morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove - Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 16.2

Today as a really great day. Rolling terrain in the PM and several ups-downs in the AM. There were several beautiful streams and cascades. I ate lunch at Moreland Gap Shelter. After that the trail turned out to be quite rocky again, more than usual.Fortunately, it was relatively level over the long haul. I arrived at Kincora hostile on Dennis Cove Road about 3:45 pm and was lucky enough to claim on of the 3 remaining bunks. Kincora is a legendary hostile on the AT, owned by Bob Peoples, a legend in his own right as a trail maintainer and supporter of all hikers. Hi trail maintenance group, known as "Hard Core" have logged in over 100,000 hours of trail work time. Pretty amazing! I showered and setled in and got ready just in time to make the trip into Elizabethton, TN on Bobs' shuttle. Ate two sandwiches at Arby's and bougth some fruit and cold drinks for later. Heaven!
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Dennis Cove - Kincora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Left Kincora about 8 AK. The trail was rugged with numerous rock staircases but followed the Laurel Fork River. There was a beautiful waterfall and pretty rapids and clefts all along the first mile or two. I made it to Lake Wautauga by 11:50 am and decided to have lunch at a pavilion by the lake. Trail magic again... this time in the form of Cuz... a fellow hiker from April 2009 who had driven from Wilmington, NC that morning only to arrive at the lake when I was there. Unbelievable! What are the chances of that? When he got out of the car, I couldn't believe it! Cookies, Pepsi, Sun Dot, etc. Cuz was there to hike into Damascus for Trail Days! Great timing! well, back to the AT. Lake Watauga is a beaUtiful lake and very large and meandering through the mountain valley. As I hike, it became very apparent that this was bear country!TRACKS AND SCATT WERE EVERYWHERE! I did not see any bear, but later in the day other hikers told me there were reports of a "problem bear" a panhandler, taking food bags at the shelter at the lake. I quickened my step and flew through that region headed to Vandeventer Shelter. Thought I might have some issues getting space at the shelter due to some mis-information passed on to me by an SOBO, but when I got there, I had a space without difficulty. The view from Vandeventer was superb. I had someone take pictures and will download them later. The shelter eventually filled with hikers, 8 in the shelter and at least 10 tenting. I met Wind Dancer from Latvia, Woody, Cruiser and several other new faces. Familiar faces were there as well. Great friendship abounded!Tomorrow the target is Double Spring Shelter. AFTER THAT, ONLY ONE MORE DAY TO DAMASCUS!
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I am running one day ahead of schedule to get to Damascus. I have a B&B reservation at the Montgomery Homestead for 5/14-16/10. I likely tent or stay at a hostile on 5/13/10. Today was a refreshingly easy day. Short, relatively and cool. The AT from here to Damascus is know as the Tennessee Turnpike due to aa lack of significant climbs, rolling terrain and smooth downhills. I hope taht is correct!For both days!!! Got to Double Springs Shelter by 3:00 pm. Hiked through a misting light rain to the shelter. Not bad though. Met up with Woody, Dennis, Shaker... and met Achillies the Red and Boundless. Everyone blended well. There were at least 8 others who tented in the shelter area. Tootsie Pop and Tunes [her boy friend]decided to head on to TN 421 and hitch a ride to town. Weather cleared and I actually slept well for a change!
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA 
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, this is the day I have been looking forward to... my march into Damascus.A great day is was! An "easy" trek on the Tennessee Turnpike. It was, for the most part. Got to Abington Gap Shelter by 11:00 am and ate lunch; then set my sights on Damascus, another 10 miles away. Weather was warm, sunny and I kept a brisk pace. I had hiked with Dennis most of the AM, but he sped up to finish the day about 30 minutes ahead. As I got within a mile of Damascus, I encountered my first bit of wildlife, a very large black snake, right in the center of the trail. I walked around it carefully and headed for the home stretch! I walked into Damascus about 2:30 pm and my first act was to buy a giant $4 lemonade from a vendor already set up for the week-end's Trail Days Festival. This event is one of the largest AT celebrations on the trail! There will be more than a thousand hikers here, and numerous others for the Bluegrass music, arts festival, hiker parade, bicyclists on the Virginia Creeper Trail, motor cyclists, etc. Quite a gathering of outdoor enthusiasts. I got a room at The Place, a hiker hostel run by the Methodist church in town because I was a day ahead of my reservation plan at the Montgomery Homestead. I claimed a bunk, showered, wash all my clothes and called the innkeeper at the Montgomery House B&B. She [Suzie] confirmed my reservations for 5/14,15,16 and provided my with a ticket to the hiker meal scheduled for the First Baptist Church of Damascus. I ate at 7 PM. What a feast! All free of charge. First Baptist had the weekend scheduled to the hilt! Food, music, coffee house activities, etc. Suzie and Gaines [her husband] are members. What a blessing and fantastic ministry this is! Their theme was "Love Wins!" Such an outpouring of love and giving that would be dreadfully missed if it was not present. God works miracles through his people in so many ways!.Well, after being thoroughly stuffed, I retired to my bunk. Met several new friends, including one from Lakeland, FL [Larry] who knows Andrea Whiteley and Joe Woznicki, a fellow runner in Lakeland. Small world. Slept relatively well in the hostel.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Damascus, VA 

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

My real first day in Damascus. Got up and organized my pack in preparation for my move to the Montgomery Homestead later in the AM. Then came my second surprise... I came down stairs in the hostel only to see another fellow hiker form April 2009, Carpenter, from SC. We had bonded quite well last year and it was great to see him. Before the end of the day I re-acquainted myself with several others from my 2009 hike. They azll remembered me "roadrunner" and seemed genuinely happy that I was back on the AT and very happy to see me in Damascus... Cuz, Carpenter, Magic, NaNeek, Denali, Pilgrim, Lazer, Bobby all from my AT adventure in '09. Great memories shared. Well, I checked into the B&B around 11:00 AM. SUZIE AND GAINES ARE GREAT HOSTS. I highly recommend their B&B to anyone seeking genuine hospitality and a great stay. Put Montgomery Homestead at the top of you list when visiting Damascus, VA. Ispent the rest of the day touring the festival grounds vendors, two outfitter stores and eateries. A very relaxing day. I bought a wind shirt at 1/2 price and new sock liners and shorts, sue tgo the fact that drier #1 at the laundromat had melted my sock liners into a lump of plastic, ruining one pair of shorts in the process as well. Beware of dryer #1. All in all, I had a great day of R&R. Slept very well in the bed at Montgomery Homestead.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Damascus, VA

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

What a great day! Spent the AM vendor touring and renewing friendships from 2009 and the new ones for 2010. The highlight of the day was the hiker parade at 2 PM. Fun! Fun! Fun! A grand march of 1000 plus hikers down 1 mile of main street amid hundreds of cheering locals and tourists... amid a battering of water balloons, water guns of all types, garden hoses, etc. Everone got wet, laughed endlessly and the outpouring of hospitality was ongoing. Damascus, truly the friendliest town on the AT. Ended the day with another meal from Quincy's [I've eaten there 3 times.] Great place with cordial staff and friends sharing their AT stories. Met an AT author staying at the B&B, Apostle and two other section hikers, Pop from PA and Terry. Also met a couple at the B&B and their 18-day old newborn. Watched some weather reports and got to bed by 10;00 pm. End of a great day. Plan to stay in Damascus and attend church service on Sunday and get back on the AT early Monday headed North. Stay tuned. Update again in a week or two. I love you all!
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Last day in Damascus. Attended hiker service at the pavillion with the First Baptist Church group. Good music and sermon. It reminded me to give thanks for this wonderful planet God has given us to reside on [for now]. This churcch has provided a fantastic ministry. Got another lunch at Quincy's and then Susie, B&B owner, took me to her hhome to use her computer to update my journal. I am blessed and very thankful. looking forward to returninf to the AT in the AM. Met Two German motorcyclists, three hikers and another young couple hiking also, at the B&B tonight. Nice people. The motorcyclists were headed to ride the Tail of the Dragon tomorrow. Closing for now. God be with you... and me!
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Sheltr
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Godd to be back hiking today. Easy 11 miles in a light drizzle. Not bad! Beautiful streams aand bridges on VA Creeper Trail. Brought back memories of when Krissti and I [with Ken and Ruth Kimball] rode bikes from White Top Mtn. to Damascus a few years ago. Got to the shelter [after 16.3 miles] at 2:00 Pm and decided to call it a day. It rained heavily for about an hour afteer I arrived. Happy to be in a shelter. Shelter are got quite crowded with other stayin in tents andd shelter. This was a "different group" than other with whom I have been hiking. Decided to turn up the distances if possisble to move on ahead of theem in the next couple of days. Time will tell. I'd like to catch up with others I haave hiked with previously. Later...
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Lost Mountain Sheltr

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

Tough, long, steep climb early today. Cool and cloudy at Buzzard Rock.Thee afternoon was better, even experienced some "trail magic" in the form of Dr. Pepper and Coke, provided by som former hikers at a road crossing. That always helps lift one's spirits! Had planned to stay at Thomas Knob shelter but decide to continue on to Wise Shelter. Glad I did... met back up with Stucco, Brian and Dan [and Acilles the Red]. They make a great shelter group! happy and full of energy... Youthful friends make the hike better! Also met five fine Christian men doing another section hike. They were most cordial and supportive. Fixed a good trail meal - important after a day filled with rocks, roots, mud and ups/downs. All in all, a good day with a great closing. Stay tuned!
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Completed another 20-mile day. Didn't think I had it in me! Saw a rather large skunk today. [It did NOT see me, thankfully!] Today's terrain was not too tough, the typical ups/downs, but no big climbs. Haad a snack at Old Orchard Shelter and lunch at Hurricane mtn. Shelter. I'm learning that "grazing" is helpful to energy flow. Got to Trimpi Shelter by 5:00 PM. Met up with Pop from PA and Terry again. They had stayed at the B&B in Damascus and left on Sundday, one day ahead of me. Good to see them again. Trimpi area was full of tenters. Met two couples from Germany who were in the US to hike the trail. There have been several hikers from outside the US. Makes the trail conversation more interesting. Also met Night Owl, 71 years young [one of the few I've met that is older thaan I]. He's section hiking SOBO. Not many SOBOs on the AT at this point. Closing for now...
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins, VA - Relax Inn
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

Another 20+ mile day. Weather was a hiker's dream! Walked thru passtuers- 15+ head of cattle... yes, cattle. That's not uncommon in VA. South Fork of the Holston River area is beautiful. hiked some with Pop from PA and Terry. Arrived at the finest sshelter on the AT [Partnership Shelter at the Mt. Rogers Visitor Center] at 11:05 AM. Pop, Terry and the Professor arrived shortly there after. We decided to use the phone at the Center to order Pizza [yes they deliver] for lunch. Great lunch! Great cold drinks- I had 4! Ate my fill of pizza as well. Pop & Terry tried to get me to stay at the shelter [large, clean, with shower] but I decided to move on due to the best weather to date on thee trail. There were great views after Partnerhip. Got tto Chatfield Shelter by 4:15 PM, but decided to press on to Atkins US 11 @ I 81 interchange]. Passed thru some beautiful meadows and farm land. Covered that 4.5 miles in 1 hour and 50 minutes. I was looking forward to a stay at a small motel- with bed and shower... and resturant + re-supply store. Good choice. Did have one issue... almost stepped on a copperhead about a mile from my destination. Flipped it out of the way with my hiking pole. Hikig poles have many uses I'm finding! Had good supper at the resturant. Washed clothes and went to bed. I made a good choice today. Caught back up with my young hiking group. Later...
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Atkins, VA - Relax Inn

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Another good day of Hiking. Met Oneway from Cullman, Alabama. His first day back on the trali since his first section in 2009. Seems like a great guy. Experienced many beautiful areas today. Many pastures and farms today. This part of the AT is beautful and quite different from the typically thick wooded areas. Pleasant chaange! Trail magic again. Nice cold drinks at the rodad crossing on VA 42. Great conversation wwith Oneway. He's a middle school macth teacher. I can relate! He's likely going to be hiking with me for a few days at least. That's different for me this year. I've typically been hiking alon dduring the day and meting up with others at the shelters. Time will tell.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: moderate rain

Toay waas quite tough with several butt-kickin' uphills. It also rained on us for several miles. Ate lunch at Chestnut Knob Shelter- unique concrete block shelter with door and windows. Large group there due to the rain... Left Field, Deet, PowerPack, Oneway, TC, Brian, Dan, Stucco, and me... all for lunch. Oneway and I headed out as the rain was ending. The PM went well with clearing skies, but the terrain was a bit of a mini-coaster ride. Stayed at Jenkins shelter with most of the group. Met Dr. Roth, The Chef and one or two others whose namess escape me at the moment. This shelter had a great water source, especially important after a long day with very few water sources. Had great conversation among the group and went to bed.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This day was a hiker's dream day. A maajor hike feed had been "advertised" to occur at 10:00 at VA 615. IT HAPPENED!!! Two former thru-hikers and their wives had porepared a feast! All free to currentt hikers. Their way of giving back to the AT community. Oneway and I arrived at the "feed" bout 9:45 AP [quick 5 miles... amazing what a hiker will do to reach food!]. We ssttayed there for a 3-hour break... breakfast first... lunch about 30 minutes laater! I ate for 3 hours... I finally have an appetite. Trail magic without equal! These two couples must have spent several hundred dollars doing this. What a blessing! met Buckeye from Ohio and LJ from London, England and Loon, Bayou and Eastwind. Nice people. Oneway and I left around 12:15 PM. Made it to Helveys Mill Shelter by 4:30 pm. Experienced more trail magic in the form of cold drinks and pizza at the intersection of I77 and Scenic Hywy. Too mucch to believe. A truly magical day!
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Trent's Grocery & Tent Camp Site
Miles today: 16.7

Hiking with Oneway again today. He's a great hiking partner. Good conversation as we hiked. This morning was relatively easy, but as always, it had its rippled terain. Ate luch at Jenny's Knob Shelter and pushed on toward's Trent's Grocery to re-supply, eat a sandwich or two and tent camp. The early afternoon included some tough climbs with a bit of light rain. Anxious to get to Trents. set up my tent [glad, becaused it rained again. Ate a hamburger and two chicken sandwiches. My appetite is definitely back. [Good though, because I last weighed in at 168 lbs- I weighed 188 on April 29!] Met Seoul Patch and a few other new faces. Good people it seems. Talked wwith Bodacious again. He's urgeing me to sent some of my pack stuff home. Says my pack's too heavy and I don't need everthinng I'm carrying. He's likely correct. Plan to send somee clothes, guide-book pages and carribiners home when I get to PEARISBURG. Bodacious is a good person and experienced hiker- a bit of a crosss between Brett Farve and Jeremiah Johnson. Interesting and helpful guy. Looking forward to tomorroww's hike as I continue North towaard Harper's Ferry. I've hike more than 300 miles since May 2. Later...
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Trent's Grocery & Tent Camp Site

To: Woodshole Hostel
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Left Trent's Grocery after a small breakfast at 8:40 AM. The morning was filled with easy climbs. Got to Wapiti Shelter by 11:30 AM and had lunch. Saw Deet, PowerPack, Just Cuz, two young section hikers, andd Loon and Eastwind. Still hiking with Oneway. He's a great partner to hike with. He's taking numerous picturres that he will email to me after he gets to Harper's Ferry... his goal for 2010 as well.I am thankful for his friendship and giving nature. The upper branch of the Dismal Creek area included a tough climb. But... it included some great views [pics]. The downhill was a bit brutal, as they often can be, but the journey was well worth it. We had intended to hike to Docs Knob Shelter, but decided to try a hostel 1/2 mile off the trail. We made aa great choice! Woodshole Hostel is a classic and very "classy" place. It has two buildings [farm house and bunk house] built in the 1930's out of American Chestnut logs. A real log cabin, not like the log homes of today. Neville and her husband Michael are great hosts. They Grow their own foods, spices, etc., cure their own meat, prepare great meals and keep the place spotless. it has to be the best hostel on the AT. The meals were well-attended by the 20 or so hikes that stayed there. Dinner and breakfast begain with a hand-holding circle "prayeer" followed by each of us thedn sharing our trailname,town and one thing for which we were thankful. Great practice and role modeling experience for all of us. Took a hot [solar powered] shower. I haave some great pics. Hope to share them soon. Went to bed, well-fed and content to rest in such a fine place.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Woodshole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA Plaza Motel
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Woodshole Hostel @ 9:00 AM after a great breakfast! Hike 2 miles in 50 minutes to Docs Knob Shelter. Glad we stayed at Woodshole! Hiking with Oneway. Had several great views and gt some really good pics, especially at thePower Line at mile 620.5 and Angel's Rest at mile 623.9. It was a long, steep downhill into Pearisburg. Got into Pearsburg around 2:30 PM. Oneway and I shared a room at the Plaza Motel... $27.50 each... not bad! Kristi is proud, I'm sure. {Ha, Ha} Unfortunately, Oneway will leave Pearisburg tomorrow, one day ahead of me. I am quite "leg-weary" after almost 350 mile on the AT since May 2. He has only been on the AT since Atkins and wants to continue in the morning. Hopefully I can catch up with him in a few days. He's a great guy, good hiker and worthy colleague. Time will tell. We ate at a Mexican ressturant for supper and then went to DQ for a heath blizzard. Such is the nature of an AT hiker when in town. I plan to update all my days since Damascuc tomorrow at the Pearisburg Library and then get some much needed leg rest. [You can tell by reading my journal at this point, I did so.] Later..
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Pearisburg, VA Plaza Motel

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

Well... Oneway left this morning about 7:00 Am. I wished him well. Hope to catch up with him later. Dried my tent. Did a bit of minor re-supply shopping. Updated my journal at the library [1.5 mile walk... minor inconvenience] for 3 hours. Plan to have luch soon [got to eat]. I will be leaving Pearisburg in the morning early. Hope to make the second shelter out from here, that would be a 19+ mile day. It all depends on the weather. Chance of rain tomorrow. For those following my journey, I have had a great experience thus far. AT is challenging as last year. People are great. I am hiking more alone, but meeting good people at night. That's a ccommon occurancee on the AT. Please continue to pray for my safety and good health. There are no guarantees in life, especially on the AT. If you can, please visit my guestbook and drop me aa line of encouragement. Sometimes I can get Internet on my phone, even wheen I cannot call out. I'd love to hear from you. It is unlikely that I will update my journal again for 5-7 days. tune in again about then to see the rest of my story. I love you all! [By the way, I haave now completed 626.4 miles of the AT to date... about 290 in 2009 and 300+ in 2010... not to bad for an "old guy".] More to come... wps
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Hello again. It's a great day for a hike! I Left the Plaza Motel at 6:30 am and headed North. The climbe out of Pearisburg was very tough [3,000 feet after an "easy" 2 mile roll. Got to Rice Field Shelter by 9:30 am [about 7 mile]. The area contains a very beautiful high bald. Great views. I met Indigo, a young woman in her early 20's [from NY] at a "water/coamp spot" on the trail right after that. Amazinglyy,mshe and her two temporary hiking partners haad stayed at the Montgomery House B&B in Damascus my last evening there. Small world... She shared her story about an encounter with a black bear the night before, that caused her to back track on the AT to find some other s who might have been tent camping. The bear incident had her a bit unsettled. Not surprising. No... I have not yet had a "close encounter" with any bear yet. I'm sure my time will come. Got to the shelter about 10 minutes before a heavy thunderstorm. The prayers by my wife and friends back in Lakeland must be working! Shelter mates were Indigo, Chef Glen, Chef [another one], and another woman whose name escapes me at the moment. Paul Bunyon, City Sq1uirrel, TC and two others arrived [drenched], ate and then went on another .8 miles to tent camp. All in all, a good day! Later...