morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Sarver Hollow shelter

To: Craig Creek
Miles today: 7.5

Woke at 6am at Sarver Hollow shelter. Sourdough, Hermes & I ate, packed up & headed out. We called Sourdough's son Sidewinder to see if he'd be willing to pick us up & take us to the Homeplace restaurant, but he wasn't nearby. Sourdough tried to call another friend, but no cell call would go through, so we just kept on hiking. When we were close to a road crossing we ran into a woman who agreed to give us a lift - off we went!We made it to the restaurant by noon & waited outside for our table - we were all quite excited about some homestyle cookin' - arguably the best on the Trail. We spent some time with an older gentleman named Wayfarer. He had been camped at a pavilion for a few days with a leg injury - probably torn ligaments & it didn't look good, but he's going to see how the healing progresses.We were called to our table & dug into AYCE chicken, roast beef, potatoes, beans, cole slaw, biscuits, apples, iced tea & lemonade...YUM! We were met by Sourdough's friend Marsha - a "normal eater" in the midst of hiker glut! With some protest on our part, she insisted on picking up the tab saying someday we too may have jobs.Marsha took us back to her house for some R&R. She picked up a few books to bring back to Wayfarer & we jumped back in her car. Hermes was dropped off at the store to pick up groceries for dinner. I was invited to stay, but I felt like getting back on the Trail. We stopped back at the Homeplace to give Wayfarer the books & then we drove to the Trail head. I said good bye to Marsha (is that a clown nose in your pocket?) & Sourdough & I was off. It was around 6pm, and I thought I'd make it up the next ridge, or night hike to the next shelter. Not far along the Trail however, I ran into Freebird. I decided to call it a short day & camped with him. I set up camp & we built a fire & talked for a couple of hours.Great day with abridged but beautiful hiking. Incredible meal & new friends made today. I was close to the lure of another town stay, but I felt I needed to stay in the spirit of the hike for the evening - no soft bed & shower tonight!
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Craig Creek

To: John's Spring shelter
Miles today: 22.0

MORNING RAMBLE:I've been thinking about this journal & how its become a daily log of events. That's good, but morning is when I have "deep thoughts." Thus, I'll add this section periodically...After being out on the AT for 7 weeks, I take for granted that every face I see is an individual who has made great sacrafices to make this journey - jobs, homes, communities & loved ones. Many, the lucky ones, have friends & family acting as a cheering section. Seeing Sourdough's friend Marsha call him Greg & ask "Is this everything you dreamed it would be?" and show such interest in our stories really brought this home. The fact that a person decides to attempt a thru-hike without knowing "exactly" what is driving them to do it is certainly a curiosity to others & themselves. But we keep going...and I'll attempt to pay more attention to the reasons behind this desire to hike & hope to gain a better understanding of myself.THE "DIARY":Nice morning at Craig Creek - tea & oatmeal & I was off. Up & down two 1,500 foot "bumps" the second of which was "Dragon's Tooth." What a descent from that! Big rocks, some with ladder handles...my feet & legs took a beating, but I made it to a road crossing with a gas station/convenience store for "linner." With 15 miles behind me, I pushed on through sunset and finished the last part of 7 miles "night hiking" to John's Spring shelter. The spring was 1/4 mile away, so my hiking wasn't quite finished as I was thirsty & headed off into the night in search of water. With my thirst quenched, I looked at my hike of 19 miles for tomorrow. I'll stay in a hotel near Daleville & resupply for my trek to Big Island, VA where I'll met my friend Jon Graf at his friends Mike & Terry's house...I smell a "zero" day there! Then it's hiking with my Philly peeps for awhile.I saw some beautiful scenery today - lots of songbirds, butterflies, a black snake, small lizards...and flowers! I saw pink ladies slippers which are amazing; purple iris; rhotodendron...in bloom! Seeing all of the beautiful things on the Trail really seems to negate any body pains - my brain is too busy taking in the wonders to worry about silly fatigue! More amazing sights await on Macafee Knob & beyond.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: John's Spring shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 18.8

I was the only one in the shelter last night. It was a good thing as I was up 'til 12:30am reading & writing in my journal. I woke with the sunrise & was quick to pack up & hit the Trail.It was an easy hike up to Macafee knob & I spent awhile sitting on the cliff edge enjoying a beautiful, sunny view of the hills & valleys below. I continued along Tinker mountain & hit the cliffs by early afternoon. More incredible views, plant life & wildlife. I saw a huge turkey vulture perched in a tree - it was nearly 3 feet tall with a huge wingspan.I had my lunch at Lamberts Meadow shelter & met Jess & Jason there. They are 2 thru-hikers from Florida in their early 20's. It was an easy 9 miles into Daleville & I made it before sunset. I checked into the Howard Johnsons & took care of business. Shower, laundry, pizza...and I was quick to fall asleep in front of the "idiot box."
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up refreshed & headed for breakfast at the hotel. I met Bandit, C-Ram (Curly Rambo) & Carefree there & we chowed down. Back to my room for a hot bath & I packed up & headed for checkout. I met 2 thru-hikers named The Wrens at checkout, and we planned to hit the Mexican restaurant across the street. C-Ram, Bandit & Carefree joined us & we had lunch & drinks. I had been thinking about my hiking schedule & decided today would be a great opportunity to take an unplanned "zero" day.I went to the outfitters for a few necessities & to the market for resupply. Back to the Howard Johnsons to check back in...and just lay in bed eating cold pizza & watching bad TV! Nothing wrong with a little extended R&R as time allowed - and my feet thanked me!
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Daleville

To: Boblets Gap shelter
Miles today: 18.5

Woke up in the cozy bed at the Howard Johnsons in Daleville. A little "Today" show & I headed to the main main building for breakfast. Bandit was there, and he was considering another "zero" day. Back to my room for a shower, got packed up, watched a little Judge Judy, and I was off.As usual, my pack was heavy & the "zero" day made my legs a little soft. It was tough going even thougt the terrain was relatively easy. I had a late lunch 12 miles in...and a nap & 3 ibuprofen, too. It was late in the afternoon, but I decided to push on nearly 7 more miles to the next shelter. As dusk was setting in, I saw Switchback setting up camp, but he wasn't close to water. I stuck to my plan, got my headlight out & was soon night hiking. I made it to the shelter by probably 9pm & was greeted by an "outdoor group" - 3 teens & 2 adults. Pretty much the kids' first time out in the woods & they seemed ready to leave. Set up my bag & made dinner. I'm set to get my hiking legs back on the Trail tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Boblets Gap shelter

To: Bryant Ridge shelter
Miles today: 13.3

I was fed & packed before any of the kids at Bryant Ridge shelter were awake. I was on the Trail by 8:30am & was hiking through hazy, hot & humid weather. The Trail crossed the Blue Ridge parkway a few times & the views were quite nice. I met BA Dis(ciple) doing some Trail maintenance & we talked for awhile. He eventually gave me a Jehovah's Witness pamphlet (Trail magic!), and I said good-bye. Tons of flowers in bloom & the canopy is almost totally open.I made it to Jennings Creek, put a 24oz beer in the water to cool...Cinco de Mayo! I set up my air mattress, took off my shoes & socks & got busy relaxing. I had lunch & my beverage when I noticed the clouds moving in. I packed up & hit the Trail. The sky began to darken & rumbles of thunder gave warning. I started to move faster. I got hit by a light rain...and the sun started coming out. I made it to Bryant Ridge shelter & was so impressed, I called it a short day. The place looked like a chalet - 2 full floors, windows...really well built! I made dinner & was feeling pretty beat, so I laid out my bedroll & called it a night.I noticed today that my camera was missing - a pretty big bummer. I put my info in the Trail journals & hopefully somebody picked it up...who knows.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Bryant Ridge shelter

To: Matts Creek shelter
Miles today: 22.7

Woke up in the beautiful Bryant Ridge shelter & had breakfast with some section hikers who arived late last night. There had been some overnight rain & the morning sun made things muggy. As I rose in elevation, the humidity dissipated & I was soon hiking in sun & high 60's. The first 10 miles were all uphill with a gradual increase of 2,000 feet in elevation. I made it to Thunder Hill shelter for lunch & some locals told me storms were expected for the next morning. I had planned to take another day to make it to Big Island, VA, but decided to do it all today due to the weather forecast. I did 13 miles to Matt's Creek shelter putting me 2 miles from the road crossing to Big Island.The weather was warm & clear today, and the foliage is looking lush. I saw the rhododendron really coming into bloom, and fields of trillium. A curious deer stopped & looked at me for awhile & there were some stunning views on pristene mountains. I got my stride today just in time for a town stay!
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Matts Creek shelter

To: Big Island
Miles today: 2.2

I woke this morning on the outskirts of Matt's Creek Shelter where a large boyscout troop had taken over the shelter. I ate, packed up & hit the shelter to look at the journal. The scouts & troop leaders were gathering around this curious thru-hiker, but I eventually escaped. A quick trail to a footbridge over the James River & I was at the road crossing. I had talked to my friend Jon Graf earlier in the week & he wasn't arriving until the evening, so I thought I'd get a room & relax. Glasgow was the only nearby town listed in my handbook as having a hotel, so I hitched there. I wasn't happy to find the hotel closed & for sale & the bank "out of service." I asked around a convenience store & the cashier said a town nearby had a motel/restaurant, so I hitched a ride to Natural Bridge.I arrived at the Natural Bridge motel - a high class motel. I was feeling a bit out of place (see dirty;smelly), but I was warmly welcomed none the less. To my room for a shower, some R&R & some snacks. I talked to Graf & he agreed to meet me at the hotel the following morning. It was almost 6pm, so I headed to the Red Fox Bar in the hotel for drinks & chow. I had a burger & fries & struck up a conversation with the couple next to me. Jerry & his wife were interesting & interested in my trip...and bought me pie & drinks! Soon another couple joined us at the bar. Thomas & his wife were stopped over on their way back home to New England after vacationing in Arizona. They said they met another hiker staying in the hotel, but didn't know his name...but he had a dog. "Was the dog's pack green & orange?" I asked. They said it was & I knew it was Sourdough. I went to the front desk & rang his room. He was at the bar within 15 minutes. We all sat around talking & drinking & eating for hours - Sourdough & I didn't protest too much as round after complimentary round found their way to us, but it was soon nearly 11pm & time to weave back to the room. Another day full of adventure...what's next?
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Big Island

To: Big Island
Miles today: 0.0

A bit hung over this morning, but a shower and a little coffee did the trick. Graf came at 11am, and agreed to give Sourdough & Jackson a ride back to the trail head by way of the Glasgow post office (not closed/for sale). In Glasgow we met Kurly & Swanson & Graf agreed to give them a lift to the Trail head, too. This was his initiation to the Trail culture! We dropped everyone off & headed to Graf's friends Mike & Terry's house. Mike was home & Graf & I figured out what we needed from the store. We were soon off to buy groceries & pick up my mail drop. We got back to Mike & Terry's place. Mike went to work, but Terry & the two boys Gavin & Wyatt were home. We fixed a dinner of steaks, burgers, potatoes & salad...a great send-off meal! The rest of the evening Graf & I packed & planned our adgenda. The adventure continues!
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Big Island

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5

Woke up at the Kleins house at 7am, deflated my comfy coleman air mattress & headed to the kitchen where Terry offered me a cup of coffee. Gavin & Wyatt were having breakfast, and Graf was soon up. I took care of some emails & other business & got to packing with Graf. Terry was off to work, the boys went to school, and Mike returned from work soo after. He drove us to the Trail head & hiked with us for a few miles. Mike said good-bye at Little Rocky Row, and Graf and I continued on our 2,000+ foot climb up Bluff Mountain. Up & over the mountain, we made it to Punchbowl Shelter by 4pm & called it a day. We met "Dirt" tenting by the shelter & we all made dinner together. Graf & I were glad to be emptying our food bags as they were both in excess of 15 pounds! Provisions for 7 days weighs a lot. Graf was a bit sore after our 10+ miles today, but he'll forget all about that after the 15 miles tomorrow!
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek shelter
Miles today: 9.5

Woke up to a nice morning at Punchbowl shelter. The frogs around the pond lulled me to sleep. Had breakfast with Jetwash, Dirt & MOAT. Graf's Trail name is "Pop Rocks" because he likes to eat the effervescent drink "Emergen-C" out of the pack.It was a day of descending - about 1,200' in all. We walked along Brown Mountain Creek & saw signage describing the freed slave settlement that occupied the land from 1900-1930. There were ruins of old buildings & mills throughout the lovely valley. We made it to Brown Mountain Creek shelter by 4pm & called it a day. We made dinner & Freeze Out (from Philly, baby!) and Uber-Dude (from Cali, dude!) showed up. We sat around chatting 'til the sun went down & it was off to bed.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Brown Mountain Creek shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Woke at Brown Mountain Shelter to a cloudy morning with rain on & off. Pop Rocks & I started the day with a 2,600' climb over 5.5 miles. It was misty/rainy & in the low 50's. We had lunch at Cow Camp Gap shelter - 1.5 hours of lounging with hot tea, soup and snacks. We were off, and decided to push 10 miles to the next shelter as we didn't want to tent in the rain. It was a tough go over cloud shrouded & rainy mountains. We were both a bit cold and fatigued & Pop Rocks knee was giving him trouble. We made it to Seely-Wadsworth shelter well before dark & quickly changed to dry clothes. We made hot dinner from our sleeping bags w/wet clothes hanging all around. I stayed up for awhile reading a bad pirate novel & Pop Rocks hit the sack...or so he thought. The mice came out - maybe a dozen checking everything out. Fast & brave, they couldn't be hit. We threw books, brooms & shoes. That was all the energy we had & the mice had the run of the place.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Seely-Woodworth shelter

To: The Priest shelter
Miles today: 6.9

Woke up at Seely-Woodworth shelter & saw Pop Rocks already up & about. Nice sunrise & crisp air in the low 40's. We hiked 2 miles to Fish Hatchery Road & headed to...the fish hatchery! We'd seen notes about a free lunch at the Dutch Haus in Montebello, so that's where we headed. Beautiful log cabin B&B, they served us lemonade, burgers, grilled cheese, pasta, veggies & peaches. They were a bit frazzled as it was "Land Rover weekend"(?). They gave us a ride back to the fish hatchery & we climbed back to the Trail. We saw a bunch of school kids - two bus loads - coming down from Spy Rock. They were curious, and I'm glad they were headed off trail. We got to Spy Rock & stayed awhile enjoying the view. Nice hiking & we made it to the Priest shelter & called it a day. We saw Jason, Jess, Fast Layne & Bear Can there. We all cooked & chatted for awhile. Pop Rocks & I went to the overlook to see the sunset. It was dramatic, but a bit overcast. Back at the shelter we talked, did some reading, etc...until we snoozed.Pop Rocks hasn't been feeling 100% - he thinks he may have bronchitis as he is having trouble breathing. He also has problem knees on top of the regular muscle pains from hiking. All in all though, he's been very tough through it all.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: The Priest shelter

To: Mauphin Field shelter
Miles today: 13.6

Woke in the crowded Priest shelter - Fast Layne & Bear can were already gone & Pop Rocks was up & about. Beautiful day - sunny & high 60's with a nice breeze. Pop Rocks & I hit the Trail & began our descent of the Priest Mountain - a 3,000' drop in 5 miles. We climbed 1,000' over 3 miles & had a quick lunch at Harper's Creek Shelter. We had heard a report of thunderstorms from day hikers, so we wanted to get over Three Ridges ASAP. Some strenuous climbing with great views from Chimney Rocks & we were over the mountain & on our way to Mauphin Field shelter.The place was full & getting fuller, but it was a good crowd. 4 section hikers, Jason, Jess & the Maine Train. I stayed in the shelter while Pop Rocks tented - he's been having trouble sleeping in the shelters & certainly could use a good night's rest. We all sat around, cooked, had a campfire & chatted 'til bedtime.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Mauphin Field shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

Woke up at the crowded Maupin Field Shelter & made myself some breakfast. As I was packing up, Pop Rocks came down from his tent site & made breakfast, too. The Maine Train rolled out first & Pop Rocks and I followed soon after. The morning was overcast with passing showers. The hiking was technical over slippery rocks, but the sun popped out occasionally & offered some nice views. We had lunch on Dripping Rocks overlook as the sun shone. We moved on & did our only "big" climb of the day up Humpback Mountain - a 700 foot ascent. We continued on & storm clouds gathered & opened up. On with the raingear & the last wet miles of our 16+ mile dayWe made it to Paul C Wolfe shelter by 5pm & met Maine Train there...2 guys & 2 gals in their 20's from Maine. Got to work making dinner & then I made sarsparilla tea from roots I dug a few days prior - YUM! Jason & Jess showed up cold & wet & ready to make dinner - I'll be giving them a ride to "Trail Days" in Damascus, VA on 5/18. They're a couple from Florida in their early 20's.Tomorrow is a short 5 mile walk to Rockfish Gap & the end of Pop Rocks' hike. Its been great to have him along for a week to experience the Trail. He's really toughed out some physical issues to finish his hike.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Sawmill Run
Miles today: 10.0

Where have I been for the last week? Well, let's just say I've been enjoying some off-trail adventure. These include Trail Days, an orange mohawk & others...but I'm back on the Trail.I woke in the Comfort Inn & began to organize for my reentry to Trail life. Maps, groceries, post office & then I returned the rental car. The guy at the rental car place was nice enought to give me a lift back to the Trail head at Rockfish Gap & I was off.Heavy pack & a week with no hiking made for slow-motion hiking for my entry into the Shenandoah's, but I rolled through sunny & warm weather. I stopped at Calf Mountain Shelter to check the register & ran into Pogue & D-Rock - two thru-hikers I had met at Trail Days. I also met Posie Picker. I got some water & continued on for a few more miles to Sawmill Run overlook where I found a beautiful campsite with a nearby hidden spring.Dinner came with sunset & I got myself to bed for a bit of reading. I found "Icy Clutches" by Aaron Elkins at a damascus library book sale...a mystery/thriller set in Alaska...it's NOT about driving a standard in a Syracuse snowstorm, by the way. A big animal was sniffing outside my tent - I think it was a buck. I've got to be careful because the Shenandoah's have a high concentration of bear...hungry bear!
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Sawmill Run

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 23.2

I had kind of an uneasy sleep with all of the stomping & sniffing outside my tent, but I woke to a lovely morning among the maples & mountain laurel.Beautiful, cloudless & crisp hiking throughout the day. A few amazing views from broken boulder topped mountains. Lots of wildlife - a half-dozen nearly tame deer, an owl perched in a tree, grouse & many songbirds, squirrels & chipmunks. I had a nice lunch by a brook & took some time to relax in the sun. I was trying to make it to loft mountain campground for a burger & milkshake, but I was 7 minutes late! Luckily, the camp store was still open, so I snacked out for dinner & pushed on. Some Trail magic from "Sleeper" who is slack-packing with the help of his wife. A couple of ice cold beers 2 miles before Pinefield Hut.I made it to the hut at sunset & everyone was already bedded down. I set up my sleeping bag & hung my food bag at the bear-proof pole provided at the huts in the Shenandoah's - a bit tricky. Off to bed to dream about another big mile day tomorrow. I'm looking at 28 miles...we'll see!
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6

Slept in a bit at Pinefield Hut. There were 3 section hikers & 3 recent grads who hiked from Richmond, VA & plan to go on to Maine. There was also a thru-hiker named "Old Goat." I was the last one to leave the shelter & was feeling a bit fatigued. My feet began to hurt early in the day & I stopped to tape up a "hot spot" (pre-blister) on my heel 6 miles into the day. I tucked the pain away & enjoyed the scenery.After lunch at Hightop Mountain Hut, I got my hiking rhythm & the miles rolled by. I ran into a trail maintainer named Steel Pin & he told me Sourdough & Action Jackson were at Bearfence Mountain Hut. I was 1/2 mile away at that point & I snuck up & surprised them. There were 5 section hikers from DC tenting at the hut & they turned in early. Sourdough & I cooked dinner, made a fire & caught up on recent happenings. Good to be back in the company of "old" friends!
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Byrds Nest 3
Miles today: 22.4

Woke up at a rather leisurely pace. The sky was overcast with a few sprinkles, but by the time Sourdough & I hit the Trail, it was mostly sunny.8 miles into the day we stopped at Big Meadows which is a major resort on Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah's. We ate at the Lodge - salad, turkey pot pie...and blackberry ice cream cake! We lounged around for 2 1/2 hours before we finally resumed hiking.At around dinnertime, we came to a road crossing near another resort on Skyline Drive called "Skyland." We sat at the horse stable & thought about eating at the Skyland dining room, but somehow we abstained & kept hiking.A long day, and we did some night hiking. Although it wasn't the destination we had in mind, we called it a day at Byrd's Nest #3 day shelter. Usually, hikers aren't supposed to sleep in day shelters, but this one looked neglected & we figured there was no harm. We met "Mary" at the shelter & she was amused by our near-midnight antics. Fetching water, cooking...and toasting her 37th birthday with blackberry brandy. We were pretty beat by our long day, so there was very little banter. Another day of hiking tomorrow!