morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Lakeside walking alone all day; about 2k feet above the water was breathtaking most of the day. The view from the precipace behind Vanderventer Shelter towards Watauga Lake was just amazing. It would be a very short day to stop there but the views make it tempting. The fact that you are sitting upon a piece of rock that hangs out over the drop-off makes you hope the rock is really that solid! The weather report from a south bound daytripper (local guy) was for rain tonight, then a "frog drowner" on Sunday. I had seriously considered going on to the next shelter which is another 6.8 miles, but decided to take my 13 plus day and relax here at Iron Mountain. As long as I average 15 miles a day I can take days off once a week at Trail towns. I only have to average 12 miles per day to make Katahdin by October 1. I laugh at myself as every night I recheck the mileage yet tobe done. Only 1,741 miles to go to Katahdin, Maine. It is still a long ways off but not as far as when I started. The midway marker at Furnace Grove, PA is my next big target. Psychologically it should be easier once I get to the halfway point. It is like you are going up hill all of the time but then you will be going downhill in your mind with less miles every day. Sometimes you have too much time to think out here. It is good to laugh at yourself sometimes. I do so daily.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus, Va. The Place Hostel
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: light rain

Mother Nature suckered me in again today. I had decided that if it were still raining, nasty and hailing I would take a long day to get into Damascus and stay at "The Place Hiker Hostel". However, a rain and lightening filled night turned into a seemingly beautiful morning with blue rolling skies and bright sunshine. Only an hour into my days hike and the heavens opened up and it was back to "night" hiking at 8:00 am. with midnight like darkness, hail and icy cold rain that chills you to the bone and actually makes me ache as I walk. In happier news: The Grindstaff Memorial was pretty cool. 'After being robbed on his westward journey of fortune, young Grindstaff returned to TN and became a notorious hermit who lived on Iron Mountain for over 40 years dying alone in 1923.' Relatives erected his memorial. It simply states, "He lived alone, suffered alone and died alone". Sounds like the typical AT hiker to me. The rest of the hiking day was a fun-filled wet rain, cold messy mud, slide your way up and down trying not to fall on your butt kind of day. I made a hot lunch at Double Spring Shelter just to try to get my body temperature back up, then hiked on to Abington Gap Shelter, but it was only 3:15 p.m.. I was still so cold that stopping didn't seem sensible as I would become colder than if I just went on. The water source was advertised as 175 feet down a very steep hill and I figured (wrongly) that easier water sources would be just down the Trail. There is a lesson for those of you yet to thru hike; read ahead in the Hiker Guide! So, off I hiked together with "Just Janice" who still has not picked a trail name; and the next thing I knew I was at the TN-VA State line. I took a self-photo to document my State Line crossing and kept going on to Damascus, VA arriving by 6:30 p.m. "The Place Hostel" is behind the Methodist church and has many rooms of bunks. Very simple setup but warmer than the shelters or a tent would be and DRY too! The long day was OK as the Trail was down hill the last seven miles pretty much. I had hoped to make the evening church service but was too wet and dirty to go without showering and laundry first. Unfortunately the laundry is about a half mile away, up hill. (hikers suspect that everything worthwhile is always 'uphill'.) All in all it was a good day for my longest day so far on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Damascus, Va.

To: VA 601 Beach Mt. Road
Miles today: 18.1

It is still way too early (four days) to just hang in Damascus waiting for Trail Days to start so I figured to hike on, then hitch a ride back where ever I can so as to get miles in before the festival begins. Then I will be able to jump start past the huge hiker bulge coming out of Damascus at the end of Trail Days. That can be a real mess and I got caught in it once before section hiking thru here so I will not make that mistake again. Considering I got a late start, I felt pretty good about the cold days hike. Crossing over the Virginia Creeper Trail was interesting (an old Railroad Bed made into a paved beautiful trail for biking/walking/hiking)and definitely a future hike to consider. Straight Mountain and Lost Mountain were both harder climbs due to me being trail-lagged (my new invented word) from yesterday's 25+ mile hiking hangover. The forecast continues to be cold and rain all week. This hiker is tired and going to bed as soon as possible. I am hiking out and getting a hitch back to Damasccus to stay at 'The Place' again. This bear is pooped!But it is nice to have the ability to get another hot shower, cook in a real kitchen (still eating hiker supplies that I have too much of right now) then going to sleep in a real bunk. Laundry got done late tonight too. Most of the other hikers are just partying but a few are doing the same as me and we are trying to coordinate rides together, as we have to pay for most of them to be able to hike new sections before Trail Days starts. It is confusing trying to connect all of the little sections here. The outfitters staff helps a lot.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: VA 601 Beach Mt. Road

To: Campsite past Grayson Highlands
Miles today: 15.3

The trail-lag from my big day is still with me. I still have not been able to reach 'Dick Tracy' or any sign of 'Indian Bill' who was last seen as we headed down (north) from Clingmans Dome. The weather is depressing and the constant rain and cold has everyone complaining. In a month we can complain about the heat!  If I can't get my miles up, I'll never catch DT. Grayson Highlands State Park was awesome even though there were few views due to the mist, clouds and rain. I can only imagine the beauty on a better weather day, and try to remember the last time thru. 2006 is the rainiest I have ever seen out here. Only one more day, then back to Damascus for TRAIL DAYS! I am only camping tonight because I couldn't hitch a ride back. I got an offer but $35 each (three of us) for a ride was too much. Still trying to hike out and getting rides back to the trail or back to Damascus as I flip flop too. I have to take rides from trail angels so I can to get miles in before Trail Days.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Campsite past Grayson Highlands

To: Hitching back to Damascus
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: light rain

Only a trail town got me motivated again. It was a case of 'get to a major road or not get back until Thursday'. Stone Mountain and Pine Mountain flew by this morning. I was able to reach a major climb (Old Orchard Shelter) before noon then up Hurricane Mountain.   Today it was 3 separate climbs over 2000 feet each, but it seems easier as I am getting into better shape. Fifteen miles a day is my personal goal right now and up to 20 miles a day soon. I may actually make Katahdin by September if I can keep this up. The countryside is mostly ridgetops and more rolling than GA and NC and even TN had been. Water is plentiful as there has been so much rain and there are runoffs everywhere plus all of the usual springs and streams. I always purify my drinking water by adding bleach, but some hikers never use a filter or anything. That sounds risky to me because if you get Giardia or some other water bourne disease, you may be layed up for weeks or "off the trail" completely. No problem getting a ride back to Damascus now as nearly every vehicle is headed to Damascus for the Trail Days party weekend! Hot shower tonight and real food.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Hitching back to Damascus

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Enjoying Trail Days Celebration in Damascus May 19-20,2006! A rented house seemed like a better bet than the insanity of the tent city down by the river which is a bug infested, poison ivy strewn, drunk fest mostly. Funny how it didn't seem that bad when I was younger. Damascus is definitely the biggest Trail Celebration though. It has a hiker parade, lots of music and hiker friendly bars all around. The Town Park is the best part for me. I like the public family events and there are many vendors and exhibits of hiking gear etc. I am able to get my Kelty pack repaired (broken zipper) and get new tips for the Leki Poles all for free from the manufacturers representatives. The new AT Movie "Appalachian Impressions" is being shown and I am looking forward to seeing it as well. I am amused by the hikers complaining of walking a mile or two around Damascus to get to the different events. DUH are we not hikers? I hitch sometimes as the rented house in four miles outside downtown but always offer a few dollars for gas.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Hitching back to Damascus

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Annual Trail Days Celebration - Damascus, VA. I finally got a phone call from 'Dick Tracy' who crapped out and is not coming to Damascus. Sorry to hear that. I met another hiker 'Shufflefoot', a big marine; he retired just to go back to Irag as a civilian making big bucks but that is risky work. 'Tail gunner on a hum-vee' Now he is back in Damascus to do the 'second half' of the AT and finish this year. He will be sharing the house with me and that saves me money, and he is good company. The landlord is really nice and the folks next door are her in-laws and they let me use their van while I am here. Trail Magic, and it saves the four mile walk into and out of town. In town there are so many things to see and do for Trail Days. I have gone through all of the vendor booths. I got my LEKI poles repaired for free. My Gregory Pack had a broken zipper and they are replacing it but not with a water-proof one but it is better than nothing. I've seen the new "Appalachian Impressions" movie, spoke to a few old hiker buds from long ago. 'LIMP' came up to me and swears he remembers me from my 1985 500 mile section hike. I did not recall him but do recall drinking a few Trail Magic beers at a campsite a few miles north of the RR tracks past Damascus that year. Since I did not keep a journal back then I have no memory now. Another lesson learned, keep a journal, take pictures and write the names down.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Damascus, Va.

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Wonderful, bright, sunny, warm, dare I believe it?? Church Services in the park by the river early this morning and some great singing by the gospel choir - it made me not want to leave Damascus. After 4 lazy trail town nights, a real bed, a shower whenever I wanted it, real hot food - and a few cold drinks; who could be excited about going back into deprivation? Well I screwed up badly today! My shuttle ride dropped me off where I had gotton to before Trail Days and off I went feeling great.A leisurely walk in the woods of 9.1 miles.  Had I not gone 8 miles or more in the wrong direction it would have been an easy day! I was tearing up miles then came around a bend to see a horse corral that looked way too familiar! Another half mile and I got to a bridge where the Hiker Register showed I had indeed been there three days before. I HAD FINALLY GOTTEN LOST AND SOMEHOW WENT THE WRONG WAY! To hike hard for over eight miles going the wrong way was just stupid. I went back to the last paved road and was just so demoralized I was sick. I knew where I was now but had no idea how to get to where I was supposed to be. A car stopped and offerred me a ride. I thought of going back to where I had been dropped off but that would just mean hiking the same section three times. The kind local lady said that her husband had hiked all of these trails for his entire life and they would get me fixed up. She was so nice. We drove to her home where her hiker husband was able to pull out all his Trail maps and help me find where I went wrong and I finally got headed right thanks to their help. We arrived just before dark back at Partnership Shelter once again. I had been here three days prior during one of the flip flop hikes. It was still a few miles short of what I had already done but was as close as he could drive me on roads without me missing any of the Trail. I regret I did not write down their names and address so I could thank them later but in my heart I will always remember them.The good news was that Partnership Shelter has a free hot shower, a real restroom, potable water, and is a chink sealed, elevated 3-sided shelter. Pretty clean, and the best I have seen on the AT so far. There is a pay phone at the Ranger Station where some hikers even ordered pizza. Tomorrow I get to hike about four more miles that I already did last week to get back on track but that is the price you pay for hiking the wrong way.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: clear sky

25.50 yep and I am dead....I let my ego get in the way of common sense and all of the twenty-somethings were doing 25 miles, so I did too. DUMB! Mark Twain was right when he said "The problem with common sense is that it isn't very common anymore." I left before anyone else, was on the Trail by 7:00 a.m. and by noon all the kids had passed me. I kept plugging away, passing perfectly good shelters and campsites with water, but I felt I was committed. Even with limiting myself to just two 15 minute breaks I got to camp at 7:30 p.m. which was 13 hours of hiking. Totally exhausted, I put my tent up in the dark, then went a half mile for water. I then ate a snack and went to bed without a real meal. I was just too tired to cook.I learned a lesson about my ego today and what I can and what I should not do. I think it was my own self induced penance for getting lost and going south instead of north yesterday. Maybe I was mad at myself.I am still going to try to do a minimum 15 miles a day from now on, but save the really big miles for when the terrain is not so difficult. Virginia is the big miles state as the terrain is generally easier and you stay more on ridge tops rather than going up and down every mountain. And due to the National Park you have better Trail maintenance and carry less food (weight) too. I have done this section (Damascus north thru VA) three times though and it is a little boring now.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Davis Farm campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday is still telling on my body. I got on the Trail at 7:30 a.m. but struggled all day, feeling like I just wanted to lay down and rest! At lunch I did lay out in the grass and warm sun after only 9 miles for half an hour but found ALL the other hikers doing the same. We had a fun lunch stop at Chestnut Knob Shelter. I met some young ladies, 'Funny Girl Beth' who doesn't have a real trail name yet but she is cute and a riot to talk to and her friend who wished to remain 'Nameless'. The shelter stop is at the very top of Chestnut Ridge 4409' feet up from our 2880' starting point. Again it was a day filled with long ups and downs, none very bad, but culmulatively a very long hard day.For three days now the weather has been perfect, bright and sunny but not too hot. This Davis Farm site is not very good but it has water. The positive was getting to meet 'Model T' who has written several books about the AT and his trusty companion, 'Ranger Dog'. We discussed the Trail, goals, etc. and they both told me to "slow down" and enjoy the experience instead of trying to catch-up to the hiker group (Dick Tracy, Willow, Shasta, H-Bomb, Bright Eyes, Alabama, etc) that I had known before my five days home.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Davis Farm campsite

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

For the record, do not use the Davis Farm site. It sucks. There is only room for two tents then anyone else coming in to camp has to try to set up tents on a steep hill. Rough brush, no where else to go unless it is back up the steep half mile to the ridge top above where the AT is. If you have to go get water then you might as well as it is a full 1/2 mile down the mountain then back to the trail a 1/2 mile very UP. Another day of struggling. I do not know what is wrong, but I have no energy at all. (POST HIKE NOTE: I believe this is where I got Lyme Disease from a tick bite and it was taking my energy) I did the first 3.5 miles fine then just died. I took a 45 minute break midday but it only perked me up for an hour. I made sure I drank plenty of water too, so it is not dehydration. It took 10 hours to go todays 16.8 miles with all the breaks included. Still no appetite, but I am forcing myself to eat. Breakfast was 2 oatmeal packets and a hot apple drink; four snacks during the day, then turkey stuffing with tuna and another apple drink. I could not eat it all. There is something wrong when a hiker is not hungry.Good night and I hope tomorrow I have more energy.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Stopping for a longer hot lunch seems to be helping me keep up my energy better in the afternooon, but long days are difficult. For the past two days I have been hiking with 'Handlebar', 'Model T' (who has written several AT Books, modelT.net), and 'Ranger Dawg' (or DOG, I am not sure), a career marine like 'Shufflefoot'. They are older gentlemen and like going 15 miles a day so that was good for me too. I only took off to go longer due to wanting to get into Pearisburg before the long holiday weekend. THANK YOU VETERANS! Early in the day I fell over a log when my failing North Face boot caught the top of the log.(now I really hate North Face Boots). I fell hard on my right knee and it hurts all the way up into my right hip in the interior like I may have hurt the bone, all the way up into my hip socket. Highlights of the day included some wonderful woods hiking, then fields, then along a wooded stream crossed several times. The suspension bridge over Kimberling Creek was terrific as it sways when you cross over like a ride at Disney. I took many photos as the weather continues to be hot but clear and over 80F degrees for two days now. The entire section from Jenny Knob was nice. Everyone stopped at Trents Grocery even though it was an extra .8 mile each way. Apparently the "Virginia is for Lovers" does not include giving rides to tired hikers seeking ice cream, cheeseburgers and sodas. I could not believe this noted hiker stop did not have cups of ice for sodas so I bought a bag of ice and a bag of cups in the mini store and gave out my own Trail Magic! It got a lot of laughs from the hikers hanging out there; but the manager said she would tell the owner and maybe they would do better in the future. I love it whan a plan comes together.The trail was awesome all along Dismal Creek with waterfalls and a hundred little campsites where you could have some privacy and be next to that rushing sound of water crashing over the rocks like a million little waterfalls. A very romantic and charming area. I reached Wapiti Shelter at 8 p.m. (after dark) and quickly got into tent mode. Unfortunately this was one time I should have gotten into the shelter, as it rained cats and dogs from 1:30-3:30 a.m. with lots of lightening. Vary scary when it is hitting within 100 yards and you are in a puny tent. I did not sleep much, but what can you do? I thought about trying to get to the shelter, but two hikers were killed by lightening in 1988 inside the Shelter.   And, I would have gotten soaked to boot. At least I was relatively dry inside my tent.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Plaza Motel Pearisburg, Va
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Started hiking in the rain at 6:30 a.m. with everything soaked and heavy in my pack. Oh well, the life of the hiker is not an easy one. If it were easy then everyone would do it. Wapiti by the way, was named after a type of elk common in the area.I was sad I was not able to take the time to stopover at 'Woods Hole Hostel', which has been in operation on the AT since the 1940's. The Woods Hole Hostel has a bunkhouse, solar shower and privy - all free to hikers. Tillie Wood of Atlanta summers here in a log cabin built in 1880 and operates the hostel from May 1 to Jul l. She serves $3.50 Breakfast to the first eight guests who make reservations. Tillie's husband, Roy, who passed away in 1987, found the old homestead while studying a heard of elk (Wapiti) in the area during the 1940's. During the Carter administration, Roy Wood served as the Secretary of the Interior. Amazing folks and hopefully the tradition will be continued by the children. Tillie, unfortunately, is rumored to be in poor health herself. It would be a shame to see this great Appalachian Trail Hostel tradition lost.The rain let up by 8 a.m. and I was able to make Pearisburg by 4:30 p.m. only to find my expected package had not yet arrived. Thank you USPS. Due to the Veterens Holiday, it would be Tuesday before the Post Office would be open again. Predictably, no rides in Virginia again and I walked two miles in the rain to get to a motel. I actually registered at the 'Holiday Motel' but the room was so horrid I left as soon as I saw it. Always beware places that have a "No refunds" sign on the front desk counter. I had to argue to get my money back dispite having been there less than ten minutes. "The Plaza" next door is o.k. at $35 a night for a single plus a restaurant a block away. And, a bar with a "real hoot" Kareoke, 'where people who shouldn't drink meet people who shouldn't sing.' That is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Plaza Motel Pearisburg

To: Flip Flop back to Pearisburg
Miles today: 19.0

Saturday morning was spent attending the Pearisburg BiCentennial Celebration. Good times, free ice cream and watermelon, $1 hot dogs and a wonderful high school play written in 1937 about the Yankee invasion during the War of Northern Aggression (true story). There were also Civil War re-enactors that really knew their history! It was very interesting to listen to them explain in a 'first hand' manner what life was like during the War in 1863. My big thrill was getting to meet Tillie Wood from Wood's Hole Hostel which I had not had time to stop at on the way into Pearisburg. Her lovely granddaughter, Nevell was there as well and is as beautiful as the trail rumors. She is a licensed massage therapist and does hikers feet massages for $8 at the hostel. I promised to stay with them next time I section hike through.  Thanks to Ben at DQ, I got a ride north on the Trail and hiked back in late last night in a pouring rain. Ben was a little off in his estimate of trail miles. He said he lived 12 miles out of town but it turned out to be 19! There were some steep climbs too. I got back to the motel WITH MY PACK very late. Just as I was ready to get into the shower (about midnight) there was a knock at the door). I was not in the mood for anyone and opened the door angrily. The manager was there and had brought me a cup of hot tea as she had seen me trudging in the rain in from the late night hiking. I apologised for my first impression and thanked her for her kindness. I took a second shower for the day, and went to sleep in that real bed, heaven.I figured out later, the trail I covered was 19.0 miles. So much for a zero day of rest, but it is 19 miles closer to Katahdin.