morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Flip Flop back to Pearisburg

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 30.9
Weather: overcast clouds

My longest day so far and it was rough. I am still trying to catch up to Dick Tracy and when I passed 'Marco Solo' early this morning, he said DT had been at the shelter (War Spur?) last night; with DT saying he was going on to Niday Shelter today. So I really sucked it up and drove hard, trying to keep a 3 mph pace versus my normal comfortable 2 mph speed. It helped a lot that at VA 601 Rocky Gap someone had left a cooler full of sodas in ice and sugary sweet donuts. That Trail Magic sugar revitalized me for hours and I flew up and down them thar hills. Today's AT crossed many fields and farms and was a nice hike. There were a lot of day hikers out and several gave me small magic, a trail bar, crackers etc. When I got to the junction where the blue blaze Trail leads off to Sarver Hollow Shelter, I left a note to DT just in case he had gone down the .3 miles to that shelter. Then I pushed on, not knowing how many miles I was doing, just that it was getting up there. Going down the mountain switchbacks in the gathering darkness I heard rattlesnakes three times but could not see them. It sure made me not want to stop and tent in the woods even if I had been able to find a wide enough spot. I had started the day at 06:30 a.m. and it was nearly 9 p.m. when I reached Niday Shelter. I hurt my right foot and ankle on the way down. Hopefully it is just sprained a little. (POST HIKE NOTE: I am sure this is where I got my first stress fracture as it continued to cause great pain for the remainder of the trip). There I met Seth Walker and Zeb Kauffman from the 'Salem High School Championship football team two years running'. They were camping and fishing. They come up for a few days of mountain camping every couple of months. They had hot dogs and beer for me! They say that a major attraction for them is talking to the thru hikers and that they want to do the AT someday themselves. What a great end to an exhausting day. Since DT was not at the Niday Shelter, I figured I did pass him in the late evening and will wait for him here.
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Niday Shelter

To: Vaught Residence, Va Trail Angel
Miles today: 9.2

Sure enough DT caught up to me this morning after stopping 6.3 miles short last night! I waited at Niday Shelter and sure enough he came hustling in around 10:30 a.m. I had grilled hot dogs waiting for the group courtesy of the boys last night. We all then hiked up the mountain to the Audie Murphy Memorial which is so appropriate on this Memorial Day. It was sunny and hot but lots of water kept us going on the long uphill climb of over 1500 feet. The temps hit 90F today! The big surprise came when we hiked back down the 1500' feet and reached the gap road. TRAIL MAGIC! There was a cooler full of ice and cold sodas! Then I saw a van parked at the roadside with 'Brairpatch' (AT2001 Scott Vaught) and Mandy, his wife. They then invited the group of hikers (Squirrel Master, Contagious, DT and I) to their home for showers, a cookout, laundry, and indoors AC - then breakfast before a shuttle back to the Trail. I was shocked that several other hikers declined and hiked on. I was happy to stop at less than ten miles if it meant a 'town' night or at least the equivalent. Pure dumb luck had landed me in hiker heaven again. Of course, most of us accepted as the shelter we were headed for was only another mile up the mountain and had a poor water source in addition to being 1/2 mile off the main Trail. At the Vaught's beautiful house on the hill we could see the neighbors horses feeding in the fields, trees hiding the road, and views to die for. The life of a hiker is not always a rigorous one. Scott and Mandy were so nice and had so many stories of their own that I am sure we will become friends.
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Vaught Residence, Trail Angel

To: Johns Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

UP UP UP to the top of the mountain, but what a view when you get there! The rocks seem to go on forever, which made it slow going picking our way over the broken, jagged shrads and huge slabs of mountain. One mile per hour for five hours, then we missed the blue blaze to Dragons Tooth. Oh well, it is not like you are going to climb back up those rocks to catch it. A brief stop at a store for chili dogs and then on over a couple more small mountains to get to the shelter. My first snake attack happened when I was walking past a small oak tree. A snake was hanging on to the side and struck out at arm level but missed my left arm by several inches. I was panicked for just an instant until I realized it was just a non-venoumous black snake. A group of hikers at the road said the same aggressive snake had come after them too! They managed to even get pictures. Just prior to the shelter we crossed a road where another Trail Angel had left cold drinks and jugs of water which helped trememdously. Pastor John caught up to us at dark and we shared a nice evening. Pastor John was a lawyer, doing environmental and pro bono work, then after 25 years changed careers and became a minister in Georgia near where DT lives now. DT swears he is going to attend church services there when he gets home.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Johns Spring Shelter

To: Lamberts Meadows campsite
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

Short miles, hard climbs, wonderful views and rocks well worth the efforts are the trademarks of southern Virginia. First McAfee Knob which is one of the most famous views along the AT. Every hiker knows the traditional McAfee Knob photo of the hikers on the edge of the precipace. The cliffs have sheer drops and actually hang over the abyss to the valley floor far below so that the rock is like a gangplank. I am afraid of heights but managed to crawl up and let my feet swing over the 1500 foot drop off while photos were taken. I was very glad to be back on more solid (away from the edge) rocks. Then after a nice lunch at a picnic table and a half mile walk and back for water, Pastor John, Dick Tracy and the Bear moved along the wide cauldron Trail and circumnavigated the bowl that links McAfee Knob on one side of the valley from Tinker Cliffs on the other side. I actually like the cliffs better, probably because I was getting used to walking along the 20 inch wide trail only inches away from dropoffs! We got to a beautiful campsite along a little stream, took cold water baths and cleaned up well.One daily chore is to wash the sweat and salt stains from my shirt. When you only carry two sets of clothes, you have to try to mini-wash clothes every chance you get. All of us still smell pretty badly at times. Just at sunset two deer came walking by and I was finally able to get a good 'woods rat' photo. You see deer nearly everyday, but they are usually running away. A sudden hard rain with multiple lightening bolts closed out the night. Another wonderful day of effort and reward on the AT. It was really nice to be hiking with my friends again. Note the mileages dropping off but that is OK. There is still plenty of time to get to Kathadin by October 15.
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Lamberts Meadows campsite

To: VA 220 at Interstate (Vaughts home II)
Miles today: 9.1

Another low miles day due to the need for DT to go to the outfitters. He is finally going to lighten his pack load, with a new pack, and new sleeping bag (light summer one). I showed my falling apart shoes to the Outfitter and he said that, "North Face shoes are not meant for hiking." I looked at the ads he had hanging on the wall and they all showed people hiking. He refused to even consider replacing them under warranty although he would be happy to sell me some more. No thanks, I have had enough of North Face shoes falling apart after less than 100 miles each time. The good news is that I figured we could have some payback for the Trail Magic provided by Scott and Mandy Vaught. DT and I bought some nice steaks and cold drinks. A phone call later and the Vaughts picked us up and drove us back for another "comfort night" at their home. This time DT and I waited on them! Showers, laundry and good food with new friends prove once again that "It's about the smiles, not the miles." Roughly 750 miles completed, 258 to Harpers Ferry, W. Va. which is considered the halfway point although it is really short of the true halfway marker. Truly the best of times hiking with these great guys. I wish Pastor John had been able to join us. I will go back to visit with Scott & Mandy Vaught in the future.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: VA 220 at Interstate

To: Wilson Creek Shelter from Dalesville Va.
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Town food is town food and a necessity to a hiker trying to maintain weight or like me, at least not lose it so fast. The first month I lost 30 pounds in thirty days, the second month I lost 12 pounds and that is a good steady rate. We ate at the AYCE at Shoneys for breakfast then hit the Trail around 10 a.m. Of course, it was all up hill for the first 4 miles and my right leg began to ache again. It has not been painfree since my stupid day of 30 plus miles catching up to DT. I am not sure what the problem is, but it got worse during the entire day and I was limping badly. I took extra Ibuprofen and soaked my leg in a stream which helped for a few minutes. No real sights today unless you count a few turtles laying eggs IN THE TRAIL. I felt sorry for them as the hikers will crush the hidden eggs and never know. The rest of the day was the usual ups and downs. At the end of what should have been an easy day I was exhausted from the pain. I am using a bag of creek water to try to cool the hurt and will see how it goes tomorrow.At the shelter, I finally got a chance to talk to 'Jellybean' as she is a really cool lady truck driver (Arizona), 'Compass Rose', and 'Dirt Diva' (Indiana). These three ladies are all very nice and I had bumped into them several times along the Trail but had not had the time to talk. They have marvelous senses of humor and are a fun bunch in the shelter. Women seem to be so much more outgoing and happy on the Trail than the men generally. Too many of the guys are so concerned with being competitive (who did the most mileage? who has the lightest pack weight?) while the women are just enjoying the trip. I know I am tired when I get philosophical.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Wilson Creek Shelter from Dalesville Va.

To: Jennings Creek campsite VA614
Miles today: 17.0

We have entered Central Virginia where the "long green tunnels" and the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) begins. It is strange to walk along a path through the woods where you can only see 5 to 15 feet due to the dense growth, then suddenly hear cars zoom past 50 yards away on the road. Then you come to one of the eighteen BRP road crossings and can see a vista for 50 miles and photos are a must. Originally the AT was the only route thru here but then politicians decided that there should be a road for the lazy folks and the AT got pushed off the ridgetops where we have no views now, unless it is at the road crossings then you have the noise and danger of vehicles going 70 mph in the 30 mph zones. Todays highlight was at the very end of the day. We made Jennings Creek and there was a natural pool 5 feet deep due to rocks piled up to block up the flow of the stream. There were trout swimming in the clear cold water. 25 hikers were soon splashing about like little kids and I was able to soak my sore leg for an hour. Afterwards we washed out our stinky salty clothes and made camp. A local day camper ran a couple of hikers to town for cold drinks and alcohol fuel for their stoves. Unfortunately there was no fuel to be had. We will use stick fires to cook on when we run out; it just makes the pot all sooty. There must be 40 hikers camped about the area tonight, some just out from town to campout.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Jennings Creek campsite VA614

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

What a wonderful day of hiking and beautiful sights to see. Cool daytime breezes and despite all the severe ups and downs (Fork Mountain, Floyd Mountain, Black Rock, and Apple Orchard Mountain) for a total of nearly 8,000 feet as best as I could figure it. Totally awesome views and some great overlooks for hikers that the general public never sees. So sad that all of the car people zip by on the Blue Ridge Parkway and half of them never stop to get out and breathe the air. A few were smart enough to day hike and were having a wonderful time, all smiles, happy laughing children, and everyone seemed to be so content just to be out there enjoying nature. Due to the threat of rain again tonight, I will be in the shelter, but still prefer to be in the tent whenever I can. There are no bug problems in the tent as there sometimes are in the shelters. One advantage of staying near shelters rather than tenting in the woods is you get to know the other hikers better. For me sitting around the campfire talking to other hikers is the best part of the day! Today I got to enjoy the company of Pastor John again and pulled info out of 'Pokey, the Pink Squid'. Pokey is a 29 year old hiker babe that just finished college in Vermont but considers Western N.C. home. She has been having shin splint problems for a long while and has numerous bandages on her legs. She uses some octopus like PINK adhesive strips to increase the circulation and everyone calls them Squids. She is doing ten mile days until she can heal up and go back to her regular routine. A very sweet lady and one I am glad to have met.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Glasgow, VA Budget Inn US 501
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

After several days of record heat in the high 80-90F, a cold snap has come through dropping the night time temperatures to 48F when we got going at 07:00 a.m. I was very cold as I already sent my sleeping bag home and substituted a double thickness synthetic sheet as my sleeping cover. I will be suffering for a few days until the weather changes back to normal. I will be wearing all my clothes, both my fleece plus rain jacket, double socks, socks for gloves at night and heat a water bottle to take to the tent with me. Oh well, I am sure I will survive, so not to worry. I should have stuck to my original plan of sending home the heavy bag and cold weather gear at Harper's Ferry. There were various mountain views into the valleys today at a cost of hiking UP to the summits and across rough rocky ridge lined trails. The final three miles were along and above the James River; and across a new 'hikers only' bridge. Quite an awesome trip and some beautiful countryside with the BRP hidden nearby, but located by the traffic noises. We had to go into Glascow to resupply enough to get to Waynesboro where the next mail drop will be waiting. Of course, once in a town, the temptation to stay at a motel, hot showers, restaurant food, etc. was just too much to resist, so our plan to get in and out and go 1.7 miles more to the next shelter went out the window. The rain made it very easy to sleep inside on the nice air conditioned beds tonight.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Glasgow, VA Budget Inn US 501

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: scattered clouds

After some more "real food" at the local Burger Doodle, I was able to YOGI a ride for us back to the Trail from some Ply Tech workmen. The owner of the concrete coating company Russ Chessor took us out of his way to be nice and deliver us right at the AT Trailhead. Super person and he took the time to explain his business as well. Trail Magic is from awesome folks and we were able to be back on the Trail at 8 a.m. after a town night where we were able to eat good, stay out of the rain, shower AND do laundry. It is a major morale boost to do this at least once a week. The trail is tough and it is these little comforts that really make a difference. Todays hiking had 3000 feet all up to start the day than a couple 800 foot ups throughout the day, but it was cool and breezy plus the views towards the river were so wonderful. You get a real sense of accomplishment to look down 3000 feet into the James River Valley and realize that Rail Road Bridge that is so tiny far away now is the same one you hiked past 4 hours earlier. The camp tonight is nice. A roaring fire warms us and keeps the bugs away. Well, Ok just a few bugs were driven away by the fire. Free firewood is stacked next to the firepit as the trail maintainers had re-roofed the shelter and left a huge pile of cedar shakes to burn! It smells good as it burns. A real treat for us. I should sleep well tonight after that long hard hike and the weather should be warmer, so I won't be shivering.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter

To: Priest Mtn. Shelter (Spy Rock)
Miles today: 22.7

A long hard day of hiking again today as we strain to get to Waynesboro. DT is meeting his wife on Friday and I have a mail drop to pick up before noon Saturday, or have to zero day in Waynesboro. Today was again cool and breezy, absolutely perfect for hiking. The first climb is from Brown Mountain Creek at 1395' feet then up to 4,059' feet at Bald Knob is over a distance of 4.6 miles so it wasn't too bad. Unfortunately we had one of those "go down a thousand feet then back up a thousand feet all day". Cold Mountain (read the Civil War book of the same titla) was worth the ups though as you come out on an artificial bald maintained (mowed and burned regularly) by the Forestry Service. The view was excellent and I took several pictures before moving quickly on as I knew a 22 mile day meant at least 11 hours of hiking. Main Top Mountain at just over 4,000 feet was the highest point today but did not grace us with the spectacular views of some of the other peaks. Spy Rock was an extra .5 miles each way, but I went anyway. It was worth the climb and the views were the best of the day! Absolutely stunning and I was able to take pictures of "The Priest" and "The Three Ridges", very hard with no switchback ups of 3000 feet each. I also bumped into JAVAMAN who does a lot of the AT trail maintenance around here. Very good job on some difficult trails so the work he puts in showed; short easier steps, well sided edges where it abutted rock, etc. The higher miles still make it a long hard day again. If the AT were easy, than everyone would do it!
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Priest Mtn. Shelter

To: Dripping Rock stealth camped
Miles today: 20.1

Another long day of hard hiking. Three days of over twenty miles each is taking a toll in mind, body, and spirit as it is just too difficult of terrain to do this much. Once we start in Shenandoah National Park, the Trail will get somewhat easier, but I am not able to keep up this pace as a routine. Fifteen miles a day is a good rate for backpackers. We caught up with some prior AT acquaintances at Maupin Field Shelter: 'Willow', who just celebrated her 40th birthday by overnighting in a rebuilt 1930's railroad car; "42" a twenty-something who is very fast, named from the 'Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy' Movie; and 'Rapunsel', a true California girl of 29 years with brown hair and eyes who has hair as buzzed as mine. She still manages to look good is what amazes me! All very cool lady hikers. We all ended up exhausted at the same point and are camping in the woods above the BRP. Everyone is planning an early start to get into Waynesboro as the lure of food, showers, etc. sucks us in again and again! There are lots of jokes about the vortex of Trail towns sucking you in and never letting you go again. It is the end for many thru hikers who decide it is easier to stay and drink beer and party than hike. Duh! I do not know what path others may take but I will finish if I have to drag my bloody feet to Maine.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Dripping Rock stealth camped

To: Waynesboro ,VA Lutheran Church Hostel
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

After all the tough days, today seemed easier by comparison. A 6:10 a.m. start, no breakfast and I was at the US-250 and I-64 Junction by 12:30 p.m. Pretty fast hiking for a man with bad knees and a bum foot or two. I definitely limp when it gets too bad. I got a ride from Trail Angel, George Archambeault who took me to the Post Office for my cleverly decorated mail drop package, and then on to the Lutheran Church Hostel which I found did not open until 5 p.m. I was able to get fresh water and sit in the church gazebo for several hours sorting food and mail, and half napping. Who should come walking bye and say HI but 'Dirt Diva' and 'Compass Rose'! I had thought those two speedy ladies long gone. At the Library I was able to read my journal and see all of the notes people had left in the GUEST BOOK. I truly enjoyed reading the many journal notes people had left. It gave me a big boost. I will go to do laundry until 5 p.m when I can check-in. Everyone I know is staying at hotels, but I just cannot afford it right now. The church hostel is filled with hikers anyway so I meet a lot of new folks, some SOBO, some sectioning pieces. I am trying hard to stay within my $300 per month budget.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Waynesboro ,VA Lutheran Church Hostel

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I ended up taking a Zero Day anyway. The church hostel is wonderful and I have met several of the caretakers who voluteer their time here and of course they are great folks. No miles today and it feels so strange. Waiting for the Florida reporter, Dana Sanchez that I met at Carver Gap. She wants to do a story on the AT and the Thru Hikers. She will be trying to jump in and hike with me for two weeks. I have warned her that it will be very hard for her to even do fifteen mile days but hopefully she can keep up and meet some of the hiker people that have become my trail friends, and most importantly feel the magic sense of community that prevades on the Trail.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Waynesboro, 

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

'Friction Writer', Dana Sanchez from Florida joined our Trail Family today. I spent a fast half hour last night getting her pack weight down, sending many unnecessary items home. We were only going to the first shelter as DT is breaking in a new pair of boots and Dana is not used to backpacking. The weather continued to be hiker-perfect, with cool breezes, overcast days and easier hills (less elevation changes) with some nice views from Bear's Den Mountain. At the shelter some locals told us to expect to see Black Bears as they are all over the Park. Unfortunately the bears are attracted by human garbage and careless food storage then the bears become a nuisance danger and get relocated or killed. "A fed bear is a dead bear". I say relocate the stupid humans who leave garbage out or or are too lazy to hang their food bags. That is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Rain ensued during the evening and lots of lightning made us glad we were in the shelter last night. It was still drizzling at 7 a.m. when we hit the Trail, but it quickly changed to just heavily overcast skies. By midday the sun actually peaked thru a few times, then finally full bright sunshine in the late afternoon to cheer us up.Far easier hiking and minor ups and downs made the miles pass quickly. Lots of deer spooked at our passing, but went back to grazing once we were past them. Several hikers reported seeing baby and full grown bears, but they still elude me. I would really like to get a good bear picture on this "once in a lifetime" trip. 'Friction Writer' Dana suffered her first AT blister on her foot. Congratulations, now you are a real hiker! Tomorrow will be another 13 mile day, but we need to get back up over 15 to keep pace to summit Katahdin by October 15th. At the Blackrock Hut(shelter) there was one beer remaining when Dana and I got there. DT had been there for a while! Dana and I split the one beer and enjoyed it still. There were also some fresh apples and an orange. A nice sunny afternoon, fresh fruit, and the only worry - back at home, a First Hurricane of the season already hitting Florida.