morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-20
From: No Business Knob, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Turned out to be a great day to take a low milage day. I needed to hike into Erwin for a resupply and thirty minutes prior to reaching Uncle Johnny's Hostel it started sleeting/snowing/raining and has been doing so all day. I was shuttled into town for an all you can eat pizza buffet which was delicious. In Erwin I was able to make some phone calls, get groceries, and rest my feet all while it poured rain. Awesome time to be off trail. It is supposed to rain/sleet/snow the rest of the week especially in the higher elevations. I'll be a wet dog by the time I meet up with Jennel for our rondezvous in Demascus next week. Haven't had much in the way of wet up until now so I'm not complaining. I just hope it's not too slick. Rested and ready to start again tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Erwin, TN

To: Clyde Smith, TN
Miles today: 25.2

Today would have been a great day to roll over, look out the window, and take a zero day. Snow could be seen up in the mountains and it was a steady rain down in the valley where I was. Oh well. I packed up and was on the trail by 7:15am in the muck and mire. Legs and feet felt good after nearly a day of rest, though.Had a great day hiking despite the snow, ice, mud, and slop and arrived at Cherry Gap Shelter at 3:00pm. My legs felt great and after eating lunch/dinner I decided to push on to one more shelter about 11 miles further. As I was motoring up and down mountains I realized that I had acquired my "hiking legs." In just over three weeks time my legs have become aerobic pistoning machines and it is surprizing the inclines that I can now climb without having to rest. I arrived a Clyde Smith Shelter after dark and in the pouring rain but high on my new legs which had put >25 miles behind me today. The terrain and conditions did not make for easy hiking either.Supposed to get snow tonight. Roan Mountain tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Clyde Smith, TN

To: Apple House, TN
Miles today: 21.1

What a wonderful day to experience the misery of the Appalachian Trail. In other words, I'm nicely expressing my dissatisfaction with the day. I had my long hike day yesterday and was excited about the miles when I cashed in about 8pm. It was pouring and all my wet equipment was hanging from the rafters of the shelter when I went to bed. The night got progressively colder and I was up several times adjusting my bag to maximize comfort.I woke up about 6am to an unusully bright dawn. The world was covered with snow and ice and it was exceptionally cold! Rather than continuing to suffer in my not-too-comfortable state I got out of my bag and began to pack. All my gear was frozen solid. Everything was wet from the slop from the night before and now all was ice. Using my index fingers as shoe horns I nearly avulsed them off trying to put on my frozen shoes. I now had concrete feet and after I put on my frozen gaiters I was walking around in short leg casts.I laid out my socks to dry and woke to find them as spatulas (although I would not get them anywhere close to food.) This was the start of the longest, coldest, most difficult day on the trail yet.The morning was spent hiking Roan Mountain which is the secound highest mountain on the AT. The climb went on forever and was way harder than Clingman's Dome. Cascades of ice with bushes and plants crowding on each side made parts of the climb dangerous and slow going. The longer it went on the grouchier, hungrier, and more miserable I became. At 2pm I reached Stan Murray Shelter and it was there that I was quitting, until I looked inside the shelter, that is. The shelter was full of snow and the ceiling was covered in ice crystals. The elevation was too high and the shelter too cold for me to stay. I had to tromp 10 miles to another. Food sure improved my mood and at least I was past Roan.I had two more huge mountain climbs which were wet and cold but beautiful and I got to Apple House before dusk. Sure love my new legs.Day's gotta be better tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I talked to Ken this evening, which is always revitalizing for me. He has hiked more than 400 miles!! He informed me that the elements are not playing nice. Ice, snow, rain, and cold. He is north of Erwin about 50 miles from Damascus. I think he said he was in Dennis Cove. The weather is predicting 4-6 inches of snow overnight so that may delay him. He sounded great, still upbeat but tired. He said the last few days have been high miles and yesterday (Wednesday) was the hardest yet. (I¢m sure he¢ll update us more about that in a journal entry.) Once he reaches Damascus I think there will be access to allow him to update his journal. So for all of you who check routinely updates will be posted ASAP!!! Thanks to you all for your interest and support!Mrs. Bone Pac
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Apple House, TN

To: Dennis Cove, TN
Miles today: 24.3

They've been battling over me for weeks, pulling and tugging but finally I loosed the grasp of North Carolina and have officially put her behind me. I am all Tennessee now, but only for a few days as I am very close to Virginia. For weeks I have straddled the NC/TN state line and I am glad to now have two states behind me. I also went over 400 miles hiked. Awesome. Spent the majority of the day in La La Land, completely disconected from the automatic workings of my body. My body has grown accustomed to hiking and can now do much of the negotiating, shifting, climbing, etc without my mind attending to all that is going on. When the body is on autopilot it leaves my mind and soul free to ruminate, contimplate, and just think or relax. Mile after mile of body pain but mind/soul pleasure. Awesome. Stayed last night with Trev and Pebbles at Apple House shelter. Calling for big snow tonight and tomorrow. Staying tonight at Laurel Hostel. Only $6 a night which is not bad if I get snow bound.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Dennis Cove, TN

To: US 321, TN
Miles today: 8.9

Had to drop back and punt today. Woke up to rain and snow at Laurel Hostel and despite knowing that the forecast included 4-6 inches of snow I took off. As the elevation increased the rain was replaced with granular snow. The snow was coming down and was clearly not going to let up and as the condensation under my rain gear increased I became chilled. I put in the 8.9 miles to US 321 and climbed into the culvert under the road to get out of the rain. I was wet and freezing and decided there is no way I was sleeping at 3500 feet tonight. I hiked 2 miles West down US 321 to Hampton, TN looking for a place to stay and ran headlong into NASCAR. Evidently 160,000 NASCAR fans fill every livable space for miles surrounding Bristol Racetrack this weekend. A great guy at a hardware store made a phone call for me and got me a spot at Bob Peoples' Hostel. The place was filled up with Thrus! Bob does not accept NASCAR fans so this is the only place to stay. We are Moleman, Sunset, Mary, Hit, Miss, Trev, Pebbles, Spiritual Pilgrim, Elizabeth, Luis, Mark, and myself. The whole place smells of ripe socks.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: US 321, TN

To: Double Springs, TN
Miles today: 23.0

Tennessee served up another nice big helping of misery today. Since becoming solely hers she has been a bad player! Ankle to shin deep snow all day long with more piling on by the hour made for a long, hard, cold day. Wading through that much snow on top of the routine ups and downs makes for slow progress. I put in 23 miles because I have been given another Jennel Challenge. Jennel's meeting me in Damascus for a much needed rondezvous and zero day, and forty miles in two days despite the terrain, weather conditions, and my physical condition seems to be the game. I need the zero day but first 18.3 tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Double Springs, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

More of the same cold, ice, snow, and misery. Did I mention that I need a zero day? As I was post-holing through knee high snow drifts I was chanting:Sodas and Burgers and Fries, oh my!Sodas and Burgers and Fries, oh my!I entered Virginia today! I snow-plowed all 18.3 miles and look forward to warm food, warm room, warm bed, warm wife.Again, if two lie together, then they can have heat: but how can one be warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:11
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain, VA
Miles today: 15.3

I always hate to see the family drive off. Jennel and the kids left me once again to walk home. We had a nice time together and Jennel is so patient with me. Our rendezvous/zero days are a chance for me to rest and us to get caught up on the daily happenings. We always try to find something special for the kids (we tried putt putt this time but had to settle for an indoor McDonalds Play Place) but most of the time is spent doing the mundane tasks that I must do to proceed with the hike. We do laundry, go through the bounce box, resupply, grocery shop, eat, and lounge around. I owe Jennel big time don't you think?Wonderful terrain today with a gentle hike of 15+ miles. I was in the shelter before it started raining. Supposed to be warm tomorrow. Here with Sunset.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Lost Mountain, VA

To: Old Orchard, VA
Miles today: 23.2

Mt. Rogers is the highest mountain in Virginia and he was the summit today. A beautiful day with clear skies and temps probably in the 50's made the day great. Slush and ice blanketed parts of the trail which made for some slips.Huge portions of the trail run through wild pony lands and I spotted three of them. Entire sections of the trail today smelled of horse manure. I can add horse droppings to my long list of trail obstacles.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Old Orchard, VA

To: Partnership, VA
Miles today: 24.7

Slept last night at Old Orchard with Sunset and five section hikers. The six of us filled the shelter and I was snuggled between the shelter wall and a guy named Scott. Scott snored like crazy. Despite my nudging him in the ribs and the fella on his left screaming at him in the middle of the night Snoring Scott went right on sawing wood. It was extremely painful. The dude snored on his back, on his left, and on his right. He preferred his right side because that was directly in my ear. I finally did fall asleep because when I woke up just before six and he was still snoring. I decided to hit the trail. I was hiking just after six.Awesome temps today.I usually have some sort of goal for each day. Many times it is a certain shelter, a mileage accomplishment, a mountain to conquer, a town, or a Jennel Challenge. Today it was pizza! If I could get to Partnership Visitor Center before 4:30pm then I could buy sodas and order pizza. That meant hiking 24.7 miles at a brisk pace. I daydreamed about pizza and soda all day. I made it! I sucked down 3 20oz Mountain Dews and ate 3/4 of a large meat lover's pizza and a salad. I'm having the rest of the pizza for breakfast! Staying here with Hit, Miss, Batman, Robins Nest, and Sugar High. Met wonderful women on the trail including one of the Singing Sisters (who did in fact serenade me). Happy Trails to You.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Partnership, VA

To: Knot Maul, VA
Miles today: 25.5

Putting on my shorts this morning I noticed I had no sensation to the outside of my right thigh. Meralgia parasthetica? Sure enough, I have a palsy of the sensory nerve to my thigh from the hip belt to my backpack. I think I should petition for Continuing Medical Education credits for my hike. I am experiencing many of the ailments that I see in the office. I am now able to empathize more fully.I am now a quarter of the way complete. Just think of all the ailments I will have experienced by the time I'm done! Most have been transient and are easily remedied with rest, stretching, or Motrin. Some are superseded by other pains. Here is a list so far.Ingrown toenails (paranychia)Athletes footBlistersSesmoiditisMetetarsalgiaBoot bangPlantar FasciitisHeel pad painAchilles bursitisWasp stingAbrasions and contusionsTendonitis of all varieties (i.e. EHL, ant tib, post tib, peroneal, achilles, patellar, quad, hamstring, triceps)Arthralgia (ankle, knee)Patellofemoral painTroch bursitisLow Back PainMyalgia (rhomboid, trap)Determined Hiker SyndromeDetermined Hiker Syndrome is a little known psychological disorder which causes the affected individual to continue to march North to Katahdin despite the above mentioned ailments. The affected individual is often heard chanting the phrase:No pain, No rain, No Maine.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Knot Maul, VA

To: Jenkins, VA
Miles today: 19.0

It has been several days now and I suffered no ill effects therefore I will share my experience with "trail magic" and how it is sometimes how an item is perceived that makes it magical. I had been hiking for over four and a half hours, it was nearing noon, and it was hot (70's in VA). I was hiking up to a road crossing when I saw an unopened can of Sam's Choice Soda sitting along the side of the road near the trail. Awesome. I have received several of these as trail magic on my way North and I could sure use a soda. I picked it up and it didn't feel completely full but no matter; I cracked open the can but there wasn't the characteristic "ppppssshhhhttttt" instead there was only the "clink" of can opening. This thirsty thru-hiker would not be deterred. I sucked down the whole thing in one chug. Pulling the can away from my face I saw the hole in the can - the hole that probably was as a result of the can falling out of a car or something.Later that night I asked Hit and Miss if they saw the trail magic back at the road. Hit asked, "You didn't drink that did you? We pushed it around with our poles and knew something was wrong with it." I could only respond with something to the effect, "one man's trash is another man's "trail magic."
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Jenkins, VA

To: Helveys Mill, VA
Miles today: 13.8

Hit and Miss nailed me with an elaborate lie last night when they arrived at Jenkins Shelter. Evidently they had been stewing for at least an hour on how to get me for April Fools. I was at the shelter alone and really didn¢t expect to see anyone for the night when the two of them showed up. Hit immediately started in, ¢You¢ll never guess. . .¢What does a good lie need? Someone to lie and someone else to swear to it. There they were feeding me this huge story, and they had me hook, line, and sinker. My options were not good and I wasn¢t sure what I was going to do. Then they excitedly blurt out, ¢April Fools!¢I guess I should be honored by the fact that they spent so much time coming up with a cock and bull story that would get me. They made it up to me by giving me three hot dogs and the three of us cooked wieners over the camp fire.Today I hiked to a road crossing and a wonderful couple picked me up and took me to Bland, VA where I could resupply. They dropped me off at Dairy Queen and I was in a ¢food mood.¢ I savored every bite of two bacon double cheese burgers, a large and medium fries, four Mountain Dews, and a chocolate supreme blizzard. It¢s not gluttony, it¢s nourishment. The nutrition information poster of DQ¢s products was over my table. I consumed (not including the Dews) 2840 calories. I probably burned that in the five hours of hiking it took me to get to the road crossing.With all that food in my belly you can only imagine how hard it was to breathe going up the mountain to get to Helvey¢s Mill Shelter.Thanks to the local Methodist church for the trail magic at VA 615!
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Helveys Mill, VA

To: Wapiti, VA
Miles today: 24.0

I thought that many of the self portrait pictures I have been taking showed a rugged tough hard-working Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, but I have been informed that I just look grouchy. I will now make sure that I smile more so that I don¢t get perceived as grouchy, but I neither want anyone getting the idea that this hike is easy nor thinking that I¢m not a rugged tough hard-working Appalachian Trail thru-hiker.Virginia has been beautiful. I¢ve had a couple of nights of rain and some off and on drizzles during the day but warm days have sure been nice.I am sure looking forward to getting new shoes this weekend. I have blown out the front to my right and the side of my left. Worse, the soles are no longer absorbing the impact of my hiking and my feet are feeling it. I will be zero-ing again this weekend and I¢m looking forward to that as well.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Wapiti, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

I¢ve been asked quite a bit by folks back home and hikers on the trail how my ¢no cook¢ thing is going. I love it. I love the predictability of each meal. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ham and cheese with ranch, tuna with ranch, all on bagels with granola bars, crackers, cookies, candy bars, beef sticks, etc, on the side make for some nice meals.Let¢s face it ¢cooking¢ on the AT is boiling water, adding the water to a bag of dehydrated something-or-other, and hoping it ends up tasting like the gorgeous picture on the front of the package. Like I said I like the predictability of ¢no cook.¢I have been very entertained by the ¢cooking¢ I¢ve seen. Nothing like spending the whole day hiking and then eating a bowl of soupy instant mashed potatoes or having to spend over an hour (like Batman and Robins Nest did) trying to scrape the burned on spaghetti out of the bottom of your pot.Last night was a good example of trail cooking. I stayed with Butthead and Sky King (two airline pilots) and they did the usual AT ¢cook¢ routine: set up the fuel, spill the fuel, set up the stove, spill more fuel, light the stove, and boil water. The boiled water was then added to a clear plastic bag of off-white stuff. Sky King was lifting a prepared bag and the bag spilled. The stuff looked exactly like vomit. Both Butthead and Sky King ate all of the ¢meal¢ and told me it tasted good but neither could tell me what it was or what it tasted like. I had a good chuckle with Butthead over this.Yea, ¢no cook¢ is working just fine.I really enjoyed staying with Sky King and Butthead. In the morning I also had a good laugh with their buddy Sticks who was waiting for them out at a road.Oh, back to the cook thing; the most ingenious use of a camp stove goes to Sunset who, when we were at Double Springs Shelter, boiled water to steam open his frozen boots.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp, VA
Miles today: 19.6

I arrived in Pearisburg yesterday and had a craving for Pizza Hut pizza so I hiked a three mile round trip to the Hut in town. It was ¢Two for Tuesday¢ so I ordered a large Meat Lovers pizza and got a second Meat Lovers free. I had a lot of pizza left over. Man, I¢ve got meals now. I actually skipped resupplying at the grocery store because I can eat pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Over night as the pizza cooled the grease hardened and became the glue that held all the pieces together. I was able to attach the pizza box vertically to my pack and I humped that pizza all over the countryside today. I sure enjoyed my breakfast, lunch, and dinner and I have enough for breakfast in the morning.I am meeting up with Jennel tomorrow. I will have a zero day on Friday and will get to watch my son¢s piano recital Friday night. New shoes and a resupply are also necessary.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Pine Swamp, VA

To: Rocky Gap, VA 601
Miles today: 15.5

The mice were exceptionally bad last night at Pine Swamp Shelter. The squeaking and scurrying began just after dusk. They were literally coming out of the walls and along the rafters. They didn¢t eat up any of my stuff and I screamed at them enough that I think they pretty much left me alone. Hope that is not the shape of things to come. Ha, ha ¢ they didn¢t get any of my left over pizza.I started hiking before dawn so I could meet Jennel in a timely fashion at VA 601. I reached Stony Creek at about 7:30am and the bridge was out. I guess there was a sign for a detour earlier on the trail but I must have missed it in the dark. I had to ford the creek and this is no small creek. Wet and cold feet to start the day was a little disappointing but the trail magic left by Captain on the other side of the creek immediately lifted my spirits. Thanks Captain!I met the family at VA 601 at about 1:30 pm and we drove 4.5 hours home to Hagerstown. I had a home cooked meal and my own shower. Looking forward to climbing into my own bed tonight. It is sure nice to be at home even if only briefly. Zero day tomorrow! Back to the trail on Saturday.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Rocky Gap, VA 601

To: Sarver Hollow, VA
Miles today: 9.4

If my father-in-law didn't think me the idiot before today then you would probably be hardpressed to convince him otherwise now. Jennel was to drive me back down to VA 601 to resume my hike but she and the kids have become quite ill. The house sounded like a tuberculosis ward last night and fevers all. A nine hour round trip would have been pure misery for Jennel and the kids. My father-in-law recognized this when he came to the recital last night. He graciously offered to drive me back to the trail, thus allowing the family to sleep and hopefully recover all day. After driving 4+ hours we started the windy climb into the mountains. He made it no secret that he was not in the least interested in ever hiking the Appalachian mountains and could not believe that I was. We arrived at the AT road crossing were he was to drop me off. He was less than impressed with the trail. I don't blame him for shaking his head at me. The Appalachain Trail is just that - a trail. I sure appreciate the ride and hope Jennel and the kids recover soon.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Sarver Hollow, VA

To: VA 785
Miles today: 24.2

Depending on the day, my mood, or other factors the two by six inch white blazes marking the Appalachian Trail can become a drill Sargeant to me. "You want to be a Thru-hiker?! Then, son, you will climb up this mountain! Then you will climb down it! You hear me, son! And when you're done climbing this one you will climb another one! I am the AT and you will do exactly what I tell you to do! "Now get up that mountain, climb over that blow-down, around this blow-down, through this one, under. C'mon son! My momma could do better than that! Over the rock garden, ford the river! Now drop down and give me twenty switchbacks! It was one of those days. I am tired. Using the hammock tonight.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: VA 785

To: US 220, VA
Miles today: 24.1

Virginia showcased some of her stellar beauty today. The magnificent views and the warm sun made McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs a highlight of Virginia thus far. While sitting out on tongues of rock I could see the valley below and the surrounding mountains and it was relaxingly beautiful. Cows were specks of black down in the valley. I would not take small children out on those ledges but McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs would be a great day hike for the family. Pack in a lunch and bask in the sun.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: US 220, VA

To: Bobblets Gap, VA
Miles today: 18.5

Feeling a little under the weather today. Hiked to the Blue Ridge Parkway and thought it would be flat. No, they gave the flat to the cars and segregated the AT hikers to a winding, climbing areas with rocky terrain. The AT winds back around to the BRP at each of the "views" otherwise it's deep into the woods for the hikers. Beautiful views and will bring Jennel back here to drive the parkway.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Bobblets Gap, VA

To: Bryant Ridge, VA
Miles today: 14.3

Today was all about surviving and trying to scrape together some miles to put behind me. It has been brewing for about three days but last night the family's virus hit me like a freight train. I shared Bobblets Gap Shelter with Pa Bert and I'm sure he didn't get much rest because I certainly didn't. Shortly after midnight I was hackin', sneezin', and snottin' around. I have no strength. I had to rest often while hiking and really didn't think I would go far. I took a two hour nap on a picnic table and a forty-five minute nap in a pile of leaves. I was able to get 14 miles to Bryant Ridge but it took me 'til 4:30pm. I have been in my bag ever since arriving. Don't know how I'm going to climb Floyd Mountain tomorrow.