morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Victorian B & B, Damascus, VA 466.9

To: Victorian B & B, Damascus, VA 466.9
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is being spent updating this blog, doing laundry, mailing a few things home, resupplying, resting, and EATING! (Random note: While I was at the library using the computer, Gary went to the outfitter, and found us some new sleeping pads, Thermarest Neo Air XLs. We've found that we're wanting more comfort at night, and these are very light!) In the afternoon we walked to the grocery store. It was a nice store, but we could have done without the extra miles. Still, after hiking 467 miles, and twenty percent of the trail, we were happy to realize that our bodies and our gear were holding up well. We still have had blisters or injuries, and, more importantly, we were still having a super time. We've had great weather so far, though this could change at any moment. It's been cool and sunny for the most part, with rain only at night or when we've been on our way into town. We've been cold for a couple of hours during the coldest nights, but not dangerously cold. The terrain has become easier the last few days, and Virginia promises to continue this trend. We've watched winter become spring, and lately have seen many beautiful spring flowers, incredible sunrises, sunsets, and views. We've seen lots of bugs, but no ticks. We've seen some butterflies, two lizards and two snakes, but only one deer and two squirrels as far as furred creatures go. We haven't seen even one shelter mouse! All in all, it's been a wonderful adventure so far and we continue to look forward to the remaining eighty percent of our journey. Life is GREAT on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you realize you've hiked over 450 miles and are still having a great time!
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Victorian B & B, Damascus, VA 466.9

To: Lost Mountain Shelter 482.7
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night we stopped at the Hiker Inn to donate some no longer used sleeping pads to the hiker box, and started chatting with the owners about wildflowers along the trail. They had a wealth of information about the different wildflowers. We were excited to learn about what we've been seeing for the last month: squaw root, which looks like pinecones; anemones; fire pinks and others. This morning, after a nice breakfast of eggs, fruit and a waffle with whipped cream for Gary, we started out. We stopped at the outfitter on the outskirts of town, and met Salt Bomb. Salt Bomb earned his trail name from the dinner he cooked the first night on the trail. Apparently he added a WHOLE BOX of bullion cubes to flavor his dinner. He didn't do THAT again! We soon reached the Virginia Creeper Trail, a decomposed granite rail-to-trail which extends almost twenty miles on either end of Damascus. We hiked on it for a short while before climbing high above it. Four miles out of Damascus, we came across Sweet Tea and her dog Heavy, savoring the last few miles of their thru hike. Sweet Tea had rescued an almost dead Heavy on the Appalachian Trail in December. They are completing their hike today in Damascus. Here is Sweet Tea 's entry in the Lost Mountain Shelter log: A Heavy Hike: 10:00 am I'm done. Shoes are wornout. Body achy, tired. And I smell. I left Damascus and now I'm going back! North Virginia to Maine June -October; South Virginia to Georgia November - December; North Virginia to South Virginia March to April. Sweet Tea and Heavy. I'm in awe. At lunch we met Whoop and Research aka Esther and Morgan, then came out the way we came in. We don't want to miss even one white blaze. The six mile hike to the second shelter, Lost Mountain Shelter, was hot (finally) with a lot of uphill. Of course we noticed it more than we otherwise would have since this the first day after resupplying in Damascus. Once we made it to the shelter, we saw that Boxhead, Whitewater, and Duffer were already there. Soon Badger arrived, then Hobo, then Lightning Jack. Life is GREAT on the Appalachian Trail, especially when the weather finally warms up a bit!
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Lost Mountain Shelter 482.7

To: Wise Shelter 500.0
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

We were out about 8:30, hiking upward over a bald, then down to a gap with trail magic, by 2005 thru hiker Hemlock Muppet. He had Dr. Woop soda, apples, and oranges! Thanks, Hemlock Muppet! He also helped me identify some flowers which I had been wondering about: trout lilies and water leaves. Once satiated, we continued hiking up the next bald, and most of the way up Mt Rogers, to the next shelter, where we joined the rest of the thru hikers and Hemlock Muppet for lunch. After lunch we hiked into the Grayson Highlands State park, home to several dozen ponies. Soon we encountered a mom and yearling. We stopped to give them some attention and take a few pictures, then continued through a couple of miles of rocks, past more ponies, including some of this spring's foals. They all looked to be healthy and in good shape. (Random note: We read later that the ponies of Grayson Highlands are rounded up, vaccinated, and culled each year. This explains why they are in such great shape.) We arrived at the shelter just before 5:00, then went up for water. The designated water source wasn't good, but Duffer found a nice little waterfall back south a quarter mile. I was glad I had brought ALL the water bladders, so we would be set for the morning. We also noticed that a boy scout troop had made the privy. Nice work! Thanks! When I started to work on my journal, I realized that we had just hit the 500 mile point! Whoopie! 500 miles! Mark and Sean, who were hiking for www.warriorhike.com, stopped by for dinner, then continued North, as did Boxhead, Glide, and others who didn't feel 17.3 miles was far enough to hike for the day. Staying here were Hobo, Duffer, Whitewater, Resource and Whoop, a section hiker named My Time, and us. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when there are cute ponies to watch along the way, and when you realize you've hiked 500 miles already.
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Wise Shelter 500.0

To: Trimpi Shelter 520.0
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We were on the trail at 8:30, but we took a wrong turn a mile out. Bummer! It was especially discouraging on this 20 mile day. Oh well. We may have hiked a mile extra....but...the flowers were lovely and the weather fine. We passed lots of trout lilies and spring beauties carpeting the sides of the trail, then met Fat Man (of "Jake and the Fat Man"...his son is Jake)...and Zipper (for his chest scar) at first lunch at Old Orchard Shelter. Lightning Jack and Research were also eating. Second lunch was 5 miles further, at Hurricane Mountain Shelter, with Duffer. We had considered going to the hostel in Troutdale, but were glad we'd decided against it when we came to the access road at Dickey Gap, and found a very small, lightly traveled road...not good for hitching. Soon it started raining, but fortunately rained lightly until right after we arrived at Trimpi Shelter, our destination. It poured while I got water, let up a bit, then poured again. We were glad to be able to cook and eat inside the shelter. Resource came in, and then, half an hour later, Whoop and Lightning Jack. Fortunately Lightning Jack was able to set up his hammock INSIDE the shelter, so, we fit nine hikers altogether in the six person shelter. It was a good night to be inside a shelter rather than a tent. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you're in a dry shelter in the cold rain, looking out.
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Trimpi Shelter 520.0

To: Marion, Virginia, in a motel 530.6
Miles today: 10.6

As we were getting ready to start our hike for the day, I saw a plaque in the shelter, noting that it was dedicated to Robert Trimpi: 1951-1969. It was a sobering thought on this already dreary day. It had rained all night and we were starting out in the rain for the first time in forty one days on the Appalachian Trail. We started out wearing shorts with our rain jackets, since it was pretty warm. A mile or so out we came upon trail magic from the youth group at the Valley View Baptist Church. Thanks much for the sodas, cookies, apples and corn tortillas! They were just what we needed on this increasingly cold, rainy day. As we hiked on (quickly) it became colder and windier, especially on the ridge tops. We finally stopped to put on our rain pants. Much better! We hiked straight to Partnership Shelter (mile 530.6.) and, visitors center. It was warm in the visitors center and the docent offered hot coffee, but we still couldn't warm up. Whitewater called for a shuttle to take us to Marion, Virginia, which took us to a hiker friendly motel. We checked in, turned up the heat to about 85 degrees, and spread our wet clothes out to dry, before heading out for Mexican food. I couldn't believe how much food I ate: 3 tacos, 2 enchiladas and rice! Only on the Appalachian Trail could you hike in the rain Tuesday, sleep in a three sided shelter at night, hike 10 miles in the rain Wednesday, then catch a bus into town and a warm motel room! Life is Grand...and an adventure on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you never know what good things await you.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Partnership Shelter...Marion, Va 530.6

To: Relax Inn, I-81 interchange, Atkins, Ga 542.2
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

WooHoo! It's not raining! After a huge restaurant breakfast we took the shuttle bus back to the visitors center by Partnership Shelter and started hiking in the mist. The temperature warmed up as the sun burned off the mist, but remained cool. We stopped at Chatfield Shelter for first lunch, after three hours, then continued for five more miles to the I-81 interchange in Atkins, Ga. There were few flowers in the morning, but as we descended to a lower elevation after first lunch, there were many more: mustard, spring beauties, and squaw root. Plus, I finally saw a May apple FLOWER!. At mile 539.5 was the free to hikers Settlers Museum, which had exhibits of rural life from when the valley was settled, and a nineteenth century school house. We didn't stop, however, as we wanted to get a room at the motel in Atkins. Near the I-81 interchange we crossed some railroad tracks, then to the interchange and the Relax Inn motel. Once we got a room and checked to see what food remained in our packs, we headed out for second lunch at The Barn restaurant. Great burgers and tater tots, and great company with Whitewater, Duffer, and Hobo. After lunch, Hobo got back on the trail, Duffer and Whitewater went back to the motel, and we went to the two local quickie marts to resupply for the next couple of days, then did laundry. At under twelve miles, and with easy terrain, the hiking day seemed very short! It felt almost like a zero day. Life is great as always in the Appalachian Trail, especially when your hiking day is short and has easy terrain for a change!!
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Relax Inn I-81 interchange, Atkins, Ga 542.2

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter 565.2
Miles today: 23.0

We started in the fog after a huge breakfast at The Barn. We first hiked under I-81, then on to the grassy trail. The first 13.9 miles to Knot Maul Shelter took about 6-1/2 hours. The trail trended up, but was rolling...very nice. There were lots of violets, May apples, anenomes, and spring beauties, with an occasional fire pink. We hiked through woods and farmlands, and had to climb a number of stiles (Random note: Stiles are steep, wooded ladder like structures that enable one to climb over barbed wire fences. Livestock are kept in, and ranchers don't have to worry about hikers leaving gates open.) At one point we passed a day hiker, "Man of Many Words," who told us that there was Gatorade and water in the bed of his blue and red pickup truck. Sure enough! He also sent me many photos of the trail via Facebook. After lunch at Knot Maul Branch Shelter, the last 9.1 miles was pretty much all uphill, though not all of it steep. This made for a long, tough day, especially since there was no water at Chestnut Knob Shelter. We carried water for dinner and breakfast the last three miles up to Chestnut Knob, only to find out that there was a pond near the top of the climb. A bright spot in the afternoon's hike was more trail magic, brought to us by a former thru hiker: soda, sandwiches and cookies. Thanks SO much. That cola really helped me up those mountains. (Random thought: At home I never drink non-diet soda. Here on the trail, we welcome those extra calories!) When we FINALLY arrived at the Chestnut Knob Shelter, a four sided stone shelter on top of a bald, at 7:30. (I was REALLY SLOW going that last three miles uphill,) We were delighted to find out that there was still "room at the inn," especially since I was EXHAUSTED! Duffer and Whitewater had graciously made room for us on their platform. Thanks SO much! Philly Ben was also there, along with some section hikers. After dark, Critter came in. He had to sleep on the floor, but at least it was relatively warm and protected from the wind...nice since the shelter was at 4400 feet...high for this area. The sunset was beautiful, and later on, after dark, I went outside and saw eyes glowing in the dark, moving up and down. Whew! Creepy, until I realized it was just a whitetail deer browsing, moving its head up and down as it ate. (Random note: It looked like a decoration that people sometimes have in their yards during the holidays.) Since I had cell service outside, I called a motel to reserve a room for tomorrow and Sunday night. Random note: We were trying to beat a big rainstorm, which is why we hiked twenty three miles today, and will do another long one tomorrow.) The next morning I saw three more tents set up outside. I hope the people inside were as toasty as we were inside the shelter. Life is wonder on the AT, especially when you're in a warm sleeping bag in a shelter, when it's really cold outside.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Jenkins Shelter 575.2

To: Big Walker Motel, U.S. 52 Bland, VA 586.9
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

We were about the last people out of Jenkins Shelter this morning, at 8:10. It wasn't raining...yet...but rain was predicted, and we wanted to make it as far as possible before it started. I was glad we'd be in a motel tonight. The trail was great today: mostly gentle up and downs, contouring, and the footing was nice. Gary's right leg was still sore, but seemed a little better than yesterday with the gentle terrain and short miles yesterday and today. We were both looking forward to getting new shoes in our mail drop in Bland. Gary's shoes were completely shot, and even with my big feet (size 9) and small body, 5 feet and 95 pounds, I could feel every rock through the shoes after 600 miles on them, even though they looked almost new. We were also getting morewhole dried milk with cream (Nido), dried jujubes (fruit) from our garden, supplements, Compeeds for blisters (of which we haven't need yet, thankfully), Aqua Mira (water purification), and a few other things. We wished we'd gotten the new shoes in Damascus...but, live and learn. (Random thought: we only had scheduled eight mail drops. These only contain things that we thought would be difficult or impossible to come by in trail towns. Some people have more mail drops, but we found them a nuisance. Some people have none. Everybody was different. We also found the post office employees in these small trail towns to be unfailingly friendly, helpful and efficient!) With under miles to hike today, we arrived at hwy 52 before 1:30. Duffer had already called Bubba, the local shuttle driver, so we only had to wait a few minutes for our ride to the motel. Once we checked in, we immediately walked downhill to the Dairy Queen...about the only restaurant in town. I had a double mushroom Swiss burger, fries, salad, and a small hot fudge sundae, washed down with lots of iced tea. Gary had a half pound cheese burger, fries, salad, and tea, and then added a BBQ sandwich for dessert. (Random note: We were trying very hard not to lose any more weight, so we really ate a lot whenever we were in town.) After lunch we checked out possible resupply opportunities. It appeared to be slim pickins. The grocery store had a paperback book and some Aleve, and the convenience store by the Dairy Queen had Fritos and jerky (balanced diet for thru-hikers.) Our only hope was that the Dollar General store would have more choices. While we were at the DQ I checked the weather on my smart phone: the prediction was for rain/snow/wind tomorrow. It sounded like a great day for a zero day in town. Meanwhile, life is still excellent on the AT, but is sometimes temporarily even better in a motel a couple of miles OFF the trail, especially when snow is in the weather forecast!
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Jenny Knob Shelter 599.0

To: Wapiti Shelter 613.2
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

We were hiking by 8:15 in chilly weather this morning, so we both wore long pants. We started with a downhill, then contouring trail. At about six and a half miles we went over a creek via a suspension bridge, then had more contouring. At eight and a half miles we stopped for a lunch break by the trail to Dismal Creek Falls, then continued contouring another six or so miles to the Wapiti Shelter, arriving about 2:15. Five people from the shelter last night were already there, but they continued another six miles to the Woodshole Hostel, reputed to be among the nicest hostels along the AT. Johannes (from Germany) came in, and stayed, sharing pictures of a mama bear and her cubs from his camera. "Dog Whisperer" and her dogs Max and Shay also stayed here, in their tent. "Dutchman" came in for the night as well. He was back hiking after having to take two weeks off for a shin splint. A retired Frito Lay executive, he told us more about Fritos, my favorite snack food on the trail, than I ever thought I'd know. (Random thought: Apparently, Fritos have so much oil in them that they burn, and can be used as tinder for starting a fire. However, they only contain three ingredients: whole grain corn, oil, and salt, and have no trans fat, so I would consider them a health food, especially for this thru hiker who is gluten-free!)We were hoping that the rain predicted for tomorrow didn't happen, as we had a sixteen mile hike planned, but I guessed we'd be hiking anyway, no matter what the weather. We knew that at least we'd be on our way to Pearisburg. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you find out that your favorite trail snack is a "health food!"
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Wapiti Shelter 613.2

To: Holiday Lodge, Pearisburg 629.8
Miles today: 16.6

It rained all night, starting almost as soon as we went to sleep, stopped briefly, then started up again, with a vengeance. We started our hike in rain pants and jackets, then added rain mitts, as we started up to the ridge above. At six miles we passed the sign to the Woodshole Hostel, but it was half a mile off route, and with a 16+ mile day planned, we didn't stop. Four miles later we came to Doc's Knob Shelter. We stopped there to eat lunch and to add fleece shirts and gloves. By then we were COLD to the bone! Once we started hiking again, it stopped raining, but the trail was frequently a stream, so our feet stayed cold and wet. After hiking another five miles, we came to the steep downhill into town. Unlike the earlier part of day, when it was wet and we saw very few wildflowers, the flowers along this last 1.7 miles were plentiful and beautiful. We saw several kinds of trillium, violets, bluets, and the first (and only) Jack-in-the pulpit! Once we arrived in town, we located the Appalachian Trail going OUT of town, then found Main Street, where our motel was located, before hiking UP a hill on Main Street for half a mile to the motel. We checked in, showered, then headed across the street to the "La Barranca Mexican Restaurant" for dinner. We ate, then visited with some of the thru hikers for awhile before returning to the motel. One thing I especially appreciated about this motel was that I could receive and then send a fax. (Random thought: It was difficult to transact business on a thru hike, and very helpful when there was a fax machine right at the motel.) We were very tired by the time we got back after dinner. I think the cold, wet weather took a lot out of us, as did the rocky, water filled trail, more than the distance, especially with Gary's sore leg. We planned to take a zero day in Pearisburg, to mail home some things to lighten our loads, and so Gary could see a doctor about his leg pain. (Random thought: At home it would have been easy just to rest his for a week or two before seeing a doctor, but out here on the trail, he needed to know sooner rather than later so less time is lost from the hike.) Life is great on the Appalachian Trail, even on cold, rainy days, especially when you're heading into town, with its soft bed, and town food.!
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Holiday Lodge, Pearisburg, VA 629.8

To: Holiday Lodge, Pearisburg, VA 629.8
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We started off this zero day by walking downtown, looking for the post office and a place for breakfast. The post office was close by, on the way to town, but didn't open for half an hour, so we continued, looking for a restaurant. We found it in the Bears Den Restaurant. We found friendly service and great omelets. Back to the post office we went, to pick up the trail topo maps, which had not arrived before we left Reno, and to mail a few things (which ended up weighing over a pound) to my brother's house in Vermont, one of our major resupply points. (Random thought: We ended up mailing many envelopes and boxes to my brother's house, since he lives at the point where we planned pick up warm clothes and river crossing shoes, if needed, just before heading into the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Maine. We were grateful that neither he nor his wife complained about all the packages we sent there.)We were happy to lighten our loads, and Gary loved his maps! Gary went to the clinic to have his sore leg checked out, and came back with prednisone to cut down the inflammation in his leg, but no diagnosis, even after an exam (tendons are fine) and an ultrasound (no blood clot.) YEAH! He can continue the hike with no restrictions! While he was gone, I updated this blog on the motel computer, and visited with thru hikers as they checked into the motel. (Random thought: "Mailbox" came in first. He was hiking big miles in between working jobs at home. We had first met him at Uncle Johnny's hostel, then on the trail when he recommended the Mountain Harbour B & B/Hiker hostel in Roan Mountain. Then "Coffee Pot" and his dog scout came in to dry out from yesterday's storm. Lastly, "Dog Whisperer" and her dogs Max and Shay came in.) Once Gary returned from the clinic, we went next door to the Old Virginia Smokehouse for some real southern barbecue. Mmmmmmm. It was delicious, and since we were hiking fifteen miles a day, we could eat all we wanted! Now...we just needed to resupply. After lunch, we went into the Food Lion to resupply, and saw Johannes, across the street from our motel, then found a local hardware store where we bought denatured alcohol for the stove. Johannes went back to the trail, while we went to the "all you can eat" buffet next to the Food Lion, for an early dinner, then back to the motel to relax. We were ready to continue our hike. So: Life is good in Pearisburg, Virginia, especially when you get a clean bill of health to continue your hike on the Appalachian Trail in the morning.