morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Stealth Camp outside Hot Springs

To: Hemlock Hollow Hostel (Log Cabin Rd.)
Miles today: 15.4

Got going at a normal time this morning, but soon my legs felt sluggish. I think they wanted to go back to the spa. I made it to Spring MTn shelter in reasonable time for lunch, and got water, took off my boots and socks (as is usual), and chatted with Biff, a southbouder, for a while. Shortly after I left the shelter, I ran into Sanford heading south. This was a surprise as I haven't seen him since Blood MTn., and didn't expect to see him again. We chatted for a while and I met his friend Penny. Almost immediately after leaving Sanford I felt what seems to be a shin splint in my left shin. Probably due to ovecompensating on the downhils for the gimpy right knee. THis is pretty common I guess. Ouch though! It didn't feel good at all. It made me move more slowly on a day that was already somewhat slow. THen, when it started to rain, I decided to look for some option where I could get out of the rain. I ended up at the only option, Hemlock Hollow Hostel. Because I was out ahead of everyone that took zero days in HOt Springs, I was the only hiker there. For $18 I had a bunkhouse to myself with heater and a mini TV that got one channel. They also had nfrozen food items that I normally would have sneered at, but now seemed somehow totally acceptable, like Red Baron mini pizzas and hot pockets. I also got a microwave popcorn from the hiker box (box that other hikers leave things in for people the next hikers to dig through and take if they want - these are usually found at all hostels and outfitter shops). One highlight for the day was seeing what I believe to be a juvenile copperhead snake. Gey pattern instead of copper colored. Can anyone verify that?
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Hemlock Hollow Hostel (Log Cabin Rd.)

To: Stealth Camp by NC 212 road
Miles today: 18.0

It was still raining this morning, but got back onthe trail. According to the weather last night, Sunday looks to be BAD rain. My shin felt a bit better, sothat was good. I saw another hooded warbler today.   Very pretty bird with striking yellow and black color combo. I met Grits, Mas, Mike (another Aussie), and John. Climbed a really neat rock scramble over Firescald Knob, and saw Shelton Graves (a site where 2 NC guys who fought for the North in the Civil War were ambushed and killed by Confederate soldiers ontheir way home). Also saw Big Butt, a really big rock on a peak that truly looked like a big butt. Pretty funny actually. TOday I crossed the 300 mile mark! And I saw a ruffed grouse, and a Peregrine falcon. I've been in the Cherokee National Forest since leaving Hot Springs. Lovely!
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Stealth Camp by NC 212 road

To: Bald Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.6

Today was a great day! Got up in my tent after a night of rain. The tent dried quickly though. Then, 0.5 miles into the hike, I hit TRAIL MAGIC! Boy Scout Troop 237 from Johnson City, TN was set up at Devils Fork Gap serving biscuits, tacos, and tea! Yum, it sounds weird for breakfast, but it was GOOD. GO Boy Scouts! The day was spent hopscotch hiking with Crest, Mas, Jogle, and Vegas. Alll good companions. I also saw another new bird for me, a rose-breasted grosbeak! Yay! Kept going and found trail magic #2, a box with hot coffee, cookies, and carrots, set out for hikers on the way up to Big Bald. There was also water. This powered allof us up to Big Beald where we had a great 360 view, and a good coversation. These are good people to hike with. Spent the night in Big Bald Shelter. There I also met Kick-it and her parnter, Cast-Away. Fed-Ex showed up later. But, now the shin and knee are taking turns barking at me. Tomorrow we will all head to Erwin, TN for a night in Uncle Johnny's hostel.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Bald Mtn Shelter

To: Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

It rained last night and was very windy. We all slept well in the shelter, but were loathe to get up due to the damp chillyness. When I finally got up, I hiked with Crest and Jogle. Vegas and Kickit and Cast-Away had already left. My shin was VERY painful today. After lunch it was barking loudly on every step. A shin splint on a long downhill hike is no fun. But, I also had some really good conversations with Jogle. He told me about the movie "Touching the Void" which it sounds like we all should see at one point or another. We were talking and hiking down to thte Nohilucky River, and Erwin, TN, so the talk made the slow hike less bothersome. We got to Uncle Johnny's hostel at about 5pm. Enou8gh time to shower and get bunks, and then got a shuttle ride from Johnny's wife to a strip mall in town that had everything we needed: Dollar General, Rite Aid, grocery store, and MEXICAN RESTAURANT, which Vegas and I had both been craving. YUMMMM! The restaurant also gave Fed-Ex and I bags of ice which we both used to ice out shins while packing our next set of food bags. Not sure what I will be doing tomorrow due to the shin. Pretty much limping now. I also met Rainbow (who is inspiring in a way as she is hiking with a broken foot), as well at threee guys from NH: Hopt Flashes, Smiles Davis, and Bean Poisoning.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a very slow start this morning. Jogle and Vages left with grand plans of hiking into Trail Days (a big hiking festival in Damascus, VA)on Saturday mid-day. I wasn't sure what to do with the shin issue so I said farewell. This was a slightly sad moment for me as I particularly enjoyed these two guys. They have good energy, and Jogle is just funny to talk to. However, I did fianlly leave the hostel at 10:30, and just decided to walk VERY SLOWLY. I was moving about 1 mile per hour, walking as if I was escorting Grandma Margaret in her walker. This seemed to work. Also, I had taped my shin which helped too. I keept moving and was rewarded by seeing about 15 more red-spotted newts, and Little Brown Jugs (Hexastylis arifolia) in flower. I had been looking for this bloom, and felt very happy to have seen it (pictures coming when I get access to a photo-friendly computer). As I was creeping along with my head off in space, I got the heck scared out of me by Bean Poisoning (who I have now named "Stealth Mode"). I also got to walk through a prescibed burn for a long time. That was a nice nostalgic feeling for me. The Cherokee National Forest seems to be doing alot of burns.
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

This morning at Cherry Gap Shelter a Ruby-throated hummingbird flew up to my water bag and was lookig for nectar (it's a red bag). Cotton (a pilot for Northwestern who I met at the shelter last night)got a really close view. I got a slow start after wrapping my shin, and washing my socks, but hit the trail again. The NH guys were eating breakfast and listening to NPR, so we got a little news update. It was slow hiking today, but nice weather (which was the prediction when we left Erwin, today was supposed to be the only good day. Shortly after getting startesd I saw 2 blue headed vireos feeding their young at a nest, and while i paused to watch them, I also saw a hawk (not sure of the species) stalking a rose-breasted grosbeak from limb to limb nearby. It was a great moment. Another bonus of the slow hiking these past 2 days, I saw Wild ginger blooming (the root is edible and homeopathic). Today had a lot of climbing, and I was back and forth between TN and NC a lot. This meant moving between the Cherokee National Forest and the Pisgah National Forest. The last climb was a very long one, from Hughes Gap at 4,040 ft to Roan Mtn at 6,275 ft. At the top of Raon Mtn there used to be a hotel, the Cloudland hotel, popular in the 1800's. It is almost entirely gone now. Also at the top of the Mtn is the highest shelter on the AT, and the most consistently cold shelter, Roan High Knob Shelter. I had this shelter to myself tonight. It was unique in having 4 walls (vs the usual 3), and windows and a door, all with latch hooks. So I was able to latch them all up and lock myself in for the night. I also picked wild ramps (which the guys at Blackwater had told me about before) and cut them up to add to my instant mashed potato/tuna dinner. Good! Another creature comfort, a "Hobo bath" in the restroom at the parking lot for visitors to the mtn. I was surprised that the NH guys didn't show up though. I guess no-one else wanted to climb up.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Hemlock Hollow Hostel (Log Cabin Rd.)

To: Mtn Harbor Hostel, US 19E
Miles today: 15.5

Today was my last official day of employment with DOF. One more chapter ended (I was allowed to use up 30 days of leave time before actual resignation). Last night was a cold night. It makes me think of the fire warden that used to live in what is now the shelter. It must have been a cold life at times. My solo night up here just got a HUGE reward. While I was sitting outside, three birds did a close fly-by. They were small and grey with the most incredible, brilliant markings on their heads. Stripes of a almost flourescent golden yellow. Imaging the colors of a flourescent yellow highjlighter and a flourescent orange highlighter mixed together on the head of a bird. It was one of those moments that are so brilliant and clear in nature that I almost thought I was hallucinating. This especially seems to happen with colors on birds. Unbelievable, and very special. They were golden-crowned kinglets, and I doubt that any picture or photo in a book could ever do justice to the stiking beauty of what I saw. I doubt I ever would have seen this diminutive species if I hadn't been in that place at that moment. Such confirmation that I have made the right choice in resigning from DOF when I was not granted a leave of absence! Today i also crossed the TN NC state line. Essentially I've been walking the state line for a while, but now I'm heading north, and will just be in TN. I also climbed over Yellow Mtn, and saw the Overmtn shelter and Overmtn Trail, where mountain men travelled to help defeat British loyalists in the fight for national independence, the Revolutionary War. I also climbed Hump Mtn, and the Big Hump Mtn, crosse3d Doll Flats (the actual state line), reached Hwy 19 E, and went to the Mtn Harbor hostel. This was a truly lovely place. A Bed and Breakfast with a hikler hostel over the barn. The hostel slept 5, and had real mattresses, a lovely, well-stocked shower, and tons of videos. There were several guys here: Buck, Rodeo, Space Cowboy, Road Rash, Hollywood, Dances with Sloths, and: Needles (from my first few days on the trail). They are all hitching to Damascus for Trail Days. We watched several older movies: City Slickers, Jurassic Park, Happy Gilmore, (I didn't choose them, but did enjoy their mindlessness). I also had pizza. I saw Eastern bluebirds, song sparrows, and barn swallows today. I think I saw a common yellowthroat as well. A super day overall! This hostel is highly recommended.
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Mtn Harbor Hostel, US 19E

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up after a GREAT night's sleep in the hostel. Had a bed in the loft, quilts, real pillow, YAY! I giot another shower, ate leftover pizza for breakfast, and packed the last 2 pieces to take for dinner at the shelter tonight. That's getting everything you ccan get out of a pizza pie! I saw part of "The Replacements" with the guys before I left, but then headed out. I had a nice morning walk in the humidity and dew. I got to walk along the Elk River for a while which was very scenic. I saw evidence of eminent domain everywhere. Old fences and property lines, this was an area where a lot of land was claimed by the government. I crossed the 400 mile mark toady! These hundreds are coming more quickly now. Got to the shelter at 7:00 and Cotton showed up at 8. Had mice run through my hair while trying to sleep.
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: light rain

Last night I had mice running through my hair. Cotton had them all in his belongings. Lovely. Know I know my hair is getting a bit wild at moments (despite my best eforts), but i didn't think i had truly reached the "rat's nest" stage. Actually, they probably ran through my hair because my head was right near the wall of the shelter, and they travel the walls. This morning was great. Chilly, but Cotton set me up with a gourmet trail breakfast. He's getting off the trail today, and had an extra breakfast set-up, so he provided me with his special homemwade oatemeal mix (oatmeal with walnuts, almonds, cinnamon, and brown sugar....Yummmmm), and straight from Dusseldorf, instant cappucino! Cotton is an international pilot, so he gets these cappucino packtes in the Dusseldorf hotels when he has flights there, and saves them for his section hikes. Much nicer than the typical tea bags, or balnd coffee we get in hotels here in the USA. We said farewell at 9:30 when I hit the trail, feeling great after the delicious gift. It was truly beautiful day today. I hiked through blooming rhododendrons along Laurel Fork, and climbed slowly down to Laurel Fork Falls, a large waterfall. I had lunch there by the falls. Then the trail followed Laurel fork for a while which was lovely, and level. However, the last big climg before Damascus came soon....Pond Flats. I saw spotted little brown jugs today, and Hooray, I completed the "triple crown of Dicentra" with a sighting of bleeding hearts in bloom. That makes all three Dicentra species in my wildflower guide! It was a long day of hiking though. The last 4.4 miles to Vandeventer shelter were just LOOONNNG and painful (shin pain still). I was racing the dark by the end, and it was foggy and drizzly. By the last 2 miles I was repeating a few lines from a Dave Matthews Band song that has a reprise which says "suck it up, suck it up, suck it up, yeah baby" Kept telling myself that OVER and OVER, and I finally got there at about 9:00. It was nearly full dark, but I could see one spot in the shelter, so I tossed my sleeping pad in, got into my sleeping clothes (essentially long underwear and fleece socks), ate the last of my chunk of pepper jack cheese, and a granola bar for breakfast, hung my food bag in a tree and went to bed. (I would have liked to have had a hot dinner, but didn't have any water left, and couldn't see where the source was. Everyone else was asleep already. Glad I made it to the shelter! I could have stopped sooner, but just didn't want to tent it if I didn't have to.   It was a long, cold night.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 33.5
Weather: clear sky

I awoke with the pack at 6:30,and saw a friendly face next to me, Sherpa Dan. Hadn't seen him for a few days. We also shared the shelter with 4 recent graduates from the University of Mississippi who were out for a post-graduation hike. They were sharing 3 sleeping bags due to one of their bags getting soaked the night before. Sherpa Dan and I both decided to shoot for Abingdon gap shelter,close to 23 mile away. Seemed like a long goal after yesterday, but I was up for it. Before starting, I had to get water though as i had none from the night before. Had to backtrack 0.1 miles down the trail and then travel 0.3 down a steep side trail to get to the water. Then of course, back up the hill and back to the shelter.   An extra 0.8 miles, but water is critical. When I got to the first shelter, I decided to turn on my mp3 player for the first time on this hike, and it gave me POWER! Dave Matthews Band, the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and Talking Heads let me move fast and strong. Didn't notice much shin pain at all, but the leg was starting to itch under the tape.... I met two women hikers, Rock-a-mini, and Aqua. Both from Lake County, FL. I hiked through some beautiful meadows, and past the monumemnt to hermit Nick Grindstaff. When I reached Low Gap/US 421 at 4:30, a new plan was starting to form.....Hike to the TN/VA state line, or got to Damascus. That's what good music can do for you! I got to Abingdon Gap shelter at 6pm, and knew I was going to try for Damascus. Got to the TN/VA state line at 8pm, and pulled out my head lamp to prepare for the coming dark. Turned on the headlamp at 8:40, and reached Damascus at 9:15! 33.5 miles! 33.5 miles! YESSSS!   By far my longest day, and it was fantastic! On the descent to Damascus I could hear the bands playing and people celebrating. The last big night of Trail Days!   Not the late sunday afternoon arrival I thought might happen, but Saturday night! Then, the best thing of all happened. Within 45 seconds of hitting pavement in town, a guy called out to me "Hey, do you want a beer?" I of course said "YES!" He was one of the vendors set up for the festival, the PRINCE of Trail Magic, named Josh Leventhal. Josh and his friends with "HikeTheMountains.com" invited me into their camp, gave me beer, a chair with a foot stool, a delicious dinner, let me sleep in one of their tents (a tarp designed by Ray Jardine and sewn by Cathy), walked me over to "tent city" where most of the hikers were set up and a huge bonfire was going. We saw fire eaters, and folks dancing around the fire with a drum circle. Then Josh and his brother and friends walked me balk to their camp. We went downtown and i saw whee I could ger free shower in the morning, and then I went to sleep. Ohhhh soooo wonderful! What a welcome into town for a weary hiker! It was TRUE MAGIC, kindness from strangers, now friends.
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Damascus, VA

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

I awoke at 7:00 after a sound sleep in the tarp. Bleary eyed, but feeeling happy, I got my stuff together and went down to get a shower at the First baptist Church in downtown. They had set up many things for hikers which I missed on the preceding days, but I did get to benefit from the showers! Then I came back to The HikeTheMountains.com camp and one more time, Josh walked me over to tent city so i could get my Leki hiking poles serviced by the Leki dealer (for free). Excellent! Saw DahWahHeh there, and Bruce, and Bear, John, and some others. I also saw Grouch that morning at "The Place" a hostel in Damascus. Then Josh and I and another guy (Rob?) went back to HikeTheMountains.com camp, and had breakfast. HikeTheMountains.com is a guided hiking business run by Jim Lumpkins, a man who is making a lifestyle around hiking, and is right now preparing to summit Mt. Olympus as part of the Summit for Someone program. In doing so, he raises money to help fund a program called Big City Mountaineers, that brings at-risk-youth into the wilderness. (www.BenefitClimb.com). Jim and Cathy really were a major part of the Trail Magic I expereinced with Josh. Cathy cooked breakfast and Dinner, and Jim really welcomed me and told me some very interesting things. Excellent people! I received a care package from aptti at DPI (thanks Patti!), and checked into the hostel at the Mount Rogers Outfitters! Then I did laundry, shopping, wandered around the remains of the trail Days festival, and recovered from yeasterday. A Great Zero Day in Damascus!
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Damascus, VA

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

Spent my second zero day hee in Damascus. Resting up, wandering around, meeting new hikers and reuniting with others I've seen before. This really is a lovely little town, and very welcoming to hikers. Feeeling tired but good. This is a good place to recuperate for a few days.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Damascus, VA

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

This is my fourth and last zero day in Damascus. Will hit the trail again tomorrow. SPent some time with Rock-a-mini, Aqua (thanks for the help ladies!), and Y2K. Saw Samson, Campfire, Jogle, Becca (another woman hiker in her 30s, YAY!), and some others. The folks at Mt. Rogers Outfitters have been very helpful. If anyone sent me anything to Mt Rogers Outfitters (except Patti), please let me know so I know to have it forwarded. It hasn't arrived before today.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.4

Had a good morning getting packed and hanging out w/Hawk & Hummingbird and later: Jogle, Mas, Becca, and Animal. Had another frappacino at the delicious coffee house MoJoes. Then headed out. The AT followed, then paralleled the Virginia Creeper Trail for a while. Went through blooming rhododendrons, still along the river for awhile, eventually going uphill. Saw Dutchman's Pipe blooming and a pipevine swallowtail ovipositing on the Dutchman's Pipe. Also saw more Little Brown Jugs blooming. Got to shelter around 5 pm. Ate marshmallows on ginger snaps.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Awoke @ 6:30 and began the usual daily operations. Hit the trail and got to walk along the Virginia Creeper Trail for a little while, crossing one suspension bridge. Ate lunch at Last Mtn. Shleter with Mas, Campfire, Samson and The Animal. We were wondering if Becca & Jogle had gone the wrong way. Then began the long, slow climb up to Buzzard Rock. Saw 2 indigo buntings in a field, then saw speckled wood lily and rose frosted stalk blooming. We climbed up to the summit of Mt. Rogers, the highest point in VA!
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Mt. Rogers

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 21.2

Awoke to rain this morning and stayed in my sleeping bag for about an hour. Got up and saw a bird in the shrubs. Yellow cap, black eyestripe, white chest, rust/brown stripe just below wing on side, some yellow on wings over a black and while pattern. Maybe chestnut sided warbler. Aso saw wild poinies. One came up to the shelter. Had an awesome day overall. Hiked through Grayson Highlands State park and saw more ponies Spent the day hiking with Becca, Jogle, Mas, The Animal, Campfire, , Samson and Goat. Wanted to get closer to Partnership Shelter for pizza and couldn't find a campsite after Hurricane Mtn. Shelter. Found an OK spot. Hope the food bag makes it intact. Also hiked in the Jefferson National Forest.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Mt. Rogers NRA Hdqtrs
Miles today: 14.6

Awoke with the knowledge that today is PIZZA DAY! Food bag was intact. Got up and hit the trail around 8:45 with Samson. According to Campfire we walked right over a copperhead. Didn't see it though. Samson & I made it to Trompi Shelter in good time. Spent about an hour there eating & hanging out. Saw another hummingbird, maybe a female ruby throat. Felt sluggish after lunch, but got to the bridge over the Holston River pretty quickly. Saw an Adam & Eve orchid on the side of the trail. Also saw a raptor nest, but no raptors. We all had a swim in the river (including Samson's camera). Felt soo good. After the river, the hike was very long seeming, but I did see 2 black racers mating and the male was an excellent specimen. 3 1/2 feet long and came right at me. We finally got to the Partnership Shleter around 4:30. Gorged ourseleves on pizza, soda, and cheesy bacon fries. Campfire almost ate a 16" pizza (one slice short). Sleeping with the food bag in the tent tonight. Will see how that goes.