morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Mt. Wilcox South Lean - To

To: I 90 MA
Miles today: 17.0

                                       My goal was to be able to get back out there and hike the trail again. Whether it was for one day, one mile or the rest of the trail, it didnt matter. When I talked to my doctors they all said I should give it a go. And that was before surgery, after surgery it was up to me how much or how long I could go. So on March 12th I started out from Harpers Ferry. More than a few people thought I was crazy and maybe I was. The day came and on I went.                                       Some days were tough physically and mentally. I still had a weight limit that I held fast to. But the aerobic excercise was controllable and with the meds, I take it would be a great way to rehab my heart. So I approached each day and every mile as my own personal gym. Every day was a new challenge with small and large UPS and DOWNS.                                        There was nothing that the trail did not have in store for me; Rocks, Heat, Cold, Rain, Straight ups and slick downs. But for the most part I was having a blast. I met so many people that helped me just like the other two years, but for some reason it was more special this time. Getting off the trail and spending time with you was a great way to rejuvenate my body. I even had a trail angel that followed me on trail journals and found me and brought me trail magic, Thanks Socks. My freinds Carol & Jere, Ron, Marie & Charlie, Paula,and Gina all thanks for the rides and hostel stays. Thank you all for your love and support.                                       There are so many more people who touched me Tina the podiatrist who gave me a ride to town and advised me on my feet. The baseball scout (the only one on the road] who drove me to the hotel just beating the rain and the young man who picked me up the next day and drove me back up the mountain, then left me with a prayer. When I think back on each encounter they seem like more than nice gestures. Combined they are the perfect medicine for healing my heart.                                       Most important is the love and support from my family; my wife Pam, sons Chad and Chris. If you stood any closer behind me I would have had to put you in my back pack. And to all that wrote to me and called me Thank You. And Torch thanks for the trail name. I know that there is someone that I left out "but i thank you too."                                          My hike is not over, I will be back this year for some more miles. I would love to get Vermont done. and then next year I will do the last two. Maybe with someone? Only 619 miles left. Love to all..... LATA...........................Southside
Date: 2010-09-27
To: Pre-hike Planning
Miles today: 0.0

This will be a busy week of preparation and planning. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the trail. Weather is shaping up to be nice. Let's hope it stays that way. For now, Derek will be joining me for the first three days of hiking. Janson will meet us in Damascus and spend four days with me. Should be fun. Thanks for checking in!-Josh
Date: 2010-09-30
To: Pre-hike Planning
Miles today: 0.0

Today I learned that Derek will not be joining me on the trip so for the first three days I'll be solo. Although I'm sad Derek won't be able to go, I'm excited about the idea of hiking solo. The last time I hiked solo was in college and let's just say, I learned A LOT of lessons. It's a totally different game! Here's a summary of my trip plan as of 09/29.Section 1 (Oct. 4-6)- I'll be starting at Dennis Cove Rd (near Hampton,TN and will hike North along the AT.   - My destination for this section will be Damascus,VA which is a small but popular trail town. I'll stay overnight and Janson will join me here. Section 2 (Oct. 7-10)- Janson and I plan to leave town early Thursday morning and continue North along the AT- Our destination for this section will be either Partnership Shelter or Mt Roger's Headquarters where Janson will catch a ride back to Knoxville and I will take on supplies delivered by the in laws. (Hopefully I'll get a hug from my beautiful wife also!)Section 3 (Oct. 11-15)- After leaving Janson I'll once again be hiking solo. I plan to resupply in Pearisburg,VA which will be my destination for this section. I plan to stay overnight and hit the trail after again the next day. Section 4 (Oct. 16-20)- Leaving Pearisburg, I'll head North for the final section of my trip. I'm not exactly sure of the destination for this section but my plan is to keep moving through Wednesday morning. Hopefully I'll still be healthy by this time. If you haven't been able to tell...I'm pretty excited about this trip! I'm well aware that plans change but my current strategy is to push myself and cover as much distance as I can while enjoying the fall colors and time outdoors. My overall goal is to break 300 miles! Seasoned hikers obviously do this frequently but this will be a new personal record. Hopefully I'll be able to update the journal periodically during the hike, so I look forward to your comments, questions and encouragement!I'll try to add a few more entries before the trip so let me know if you have any questions. Happy Trails,Josh
Date: 2010-10-05
To: Pre-hike Planning
Miles today: 0.0

Pre-Hike UPDATE:Well I ended up needing to finish some things around the house so I've pushed my trip out a couple of days. I'll be leaving for Knoxville tomorrow morning (Wednesday). Obviously this changes my previous schedule a bit but no worries. I plan to meet up with Janson around lunch and head for the hills. The local news ran a weather story tonight showing snow on Clingman's Dome so I've decided to pack a little warmer than previously intended. No big threat of rain though so that's a plus. Ashton's been a huge help in putting the final touches on my preparation. I can't wait to get started. Thanks to everyone for your calls and well wishes so far. I look forward to hearing from you through the TJ's guest book. I plan to do a lot of thinking and praying while gone so if you have any special prayer requests please let me know. Thanks again,Josh
Date: 2010-10-06
From: Carver's Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

We left Knoxville a little before 3pm. Two hours later than I'd hoped but on our way nonetheless. After a nice drive through east TN and a quick stop at Subway for tonights meal we finally made it to Roan Mnt State Park. What a beautiful and well kept SP. We'll have to make a point to come back sometime. On our way to trailhead we saw several deer but passed very few cars. Ms Kathy dropped Janson and I off at Carvers Gap around 6:20. The temperature had dropped at least 30 degrees from the time we left Knoxville. Our thermometer said 40 but the windchill had to put it into the 30s. It was gusting pretty hard. We pushed up over Jane's Bald where we witnessed an amazing sunset and saw one local college student who was out dayhiking. The rest of our hike would be in the dark but the stars were gorgeous. We've seen no other hikers and are hold up at Overmountain Shelter for the night. This shelter is an old barn that's been renovated. It has two levels with several areas for sleeping. Our sunrise view looks pretty promising so hopefully it will be a good one. Thanks for your comments and prayers thus far. Wish us luck! -Josh
Date: 2010-10-07
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Today started off with an amazing sunrise! The wind blew hard all night with no end in sight so we cooked breakfast from our sleeping bags. I could tell already that today would be a warmer day. After a fairly late start (8:30) we headed on our way. With winds gushing we climbed both Hump Mnt and Little Hump Mnt. The views were amazing but it was chilly on top. Dropping off the bald we headed through some open pasture and saw some long horned cattle relaxing in the sun. Pretty cool. Later down the trail we passed three backpackers from Nashville headed south. Very friendly guys. Janson and I had a couple of strenuous hill climbs today but stopped for lunch under a massive tree. We also sampled some apples from a tree along side the trail. Shortly before reaching our destination we decided to jump in the creek for a quick bath. This was a chilling experience but much needed. Tonight we're bedded down at Mountaineer Shelter with Stump. He's a southbound thru hiker headed for Springer. We certainly don't have the views from last night but its a place to rest for sure. -Josh
Date: 2010-10-08
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Wautauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: clear sky

Slept well last night. Mountaineer is a cool shelter and worth checking out. Got started around 7:30 with a quick breakfast shake. We broke camp much quicker knowing we had 26 miles ahead of us. We made good time for the first 10 miles which put us at Moreland Gap Shelter. We stopped briefly to rest the feet and grab a snack. (The shelter shovel is a nice addition and came in handy) Shortly after getting started we passed several SOBO hikers. First there was Kevin and his dog Morgan. Very friendly. Then we ran into "Queso" & "Guacemole" (sp?) who were also very friendly. We swapped trail info and were on our way. We made it to Laurel Fork Falls and stopped for lunch. We've been having issues with the water filter so it took us longer than normal to pump water. The falls were beautiful and refreshing though. Many dayhikers came by during this time. The rest of our hike can only be described as rocky and strenuous. By the time we reached the other side of Pond Mountain it was dark and our feet were sore. As we crossed the road I noticed a light and decided to investigate. It was a picnic pavilion right on the lake with lights and restrooms. Awesome! With only 1.5 miles left on our day we decided to hang out for a while. We cleaned up as best we could and washed a few clothes. With unlimited clean water we decide cook supper and had some tea as well. Finally we pulled our packs back on and headed for the shelter. It was pitch dark by this time so moving by headlamp through the woods took more time. Eventually we made it to Wautauga Lake Shelter and found it empty. It was very late and we had been concerned about waking already resting hikers so this was great news. It's a bit warmer than last night but I'm sure neither of us will have a problem sleeping tonight. What a crazy day! -Josh
Date: 2010-10-10
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

We set the alarm for 6:15 this morning and were up by 6:30 packing ourthings for a quick departure. We had breakfast shakes this morning in lieuof oatmeal to speed up the process. The sun seemed to be much slower atshowing it's face this morning but regardless we were headed for Damascusand more importantly FOOD! Throughout the day food was a popular topic. Thisseems to be the case with most of our backpacking trips lately. Trail foodis no replacement for the comfort foods of home. Hamburgers, pizza andchicken strips seem to be popular items. The fish stories abound when itcomes to how much one can consume. This type of conversation tends to maskthe more monotonous sections of the trail though. Highlights of the dayincluded beautiful weather, minimal elevation change and the increasinglycolorful foliage that surrounded us. We passed several hikers and even a fewhunters today but with town on our minds we engaged in very few extendedconversations. It seems like most hikers were asking about water sources.Janson and I had filled up the night before and were thankful for havingdone so. Around 1pm we crossed the TN/VA state line and a quick phone callplaced Ashton and the in laws within 30 mins of Damascus. The rest of ourhike was down hill and then through town. The local park marks the end ofthe famous Virginia Creeper trail passes right through Damascus so this townis hopping with cyclist. By the time we met up with Ashton she had alreadychecked me into a B&B. AWESOME! After a shower and quick sorting of the gearwe walked to the local pizza joint and promptly stuffed our face aspromised. The food was great but familiar faces and conversation wereuplifting. It was great to see the wife and family but it also means Jansonwill be headed home. The caretaker of the B&B washed my clothes while wewere at supper (brave soul) so tonight I'm laying on a real bed watchingfootball and updating journals. Quite a change from the previous evenings. Iplan to sleep a little later tomorrow but hope to be back on the trail by10. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers and postings. -Josh
Date: 2010-10-11
From: Campsite near VA-601

To: Campsite Near VA601
Miles today: 18.1

This morning I woke up to the smell of bacon coming from downstairs. What a start! Breakfast was served at 8am and we had breakfast casserole with salsa, bacon, fruit, potatoes, pumpkin bread, coffee and orange juice. There were 3 other couples staying in the house. I sat with the older couple from NC and had a great conversation. After breakfast I finished packing my stuff and headed for the outfitter which opened at 9. After picking up a new cartridge for my water filter and some camp soap I was on my way. I walked out of town about 9:30 and was back in the woods by 10. I knew today would be a late start. The leaves are starting to change so the colors are amazing. I saw a lot of people today. This was mainly due to the fact that this section of the AT intersects part of the Virginia Creeper Trail. The weather was great so people were out in force to ride their bikes. I made it to Lost Mnt Shelter (where I had planned to stay) by 3:30 and decided to push on a little further. I'm camped tonight on the edge of a rolling cow pasture. I was able to set up camp and cook supper before the sun went down which was a treat.
Date: 2010-10-12
From: Campsite Near VA601

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I got a fairly early start this morning despite not sleeping very well. The first climb of the day was a steep one. I moved very slow because it was also rocky. The early morning views from the top were awesome. By lunchtime I had made it to Greyson Highlands State Park. I climbed several fences and was nor into pony country. GHSP is known for its "wild" ponies. I saw four together along the trail and walked right up to them. I shared my apple and petted them for 5 or 10 mins. Not so wild after all. I tried to convince them to carry my pack but they would have nothing of it. I saw tons of day hikers and backpackers in this area. On the north side of GHSP I ran into an older couple by the names of "Pop" & "Gweemy" (sp?). After a brief conversation they delivered some trail magic in the form of a goody bag. Mine had an apple, peanut butter crackers, stickers and a hard boiled egg. How cool? Very nice of them. The leaves continue to impress. I walked through some areas today that had totally peaked. I made it to Old Orchard Shelter around 5:30 and decided not to push on for the next shelter (5 miles). My shin/ankle has been giving me fits today. Not sure if its a sprain or just the rocky nature of the trail I've been on today. Hopefully some rest will help. Clouds have rolled in this evening and the wind has picked. I know there's a chance of rain tomorrow but hopefully I'll stay dry.
Date: 2010-10-14
From: Partnership Shelter

To: VA I-81
Miles today: 11.5

The rain started last night around midnight but it made for an amazing night's rest. With the rain came a drop in temperature but I stayed nice and toasty on the upper floor on the shelter. I finally rolled out of bed around 7:30 and started packing my things. We snapped a quick group photo but the rain was still coming down when I left the shelter for the nearby visitor's center. I picked up a tree & flower pocket guide and took advantage of the heated restrooms before starting my hike. With jacket and pack cover in place I was on my way. The rain was coming down harder than ever and the wind added a chill that made hiking less than fun. The trail was incredibly slick so hiking was a bit slow. My shankle continues to hurt but I was focused on finishing today's hike and icing it this evening. I was hopeful that would resolve my issues. Our group started to break up as we hit the uphills and the rain continued for at least 2 hours. Somewhere around lunchtime the sun poked through and the remainder of the hike was gorgeous. I caught up with Bill (who had left earlier than the rest of us) around 12 and finished the hike with him. We met only one group of hikers today. Two young SOBO thru hikers headed for Springer. I'm sure the rain kept most sane people out of the woods. Upon reaching the end of our hike, Bill and I made our way to a hiker friendly restaurant called "The Barn". I ordered the "Hiker Cheeseburger" which easily was the largest hamburger I have ever seen. Shortly after Ashton and the inlaws arrived. I finished my food and we headed for Salem. After a shower, I promptly started treating my feet and shankle. Hopefully tomorrow will show improvement. -Josh
Date: 2010-10-15
From: Salem, VA

To: Salem, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today ended up as an unplanned zero day, but its been really nice. I thought that a good night's sleep might remedy my shankle soreness but that wasn't the case so this morning I took a trip to the urgent care clinic and had it examined. The doctor gave me a thumbs up to keep hiking and prescribed Mobic for the swelling. He called it an "over use injury" and likened it to a severe shin splint. He recommended less mileage but said I should be good to go. After lunch we relaxed a little and then went to a Salem High football game where Ashton's grandfather received an award for his lifetime support of the Salem community and local sports. It's was a little chilly but we had a lot of fun. Tonight I'm reworking my remaining trip itinerary to account for my zero day and reduced mileage. Hopefully my next report will come from the trail. -JoshPS- I'm going to miss Ashton this week. It's been really nice the past couple of days. She's been amazingly supportive of this whole endeavour. Thanks Ash!
Date: 2010-10-16
From: Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Ashton, Mr. Paul & Ms. Kathy dropped me off in Bland, VA today on their way back to Knoxville. I decided to give the shankle one more shot at this. Hopefully it'll be ok. The weather today was gorgeous. The hiking was mainly up on the ridge and wooded with occasional glimpses of valleys and farmland. I planned shorter miles for today since it was my first day back. I started a little after lunch and made it to the shelter before 6. My shin is more sore than I'd hoped but not too bad. I cooked some supper and am now laying in bed listening to the wind. It's going to be a cool one this evening. There's one thruhiker staying here as well tonight. -Josh
Date: 2010-10-17
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

I slept really well last night and could tell when I woke up that it was warmer. The wind had calmed significantly from the day before. I heated water for breakfast and tried not to disturb my snoozing shelter mate. He stirred awake as I was eating breakfast and asked to borrow my stove. Shortly after I was packed and headed down the trail. I met several day and section hikers throughout the day. I also met another SOBO thruhiker, "Wolverine". He's from Australia. I also came across some more trail magic today in the form of water jugs. I took a liter and didn't have to pump until camp tonight. That was pretty cool. I passed a trail register today and saw that Dragonfly and Bionic Bob had just slack packed the section I was starting. Good to see they're still at it but I hate I just missed them. The weather throughout the day was sunny with a slight breeze. Perfect for hiking. The terrain was fairly easy as well which seemed like the perfect mix for my first full day back on the trail. Regardless of how perfect the conditions may have been, the day still took its toll. By the time I reached Wapiti Shelter both shins were aching and my feet were ready for a break. I pumped water and started supper around 4:30 or 5:00. I also collected firewood and had a nice fire by dark. Around dark "Fantasy Feet", a southbound hiker strolled into camp. We chatted a little about the trail and hikers we both knew. He seems to spend a lot of time on the trail. Looks like I won't be alone tonight either. Tomorrow it's Woods Hole Hostel. Should make it there around lunch. Hopefully Bill will catch me there. -Josh
Date: 2010-10-18
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Last night's fall temperatures and back country solitude yielded yet another wonderful night's rest. I woke up around 7:30 and rekindled the fire as I heated water for breakfast. By 8:15 "Fantasy Feet" was stirring about. We talked continuously as I finished breakfast and packed for the day. He's an avid hiker but has a very simplistic approach to gear which fascinated me. His boots seemed incredibly worn but he just keeps glueing them back together. His pack was an older, external framed model with several patches. Each patch had a story as did most of his other gear choices. Neat guy. I finally hit the trail around 8:30. I knew today would be a short day but I wanted to get started. The hiking was fairly easy but had limited viewpoints from the ridge. Throughout the day I'd considered slack packing (hiking with a smaller day pack) from Wood's Hole into Pearisburg and catching the shuttle back, but my shankle was already hurting by the time I finished the 6.7 to Wood's Hole. I arrived around 12pm and was the first hiker in for the day. I let the owners (Neville & Michael) know I was there and willing to help if needed. Shortly after a shower I found myself helping with the meal preparation for that evening. More hikers started to arrive as the afternoon rolled on. By supper time, there were 8 additional hikers. Each with their own stories of the day. Woods Hole is an amazing place. The food was great and Nevile & Michael really go out of their way to make everyone feel at home. After a delicious meal of salad and enchiladas I'm resting comfortably on my mattress in the bunk house. There were rooms available in the main house but the bunk house is better than most shelters and suited me fine. Much cheaper too. There are 6 other hikers in the bunkhouse as well. Today was a good day and it feels great to be clean. I've come to the conclusion that hiking on my shankle is probably not the best idea. Another hiker said something today that made me really think. He said "The great thing about section hiking is that you can hike until it's not fun anymore and then go home...then start up where you left off". Makes sense! Maybe I'll sleep on it. -Josh