morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Pearisburg/Holiday Motel

To: Pearisburg/Holiday Motel
Miles today: 0.0

Got up, weather looked crappy-took all my guilt away about zeroing today. Went to breakfast and asked the waitress about the weather and she confirmed that it was going to be a rainy day. So a ZERO it is. There are lot of other hikers here at the Holiday - had fun hanging out. MaryBeth caught up, so we decided to do dinner together-Mexican again. I love mexican food. I definitely will be hiking tomorrow regardless of weather though.Today I just chilled, it is amazing how a hiker can be content wasting a day in a hotel room. Tonites treat is an apple pie ala mode and turtles, PERFECT!!A perfect zero day. Off to sleep I drift. Good nightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Pearisburg/Holiday Motel

To: Symm's Gap Meadow
Miles today: 12.1

Went to Marshalls for breakfast again, same thing as yesterday western omelette. I got on the trail around 9am. I was glad it wasn't raining this morning but I was on borrowed time.The trail was nice today nothing to major. The rain started at 2:30pm, Sweet Tea had said it was going to rain at 3pm so he was pretty darn close. I haiked in the rain for about an 1.5 hours before coming to Symm's Gap Meadow where I saw other hikers pitched. So I too decided to stop and get out of the rain for the day. Getting out of wet clothes and into warm dry ones is important. Not as far as I had planned but weather sometimes dictates your day.I set up my tarp, which soon became the mess tent, no problem, set it up like a porch and about 6-7 of us can fit under it. Hung out there till 8:30pm then bed time. Tried to journal but I am to cold. I need to snuggle down into my down bag. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Symm's Gap Meadow

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

I wake up about the same time everyday, usually around 5:30 to 6:00am. I didn't get on the trail till around 9am though. When hiking with others, I have to remember that not everyone is a early riser.The goal is to get to Catawba on Sat. to eat at the Homeplace
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Up at same time, 6am, on the trail by 8am. The trail was soft and gentle this morning and the grey skies were replaced with beautiful a sun filled sky. The energy in the woods today is good, strong and infectious - I even ran down some hills. Made it to War Spur shelter by 12n, excellent time. We ate lunch there and regrouped. Had to get ready for a climb about 1800 over 3 miles. Off I go with Swift, Mary Beth, Cody and others behind me. I wanted a head start on the hill. I got 3/4 of the way up and decided to rest and wait. Slowly I made it up the mountain resting often. Swift had a hard time with the heat and I think not eating enough so I stayed with him to make sure he was alright, he was. Close to the top of the mountain there was trail magic, a cooler of pop and candy. Thanks Super Dave, what perfect timing. I had a babyruth and a mountain dew. Cody showed up to the trail magic we talked for a short time, crossed the road and headed on. The other side of the road was still a climb so up we went in the relentless heat. We had to take several breaks to get up this section, but I enjoy being in the woods with good people enjoying every minute of where I am. After a 40 minute break we pushed on and made it to the top. We took a blue blaze at the top of Kelly Knob to a beautiful view on some rocks, sat there and visited with some section hikers. Moved on around 6pm. It was nice taking our time and enjoying some of the views on a sunny, clear day. Got the the shelter around 6:30 or 7:00 ish, set up camp, ate, got water, checked food supply. It will take us 2+ days to get to Catawba and only have food for 1.5 days - will have to ration my supply, no problem.I notice at the shelters, well everywhere actually that there are some great young people out here. They are creative, passionate, rooted in life and community, well traveled. Part of me is envious that they have or will have such great experiences. The cream of the crop definitely find their way here. Well its about 10pm way past my bedtime, time to curl up get warm and sleep.Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I woke up on time and on the trail @ 7:15am. The people I am hiking with now are getting up earlier so we can hit the trail earlier. I don't think they particularly like that I am up so early but we need to the extra time cause we don't hike that fast.It was a meandering start on the trail through meadows. There was nice farm land, pastures for grazing cows, donkeys. Of course, you never want to get water close to pastureland - but they are gorgeous with the rolling hills.After we got back into the woods, we came upon the Keffer Oak (18' in diameter and over 300+ yrs old). I got some pictures, it is a huge tree. What a history it must have, the people that have rested under its branches.Then surprise another climb but it wasn't to bad. When we got to the shelter "Sarvar Hollow Shelter" blue blaze and went down this steep trail to the shelter, we found a cool shelter and water. It was not worth the .5 hike to the shelter downhill cuz that means uphill but we needed the water, what can you do. We decided to spend some time there and eat lunch, then back to hiking.The trail is suppose to be flat - yea (AT flat), not so much. Oh and have I mentioned that I don't like rocks. Well this flat (not so much) trail was covered with rocks - big granite slanted ones, the kind that hurt your ankles (like walking on a slanted roof and as big). Then we had 4 more miles of flat (not so much) and then down to the shelter. Now you are reading this thing oh they are going downhill - well out here downhills are worse than uphills. Climbs are hard and most ugh about them but they are so much better than downhills which just plain hurt. They hurt your knees, your feet, they drain you. Well the last 2 miles of the day and they kicked my butt again. When I saw the shelter, I was very happy.Tomorrow 14-16 miles so we can get to the Homeplace Restaurant for dinner on Sunday. There is a large group of us headed that way! Dreams of good, plentiful food. Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Niday Shelter

To: Dragon's Tooth
Miles today: 14.3

Today for me was one of the best days - yes it rained twice and I was drenched and we had two 1500' climbs but I enjoyed it all the same.Started the day at 7:36am and hiked till 4:30. The biginning was downhill and flat till we crossed the road then we began to climb. This was the first of two big climbs today, at the top of this climb sat a bench (which according to Swift-someone went to a lot of trouble to put it there, so you must sit), so we sat. Then a gradual grade up to the Audie Murphy Monument (Murphy was most decorated American soilder in WWII) again another bench - so we sat. I snapped a few pictures then it started to rain so we moved on. From here the forest changed from tall oaks to pine. We came to a road and stream found a couple of logs and ate our rationed lunch. Then it was up the second climb to Dragon's Tooth. It rained hard during this climb but eventually we made it and set up camp. We even beat "the Crusher" to the top, that never happens. We set up camp, rite there at the top, revelled in our glory of being the first to the top today. Dragon's Tooth is a place where upshifted rocks are forming what resembles a Dragon's Tooth. The rest of the group slowly made it to camp and the sun came out. We hung our clothes trying to dry them (never works though). Ate some dinner, played on the rocks and talked. It was just a great day today. I love being here. It started to rain again around 8pm so we all went to bed, so we wouldn't get our dry stuff wet. I love my hammock and am journalling while listening to the rain hit my tarp. It is suppose to rain tonite and maybe even heavy at times. I am kinda looking forward to some good hard rain to see how my whole hammock set up works.Tomorrow is a short day into Catawba, only 8.4 miles to the Homeplace Restaurant, can't wait. My tummy is hungry already. Well I will try to go to sleep to fight off my hunger pangs. Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Dragon's Tooth

To: Catawba
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning at 5:15am and climbed the rocks on Dragon's Tooth (not to the top, i'm scared of heights) to watch the sunrise. Wow!! Looking out, the valley was covered by an ocean of clouds and in the distance popping through the clouds were the tops of the other ridges like islands. I have never seen anything as breathtaking. I got many pictures. There I sat thinking it could not be more beautiful and the sun begain to emerge from behind a cloud in the sky. Again more pictures.The hike down from Dragon's Tooth was crazy, rocks everywhere. Dis some 5 point scrambling (2hands, 2feet, 1butt). Only 8 miles to go to get to the Homeplace Restaurant, funny the things that motivate you out here, what we will do for food. Made it here about 1:30pm. Hung my hammock behind the general store, in a pole barn, changed into my least stinking clothes and walked over to the Restaurant. Six of us had a table and ate for 2.5 hours. We lasted longer than 2 other tables full of hikers, pretty impressive. This restaurant was family style and we had: chicken, roast beef, green beans, pinto beans, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, gravy, cooked apples, biscuits and for dessert cherry cobbler and many refills. I'm in love with this place. Got some pictures of it too. After we all finished we, the hiker trash, sat on some benches in front under a big tree and enjoyed stories and each other and people watching. After a couple of hours, some of the guys got a ride to town and picked up some beer, so we headed back to the area where we were camped and sat around drank beer and had a great time. But tomorrow we hike, so not to much beer! Always back to woods, love the towns but the trail is the spine.Well the beer is gone, I only had 3 and it is late. I am off to bed. Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Catawba

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Today I got a late start cuz I had to resupply at the general store. You thought it was because of the beer, nope. Got on the trail around 9:10 after hitching a ride to the trailhead, which isn't to bad time wise. Today we were going to Mcfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs.The weather was nuts - one band after another clouds/rain, sun/blue sky all day long. Unfortuneately when we got to Mcfee Knob it was misting so we hurried through lunch but got rained on anyway. I did not get the picture everyone gets there cuz the weather was just unpleasant. We threw on onr packs and started hiking again to stay warm. We moved on, we were going to stop at the next shelter but when we reached it, it had stopped raining so we hiked on. We only planned on a 10 mile day because both Mcfee and Tinder Cliffs were climbs. The trail Tinker Cliffs was wet and slippery and yes I fell rite in the mud - leg, boot, & butt covered in mud - great fun . On to Tinker Cliffs, the trail had 3 or 4 short climbs to eventually get to the top. We got lucky, when we got to the top, we had a band of sun/blue skies come through. We, me, Swift, Pyro, Sweet Tea, The Crusher, Trinket, Able, Gouda, were able to sit on the rocks enjoy the view and have a little snack. I snapped some pictures, and then just layed down on the rocks. After about 30 - 40 minutes the cloud/rain band started to move in so we all packed up and moved on to the shelter 1.6 miles away.Got to the shelter, didn't look like there were many campsites (for the ground dwellers) but I was fine. We did find some nice sites down by the stream so we all were good. Some chose to more on though. I set up camp, did my cooking, cleaning and found that I was really tired so I went down to my campsite for some quiet time. I crawled into my hammock, now that I am comfy I will journal till I fall asleep. A 50% chance of rain tonite so I will set up my tarp. I will be glad when I can leave it off. Daleville tomorrow Woo Whoo!! Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Lambert Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville/Troutville/Howard Johnson
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

Last nite it rained more than it has since I've been out here, but I was tucked away under my tarp down by a small stream. It was still raining this morning so I didn't rush. I got on the trail @ 7:45am. The trail was great this moring soft, flast, spongey from pine needles but I was tired and didn't have my caffeine - but I knew that a town was at the end of the day. A town means a shower (its been 8 days) and a soft bed (even though my hammock is great) and food. Later in the moring the trail started going up and became more rocky. I wanted to rest - but there was that carrot (the town).Gearbomb
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Daleville/Troutville/Howard Johnson

To: Daleville/Troutville/Howard Johnson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Didn't even sleep in on my zero, still up @ 5:30am. I used the time to get caught up on entering my journal into the computer.Today was a day of errands, even though I wasn't hiking, I still managed to do a lot of walking. I had to go to the PO so I asked where it was - down the road 1.5 miles. I had a feeling though that I had been directed to Daveville PO and not Troutville PO so when I got there and they said I had no packages, I asked where the other PO was. The other one was another 3 miles away - off we go. Then the post master came out asked us if we needed a ride. Whew I got lucky. Got to the other PO, picked up my packages and we talked the post master into giving us a ride back to the hotel, sweet. I went back to my room and started going through my boxes, I love boxes. Melissa, first off congrats on lifetime, keep it up/off. I am so proud of you!!!!!!! The stuff you sent is now in my pack which I hate carring but love eating on the trail. I also received cards and pictures from my grandson Kaden. Thank you Kaden - I love the pictures and you are writing so well. I love you! Also Hi to Lacen and Colton.Now the rest of the day ismine to do with as I want. Which means I do nothing - relax, relax, relax, eat, sleep!! Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Daleville/Troutville/Howard Johnson

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLTON 1 YEAR OLD!!!!!Again up at 5:08am had Ace & Hoof It take boxes to the PO for me so I could get on the trail early. Leaving town with five or six days of food. Pack is heavy but I usually feel strong coming off a zero day. Today was no exceptionI felt strong, good, the climb today was nice. We went to the shelter past the stream, set up camp, ate good food we carried from Daleville. Eating much better. Well it's getting late off to bed I go. Good nite Gearbomb
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Up this morning usual time, did the morning routine (which is like clock work now). I can wake up, pack up without even thinking about it, for breakfast I brought cereal and I carry Nido (powdered whole milk) taste great and a nice change on the trail. I have gotten tired of pop tarts and oatmeal.On the trail by 7:45am a little late but not bad. Wanted to do a bigger mileage day - but it didn't happen. My last mail drop i got new shoes (lo cut). I do not like them now that I have walked in them for a while. I am a boot girl for sure. the worse part about them is going downhills. On the downhills there is nothing to hold your foot in place so it slides forward. Again, that doesn't sound that bad but now my toes are being slammed into the end of the shoe, which is very painful. And the pain really slows me down on the downs. So even though the trail was nice today - I was miserable. But a trail angel did give me a pop today, and that always makes for a good day. So at Bearwallow Gap - I took a rest, with my pop and the trail angels and other hikers and had a wonderful time. So I called it a day early. Made it to the shelter around 4:30pm took those shoes off and just relaxed. Ate some loaded potatoes which I doctored up so they were pretty good. Then a thunderstorm rolled in. I made a good call by staying put. Crawled into my hammock getting ready to journal, woke up an hour later with allo my journal stuff still laying on me. Must be more tired than I realized. Put away the journal stuff and back to sleep I go. Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

There is a hiker feed today and tomorrow from 3 - 7pm rite before Thunderhead Shelter on the Blue Park Ridgeway. All hikers are trying to make it there - for me its about 17 miles away with two mountains in the way. Well time to get started, on the trail at 7:20am pretty good.I feel good today - my feet feel a lot better and today is mostly up which is good. The trail is nice, soft & smooth - not many rocks or roots - thought about walking barefoot but didn't. Made it up the first mountain without to much problem and made good time. Still on schedule for the for "feed". The trail wound deep into a gap and followed a stream for a while. There was a really nice shelter by the stream - so I stopped for a rest and a snack. This shelter was at the base of the next climb (Floyd mountain). I finallly leave Bryant Ridge shelter and begin to climb. I nev er believe the climbs will be as bad or long as they are - and they always are. You'd think I'd learn! This particular mountain had 3 specific sections - divide and conquer 4.3 to climb took 3 hours 20 miles including several cooldown breaks. Whew made it.Got to the next shelter approx. 3:30pm. Still had 5.3 to next shelter about 4 miles to the hiker feed. I decided to stay put and mot push. I could of made it but would have been exhausted. I will go tomorrow to the feed and have a easy/enjoyable day.Other hikers showed up - section hikers, very ill prepared but they were here doing the miles and thats what counts. A pair of sisters also showed up, they are going to the hiker feed today.Well I have filled my belly and now it is time for bed and I can sleep in the morning - I won't but I can. At least I won't have to jump up and pack/hike. Still having the time of my life even on the hard days. Wouldn't change a thing - well maybe my shoes! Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Still woke up @ 5:44am, journalled for a bit, went back to sleep, woke again and watched the sunrise from my hammock and took a picture, pretty cool. Finally got up 7:40am ate breakfast and will pack up and hit the trail soon.Its 11:00am and I'm on the trail but it was all part of the plan. Timed perfectly to get us to the hiker feed. Todays hike was also up hill nost of the day but not as steep as yesterday on floyd Mountain. But again we had three significant climbs - all of which i tackled with avengence of a snail but yet conquered, the hiker feed cometh. The trail was cool today and got some good pictures. We passed the guillotine, which is two narrow rocks with a large boulder wedged in between the other two rocks looking like you will get squished at any moments. I took the classic picture, then we were less than a mile from the feed.                              THE HIKER FEEDFirst let me say - the random generosity on every scale from "here I have an extra bank aid" to a 2-day full spread meal in the woods is the coolest thing on the AT. The beauty is always here in the forest and in the people.So what is a "hiker feed"? Good people, chairs, juices, pops, trash bags, water, torillas, pasta salad, cous cous, fruit, dutch cast iron meals (tator tot cheesy hamb. stuff, lasagna, spicey/sweet potato, bread, cookies, candy, brownies, and ice cream. And I ate it all - thats right WW girls - I am eating things I don't even like at home and loving it out here. I don't know how much weight I have lost I think it is about 20lbs or so. It was, of course, all delicious and then they started giving us left overs which we have to pick carefully cuz we have to carry everything. I'm sure I took to much. I might be eating a lot in the morning.Then after we finished eating, we started at 2:30pm and left the feed at 7:30, we sat around and talked w/old friends, new friends it was great. We went to the shelter 200 yards away - where we had already set up camp and sat around the fire ring with no fire. Me, Patch, Qtip, Trinket, Swift, Hoof it, Will Scarlet, Long John. I never want to forget any of these people, its strange how quickly they become so important to you. We sat around till 9:30pm and then hit the hammocki. Trinket & Qtip (brothers) are doing a bit of night hiking, they like to stealth camp, don't let the civil war ghost get ya Qtip.Now I'm laying here in my hammock listening to the trees blow, the bugs flying outside, writing in my journal - smiling about the day, the people. I feel at home here - its a good feeling. It's been a good day. Good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Stealth/James River
Miles today: 14.6

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARGIEWow what a meal yesterday - didn't sleep that well, maybe cuz I was so full to the point of being uncomfortable. Who Knows but I was up for the day @ 3:18am.Today was mostly downhill wanted to do around 15 miles. I felt good hikingtoday, felt strong. the trail switched between soft & rocks. I was good with all of that but the last 2.5 miles my shoes kicked in on the downhill and my feet really began to hurt. Made it to the James River foot bridge around 5 ish. The blaze brothers were there and so was Patch. Swift and I joined them and tried to decided where to camp for the night. The site on the other side of the river was to close to the road and trashy. Supposedlly there was a site about .9 up the trail, Swift went to check it out and came back and said he found a spot next to a creek and it had enough sites for the 5 of us, perfect. Patch caught a ride into town and got pop, beer, and town food, when he got back we headed to the campsite. Swift was right, it was the perfect spot. We all set up camp and then washed up in the stream and soaked our feet. We enjoyed the night on the rocks soaking and built a fire rite on the bank of the creek. The peace and calm that cloaks the forest also comes over you when you allow it. I am so much more relaxed in the woods, the sounds, the wind, all bring comfort and lulls me to sleep. I got into my hammock and wanted to journal but was so content, that I just lay there allowing the day to fill me and it brought a smile and such a sense of calm that I didn't want to break. So I didn't journal, I just enjoyed. Good niteGearbomb