morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

We did our first 20-miler today! The terrain was kind, the weather was nice, and there weren't really any bad ups to complain about.We hiked up Big Bald right before lunch and it, along with Big Stamp, was really beautiful. Lunched at Bald Mountain Shelter and met Thor and Farmer. Get this-Thor is from Boyertown. Its a small world after all. We arrived here to the shelter (finally!) around 7:30 pm and let me tell you- rice and beans and lasagna from a bag never tasted so good.We decided to stay in the shelter tonight-we just hope the mice aren't too bad.MakoshikaTHEAT's entry-How do I write this entry- about the day I pushed myself the hardest physically in 44 years?My idea- "lets push to a 20-miler" I announced the day before. My reasoning was sound- if we do 20 miles, that leaves less than 7 for the day we get into Erwin, TN. The sooner we get there, the more time to chill out.Actually a good day of hiking until mid-afternoon when we are descending down rocks and gravel on swollen knees. Fact is I'm still nervous about falling on descents and I'm slow but want to appear like it's no big deal. Well, I did fine but I was scared and I lead the way and know that Makoshika and Montana watch me closely. They are tolerant of my snail speed on downs as I compensate on flats and ups.Water was challenging. Two pitiful streams didn't pass our inspection and we were thirsty. About mile 19, we admitted we were beat. Pressing on for water and the shelter, I tripped on a hidden stump, tumbled to my knees, and my pack came over my back and went down. OUCH! I wasn't hurt, but was stunned and cried. This is very hard. Sometimes I act like its not, but it is. We pressed on, found great water 0.1 miles BEFORE the uphill shelter. We arrived at 7:15 and got 3 spaces in the shelter. Makoshika shares that the shelter register lists numerous mice horror stories associated with this shelter. We ate, set up pads and bags, and in bed by 8:45. It was in the 50s-warmest evening yet. It's dark and we don't want to deal with mice.Lousy night's sleep- why do people revel in mice stories? It sets up anxiety, fuels body heat, and makes your imagination run wild.The whole shelter got up around 5:45 am. Great breakfast, nice sunrise and feeling super accomplished.THEAT
Date: 2003-04-30
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: few clouds

Out on the trail by 7:15 am- go team! The sky is partly cloudy, it's humid, and rain is on the way.Very nice hiking into Erwin. Lots of switchbacks and great views of the Nolichucky River and the town of Erwin. Montana set up a couple of photos of what looks to be a nice area. Arrived by 10:30 and thrilled to see the hostel right off the trail. GREAT PLACE! Jimmy, "Uncle Johnny", and his wife Charlotte could not have been nicer. We got a private room with double-sized bunk beds, sofa, ceiling fan and a little porch. Showered, were given town clothes, and invited to go into town via free shuttle to an all-you-can-eat(AYCE)pizza place. Awesome! We ate like pigs, did a little grocery shopping, read the paper, and were picked up two hours later.A thunderstorm again around 2:30 pm with significant hail the size of gumballs-we were so glad to be here. Picked up our maildrop and mail. Relaxing nap and later a knock at the door to see if we wanted a ride to dinner. We will pass-we'll eat our food, catch up on homework, and relax.Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel- a great place to stay. Back on the trail tomorrow.THEAT
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Extra sleep and a later start on the trail. Montana took a photo of Makoshika and THEAT with Uncle Johnny as well as a photo of the destination mileage post on our way out. Saw a huge snail on the trail as well as an orange-red newt. No bears, but lots of lizards on this trail.Took an early lunch in order to lighten our loads. Stormy looking sky around 2 pm. Hiking on mountain tops and into gaps gets interesting. With a very fast pace, we managed to dodge all of the thunderstorms and only got a little wet. We have big enough pack covers that we can pull them up over our necks and onto our heads. We look stupid but we don't care!Arrived at the shelter around 6:30. I just love when those already in the shelter avoid eye contact and grunt rather than welcome you and make room. I didn't come out here to be in an elite group or to fit in. Very glad we have a tent.A good day- a cooler night- and we always sleep well coming out of a town. This is hard, but it's really fun.THEAT
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The hiking this morning was really nice and this afternoon wasn't too bad except for the thunderstorm. Around 3:45 the rain began and the storm was right over our heads. After hearing several close thunderclaps and seeing some bright lightning, we (along with Tank, Slaughter, Cuba and Bedouin) decided to hunker down next to a big downed tree stump for about 45 minutes. After that long, the cold seemed to be a bigger issue, so we decided to push on and climb the 1.5 miles up Roan Mountain to the shelter. And boy did we book-we were up that mountain in less than 25 minutes! It's amazing what cold and wet clothing will make you do! When we arrived, we were amazed to find a shelter with a door that looks just like a little log cabin (well, made of stone). We decided to sleep in the loft and rigged up a clothesline which hung from the rafters. I was quite disappointed in the water source here; despite the rain, it was a pool of muddy water. Oh well, I got to witness the wonders of water purification!Makoshika
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 14.6

Very cool day. Awoke at 5:45 in the dark, dank attic section of the shelter. We quietly put on our headlamps, took down our clotheslines of damp clothes, and quietly descended the steps then handed down our packs. Out into a windy mist and out on the trail by 6:30.We opted to walk 1.5 miles to a gap where we read there were picnic tables and bathrooms to make breakfast and change for the day. Turned out there were no picnic tables- just privies and a parking lot. Still was a treat.What a scenic day. I really wished my brother Chas was here today as I know he would have truly appreciated the unusual beauty of this trail. We crossed 2 incredible balds- Little Hump & Hump Knob. Wow..... the 360 views were so beautiful. The sun was out, the skies were blue again with billowy clouds and you could see forever.Up on Hump Mtn. we saw 2 odd looking dogs on top of a rock that looked like coyote. Later we walked right past grazing Longhorn oxen. How cool is that? Chas- you would have loved it.Well- only 1,788 miles to go. We're tenting by a stream tonight and hope to walk to town tomorrow for a hearty diner breakfast in the a.m.THEAT
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Stealth Camping
Miles today: 14.8

Awoke to the sound of a Hoot Owl and Wild Turkeys. Awesome.Makoshika broke all speed records in getting up and packed knowing town breakfast was down the trail & maybe a hitch away.On the road @ 6:45 a.m. and picked up by a man who has a lawn cutting service- we climbed into the back of his pick-up and took in a cool wet breeze for the mile ride to the diner.I won for heartiest appetite- 2 cups of coffee, milk, Western Omlet, 2 pancakes and a bicuit the size of a saucer. Makoshika and Montana put it away, too. Montana got 3 more biscuits "To-Go" so we could have them at lunch.Easy hitch back to the trail from a young guy going horseback riding in the area.Very pretty hiking in green pastures early in the day.Tough day emotionally- Montana takes the brunt of the mood swings of 2 women and deals with their fatigue and hunger attacks without complaining. But when we agree to a plan as a team and then the girls whine- well that's when it gets shall we say- TENSE.We took two longer breaks and talked ot out- we feel great when we do the miles but maybe we need to slow it down a bit.Camped before the shelter.Makoshika took her mat out on the grass and napped while Montana and I set up camp.Looks like rain is on its way. Montana is "battin down the hatches" so we stay dry. He does so much to make this a great experience. Sometimes I take hime for granted.I want to become more proficient with some of the tasks he does- then we will become an even better team.THEAT
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Stealth Camping

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light rain

Awoke at 5:30 a.m. in the tent- no rain. YEAH! Then at 5:45 it starts. Ran out in my rain jacket and undies and grabbed down our food bags out of the tree and brought them in the tent. Decided we would pack up in the tent, don our raingear, eat Powerbars and hike to the next shelter to make breakfast. Executed the plan and the rain stopped and restarted in 15 minutes. It was a good plan!Ate at the shelter, left in the rain and later we're roasting in raingear. Life on the trail.Interesting hiking around Laurel Falls. Blooming rhododendron and azaleas but lots of rocks. At one point we had to clutch rocks to avoid falling into the water. Dramamtic looking photo taken of old, scared lady!!We put in a very long day. We planned for it and helped each other through it. Took extra breaks and were thrilled with the better weather. Pulled into the shelter about 7:15 p.m.Met a very nice couple riginally from Deer Lodge, MT who most recently lived in Flagstaff, AZ. Lots to talk about and just the 5 of us in the shelter.Rain started about 7:30 and so glad we can cook and be dry.Feeling tired but full, satisfied and happy with the day.THEAT
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Today was a very nice hiking day. I got to experience some of the first flat stretches of the trip and the ups were pretty docile. We got a good and dry start this a.m. from the shelter (other than the fact that I stepped in a poop hole this a.m.). Rain arrived by 11 so we decided to stop at a shelter and cook a warm lunch- interesting idea but I'm not sure it's for me.Around 3 the rain stopped and the sky cleared- arrived at the shelter early enough to relax. I took a Spanish test that has been looming over my head. We had dinner with Puffy & Stumble and Steama. It was interesting hearing about Puffy & Stumbles' travels in the Peace Corps to Gambia and Albania.Now we are snug as bugs in a rug- in our tent... Home Sweet Home and we're talking about Damascus, VA.A doe is grazing outside our tent. Ah.... trai life is great.Makoshika
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: 3 Miles from the Abraxton Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

Woke up earlier than usual (5:30) as we thought we heard a storm approaching and we wanted to have all of our stuff packed, the tent down, and to be in the shelter before it rained so we could cook up breakfast. Well, the storm never came but instead the rain teased us with spritzy showers for the rest of the day. We stopped in at the Double Springs Shelter after our mid-morning powerbar break and confirmed that a large fire shovel digs a much nicer poop hole than our little orange trowel! Ate lunch in Low Gap and felt pleased to know that we'll be walking into town tomorrow with only minimal lunch supplies (i.e. some banana chips!). We arrived at the Abington Gap Shelter around 3:30 and decided not to spend the night there, but to push on closer to Damascus. So we cooked up dinner and relaxed for awhile and then we hiked on another 3 miles to a very nice campsite tucked away under some pine trees. Oh, and I got my first birthday gift of the year - Flatlander gave me a Snickers bar. We were talking about birthdays at the shelter and when I told him that mine was coming on June 13th, he gave me a Snickers as an early present. And boy did it taste good! Thank you Flatlander! Damascus tomorrow - showers and real food.- Makoshika
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Stealth Camsite

To: Damascus, VA - The Maples B & B
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another rainy morning. The tent got saturated but continues to keep us dry. The wind picked up but that blew the rain off the pine trees above, however cleared the skies a bit.Decided to keep to eating breakfast at our site before packing the tent. On the trail by 8am.The miles flew by, the skies cleared and before we knew it we're crossing into VA! Photo time for us. We started to see Damascus beneath us and hurried to get to our relaxing time.Cute town - lots of homes with great front porches, flowers and so friendly. No wonder it has been called the best trail town along the A.T.   No traditional motel chains so we opted for a nice bed & breakfast. Got hugs from the owner (brave guy) and took off our boots, left our fuels on the porch and up to our room to gather clothes for laundry, shower and dry things out. Sunny skies took care of our gear in no time.Off to lunch - Montana and Makoshika are pacing their town eating as they get really full - so far I'm still a pig!Went to the Post Office - WOW!Two boxes of supplies, a huge easter basket from Aunt Verna and nice notes for Makoshika and me. Phone calls to Mom, Steve and grandparents. All is well. Life is good.Here's to relaxing and celebrating success.- THEAT
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Damascus, VA - The Maples B & B

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a good day. Sarah prepared a yummy breakfast for us (the 5 guests) of fresh fruit, tomatoes, biscuits with apple butter (homemade!), cheese grits, bread pudding, breakfast casserole, and crumb cake. It all tasted wonderful and I ate just the right amount! Took a walk around town later - what friendly folk that live here in Damascus; they even stop for pedestrians! I started reading A Painted House by John Grisham today and am really enjoying it so far - thanks to Zach's Dad for lending it out! I got a chance to do some work on my computer website and think it's really shaping up. We had dinner at "In The Country" tonight but ened up ordering only a PB&J sandwich and a broccoli salad. Oh, and I had an Oreo Milkshage for dessert too! We treated ourselves to renting a movie tonight and we made a very good choice with White Oleander. Tomorrow is another zero day for us and then we'll head out on Sunday. I hope to maybe rent a bicycle tomorrow and ride around town - that sounds like it'd be fun. Other than that, I don't think we really have any plans, but that makes the zero aspect of our zero day even better!- Makoshika
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Our second Zero Day today - so relaxing. We spent most of the day sitting on the front porch reading and watching all of the people go by. Today was the HUGE town yard-sale and boy was it busy! People everywhere selling everything imaginable - golf clubs, tupperware, vehicles, stuffed animals - you name it, they sold it! We had dinner at Sicily's Pizza tonight - I think my appetite is getting better, I almost ate an entire small pizza! I watched "Sweet Home Alabama" tonight - I liked it. Well, back on the trail tomorrow - it should be interesting getting back out there. I enjoyed the town a whole lot, but I'm afraid that if we stayed any longer than we did, that we'd get too adjusted to town life and want to stay.- Makoshika
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Truly enjoyed our relaxing stay in Damascus. A wonderful send-off breakfast enjoyed at the Maples B&B. Sarah sure can cook. One final photo of us on the front porch and we were off by 9am. Got two invitations from biking guests at The Maples to stay with them in Waynesboro area. How nice.Walked no more than 0.25 miles and Montatn looks up in the sky and predicts a cloudy but pleasant day. Almost immediately we hear a calp of thunder and the rain begins. We scoot into The Ole Barn restaurant and it begins to pour. So much for predictions. We change into rain gear, cover our packs and decide its time to hike. A hard way to leave town by "No rain, No pain, No Maine." The rain stopped in about 2 hours and it turned into a beautiful day. Makoshika and I hiked in sportws bras and rainpants.Nice hiking - despite full packs. Montana even carried 6 slices of leftover pizza in his pack for us to enjoy at lunch. What a guy.Arrived to the shelter about 5:30pm. Hello Virginia shelters and hello privies. Makoshika is in heaven.Back in our dry tent tonight.- THEAT
Date: 2003-05-12
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Great night's sleep. Montana was chilly as he sent back his sleeping bag in Damascus and was using only his bag liner. I opened my bag and we snuggled and stayed pretty warm.What a bright morning - the first truly clear day in about 10 days. Noticeably more chilly - 40's.What a climb over Mt. Rogers. It was so windy I almost blew over! Some say the winds were 60-70 MPH. What views. We saw deer, wild horses and walked beside cows. Sure hope our phots of the wild horses turn out.The terrain was very rocky most of the day - where is that easy VA terrain? Hiked through "Fat Man Squeeze."Brrr. In at 6pm, set up the tent, ate and went to bed. Montana is planning on lots of clothes. I promised I would share my warm sleeping bag. Pleasant dreams.- THEAT
Date: 2003-05-13
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Tday was a very cold day! We wake to weather in the low 40's and struggled to do simple tasks such as lighting the stove and pumping water due to the chilly air. We crossed more open (and windly) fields later in the day and saw some more cows and horses. The climbs weren't too bad, but the rocks were unrelenting...Oh well. We were planning on staying at the Racoon Branch Shelter tonight, but chose to push on the extra 2-1/2 miles to get here as the water source at the earlier shelter was pretty gross. We're planning a shorter day tomorrrow (only 10.6) to the Parnership Shlter where delivery pizza and a water spigot await us! And then on Thursday we'll hitch into Sugar Grove for breakfast, hike 12+ miles and then eat at a restaurant along the trail for dinner! Ah, the life of luxury!- Makoshika
Date: 2003-05-14
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Parnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Slept in until 6:15! Looking forward to shorter day.Great hiking and finished by 12:30. Go team!This shelter is incredible - double decker with spigot water, privy and a shower. It gets better - 0.1 mile from the pay phone with the pizza delivery number attached. YIPEE. Ordered two huge pizzas and large fries -finished with Snickers, Milky Way and 3 Muskateers candy bars! Montana then took a nap. The AT is not all work!Sleepin in the loft and out in the a.m. to hitch to breakfast. YEEHAW- THEAT
Date: 2003-05-15
From: Parnership Shelter

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Good night's sleep in the loft of the shelter - Montana styed warm which was great.Up early to hitch into Sugar Grove for breakfast. Beautiful sky, final privy runs, then KABOOM - thunder. On with the rain gear. Got to the road by 6:30am and realized there's not much traffic willing to stop for hitchhikers in rain gear at that time of the day. Almost ready to start hiking and forgo breakfast and a SMALL four door sedan pulls over - Jim & Shirley on their way to Grayson Higlands to backpack for the day. Nice folks who made room for us - we squished in the back seat and put our packs on our laps - kind of like built-in air bags. They were so funny - soon as the doors shut, Jim said, "Whew - what smells>" and Shirley cracked open her window. Gee - we showered yesterday! Must have been the clothes.Excellent breafast - sunny skies and Jim & Shirely leave but reassure us they've hooked us up for a ride back to the trail. Turns out "HAMMER" has a rich history with the AT and tells us he has "all day" and his truck will be waiting for us - whenever we're done with breakfast. How nice is that? Great guy - says he read about us on Trail Journals.com. On the trail before 9.Good hiking - partly sunny until about 1pm and the rain starts while we are enjoying the one room school house of the Living History Settlers Museum. Montana and Makoshika really enjoyed reading the school books and Montata pretended to teach a lesson. Rain gear on, we set out for the afternoon - windy, rain and distant thunder. It made me move. We opted to stop for lunch (2 meals out today!) and dry off. We were pretty wet and rearranged our plan and decided to stop down the road at The Relax Inn - laundry on premises, too. No rooms. Boo Hoo - Montana asks if we can dry our clothes and guess what - o ne more room! A divey motel but accomdated us ti shower and do laundry and see 2 more nasty storms.Off in the a.m. Will hike then cook breakfast. An interesting day.- THEAT
Date: 2003-05-15
From: Relax Inn

To: Relax Inn, Rural Retreat, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I can't believe I didn't write yesterday! Okay - here's yesterday in a nutshell: we left the Trimpi Shelter around 8:15 and hiked a leisurely 10.6 miles to the Partnership Shelter. And boy was that a treat - it had a shower, a privy w/TP, a 2nd story loft, and easy pizza delivery access! We had pizza for lunch and dinner and I got to k now some of the guys from this alternative High School in Maryland. They were really nice guys and it was so nice to be able to talk with people my own age for a change. This morning we were out on the highway by 6:30 to hitch a ride into Sugar Grove, VA for breakfast. A lovely couple named Jim & Shirley picked us up and the three of us piled into the back of their car and we were off. After a filling diner breakfast of pancakes, hash browns, baked apples and milk, we hiked (over pretty nice terrain) to the Living Settlers' Museum. As we were looking around the Lindamood one-room schoolhouse, a huge T-storm came over us, so we decided to wait it out in there and further explore. After awhile, the storm passed and we headed out in the rain towards "Linner" at The Barn restaurant in Rural Retreat, VA. By the time we got there, we were cold, wet, and not too eager to hike the final 2.7 miles. So we ended up spending the night here at the Relax Inn - clean bodies, clean clothes - this is the life! We walked up to DQ and got Blizzards - yum! Now it's raining again, but hey - that's life on the trail!- Makoshika
Date: 2003-05-16
From: Relax Inn, Rural Retreat, VA

To: USFS Road 622
Miles today: 18.3

Great night's sleep last night at the Relax Inn! However, I don't think I'd stay there again - it was a pretty shady place. Several people who had maildrops to pick-up there fcound that their mail "wasn't there;" so they were forced to stay another few nights until their boxes "showed up." Also, they claimed that there were no rooms left, but then "managed to find one" just in the knick of time - the same thing happened to Fortune Cookie and Walkabout. Anyway, we had a lovely hiking day - we hiked through several scenic pastures and we even corssed a stile that said we're 1/4 of the way to Katahdin! We were planning on hiking the 22.9 miles to the Chestnut Knob Shelter today, but we decided to cut it a little short and now we're camped on a gravel parking lot of a USFS road. Tomorrow we plan to do another 18 miles to an area w/picnic tables and campsites, so it only leaves us 6 miles to hike the next day (and a short hitch) to Bland, VA where we'll stealth-camp for the night and then p/u our bounce-box in the a.m. Well, it's getting late and I'm tired!- Makoshika