morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Campsite Past Bald Mountain

To: Irwin TN Uncle Johnnys
Miles today: 17.0

Got cold last night way up high. Ate last bagel for breakfast. Need more.Long, long downhill walk to Spivey Gap, US 19. Then a horrific climb up, absolutely beautiful scenery, gorges with streams, feet ache.Takes forever to get to No Business Shelter. It's made of cinder blocks. I take a nap and let my feet dry. Am wakened by a large animal running by the shelter. Never got to see it. Soon another thru-hiker shows up, moving fast with a Go-Lite pack. He says his dad has hiked the A/T twice. Two brothers arrive, they started at Hot Springs NC and are going to Roan Mountain. Everybody but me carries small packs. But I have enough food to skip Irwin TN and go on to Damascus VA. Most people don't carry that much food.Trail to Irwin is all downhill and takes forever. I can see the Nolichucky river and the town. Finally get to the bottom. See Uncle Johnny's Hostel. See drink machines too. Head there and buy sweets, gatorade and some insoles, nice place.They cater to a lot of white-water people as well as hikers. Tex, the journalist from Texas is there. Found out that Reagan died. Also found out our dog Robbie had to be put down, I am sad to hear this. Also feel very bad that I didn't call dad, I was in such a rush.Head out across the river. Somehow I miss the trail and walk into a park, but someone tell's me where it is. Walk by another Hostel by the river. Lots of paddlers here. Nantahala Outdoor Center has a parking lot reserved.My intentions were to go past the next shelter, but stop at a good campsite near creek, close to Hostel and where the guides pack their rafts. I can hear them from my tent. Plenty of food but may run out of alcohol.Very hot where I am. Did 17 miles today, could have done 20, but call it a day.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Irwin TN Uncle Johnnys

To: Elk Park NC
Miles today: 20.6

Wake. In the night the wind picked up. Some lightning but no rain. I could hear the wind howling upon the mountain very loud.Get going, very tough climb to Curley Maple Gap Shelter. More section hikers there. Next shelter is 12 miles away. Very hard day. Constant steep hills, rough terrain. Went through the Cherry Gap Shelter. The woods looked like a war zone! Big tree's twisted in half, limbs everywhere. Tree's across the trail, tree's down all over the place. Glad I wasn't in a tent here.Feet ache badly. Several blisters. Those new insoles did that to my feet. I could kill the guy who said they would be comfortable.Day takes forever. Saw several orange newts. Came by a Boy Scout Troop. Am considering buying trail running shoes. I need something with more cushion. Have also got to get this pack lighter some how. Decide to make camp, am out of water but think a creek is not far away.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: tent Site Beside Stream

To: Doll Flats
Miles today: 23.0

Wake. A good nights sleep, get going. See my first bear at Grassy Creek. Big bear on the trail ! He scared me and I scared him. Didn't realize how fast they are. Found out about Hostel on a blue blaze trail. Greg ("Chafe") went there and had a cheese burger. Wish I were there !Long day. Climbed Roan Mountain,6,285 ft. Very tough, but beautiful on top. Met two people taking pictures. They took one of me. Rushed on to Apple House Shelter. Passed by the Barn ( Over Mountain Shelter). An old barn converted into a shelter, Two kids said I could make it to Apple House Shelter, so I passed on by the barn, so I tried for Apple House Shelter, HA ..!!Had to climb Hump Mountain, 5,587 ft and Little Hump Mountain - 5,459 ft ! Was running out of daylight. Don't want to tent up here because I'm exposed to bad weather.Realize I'm not going to make it in time. Pitch tent in tall wet grass. I'm hopping mad !!! Now my tent is wet, I have to set-up and cook in the dark ! Go to sleep. Soon a big thunderstorm rolls in ! Pouring rain and wind. Tent is soaked but I'm fairly dry. This is the drawback to tenting. Some kind of animal ran by in the middle of the night.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Doll Flats TN

To: Moreland Gap Shelter TN
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Wake. Pack up wet gear. Boots and socks are drenched. Head down the mountain. Very rocky and slippery. Come to Doll Flats. A group of Boy Scouts there camping. Here I take a wrong turn and go about 2 miles in the wrong direction !Have to go back up-hill.Long walk to Apple House Shelter. Ho-Bo Joe and Doodle are there. Keep moving next shelter is 18 miles ! I meet up with Barking Spider and Squatter, they pass me. I have no energy today.They say it's a fairly flat trail, beautiful area. Takes forever to get to the Moreland Gap Shelter. I thought I might have to pitch my tent. Arrive about dark, exhausted. Feet are wasted because of wet socks. Greg is here, Barking Spider builds a fire, we're completely worn out. I vow to never again run out of trail food !!
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Moreland Gap Shelter TN

To: Kincora Hostel TN Hampton TN
Miles today: 8.0

Wake. Enjoyed a good night with good people. Ho-Bo Joe and Doodle arrived late last night and pitched their tent. Mice almost destroyed Ho-Bo's food bag overnight !!I'm the last to leave, plan on stopping at Kincora Hostel owned by Bob and Pat Peoples. Walk 8 miles from shelter to road, then up road about 0.2 mile and see small log house with Ivey covering half of it. Bunk house is built into the side. They have two horse's, absolutely wonderful place to stay ! Kitchen, Laundry, showers, donation of $4.00 is appreciated.The whole crew is there resting. Barking Spider is on the phone talking to a doctor. He has problems with his lower leg. He's a good guy, all the people here are good people.We shower, do laundry, I clean my pack, it's beginning to smell. Nice just to relax.Bob the owner, takes us to town & Winn-Dixie. Gives us about an hour and a half to shop and eat. I buy a ton of food, eat at Arby's. Bob and I set on his tail gate and eat strawberries that I bought ( 2 boxes ) people think I'm nuts eating all those strawberries. Ho-Bo Joe comes out pushing a cart full of stuff. Wish I had bought some ice cream. Someone bought Ben & Jerrys ! Me and Squatter ride in the back of the truck on the way back.This place is for A/T hikers only. The walls are covered with pictures of people who have made it to Katahdin. I originally wanted to skip it, but sure glad I didn't.Late evening, people are winding down, relaxing. I need ice cream ! Bob is very active with maintaining the trails. He said May's issue of National Geographic has his picture in it. A good man.Going to be a tough day tomorrow with my heavy pack. Wish I had bought stuff to make spaghetti. Ho-Bo Joe is cooking something that smells real good and he's fixed garlic bread.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Kincora Hostel TN Hampton TN

To: Vendeventer Shelter TN
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Wake. Good nights sleep at Hostel. Some are packing up. Most of the thru-hikers are taking the day the day off, not me, I pack up.All those strawberries are working on my stomach, run to the bathroom and pretty much destroy the john ! I feel sorry for who ever comes in here next !Barking Spiders leg is hurt, he's going to give it some rest.This is the only Hostel I've seen without a TV. But lots of good books to read.Ear a little and head out. My pack is too heavy, I can't stand the weight. It feels like an anchor. Too much food.Get to trail, lots of day campers. Trail very rugged and steep. Descend into Laurel Falls. Big water fall ! Girl Scouts have camped here. Move on, lose the trail but get directions. Back on a super steep climb, over big mountains. My pack is killing me ! Soon head down mountains toward Watauga Lake, pass through the picnic swimming area, take break. This is the same place where me and dad walked a little of the trail. Move on around Watauga Dam. Get caught in a bad storm close to the dam. Heavy rain, I'm soaked !Finally reach Vendeventer Shelter after dark soaked! Two nice people tell me that water is a 2 mile walk down a steep hill ! They offer me water and I thankfully take it. One fellow is from Michigan, other from New Orleans. They are section hiking. Totally exhausted, eat bagels and go to bed. Soon as I lay down another storm rolls in.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Vendeventer Shelter TN

To: Double Springs Shelter TN
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

Wake. Good sleep listening to thunder and rain. Two guys pack up and leave, I follow a little later.Fairly easy walking through woods. A covey of quail jump up in my face. Pack is too heavy !! Get to Iron Mountain Shelter - 7.3 miles from the last. I get there just before it rains. Eat and move on.All day long I think of ways to lighten my pack. It's got to get lighter if I'm going to finish this trail.Pass through an old farm and also by the Nick Grindstaff monument. (See pictures I took). Was going to skip shelter and tent it tonight so I'd be closer to Damascus VA, but storms are brewing all around. Feet hurt because my boots are soaked. Use mole skin and duct tape everyday !Get to Double Springs Shelter and call it a day. Did 18.3 miles, am a little disappointed in the low mileage. Wanted to be in Damascus by now. Fix dinner, another storm is on the way. Alone so far.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Double Springs Shelter TN

To: Damascus VA Yahooooo !
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Leave early pushing to Damascus, an 18 mile day. Go fast but it takes forever. Walk by a little tiny shelter, take break. This place gives me a bad feeling so I move on.Finally get to Damascus VA !! Happy ! Happy ! Go straight to Mt. Rogers Outfitters and buy a pair of trail runners. Hope they help. Head to the place, a local Hostel run by a Church. A bare bones place, but close to all the businesses in town.Meet Wonder Boy, a guy who thru-hiked last year. He hangs around town. He's in between college breaks in Texas. He gave me a ride to Food City, he plays James Brown and Bob Marley ! Has a wonderful dog with him.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Damascus VA Yahooooo !

To: Damascus VA Zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Get up late. Light Weight Joe has dragged in after a 34 mile day !! Tex comes in, he looks rough, devours a cake I give him.Mailed my tent and sleeping bag home, worried that I'll need this gear later, but I need the weight off my back now !Go buy a few things. Tex and I go to Dot's Bar and eat. Lone Wolf comes in. He's a legend on the trail. We talk for awhile. He tells us we have enough time to finish Katahdin. Tex has had a little too much to drink. Thankfully we're not in a car. Stop by Dairy Queen on the way back. Nice walk in nice weather.The Place is a little awkward, I needed a roll of toilet paper, buy 4 for a dollar, give three of them to the Hostel.It's nice to be able to walk a short distance if you need something. Went browsing around to all the stores. Bought a watch for $2.00.Back at the Hostel, Wonder Boy invites everybody to go to Abingdon to see Harry Potter ! I pass on this. He will be going back to school in Texas soon.Talked to Adam (Gather) on the phone for the first time since the trail. That was nice. I would like to live in Damascus. Getting late, Tex is fast asleep, we all go to bed.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Damascus VA 

To: Lost Mountain Shelter VA
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Wake. Light weight Joe leaves out early to do a 30 mile day ! Tex is going to take a zero day today.Some guys come in overnight who are on a cross-country bicycle trip. Robert is one of them. He started in Michigan and will make a loop back there, very interesting people they are.Gonna be a nice day today. Almost want to stay. Say goodbye to Tex. Eat breakfast at Dairy Queen. Go to Sundog outfitters and talk with owner, a thru-hiker and nice guy.Move on to trail. Pretty good climb up mountain, new shoes feel good but feet still sore. Get to shelter, keep going to the next one. Pass by nice trout water. Trail comes out on the Virginia Creeper Trail. This is a wonderful bike trail. Cross a big long wooden bridge with white water streams everywhere. See some bikers, very nice campsites. I'll be coming back to ride my bike here.Head into woods. Very hot, like a greenhouse. Soon get to Lost Mountain Shelter, It's empty.I'm staying here tonight. Did 17 miles today, not bad considering I left Damascus around 10:30 this morning. Chipmonk runs back and forth in front of the Shelter. Tomorrow I will be leaving very early.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Lost Mountain Shelter VA

To: Old Orchard Shelter VA
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Wake. Got very cold without sleeping bag ! Very little sleep. Nice to have shelter to myself.Head out early to Old Orchard Shelter which is about 24 miles.. Big day cross big Mt. Rogers Mountain, beautiful. Lots of people camping in shelter at Mt. Rogers, is full of people. Someone gives a deer a Ritz-Cracker !I continue on. Normal day but long. Cross several horse trails. Finally get to Old Orchard Shelter.Late in evening, two weird guy's come in the shelter, Ranger Jan comes in. Skittles ( from Alaska) is camping outside the shelter. He gets a fire going. I eat and set behind the fire. The weird guys, Ranger Jan and another guy joins us, along with a loud mouthed girl. Cold here, wind is howling ! Wonder how warm I'll stay without a sleeping bag tonight ??
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Old Orchard Shelter VA

To: Partnership Shelter VA
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Wake. Actually stayed fairly warm last night with no sleeping bag. Pack, leave around 6:00 am, everyone else is asleep.Going to try for Partnership Shelter, 25 miles away. Take wrong turn as soon as I leave the shelter, but get straightened out. All downhill for awhile.Met a guy that started in Harpers Ferry WV and is headed to Damascus VA. A real southern good ole boy. He tells me that Partnership shelter is somestimes a real party house, because It's only one mile from town. A Ranger Station is next door. People use the phone there to order pizza.Takes me forever to get there. Feet are blistered. Eating Snickers bars like crazy. Get rained on a little. Crossed the North fork of the Holston river.Finally get to Partnership Shelter. Two people a husband and wife, from Arizona are here. Nice shelter, showers, sink and an upstairs. take a shower, woman said something smart about using all the hot water. Walk up to the Ranger Station to order pizza and call home.Am very sad to learn that Freckles (our dog) is very sick (cancer) and the outlook isn't very good. I am very, very upset by this ! Don't know what I'm going to do. This trail isn't that important to me. Very worried about Freckles. Wonder what Adam (Gather) is going to do ? I'm setting here in the Ranger Station writing this. My mind is just torn up thinking about Freckles. just set and wait for my food to arrive.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Partnership Shelter VA

To: Atkins VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Sometime yesterday a homeless guy with a pack came to Partnership. He pretends to be a hiker, but he is living there. Wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. He leaves his trash everywhere. I dump it when he leaves.On my way out, I talk to a Ranger about him. He says they have had their problems lately, and will watch out for the guy.I shower and head out. About 3 miles into the day heavy rain sets in. I keep walking and thinking about Freck (Dog) and my family, I feel like I should be home with everyone. Feel like I'm selfish.Keep walking on to Chatfield Shelter, talk to some people there and decide to go on to Atkins VA, 5 miles away. Walk through the biggest blackberry patch I've ever seenGet into town (Atkins VA) around 4:00 pm. Eat at the Ole Barn Restaurant. get room at the Relax Inn, what a dump, but TV works. Watch the news. Very tired.
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Atkins VA

To: Beside The Trail, No Tent, No Sleeping Bag!
Miles today: 16.4

Check out of the Relax Inn at 11:00 am, late start. Feel lazy. Get to Dairy Queen to use phone to call home, Skittles shows up !Mom tells me more about Freck (dog). I shouldn't be here. Should be at home with the people who love me. Learn that Adam (Gather) is home, he's smarter than I am.Eat sundae with Skittles, then head out through more blackberry patches. Wish they were ripe !Head to Davis Path Shelter. Late when I get there. Went through lots of beautiful private farmland. Saw lots of deer. a lot of people at Davis Path Shelter. I really don't want to sleep here, so I push on in the dark. They think I'm crazy ! Do about a mile and decide to sleep under the stars, lay my pad out and hit the sack, no Tent, no Sleeping bag, nothing but shorts on.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Beside The Trail, No Tent, No Sleeping Bag!

To: Jenkins Shelter VA
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept ok, kinda wish I had my sleeping bag. Head out early. Beautiful scenery, big fields.Get to Chestnut Knob Shelter. This is more like a house, 4 walls, 1 door, place is made from stone. I think this was once a Rangers Cabin. Clouds are very low, I'm up pretty high - 4,410 ft - take a break.Head on to Jenkins Shelter in the pouring rain. Tough walk, very rocky. A family is there but they are leaving. They give me lots of food ! A man named Halfway is there, nice guy, retired, comes from Georgia. He started in Damascus VA. His son thru-hiked the trail, gave up his corporate job and worked in outfitters shop in Neels Gap GA. Halfway reminds me of James Carville and Hunter S. Thompson. We get along very well.Another guy walks in, Mike Tyson from NC. Said he dated a girl from Salisbury NC. He is director of a Church Choir. He doesn't sleep in the shelter. Sets up a hammock, thats a neat little deal he's got.Halfway askes me to wake him at 6:00 am. Go to bed......
Date: 2004-06-22
From: Jenkins Shelter VA

To: Jennys Knob Shelter VA
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Didn't sleep well, very chilly without bag, think I made a mistake ! We all get up. My goal is Jennys Knob Shelter 24.3 miles away. Say good-bye and head out.First part of the day was spent walking down low on the flood plain. Very muddy ! Glad it isn't flooded.Go up Brushy Mountain (3,080 ft). Long climb, but not bad once you're at the top. Stay up here for quite a while. Running low on water. About 40 minutes later, "Trail Magic" !! Someone left 5 one gallon jugs of spring water. I leave a thank you note. Cross I-77 (very noisy) find trail and start climbing. Pass by Helveys Mill Shelter. Keep going, it's pretty much ridge walking.Decided to take a nap in some bushes, let out a big loud yawn and scared the hell out of a section hiker who had sat down to take a break. He looked as if he might faint. Said he thought I was a bear in the bush.Push on to Jennys Knob Shelter. Very low on water. Takes forever to get there. Go get water, very little water source, but enough. Am starving to death !No one else here tonight, I can hear the Cicadas making their sounds. Feel very sad, why am I here ? I could be fishing with dad and seeing mom, Freckles and family. Not feeling very good at all. Don't feel good about what I'm doing. Am worried about things that could happen at home.
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Jennys Knob Shelter VA

To: Wapiti Shelter VA
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Woke late. Mouse got into my food bag overnight. No damage. Just don't feel very good today.Head out, heavy rain begins. Trail is nothing but mud. Head into Jefferson Forest, fairly easy walk. Pretty much flat. Lots of creeks and bridges. Everything is so green ! See lots of deer and turkey. Bridges are very slick, have to be careful. Am thinking about Freckie (dog) back home. Very hard to concentrate.Meet up with three section hikers. I've been bumping into them for the last 300 miles. They stayed at Kincora Hostel when I did. They tell me about a Hostel that is 6 miles from Doc's Knob Shelter.Stay wet all day. Get to Wapiti Shelter 8 miles from Doc's Knob. Pouring rain, I'm frustrated, have only done 14.2 miles. Need 20 and it's 4:00 pm. I call it a day. Cold, wet and hungry. A deer walks around the shelter. Cook and eat.Mike Tyson walks in. Met him at the Jenkins Shelter. He tells me that the Hostel is only 6 miles on down. ! I would have gone on. That would have made 20 miles plus a short day in Pearisburg. Am Furious ! I miss my sleeping bag and tent.Mike sets up his hammock and goes to sleep. He started at Springer. His goal is Harpers Ferry WV, but he's calling it quits in Pearisburg VA. He's walked a long way. Need to get to a phone and find out what's going on at home.
Date: 2004-06-24
From: Wapiti Shelter VA

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

Wake early. Nearly froze last night. No rest, miserable. Why I sent that sleeping bag home I'll never know.Head out, mike still asleep. Trail is nothing but mud. See lots of deer, hear lots of humming birds.Begin to climb Big Horse Gap - 3800 ft. Good climb. I don't like getting to roads or Gap's because I know there is a big climb coming up. I am beginning to loathe roads. Trail flattens out a little but very rocky. Meet section hikers, usual exchange. I head on and right in front of them I slip and bust my ass. Only my pride was hurt. Thought I broke one of my poles but didn't. Keep on trucking.Long day. Can see Pearisburg from top of Pearis Mtn. Takes hours to descend. Very frustrating. Have a pain in my right foot. Never felt it before but it's not too bad.Get to town. There is some real good ole boys here. not sure where to go.Meet a very long haired hiker, a classic. He tell's me the Hostel is three miles uphill. Shit ! I start walking and go by the pizza place. I finally say to hell with the Hostel and stop at the Plaza Motel. Food Lion is across the street. Very nice lady at the Motel.Am dead tired. Order pizza, talk to a construction worker who is next door, do laundry. Motel lady let's me look through the hikers box. Lots of goodies here. Fuel, granola bars etc.Call home. I'm always worrying about home. Just can't shake it. Starving. Eat pizza while talking to dad. Hope he can understand me.Head across street to buy food. Walking into a grocery store is always a treat. The only problem is I go nuts and buy too damn much ! Eat a whole cup of canteloupe, gonna have the shits the next day, I'm sure.Get back. Someone knocks on my door. It's "skittles". He's always right on my heels. He's carrying a lot of beer. Invites me to come over but I fall asleep and don't make it. I feel guilty about that. Watch news, go to bed.
Date: 2004-06-25
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: moderate rain

Wake up late. Absolutley dead, lay around, pack up stuff. Pack is heavy again. One would think that after 600 miles one would learn to not pack so much food.Head out back down hill. It's raining ! Get to Wade grocery, a man offers to give me a ride, I decline but he tells me to visit the grocery.Nice place. Lots of hiker food cheap. It's nice to see a mom & pop store still doing a good business. Buy brownie and coke, set out front and watch the locals. Very friendly people.Head out, get confused on where to pick up ther trail, but find it. A big climb up. Catch up with a guy limping, scared him when I said hello. His name is "Nomad". A hell of a charector, retired from the Marine Corp. Said he just likes to walk the country. He's not really thru-hiking. Come through Damascus and decided to try the trail. He's well traveled, has good equipment. Say's he's walked the highways for years. His knees weren't prepared for the trail. Having the same problems I did. Says he invested in MicroSoft in the early years, then wanted to start a business. Sold his stock just before it sky rocketed. Made him sick.As soon as we get to the shelter the bottom drops out, very heavy rain. The clouds have engulfed us. Visibility is zero. Nothing will dry, just gets wetter. Later on the clouds ease up a little. We can now see in front of the shelter. A big field, big buck out there eating. So is a little baby deer. Looks like a little dog.I dread going to sleep, I know I'm gonna be cold without sleeping bag. Still worrying about my family