morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-26
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: few clouds

Boy what a long hike today. We passed right through Daleville without a wink. It was tempting as we noticed a Pizza Hut right there as we crossed the road. We were loaded down with food and we knew that to cut down the weight we have to eat our own food. We stopped at the Fullhardt shelter for water. Interesting water system. The water drained off the shelter into a cistern then there was a faucet/spigot. Not really either, just a funky way to turn the water on. We were just gonna hang there but we decided to move on. We got to Wilson Creek late. I was feeling ill. They was a young gal there, "Toots" was her name. She had someone helping her. A term on the trail for this is "slack packing". Slack packing is when someone carries your pack and the hiker just carries a day pack with water and then they will meet you at your next destination. Anyway... Toots driver was gonna meet her up at the Blue Ridge Parkway early the next morning. We went to bed around 8 pm. We had no fire this night as we were so late getting in.
Date: 2006-09-27
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Blue Ridge Pkwy
Miles today: 8.0

We got up early before the sun came up. I had wicked bad cramps. We hiked up to the parkway with Toots and decided we would go back Daleville where Toots' driver was staying while Toots slackpacked. So back to Daleville we went and we got a room. It was before noon when we arrived and the hotel kindly let us check in. Tommy got a hair cut, iced his ankle and I laid in bed all day. It was that day that we met Bob. Bob was 2 rooms down from us and he was driving his wife Jan and her friend Pansy to different points while they slack packed. Bob offered to get us back up to the Parkway the next day as he was dropping Jan and Pansy off up near Bobblet's Gap.
Date: 2006-09-28
From: Blue Ridge Pkwy

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I felt much better this morning and we decided to go with Bob to get back up to the Parkway. Bob dropped us off south of the James River Valley and we hiked across the James River and on up to Little Rocky Row and Big Rocky Row. Both had unbelievable views of the James River and the James River Valley. Tom and I actually passed some hikers today. This is a rare phenomena! We got up on the top of Bluff Mountain right in the middle of a thunder storm. Well Bluff Mountain has a story. In 1890 little 4 year old Ottie was out collecting fire wood for the shcool house never to return. They found his body 6 months later at the top of Bluff Mountain. There is now a memorial at the top for little Ottie. I just don't understand why the school would send a 4 year old kid out for fire wood!! It was talk of the day among hikers climbing that mountain. WEll we made to Punchbowl, soaking wet I might add, and the shelter was fillig up quickly. This week we have been meeting a lot of southbounders. These folks started in Maine in June and some in July and plan to be in Georgia by November. The shelter filled to it's capacity but we got dry and stayed warm.
Date: 2006-09-29
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a short day as we figured we could get to camp early and dry out from the day before. Plus Tom and I really are not cut out to hike 20 mile days. It's too damn hard. 15 or 16 is really best. Actually 13 is optimal. Before we left Punchbowl we talked to a couple Southbounders, "Lefty" and "Pyro" Really nice guys. Lefty is from Frederick, Md. and Pyro is from Vermount. These two guys have been hiking together for a few months now and were just pleasant to talk to. We exchanged stories about the hiking down south and hiking up north. We told them of things to look forward to and they did the same for us. We had a nice hike today and it was good to get to camp early, pump water, start a fire and just chill out. We played rummy 500 until it got dark and then off to bed.
Date: 2006-09-30
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seely Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

What a beautiful day. We had a 2000 foot climb in the morning and then over cold mountain. Cold Mountain was just gorgeous!! It was a half mile bald and 360 degree views. Walking over mountains such as these just makes me really appreciate life and the beauty of it all. These views will simply drop you to your knees and make your eyeballs buldge. After our lunch break we ran into a couple fellows and they informed us how far the shelter was and what the terrain would be like. This guy looked like Seinfeld. He described the trail as if he were Seinfeld and I just couldn't stop laughing. I think he thought I was out of my mind. I think hiking long days makes me a little punchy is all. Anyway... we made it to the shelter. Shortly after, in walks "Buster" and "Bluebird" They are a young couple who became hiking companions on line. Very friendly and quiet pair. We exchanged some trail stories and off to bed we went.
Date: 2006-10-01
From: Seely Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: few clouds

Have I told you how much I miss my kids? They seems to be in my thoughts quite a bit when I am not thinking about food!! I was excited this day as we were entering the priest wilderness. I have hiked this area with my sister Nancy, and my two sister in laws, Ellen and Laura. When the girls hiked it we never made to the top of the priest but we went to Spy Rocks from Montebello and close to the ascend to the priest overlook. Well Tom and I got to Spy Rocks and I wanted to call Nancy to let her know where we were. Well I couldn't get any reception, which isn't unusual, so we cruised right along. I can remember hiking it with the girls thinking what a difficult hike it was. It wasn't as bad as I had thought. Now if you were coming up the other side of the priest it is a totally different story. Well we got to the top and I called Nancy and was so excited to tell her where we were. Then we started our descend. Thank God it wasn't the ascend. Apparently this is one of the most difficult climbs on the AT. It is a 3000 foot ascend over a five mile section. We went down this and it nearly killed the both of us. I mean to say my joints have been aching non stop since. Just beautiful though!! Great views up top and some awesome views coming down. When we arrived at the shelter we met Christine. Interesting lady. She told me she backpacked carrying a broom. I asked her if that was her hiking stick and she said, "NO". I could not stop laughing!! I was rollin'. I thought to myself, "I would do something stupid like that, so you know this girl ain't right!!" And she wasn't.
Date: 2006-10-02
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 8.2

Well here we are at my Pop's house. Dad picked us up at Reeds Gap at 1pm. and the poor fellow had to put up with our foul stinch all the way back to his house. He and Angela have been taking good care of us. Angela fed us 2 BLT's when we got in, then Tommy and I went and got a massage. We then came back to a steak and vegatable dinner. YUMMY!! I love food. Tom got on the scale here and he has lost 25 pounds. I only lost 10 but that's ok. We will hook up with Tom's sister, Amy, tomorrow and then off to Harpers Ferry we will head. I am glad that we skipped that section down there around Pearisburg 'cause I don't think we would have made it back to Harper's Ferry. It is getting cold at night and Tom and I are homesick. Thank all of you for your support! And those of you who placed bets on Tom and have been giving him a hard time, he can kick all of yawls butts now 'cause he is truly a bad ass!!
Date: 2006-10-03
From: Reeds Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well we took the day off!! It was nice. We walked around Wintergreen (a block or so) and then around 4:30 Tom's sister (Amy) came and picked us up and drove us down to Waynesboro for some dinner. It was good to see Amy, we hadn't seen her in like 5 years. I think we must have been entertaining to her. She took us to this italian restaurant and we pigged out!! Then we had her drive us to the tasty freeze for dessert. Tommy had a fudge cake and I had a chocolate shake. I think Amy got a kick out of our appetites. We then went to Walmart and got some liners for our sleeping bags. Just 'cause a sleeping bag is 30 degree's doesn't mean you will be warm at 30 degrees, it just means you won't die. Anyway... we had a great time with Amy. I wish we could have spent more time with her.
Date: 2006-10-04
From: Reeds Gap

To: Rock Fish Gap / Waynesboro
Miles today: 19.9

Dad and Angela got up early and made us coffee and breakfast!! It was nice to be able to visit with both of them. They took good care of us. All we did was eat the whole time we were there. Dad dropped us off back at Reeds Gap at 8:45 am. Nice hike really!! Rocky though! We got about 7 miles from Pop's house and climbed up on this cliff. As we peeped over the top there was an outstanding view of Wintergreen Ski resort. I snapped a picture.   There were a lot of wonderful views today!! As we were approaching the shelter a buck stood right smack in the middle of the trail and stared at us like there was no tomorrow. I have never seen such a brave deer. He walked over to the other side of the trail and stared us down. We just kept on walking. We were told by some folks that once we get near or in Shenandoah National Park we would see lots of brave deer and plenty of bear. Well we got to the shelter and decided to push on. There was a strange dude there. If you want the story on him I will have to tell you in person and not over the world wide web. We went on to Rockfish Gap and pitched our tent behind an abandoned building. Beautiful day it was but tough. 20 miles is hard!!
Date: 2006-10-05
From: Rock Fish Gap / Waynesboro

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

What a beautiful day. It was like a summer day, hot and sunny!! We entered the park and I am all prepared to see a bear. As I told you earlier many folks have informed us that if we see a bear it would be in the Shenandoah's. Well no bear but a great hike it was. The Park is easy hiking!! The trails are well graded and the ascends and descends are very graceful!! We got to the shelter and there were two guys there asleep. One of them I thought to be the infamous "Tyvek". WE have been reading about Tyvek in the registers and hearing about him from other hikers. Tyvek is a barefooted hiker who has nothing but Tyvek. Tyvek pack, tarp, coat, pants etc. If you are unfamiliar with tyvek it is the material you see a lot on newly constructed homes before the siding goes on. It is waterproof, windproof, and light as hell. So I was anxiously awaiting for this guy to wake up to find out if this was the one and only "Tyvek". I thought, "this has to be him, tyvek is everywhere." Well he woke up and it was not Tyvek. This fellow just happened to have a lot of tyvek but not everything and this guy also wore boots. WEll his name was Scott and the other fellow was his son Shayhan. These two guys are awesome. Tom and I spent a couple of days with them. Let me just add, very wet days. As this was what was in store for us for the next 36 hours.
Date: 2006-10-06
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Ok it is raining cats and dogs. We ventured off with Scott and Shayhan to Pinefield. The trails are flowing rivers, it is cold and raining non stop. I am thinking, "we are CRAZY!!" Scott and Tom hiked together and me Shayhan cruised together. These two fellows really kept us going. It was a great day despite all the rain!! We got to the shelter and pigged out. Scott had a spice rack made out of Tyvek with every possible spice you could imagine. Another rainy night but we talked and laughed all night!!
Date: 2006-10-07
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Hut
Miles today: 20.7

Off again we ventured with Scott and Shayhan. It was great fun meeting up with these guys. Well their journey was about to end and they were heading off to DC and then back to Arizona where they are from. They were parked at Lewis Campground and when we arrived there we decided to go down to to Big Meadows. Big Meadows has a wayside and at the wayside is guess what? FOOD!! Man we had the best meal and wonderful conversation. It were as if we knew these guys forever. Most hiker conversation is about what you encountered throughout the coarse of the day. Well before all this rain started the four of us met a fellow who was hiking in blue jeans, cotton shirt and a starter jacket. His backpack looked extremely uncomfortable and he wore a pair of boat or deck shoes. He was going to stay with us at the shelter on Thursday but told us that "this was not a sky that indicated rain" and he was tenting it. Scott, Shayhan, Tom and I named this guy Levi (because of his jeans). So our conversation around the table was guessing about where Levi was. Did he float away? Did his jeans get so wet that he sunk? or fell over a cliff? Would we see a sign at the next wayside about "MAN IN JEANS FOUND AFTER NOREASTER IN THE PARK" We just laughed and carried on. Doesn't take much to entertain people who have been living out in the woods. Scott and Shayhan dropped us back off at the campground and we hiked down to Bearfence Hut. Really it was sad to say goodbye to these fellows. We all snapped a picture of each other and exchanged email. At Bearfence Tom and I met Blake. Blake happened to live in St. Mary's County and was in the navy stationed at PAX RIVER. Small world it is. Another group of three popped in and they were pitching a tent. The rain finally stopped at about 2 pm and it was beginning to warm up a bit. The group of three were overnighters and what do overnighters have an abundance of? FOOD!! They had hotdogs and beans and marshmellows. And they shared every bit of it with us. It was wonderful!! Blake was planning to meet his family at Big Meadows the next day and Tom and I figured we would stop in for breakfast as we would be passing through there in the am.
Date: 2006-10-08
From: Bearfence Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we decided to keep it short as we were going to hike into Big Meadows, pig out and dry some of our stuff in the beautiful sunshine. We said goodbye to Blake and thanked the overnighters for the great food. What a beautful day it was. The trails were still flowing with water in places but the Park has such well maintained trails that you can just cruise. We arrived at Big Meadows and every tourist in the Park was there looking so nicely groomed and smelling so rosey. After being in the rain for nearly 3 days and wearing the same wet clothes each day (that's the only way to get them dry) WE STUNK!!! We had a big breakfast, dried out, and hung out in the sunshine for an hour or so. Since it was a clear day I thought "maybe we'll see a bear" and I carried my camera in my cargo pocket. Off we went to Rock Spring Hut. As we hiked around this one campground there stood Blake. What were the chances of running into him again? We exchanged hellos and decided that we would probably run into him down in the county. We arrived at camp at about 3pm. Tom and I have not had a shelter to ourselves since southern virginia and it looked like we would finally be alone. We built a fire, ate, and enjoyed all the deer hanging around just grazing. The deer in the Park have no fear. Probably because there is no hunting there. About the time the sun was going down in walks this fellow carrying to huge saddle bags. I thought this is strange. Ends up he was bicycling the Skyline Drive and he stayed in any shelter that was close to Skyline Drive. Ends up this guy had hiked the entire AT and the PCT. We exchanged some stories about different places on the trail. He informed us that the AT was far more difficutlt than the PCT. If you are unfamiliar with the PCT, it is the Pacific Crest Trail that runs from southern Cal or mexico to canada. We had heard this before and many people who have never hiked it would not believe this to be true. Now I have never hiked the PCT but I can surely tell you that the AT is DIFFICULT!! VERY DIFFICULT!! Anyway... interesting fellow this guy. He was a professional trombone player and outdoor extremist to boot.
Date: 2006-10-09
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Thorton Gap
Miles today: 15.0

We were greeted this morning with another beautiful sunrise. Thank goodness!! Rain is not fun!! Off we hiked. Another day that we could actually see some views in the Park. As I was cruising along a hear some movement and I stop and look around, thinking "a bear!". I look around and there stood, not a bear but, a bob cat. Slowly, I reach into my cargo pocket, pull out the camera, step forward to try to get the best shot, begin moving the camera up to my bulging eyeballs and around the corner comes Tom and off goes the bob cat. DAMN IT!!! Oh well, I got a close up look anyway. That was my second bob cat and I have been told by many that I was lucky to see one. Now I have seen two. Also many folks say that seeing a bob cat far exceeds the pleasure of seeing a bear, as it is a rare occurence. At lunch we arrived at a place known as the Pinnacles Picnic Ground. We noticed a big picnic under the pavilion and decided we would take the bench near there and practice on our Yogi skills. Sure enough are skills were perfected. A woman came over and offered us Chili, home made cookies, and fresh coffee. OH what a wonderful thing it was!! It is so refreshing to me to know that there are still a lot of great, giving, and beautiful people in this world. After working in such an ungrateful, ungiving, sad, and crazy place, this is the most valuable thing that I have embraced throughout this journey. As we hiked up to the actual pinnacle, guess who we ran in to? The fellow Blake from St. Mary's!! I mean what are the chances of that? We decided next time we would see him would certainly be at the commissary or somewhere in St. Mary's. Nice guy!! Well we got to Thorton Gap around 3:30 and we gave our friends Mike and Jenny a call. Mike came and picked us up and took us back to their restored, 1760's, one room log cabin. Beautiful place outside of SNP next to the river in Sperryville VA. They have added on to it and are going to add more. It was nice to get off the trail and get a shower. I really feel sorry for these folks that pick us up. The first thing they do is open the windows. We had a great grilled chicken dinner and black berry pie for desert.
Date: 2006-10-10
From: Thorton Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We took a zero day and got the tour of Sperryville. We met some nice folks in the community and got to get some grub. Mike and Jenny had a neighbor over for dinner and we got to tell them some trail stories. People seem interested in what we eat on the trail. It's really not all that, trust me. Anyway... we had a good visit and a nice day of rest.
Date: 2006-10-11
From: Thorton Gap

To: Compton Springs
Miles today: 19.9

We were dropped off at about 8:30 and it was a cold day and foggy. We had a tough time starting out as the visibility was maybe 10 feet ahead of us. As the day went on the fog cleared a bit and we were able to see the blazes on the trail. Other than that, no views today. We were getting close to leaving the park and I am feeling a little disappointed that we have seen not one bear. Crazy really, I mean do we really want to see a bear? We have been told by so many, "you will see many bear in the Park!!" Some said they saw 8, some 4, some 2, etc. etc. I mean we really thought we would see atleast 1. Well we didn't see anything on this day, we could barely see each other. We decided to pitch a tent as it was suppossed to be COLD on this night and the next few for that matter. And it was!!
Date: 2006-10-12
From: Compton Springs

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Ok we left SNP and no bear!! Beautiful hike today and really nice on the feet!! The park truly was nice on the feet the whole way. There were a couple rocky spots but for the most part it was "a walk in the park". The AT is ROCKY!! We stopped in Linden Va. as we had a package awaiting us at the post office. There was a little country store on the other corner and we went in for some chow. On the front page of the local paper was guess who? "Tyvek". He is the fellow that I was telling you about who has been hiking the AT barefoot wearing, sleeping in, eating out of TYVEK. The guy standing in the store kept staring at our feet. Finally, he said to us, "I am wondering why you two are wearing shoes?!" We all laughed. Off we went to Manassas Gap shelter to meet Jack, "Eagleclaw" from Pittsburg. He is a chef who won't go back to work until March and decided he would jump on the trail up in PenMar. Cool dude and damn did he have some interesting recipes. Later on, a couple walked in named, "the rainmakers." This paticular night was going to be in the 20's and that was kinda of a good thing because the shelter we were staying in was noted for the many copperhead that live there. So cold meant, probably, no copperhead. I haven't seen a snake since southern Va. Thank God. And boy did it get cold. Tom and I had to sleep with our fuel so we could have coffee in the morning.
Date: 2006-10-13
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Ashby Hollow
Miles today: 17.6

Man, it was COLD this morning!! Our stove was still stubborn even though it slept with us. We made coffee, ate dry, packed up, and said a quick goodbye to Jack and the rainmakers. Today was the day we would enter the 13.5 mile section of the trail called the "rollercoaster". We were going to combat 3.5 miles of it at the end of the day so as to not have to do the whole 13.5 in one day!! They call it the rollercoaster for obvious reasons. It goes up and down and all around like a roller coaster. I have done the northern 3.5 miles of the rollercoaster on two previous hikes. Once with Tom and once with my sister Nancy, niece Katie Rae, sister in laws Laura and Ellen. I had an idea of what was to come but not totally. These are straight ups and straight downs, no switchbacks, and rocky as hell. Most of today was a piece of cake but as we passed the Rod Hollow Shelter we begin the entry into the "Rollercoaster". There was a sign on a tree that said, "Beware Hikers, You are now entering the next 13.5 miles of the Rollercoaster, enjoy the ride and we will see you, IF YOU SURVIVE, at the Blackburn center". Signed by the "Trailboss" He was the trail maintainer and caretaker of the Blackburn Center. Needless to say the last 3.5 miles of this day was HARD!! Tom and I felt like we were back in North Carolina or Tennessee. When we arrived at Ashby Hollow we were happy to see a nice tentsite as we were not sure that we would find one. We pitched a tent, made a fire and ate our standard mashed potatoes with chicken, followed by a great desert of baby ruth bars. This particular night they were calling for snow but thank goodness it didn't and no rain either. Fact is the weather was great, just cold and I MEAN COLD!!