morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-11
From: Seeley - Woodworth Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Well, I was wrong. There was a mouse in the shelter last night. Ran him off a couple of times early. He must have stayed gone or was quieter than a mouse if he came back. They are actually rather noisy scampering around the shelters. Everything was hung from a mouse hanger, so nothing was invaded.The weather front never happened last night. I put on the Packa as a pack cover before leaving this morning. This guarantees that it won't rain which it didn't. However, the thunder is rumbling in the distance now, so might be some rain tonight.The first half of today's hike was a nice cruise. "A walk in the park" to quote Thirsty Boots. Stopped at Wolf Rocks Overlook where I surprised a vulture. He must have thought it was a pretty good observation post also. Nice views.Later I scared up a bear. He heard me and ran up into the woods about 50 yards. We just stared at each other for about 10 seconds. He won the staring contest. Yes, Aloha (and Wench), there are bear on the AT.The second half had a couple of 600 foot climbs. One to the top of Cold Mountain. This is a man-made bald that is kept mowed. Makes for a wide open view. Couldn't get a picture. Camera battery died. Something wrong. Camera is chewing through batteries way too fast.In to the shelter just before 1 p.m., having started just before 7 a.m. This shelter is .6 miles off the AT. I just hate those. If I am putting in the distance, I feel like I ought to get the credit. Since the shelter has to be at a water source, why don't they just re-route the trail over here.Haven't seen anyone else today. The bear doesn't count, Goldilocks wasn't with him. If no one shows up later, this will be the third night that I have had the shelter all to myself. This site looks like it might be buggier. Just might set up my tent in the shelter.Bear Trails
Date: 2004-08-12
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Tent site by Little Irish Creek
Miles today: 10.0

The mice seemed to run over the exterior of the shelter last night, mainly the roof. Never saw one, although I tried and everything was safe on the mouse hanger.The hike started with about 850 foot climb. Part of this was on the .6 mile from the shelter back to the AT. I won't beat that horse anymore.Speaking of which, someone had ridden a horse and recently, from Cow Camp Gap over to Rt. 60. That is a big no-no. Foot travel only. Human feet, not horseshoe shod feet.The rest of the trip was a 3000' descent. Had my knees aching. Was here by noon. It is 4.4 miles and a 1500' climb to the next shelter. Also, I was heavy having picked up my second cache at Rt. 60. I didn't think I was ready for that, so I decided to camp. We'll see if that was a good decision.Right now, about 3 p.m., I am reclining in my Nomad tent in the rain, for the first time. Been raining for about an hour. Sure hope my seam sealing job was good enough. It was warm and sultry all day.Had I gone on the rain would have caught me on the trail. I'd have been in a shelter, but very wet and tired. Have to see how long this lasts.Rainy Trails
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Tent site by Little Irish Creek

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The tent did just fine last night. The rain slacked off about 6 p.m., but the woods remained very drippy all night. Hard to tell if it was still raining plus the creek noise made it hard to tell.Long day today with a 1800 foot descent to end the day. Total about 3600 feet of ascent and descent each. Knees are aching. Just over 8 hours on the trail.There is supposed to be a possible tropical storm headed this way maybe. Have to see what tomorrow looks like.I have been sweating profusely on the uphills and having trouble with dehydration.Short entry. Getting sleepy.Sleepy Trails
Date: 2004-08-14
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Tent site at Marble Spring
Miles today: 9.4

Alone at the shelter last night and will be alone tonight. This is getting a little old. Makes me wonder just how much overnight usage the AT gets. This is August. No Boy Scout troops?Saw one other person today, a trail runner, on a training run who stopped at the Matts Creek shelter when I did for water. Told me that a hurricane was coming up the coast and 2" of rain was predicted for the day and overnight.Got here to the campsite (spring nearby) about when I anticipated, but the heavier rain beat me by 20 minutes after teasing off and on lightly for two hours before. Waited about 10 minutes for a lull and then set up the tent in the rain. Didn't go too badly actually. Got some water, then out of wet clothes and into the sleeping bag to get warmed up.Hope the rain has cleared off by morning.Tenting Trails
Date: 2004-08-15
From: Tent site at Marble Spring

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

The only real rain yesterday was right when I wanted to set up the tent. When I got up last night, I could see stars. Near new moon so quite dark. Today was clear in the morning, but clouded up. Here at the shelter it has been in and out of cloud (misty) for a few hours. Right now (about 6:30 p.m.) it started raining. Is this the hurricane related stuff? Anyway all the chores are finished so I can sit inside.Went shorter today and in early to dry out tent, rain jacket, etc. From where I was last night, getting to Daleville in four days was going to require 12+ miles per day with problems on the water supply and climbs late in the day, which are very hard. Still have a couple of long days to do, but the logisitics are better on climb and water.Picked up my third cache today. It was just .3 miles further south from the shelter. No use waiting till tomorrow to pick it up. Have plenty of food and supplies. Leaving a bottle of HEET and a couple of entrees at the shelter. Did run out of water treatment chemicals. Will drink from springs, boil food water and use the purifier as much as possible.Got a couple of nice pictures of a butterfly who posed for me here at the shelter.Battery case latch on headlamp broke. Fixed with duct tape. Second time same failure. Headlamp gets replaced with different brand.Butterfly Trails
Date: 2004-08-16
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, mouse hangers are not perfect. I left two Enertia dehydrated entrees on a shelf figuring they had no smell. Well, a mouse went right for one. I heard him, got up and moved them to sitting on top of my pack and stuff that was all hung on a mouse hanger. Woke to noises that sounded like from my pack. There he was! Chewing on the same package. How did he get there? He jumped off, I think. Since he had started a hole in the package, I put it on the floor as a sacrificial offering and moved everything else to a different, little better maybe, mouse hanger. He had fun all night with that package. Very wiley. Was going to bash him with my sandal, but he was too quick and too cautious. Packed out the remains (most of it) in the morning with the trash.Misty, drippy morning. Couldn't see anything at Apple Orchard Mtn. - too foggy. Wet feet and legs from the wet foliage. About 4000 feet of total descent had the knees complaining some.Got to the shelter that can hold 20 people - big porch, sleeping platform and an entire second floor. ALDHA book mentions leaking roof, but it looks like it has recently been replaced. All the old wood shingles are out front for firewood.Haven't seen anyone all day and I have this huge shelter to myself.Solitary Trails
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

I am happy to report that there were no mice at the Bryant Ridge Shelter. However, I had everything on a horizontal line between two metal grappling hook things on the walls. Not sure that would have stopped the acrobatic mouse from the night before last. Just needed to give him an alternative target.Ran into another hiker today. A northbound section hiker called Nomad 6. Said it was his old call sign. He said he hikes in August yearly and confirmed that the dearth of people out here is typical.Cloudy in the morning, then got warmish this afternoon. Had a fair amount of climbing (3400 feet) and got here in just over 8 hours. Water on these ridges is a problem. Carrying two quarts may not be enough. Handbook showed no water for 9 1/2 miles - from Jennings Creek to here. Found a small stream at Bearwallow Gap, otherwise is would have been dry last few miles. Been thinking of trying some running shoes for hiking. That just got decided as the sandals that I used from Connecticut to Katahdin have started to come apart. They'll last the day and a half to Daleville.Dry Trails
Date: 2004-08-18
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Made it to Fullhardt Knob just after 3 p.m. for 8 hours on the trail. There is water in the cistern and the Queen is not in residence, so I am staying as planned. It is five more miles to Daleville (seven to where my truck is parked) and downhill, but I didn't feel ready for an 18 or 20 mile day. I am not leaving out again until Sunday, so I have the time and the food.The shelter here has an old cistern roof rainwater system that was fixed up in '02. Boiled or ran all water through my bottle purifier. Still a little color to it.I have set up my tent in the shelter. Looks like the bugs are planning on being bad tonight.Oh, the Queen, you ask. I have read accounts that there is/was a woman (how old I don't know) who sort of "lived" at this shelter. She had a story for anyone who would listen, how she was the daughter of Edward of England and that she should be the Queen of England. I don't know how long ago or how long this occurred. If she shows up, she's not sharing the tent.Not sure that this shelter gets very much usage. Only five miles north of Daleville, which is a major supply opportunity, the northbounders would zoom right past. Likewise, most southbounders would try to make in into town.Nothing much notable on the hike today. Didn't see any other hikers. Several vista/overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway had no view with way too much haze. A large bee type insect stung/bit me on the ankle right through a heavy sock. It still hurts. Don't know what I did to tick him off. Rather warm today. Stopped at every opportunity to top off the purifier bottle. Again looking at about 3300' total ascent for the day, some of it kind of steep.Bad Bug Trails
Date: 2004-08-19
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Daleville, VA EconoLodge
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Made the five miles of trail (mostly downhill) plus the additional road walk of like 1.8 miles to Homer Witcher's house in less than three hours. He and wife and two kids thru hiked in '02. He also maintains about 9 miles of trail including the section hiked today. So we had a good time talking for awhile. He has been out of commission for about seven weeks from a major auto accident.It also turns out that he knows the Queen of England. He has his own opinions about her. He has seen her around Daleville, so she hasn't gone back to England. In for some rest and regeneration and resupply. Shuttle is arranged with Kevin Witcher for Sunday morning. Homer still can't drive yet. At the EconoLodge, which is maybe 200' from where the AT pops out on to Rt. 220.R & R Trails
Date: 2004-08-20
From: Daleville, VA EconoLodge

To: Daleville, VA EconoLodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero day. The first this trip. Lots of running around. Laundry, shopping for new shoes, headlamp, socks, etc. (Threw the worst pair of socks in the trash. Didn't even bother to try to wash them.)Zero Trails
Date: 2004-08-21
From: Daleville, VA EconoLodge

To: Rendezvous Motel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Finished packing up the cache and pack, did a few last minute purchases and then drove my truck forward to Pearisburg stopping one place to leave a supply cache in the woods. Keith Witcher picks me up tomorrow morning to shuttle me back to Daleville and I start hiking south again. I can see the Narrows plant of my old employer Celanese. Trail comes right down past it coming into town. Should see some more people on the trail tomorrow being Sunday and the next stretch has some popular view points. Dodged the rain bullet this time. Heavy rain on the drive to Pearisburg. Better now than on the trail.Shuttle Trails
Date: 2004-08-22
From: Rendezvous Motel, Pearisburg, VA

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Kevin was there to pick me up just before 8 a.m. for the shuttle back to Daleville. So I was hiking by 9:15. Saw a number of people early in the day - a family group with two dogs, two trail runners and several individual hikers.There are a number of viewpoints looking down into the valleys on both sides of the ridge.Carried three quarts of liquid today. No water up on the ridges. With the water and full load of food and supplies, the pack was on the heavy side. Seemed to slow me down on uphills. At least that is the excuse.Heavy Trails
Date: 2004-08-23
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Catawba Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

I took an extended break at McAfee Knob today to reflect and remember and honor the request of my late wife. Marjorie (Margy) Elaine Hayes Hoffman passed away four years ago on this date. Her wish was to have her ashes distributed to all members of the family. Her request was that the ashes be scattered some place pretty.I carried a portion of her ashes on my AT hike last year and scattered a small amount as places on the trail struck me as a pretty place that she would like; usually associated with water such as a waterfall, pond or lake. I also scattered some ashes at the top of Mt. Katahdin, a place more stark and rugged than pretty, but I thought it appropriate.I am carrying a small remainder of ashes from last year on this year's hike. To arrive at McAfee Knob on this date made it imperative that I leave a small piece of Margy at this site. McAfee Knob has the best views in the state of Virginia and certainly qualifies as a pretty place. Rest in peace, sweetheart. Rest in peace. I think that I will keep the small remainder until I get to Springer, or better yet, to Amicalola Falls with its waterfall.Margy and I were married for 35 years and had been a couple since junior year in high school in 1957. I miss her very much.Many more people on the trail today, mostly day hikers. McAfee Knob is a popular spot. Still no other overnighters in the shelters, either last night or tonight.When I got here I thought there might be no water and that I would have to move on. Finally located the piped spring (stream was dry) with a slow trickle. Took about 4 minutes to get a quart which was o.k. Water sources seem to be drying up. Hasn't really been much rain the last three weeks. Going to have to watch and carry extra just in case.Memory Trails
Date: 2004-08-24
From: Catawba Mtn. Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, VA
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: haze

The mileage today was a paltry 7.9. That is, if you don't count the fact that I hiked some of it three times! Yes, I managed to hike the wrong way for about 20 minutes. When I arrived at a large blowdown tree that I had already passed under, the horrified revelation occurred. At least I didn't hike all the way back to Rt 311. Now you are thinking "what a idiot". Yea, well, I used to think that when I heard of others hiking the wrong way. Won't be as smug now and will certainly pay more attention.I had had big plans for today to try to make 15+ miles. Got up before dawn for an early start. Lost about 40 minutes with the misdirection fiasco. More than anything was the demoralizing effect of my mistake. Just kind of took the incentive out of the hike. About noon I decided to stop at the hostel. Had about another hour to Rt 624 and the hostel is .3 miles from the trail crossing. Too convenient and tempting. It was warm and humid today and I was really dragging in the uphills.Got a nice shower here. Hostel setup is in a large garage. No one at home at the house.The owner of the hostel, Joe Mitchell, showed up. I prevailed on him to take me to the nearby store to stock up on the necessities of life: a half gallon of milk (which I have really been craving), Pepsis and Snowballs. Have some Hostess cupcakes for the morning.Happy Hostel Trails
Date: 2004-08-25
From: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, VA

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Bailing out to the hostel turned out to be the right decision. The climb up to Dragon's Tooth when going south turned out to be a rock scramble with a couple of patches of rebar for hand and foot holds. I was in no shape yesterday either physically or mentally to do that. Even fresh and rejuvinated and, most importantly, rehydrated from the hostel stay, it still took me 4 1/2 hours to cover six miles to the next shelter turnoff which was my original destination.The trail guide says Dragon's Tooth has a crevice that you can use to climb to the top. That is for younger bodies than mine. Stopped at the Audie Murphy monument at the top of the ridge where he was killed in a plane crash in 1971. He was the most decorated WW II vet with 24 decorations including the Medal of Honor. It is a very nice monument and a nearby bench. I had a Pepsi in the pack that I had forgotten about (otherwise, it would have gone earlier) that I hoisted in honor of Lt. Murphy.Footsore, but very happy with today's hike. Longest day so far with over 4000 feet of climbing and descending. Got an early start and had an 11 hour day on the trail. Picked up my cache about a mile from the end.Got to the shelter and, joy of joy, found another hiker. Denebola (Mary Mankin) is an ex-navy officer who started at Springer in late June and is northbound to, perhaps, Harpers Ferry. Nice to have some company.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-08-26
From: Niday Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Not too much to report for the day. Started out with a 1400 foot climb and then a ridge walk. This one wasn't as nice as yesterday's Had to walk across slanted rock slabs and there was a lot of overgrown trail where the rocks were absent that needs to be cleared away.Again warm in the afternoon and really dragging the last two hours. Had a final climb of about 700' which went slow. Made it in right at 8 hours.Pack is still kind of heavy with way too much food. Looks to be buggy tonight so I've set up the tent in the shelter. Obviously, no one else is here. Met one other northbound hiker today. Started at Fontana Dam. British accent although not quite like I've heard before.Brushy Trails
Date: 2004-08-27
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Bailey's Gap SHelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Put on some new socks this morning. Not just clean socks, but new socks. Didn't look so new by the end of the day, but helped with cushioning the feet.The feet needed that help at the end of the day. Last couple of miles were very rocky trail. Slow going especially when you are tired. Just kind of staggered, stumbled, tripped those miles. Fortunately, not uphill. That would have been a wipeout.In between, I scored a couple of sodas left by a trail angel at a road crossing. Should have consumed more and taken some more considering the fluid situation the rest of the day. There were plenty of full cans there and not many hikers. Saw one northbounder today.There is no water here at Bailey's Gap. Supposedly a seasonal spring that is dry by early summer. I haven't even gone to check. There was a "spring" about five miles back with a pipe that was only dripping/dribbling. Took me about 50 minutes to get about 3 quarts. Packed that, and a quart I had, here. Marginal, since I drank some coming up, but it will work. There is a stream about 1.5 miles ahead, so tomorrow morning I'll stop there and really put down the fluid.Having a chaffing problem. Everything I am wearing gets drenched in sweat. So about mid-morning when I couldn't stand it anymore, I shed my shorts and just hiked in cute little briefs. Never saw anyone, but if I had they'd just have to deal with it.Waterless Trails
Date: 2004-08-28
From: Bailey's Gap SHelter

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Heard some thunder last night but nothing developed. Think I am hearing some again tonight. Hasn't rained in quite awhile.Waterless shelter to waterless shelter today. But managed to stay hydrated ok in between. Was out of water this morning, so I packed up and hiked a mile and a half to a large stream. Purified water, made Gatorade to drink and carry and ate breakfast.Same thing at this end this evening. Stopped at a spring to get water, drink and carry to this shelter.Managed to fall and twist an ankle. Not bad but a reminder the rest of the day. Thing was, I was walking on a level, smooth piece of trail. Walking sloppy, I guess. Al will understand what I mean. That rocky mess yesterday was the place you would expect twisted ankles or worse.Had one nasty blowdown that you had to practically crawl through with multiple trunks and branches. Couldn't really go around it.Right after Pine Swamp Branch Shelter the climb up Peters Mountain begins. To quote the trail guide "Graded trail.... begins a series of long, gradual switchbacks toward crest of Peters Mountain" This is the way climbs should be constructed. Made the 1100' climb about as easy as you can. Steady progress without leaving you gasping over your poles.Wore my briefs again today. Only saw one person, a fellow looking for ginsing. I didn't seem to excite any purient interest from him. Will have to dress for town tomorrow.Agile Trail Walking
Date: 2004-08-29
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Rendezvous Motel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The Rice Field Shelter is a lovely location. It is in the trees at the edge of a large meadow. Conditions weren't quite right to get the most out of it visually unfortunately. Too cloudy for a good sunset, which would be great from up here, and that shut out the moon. It would have been spectacular to see the meadow all lit up, but alas it didn't happen. Likewise, this morning the ridge was in the clouds with very limited visibility, so had to watch the trail through the meadow carefully.The privy at the shelter was open air. The throne sat about three feet off the ground (a composting privy) and there was a wall on one side between there and the shelter for privacy.I could hear the sound from the Celanese plant at Narrows even up here. Kind of a low frequency drone. The sounds come and go as the ridge walk for the first part of this morning's hike would move back and forth on the ridge top. Once the turn at the end ridge and descent, the sound became more noticeable. Celanese was my employer for 27 yeats before I retired at the end of '01, although not at this location.Met a woman hiker last year who was very upset with Celanese for ruining her wilderness experience because of the noise and hearing it for miles. Well, it paid bills, sez I.Stayed in the sleeping bag late (i.e. 6:45 a.m.) and took my time packing up, since it was a short hike to town and the motel where the truck is parked. Ankle is kind of stilff and I really carefully picked my way down some of the steep rocky parts. The trail builders on this end of Peters Mountain could take some lessons from the trailbuilders at the other end of Peters Mountain. (see yesterday's entry). Still I made it down in less that 3 1/2 hours.I was welcomed at the Rendezvous Motel. Brenda just handed me a key and let me take care of the paperwork/payment later. Didn't realize I looked that bad.Rendezvous Trails