morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 35.7
Weather: overcast clouds

After a very cold nights sleep, it was time to get off that mountain and seek lower elevations. Today will be the last day we hike above 5000ft until mt. washington in NH. I got out of the shelter early, by 830am and it was 35 degrees and gusty wind. I cant believe this is what virginia in may is like.Saw one heard of ponies as I was making my way across the highlands. Its really beautiful up there, my favorite part of the trip so far. If it were warmer, Id really be loving it.I made it to old orchard shelter, and needed to eat something and shed a layer. It was nice to be at a lower elevation where it wasnt as cold or windy.Stopped again at wise shelter, and read that we would soon be passing the 500 mile mark. Quite the milestone to make it this far, its hard to imagine what Ill feel like if I ever finish. Mule had stayed here the night before after missing us at thomas knob. He wrote in the shelter journal, saying he was going to try to make partnership shelter tonight. We arrived at the new hurricane shelter and I was starving. No matter how much more we were planning on hiking, I needed to eat first. I made a quick ramen soup, and some teriyaki tuna fillets with pepper jack cheese on tortillas.Then we started talking about making it partnership. I dont know why, but we decided to try to hike 20 more miles, at 5pm, to make the total mileage for the day somewhere near 35.The first ten miles went by rather quickly. We got to trimpi shelter around 745, and were surprised to see mule there. Well we wouldnt let him off the hook for not making it to where he said he'd be so we made him pack up and join us. It was 830 by the time he was ready to leave, and we all had our headlamps on for the night hike.The last 10 miles wasnt bad in the dark, just the last couple miles. The terrain wasnt difficult, but my feet and legs were shot. We finally arrived at partnership shelter around 1230am, exhausted.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA / The Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Well, the mass exodus out of the shelter began around 615am. I didnt get nearly enough sleep, probably 5 hours. I had no choice but to wake up since I grabbed the last spot in the shelter, but the rest of our group cowboy camped next to the shelter in the grass.Mule, bud, carnivore and jukebox needed to hitch into town to resupply. I have a maildrop at the relax inn, about 12 miles north so I stayed at the mt. rogers visitor station right next to the shelter. I set up my wet tent, since the sun was out and it needed to dry.The rest of the morning was spent catching up on my journal and making a couple phone calls. The crew came back around 230pm, and we set our sights on hiking. After a short but tough climb over brushy mtn, and then locust mtn it was time for a break. My feet and legs were surprisgly not all that sore from yesterday. Bud, on the other hand, was cursing all those pointy rocks that were killing his feet.I was determined to keep going, and the terrain didnt look too hard on paper. Rarely does that mean anything, but for once it actually seemed correct. I hiked the last 7.5 miles with only a 10 minute break and got to the relax inn by 7pm.I waited for one of my group to get to the road crossing after I got my room and maildrop. I saw bud first, told him I got a room, and to meet me up at the resturant. Everyone else arrived shortly there after while I was eating. Mule and carnivore got permission to tent behind the resturant, while bud and jukebox decided to share the room with me.Going to head out tomorrow after sorting through my food and getting breakfast. Dont know where Im heading, but Id like to do 10-15 miles.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Atkins, VA / The Relax Inn

To: Atkins, VA / The Relax Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up around 830 after a good sound sleep in a bed, it was much needed. Only bad thing was the weather, pouring rain and about 50 degrees. The walk up to the resturant for breakfast made up my mind that I wasnt hiking today unless it cleared up by the afternoon. The forecast from the weather channel certainly didnt reassure us.I called home to wish my mom a happy mothers day. Im glad I was in a spot where I could do so. It feels good to be getting closer to home, even though the trail never gets closer than 3 hours from where we all live. I think the mid atlantic will officially begin when bagels will replace biscuits on breakfast menus.Bud has one big blister on the bottom of both feet, and one is a blood blister. Looks really painfull, Im glad my heels didnt turn out like that from my new trailrunners. I did start to get hotspots from the really stiff heels but I treated them in time. Carnivore and mule werent too motivated to leave either, so they got a room also.I spent the day getting caught up on my picture labeling, sports, and rest. I talked to my good friend steve who will be coming through the area tomorrow. I hope we are able to get in touch in the morning and see each other. Im not in a hurry time wise to get out tomorrow, but Im definitely leaving. It really depends on this crazy weather, and when/if I can see my friend for a bit. Hopefully I can be out by 3, and get 7-14 miles in. Virginia looks like nice hiking so far, but Id like to be through this state by first week in June. I feel strong.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Atkins, VA / The Relax Inn

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

No rain when I woke up, but I had a hard time falling asleep for some reason. Seems like I either sleep really well, or really bad. I think I was laying in bed till 2am trying to fall asleep. Today was the day to get back on the trail, but I had a couple things to do first.No luck seeing my friend as he drove by on his way to NC. I got him on the phone once, but it cut out and I wasnt successful everytime I tried calling him back. Hopefully I can see him when he passes through again on his way home.Bud, carnivore, and jukebox left first around noon. They werent sure how far they would make it since bud's blisters are pretty bad. Mule was waiting for a phonecall so he stayed back at the motel with no falls. The mudsloggers arrived and we decided to get a shuttle together to the post office and food store. I had some extra food, so I mailed it ahead to pearisburg. Im tired of carrying so much food, and having lots left over when I get to town so Im packing light for this section.Mule and I hit the trail around 430, not having a clue how far we were going. After getting to the first shelter, we decided to push on since it wasnt even 6pm yet. I found the guys, and jukebox along with wolfpaw, squirel master and contageous 7 miles in at a nice campsite. After doing some math, I decided to push on in the dark to knot maul branch shelter, another 7 miles. I really want to get to pearisburg on friday before the post office closes.I headed out after eating with the group around 8pm, hoping Id get to the shelter around 11. Night hiking usually means a little slower pace due to the fact that you have to keep an eye on your footing, and try to follow the trail at the same time.This was my first ever solo night hike. It wasnt creepy at all, although I heard a lot of deer running around. The herd of cattle that wouldnt get off the trail was the freaky part. At one point they had me surrounded and they werent mooing, but more like snorting. It took me 10 minutes to get through them. They started following me after that, but luckily I was near the stile.I also had a hard time with my footing. I must have rolled my left ankle 10 times. Its a little swollen, but hopefully some advil will do the trick in the morning.I arrived at the shelter around 1030, to the sight of lots of tents. I found a spot for my own, set it up, hung my food bag, and was asleep by 1130. Minus the ankle rolls, and the mean cattle, it was a nice hike and Im glad I got ahead. Its weird being without my group, but its time to up the mileage a bit. Hopefully they wont fall too far back.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was the last one to leave the shelter area this morning. I did meet scarecrow before he left, but most of the others left before I got out of my tent. I had my first carnation instant breakfast, and it was delicious.On the way down to lynn camp creek, I turned my left ankle a couple more times. Its really starting to hurt each time it happens, I hope it gets stronger. Im not sure low top trailrunners were the best choice, but we will see.Next was a climb of about 2000ft over about 6 miles. Im not sure if I like the prolonged climbs over a long distance, or the short ones that are more steep. Either way they are getting easier compared to a couple months ago.Once up top, I breaked for lunch at chestnut knob shelter. This was the original planned location for the vanderbilt estate, instead they chose asheville, nc. The views were blocked mostly from all the clouds, but no rain. It was windy and cold up there, almost reminded me of thomas knob on top of mt. rogers.The next 10 were spent hiking along a nice ridge. It was pretty rocky, and had some ups and downs. I took one break about halfway through, and was eager to get to the shelter. Lots of people at the shelter tonight: no lines, plugger, guinness and her dog allie, nifty, chardonnay, cabernet, mouse, scarecrow, bera, nathan and his dog tully, h-bomb, shasta, and mapleleaf.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

A sign in the shelter posted by the local trail club stated the bridge over laurel creek was torn down, and the blue blazed high water trail was to be used. I didnt really think water levels were high enough to cause a problem, so I stayed on the AT. Scarecrow and cabernet also continued to follow the whiteblazes. The trail crossed the river over a dozen times in a 2 mile stretch. A trail maintainer passed, and asked why I decided to stay on the AT instead of taking the high water trail, and I told him that water levels were so low that it seemed ridiculous to tell people to get off the AT. He said the river was easily passable, and I refrained from telling him that their signs should be taken down. After crossing laurel creek, which was about 6 inches deep where the downed bridge was, there was trail magic in the form of an iced cooler with juices in them. Cabernet and I enjoyed some apple juice together.Once I got to the road where people go into bland, va it was difficult to find any whiteblazes. I knew it crossed over I-77, so I stayed on the road to the left, and finally saw a whiteblaze. They could definitely add some blazes to make it easier to follow.After a short steep climb, I reached helveys mill shelter for lunch and to refill on water. The shelter was .3 miles off the AT, and then the water was even farther from the trail. I didnt leave the shelter till 445pm, and I still had 10 miles to go till I got to my destination of jenny knob shelter.It started sprinkling, but it wasnt hard enough for me to stop to put m packcover on. Usually 10 miles takes me about 3 hours, but since it was late I picked up the pace. I turned my ankle a couple more times, but arrived in good time. The 10 miles took me a little over 2 hours, and I arrived around 7pm.At the shelter tonight was mapleleaf, heartfire, nifty, along with guinness and her dog. I ate when I arrived, and was in my tent by 830. Another long day tomorrow, but there is a small grocery just off the trail that I plan to stop at to see what kind of food I can devour.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a sprinkle of rain around 715, luckily it didnt continue. By the time I got out of my tent around 8, it was already almost dry. Carrying a wet tent makes it twice as heavy, and at this point I can feel every extra ounce of weight. I made it out of camp by 845 with my sights set on VA608 where trents grocery is, about 6 miles up the trail. Just one short break on my way there.Once at trents grocery, I proceeded to eat way too much and overdose on sweet tea. I had to wait about a half hour before I put my pack on inorder to digest the 2 grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese sticks, and cajun fries. Along with the 2 sweet teas, apple juice, and sprite.The trail from VA608 to wapiti shelter was probably the flatest Ive hiked yet over the span of about 7 miles. Although, it seemed like a lot farther than 7 miles since it took me a little over 2 hours. I did 9.8 miles yesterday in the same amount of time. I cant complain though, since it was enjoyable hiking.On the way, I did pass by dismal creek falls without stopping. Supposedly there is a nice swimming hole there, but when its just 60 degrees that wasnt on my list of things to do. The plan was to push on to docs knob shelter, another 8 miles with an uphill to start. Mapleleaf got a fire going, and my feet were feeling the miles of the past few days, so I decided to stop and enjoy the rest of the day. And wouldnt you know, mule showed up. He said bud, carnivore, and jukebox all got off to go to trail days. Good to have him back. Now instead of having a short 8 miles into pearisburg, I'll have 17 to do. I hope to get started by 730, my earliest start yet, so that I can reach the post office before 4pm when it closes to get my bouncebox. I need to charge my phone, camera, and batteries friday night so I can ship the bouncebox out saturday morning. Otherwise if I got there saturday to pick it up, I wouldnt be able to mail it back out till monday, which means another zero day. Id like to not zero again till shenandoah.Two hikers were murdered here in 1981, which adds some spookiness to this place. Glad to know the killer only got a 15 year prison sentance.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA / Plaza Motel
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Mule and I got off to an early start by 8am. There was a daunting uphill to start, and I wanted to make the post office before it closed at 4pm. Of course the uphill wasnt as bad as it looked on the profile map, and once we got ontop of the ridge, it was nice hiking.We saw nifty, guinness and allie as they were leaving woodshole hostel. They said they got foot massages, and they gave me a black cherry vanilla coke. After a couple more ankle turns, we got to docs knob shelter. We met the father and son duo of fish and minnow as they were heading out. We had plenty of time, since we arrived there before 11am. 7 more miles to do till town meant we should be there by 2pm. The trail followed a nice woods road for a few miles before the trail took a right turn and headed straight uphill to put us back ontop of the ridge. Once ontop, it was a fast hike to angels rest, a nice viewpoint for pearisburg and the new river.Made it into town, and got a hitch to the post office. The holiday motor lodge had no vacancy, so we grabbed the last room at the plaza motel. We were both beat, and after some pizza hut delivery we spent the rest of the day laying in our beds. My body is exhausted, especially after eating a whole large veggie lovers thin crust pie.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Pearisburg, VA / Plaza Motel

To: Pearisburg, Va / Plaza Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well mule's pizza came back to haunt him in the middle of the night, but I slept like a baby. Luckily I didnt hear him throwing up in the middle of the night. Since there was no place to grab breakfast, we went right to the food lion for some resupply items. After talking to my girlfriend about how we will meet up memorial day weekend, I realized it would be harder if I was much past daleville, va. So leaving today meant Id have to take my time on the trail, which means carrying more food. Planning where Id be in 6 days is hard to do, and stressed me out quite a bit. Its a good stress though, since Im so looking forward to seeing her and my dog.I decided to stay one more day, so Id get to daleville and I-81 on thursday, with the option of stretching it to friday. Or I could get there thursday and slackpack 25 miles friday from bearwallow gap back to daleville and I-81. Either way Id be picked up on saturday and go spend the holiday weekend with my girl and my dog, what could be nicer. Mule left with burner around 4pm, while I spent another day resting my sore left ankle. Hopefully Ill stop rolling it, and the swelling will go down. I definitely shouldnt have switched to trailrunners.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Pearisburg, Va / Plaza Motel

To: Pineswamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

I got off to an early start out of town since I cleaned up the motel room and packed my backpack the night before. I quickly touched base with Linda and my family before heading out. I stopped at a gas station for a frappucino and a pop tart before hitting the trail, breakfast of champions.I passed fish and minnow first while they were sitting on the trail not even a mile out of town. Next I met the aussies, mike and zan, while trying to locate the trail after the bridge over the new river. They could definitely use some more blazes in this section.The uphill leaving town was longer than I expected, but I made it eventually. Unfortunately I rolled my ankle a few more times, and its really starting to become an issue. I wont make it out of Virginia at this rate, which is now my biggest fear.I ran into tipper while getting water after rice field shelter. He suggested I wrap it as soon as possible, and try to slow down my pace. Ive been walking over 3mph since Ive started, and its hard for me to walk slower. Once I got to the nice campsite near symms gap, I took an hour break to rest it, and wrap it.I made it almost all the way to pineswamp branch shelter with no more issues but I had one last good twist while descending to the shelter. When I got there I saw mule, brighteyes, tipper, and a couple new faces. After taking my trailrunners and socks off, I knew I had to seriously slow down and start concentrating on every single foot placement. It really only happens on the downhills, when gravity makes me go a little faster.Tomorrows goal isnt mileage, its to walk slower and under more control.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Pineswamp Branch Shelter

To: WarSpur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

I did it!! Today I didnt roll my ankle once, and I walked at a much more controlled pace. I was the second to last hiker to leave the shelter, around 916am, with goldfish just finishing packing up.The day started with a 4 mile hike to bailey gap shelter, with the last mile and a half being uphill. Just before the uphill, I needed to forde stony creek. I read the signs saying the bridge was out, but I decided not to road walk around the creek. Mike and Zan, the aussies, were crossing barefooted when I arrived. After some deliberation, I chose to do the same a little more downstream where the creek was a bit narrower. The water was very cold, but it felt great on my ankle. After drying my feet, putting on my ace bandage, socks, and shoes back on goldfish made it to the creek. He climbed/walked over a downed tree so he didnt have to forde.I took a break after the uphill at bailey gap shelter with goldfish and the aussies. I then was ready for what looked like a fairly level walk to wind rock according to the profile map. Unfortunately, it ended up being very rocky which meant I needed to take it slow to protect my ankle. The 4 miles from bailey gap shelter to wind rock ended up taking me almost 2 hours.I took a nice break at wind rock for lunch, although it was a little chilly with the winds whipping. It was about 5 miles from wind rock to warspur shelter, and the profile map indicated it was mostly level and then downhill. Luckily neither were rocky, and I could pick up my pace a bit. I ended up getting to warspur shelter with plenty of time to break, and still hike 6 more miles to where I was planning to stop.I finally caught up to brains and brawn when I reached the shelter. I hadnt seen them since erwin before my girlfriend met me in Asheville. They are perhaps the nicest and most positive people Ive met on the trail thus far. Also at the shelter were joe walsh, baldylocks, rusch hour, trusty, and brighteyes. I went to soak my ankle in the ice cold water of war branch while I decided what to do with the rest of my day. After watching baldylocks, brighteyes, and rusch hour push on, I decided to call it a day and rest my ankle.Bear rope and jangles arrived during dinner, as I was enjoying goldfish's guitar playing. Mystic also showed up shortly thereafter. Brains and brawn told me I missed mule by 15 minutes when I had arrived eariler. I figured he would be moving on to laurel creek shelter, Im sure Ill catch up.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Niday Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: few clouds

Much needed sleep last night after having to deal with an overzealous political activist around the campfire last night. You've got love the spunk in a 24yr old, too bad she hasnt been in the real world yet. Mystic bailed me out with some zen philosophy and that seemed to throw her for a loop. We then decided to hike to catawba together the next day. He hiked the 50 mile challenge from kincora to damascus a few weeks ago, and now I'm rolling with him. Scarey.We were hiking by 7am. We found a candy wrapper on the ground, figuring it was daniel. Next we passed brighteyes while she was breaking down camp a couple miles into our day. She camped with tipper the night before, luckily, since daniel had come by right before dark last night.The climb up to the next ridge was very pleasant, lots of switchbacks and not many rocks. We passed joe walsh on the way, and he agreed. Once ontop, we passed the audie murphy memorial. He was the most decorated WWII vet who died nearby in a plane crash.We saw tipper down at trout creek after descending from the ridge. A short snack break there, and we were ready for the ascent up to dragons tooth. The uphill wasnt too steep, but it took longer than I thought to get there. Good conversation today with mystic, he is a good guy and Im sure he will make it all the way.After getting to the tooth, and soaking in some views we started down. Some areas of the descent we had to climb, and their was some rebar installed in some of the rocks. Definitely the trickiest part of the whole hike.Once we made it down, we came upon great trail magic from jeff and sue williams. They left a great cooler with PB&J sandwiches, sodas, homemade peanut bars, and gatorade. Mule had signed the register in the cooler earlier that day so I cant be too far behind.At the road crossing near the trail magic, we decided to go to a store near the trail. We took a couple hours there to eat, digest, clean up, and resupply for the next day. I touched base with my girlfriend and my friend tim about the festivities for memorial day weekend. She rented us a cabin in luray for saturday through tuesday, I just had to figure out how to get there and back. I had hoped to be closer to shenandoah by this time, but instead Im about 130 miles/8 days shy.We ran into the infamous minnesota smith as we were getting ready to leave the store. I again hadnt seen him since erwin. I wont go over his story, just look him up on whiteblaze. The last 8 miles of the day dragged, but wasnt tough. I was glad to see mule when we got to catawba mountain shelter. Also there were tipper, low gear, and banjoman who I hadnt seen since erwin also.Mystic floated the idea out there to wake up and hike the 1.7 miles to McAfee knob for sunrise. I said I would go, and mule followed, so the alarms were set for 445am. Hope to leave by 530am.Still no signs of daniel aka mr. blueskies.Mystic and I decided than daniel might have gotten off the trail somewhere, since we were finding no trash since early this morning. We didnt count him out fully though.