morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Rt. 19 Shaddy Motel (newland)

To: Dennis Cover RD Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Trail maintenance is the plan for today. Supposedly we walk less then a mile so I hope I can still rest my leg. You earn a volunteer patch that only thru-hikers can get. Plus $8.00 per hour you work is donated to the trail and used for shelters, priveys, etc. Its federal funding money. We cleared a section of new trail through Rhodedendrom (spelling!) Briars tore us up. After trail days 60 hikers will return to do the foot patch work. Bob shuttled people to town for mexican food. I stayed and waited for my father to arrive. We got a hotel and shower. He treated me to a 15 oz. prime rib in Johnson City. Its great to visit with family
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Rt. 19 Shaddy Motel (newland)

To: Walnut mtn Road
Miles today: 10.0

Hardee's for breakfast. Then we shopped for a day pack and "trail angel" supplies. My leg is still sore and swolen. I plan to hike 10+ miles from walnut road back to 19. It took a while to find a drop off spot. Also I rode by the pick up place to make sure he was at the right spot. 2 waterfalls and several pastures in this section. Lots of hikers passed me having met my dad at the road and saying thanks for the food. We drove to Roan mtn. and hiked a section I had already done. We went to the top of the bald at carvers gap. Whats a couple extr5a miles at this point? My parents may visit next weekend in damascus for mothers day. Back to the hostel. My dad left the extra food and fruit. It was instantly devoured.Scuba
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Dennis Cover RD Kincora Hostel

To: 321 Highway Tenn.
Miles today: 2.7

I slacked another section today. Not the 12 miles I need south of the hostel because no shuttle was available. Tomorrow Bob heads to where I need to be to do maintenance though. I enjoy the easy hiking with a day pack but I dont like doing sections out of order. Chinese buffet for dinner. Granite took off to Damascus to catch some friends. I'm sure I will see h im at Trail Days. The section I hiked went through a huge gorge with a great waterfall. Fire azeala is in bloom here. Its Blaze Orange.
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Walnut mtn Road

To: Dennis Cover RD Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 12.9

Trail maintenance was canceled because of rain. Bob charges for long shuttles and uses that money for gas for shorter free shuttles. 10 bucks to get where I needed to be. 12 + miles in the rain. Fairly easy terrain and a day pack weighting around 4 pounds. Its not easy but the miles go by fast. My leg is much better. A little pain but still swolen a lot. I had Dimple rock pick up steaks and soda for my dinner. Moo didnt have a chance to get to town so I shared. Moo and 42 are a young couple. Both are lawyers. I am finally caught up on miles and feeling better. Tomorrow its back to a 30+ pound pack.
Date: 2003-05-07
From: 321 Highway Tenn.

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I enjoyed my stay with Bob and Pat. They ran shuttles non stop. Helped slack pack. Its a nice place to stay!From Rte 321 I walked around the lake and over the dam. A couple of miles were on a paved road. A few people stayed at the first shelter. It sets them up for 33 miles into damascus. Lots of people make this "challenge". I did not have any desire to try. 1 mile before Iron mtn. shelter I stopped to take a picture. It was a long straight section of trail. Lots of grass on the sides. After I put up the camera I took 2 steps and a bear walks across the trail in front of me! A full grown sucker too! It never even looked at me. I pulled out the camera and headed toward it fast. I could hear it breaking sticks as it walked but couldnt see it anymore. Then I realise I am alone and got the sense chasing a bear is not cool. Seconds later a young lady named "face" turns the corner. I wave to her to hurry up. I go to where I last saw the bear. I am not scared now I have someone to feed it with if it chases. By this time the bear was gone.   It was a great experience. Now only a moose left on my must see list. 8 or so people at the shelter to share my story with. I met "Cuba" for the first time. She has great stories about cuba to share.scuba
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

I was on the trail by 7:30. 26 miles to Damascus. It would be neat to walk a marathon into town. The trail is wet from the rain last night. I walked in coulds for half of the day. The shelter I stopped at for lunch had a register with a story from snack attack. He was a bear near this shelter 3 days ago. I hitched into town to call my folks and figure out the weekend plan. Did I say town... Ok intersection. I did score a greasy cheeseburger from the Cranberry Cafe' in Shady Valley. So much for 26 miles. 16+ is enough though. When I get to the shelter Still Bill and Tripper tell me they just saw a small bear. I was 10 minutes late. This bear wouldn't leave. They scared it to death. 80-150lbs. Last years cub? 30 minutes later 2 day hikers say they just saw it on a tree 300 yards back. We took off with cameras like a herd of elephants. No bear. This is bear central! 10 miles into Damascus VA. About 6 until Virginia state line!Scuba
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Early start and easy miles into Virginia. I was not sure where the state line was so I snagged a picture of Mt. Rogers welcome sign. That is probally the line anyway. As I hit town I saw a phone and 2 soda machines! Joy...nothing worked. The trail goes right down the main street in town. I meet my parents tonight at a Bed and Breakfast. To kill time I used the library to catch up on my journal some. I wandered around puzzled of where to go for a while. I bumped into Charity and we had lunch. I saw lots of hikers at "The Place". A hostel run by the Methodist Church for donations. About 4:00 I headed to the Mountain Laurel Inn. I was saying mean things about my dad as I walked out of town away from everything. It was worth the walk to this B&B. It was immaculate, full of red chesnut inside. Plus it had a heated pool! I took a swim and visited with guests on the porch. I had dinner with my parents in the next town of Abbington when they arrived. Its great to see them.Scuba
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The B&B puts on breakfast at 8:30. After that we picked up my postal packages. My father treated me to several goodies from the outfitters. He bought gear for himself too. Jeff spent hours with him picking out footwear. I filled the day pack with snacks and went to Massie Gap to see the feral ponies. AFter 1 mile we gave up on finding them. At 4:00 my father and I decided to hike 7+ miles of the AT to a road where my mother would pick us up. I figured without a pack and easy terrain we could do 7 miles before 8:30....wrong. My poor father walked his legs off. Only one 5 minute break. We arrived at almost 9:00. Oh well....(I hiked the same section again in 2.5 hours with a pack going uphill instead of down hehe)Scuba
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Damascus

To: 1+ past Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Breakfast again at the B&B. Then lunch with my folks at The Country Place restaurant. I hope my mother enjoyed Mothers Day. North I went... The AT and VA creeper trail join for a while past Damascus. A couple miles out I delt with the town food. I met up with Nothin' Decent by chance. He took a week off and just got back on the trail. I ate dinner with him at Saunders Shelter. I tried night hiking alone. It sucked and I ended up camping 1 mile out. Limited light makes for slow hiking. High winds made it feel like the tent was going to blow away with me inside it. Snap...tent pole breaks...Ah well.Scuba
Date: 2003-05-12
From: 1+ past Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

High cold winds all night I got on the trail around 10:00. Powdered milk and 2 child size bags of cereal for breakfast. I hiked alone all day. People chose to stay in Damascus and others went north to walk back toward town for trail days. This left the trail quiet. I arrived at the road crossing at Elk Garden around 6:00. This is where I got off hiking with my father. I did not see a single car so I had to rehike that 7 mile section. Its ok. I like seeing the feral ponies that graze the area. Winds were so high it almost blew me over many times. I had to lean into the wind while crossing over the balds. I stayed at Thomas Knob Shelter with Nothin' Decent and section and day hikers. One section hiker, pappa bear, is from Rochester NY.Scuba
Date: 2003-05-13
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Cold drafty shelter. Temp guage said 40. Decision time. Get off at Troutdale? Try to go farther by Wednesday? I guessed Troutville which gave me 2 days to do 20 miles. I hung around the shelter until 12:00. The wind never did let up. Lots of people came by. Most on their way to Trail Days. I took a break at the nexxt shelter. Dimple Rock, Wrong way brown, 2 steps, Carnithy Bob, Thistle, Chafe master, Switchback, & Charity. A large crowd of old friends. I had to move on though. They were going south and I needed to get closer to Troutdale. Old Orchard Shelter was home for the night. Chipped beef with enough salt to choke a horse and split pea soup made dinner.Scuba
Date: 2003-05-14
From: Old Orchard

To: Partnership Shelter (Mt. Rogers Visitor Center)
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

*long day*Powdered eggs for breakfast. They stick to the pan and take a while to cook(very low heat not to burn) & taste O.K. at best. I learned the Partnership shelters is at the Mt. Rogers visitor center. Hot shower and telephone. A pizza place delivers. 24+miles. Worth it? Can I make it? Who knows....I hit troutdale road crossing at 12:00. No ride after 20 minutes of waiting. I took out my ground cloth and had lunch in the warm grass. The wind finally stopped. Pappa bear, from Rochester joined me. 2 shelters later I took a break to get water. Did I mention I ran out of chemicles and had to drink 3 liters of untreated H20. Lady day hiker gave me some Iodine. This spring was shallow and slow. Pappa Bear shows up soon after I got water. It was 3:30 & 10.6 miles to the visitor center. I told him to come. He did some math and figured he would arrive at 9:00. As I was leaving he decided to come along and told me to order him a pizza. I'm not sure why, but I guess the thought of a long mile day and a hot shower + food gave me some adrenaline rush. I got through the first 4 miles so fast I thought the paper was wrong. Pappa bear caught up when I stopped to rest. The next 3 miles were fast also. One problem was I was out of snacks. Its amazing how you can get so hungry your body feels like a limp noodle. The next 3.6 were slow and painful. Long long long day. 8:00pm arrival. Almost 11 hours of steady hiking today. 20 miles would make a long day for me. 24.2 was too much. Pizza is on the way! A decent hot shower but it had a button you had to hold or it shut off every 10 seconds. It was chilly. Nice huge shelter. I lined up a ride with Walkabout '98 to Damascus for the morning. Perfect!Scuba
Date: 2003-05-15
From: Partnership Shelter (Mt. Rogers Visitor Center)

To: Damascus Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 1 at Trail daysBack to Damascus by 9:00 am. Walkabout and I toured around town to find camping and venders etc. Not what I expected. A handful of companies here. Mostly independent reps. Poles are being cleaned and repaired. Thermarest ahs a pinhole at the seam and leaks down overnight. They are fixing or replacing it free. What I needed most is 2 new tent poles. Not gonna happen here... Granite gear and Dania Designs are working at making me a custom pole. I did laundry and ate breakfast at The Country Place. Fly Cricket a was doing laundry also. Some of the people I saw were Mrs. Janet, Gazelle, Rift Raft, Mt. Dew, Green Man, Granite, Snack Attack, Llama, Thirsty, Otter, Jack and Mr. spencer (his dog), 1/3, litewalker, Nothing Decent, Flash, Healer, and lots more.I saw a wedding too. Fubar and Trip. You had to be there...I learned Mongoose who I sheltered with a few times got locked up for Armed Robbery. Aprrently the police did a night time raid of "The place". Rumors say he did his time in Florida but never paid fines. Mostly I ate and checked on gear repairs. It rained some so it was miserable to wlak around town. Prime rib at the Old Mill with Granite for dinner. I finally got a good tastin' piece of cow. I tented 1 mile outside of town by the repair tents.Scuba
Date: 2003-05-18
From: Damascus Trail Days

To: Damascus Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail Days Sunday>> 11:00 I shuttled back to the trail head. About a day later then I wanted. I am glad I stayed for the parade though. It was rainy and 40 degrees out. I warmed up at the ranger station. It was already 1pm. Chaplin Hogie offered a ride to town. I went and got 4 days of food and chicken for dinner.>> Too late to start and early to bed>
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Atkins 

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Early start and glad to be on the trail. I took a 10 minute break after 7miles. Just enough time to let my muscles get stiff. I start and get shinsplints on my other leg. I cant believe it! I hobbled the remaining milesinto atkins. dumpy motel and no bath.
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Knot Maul Branch

To: Atkins
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

I can't afford to have another zero day. Trail days cost me 4. My leg hurts realbad. I left at 10am. I almost turned back around In the parking lot. After amile It losened up and I was able to push on. There was not a lack of painhowever.>> Many pasture crossings. I had to shew 20 cows off the trail so I could getby. 8pm arrival to the shelter. Very slow downhills. 2 deer and a fewchipmunks on todays list. Sheepstuff and 6 others at the shelter. Only saw2 hikers all day until now.
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Knot Branch Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Awoke to hard rain. I slept and wrote In my journal until the rainstopped. Still very few hikers on the trail today. A slow 9 miles to ashelter on top of a big hill. It was an old fire wardens cabin. I met a guywho just started his thru hike. He just finished his masters then started Indamascus. After he hits maine he will do the south section. He loves tobass fish and we talked for a few hours about it. Canadia, a young 18year old just got on the trail for 3 weeks. She asked if any mice were inthe shelter. We all laughed and 2 minutes later i saw mice running on theboard behind her. At addict was there. finishing his 6th at hike. I toldhim he should write a book like the other repeat hikers. he already wrote 2.
Date: 2003-05-22
From: Va 615

To: Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I had hopes to make It to Bland by days end. I was out early and hiked allday. One section crossed the same creek 12 times. Mud galore. It strained myleg more from all the sliding.>> I was tired and planned to stop at the next road to camp. I was about tosoak my feet in the stream when a truck pulled up. I got a ride to bland.He let me use his cell phone to call my folks then took me on to a bettertown, Wythville.>> My parents left later then expected and arrived around 10 or 11. indoorpool and dinner at Shoney's.>>>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-05-23
From: US 21 & 52 Bland

To: Va 615
Miles today: 6.9

My dad set up a canopy for trail magic. My brother and I hiked 7 or so miles toBland. Fast easy hike and plenty of time to chat with the little brother.Short day but beats a zero. Its great to spend time with the whole family.>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003>
Date: 2003-05-25
From: Sugar Run Rd.

To: 608
Miles today: 19.1

My father was up before daylight. He left an hour or more ahead of me. Imet him 15 minutes before I left. I wanted to get some miles In so I headedon to the next road.>> My brother his wife and my mother had food set up. French toast and baconwas waiting. They had already fed lots of hikers.>> 1.5 hours after my father arrived. We slack packed puffy stumble blazeface and myself. We did 14 more miles. We stopped at a great waterfall withabad name. Dismal Falls.>> We arrived 2 hours late. The women stayed at the hotel. My brother andfather fed more hikers while waiting on me. I was ready to leave but moreand more hikers showed up.>> 19 + I was beat. Hotel for the night.>>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003>
Date: 2003-05-26
From: Pearisburg

To: Sugar Run Rd.
Miles today: 0.0

We ate at Waffle House, I showered, and got clean clothes. We drove to the water fall that I saw yesterday. After that they left me along side the trail again. Fending for my own way to Maine.>> 10 miles Into town. 1st hotel was full. 1 mile up the road to the next.>> My tent poles from Sierra designs never showed.>> I had dinner at the sports bar. The mayor of the next town picked up mytab. Can't beat southern hospitality.>>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-05-27
From: Pearisburg

To: Sugar Run Rd.
Miles today: 10.0

Well I was packed and ready to leave early this morning. But I had to wait until 11:00 till Sierra Designs opened up. They moved and never sent my package. The guy I spoke with took my name and address but never asked what parts I needed.>> Granite rented a car to go to a wedding In New Jersey. After lunch wedrove to the outfitters In Blacksburg.>> They got hold of Sierra Designs and my tent poles are on there way to me. Not the carbon ones I paid $100 dollars extra for, But at least I can have a reliable tent.>> I ate dinner, Then went to bed at the plaza motel.>>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-05-28
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

Granite saved me the mile walk back to the trail today. I had a 9:00 start. The weather was cool and cloudy and I had a 19+ mile day today.>> I saw Puffy and Stumble at the shelter. Then I tented and saw lots of day and section hikers there at the shelter. It rained hard all night long. Oh well.>>>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003>
Date: 2003-05-29
From: Warspur

To: PineBranch
Miles today: 12.7

Well I had a 9:30 start this morning. I had to pack up In the pouring rain. It was cold, Had to have been In like the 40s. I had good use of poncho and pack cover today.>> My leg Is still tender, But not an issue as of right now. There was snacks at the first shelter, And It rained off and on all day long. It was too cold to sit around and take breaks. I have a question, Isn't It almost june? What's up with this weather?>> There was slippery rocks for miles. Then the sun came out for an easy downhill. All and all It was a shorter day but I am still beat.>> People I know are here. (Walkinthewoods, Pace, Puffy and Stumble here.)>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-06-01
From: rt. 624

To: niday shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

(Officially At My Half Way Mark!)WoooHooo!!      Well my Uncle arrived In his Hummer at 9:30am today. It was great to see Uncle Art, Aunt Emma and little Phoebe. We spent most of the day eating and touring Roanoke. They also took me to the outfitters In Salem to get my tent poles. That was a great help.       We saw an art festival and a pow-wow. After that I hiked In 8 miles to the shelter. I think It's the first shelter that I've had to myself the entire trip.I slept with my food bag, And found out later that a bear had been seen justhours before I arrived. (Great)ScubamanGA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-06-02
From: Daleville Rte 220

To: Catawba Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was and awesome day! It started with a humming bird buzzing at my feet. Mcaffe Knob was the first overlook. I spent an hour alone there until Winginit showed up. We ended up taking pictures of one another. Its a very popular spot, And shown on many postcards and books.      I also saw Rooster later In the day. Its the first I've seen him since Hiawasse GA.      Tinker cliffs was spectacular. The view Is of 2 parralel mountains with a wide valley down the middle. Very pretty.      The weather stayed nice for a change. I arrived Into Daleville kinda late. I stayed at the Econolodge, And had a shower and got found a Pizza Hut for dinner.ScubamanGA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-06-03
From: Daleville Rte 220

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

(Well today was another zero day)      I lined up a ride with Delwood to the post office at 3pm. And he arrived at 4:30. We barely even make It to the post office. So most of my day was rest.(Which Is well needed.)The Chinese buffet that I ate at was great. And It even had sushi. Stumble and Puffy joined decided to join me.ScubamanGA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-06-04
From: Wilsoncreek Shelter

To: Daleville to wilsoncreek shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well today I had to walk 1 mile each way to the post office to mail my bounce box back. I carried my pack and the box. There must had been 200 cars that drove by me, But I guess I look too dangerous to pick up.         On the way back to the trail I got myself a sub. I learned where the name "grinder" came from.         I also tasted what I thought was a wild strawberry. Uncertain I spit It out.I had a late start, But all In all a decent day.ScubamanGA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-06-05
From: wilson creek shelter

To: va 614
Miles today: 16.9

Last night Blaze and Face caught up with me. I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway 6 times today. But mostly at overlook parking lots.          The shelter that I had lunch at had candy bars, bannanas, and chips with salsa. Cove Mountain Shelter had water but .4 miles and down 500 feet. So I said "forget that."         I went to Jennings Creek and hitched to It's a Wonderful Life Campground. Then I called my folks and chatted with them for a bit. It cost $18 bucks to camp and the pool was closed. (Ah well - a showerand powerade go a long way.)ScubamanGA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-06-06
From: VA 614

To: Thunderhill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Well It was 10:30 by the time the owner got me to the trail today. I was ready at 9am. I guess I should have walked there.                  The first stop was Bryant Ridge Shelter. One of the nicest shelters yet. It sleeps 20 plus people with 3 tiers. It has windows and a porch etc.                   No rain today for a change. Huge climb 3200+ feet. It has to be one of the largest elevation changes yet. It was 14 miles mostly uphill. The highest point until New England. The mountains get lower, So they keep saying that...good views. Faa radar on apple orchard mountain. "The guiliteen" shortly after Is a narrow passage with a boulder stuck above the trail. At around 8:00pm I hit the shelter. My father was not here. So I tented because section hikers waisted the space. I also met "GI Jesus"ScubamanGA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-06-07
From: Thunderhill Shelter

To: 501 James River
Miles today: 14.6

Well this morning I woke up soaked. My tent leaked a gallon or more last night. It's the 1st time my down bag got wet..And It's toltally soaked.Major rain for hours It felt like. It was still pouring as I started to pack up. So I had a 10:00am start today.         Only GI Jesus was left In the shelter. My dad had trail magic set up 1 mile down the trail. But he left before I got to him. WTF...I couldn't believe It!         Two great people from NY Invited me Into their motorhome. I had cofee and snacks with them. They gave me a frozen lasagna dinner to go. Thanks guys.          I never did see my father until 6:00pm or so. Byt then the rain had ended. We stayed at a hotel in Beuna Vista. Ryans Ayce buffet In staunten. Its great to be dry.ScubamanGA--->ME 2003