morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Motor City headed home today, getting a shuttle from the outfitters. I had an amazing soak in the hot mineral spring water. Muscles feel much better and my feet were loving it. Grabbed a massive sub at the campground store, mailed out some postcards and hit the trail. Mostly cloudy again - looking like rain all day but nothing happened. Just windy and cloudy and cold - the story of the past week and a half. The hike to the shelter wasn't bad and I was considering pushing on but decided to push a bi day tomorrow instead. An overnighter named Dan was camping out with his son and gave me a description of the trail ahead as well as dessert - strawberry shortcake. Fresh fruit on the trail is a rare treat. John, a 70 year old thru hiker was also at the shelter. Saw an owl on my way up Spring Mountain to the shelter. My legs feel pretty good but they really wanted the afternoon off after my soak.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 21.3

Very cold morning today. Someone had 38 degrees at the shelter. Started hiking around 7.45 a.m. and had a descent to begin with for once. The ridgeline hiking around Big Firescald Knob was cool - great views and some rock scrambles. Met The Only Wanderer at Jerry Cabin Shelter - I recognized his name from Whiteblaze.net where he is a frequent poster. Biggest mileage day so far - made it to the Flint Mountain Shelter around 7 p.m. No Whammies, Firmonger, Dubbs, Tater Tot and Eagler were already there. Nice campfire and conversation.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Flint Mtn. Shelter

To: Bald Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

Dubbs, Tater Tot, No Whammies and Firemonger left a bit before me with the intention of also reaching Bald Mountain Shelter. Another long day with no sun. It has been mostly cloudy and cold for about 2 weeks now. We could really use some sun. It is hard to dry everything out and it has been a little hard on the morale. Some trail magic at Sam's Gap - someone had put out a cooler with soda and snickers bars. Much appreciated!I needed an energy boost to get me the rest of the way to the shelter. Another nice campfire. Firemonger, No Whammies , Tater tot and F'n Dubbs were at the shelter.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Bald Mtn. Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

Got started around 8:30 a.m. The rest of the crew at the shelter were planning a short day to No Business Knob Shelter. Met Wild Poodle on the trail a few miles in. She was heading in the wrong direction. She had gotten turned around coming out of her campsite. A couple of climbs today but nothing serious. I think I am coming down with a cold and am a little more tired than usual. Have had some recent equipment problems as well - I left my tent pole somewhere in Hot Springs and Lisa ordered me another one. And my water filter is on the outs so I need to buy another one. Hiked a bit with Wild Poodle and ran into Buoy who is slackpacking with his wife and her mother, Righty and Lefty. Finally made it into Erwin road crossing and waited a couple minutes for Wild Poodle so we could hitch in together. We aren't very good at hitching apparently and the lack of traffic on the road had us walking part of the way in. It started to rain just as I was about to call Miss Janet's for a shuttle when an older man across the street offered us a lift. I sat in the back of his pickup truck and Poodle sat up front. Miss Janet's is packed right now with hikers looking to get to Trail DAys. (http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/05/12/travel/escapes/12trail.html) Got a burger and fries at Sonic with Poodle. I may have to go for a burritto later. Excited about spending the next 3.5 days in the D.C. area to let my body rest and attend a friend's wedding.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Erwin, TN

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light rain

Woke up today in a king bed surrounded by 10 pillows at the Dulles Airport Marriott and ended up in my tent at a campsite just south of Indian Grave Gap. A very big change in scernty and comfort. My Aunt Roberta picked me up in Erwin and took me to DC to start the weekend and then back to B-burg where my friend Peters took over the SHusko shuttle and dropped me off at Uncle Jonnie's near Erwin. Thank you SO MUCH Roberta and Peters! This hike would not be possible without the help of the good people around me. I saw Storyteller and 46er, Porkchop and Jackson and Evan. They hadn't gone to Trail Days and were planning on staying at Uncle Johnnie's for the night. I finally hit the trail around 5:15 p.m. Sunshine and blue skies greeted me on the trail and it was much warmer than a few days ago. Reacher the Curly Maple Gap Shelter around 7 p.m. I expected the climb up to be tougher but it was a fairly easy ascent. At the shelter were Juiceman, who I had met in Hot Springs, F'n Dubbs and Tater Tot. They were staying the night but I watned to get a few more miles in so I walked until the sun set and looked for a campsite. It was fun to hike with fresh legs (after 3+ days of rest) and new shoes, Roclites from Inno8. My Montrail Masai's were looking pretty rough after 350 miles and I think my feet have expanded a bit since I began my thru-hike. The new shoes are a size 12 up from my 11.5s I started with. It was good to see so many hikers I knew as I returned to the trail. I consider myself very lucky to be part of the trail community. It has been a great experience meeting people on the trail and enjoying the generosity and comraderie of everyone out here.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Ash Gap
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: light rain

Many ups and downs today w/Unaka Mtn early on. A very unique mountain w/the top completely covered in pine trees. Shortly after Unaka, I ran into thru hikers Rupunzel and Butterfly Skies who were assisting a large trail work crew with a trail relocation. The crew recruited by Bob Peoples, owner of Kincora Hostel, were adding switchback to what had been a very steep section of the trail north of Low Gap. I helped hide the old trail so hikers wouldn't get confused and then helped with a section of the trail up the mtn. Met a ton of thru-hikers, all pitching in with the trail work. I got back on the trail around 2:30 after talking with Dubbs, Tater Tot and Juiceman at teh Cherry Gap Shelter. They were plannin on staying at the Clyde Smith Shelter about 9 miles north. Many smaller mountains this afternoon but the number of climbs tired me out. i stopped for a break at Clyde Smith Shelter and met a man and his daughter and their 2 dogs. Two thruhikers, Mark and Mark, showed up soon thereafter. They started Springer a week after I did and already caught up. Pacer and Diesel arrived next. I had briefly met them at Miss Janet's house. They had gone to Trail Days and said it was a lot of fun. I decided to try for Ash Gap just before Roan Mtn. to break up the long climb. I don't reccommend staying in Ash Gap unless you plan on packing water - the water source is at least 1/4 mile down the mountain and it is barely a trickle even with all of the recent rain. At least I set myself up for an easy morning up Roan Mtn.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Ash Gap

To: Campsite
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

Steep climb to Roan Mountain to start the day. Parking lot and restrooms at the top. Some college kids were camped out and were packing up as I reached the top. Talked to a motorcycle rider who ended up being a thru-hiker from '74. Told me some interesting stories from the trail back then. The two balds just north of Roan were amazing and today was one of my favorite sections of the trail. AFter descending the Roan ridge and passing Munray and Overmountain Shelters, I was a little tired climbing up Little Hump and Hump Mtns. Hiked the section to Apple House Shelter with Juiceman. He suggested that we hitch into Elle Park and get some real food. Dogwood, another hiker from N.J. joined us. Caught a ride to Times Square Diner in the back of a pickup. After dinner, a nice couple who Dogwood was talking to drove us back to the trail. The guy, Philly Joe, is canoeing 24,000 miles. Check out his website www.americanvictorytour.com Hiked another 6 miles and finally set up my tent around 9:15 p.m.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Campsite

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 17.6

Arrived at Kincora Hostel around 5 p.m. Juiceman was already there along with some other hikers: JOhn Peterson, who I had met just outside Hot Springs and Cornbread, southbounding from Damascus to Neel's Gap. He works at Mountain Crossings and gets time off to do a section hike every year. He thru-hiked in '98 or '99. Bob Peoples had already taken a crew into town and didn't do another shuttle so a group of us ordered pizza. Dubbs and Tater Tot were also there. Bob recognized my name and gave me a patch for helping his trail over on Monday.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Dennis Cove

To: Iron Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 24.3

The morning hike took me by a large waterfall and continued for a couple of miles right along the river. The climb up Pond Mtn. wasn't too bad but my legs are feeling the cumulative effect of a big mileage week. Had some rain over Pond Mtn but I took a long break and dried out at a picnic table on the bank of Watnga Lake. After the climb out of the Watuga Lake area the trail hit a ridgeline that I will follow all the way to Damascus. More ups and downs than I expected but no major climbs for the rest of the afternoon. My pace was very slow and I didn't get to the Iron Mtn Shelter until 8 p.m. A 12 hour day of hiking. Juiceman and Cascader (a section hiker from New England) were already at the shelter. It rained heavily at times during the night with some thunder and lightning mixed in.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Iron Mtn. Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: light rain

Got started around 8 a.m. and ran into Cascader a couple of times during the day's hike. Easiest day of hiking so far although I got hit with a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Wind, torrential rain, hail for a brief time, and lightning and thunder made for an exciting half hour. I had to wing out my socks a couple of times after the storm passed. Finally reached the sign for the Mt. Rogers Nati'l Recreation Area and crossed into Virginia. Another storm was approaching as I neared Damascus so I scurried down the mountain and got into town. Decided to stay at The Place (can't beat the price), dropped off my gear and had dinner at Sicily's Pizza. A bit later I had a few celebratory beers at Baja Cafe - 50 miles in 2 days. Going to take 2 zero days in Damascus this Memorial Day weekend to rest and visit with Lisa.
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Damascus

To: Zero Day in Damascus with Lisa!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Lisa arrived around 10:30 a.m. and we were very excited to see each other. We had brunch at The Dairy Kin. Real food for 2 days in a row is a treat. Lisa drove us to the park where we relaxed and enjoyed the sun and a bottle of wine. We had a late lunch at Baja Cafe - very good food and then decided to check out our lodging options in Abingdon since everything in Damascus was booked and we wanted to see XMen3 at the amazing Abingdon Cinemall which is really just a movie theater and arcade. The movie was good, probably on par with the first two but it is kind of strange the way they pick and choose characters and plotlines from the comic books.
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Zero Day in Damascus with Lisa!

To: Zero Day In Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Lisa decided that I haven't been getting enough excercize on the Trail so we rented bikes and did about 20 miles of the Creeper Trail. A very pretty and fun ride although there were a ton of people out on the trail, I guess due to the holiday weekend and nice weather. We treated ourselves to ice cream after four hours on the bikes and then had pizza at Sicily's. We decided to camp out to save money so we hiked about 2 miles north on the AT to a flat spot and set up camp.
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Zero Day In Damascus

To: Creek Jct Station
Miles today: 13.5

Said goodbye to Lisa around 3 p.m. and started the climb out of Damascus. Wanted to push on to Lost Mtn Shelter but I ran out of light and ended up camping along the creek near the Creeper Trail. Very hot today - probably near 90 degrees. After a great weekend with Lisa it was hard to trudge back on the trail alone but I do have the Grayson Highlands to look forward to.
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Creek Jct Station

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

Lots of sunshine today but some clouds moved in mid-afternoon and helped keep the temperature down as I headed into the high country. The climb up to Buzzard Rock was long but gradual and I took a nice long break near Whitetop Mtn. Took the side trail to the Mt.Rogers summit, no view and a bit of a letdown but still the highest point in Virginia. The scenery was amazing at times todayy with pine-tree-covered summits and open mountaintop fields strewn with large boulders. A group is tent-camped south of the shelter and there are probably around 6 of us staying int he shelter, including Trail Boss (who I had met just north of Roan Mtn when I was hiking with Juiceman), and section hikers GramMan and __Camel. Great, newer shelter with wheelchair accessible privy. The spring is fenced in to prevent the ponies from polluting the source. Looks like a corral. Great views from the shelter.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

A herd of wild ponies were hanging out only a couple hundred yards from the shelter so I didn't have to wait long to feed one an apple. At first he seemed more interested in my hand but eventually realized that the apple was food. The herd included a couple of very cute foals. The hike north to Massie Gap is one of my favorite sections so far. Amazing balds with huge rock formations. Took a break in the Wise shelter just as a massive thunderstorm moved in. Heavy rain and hail for about an hour. I was very glad to be dry and warm in the shelter through it all. AFter the storm I put on my Crocs and waded through sections of the Trail. Good practice for all of the streams crossings in Maine, I suppose. A rocky descent to Old Orchard Shelter slowed me down and a leaky Platypus bottled slowed me down a little more. I was hoping to get more than 5 weeks use out of it. An easy hike to Hurricane Mtn Shelter from Old Orchard and I made it to my destination before sunset 2 days in a row. Now have hiked over 500 miles on the Trail.
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 6.3

Got violently ill around 1 a.m. and continued to get sick until morning, around every 45 min or so. Not pleasant. Food poisoning most likely from some dry pudding mix that I had in my pack for awhile and must have gotten damp and spoiled. It was a tough few miles to Dickey Gap where I hitched a ride to Troutdale with a nice couple who happened to be AT section hikers. They dropped me off at the trading post and I picked up a few items that I hoped would settle my stomach. I walked to the nearby church hostel and tried to recover. The hostel was barebones which would have been fine normally, but in my condition, I needed some more comforts. I walked back down to the trading post (walking at this point was very arduous) and called the number of the B+B up the road. No one answered and after awhile of waiting a kind older man offered me a ride out. A note said that Mark and Janet, the innkeepers would return at 6 p.m. I settled in to wait and got a room just before 7 p.m. Mark was showing me around when I got violently ill again. After that I just holed up in the room and waited it out.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Dickey Gap

To: Zero Day in Troutdale
Miles today: 0.0

Couldn't eat much of the bfast this morning. My appetite is just not back although I stopped getting sick around midnight. Now just the runs! The Fox Hill Inn is a beautiful place to recover though and a nice couple from Cleveland invited me to share a fajita dinner with them. Very much appreciated since my backpacking food right now has very little appeal. Got to talk to Lisa for a long time which made me feel better.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Zero Day in Troutdale

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

My appetite returned so I decided to get back on the trail today after a delicious breakfast and talking with innkeepers Mark and Janet who thru-hiked in '95. I learned that the Inn is now under new ownership and Mark and Janet won't be back for another hiking season. Not sure it will be so hiker-friendly in the future. I'm glad I stayed there even though it wasn't originally planned. They had a great selection of AT books and I read part of Earl Shaffer's Walking with Spring, the story of of the first solo thru-hike. Got started on the trail around noon after Mark dropped me off at the trailhead. A nice cool day and easy terrain greeted me and it was an exceptionally pretty section of the trail with rhododendrous and mountain laurel blooming. A great day to return to hiking. A very easy 14 miles later I ended up at Partnership Shelter where there was already a crowd and more would continue to arrive. I had little trouble rounding up enough people for a pizza order ($25 minimum) and an hour and a half later we were eating. One of the best shelters on the trail - hot showers, pizza and a sink right out back. Lots of people here tonight including Been Here (Ben from Nuncie, Indiana who I had met previously) Skyline (a section hiker from Cincinatti) Pro from Dover,Granite, Chunck, etc. FEel much better after eating and I'm almost back to normal.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Campsite near Va. 42
Miles today: 23.3

Slept in until 8.30 a.m., I think my body needed it. Talked to Lisa from the phone at the Mt. Rogers HQ and started hiking around 9.30. A very easy 11 miles to Atkins, Va with the last couple winding through farmer's fields. Had an all you can eat lunch at the Barn restaurant around 2.30 p.m. Picked up my maildrop at The Relax Inn and was told they charge $7 for holding hiker mail if you don't stay there. I had every intention of spending a night there but had to change my plans due to food poisoning and 2 nights at the BandB. I explained the situation and even offered a couple of bucks for their storing my package before I was told it was $7. Up the trail some hikers told me they weren't even charged or only had to pay $2 for their mail. I would recommend:1. Doing very limited mail drops2. If you have to do one, don't send it to The Relax Inn3. Don't stay at The Relax Inn. You can get a shower, have access to a sink and phone and can order food from the Partnership Shelter, which is an easy 11 miles south of Atkins. Pushed on past Davis Path Shelter with the intention of finding a campsite several miles up the trail. Should have just stayed in the Crawfish Valley area since for 3+ miles after Big Walker Mtn., the trail passed through private property and no campsites were to be had. Finally found a spot I could set up a tent just after 10 p.m. (it had been raining for an hour or 2 by this point as well, though not heavily.). Had a dinner of skittles and dry ceral since I was too exhausted to cook and crawled in my sleeping bag. Just as I was about to fall asleep I heard some sniffling and saw that some animal was nosing at my tent. I kicked at it through my tent wall and made a lot of noise and whatever it was went away and didn't return. Around 4 a.m. I heard what sounded like something attacking a turkey. Maybe just a loud turkey though. Didn't make for a good night's sleep but it was exciting.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Campsite near Va. 42

To: Davis Farm Campsite
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

Waited until I got to Knot Manl Branch Shelter to eat bfast. I couldn't get out of my little campsite fast enough. Met five thru-hikers still there: Alice (In Wanderland), Nomad Hatter, Snail, Been Here and a guy from Maine who was telling us about moose. Made it about a half mile from the shelter when I realized I forgot the poncho I had hung up to dry. Not an inspiring start to the day. I met Tonka and Pockets on my way up to the Chestnut Knob area. A semi-tough 2000 foot climb. I thought I was through with all the big climbing until New England! Been Here, Tonka and Pockets were already at the Chestnut Knob Shelter when I arrived. The shelter is an enclosed building w/a dorr which was nice as the wind picked up and it started to rain. Hung out in the shelter and waited for the rain to clear out. Finally got back on the trail around 3.15 p.m. Missed the water source at the Walker Gap so I decided to head to teh Davis Farm Campsite. There were a couple of nice views of Burkes Garden from the ridgeline but the view from the campsite was amazing. From the vantage point, I could see much of the valley and several farms down below. I'll fall asleep listening to the mooing of cows. A thru-hiker named Pokey pulled in after 8 p.m. and Been Here showed up just after 9 p.m. I enjoyed being in camp early enough to see what I was doing for a change. Still managed to do about 18 miles. Hoping to hitch in to Bland, Va tomorrow for some real food. The campsite is awesome but SMALL. Don't know where we are going to put Been Here. Great sunset!
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Davis Farm Campsite

To: Helveys Mill shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Talked with Lisa this morning since I couldn't get reception down the side of the mountain at the campsite. Started hiking just before 9 a.m. and I was moving pretty well with hopes of hitching a ride into Bland, Va which has a Dairy Queen. Followed a blue blaze detour around a section of the AT that had a bridge out. Caught up with Alice, Nomad Hatter and a thru-hiker named Trouble just before the road crossing and got a ride in about 15 minutes. This spot could be a tough hitch though....not much traffic goes by. Pockets had to wait 50 minutes for a ride in. He had an interesting day. He needed to get to the Bland P.O. before it closed and he started at the Chestnut Knob Shelter, 22 miles away. He did a good bit of the trail running to make it in time. Trouble went to the P.O. after we got dropped off "downtown." Alice, Nomad and I started off after getting directions to Dairy Queen. Probably close to a mile walk out near the interstate. Very tasty Blizzard though. We got a ride back to the trail when a very nice woman went out of her way to drop us off. A bit of road walking near and over I-77 and then a little uphill to Helvey's Mill Shelter. Tonka and Pockets were already there along with Rags, a section hiker. Slept in my tent since I had to air it out anyway and I have been sleeping better in my tent than in the shelters.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Helveys Mill shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Wanted to get in a big day today so I really pushed it in the morning after sleeping in a bit and getting on the trail around 9 a.m. Very easy section of ridge-walking and not a lot of rocks. I was running on some of the downhills. Made it 10 miles in 3 hours which is fast for me. Got to the road crossing for Va.606 around 2.30 and walked a half mile to Trent's Grocery for real food. Had a pretty good BBQ sandwich and salad along with a quart of milk. Called my friends in Pearisburg to let them know I would be in tomorrow. Walked back to the trail and then the 2 miles to the Dismal Creek Falls Trail. Definitely worth the .3 miles detour. I swam for the first time since starting the trail and it was very refreshing. Also washed a few thing so hopefully I won't smell so bad when I meet my friends tomorrow. Another easy 6 miles to the Wapiti Shelter and had done a 24 miler. One of my favorite days on the trail so far. Rags joined me at the shelter.