-ivy infested trails bordering town, then up a long climb to a ridge with a rocky trail. Ouch went our feet.Rice Field Shelter sat on an open meadow on the ridge with great views. By now the weather had cleared somewhat.As we finally arrived at the shelter I was contemplating eating raw Ramen noodles and cold instant mashed potatoes for the next four days.Then in walked Buz and Breeze with my cookpot! Joe Flamingo and Lyndsey back at the shelter had spotted and identified it just after I left! Such magic! Everyone looks out after each other. But why do I have to benefit so often? I've left four items behind on separate occasions, and each time someone brought them up.That made it a great evening.View from aboveCast of characters: Rocket, Hans, Chasqui and Son Cous Cous, Buzz, Breeze, Raven, Speak up, and I.Major glitch: The pocketmail died. It probably drowned in all this steamy, dripping humidity. I revived it once before by drying it out in the sun, but this time it went down for good.So now it will be notes transcribed by poor Gloria until I can get a replacement. G'nite! Now or Never.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

18.5 miles in 10 hoursHeavy rain in the wee hours, lifting by dawn. Slept in the shelter so stayed dry.Three PUD's at the start, then a big climb over Wind Rock, Salt Pond Mountain, and Lone Pine Peak.As we labored up the final long hill of the day, we came across a cooler of grape soda and oatmeal cream sandwiches. Such magic! Such an effect! Thanks "Super-Dave!"Once again, I left a major bag of items on the bench at a shelter at lunch. Once again, Breeze and Buzz saved the day by reminding me.Enjoying the viewWe shared camp with two nice older women (The Virginia Creepers) with unfriendly growling dogs. Luckily they chose to tent away from the shelter, where we slept because of the threat of thunder. No one likes to pack up a wet tent. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

22.3 miles in 11.5 hoursThis was a LONG day, which took us through beautiful sloping pastures and up two major ridges. Good views from ridgetop outlooks over valleys below. We came upon No Worries with a stray cat in the remotest stretch of the trail. It was wolfing down salami slices and granola, and looked healthy but skinny.How did it get there? What was in store for it? It followed her only a few hundred yards, with many miles left to the nearest home.Just off the trail was a big granite marker with some flowers. This was where Audie Murphy crashed and died in his small plane, years after his spectacular exploits in WWII and a sad decline in his postwar career.Trail winding through farmlandAudie Murphy memorialThe final few miles became a race against an oncoming thunderstorm, barely making it - driving rain and violent winds, with nearby lightning. A big tree fell behind our shelter across the path to the spring. Spiderweb had just passed by it on the way down, by minutes then found it lying across her path on her return.Lightning-damaged tree behind shelterA damp, dripping evening spent in the shelter. More of the same predicted for many days ahead. Must summer come on so quickly? G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

16.1 miles in 9 hoursA damp start after last night's storm. The radio reported tornados in the area, which goes along with the violent winds in our neck of the woods.First big task was a long climb up Dragon's Tooth, which had great views. The clouds parted and the sun burned down.The heat made us thirsty. This is a tough section of trail, since good water sources along these ridges can be over 10 miles apart. Hikers shared water with those who got depleted. Everyone looks out for each other. Streams are often contaminated with pasture runoff, which contains guess what?We stopped at a small general store for sodas, pizza, and a few supplies.The trail led through lovely fields of clover alternating with woods, over many stiles (ladders or angled shutes through pasture fences).The toughest but most rewarding climb came at the end of the day, up McAfee's Knob. This is a series of exposed ledges jutting out into space with tremendous views of valleys in several directions. We basked there in the late afternoon sun and posed for shots at the very edge.View off McAffee KnobWe made it to the shelter just as dark fell, with barely enough time to eat and prepare for the night. The weather looked clear, so I risked setting up my tarp. Here's hoping!Cast of characters at the shelter: Raven, myself, Cuppa Joe, Minus One, No Worries, Spiderweb, and Hans (a hammocker from Texas).G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

15.4 miles in 8 hours (counting a 2.4 mile accidental detour)Well, this old weather guy was mistaken again. Distant thunder and light rain hit at 2 am. Should have stayed in the shelter with the others.Left before 7, planning to tear off the hike by early afternoon, leaving time for town chores.The trail took us up Tinker Cliffs, another spectacular outlook not quite as high as McAfee Knob. They took their name from Revolutionary War deserters, who settled there and made pots and pans. Trail from Tinker Cliffs to DalevilleWe started off in the rain, mist and gusty wind. I overtook No Worries and as we chatted I noted we were losing altitude fast and the blazes weren't quite white, but a cream color. Then we met a day hiker who said we'd left the AT about 1.2 miles ago, and almost 1000 feet of altitude. Imagine our thoughts as we scrambled back up, losing energy and nearly 2 hours of hiking time.Trail behind Tinker Cliffs We rolled into Daleville abruptly, hitting a busy 4 lane highway. Raven and I split a room at a HoJo's 100 yards up the road. Speak Up had hiked ahead of us yesterday and left a note in a shelter that he'd seen a mama bear and 3 cubs together. He got a photo of the cubs up a tree and mama looking over some bushes. Then he took off.....fast! I'd sure like to see a bear.All of our chores done and now it's time for bed....a REAL bed. Raven's going home for a few days for his son's high school graduation, but will hike two more days first. I'm sure we'll hook up again. It won't be the same without him.G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

11.2 miles in 5 1/2 hoursA comfortable night at the Howard Johnson Motel, a bit more provisioning, then off by 11 on a sunny dry day. Only 12 miles to do, under no pressure, cleaned up and with clean clothing, carrying less weight after sending several pounds home....perfect! After a steep climb up Fullhardt's Knob I had lunch at the shelter. A deranged-looking old woman sat there alongside a huge American Tourister wheeled suitcase and bags of belongings which she or someone had hauled three steep and rocky miles up the trail. She was uncommunicative, but a trail runner who stopped in briefed us on her since she was a well-known local figure. She billed herself as a witch, but the Queen of England as well. She was down on big government, which she says bores holes to insert monitoring equipment in the back of peoples' heads. Does she know something we don't yet? Along the way I came across a six-foot long blacksnake on the prowl. I watched its head rise 4 feet in the air toward a rhododendron branch, straight up as if on a string. What an athlete! It then slid along the branches, flicking its tongue all the while.Blacksnake rising from ground to rhododendron branchRinsed off at a stream-crossing shortly before entering camp. There was Raven, Hans and Cuppa Joe, with some new faces as well.Had a relaxed dinner in front of the shelter, with no thunder for once.Raven's looking forward to several days off the trail at home, but not to resuming the hike a week later among totally new hikers. You really form a bond with the cohort of hikers traveling up the trail within a few days ahead and behind you.Note to readers: If the journal comes to a halt, it's not because I came to the edge of the world and fell off! It's either because Gloria left on some family visit, or currently, because my Pocketmail gadget died..I'm hand writing these notes now. [and I'm typing them - Gloria] Critters noted: 1) More mosquitos lately, maybe from all the daily down pours. 2) Nasty little midges that hover and dance before your face, then make a sudden rush for your eyes. Easily foiled by wearing glasses, or waving your hands before your face as you work your poles. [Do I really want to join him next week?..GCN]It's getting dark now. The end of a really good day. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

20.6 miles in 9.5 hoursUp with the birds at 5:30, ready to hike out at 7. Said farewell to Raven who's hiking back to town to catch a flight home tomorrow. Speak Up dropped out at Dalesville to visit with his girlfriend for a long weekend, so won't be seen for awhile. Hope we hook up again in a week or two. Each day it seems old friends drop out and there are new acquaintances to make.A long hike today but over well packed trails with switchbacks, and no major climbs. The AT crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway at scenic turnouts. Not much traffic considering it's Memorial Day Weekend.Had a great swim at Jennings Creek. My black poly boxers are like swim trunks, which makes public dips do-able. The girls are at a disadvantage in this regard.Finished the day feeling totally refreshed. At the shelter were Archeopteryx (NJ native now working in NZ with Maori population), Cuppa Jo (medical study director whose company went under), Hans, Dutch, and two section hikers from D.C.It's only a few days till I visit my Aunt Elise in Lexington, VA. It's hard to predict just when I'll pop out of the woods, so I haven't called her yet.Full of instant mashed with milk and chicken chunks, finishing off with Ramen noodles. Stretched all working joints, massaged the feet, and took all my hiker pills. Ready for the sack after a great day.G'nite! Now or Never.
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

10.3 miles in 6 hoursA bad night even if spent in a great shelter. It's a new 2 story post-and-beam structure with a wide covered porch.A lot of noisy chatter going on well past hiker midnight, then thunder and hard rain set in around 3AM, continuing past dawn. What a damper on hiking enthusiasm!Sat around until the rain lifted, settling for a 10 mile walk to the next shelter, with rain threatening in the afternoon.Hiking out was tolerable in a warm drizzle, not worth putting on rain grear, but slogging up muddy trails through steamy dripping woods is a downer. At the end of a day I feel like the mud creature from Planet Slorth. We're all hoping for a break from these past 3 weeks of midsummer weather in May.Several big climbs today, up Floyd Mountain, then Apple Orchard Mountain. The latter was open and grassy at the top, with views for miles over countryside below. The only eyesore was a large USAF radar dome, humming away.Radome atop Apple Orchard Mtn.The trail passed under Guillotine Rock on the way down. It's a huge boulder wedged between rock walls either side of the trail.Got into the shelter early and grabbed a nap. Then one by one in came Minus One, No Worry, Hans, Archaeopteryx, Dutch, and Scholar. Had a big two course dinner (dehydrated beef stew then Ramen noodles with tuna).I hear more and more stories of people poorly fit to shoes and insoles by the outfitter in Damascus. So many people who successfully made it that far ended up somewhat crippled after long and tortuous fitting sessions, and quite peeved. Warning to all: line up all your footwear before starting, and break it in!Can't say I'm tired after such a short day, but I'm relaxed and sleepy. Tomorrow: resupply at Glasgow. Hope it's an easy hitch in and back.G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

14.6 miles in 6.5 hoursTrekking through the Jungle Far Back in TimeAwoke with the birds at 5:30 (always wood thrushes), to a cool clear breezy late summer Maine-like morning... What a boost the spirits! First one out at 6:30, making it up to Thunder Hill Overlook with long clear views along the valley below, patchy with morning mist.All the ups and downs here in Virginia are mostly flat dirt paths along easy switchbacks. I've come to appreciate the "green tunnel;" the sun blazes down in the clear areas.Passed through quite a stretch of dead pines with lots of little babies growing back. A pine beetle infestation did that a few years back. After another scramble, up Highcock Knob, came a huge downhill run toward the wide muddy James River.But first a lunch break at Matt's Creek Shelter and a dip in the deep stream in front. Love that clean wet feeling while tramping along.The trail there was teeming with 1/4 inch "toadlets".It must have been a tremendous, simultaneous "hatch." Also heard several loud short screeches from nearby. Bobcat? The trail ran along the James until it came to a long wide footbridge, same width but far longer than the old RR trestle-bridge in Skowhegan. It's the one hikers-only bridge on the trail.Hikers' own bridge across the James RiverView upJames River off footbridgeWas lucky to snag a quick hitch 6 miles into Glasgow, where I secured a room in a VERY basic motel. My first reaction to this little town is it had been invaded by full-sized dinosaurs of every type and color except Barney. Our motel has a Triceratops, the BP station a Tyrannosaurus, the school playground a Maiasaurus.The town's librarian said they were a practical April-Fools joke, dumped around town by the owner of a nearby amusement park. To his surprise the town loved them and they drew in tourists. So he donated still more...nearly a dozen now. Trail towns sure have their own distinct indentities.Wrangling, Glasgow-styleSchoolyard bullyJust finished a double dinner at the motel's restaurant and am sitting outside my motel room door with a Gatorade and a Moon Pie, as the trucks roll by in front of the dinosaurs.Headed for an early bedtime, then an easy day tomorrow. The good weather already has been displaced by wild-looking storm clouds rolling in over the ridge, and it's showering now. Back to the world of mud? G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

19.6 miles in 9 hoursHad a restless night in my tiny motel room. Nice soft bed, but strange surroundings, I guess. And several rooms over, someone had let their TV run all night, an incessant faint babble and nattering.Not much traffic on the road out of Glasgow, and after 15 minutes of walking I grew anxious about the remaining six miles back to the trail. Then a small pickup pulled over, and a quiet thin older man offered a lift. He was a volunteer hiker-shuttler, named Homer Witcher, who had hiked the AT with his wife and two kids several years earlier. A good man.Fine brisk clear weather fired me up. A long climb up to Fuller's Rocks, with a fine view back over the river and its valley.Leaving Glasgow Then up further to Bluff Mountain where I came across a sad little memorial to a 5 yr old schoolboy named Ottie, who got lost there while gathering firewood for his schoolhouse back in October 1890. His body wasn't found till the following spring. Coins, flowers, gun, and small stuffed toys lay about the little monument.Ottie Powell's memorialHad lunch at Punchbowl Shelter with Spider Web, Scrubs and Professor Pete, then headed on since the weather was holding. Punchbowl Shelter is said to be haunted by little Ottie's ghost.Walked past Pedlar Dam and its reservoir, then pulled in here near six.Pedlar Dam outside GlasgowSpending the evening with Strider 60 (retired USAF pilot), Choo Choo (retiree from Chattanooga), Scrubs (starting UVM Med school), Professor Pete (microbiology PHD student), Spider Web, Minus One and No Worry. Got a fire going. A nice quiet evening on the trail with the stream rushing by down below.Tomorrow a short hike then a hitch into Buena Vista to look up my Aunt Elise. Looking forward to an enjoyable visit.G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Buena Vista
Miles today: 2.0

2 miles in 1 hourFelt lazy so slept in till 6;30, knowing I had such a short walk ahead. the trail lead along Brown Mountain Creek in a long, winding, wooded Ravine. At stops along the way there were historical markers, mentioning that a farming community of freed slaves dwelt there until the early 1900's.Little traffic came by on highway 60 and none of it stopped. Just as I resolved to leave the parking area at the trail crossing and begin the 9 mile walk into Buena Vista, an older man pulled up nearby and stepped out. I greeted him and we chatted. Turned out I had met a trail legend, "Piney," who has shuttled and given trail magic to hikers ever since 1961 when he was a boy working in a lumber camp next to the trail. He's appeared in Bill Bryson's book, "A Walk in the Woods" and another titled "Appalachian Adventure."On our ride into town he lamented the change in hiker attitudes over the past few years. Many now accept "trail magic" as their due, with no thanks to the provider. I often joke about being "entitled" to trail magic at every crossing and "complain" if it's not there, but this new breed of hikers must take it seriously. Sad comment.I'm writing this in the comfortable farmhouse kitchen of my Aunt Elise, with cheese and crackers on one side and a gin and tonic on the other. Steaks are sizzling on the fire. What a comfortable, homey atmosphere and what a pleasure to be with family again. It makes me all the more eager to see Gloria when she comes down later this month, and catch up on things I've missed so much. Warm company, warm bed, warm body. Thanks Brian.Earlier today Elise took me around downtown Lexington past graduation day at Washington and Lee College, through the VMI campus, to a bookstore, then to a supermarket.I'm ready for the march to Waynesboro! Hope we don't descend back into the mire of mid-summer heat.G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Buena Vista

To: Seeley - Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

14 miles in 6 hoursI couldn't turn in right away last evening. My aunt's home is an antebellum brick farmhouse with high-ceilinged rooms filled with furnishings and artwork from her years growing up in Persia in a missionary family. I sat journalling in a front room, dark except for a table lamp alonside, while Elise sewed up some of my torn clothing to the lovely rich voice of Lorraine Hunt Lieberson singing Baach cantatas.I'd just had a great call home. Life was too sweet to stop by going to bed, but I was shot by 10:30.A rainy dawn, a big breakfast, then Elise drove me back to the AT. The end of a great visit.The trail immediately climbed into the clouds, and I spent the rest of the day in chill, damp mist and blowing rain. Only chilled off once, until I ate enough and hiked fast enough. I passed over several high balds which must have had striking views, but visibility was only 30 yards or so.Still room in the shelter when I rolled in at 4:30. Got on dry clothing and climbed into my sleeping bag to warm up, then did supper and cleanup.Here also: Coyote, Salt Lick, Delta (fast-hiking disenchanted robotics engineer from Lowell, MA), Pooja Blue (a Californian in her 30's who visits India regularly helping a sociologist with a long-term population study, loves Indian culture, has learned Hindi, and hums Indian melodies to herself), Choo Choo (retired guy from Chattanooga), and Strider 60.It's 55 degrees but feels colder in the damp. Not a great way to celebrate the start of my third month on the trail. Broke 800 miles today also! G'nite! Now or Never