morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: VA624 (Catawba Grocery)
Miles today: 6.7

Date:4/12Starting Time:8:00Starting Location:Pickle Branch ShelterEnding Time:11:15amEnding Location:VA624 (Catawba Grocery)Miles:6.7Morning Weather:rainy and 40'sAfternoon Weather:rainyBreakfast:balance barLunch: Burger, BBQ sammich, fritos, gatorade at groceryDinner:road foodTrail Description:Challenging climb in the rain up and over Dragon's Tooth.People:J.D., Early Bird, CathyAnimals:NoneMoney:10 for food, rental carComplaints:I had a meltdown today...Thoughts:So I had a meltdown today. The past couple of days, while being good on the outside, weren't so good on the inside. I've been pushing hard and I'm pretty tired (my feet being fairly beat up), plus I'm stagnating in my hiker mindset. So, I got to Catawba grocery, hitched a ride to the Roanoke airport, rented a car, and drove home. I'll probably stay here for a few days to recover and regain my desire to hike this trail. It's not really the trail or the physical torture of the trail that's getting me down, it's really the enormity of the undertaking (staring down a 1500 mile barrel) and doing the usual "why am I out here" questioning.I should be back out there on Sunday, 4/17.
Date: 2005-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

During my few days off, I have received many encouraging emails from past thruhikers, hiking enthusiasts, and others. I have also received relatively harsh advice from some that I listened to despite its lack of tact. Thanks to everyone in the trailjournals.com community for reading and participating in my hike!I went to the podiatrist yesterday and was diagnosed with nueroma, which is a pinched nerve in the forefoot - in my case the nerve between the 3rd and 4th toes. It is causing my toes to be numb at all times (more noticeable when my shoes are off). I have the pinched nerve in both feet, although the right foot is worse. The doctor told me to think about nicer insoles and potentially switching shoes. Other treatments are icing (creek soaking) and Advil. Invasive treaments include cortisone shots and surgery.The funny thing is, I got Superfeet in Damascus, and these are supposed to be the great hiking insoles, however, the nueroma surfaced post-Superfeet. Now, to be fair, so did increased mileage, so I'm not sure which one is to blame (if either). So, I will take it easy over the next week or two and make sure everything is OK. BTW, if anyone runs into "E" on the trail (he's a 5 days ahead of me and moving fast), tell him he potentially has the same problem, as he and I discussed having the same symptoms when in Pearisburg.I'm headed back to Catawba tomorrow and will begin hiking either tomorrow or Sunday. I just have to hit The Homeplace AYCE first. Thanks again for encouraging me onward! My plan is to take it one day at a time and to enjoy that time...
Date: 2005-04-17
From: VA624 (Catawba Grocery)

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 9:20Starting Location: VA624Ending Time: 5:30Ending Location: Lamberts Meadow ShelterMiles: 16.3Morning Weather: sunny and 50Afternoon Weather: sunny and high 60'sBreakfast: McD's comboLunch: bars and gorpDinner: Pasta Roni and Zebra Cakes (Yum!)Trail Description: Trail rocked today! McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs were great...I had great weather and perfect views off of both. The climb up McAfee's was easy-peasy.People: Amoeba, Spinner, T-Rex, Bronco Billy, Bailey (a.k.a Daytripper and/or Beatle Bailey) Animals: none, but TRex saw 4 bears about 20 minutes after I passed through that section!Money: 5 at McD'sComplaints: noneThoughts: I'm soooo glad to be back on the trail. My shelter-mates tonight are a great crew of folks. Supposedly there is a bear in the area, so we'll see what happens with that later tonight.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

Starting Time: 7:40Starting Location: Lambert's Meadow Shelter Ending Time: 5:30 Ending Location: Wilson Creek ShelterMiles: 20.6Morning Weather: sunny and 50Afternoon Weather: sunny and 70, but growing cloudy toward dusk Breakfast: Kudos Bar (thanks Bronco Billy), grapes (thanks Amoeba) Lunch: Powerade and Chips at BP in Daleville Dinner: Quinoa and chicken, Snickers for desert (thanks Daytripper)Trail Description: Not too interesting into Daleville, although occasional views of Roanoke and river. Nice up and out of Daleville...graded nicely and well maintained. People: Daytripper and day hiker with a scooter Animals: Snake (yellow and black and coiled to strike...know what it is?), possum or something in a cavelike hole along the trailMoney: 3Complaints: noneThoughts: Today I passed the 1/3 mark on the trail!!! My feet and head and all are feeling good, and the miles seem to be coming fairly easily. I've slowed down my pace slightly, and have increased my breaks. I now hike for 50 minutes, then flop down, remove my shoes and socks, and put my feet up over my head for 10 minutes. Both days I've felt good at the end of the hike...something I couldn't say before when I would drag into the shelter exhausted. Anyway, I'd like to thank Ray Jardine for his most excellent book, "Beyond Backpacking," and his advice contained within. Another thing helping me out is the loss of approx. 4 lbs. of gear over my break. I got rid of my winter clothes, swapped my 3 lb. 15-degree bag for a 1 lb 35-degree bag, and dumped my tent body (now I'm only packing the fly, poles, groundsheet, and stakes). I also cut some stuff off my pack, for example I shortened all my straps and removed an interior pocket that I wasn't using. Anyway, lost packweight makes for happier hikers.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

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

Starting Time: 8:10Starting Location: Wilson Creek ShelterEnding Time: 5:45Ending Location: Bryant Ridge ShelterMiles: 20.6Morning Weather: cloudy and 60'sAfternoon Weather: stifling heatBreakfast: Oatmeal left in shelterLunch: bars and gorpDinner: Unbelievable amounts of food left at shelter...Merita rolls with PB and Grape Jelly, rice and brown gravy, so much summer sausage that there might be trouble a-brewin'Misc. Food: Apple from two section hikers. Thanks guys!Trail Description: Morning was easy up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy (BRP). Trail then crossed BRP several times. I ended up flopping at several of the overlooks and taking a break.The hike down from Fork Mountain all the way into Bryant Ridge Shelter epitomizes all that is great about hiking in the southeast. I started down around 5:00, and the sun was just beginning to settle down and lose some heat. The trail condition was spectacular (thanks Natural Bridge ATC!) and I flew down the mountain. The valley walk to the shelter was great, darting in and across a stream several times.People: Daytripper, two section hikers, 3 fisherman at Jennings Creek, Mother Nature and Father Time (finished section hike in '98 and thruhiked in '99) and their grandkids at Bryant ShelterAnimals: 2 turkeys, trout in Jennings Creek Money: 0 Complaints: none...perfect trail day Thoughts: Bobblet's Gap Shelter has the nicest privy that I've seen so far. It has actual craftsmanship in the door handles and interior of the privy. It also has a plexiglass roof that adds to the already huge space inside.Coming into Bryant Ridge Shelter was awesome...there are bags of food hanging from a hook that a scout troop left. It took Daytripper and I all of 2 minutes to tear into the cache. The stream at the shelter is great, and I easily found a pool to dunk my feet in and take a bath...not too bad for a Tuesday!
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matt's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: few clouds

Starting Time: 8:20Starting Location: Bryant Ridge ShelterEnding Time: 6:30Ending Location: Matt's Creek ShelterMiles: 22.7Morning Weather: warm and sunnyAfternoon Weather: hot and sunnyBreakfast: CIB x 2Lunch: bars and gorpDinner: Mtn. House, Tuna, Whoppers, granola bar Misc. Food: Paella sample from Daytripper...yum Trail Description: Long climb up and over Apple Orchard Mtn. Up top it had this cool weather radar that loked like a gigantic soccer ball. Long downhill into the shelter - fast but a knee buster.People: Daytripper, turkey hunter, Wendy (who is the nicest day hiker/person I've met on the trail), section hiker that looked like Santa Claus and was named Padre (I think), Ken and Susan at shelter (section hikers who are nearly finished) Animals: hawks Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: Daytripper said something cool today. She said that 6pm was her favorite time on the trail because she liked to think about everyone she knew sitting down to dinner. I thought that was nice. I pictured my dad coming home, letting the dog out, and trying to get it to sit or stay. I laughed so hard at this that I didn't really think about the dinner part or anyone else. Actually I remember as a kid waiting for my parents to get home...I'd get all nervous if they were late. But they never were that late...some of the hours I've worked in my career have not been kid-friendly, and I refuse to let my (future) kids sit around and be nervous about when I'm getting home. On a different note, Matt's Creek has several swimming holes right in front of the shelter, and I dunked myself in there as quickly as I could. It felt GREAT! Daytripper gossiped about great swimming holes in Maine...can't wait to see them.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Matt's Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 7:45Starting Location: Matt's Creek ShelterEnding Time: 6:10Ending Location: Brown Mtn Creek ShelterMiles: 21.8Morning Weather: sunny and high 70'sAfternoon Weather: hot, then rainy!Breakfast: CIB x 2Lunch: bars and gorpDinner: Ramen with herb sauce (homemade by Amy...yum), then a second ramen picked up at Bryant Ridge Shelter with so much crushed red pepper that it melted my face off Misc. Food: Banana from day hiker, Otis Spunkmeyer cinammon bun left in Brown Mtn Shelter Trail Description: Another huge uphill from the James River to Bluff Mtn. Potential thru hikers PLEASE READ: Virginia is NOT FLAT like 20 different people told me. Easy 9 miles down into Brown Mtn. Very cool historical story here...freed slaves had a community here (way back in a valley). There are remains of stone walls and other signs of past civilization...very interesting.People: Daytripper, 7 women dayhikers called something like "The Virginia 500 Milers," Disney, Mailar Animals: Saw a turkey running down the trail in front of me, Cool neon orange lizards, we thought we might see a rattlesnake, since two southbounders saw one in the Big/Little Rocky rows, but we didn't.Money: 0Complaints: noneThoughts: I've had 4 20's in a row, and am holding up well. The reduction in pack weight has been a huge boost to my hiking and nightly recovery.It rained for an hour and a half today. The temps were still very warm, so I put my pack cover on but left my rain shells off. It was great! It felt like taking a shower, and I wasn't sweating to death inside my rain gear. The other comforting thought was that being wet would not lead to hypothermia, which has been the case most of this hike.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 8:45Starting Location: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter Ending Time: 4:45 Ending Location: Seeley-Woodworth ShelterMiles: 15.8Morning Weather: Foggy and 60'sAfternoon Weather: At noon, while I was standing at a fogged-in overlook, the sun came out. It burned off the fog and eventually reached mid-70's. Then it settled back into the 50's by the time I reached the shelter.Breakfast: balance barLunch: Lipton that Daytripper yogi'ed off of some section hikers Dinner: StoveTop stuffing and rice, tuna, balance bar Misc. Food: Coke from Rufus & Daisy at the 800 mile mark!Trail Description: Again, a huge uphill in the morning to Bald Knob (which isn't a bald). Then, super bald walking on the mountains after that. Daytripper and I met up at Hog Camp Gap (with swings!) and had lunch while enjoying the sun. Very uninteresting to the shelter after that.People: Daytripper, Mailar, Disney, Rufus & Daisy, two section hikers, college backpacking class at Hog Camp Gap Animals: none Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: Today I passed 800 miles! Also, tonight marks the longest stretch of backpacking I've done without a resupply, and I've got two more nights to go! BTW, prior to this, the longest stretch was my first week on the thruhike...weird.I don't like to think that I'm motivated by miles, but it is nice to see the miles tick by in my log. It's also motivating to say that I'm over 1/3 done...I can't wait for 1/2 done! Talking about miles is tricky and somewhat controversial, and some hikers are hung up on them to a fault and some try to ignore them to a fault. Hopefully, I fall right in the middle. Whatever the case, I hike my own hike and on I go.
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 8:15Starting Location: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter Ending Time: 2:45 Ending Location: Harpers Creek ShelterMiles: 14.3Morning Weather: Chilly (50's) and fog off and on Afternoon Weather: Weird...rain, sun, fog, sun, rain, etc. Thunderstorm warnings for late afternoon so we (Daytripper and I) decided to cut the day short rather than climb up on 4 miles of ridgeline to the next shelter.Breakfast: CIB x 2Lunch: bars and gorpDinner: Lipton, tuna, Idahoan PotatoesMisc. Food: Box red wine bag, beer, Pad Thai noodle from weekenders. Yum!Trail Description: The walk this morning was fine and easy to Fish Hatchery Rd. The climb up The Priest was worthless as there were no views or other standout features at the end. Spy Rock looked cool, but the trail didn't go there...oh well. The climb down from The Priest was brutal...southbounders climbing up had a hard row to hoe. People: Daytripper, L.K. Disney, Mailar, 3 weekenders at Priest Selter (who donated the beer and wine), a Scottish guy from Maryland who climbed The Priest going southbound 3 times today in preparation for a mountaineering trip, weekenders at Harper's Creek Shelter, Kado and Wells Animals: none Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: Today was an interesting day...the weather was super-strange, there are/were warnings of snow tonight, and weekenders were offering up food and drink hand over fist.I went over Cripple Creek today, and thought of my mentor/friend Turtle. He plays banjo and he and I picked this tune the last time we were together. The funny thing was that I crossed the creek, then had to walk down a rock face. My shoes were slick from the water, and I slid 8 inches or so down the rock, arms flailing trying to regain my balance. Anyway, I was about crippled on Cripple Creek. I'm very focused on getting to Waynesboro, where I will hopefully meet a cousin or two, and feed like there is no tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 7:45Starting Location: Harpers Creek ShelterEnding Time: 4:15Ending Location: Paul C. Wolfe ShelterMiles: 22.3Morning Weather: Overcast and cold (low 40's) Afternoon Weather: same...except IT SNOWED! OK, so it was flurries, but there were a lot of them.Breakfast: balance barLunch: bars and gorpDinner: Pasta Roni and chickenMisc. Food: 1/4 orange, peanut butter (not together) Trail Description: Rocky and uninteresting most of the day. There was one cool rock formation that I had to scramble over that added interest. People: All the people from last night, joined back up with Disney and Mailar at the shelter, Sharky (hiked in 92), misc dayhikers Animals: none Money: 0 Complaints: Kind of boring day, which was a downer.Thoughts: I am so excited for Waynesboro! I'm starving and plan to eat silly amounts of food ASAP. Secondly, I will check into the Quality Inn and shower in scalding water for at least 30 minutes.The temperature dropped significantly last night, and the change is most unwelcome. I'm glad I will be in town for at least part of the time...we'll see when it warms up.
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 7:15Starting Location: Paul C. Wolfe ShelterEnding Time: 8:45Ending Location: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro Quality Inn)Miles: 5Morning Weather: sunny and 50's, windyAfternoon Weather: sunny and mid-60'sBreakfast: balance bar (last shred of food that I had), then Weasie's! At Weasie's I had eggs, sausage, home fries w/ onions (tasty), three HUGE pancakes, biscuits and gravy. It was excellent and I was hurting afterward. Lunch: Munchies from Kroger...Soy Milk, Chocolate milk, Dr. Pepper, carrots. Munchies from packages...fig newtons and beef jerky (yum) Dinner: Ray took me out to The Pullman in Staunton, VA. EXCELLENT restaurant. Calamari (with hot peppers) appetizer, steak, taters, and veggies entree, pecan pie w/ ice cream dessert. Some very tasty brown sudsy beverages made in Charlottesville (can't remember the name). Misc. Food: Large soft-serve from Weasie's in the afternoon.Trail Description: Who knows? I was thinking about Weasies's! People: Daytripper, Mailar, Sharky, Ray Animals: noneMoney: 45 room, 15 Kroger, 15 Weasie'sComplaints: noneThoughts: I had a GREAT day off in Waynesboro. Weasie's, as you can see above, figured heavily into my day. I picked up my packages at the P.O. and was surprised to find fig newtons from my grandad and misc yummies from my Amy's sister. Both were appreciated and either made their way into my stomach or into my pack.I went to Rockfish Gap Outfitters and swapped out my shoes again! I had a cracked heel in the Mojaves I picked up in Damascus, so Rockfish helped me with the warranty replacement. Now I'm back in the Montrail Java's, which I liked better anyway. Great service at the store, and great selection of all sorts of gear there.My cousin Ray then came up fom Richmond and took me out to a very swanky dinner. He was in his work clothes (minus tie) and I was in my grubby hiker gear. But at least it was clean. He took me to Staunton, VA, which was a very cool town. I plan on going back. The Pullman (restaurant) is an old train depot, and in our booth next to the window we were 15 feet from the railroad tracks. While munching on calamari, the CSX train came through and rattled our table. Very cool. Ray and I hadn't seen each other in two years, so it was very good seeing him and catching up. Thanks Ray for a great night!
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 7:00Starting Location: Rockfish GapEnding Time: 3:10Ending Location: Blackrock HutMiles: 20Morning Weather: cloudy and low 'sAfternoon Weather: sunnier and 60's, supposed to be rain in the evening which is why I pulled up early Breakfast: bars Lunch: bars and gorp, flatbread and hummus, apple Dinner: Lipton, tuna, ritz bitsTrail Description: Ups and downs, over and back again on Skyline Drive. Pretty uninspiring, actually.People: Ray, dude at shelter (ex military and seemingly no name), TRex, The Lilos (southbounder from New Zealand), three cool southbound section hikersAnimals: 2 deer, 2 woodpeckersMoney: 0Complaints: noneThoughts: Shenandoah National Park is built around and for automobiles. This sets a fairly low bar for a park. Also, I'm ahead of spring here, and there is not much that I would call "pretty." The hiking, however, is somewhat easier in terms of grade, so miles should come easier.It's funny, I thought I would be alone tonight, and here I am in a jam-packed shelter. All the people are cool and are from diverse backgrounds. The trail is cool that way.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 7:20Starting Location: Blackrock HutEnding Time: 4:40Ending Location: Hightop HutMiles: 21.4Morning Weather: sunny and coolAfternoon Weather: alternating sun and clouds Breakfast: CIBx 2 Lunch: bars and gorp, flatbread and hummus, apple, snickersDinner: 2 Mtn.House's...one from Beatnik, tuna, peanuts Trail Description: Still surprisingly uninteresting and unattractive. I guess I'm really too far in front of spring for any kind of spring beauty. The Jones Run side trail looked really cool...I want to come back and do that trail.People: TRex, Beatnik, Thumper, XFWP, General (all from New Jersey...very cool and funny) Animals:deer Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: I've had a hoot with the guys at the shelter tonight. Beatnik has been going off on all kinds of topics. He went off on Earl Schaffer because Earl criticized his section for being to swampy, and Beatnik said "I hope Earl's @ss cheeks grow together." Hilarious.These guys also built a raging fire, even better than the one I had at Vandeventer. It's a chilly night, so the fire is nice...
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting Time: 6:20Starting Location: Hightop HutEnding Time: 5:45Ending Location: Rock Spring HutMiles: 23.9Morning Weather: cold and sunnyAfternoon Weather: 50's and cloudyBreakfast: CIB x 2Lunch: Flatbread and hummus, kit katDinner: Turkey sandwich and Starr Line beers from Big Meadows Second Dinner: Pasta Roni and chicken Trail Description: You know, I just don't remember. I was flying and having a good time hiking. Shenandoah, as you can tell from previous entries, is just not that interesting to me for some reason. However, I do remember today being easy. People: TRex, Three brothers at shelter, group at cabin, including an 80 yr old who was on the USS Quincy for the Japanese surrender (and who almost fell over our table due to weight in his pack) Animals: noneMoney: 16 at Big MeadowsComplaints: noneThoughts: Ready to get out of this park...
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 22.7

Starting Time: 6:30Starting Location: Rock Spring HutEnding Time: 3:15Ending Location: Elkwallow WaysideMiles: 22.7Morning Weather: 40's and foggy/rainyAfternoon Weather: sameBreakfast: Cinnamon Toast Crunch barSecond Breakfast: Eggs, Bacon, taters, biscuit and gravy at Skyland dining room (not recommended) Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Cheesesteak, Blackberry shake, Yuenglings courtesy of BDD Second Dinner: Chicken Parmesan, salad, and ooey-gooey brownies (thanks Suzanne!) Trail Description: Nice views of foggy mountainsides coming down into Thorton Gap.People: Big Daddy DAnimals: deer, turkeysMoney: 10 at Elkwallow Wayside, 13 at Skyland Complaints: none Thoughts: First of all, today is my dad's birthday and I want to wish him a great one!Met Big Daddy D today and have had a good time chatting with him. We hung out at Elkwallow where he procured the Yuenglings for both of us using $10 he got from some dayhiker...funny.My brother is picking me up and whisking me away to "real world land" for the next 48 hours, where I will hop on a plane to Raleigh to attend my boss's wedding. Looking forward to that buffet... When we got to my brother's house, Suzanne was cookin' up something fierce. I ate and ate. In fact, I probably ate more today than I have the entire hike. I learned on their scale that I weigh 165...a whopping 32 pounds less than when I set off!!! The best part of hanging out at John's is Anna, his ultra-cool dog who might just be the perfect trail dog. I'm gonna see if I can steal Anna for the remainder of my hike. I'd also like to mention that there is no way I would have or could have walked to Northern VA without my brother's gift of maps...when Amy and I got married he gave us the full set of AT maps and data books. What a cool gift! He said then, "you will go far." And he was right! I told him the day that I left Amicalola that this trip was his fault, and that's not far from the truth. Thanks John for helping this hike become reality.