morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Spring fed pond

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather: Sunny and breezy, high around 78 degrees. No rain.Today's Hike: Spring Fed Pond to Jenkins Shelter - 11.8 milesIt was an iPod Day. iPod days are days that you hike, but you don't want to hike so to get through it you plug into your iPod, find your happy tunes and find your inner motivation. I was tired. About 75% of the day was downhill, so by 3pm, my knees were done. We were supposed to hike 16.6 miles. When I met up with Muster at Jenkins Shelter at 5pm with the Packadivas she asked me where we were setting up the tent. That was the best music I had heard all day, and I didn't even want to question the other 5 miles we were suppose to do.I threw down the tent were I wanted to have it set up and made my way to the privy. I passed Egg on my way and she informed me that the thrown was now available. As I turned the corner of the trail I saw what she meant, the privy was completely open. Awesome. Now I could do my personal business with a wonderful view!
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: I-77/Bland, VA
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Weather: Warm and drizzly, high around 75 degrees.Today's Hike: Jenkins Shelter to I-77 - 11.9 milesI woke up this morning at 7am and made a beeline for the privy before anyone else woke up. As I stood up the privy seat flew off and made a loud crash onto the forest floor. So much for being quite. All I could think about was that I actually had to touch that seat to put it back on; crap. On the upside I had a 360 degree view of a field of deer. Who gets that in the morning?It's another milestone today. Today is the start of the third month on the trail. It's so hard to believe that I've been out here for 60 whole days! Springer feels like forever ago!!!! More so, the thought that I still have a least 3 full months to go is exciting and a little home sickening. I¢m loving the adventure and making new friends, but I miss my pets (Jasmine and Grey-Grey) and I miss my friends back home dearly. I think of everyone often.It's a town day for us. Muster's family lives in Beckley, WV which is 45 minutes from Bland. So, her uncle Timmy met us at the road crossing to pick us up. As usual, Muster reached the road crossing before me, and right as she stepped out into view, Timmy pulled up in his van. Talk about perfect timing! Instead of waiting for me, Timmy took Muster and Billy Hoot into town to grab some soda's and some chips. When they got back, they dropped the goodies off and were off again to pick up some pizza's for everyone making Timmy an official Trail Angel By 1pm we were drinking cokes, eating chips, fresh salad and pizza from Pizza Plus. It was delicious! As we sat around talking and waiting for Lil' Dipper and the Packadivas to come down, Timmy told us about the family home he wanted to build for all his brothers and sisters to retire at. As a result, Nutmeg tagged him as Homestead. So within 2 hours of being on the trail Timmy had become a Trail Angel and had received a trail name. We think is next step should be to strap on a pack and get on the trail!So I¢m off to spend a few days with Muster's family. I am currently not sure how long we'll be there. Muster's saying three days......I'll have to post an update when we come up with a plan.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Bland/I-77

To: Bland/I-77
Miles today: 0.0

Weather: RainI have just spent 4 wonderful, relaxing days with Muster's family in West Virginia doing almost absolutely nothing but eating wonderful home cooked meals, fresh fruit, and fresh veggies, and spent time with Timmy, Bev, Mary, Doug, and Sheena.On Monday we did take a field trip outside of the house when Timmy took us to the Coal Mining Exhibition in Beckley. It's one of the only places that you can take an interpreted ride under ground in an old coal mine; very interesting. The exhibition also houses old homes and a school house so we could see how coal miners and their families use to live.We spent most of Tuesday getting ready to get back on the trail: getting food organized, getting a schedule together for the next two weeks, showering....over and over , and mentally preparing to be hiking in rain for the next several days. It's been raining here and on the trail since Friday, and the forecast is predicting rain for another five days... Ugh! At least we missed four days of it.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: I-77/Bland, VA

To: Jenny's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Weather:Rain. High around 70 degrees.Today's Hike:I-77 (Bland) to Jenny's Knob Shelter-12.1 milesAfter a good breakfast it was time to load up the van and head back to the trail. After a detour at the post office, we were at the trailhead where we left off by noon. As soon as we hopped out of the van the rain started. Oh well; such is trail life. At least it wasn't thundering and lightening. We said our final good-byes to Timmy and headed down the road.After a mile we started climbing and I could totally feel the effects of taking four days off the trail. Although my body had recouped, finding my rhythm again was difficult. I was struggling to get back into it. All I could think about was being dry, well fed, and in good company back at Mary's. Still, I knew I had to push forward, and that the more I hiked, the easier it would become.What helped make the hike refreshing was the sight of all the green on trees and on the ground. What a difference four days makes! On Friday when Muster and I hiked out there were a few leaves coming in on some of the trees, and green patches of ground cover were sparse and sporadic. Today it appeared as if all of the trees had at least some foliage (enough to help block the rain), and the ground cover was a sea of green. It was official, our hike through a sleeping forest was over and our hike through the "green tunnel" was beginning.I struggled into camp around 7pm and set up my tent in between rain showers. After eating a big bowl of warm pasta it was time to crawl out of the rain, into my tent, into my warm sleeping bag. Tomorrow will be easier after a good night sleep.
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Jenny's Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather:Rain on/off all day. Low around 55/60 degrees. High around 79 degrees.Today's Hike:Jenny's knob Shelter to Wapiti Shelter - 15.0 milesToday was much easier then yesterday, at least for the first 10 or 11 miles, after which my feet hurt and I got crabby. The last 4 miles were a struggle, but I made it and got the tent up in between rain showers. Muster made us a wonderful dinner of grilled burritos and I finished mine off with a mint 3 musketeers bar which is becoming a new favorite. Now I have a date with a book (The Day After Tomorrow by Alan Folson).
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Angels Rest
Miles today: 0.0

Weather:Scary thunderstorms. Today's Hike:Wapiti Shelter to Angel's Rest - 13.6 milesI am becoming a firm believer that blisters are a result of a bad shoe/sock combination. Since the beginning of the hike, I have worn smartwool socks and Keen hiking shoes and have zero feet problems. Today I wore some synthetic, bamboo, antifungal things and by mile 11 the bottoms of all my toes were rubbed raw. Ugh!Muster and I are camping alone about .5 miles short on Angels rest. There's a scary thunderstorm outside.......I think I might die. God help me......at least don't throw a lightening bolt on me. I write this as I lay here counting the seconds between the bright red flashes of lightening and thunder crashes. Two seconds has been the shortest span. So far, I¢m dry and I will continue to hope that it stays that way. Tomorrow morning we are making a run into Pearisburg, VA to resupply. Looking forward to a real cup of coffee.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Angels Rest

To: Rice Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.8

Weather:Sunny, windy, & cool. Some light rain.Today's Hike:Angel's Rest to Rice Creek Shelter - 9.8 milesLast night's evening thunderstorm continued till morning. Muster and I both woke up early and managed to get packed up in between rain spells. By 7:30am we were headed into Pearisburg for breakfast. We arrived at Hardee's by 9:30am where I promptly guzzled down some ¢real¢ fresh brewed coffee. After eating and talking with some of the locals who were inquiring about our journey, we made our way down to the Post Office where we picked up our mail drops and an unexpected belated Easter present from a friend It took us 2 hours to go through everything, get organized, and prepare a grocery list. Around noon we headed down to the Chinese buffet (which really wasn't that great), and then went next store to buy a few needed perishables. By 3:00pm we were headed back for the trail.The climb out of Pearisburg was ridiculously steep (a definite rival to the climb out of NOC) and seemed to last forever! About four miles into our return to the trail we forged our first creek. Normally, the pass would probably have been a simple cross over the rocks, but the previous nine days of rain had turned the creek into a small raging river. We both took our shoes/socks off and successfully made it across without incident. Little did we know we would be crossing water five more times over the next few miles. Still, we managed to make it to camp with dry feet and get the tent set up before a light evening rain.At the shelter we met a new group of guys: O. G., Hellbender, Leon & his dog.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Rice Creek Shelter

To: Bailey's Gap SHelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather:Sunny. Low around 45, and high around 60 degrees.Today's Hike:Rice Field Shelter to Bailey's Gap Shelter-16.4 milesIt was chilly last night, the coldest night in several weeks. I believe it's somehow tied to Muster's karma. Every time she has sent a piece of winter gear home it's snowed. In Gatlinburg, TN she sent her down jacket home and then it snowed the next day. Then she sent half of her winter clothes home in Hot Springs, NC and it snowed. Yesterday in Pearisburg, VA Muster sent her winter sleeping bag home, and is now using her summer bag. Although it didn't snow (yet) it was really cold last night and this morning in comparison to the 60 degree muggy nights we've been having. I even wore my long johns until noon today.Despite the cooler temperatures, today was absolutely beautiful - no rain! The forecast is predicting good weather for the next three days which is exciting. Hopefully we can get through to Dalesville, VA on Saturday without getting to wet (or cold)!Tonight we're tenting at Bailey's Gap Shelter (which by the way I'd no where near a gap) with O.G., Hellbender, Leon and Halifax. We've been hiking with them for the past two days and I¢m really enjoying new company, but at the same time I¢m desperately missing all the girls (Packadiva's & Georgia's Girls).I got a message from Tagless saying his surgery was a success. They both (Tagless & Tag Along) plan to be back on the trail on Monday, May 12th. I¢m happy to hear the great news. Although we'll probably never cross paths out here again I¢m wishing them both a safe, fun and successful journey to Katadhin and I¢m missing them heaps!
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Bailey's Gap SHelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: moderate rain

Weather:Rain in the morningToday's Hike:Bailey's Gap Shelter to Laurel Creek Shelter - 14.6 milesI understand that weather forecasters gave a hard job; they are literally trying to predict the future. However, if you have no psychic abilities then predicting what's going to happen 24 hours from now and televising it to a large population of people should be illegal. It's like false advertising. What the weather person should do is stand next to a live radar picture with their mouth shut and just let the audience stare at it. We have just as much chance of understanding what the day will be like as they do. Needless to say our "clear skies for the next four days" forecast is wrong as of day 2 starting at 6am when I awoke to the pitter patter of tiny rain drops on the fly of the tent. This also means that I began my morning by bolting out of the tent like a racehorse to gather the clothes that had been hanging to dry. Although I have reached a point of being OK with whatever the weather does. What gets aggravating is hearing all the predictions (which of course tend to be better then reality) and never having any of them turn out right. I¢d rather not be told anything and just deals with whatever comes. Its better to not have expectations.After a drizzly, wet, and cold day the sun finally poked it's head out around 4pm. We stopped at War Spur Shelter to dry out the tent for about an hour the hiked 5.8 miles to Laurel Creek Shelter where we are tenting for the night. Following suit with the start of the day, a thunderstorm rolled in just as Muster finished cooking us a wonderful dinner of grilled bean burritos. Man, those weather reports are spot on aren't they!?!
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Audie Murphy Monument
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Weather:Sunny. Low around 5 degrees, high around 70 degrees.Today's Hike:Laurel Creek Shelter to Audie Murphy Monument ¢ 18.0 milesAh, there's nothing like getting your shoes wet first thing on a chilly morning When we forged our first large creek coming out of Pearisburg Saturday, I should havetaken that as a foreshadow of what was to come. Although that particular crossing remains the widest, we have since crossed at least 20 creeks and streams. I¢m pretty sure they're all higher then normal due to the nine days of rain. Needless to say I haven¢t had a single day of dry feet. Despite this, today was rather fabulous since it was sunny all day long! Not a cloud in the sky Tonight we're tenting alone about a half a mile past Audie Murphy Monument. Someone is camping up next to the monument and my feet are done for the day so I didn¢t hike up to see it. Guess I¢ll save that for my next thru-hike ? I¢m currently being held captive in my tent by the noseeums and other aggravating biting bugs outside. Guess that gives me a good excuse for an early lights out.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Audie Murphy Monument

To: Camping
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Weather:Sunny & clear skies. Low around 50 degrees. High around 70 degrees.Today's Hike:Audie Murphy Monument to Camping (695.8). - 14.2 milesToday was the start of hiking over one of three great scenic views along this section of trail; Dragons Tooth. Dragons Tooth is a lone rock monolith that stands 35-40 feet at it highest point. The hike to dragons tooth was fairly easy, however; the climb down from dragon's tooth required some rock climbing/mountaineering skills. There were sheer rock walls with rebar handles/stairs for the first mile down. Very cool.After leaving Dragon's Tooth we headed to Catawba Grocery for a short-term resupply and some pizza. After a filling meal and a full pack we hiked a few miles north and found a camping site along the trail. About an hour later Glowworm joined us and we ended the evening with a cold beer and good conversation. Tomorrow is Mcaffe¢s knob, the icon of the AT. I can¢t wait!
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Camping

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather:Overcast. Evening rain.Today's Hike:Camping (695.8) to Lamberts Meadow Shelter - 13.2 milesToday we hiked to McAffes Knob; the poster child of the AT, and the Tinker Cliffs. McAffe's Knob is a massive rock platform that juts out over Catabwa Valley. Muster and I relaxed on the rocks for about an hour then hiked the next 6 miles to the Tinker Cliffs. I mindlessly followed Muster as we neared the cliffs and neglected to pay attention to the blazes. Bad mistake. She left the trail and began trailblazing underneath the cliffs. It took aout 15 minutes of hiking in the wrong direction before I turned and went back. Needless to say I lead the way until we were on top of the cliffs. When we did get to the top, the cliffs were amazing! The hike across them was relatively flat and provided spectacular views of Catabwa Valley and a view back to McAffes Knob.We are tenting tonight at Lamberts Meadow Shelter with Glowworm and a father/son section hiker team. Tomorrow we're going into Daleville for a resupply and our first shower in 9 days! I can smell crisp hotel sheets! Yippie!
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather:Overcast, no rain.Today¢s Hike:Lambert¢s Meadow Shelter to Daleville, VA ¢ 9.1 milesWe reached Daleville by noon, and I had never been so excited to be in a town. I was in desperate need of a shower and a recharge that only a town visit could provide. However, we were dealt a temporary blow when we arrived and found out that it was Virginia Tech¢s graduating weekend and there wasn¢t a single available hotel room in town. WTF?!!? I was almost in tears and temporarily contemplated getting a ride 60 miles up the trail to a hostel just so I could shower. Muster, Glowworm, and myself made our way over to the local Mexican restaurant for a food recharge and a group evaluation of our options. I was trying to accept that my shower would have to wait when Glowworm pulled out his trail book and began calling off all the hotel names in town. We had called all of them except for the truck stop hotel which hadn¢t been listed in our book. We called and they had rooms available. Score! I don¢t think I¢d ever been so happy (or will ever be so happy) to know that I had a room at a truck stop hotel. After a hot shower and a phone call home I felt like a new person. Tomorrow will be a new hiking day, and I¢m ready for it ?
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Daleville

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Weather:Humid, partly cloudy. Light evening rain showers.Today's Hike:Daleville, VA to Wilson Creek Shelter - 11.2 milesTenting tonight at the shelter with Glowworm. We have a nice fire going on and the thunder is rolling in. It's gonna be a wet night.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Fork Mtn. Summit

To: Thunder Hill Mtn. 
Miles today: 13.0

Weather:Sunny, no rainToday¢s Hike:Fork Mtn. to Thunder Hill Mtn. Shelter ¢ 13.0 milesToday was a little more slow going then usual. The terrain wasn¢t unusually rough but I think we were both worn out from yesterday. Muster started complaining of a headache late this afternoon. I suggested that we stop short of our planned destination so she could rest. No sense on getting sick out here. She didn¢t really respond, we just pressed forward until we reached Thunder Hill Shelter. Here we were greeted by John, a wonderful local retiree who was out giving trail magic ¢ cooking breakfast for dinner! I ate platefuls of fresh cook pancakes and drank loads of Orange Juice. Delicious! After we were doe stuffing ourselves Muster decided she didn¢t want to go any further for the day. We found an awesome campsite behind the shelter and set up for the night. Despite her headache, Muster has built us an awesome fire.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Thunder Hill Mtn. 

To: John's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Weather:Sunny & Cool.Today's Hike:Thunder Hill Mtn. to Johns Hollow Shelter - 16.3 milesWe had our first hitch hiking experience into Glasgow, VA today. I was a nervous wreck! The walk toward Glasgow was rather dangerous; there was little space on the road to walk or for cars to pull over. It took about 45 minutes to get picked up. We were both so worried about making it back to the trail before dark that we resupplied at the local Dollar General at record speed, grabbed some greasy grub at the local gas station and managed to hitch a rider out of town. It wasn't until we were back at the trailhead that we both breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: John's Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Weather: Sunny and hot. No rain. Today's Hike:Johns Hollow Shelter to Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter - 18.3 milesMan, this morning was a complete bear! It was all up hill - almost 9 miles!Right now we're sitting at Punch Bowl Shelter trying to make lunch. Our stove has decided to stop working and Muster is currently trying to cook over a fire.......-----------Today felt like one of those days that would never end. It took everything I had to keep my eyes open. That's what I get for drinking a Coke at 5pm last night, but how could I resist? Hopefully tonight I'll sleep well. We're tenting in front of Brown Mtn. Creek shelter, down by the creek alone. Very peaceful and quite.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter

To: Greasy Spring Rd. 
Miles today: 12.0

Weather: Sunny, no rain.Today's Hike:Brown Mtn. Shelter to Greasy Spring Rd. - 12.0 milesAlthough I awoke rested and in good spirits today - mentally ready to hike, Musters feet were only willing to take her so far. The plan had been to hike 17.2 miles to Spy Rock, but after a huge elevation climb (3,000 ft.) and an afternoon of constant ups and downs in the heat our her feet were done at mile 12. Not to mention her unpredictable stomach issues. She has been permanently banned from eating tuna fish and broccoli while on the trail. So, we've set up home early tonight, cooked a hardy meal of Spanish rice and cheese over the fire, and crawled into the tent by 7:45pm. Tonight I have a date with my book and maybe an earlier then usual bedtime.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Greasy Spring Rd. 

To: Tye River
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Weather:Hot! Hot! Hot!Today's Hike:Greasy Spring Rd. to Tye River - 15.5 milesMuster and I saw our second bear this morning behind Seely-Woodworth Shelter at 9:45am. I actually got to see this one; I looked at it and it stared right back at me before scampering off into the woods. There weren't any mentions of bear issues in the shelters register so I guess it was just a lucky sighting for the both of us!This afternoon was a killer. There was a 3,000 ft. descent from Priest Mtn. My knees were done! Upon walking off of the mountain I wish to never set foot on again I had a moment of bliss when Muster made me realize we had caught up with Geogia's Girls and Early Bear. Yippee!!!! So, we cut our 18.2 mile day to a 15.5 mile day to camp with them. Totally worth it.