morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel

To: Indian Grave Campsite
Miles today: 10.3

I left Uncle Johnny's early and walked into Erwin. Did not find any outdoors Easter Sunrise Service, but did go to an Easter service at a Baptist church in Erwin, TN. After church he re-supplied for 5 days.Relaxed and hung out with HOPI, VEGAN, JOHNNY and his wife. I ate 3 oranges just before heading out to hike. That was not good. Stopped briefly at Curly Maple Shelter then on to Indian Grave. From there I was able to call SILVER FOX on my cell phone. It was great to her her voice and what's happening back home.By Monday evening, April 5, I hope to make it to a private hostel near Greasy Creek Gap. This will put me at 364.2 miles from Springer Mtn. and "only" 1,814.9 miles to go to Katahdin.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.0

Slept in until 8AM. I have been sleeping so well and much better lately. Today I hiked 16 miles before arriving here at a private hostel owned by Connie. Also here with REVERAND; LITTLE BUDDAH; LARGE FORK; LITTLE FORK; BULLDOG and SHAKES.I'm glad I stopped here, it's very relaxing. In the morning I'm going to cook cheese grits. Yum! can't wait. Tomorrow onward to Roan Mountain. Not sure how far I'll get. I've been enjoying hiking until about 6:00 in the evening before stopping for the night.Time to go to sleep....z-z-z-z....FYI - HOORAY!!Frost's brother was able to get some nice photos posted on Frost's TJ for him. Sorry no captions. We do not know when, where, what or who so just enjoy looking at them. Yes, I know, Frost's mileage ticker total to date is off. He called today saying he'll drop another letter in the post with a weeks worth of journal pages. I'll add those to update his day-to-day mileage and his TJ page when they arrive. He also will soon need new foot wear. No sooner said then done. Today I ordered a new pair from REI. They will mail the new foot wear out for FROST to pickup in Damascus, VA - 99.3 miles away. I hope the timing of his arrival, and the PO open hours and the footwear arrival is spot on. If not he may have to take a zero day or 2 in Damascus. His current pair already had quite a few miles on them before starting the AT.Today, April 5, another beautiful day, about 80 degrees and not too hot with a breeze blowing across the ridges. Frost says he's feeling good and strong and back in "the hiking zone". Also he says he is sleeping much better and wakes up refreshed. Back in February he was getting very little sound REM sleep.He hiked 16 miles today to a private hostel near Greasy Creek Gap (364.2 miles) just off the AT. As they approached the hostel they were very warmly welcomed(sarcasm) by the hostile hostel owner's neighbor. The greeting went something like this,"Ya damn hikers, get the hell out of here!!" Frost said they all just waved and smiled back at the guy. The warm welcome and generosity of the hostel owner, Connie, made up for that initial greeting. She had KFC for the hikers tonight. KFC!!? I thought Frost was out in the Boonies?!? This evening Frost met Paul Bunyan, no, no it was PAUL WITH BUNION. He helps out at the hostel and this is just as FROST is developing something like a bunion on his foot. Oh boy....
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a nice sleep at the Greasy Creek. But woke at 5AM to the sound of a lawn mower running(strange?) Was feeling a bit down this morning. Got up and over Roan High Knob with no problem. Then I got into an area which I think is the most beautiful that I've seen yet! Big grassy ridge and completely bald. What made it even more special was meeting a group of kids(all cousins). We just had a great time talking about hiking and some of the gear I have. Took some photos. It's hard to explain but they really made my day! One little boy gave me a big hug. And this little girl was so tickled to hold my hiking poles for the photo. TonightI'm at Over Mountain Shelter with 2 locals and 3 from FL(father & 2 sons). Also here are PINE, DREAM CATCHER and STRIDER. This shelter is great. It's an old barn that's 2 story and holds 20, with only 9 of us here tonight. It has a fantastic view. The temperature is perfect with a cool breeze. I'm really developing my hiker legs. I feel like my cardiovascular system is performing at the best it ever has for me. I get up in the morning eager for the day ahead and generally am enjoying each moment. Something new and beautiful are the wild flowers that are starting to bloom. Theleaves are beginning to leaf out and all the shades of green are awesome! Soon the leaves will fill out and the views we had during the winter through the leafless trees will all be blocked.I like where I'm at in "the AT pack", still a bit ahead of the crowd, even with the 10 days I took off the trail to attend my dad's memorial service. Most days I am still hiking without seeing anyone until I reach a shelter. Time to sleep
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

Woke early to a cloudy day with rain predicted by the radio and barometer. Sure enough, by noon it started raining. My new pack cover which includes a hood covering my head and neck worked great! Soon the trail became really slick from the wet leaves. I fell 2x. So far my body is holding up really well. My left knee is stiff and a little sore, but that's it. I walked into Kincora Hiker Hostel.Nice and cozy. Later hitched a ride into Hampton to resupply for the next 50 miles to Damascus. Stayed up late talking with STRIDER & LITTER BOX. Had pizza for dinner-yum!Here's my typical trail meal menu: Breakfast 1/2 QT powdered milk w/ 3C. cerealLunch -- 1/2 QT milk w/ cereal, p-nuts graham crackersDinner-- Lipton pkg noodles w/ mash potato flakes.Each AM I take multi-vitamin, 1 aspirin, Vit D and if my knee is really acting upan advil. Seems my knee gets sore on the long down hills.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Woke early this morning to enjoy the fire in Kincora hostel. Found a paper with some news from the outside world.I think I'll do a short 11 mile distance today.Ended up hiking all the way to Vandeventer shelter - 18 miles. The low tonight is 20F. Really a nice all around view here. Tired an experiment today. Instead of drinking my usual Gatorade I only drank water all day. Then had a lunch with no sugar. It was amazing the huge drop in energy. I had to work hard to climb the hills! No doubt, the sports drink make a big difference.Set up my tarp near Vandeventer shelter.Frost called. It was a short call but so good to hear his voice. Must have been hiker midnight there - 8:00 PM.In the past 4 days covered 66.4 miles, averaging 13.2 miles/day. Hoping to arrive in Damascus, VA by Sunday - nearly 33 miles away. He was Happy to hear Bruce was able to post some of my photos here.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Trail campsite
Miles today: 21.2

I felt really good today and just wanted to keep going. So I did and kept hiking until 6:00PM. Camped at a site near an old abandoned cabin on a short hill, under some tall oak trees with wild onions all around. Lay out my ground cloth to sleep under the stars, made supper, listened to audio book titled THIS I BELIEVE. Did a blues harmonica lesson as I watched the sun go down. Then listened to owlshooting, making their own music and my thoughts turned to that old abandoned cabin. I wondered what stories it could tell if the walls could talk. I'm told there was lots of moon shine made in this area. So far this is the best part of hiking the AT. Tomorrow I will hike into Damascus to resupply and do some laundry.Time to sleep. Hope no bears come sniffing around tonight!
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Trail campsite

To: Damascus,VA
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

I got up early today-before the sun. Slept very well under the stars. Crossed another state line TN/VA and arrived in Damascus. It's Sunday and I listened to CAR TALK on NPR as I walked along. That was strange, hiking with the ear buds in.It's the first I've done that. I do not want to make a habit of doing that. One certainly misses out on all the sounds of nature around you with ear buds in.Today, Sunday, will be a zero day in Damascus to rest, relax and do laundry. Tomorrow, I'll go to the PO and pick up my new trail shoes and a pkg. that Silver Fox sent. Will gear up for the next section of 150 miles or so. It's odd how I feel about coming into town. I get excited to be in town and then when I'm hereI just want to get back onto the AT and into the woods. I checked myself into THE PLACE. It's a hostel run by the Methodist church. It's a house that looks like it could sleep up to 30.I am the only one here so far tonight.Arrived in VirginiaMore details coming later.Looking forward to getting my new trail shoes tomorrow(MON)that Silver Foxhad sent.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Damascus,VA

To: Damascus,VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Staying at THE PLACE last night. No other hikers here. It's an unattended hiker place, rather dirty and grungy. You get what you pay for. Last night as I was trying to sleep upstairs, all night long I could hear people coming in and out downstairs(until I took some action). They would use the bathroom, walk around, talking loudly just hangin' out down there. Finally, I called down and told them(nicely) "Hey, WE are up here trying to get some sleep and they quieted down and soon left. If they had not, I was ready to pack up and go set my tarp up outside in the yard. I'm ready to get back on the trail!Trail Days will be here on May 14-16, just about a month from now. I'm not one who enjoys large crowds, so I'm just fine with not being here for that shindig -- big gathering of current and former AT hikers.Picked up my 2 packages at the PO. THANKS Silver Fox the the care package.I'll think of you each time I eat the Ling Hi Mui(Oriental dried/salty plum) -YUM!VERY Happy with comfort of new trail shoes, but WHO designs the coloring of shoes today! They are Cascadia Brooks with black & red laces and black/red/yellow shoe.Bummer of the day: - melted holes in my favorite Sporthill hiking shorts. AARRGGH! The commercial clothes dryer that had no temperature regulation must have got up to 300 degrees in minutes-- GRRRRR!!!! Aaahh, if only life's problems were so small.After that "melt down" ordered another pair which I'll pickup in Pearisburg, VA-where my wife will also be mailing my summer sleeping bag.Until then it's 75 miles of hiking in "holey" shorts, too hot for pants. Just might start a new fad, air conditioned holey shorts for the warmer weather.Silver Fox thinks that now winter is over I should retire FROST trail name and take on the new trail name of MELTED SHORTS
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Damascus,VA

To: Whitetop Mtn
Miles today: 20.6

Left Damascus early this morning. I could not sleep very well last night.Not sure why??Had a great hike today up to Buzzard Rock on top of Whitetop Mtn. Let me tell you, it was a long climb up at the end of a 20+ mile day. I should sleep soundly tonight! I hiked all day without seeing anyone. When I got to the summit there was PICKER.We are camped under the stars on top of Virginia. Whitetop is VA highest mountain at 5,120'elevation. The sun is on its was down like a ball of fire. I hope the wind does not blow too hard up here tonight. I'm hoping I get to see the wild ponies tomorrow. Goodnight...Frost headed out of Damascus, VA Tuesday morning, 4/13/10 in his "holey" melted shorts.This will be his longest section so far with no resupply until Atkins, VA at 75+ miles away. The state of Virginia is the longest section of the AT at 537 miles from VA/TN state line to VA/WV state line.That's longer then the entire AT he's covered so far through Georgia, NC & bits of TN.I sent his summer sleeping bag Monday to Pearisburg, VA.Frost really enjoys the solo hiking and camping with his tarp. Rarely sees other thru hikers during the day, and only a few section hikers.Seems odd, with all the hikers on the AT now that it's April.Guess everyone is all spaced out over the hundreds of miles.It's in the evening when hikers all see each other at shelters and camp sites. He's seen owls, turkeys and bear scat and hears coyotes and owls at night.Did mention that he wondered what he would do if a bear come up to his tarpat night and snuffled under the space between his tarp and the ground!!:o yikes!Something we trust will NOT happen!Silver Fox for FROST
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Whitetop Mtn

To: "The Scales"
Miles today: 15.3

Slept REALLY well last night and the wind was not too gusty. Later, around 7PM LITTER BOX and YUKON arrived. The hiking today was hard on the feet with loose bits and chunks of rock on the trail. I had to really watch where I stepped. Hiked through large areas with wild ponies that came running up to us. They were actually so tame. They would lick your arms and legs to get the salt. Horse slobber mixed with dirt turned to mud. yuck ,Made it to "The Scales" - mile 499.4Camped here under the stars with PICKER and SWITCHBACK.
Date: 2010-04-15
To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

Today the hiking was really smooth to Trimpi shelter. With the sweet trail it was easy to pick up some on my speed. I met up with PICKER along the way. Got a nice fire going at the shelter tonight. We are both planning on an early start tomorrowfor the 22 mile day into Atkins, VA. I'm hoping my new pair of shorts will be waiting for me at the PO. The plan is to get some more food and then head out for Pearisburg. My dear wife, Silver Fox, has mailed my summer sleeping bag to the Pearisburg PO. It's 109.8 miles to there so I might break it up with a stop in Bland. The elevation here at Trimpi shelter is 2,900' and it does feel lower with many flowers starting to bloom.Time to stoke the fire and get some sleep.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Settlers Museum
Miles today: 19.5

This morning I was up at 5:00AM and on the trail by 5:45. I love walking in the early morning listening to the birds and sounds as the earth wakes up. So far VA has been mostly easier walking. I ended up with not making it to Atkins, due to a side trip to the Settlers Museum, a living historical farm. Dillon, the directorwas a great guy who when I asked if I could set up my tarp in the yard behind the school house said I could sleep inside the school house, built in 1894! One of the tour guides gave me a very informative tour of the homestead and it's many buildings. At one point I apologized for my B.O. telling her it had been several days since my last shower. She said, "That's alright, I'm used to it, with all the thru-hikers off the AT who stop in here."I plan to set up my tarp in the back yard of the school. For now I'm just relaxing on the front porch of the school. No rain to speak of today. Perhaps it will show up tomorrow. It's a short hike in the morning into Atkins.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Settlers Museum

To: near Tilson Gap
Miles today: 10.7

In the middle of the night, last night, the heavens opened up and it dumpedrain. Before it got too heavy I pulled up my tarp and scurried inside the school house. As I was going through the school house door, a piece of the rusty school house door latch cut my arm pretty good. Hmmmm....I cannot remember how long ago I had my last tetnus shot. Next time I talk with Silver Fox I'll have her call my doctor and check my medical files. I washed out the cut and put iodine into it. I trust that will keep any infection from developing. I will keep a close eye on it Tonight(Sat.) I'm on top of an un-named hill at about 546 miles from Springer Mtn. I walked until 6:00 pm. There's a nice view from this hill looking east for a sunrise in the morning + a big log for a wind break + lots of leaves to insulate + a good weather report = perfect camp site! I'm just loving this trail!Lots of stars are visible tonight with just 1/4 moon. It's to be a cold night. I'm glad I still have my winter WM 15* sleeping bag. Today I met SUGAR BUSH, DETH MARCH and their dog CODY. Great people and dog!
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Big Walker Mtn

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Got up this morning to see the sun rise. It was quite cold last night but I stayed warm. I saw only 1 other hiker today - ADAM.I hiked to Chestnut Knob Shelter and I'm here by myself tonight, st this point.The plan is to resupply in Bland, VA which is about 20 miles away + 2.5 miles off the AT. I'll camp outside of town and get up for an early arrival into Bland and then get back on the trail. The cut on my arm looks to be healing. I'll leave it uncovered to let the air dry it so it will scab over.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: A Campsite
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Got up and on the trail by 5:30 am today to get a good start on a 22 miler. The walk was a bit lonely today. I saw only one person, KIM, heading south and one hiker, BLACK & TAN, heading north. This solo hiking is really OK - but once in awhile it's a bit lonely.As I walked off the AT the 2.5 miles towards Bland, VA Larry stopped to offer a ride but I was not going his direction. But he was willing to turn around drop me off in Bland, VAand pick me up after he ran his errands then take me back to the trail. Great guy. We talked music and it turns out he's a friend of Eric Clapton! WOW! Larry pointed out a barber shop and cafeand directed me to go in there and tell the guys inside that Larry sent me. I was also to let them know that I play the harmonica. So after picking up some food at the Dollar General store I did just that. There were 3 guys there who told me to play any song on my harmonica and they would back me up with the fiddle, banjo and guitar. So for nearly an hour we 4 jammed. I'd begin a song on my harmonica and they would join in. It was amazing and so magical! The highlight of this week so far. Larry returned soon and drove me back to the trail. I hiked another 5 miles and am now cowboy campingtonight under the stars.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: A Campsite

To: A Campsite
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today I hiked my first 25 miler. No wonder I am so tired.There's a 50% chance of rain tonight. I have set up my tarp up on a sweet level spot. It has started to rain lightly now and the sun is setting. Tomorrow I'll head for Woodshole Hostel for a shower, laundry and good meal. I only saw BLACK & TAN today. Sleeping under my tarp is great. So far the bugs are not bad at night. Later I'll get mosquito netting for when the bugs get worse. The rain is turning heavy now. All is well. Good night.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: A Campsite

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning about the time the rain was ending. I slept really well and had a very good camp site for my tarp.Woods Hole has a log cabin built in the 1880s from chestnut wood. There's a bunkhouse too on this 100 acre property. Neville and Michael host the thru hikers. Neville's grandmother and grandfather (Roy & Tillie Wood) opened the hostel in 1986. This old homestead was discovered in 1940 when Roy was doing a study on elk in that area.I would say that Woods Hole and The Blue Berry Patch are the best hostel stays so far. Enjoyed all you can eat great salad and made from scratch pizza. They are calling for a week of rain to begin on Friday. I've been spoiled for the past 3 weeks with not much precipitation to speak of.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Woodshole Hostel

To: Holy Family Catholic Hostel-Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

At 9:30 am I left the Woods Hole Hostel for about a 5 hour hike to the Post Office in Pearisburg.Arrived in Pearisburg about 3pm this afternoon. Planned to stay at Holy Family Catholic Church Hostel which is a few miles out of town. But first I stoppedat the PO before they closed to pick up my summer sleeping bag that Silver Fox mailed there. Took it out of the box and sent my winter bag home. Guess I will not see that winter bag again until near the end up in NH and or Maine.Got some food to make a nice Mexican style dinner out at the Holy Family Hostel. Started walking out of town, hoping to catch a ride. I did get a ride but not until I was just an 1/8 of a mile away. I guess-timate it's about 4 miles out of town. This hostel is really a great place and huge. Nice deck, big lawn, shower and I cannot believe I have the whole place all to myself, unless somebody shows up later.Earlier this afternoon I met a hiker in Pearisburg who told me about 2 people who approached him in the store and asked if he was a thu-hiker. This guy says, "Yes". Then they ask him if he plays the harmonica. He did not. Well, they said they heard about thisthru-hiker that was in Bland, VA who had played his harmonica in the barber shop there with 3 other local guys and they just wanted to meet him. SO it sounds like the word is out and about this area of my harmonica tune playing There was a scales here so I weighed my self. WOW-I've dropped 20 pounds since starting. I knew I had lost weight, but not that much!There was no rain today but it feels cooler like it will rain soon. Today is exactly 2 months ago that I began hiking the trail. I've got the physical part, strong trail legs. The mental part I'm working on, sometimes it gets a bit lonely. I knew in my head about this mental part of the hike. Sometimes I thinkI'd really like to be back home.I know I'm very fortunate that I am able to take time away from "real" life and hike the AT. I also feel blessed that my health and body has not given me too many problems. My left knee from the 2nd day of the hike gives me light pain on the long down hills. Other then that I have not had one blister. However,my toeshave not recovered from all the cold and frozen shoes from FEB and MARCH winter hiking. The cut on my arm from the rusty school house latch is healing nicely. I stitched it up myself - just like in the movies
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Had a good night's rest at the Holy Family Hostel. I'm thinking I'll take a zero.My body needs a rest. My appetite has not been huge while on the trail. However, this morning I fried up 6 eggs for breakfast. Last night I ate the entire package of flat bread along with a mixture of refried beans, corn and taco seasoning.YUM!Here's an example of what I'll eat and drink for the next 5 days.Gatorade mix for 10 qts. = 2 qts/dayPowdered milk mix 1 qts. for b'fast along with 1/4 box grapenuts cereal/dayLunch = 2 Snickers bars, p-nuts, pkg graham crackersDinner= Knorr meal mixed with potato flakes.Next stop will be either Daleville or Troutville. These towns are about 93 miles away.Looks like more rain is coming. Not to be taken lightly. This will be my longest section yet. I've had trouble setting up my tarp in the wind and rain. The problem is not being able to find the correct corners while the tarp is flapping about in the wind. I'm going to color code the corners. I'll get something in town tomorrow to solve this problem. It's a similar problem with my pack cover which also has a hood attached as part of the whole piece. Sometimes it is hard to put on in the wind and even more so when it's dark. I've been thinking about this and think that colored ribbon,string or tags of some sort should do the trick. This Holy Family Catholic Hostel is a great place for a zero. I've enjoyed resting up here and preparing for the next trail section.Setting up my tarp in good conditions takes me 6 minutes. To take it down only 3 minutes. Two hikers arrived today who plan on a zero tomorrow. Well I'll wrap this up and get a few more journal pages dropped off at the post office tomorrow.