morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-07
From: VA 859 Grassy Ridge Road

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 1/WK 6: wWhat an unbelievable day!!! sunshine...65 degrees and beautiful sites! The best news for us is that we have had a string of days with awesome weather and it is great to be out in the woods just hiking and taking in nature. Squire hiked with us most of the day and we climbed for hours the ups seemed to never end and when we made it to the shelter it was a relief for me. Imagine being on a stair master for 6 hours a day...that is what it was like. Even with the weather and the bonding with nature I could not get any relief from the knee pain.   The hike was great but my knee was as sore as can be and at about mile 12 I had about had it! Our plan had been to go another 5 miles to the next shelter but it was more climbing and I just could not do it. Squire hooked up with some of the other guys and the continued on to the next shelter.   I guess a few days off didn't help as much as I thought! Well tomorrow is another day so hopefully it will feel better and we will be off again!lata
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Dickey gap
Miles today: 21.4

Another awesome day!! Got up this morning with a good plan and the knee feeling better after a nights rest. We saw unbelievable streams and even some wild ponies!! Kind of unreal on how close they will let you get to them without seeming bothered. We were able to stand right with them and take pictures. They didn't seem to mind the kodak moment. I suppose they are used to hikers..wonder what they think about the people out here doing this for "fun". Saw a lot of other wildlife today including wild turkeys. I guess that spring has made it to the trail and natures creatures are coming out for the sunshine and fresh air. The scenery out here today was great as it is all along the trail and the hike was good.   My knee started bothering me again early in the day and at about mile 6 I decided it was best for the both of us if I got off the trail and head home to rehab without the day to day stress of climing for hours then decending for hours! So with that said I got off the trail at Fox Creek and let Southside continue on to Dickey Gap. I hitched a ride into Marion and dad was going to catch up with me later that night. It took me a while to find a ride but eventually I did and made it to a hotel clled the Virginia Inn. Dad finished his hike and found me about 8pm. After a long discussion we figured it would be best for me to head home and rehab for 2-3 weeks and then rejoin him later in the month! will advise!!! I will continue to post the journal from phone ins by Southside. So , log in to follow the trail with Southside until I get back there. lata
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Dickey gap

To: VA 16 Sugar Grove
Miles today: 14.6

Southside here: Did a light pack hike from the hotel and shuttled back late in the day. Today was a day where my mind was churning about the situation that we have with Bull. I have made the decision that if Bull doesn't make it back out here with me as planned then I will not finish the thru hike. It is just not the same without him and even though I was going to do this alone to begin with, I don't want to do it without him now. Our goal was to stand on top of Katahdin together and that is the way I want it to end. I did the hike in about 4.5 hours and don't remember much about this section of the trail other than that it was a great day weather wise. I guess I was occupied with my thoughts. Got back to town and waited with Bull for the Greyhound bus back to Providence and then called it a night. The leaving was difficult for both of us. Bull was not taking this 'going home' thing too well and I was feeling as bad as he was. We accomplished a heck of a lot in the past 5 or so weeks. 500 miles is a huge milestone and I am proud of what we have done. There is no training you could do to prepare yourself for the experiences of hiking out here for day after day (however,no training is a problem). The weather changes in a blink of an eye and there are extremes of hiking in shorts and t-shirts to full gear in the snow on the same day. Sleeping in wet clothes so that your body temp drys them and being soaking wet for days on end. I remain positive that Bull will join me later in Va. and know that we will finish this adventure together!.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: VA 16 Sugar Grove

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: clear sky

Bull is on the bus riding back to Providence and I hike through rolling fields and farmland all day. There were a million puds and I hiked alone all day. The group of guys that we have been with on and off are probable about 10 miles ahead of me and it will take a down day for them for me to catch them. It was lonely out there today and I am missing my partner. I made it to the shelter and there were a couple of people that I had seen before there. Spent the night with Rat and Sandwich so had some contact with people today. After you are out here day after to day it all looks the same. Anyone that wants to take the time to do a REAL timeout of the rat race should do this. Imagine being alone with your thoughts day after day with no distractions other than what nature sends your way. You meet people that you would probable never meet in the course of your day to day life and the experiences of dealing with both nature and the random hikers is priceless. I am truly enjoying doing this hike. It is the biggest challenge I have ever attempted both from a physical and mental aspect. You have to really be ready to be alone with yourself and believe me it is an emotional roller coaster. Even for a guy that doesn't mind being alone. Looking forward to Bull's return and finishing this hike in July at Kahtadin with him.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Knot Maul Shelter

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

Hiked alone again today. The trail was decent for about the first 7 miles with some streams and comparatively flat terrain. It was really warm today. Temp was somewhere around 78 degrees with bright sun and no wind. The Chestnut knob Shelter was along this stretch of the trail and is a pretty neat place. It is actually an old fire tower bunkhouse made out of solid stone. The bunks are still in there and it is now being used as a trail shelter. I had set my day to reach Jenkins shelter so after checking the place out I moved on. The last 12 miles was all rock and by the time I got to the shelter my ankles were killing me. The shelter was packed with 7 of us in a 6 man shelter and 2 tenters outside. Good to have the company. Settled in and called it a day. Southside.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: scattered clouds

The mosquitos were out last night. Man, I hate mosquitos! Got up and moving fairly early planning on a big day. The trail was fairly flat with rolling farmland and a million puds. There was no water anywhere and it is pretty dry here. The trails were wide and I was able to make some good time. At lunch I met up with Strides and we hiked together for about 16 feet. Yes, 16 ft and then he was off like a gazelle. Strides is about 6' 19" tall and you guessed it has a big stride. So, he left me in the dust and off he went. Did I forget to tell you he is in his early 20's (closer to 20 than 25). Oh well, the youts are always in a hurry to get somewhere. Came across some trail magic again today. Some kind soul put out about a half dozen jugs of water for the hikers. Good thing since there was not other water along the trail. Then again at Little Wolf creek there was OJ and apple juice out there for us. Thank you to the anonymous trail angels. The good news is that when I arrived at the shelter tonight I found Strides, Squire and Spruce there. They had taken it easy today and so I was able to catch up to them. Great to see them all again even though I am sure that we will split up again somewhere along the trail since everyone has their own pace and plan for stops, zeros, and neros. Always good when you come across someone that you have seen before. Today was the best hike of the past couple of weeks. Temp was 60 degrees and sunny. Working on the planning for Bull and Pam to join me later in the month and thinking about logistics. Southside.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: light snow

Hiked the last two days with warm weather and today had snow, sleet and rain. I have learned one thing about the weather on the trail...it is always changing! Had to hustle to get to the shelter since I needed to have a spot. I do not have a tent since Bull left with the 3 man tent which I sent home because of the weight. Bull is sending me a 1 man tent which I won't have until Monday. Arrived at the shelter in time to secure a spot. There were seven in the shelter last night and 2-2man tenters. Strides made a chocolate cream pudding pie at the shelter which was pretty cool. He had a graham cracker crust and boiled up some pudding and with it being cool enough outside the pudding set up. I reheated a hamburger and shared it with Squire, ate some pie and drank a Dads rootbeer all in the snow.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, Va
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter at 7:00 with Strides, Spruce and Squire and made it to town by 11:00. Picked up my drop from Bull which included my 1 man tent. Now I don't have to worry about the shelters being full. The hike was nice and depending on elevation I was dealing with snow, sleet or rain. About 5 miles into the hike we see a black cow covered in snow and eating. And to beat all he was on top of the mountain on a ridge all alone.Met a thru hiker today named "Heavenly Bound". He is a 73 yr old that has hiked the trail multiple times since 1971. He has lived in GA for 50 years. I enjoyed talking to him and love the name. Made great time today and plan to chill out here over night. Have my laundry to do and plan on cleaning all my gear up today. Most importantly I am going to eat. Day 1/ Week 7: Broke the 600 mile marker!
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Pearisburg, Va

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: few clouds

Had breakfast with Squire this morning. He is leaving today to go home for a couple of weeks. He is flying home in a little 2 seater plane that Ron Beatty set up for him. Said my good bye and I hit the trail at about 7:15.I made great time to Rice Field Shelter 6.6 miles away and pulled up at around 10:00. The trail was pretty smooth for the most part and I went on with the intent to eat lunch at 12:00. Found a camp site and mad a peanut butter sandwich breaking for about a half hour. I had 13 miles to go and the trail was still flat. After about 10 miles I came to the Allegheny trail which runs about 330 miles and end in PA. While I was standing there I saw a black bear about 100 yards away. Good shit. Ha! I pulled up at the Pine Swamp Shelter and guess what? The roof was caved in so off I went to Bailey Gap. I went about 2.5 miles and crossed a road to stony creek. Guess What? the bridge was washed out. I detoured 1.5 miles and went up from 2,400' to 3,535' and it was straight up. Finally made it to the shelter at 4;30.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked all day with Spruce, Strides and Sam. Spruce's ankle is giving him trouble so we slowed it down and made the decision to hike 18 today. The new tent worked great. For some reason my pack seems so heavey and my shoulders are sore. Met a new hiker from Nebraska today. His trail name is Elf and he is 65 yrs old in great shape. He grew up and lives within a 1/2 mile of where he was born.
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Got up and out of the tent at 6:15 and left by 7:00 am. Looking to do 18 miles. My partners left about 8:15. For the most part the trail was smooth with very littl rocks. The morning passed along very fast. I did 9 miles in 3.5 hours and pulled into Niday shelter for lunch at 10:30.The afternoon was hot but still the day was a good hike day. At 677.1 miles was the Audie Murphy memorial very close to where he died in a plne crash. I saw clutter and sand.ewood at the memorial and thy took my picture. Finished up the last 5 miles at Pickle Branch shelter and headed into the stream (both me and my clothes). Great feeling to be clean and cool.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

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

You know a perfect idea only comes along once in a while. Well today was it. We went 12.5 miles from 6:50 am to 12:40 pm. Went tot eh country store a block from Homeplace restaurant which did not open until 4:00pm. So for the fist time since Springer I get to sit and just relax. I drank 4 Dr. Peppers and relaxed. For 3 hours we just kicked back. At 4:00 we went to the Home place Restaurant and Ayce. Ate chicken, beef, ham potatoes, mac and cheese, cole slaw etc, etc. Topped it all off with warm blueberry cobbler and coffee. All you can eat affair. After dinner we sat on this beautiful porch of the old restaurant and relaxed some more. At 5:30 we hitched a ride back to the trail and hiked 2 miles to the next shelter out another few miles to the shelter. Catawba shelter was full and there were at least 10 tenters. We pictched our tents and set up camp. This was one of the best days I have had since I got on the trail. Tomorrow holds 2 huge climbs and 18.5 miles for me. Good luck to us. lata Southside
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Troutville, Va
Miles today: 19.3

Started out at 6:15 going to the most photgraphed sites on the AT McAfee Knob. Arrive at 7 and took a few pics of the over hand and the view below. It was a pretty easy up considering it was 1,100' over 1.5 miles. The next 16.5 miles were loaded with puds. For all the moaning and groaning it only took 7 hours. Made it into town at 1:30. Time to do the laundry, eat and sleep. Hoping to slack pack 20+ miles tomorrow.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Bobletts Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up and heard something going on near the gear. I put my head lamp on and went to investigate and it turns out that Spruce had two mice in his food bag and apparently they were having a football game in there. One of the mice poked his head out of a hole in the bag and looked at me and Strides who had alos awakened. I batted the mouse out of the shelter and the other took off. The only guy who didn't get out of his bag was Spruce! More to follow.... Day 1/ Week 8
Date: 2008-04-23
From: John's Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

This shelter was a black settlement occupied by freed slaves at the turn of the century. In the 20's the Forestry Dept purchased it from the blacks and it became a shelter over time. You can still see where the stone foundations were when it was a larger settlement. The shelter sits is a valley with a beautiful stream running through it. A pretty serene setting and there were a lot of butterflies around. When I arrived at the shelter an older couple were doing some trail angel drops and had left us some serious "trail magic". They gave us buttered rolls and some gravy. Also left us a pie. Still am amazed at how nice and caring the people along the trail have been. I am really tired and think about eating and going home.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Fish Hatchery Road, Montebello,VA
Miles today: 18.1

Having a good week hiking and am hitting all my shelter goals set for the week. Broke the 800 mile marker today! Feeling tired and thinking about taking a zero when I get to Waynesboro. All of the guys are feeling about the same...I think. The day started out with a couple of big ups and then a lot of smaller puds for the hike. I saw some trees today that looked pretty cool. The roots were growing right over rocks and it looked like hair. There are a lot of black bugs that are driving me crazy. I HATE BUGS! As long as I keep moving they leave me alone but as soon as I stop...BAM they are all over me. So, I guess the only thing to do is keep moving. Went over Cold Mountain today with an elevation of 4,022' and have been humping up and down at elevations of 3,000' to 4,000+. I am in the Blue Ridge Mts and as such have not had much service and not much contact with anyone. (Looking forward to having Bull and Pam join me next week) That will change today since I will be staying at a hostel. I am staying at the Dutch Haus which caters to hikers and has all the amenities a hiker could need like food and laundry. This is a beautiful post and beam home and I have my own room. The innkeepers are very nice people and offered to make us dinner. Spruce and I picked up some hot dogs and they made them up for us. I took a shower as soon as I got here and when I looked in the full length mirror I was surprised at how small I have gotten. Tomorrows plan is to have an early breakfast here and smart packing 25 miles after being dropped at the trail. Will return here tomorrow night and have a nice dinner and spend the night. That leaves an 18 into Waynesboro. Most likely will take a zero in Waynesboro and stay in a hotel. lata Southside
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Fish Hatchery Road, Montebello,VA

To: Dutch Haus
Miles today: 25.0

Slack packed today from the Dutch Haus. Got up and had a good breakfast and then got a ride to the trail head. Lois and Earl offer a great place to stay that is very affordable for hikers (anyone for that matter). For $25 you get a room and breakfast along with laundry and good company. An additional $12.00 includes your dinner. Had dinner the second night which was really good. Baked chicken and fixings and a peanut butter pie dessert. Don't have to tell you that I loaded up the last two days. Had a great two nights there and am ready to get moving in the morning. lata Southside
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Dutch Haus

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Hiking with CK (cowboy killer), Strides and Spruce. Feeling like the grandpa out here but am meeting some really nice young guys! We hiked into town and then got a lift to a friend of CK's. CK hooked us up with a place to stay and dinner for the night. CK is 20 yrs old and is taking a semester off from school to do the trail. I loaded up on a meal of lasagna, steak, salad and pecan pie. Thank you! It probable seems like I am always talking about the food that I eat. Well, after a while you really look forward to a good meal afer eating freeze dried food, and energy bars. You really appreciate it when someone puts a spread out for you. Think about it and how much you take for granted when you are at home. Being out here up close and personal is truly an experience. Nature has a lot to offer in its beauty and serenity but it also holds a lot of surprises. It can be dusty, flat, rolling, wet, cold and hot all in the same day. Today nature brought us heavy thunderstorms in the late afternoon so it was a good thing that CK got us off the trail. Both "The General" and "Squire" contacted me today. As luck would have it General is in Waynesboro. He has a broken leg (stress fracture) and was off the trail for a few days but says that since he isn't bleeding and the bone is not sticking out he is moving on. General is hiking southbound back to Damascus to be there for trail days. He hitched ahead a couple of weeks ago and is covering this part of the trail moving south. I plan to meet up with him in the morning for coffee. Squire is back on the trail from his break to go home and take care of some business. His business took a little longer than expected so he for sure won't catch me. I have been piling on the miles and am too far ahead of him now. We plan to keep in touch. I have met some great people out here. If it weren't for that and the trail angels, it would get pretty boring out here. lata. Southside
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up at six am, ate home made blueberry pancakes with bacon and the got a ride back into Waynesboro. When we got there we met up with The General for coffee and caught up on some news. He has a leg fracture and is still hiking on it! He is amazing!! We parted company about 10:45 got back to the trail and started hiking around 11:20. You can sure tell that your in the Shenandoah National Park because the trail is wonderful! So far it's been flat with only some small puds and no rocks. Arrived at shelter at 6:30.. Nice day!
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Blackrock Hut Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: moderate rain

Started hikingat 7:15 and it started raining around 7:30 by 9:30 i was soaked to the bone. not only by the rain but also by sweat. to make matters worse all my other clothes were already wet!! I knew there was a campground with hot showers and a washer&dryer coming up, so i walked the eight miles to it only to find it doesn't open until May! I was so cold I talked to one of the employees and he told me the Wayside resturant might be able to help me, so i walked the extra mile. When i arrived a great guy named Wayne let me use the dryer, so while my clothes were drying I had a burger, fries, and a blackberry shake. At 12:20 I suited back up and continued to hike in the rain. A special thanks to Wayne and his partners. Got to the shelter around 2:20 and decided to call it a day. I needed a break!! Met a bunch of new people at the shelter. Stovey, Bad Humus, and a couple named Energizer Turtle and Yeti.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Big Meadows campground and Lodge
Miles today: 28.6
Weather: broken clouds

Up at dawn and left the shelter at 6:15. By 630 the rain started up again! I did the first 9 miles in under 3hrs, guess the rain motivated me. I saw at least 6-8 deer and they showed no fear at all. Got to hightop hut just as rain stopped the sun came out. I took off my wet clothes and rain gear and changed into dry ones. Was back hiking by 9:15. One nice thing about being in the Shenandoah's is the that the trails are in great shape and you feel like you are flying! The sun is out but it came with scattered flurries and a cold west wind! My right foot has been bothering me the last couple days, but the first half today it felt pretty good. Made it to Lewis mtn campground at one and talked to a forest ranger for a bit. I then decided to head out to Big Meadows about eight miles away. I hit the trail again by 130 and was at the lodge by 430. By the end of the day my foot was pretty sore. I pulled off my boot and noticed a bruise and swelling on the outside. I did my laundry, ate and made a lot of phone calls. I think i may head home with Jerry and Carol. I can have my foot checked, rest for a couple of days and if everything is ok head back to the trail Saturday with Chad and Pam.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Big Meadows campground and Lodge

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took my first zero day in 51 so that I could hitch into town and meet my friend Jerry who would give me a lift back to East Greenwich. Started the day by leaving the campground and hitching a ride with Travis Moyers a guy that was nice enough to offer me a ride half way. When we arrived at his job site they were not quite ready for him so he gave me a ride all the way into Front Royal which was an additional 30 miles from where he had to work. Just one more nice person that went out of their way to help someone that they just met.Jerry picked me up at 2:00 and we made the drive home in about 8 hours. Talked all the way about every thing and any thing but mostly about the trail. Looking forward to a good nights sleep in my own bed and will spend time tomorrow getting my foot x-rayed and diagnosed. If everything checks out okay, I will be back on the trail on Sunday morning. Jerry and his wife Carol are heading to the Cape to get their home ready for summer renters.