morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 40 -- I awoke multiple times throughout the night--sometimes to a starry sky, sometimes to cloud cover, and to a beautiful morning sky! We did breakfast and tried to head out fast, but of course Wing-It!and I were last out--we don't mind though. The day's terrain wasn't too steep, but lots of ups and downs--like a roller coaster, and it was long.A nice part was that we were on a ridge for a good part of the day, and even though it was cloudy (fluffy ones with a little tiny bit of blue in between) we still had some great views. We took our time in the morning, our feet and legs not seeming to want to work faster.This is what we're walking on over boggy areas and areas they are trying to protect.We passed Hangman and a SOBO and met Crazy Horse and Andre the Giant. We lunched on a bench in the middle of a green, sweet-smelling field at about our halfway point.About a half mile before Double Spring Shelter we passed Little Brother, who we found out was the guy in the tent from our night hike last night so I apologized if I woke him up. :> We got water at the Shelter and moved on. Wing-It!and I had a great pace after lunch and got the miles done. She and I powered up ascents and sang songs on descents (Boys2Men and Lean on Me today). We hiked through another huge burned area--not very pleasant to look at or smell, but it was neat to see the new growth coming up (see pictures).On a bench eating lunch in a field.We made it into camp around 8 p.m., just after smelling the fire, only an hour and a half after the guys. Fire and Stripe went and collected water for everyone--wow, how I appreciated that! Everyone was pretty quiet tonight--exhausted from the day. Mouth had country playing on the radio he's carrying--said it was for a morale booster for us--thought that was nice of him. I do miss music out here--but I guess I get to hear different songs now.This is a view from Vandeventer ShelterOn a bench eating lunch in a field.Video :
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 42 -- Breakfast at Cowboy's Exxon Station--a fabulous omelette and great company. Went there with Wing-It!, Stripe, and Wrongway to meet Top Hat, Mouth, and Fire, but it turns out they had already eaten...bummer. We ate with Freestyle, Pippiand Hamburglar. We also saw Cool Breeze and met Puppy and Mule. We headed over to the laundramat and had a little hiker party--Lukasz & Karen, and Puppy were already there. Mouthjoined us with one load, and Leilani and Kanoacame in--we had a great time chatting and listening to music and stories while we were waiting for our clothes. On to Mojoe's to upload Wing-It!'s photos and then to Mt. Roger's Outfitters for fuel and I got a pair of trail runners. Tom helped me pick some out--I usually hate shoe shopping, but with Tom it was painless. I went to the Post Office and sent home my boots and then hung out by the river with Top Hat and Stripewhile Wing-It! and Strip, Thursday.Wing-It! and Fire hung out on a rock across the river (Mouth was with a friend visiting from home). We walked over to Dot's for BBQ for dinner and were there for hours hanging out, listening to music, and talking. I got to talk to Wrongwayfor a while which was nice, and then Mouth came in with his friend, who was good to meet. I headed back to the hostel and got to hang out with Wrongway, Stripe,Chef, and Pippi.Leilani and Kanoa
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 43 -- I woke up around 7 a.m., took a shower, and read while I waited for Wing-It!to get up. Others were up and moving around, too, since we're used to getting up and going to bed with the sun, and many people were heading out today. When Wing-It! got up and took a shower, I packed up and then enjoyed a breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs on a bagel that someone brought because they were leftovers--nice. As I was waiting, Stomp and Shuffle came in doing well. Once Wing-It! was packed and ready, we made a last trip to the Post Office (met Jukebox) and the outfitter and headed to Cowboy's again for breakfast for her, Stripe, and Hangman. We finally got out of town around 11 a.m. About a mile or two into the woods we came across Fire and Top Hatat their campsite. Wing-It!stayed to take a break and Stripe and I continued.Stripe drinking from Trail MagicWe had a great day for hiking and we also talked some when we were close enough, which made the time fly. I lost him on our last long ascent before our planned lunch spot because I was running low on fuel, so I snacked and rested along the way. I thought the switchbacks would never end! Finally I reached Saunders Shelter, where Bean was cooking and Stripewas already there. I got some water before it started drizzling, short-lived as it was, and sat down to eat.Two mice.It felt good to be off my feet. Wing-It! came in shortly after I started eating and she did the same. The three of us headed out before the guys got there. My feet were tired and still sore, and so the last part of the day went a little slower, but it was pretty nice. The trail ran alongside a stream for a long time while also on the Virginia Creeper Trail.Wing-It! walking over a bridgeThe sun was on its way to bed as we pulled into camp which was full of lots of new friends from Damascus and a couple of old friends--Chef, Wrongway, Erwin (the dog), Sage and his new dog Gar (?), Tourist, Lukasz & Karen, Sailboat and dog, and us. We had fun hanging out and chatting with Wrongway and later with Chef a little. We're not sure how far we're looking to go tomorrow--at least 12. We're looking to slow down, so that might be it, or maybe we'll push further. When I say slow down, I'm talking about not having to race through the day--so maybe just getting up earlier would be good. "To fulfill the dreams of one's youth, that is the best that can happen to a man. No worldly success can take the place of that." -Willa Cather
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Wise Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 45 -- I did not feel like getting up this morning. We three were the last ones left in the shelter--and still in our bags when they left. Wing-It! and I knew we would leave later since we were only planning on 10ish miles, but I also wanted to avoid the coming rain, so I did start moving. We started around 8:30 and took it slow because we were sore, but also because we wanted to enjoy not rushing through the day. Walking today reminded me of pictures I've seen of people's African safari--pretty cool. It was also so quiet that when I stopped to watch a bird fly by, I could hear the flapping of its wings. My ears seem much more keen when it comes to nature and I hope it gets even more so. When we reached Old Orchard Shelter and Wing-It! looked at her companion, she was giving me information about the next five miles. We had a thousand-foot ascent that I didn't remember. Turns out that the map profile has Hurricane Shelter, our destination, on the wrong descent. Oh well--whatcha gonna do? Today we met a nice dayhiking family and two women and a dog section hikers. We ate lunch when we arrived at the shelter,Pippie and Hamburglar at Hurricane Shelterand two local dayhikers came in to check out the shelter. I laid around and read for a while and the six Foridians came in one by one--really nice and fun guys (they were near our shelter last night too). It started pouring, and Pippiand Hamburglar came in after racing the rain. We've been in towns three days total with them (at the Blueberry Patch and Damscus), but we've never stayed at a shelter with them. Chef came in after dinner during another bout of rain. We enjoyed the view of the fog rolling into the valley below us and the huge fire Wrongway built for us. Leilani and Kanoaare tenting nearby, but I haven't seen them yet. "Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. -- Pamela Vaull StarrWrongway & FireVideo :
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: moderate rain

Day 46 -- We were wet and cold all day--as soon as we stepped out from under the shelter until the moment I changed out of my wet clothes nine hours later. It rained all night and when someone's alarm went off this morning, after some moments of denial, we decided to get movin' since we were pretty sure it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. All of the thru-hikers in the shelter were up and trying not to wake up our new Floridian friends while packing. It stopped raining right before we were ready (so I made a quick break for the privy-- which was just a pot with a piece of plywood blocking the view from the shelter, and no roof). Then we headed out without our raingear on. Of course, five minutes later it starts pouring and we have to stop to put it on. It rained off and on all day, but mostly on, and we sped through the morning.We couldn't believe it when we got to Trimpi Shelter for lunch--we did three miles per hour! Go us! It's nice to know I can go that pace, even if I don't always want to do it. I like to take my time most times and enjoy my surroundings. With the rain today, though, we just pushed through. Anyway, we ate lunch at Trimpi Shelter. Mule and Freestylestayed there last night and hadn't left yet, so we got to hang out with them for a while. I kept my wet clothes on while eating, trying to dry them out with body heat, and was fine doing so, but I got cold eventually and was ready to roll. Although we were a bit more tired, we still plowed through the wet afternoon and made it to Partnership Shelter just before 4! Go us! Wrongway and Erwin (the dog) were there waiting for us and Stripe was at the Mt. Rogers Recreation Visitors Center. Pizza at Partnership ShelterWe headed there and Wing-It!and Wrongway got candy and soda. When we got back, Mule was hanging out eating dinner, waiting for Freestyle to roll in, which he did a bit later. They ate and headed onto the next shelter for the evening, as did Leilani and Kanoa, who were trying for a 30-miler to Atkins. Karen (now Falcon) and Lukasz came in and after a while, we all ordered Pizza Hut--the shelter is 0.1 miles from the trail and is one of the only shelters from which one can do so.It also has a shower (same deal), but is only cold water right now. They just turned on the hot water, so I guess it'll take a while. It also has a faucet and an outhouse with toilet paper. Anyway, I had a lot of pizza (yes, even after my huge couscous meal) and a little soda. It was so quiet while we were eating. :&gtStripe enjoying his pizzaThen we enjoyed another of Wrongway's fires.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Va. 683, US. 11, I-81
Miles today: 11.6

Day 47- Cold morning! Started flurrying while we were getting ready-which took a while for me because I took time trying to dry my clothes by the fire before putting them on. Of course there was still the sharp intake of air when putting it on, for I didn't get them completely dry. When we left camp and for most of the morning it was very windy, making it so so cold. Stripecommented that it ranked up there around the #2 coldest day on the trail for us. Early on we passed a "Road Work Ahead" sign ON the trail- we found that quite humorous. I was pretty tired from pushing so hard yesterday and feeling dehydrated and under the weather while hiking. I just felt like cruising along. When I caught up to everyone, they were stopped at  where Muleand Freestyle stayed lasy night and where they were still chillin' out. They gave us info about a new hostel near an upcoming road crossing. We could hear the traffic way before seeing the road and we could see the road way before we got there, or so it felt. When Wing-It! and I arrived Stripe and Wrongway had already gotten lunch. I walked up to the Barn Restaurantto get my packages and found that I had two more packages than expected and a bunch of letters-yeah! I love mail and love hearing from people. Mom sent my shorts, and zucchini bread, which I shared with everyone. My original plan was to send my cold weather clothes and sleeping bag liner home, but with the cold weather/ snow today and forcasted tomorrow I think I'll wait a week or so. I ordered a cheeseburger and went through my packages. We called the hostel and decided to go. While waiting for out ride, I called some members of my 9-ball team to wish them luck at playoffs. The Bike and Hike Hostel is in Rural Retreat, VA and was great to us. We walked up to the laudramat, where I called more team members. We enjoyed listening to the jukebox (Josh Turner's "Long Black Train and Gretchen Wilson." Stripe and Wing-It! did some swing dancing (Wrongwayand Erwin danced, too, since I was on the phone. When we returned, we left again to shower. Granny says they're working to put a shower in the hostel, but for now we used some facilities up the street. We watched movies all night and I enjoyed some of Mule'sfantastic spaghetti and meatsauce, and some cookies-n-cream ice cream! Mulehelped us play a prank on Stripe - we rubberbanded the kitchen sink sprayer and told Stripe we couldn't get the faucet to work to do the dishes. It worked but we got more wet from him retaliating than he did.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 49 -- Had an eventful night last night. Around midnight a night hiker came in, acted suspiciously, and then left--had us nervous for a while. We finally got back to sleep and then we are woken up by Erwin yelping/whining, and running out of the shelter. We still don't know what happened, but wonder if a mouse ran over him or something along those lines. We had a couple of good climbs early this morning, and after descending, found Mule, Freestyle, and Crush, still chillin' where they slept.View from Chestnut Ridge off the Chestnut Knob shelterThen we headed up the big 'un for the day. Once we got up there we had some nice views. We had lunch at Chestnut Knob Shelter--had a big gang there: Wing-It!, Wrongway,Stripe, Falcon (Karyn) and Lukasz, Mule, Freestyle, and Crush. We thought we were in for an easier afternoon (although I did have a good morning), but it was long. There were a lot of ups and downs, like a roller coaster--up to the ridge and down, repeat. I was enjoying it, actually, but it was draining. We came upon Mule and Freestyleresting and we all talked about how we thought we should've been at the road crossing by now. We left them with intentions of a pack-off break at the road, which we found about 15 minutes later. Then we thought we were heading mostly down, and of course, that wasn't the case. It was just a long day--expectations were just a little higher/easier than reality.View from a top of a ridge, and endless ridge.We FINALLY got to the shelter around 7:00 and got to meet Grin andSteps. Fantasy Feet was here along with the rest of the crew that's been moving with us. When I got back from getting water, Fire was there. He had read about our crazy night last night and wanted to check on us, make sure we were all right--pretty nice of him, huh? Good to see him again!
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 50 -- I woke up early with the intentions of leaving earlier than everyone with Wrongway.We thought it might be harder for him with Erwin to get a hitch, so I said I would go with him to better his chances--people seem to be more likely to pick up a couple than any other combination of people. However, Stripe jetted out first and we and Wing-It! followed, leaving Fire at the shelter to wait for the rest of the group (who had stayed at Chestnut Knob Shelter). We trucked up the mountain and then followed an old woods road that wound around the mountain. At the bottom we stopped at a beautiful camping area by a river that also had a swing, and had a snack.Wing-It! swinging.As we got ready to do our next climb we came across trail magic (orange juice and apple juice in a cooler) from a Methodist Church...great boost of energy!. I slowed down a lot, drained from yesterday and from pushing so hard earlier today. After a bit I caught up with Wrongway and had a great time. We didn't talk...we talked...we really enjoyed our hike--the views, the conversation. Close to the road Stepscaught up with us while I was taking some trail magic water. The three of us walked the rest of the way to US 21/52. The ladies who live by the road offered us water and a ride later if we were still there when they were ready to go, but we knew Stripe and Wing-It! were waiting for us in town. Wrongway got Erwin some water and I headed towards the road to thumb it. A lady in a green Suburban came rushing over to us and offered us a ride. Yea for Debbie and her mom, Sara, who dropped us off right at the IGA where Wing-It! and Stripe were. Then we headed to the gas station for lunch. I gobbled down a taco salad (yea for fresh veggies), chicken tenders, and fries...wow! Then I flew over to the Post Office to send my cold weather gear home! Yea! All gone! After I got back to the gas station, a young guy in a white vehicle pulls up and asks us if we need a ride and we asked for Dairy Queen (we had been talking about trying to get a ride there earlier). Anyway, he had to unload stuff to make room for us, for whom he had to make two trips. In between trips I ran and got Steps, who I knew really wanted some Dairy Queen. We hung out there for a while, chatting with Josh (Dirtbag), eating ice cream, etc.Erwin at Dairy QueenI got to talk to Fivel and leave a message for Bandana Manand family, also! Good stuff. He dropped us off in shifts and we did the 2ish miles to Helveys Mill Shelter. I enjoyed some Ramen, turkey sausage, and onion (that Wing-It!carried out) and then tried to get to bed early, since we are trying to get up early tomorrow for our 24 miler! PS--saw a garter snake today--sorry that Wrongway missed it.Coming out of Bland, VA - check out the Bugles
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 51 -- Grin gave us the "wake-up" call at 5:30 a.m. and no one moved. Eventually Wing-It! arose and we very hesitantly followed suit. Stripe,Wrongway, and I had a really hard time getting to sleep last night and so were NOT interested in getting up at all today. We left in shifts. Myself, I left alone after Wing-It! and Stripe. A little way down the trail I stopped to admire the view and Wrongway caught up and I hiked with him for the rest of the day. The early morning sun (we left early-around 7:15 a.m.) and its effects were beautiful--shining on the mountains, or showing its profile. We had a great pace going, but I didn't feel rushed at all, and I could really enjoy my surroundings, and my thoughts. We flew through the first ten miles by talking and having fun.It's cold!We came across Jenny Knob Shelter way before I thought we would and had snacks with Karen (now Falcon) and Lukasz, Wing-It!, Stripe, Freestyle, and Mule(who hadn't left yet for the day). We planned on having lunch after our climb up Brushy Mountain and we cut it short because there was drizzling and it was getting chilly. After descending, we came to Kimberling Creek with a suspension bridge. Wing It tried to get people to swim, and Stripegot in, but it was so cold he only went in up to his knees.Erwin doesn't want to cross the bridge.While Mule, Freestyle, Stripe, and Crush went to a deli, Wing-It!, Wrongway, and I hiked on. It was a pretty easy day terrain-wise, but it was still a 24 mile day--LONG!! At 2 miles to go I slowed down from being tired and it started drizzling here and there. Wrongwayand I stopped for water, thinking we were pretty close to the shelter and it started raining harder. He put water in a bowl for Erwin too, planning on carrying it back. Well, we weren't as close as we thought...oh well. Pickle and Garlic (we leapfrogged with them all day), Alf, and Fantasy Feet were there when we got in, and the rest of the crew from today came in a little at a time.(Wing-It!)
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 52 -- It was out cold last night and didn't even hear Muleand Freestyle come in at 9:15. And after our long day yesterday everyone was moving slowly this morning. We all left alone at different times, myself being last. I really enjoyed my morning alone hiking--it started with a good-sized up and then followed the rocky crest for a while. I passed Falcon and Lukasz and then stopped at an overlook.This is a view from the last ridge before Pearisburg, Va.The ridge I am following is on the right on the top here.When I came back to the trail I was behind them and passed them again--Lukaszwas wondering what kind of time warp we were in. :> I told them I missed them and just wanted to see them again. I met up with Darryl again just before Doc's Knob Shelter, where we were meeting for lunch. Anyway, I got an update on Melinda and got to hear how their SOBO was going. I had lunch with Wrongway,Wing-It!, and Stripe. Mule came in for water. Wing-It! and I hiked the afternoon together and ran into a lot of day and section hikers, including a father and son from Cincinnati out for the weekend and three guys from Vermont. The descent into the Pearisburg area was tough on the knees and ankles. I have a feeling I'm going to be feeling it for a few days.(laughter) looking up (laughter) , almost to Pearisburg,looking up to what we just climbed down, as Wing-It!beautiful green (laughter) as Wing-It!describes how her knees are feeling!We couldn't get a ride into town and ended up walking the mile in...oh well...no biggie. We are staying at Holiday Motor Lodge, got showers right away, and went to the Chinese Buffetfor dinner, called home (yea, they're coming to visit next weekend!) and am going to sleep...in a bed. :>
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 53 -- I was asleep quickly last night, but woke up around midnight when Stripe came in from using the motel's computer. We all stayed up and fooled around until late and didn't get much sleep. We were woken up early by the trash truck--great. Wing-It! said something like, "Who needs waking up to birds chirping when you can wake up to the trash truck!" :> We had a great breakfast bagel sandwich at the Courthouse Cafe, did laundry, and food shopped. On our way back, Fire, Top Hat, and Mouth rolled in! We haven't seen them since Damascus, over a week ago. We all hung out all day. Hangman came in, Wrongway and I got Chinese, and Wing-It! and the guys headed out of town. Wrongway and I sat around watching TV. We got hungry around 10:30 and ate the rest of the Chinese. PS: This is the first night that Wing-It! and I did not spend together!