morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The predicted rain held off and I began the days hike at 7:20 with no real intention of reaching Damascus by day's end. My ankle provided no significant pain, but it was so stiff and unresponsive that my pace was slowed considerably and the morning seemed to drag. Within an hour the group I had left sleeping in the shelter sped by and, once again, it was me and the trail. Oddly enough though I felt slow, I covered the 8.3 miles to Abingdon Gap Shelter much quicker than anticipated, averaging better than 1.75mph (still, somehow only 1.0 Nimblefoots).I had lunch at the shelter with UNKNOWN and Forrest, and decided to hike the remaining 10 miles into Damascus, VA, the much acclaimed friendliest town on the trail.I noted with mock surprise that I would even consider hiking another 10 miles after lunch, but increased stamina from already hiking a long distance through Georgia and North Carolina and the desire to avoid or minimize my contact with the rain pushed me on. My ability to accurately estimate my food requirements for a given distance has really become finely tuned and with only a small piece of salami, a piece of cheese and some tootsie rolls my pack was about as light as it could be for the day's final push. Dumping out half my remaining water I further lightened the load. As the fog enshrouded mist turned to a gentle rain I set forth on the gradually sloping trailThe earlier ruggedness of the mountains of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee was now behind me and the softly undulating peaks and valleys of the ridgeline (were) in stark contract to the now pelting rain.With my ankle now loose I made excellent time on the trail and eagerly looked forward to seeing the Tennessee/Virginia sign that would allow me to kiss off another state. (Transcriber's Note: the "k" in "kiss" is unclear and may be a "p") There was to be no such marker, but the "Mt. Rogers NRA" plaque did let me know that after 456 miles I was finally in Virginia. The walk was pleasant even in the rain and I felt elated more than exhausted as I stepped off the trail and into the town of Damascus.As you read this try to imagine stepping out of the woods into someplace you've never been. Your back aches, feet hurt, and while your spirit is elated, it too is tired. Now, find a place to eat and sleep. You've heard about those inexpensive and luxuriant hiker hostels (relative to life on the trail) and may have had the good fortune to stay in 1 or 2 in fast town stops. But this is a new town and though happy, you're still bone weary, the young and quick hikers, long in town, have generally scored the better deals, so I generally seek shelter for the first night and once my security needs are met I look to upgrade on the 2nd. On this first night I stayed at "The Place", a non-profit hostel sponsored by the local Methodist church. Fee: $4.00 donation. Four walls, a roof, no heat, but a place to lay my head and be safe from the now chilling rain and gusting winds. I was grateful and slept well.
Date: 2005-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi,Just a quick update. I'm in Damascus, Va and have been since Friday night, so goodbye to Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Sprained my ankle again on Thursday, but I'm getting used to it. Slows me down for a couple of days and then I'm back up to my snails pace. I'm mailing a bunch of journal entries to my transcriber in a few moments so there'll be more news of all the perfectly legal fun I've been having. Take care,Nimblefoot
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Trini Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

I left Troutdale at noon after two breakfasts. The first I ate at about 7:00 a.m., consisting of eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy and orange juice. At about 10:30 I was back for a second breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup, orange juice and more coffee. Although not completely satiated I reluctantly left town in order to not spend a zero day in a town with only a restaurant to hold me. My in town appetite seems to be boundless, though I seldom get hungry on the trail (at least not in the stomach growling, hypoglycemic sense). I started this trip weighing between 170 and 180 and now weight perhaps a bit over 150. It feels great!I walked the 2.5 miles out of town to the trail because it felt good and I wanted to walk. As I made my way I looked around the road side for discarded beer or soda cans with which to make a new stove. Although there were many, I never bothered to pick any up and am still eating cold food until I get into town.Soon I was on the trail feeling very energized and ready to hike at least 10 miles. The Trini Shelter was about 4 miles in and I stopped to use the Privy and, you guessed it, a bite to eat. Feeling good, I was quite leisurely about my tasks. The stone shelter with the beautiful fireplace within beckoned me to stay. I kept fiddling with my pack not wanting to leave and just as I ran out of reasons Pixie and Pine Dragon, two actually living Yuppies, showed up along with a brother and sister about my age from Missouri. The gentleman's name was Mandolin and I have forgotten his sister's name, but am reasonably certain she had one. Soon everyone was settled in. We had all scattered on a firewood hunting mission and soon the fireplace was alive and the shelter warm and inviting. Soon Mandolin brought out his, well, mandolin and began to charm and entertain us. His musical repetoire was quite eclectic, but many were blue grass such as "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and more traditional like "Silver Haired Daddy" and "The Old Lamplighter". He sang in a soft, gentle tenor and his unnamed sister harmonized beautifully (perhaps those who sing harmony never get names), Soon everyone was singing along with what words they knew and the music seemed to stir the childhood memories and many stories were told, some of them true. To me it was one of those magical trail moments that always seem to occur either the night before or the night after you were at a particular place. This time I was there and can't help but feel a little blessed.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Bland, VA

To: VA 611
Miles today: 7.0

Today I've only covered about 7.0 miles, having hung my hammock early because of shin splints that likely developed yesterday when doing a fair amount of running on the gentle slopes going into town. My guess is that it was a combination of the normal pounding associated with running, the weight of my pack and not doing the stretching that I should know enough to do. Hopefully this is just a minor ailment. I'm resting early in an attempt to prevent this from becoming more serious than it already feels and hasten my recovery. Will I run again? You bet, but not for awhile.There are about 37 more trail miles to Pearisburg where I'll pick up a package of beef jerky and other treats made by the delightful lady who is uploading my photos, Creek Dancer. What a great lady. Anyone that feeds me is automatically great, but she is more so. Many thanks. We're planning on hiking a weekend together when I get in the Waynesboro area in about 3 or so weeks.I've now been on the trail for 2 months and have done about 585 miles, 270 in March and 315 in April. May should be a better month because I'm gaining strength, Virginia is easier and my average for the first 4 days of May is 16.5 miles. My hiking speed, while still slow, is faster and now that I can throw in the occasional run, my distance should go up and trail hours down.Last night in the motel I had more shock than I can handle. Be glad you weren't there. While I've lost a lot of weight it seems to be an odd mix of muscle and fat from all the wrong places. My shoulders, chest and arms have become quite skinny; my legs are like a banty rooster. The weight loss around my mid section has resulted in a sack of loose skin hanging below my belt line in a very grotesque way. Combine this with a tanned head, face, neck and forearms contrasting with an alabaster chest, abdomen and legs should let you know why I'll likely remain in the woods for the next year or two. Any single women out there looking for a date for the geriatric hiker's prom?That's it for now. I'm crawling in the sleeping bag wishing I had a book.
Date: 2005-05-06
From: VA 611

To: VA 606
Miles today: 9.6

A short and struggling day with the shin splints; pretty easy on the uphills but more pressure and pain on the downward slope. I'm concerned enough about my situation that I'm going to postpone this next 24 mile section and hitch a ride into Pearisburg tomorrow and rest until it heals. I wanted to attend TrailDays in Damascus anyway, and this will give me a good opportunity. It's funny how each time I'm on the brink of really being in shape something seems to happen. I don't consider my self star crossed. Indeed, I'm fortunate to be out here. There's another term for it and I believe it to be "old age"...that and combining it with stubborness seems to keep me either recovering from an injury or on the brink of the next. What keeps me pushing my own envelope is the belief that you never know what your limits are if you don't test them. That's kind of what this whole thing is about, my personal belief that people my age and younger just give up on an active, physical life style long before they have to. It takes a little work to do the things I enjoy, but that's part of the price to be paid. There's a far greater tax exacted on the sedentary style of existence and I want no part of it. Death will eventually have to come looking for me; I won't be waiting in the rocking chair. So far this year no one has died on the Appalachian Trail of any cause. I wonder how many people have died of "sitting around" in Burnett and Washburn County's.The price of civilization is a compromise in the quality of life. I believe myself to be freer and safer than at any time in memory. That being said, I never could figure out what critter that was nosing around in my camp last night. Either it was smaller than me or never acquired a taste for the unwashed Irish. It does cause one to be a little hypervigilant though. Tonight I'm hanging ALL my food in a tree. Good night.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Why Thru-hike the Appalachian Trail?Although thru hiking the Appalachian trail has increased in popularity in recent years it is by no means crowded. Now that I am 600 miles into this adventure I feel comfortable recommending it to most.Why do it? Well, it's just so damn much fun and you meet such great people, both on and off the trail. There's something so noble about it in a sort of rustic Holy Grail sense, that folks just want to help you. It feels good physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally; the ideal holistic workout. The Trail will challenge you like nothing else, yet it is emminently doable by average people of virtually any age. If you're in a state of transition such as graduating from high school or college, retirement or you wife died from eating poison mushrooms, it's just the sort of pilgramage to facilitate the introspection necessary to making successful life changes.There is a lot to think about in life and plenty of time to do it while hiking the Trail. Some spend a fair amount of time crying along the way as they process childhood issues or a marriage gone bad. In the evening they may share their revelations with an ex-painter or college drop out that they may never see again. It's really a lot more than a mere walk ing the woods.I have half-joked that one should never be in a romatic relationship with another so much younger or older that you have no sense of each others rock and roll. I don't know if this is true, but it seems so and sounds as if I had given deep thought to the subject. I havent. It was just an off-hand flippant remark that seemed sort of, well, true...or like it ought to be. Last Saturday evening, as the sun was starting to slide behind Pearis Mountain, a group of us were laying about on the wooden portch of the hostel listening to a local station play classic rock from the 60's and 70's. Each song seemed better than the one before it and the voices of young people (and one old guy) joined in both singing and humming as conversation ceased. Young men and women in their 20's singing the songs of my generation. They knew the words. Asking them about this I was told that they all believed that this era of rock to be the best ever and then they explained why. It was as if they had been reading my mail and as if the feelings surfaced from the music caused us each to understand that we all have much more in common than not. That lesson alone is enough reason to do hike the trail. There are other larger and grander moments both behind me and, as I continue north, ahead of me. I'll write more as thoughts occur, but right now I'm looking for another meal.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Spring campsite

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, VA
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Only a little over 200 miles and I'm far enough into Virginia that I can thumb a ride to Richmond and visit my son, Joe. I plan on not taking anymore zero days between now and then, but who knows. Though really looking forward to seeing him (and eating his food), it is still a momentum killer and forward motion is hard to establish and almost as difficult to maintain. Everytime I go into town the life just gets sucked out of me. A day or so of real food, freshly washed clothes, a shower, toilets that flush (and, let us not forget toilet paper) and I feel almost normal. As if, in another life, I was fit to live in a town. However, being part of the trail culture and planning to return to its arduous demands, a stay in town is very tough to overcome. Those afore mentioned amenities are luxurious beyond compare to thru hikers. Following Trail Days and the recovery time for my shin splints immediately preceding it had me so fed up with my slothful self that I forced myself to do 14 miles that first day out and I ended up foolishly scrambling up and down rock faces in the dark of night. Towns make you crazy and adversely affect your judgment. They should be avoided at all costs and I absolutely love 'em.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

It was cold last night, perhaps in the low 40's. Most did not sleep well because of the cold and I was aware of every passing half hour trying to figure out how to get warm. My luxurious down sleeping bag is now with my son in Richmond and I'm getting by with a nylone bag liner and a $6.00 blanket I bought in Pearisburg. Up until last night it was a good idea.Though exhausted I was first out of camp by 7:15 because visions of free hot dogs danced in my head. Yesterday we had come across signs advertising trail magic at the intersection of VA621 and the Trail about 10 miles ahead between 12:00 and 2:00 pm. No one wanted to miss out and everyone left camp early. Tired or not.When the Boy Scouts and Church Folks got there a little before noon they were greeted by a herd of hungry hikers standing around with their tongues hanging out. In less than an hour I ate 3 hot dogs, brownies, cookies, ice cream and drank 3 sodas. These wonderful people also brought chairs with reals backs for everyone to sit on as they ate. Chairs with backs are a real luxury because the best you can hope for in the woods is a log, a rock or placing your back against a tree. None, however, compare to a real chair.The afternoon hike of 9 miles to where I now lay my head was difficult because I was now stuffed and still exhausted from inadequate sleep. The younger folks repot only renewed energy and zoomed on ahead, but my sorry tail didn't drag in until dark. Nonetheless, it was a great treat and I am so grateful to people who take the time to do this.Tomorrow's hike is about 12 miles into Catawba. Once again we are mnotivated by food since the local restaurant, the Home Place, is all you can eat for $12.00 and reputed to be the best food on the Appalachian Trail.The following is added as a post script, but is certainly not intended as an afterthought. It was on this section of the Appalachian Trail that the plane carrying Audie Murphy crashed and killed him in 1971. When I was in early grade school Audie Murphy was my movie idol and was one of the real straight shootin' good guys of the cowboy movies of that era. Only later did I learn that he was the most decorated soldier of WWll, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor amongst numerous other decorations. I visited his memorial for a time and reflected on the debt I owed to him and people of his generation. I recall the old soldiers and sailors of my childhood in Danbury, Chuck and Clare Trott, Bill Houston and Ralph Briggs (who gave his life)among many others. I honor and love them for what they gave for all of us. Memorial Day is shortly upon us and I fully intend to take a moment and offer a prayer for them and all veterans who have served or are currently serving on this most special day. It's the least I can do.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Troutville

To: Unknown
Miles today: 0.0

Hi folks,Just a little note to let you know I'm heading north this morning. Because I haven't kept up with the mileage portion of my journal entries, the ticker on this site isn't accurate. I'm really at mile point 715 and counting. My plan is to hike to Buena Vista, skip to 20 miles north, and then hike to Waynesboro. I should meet CreekDancer there and we will return to Buena Vista and hike the 20 miles section previously missed. Following that I will stop in Richmond to visit my son for a few days. I have noticed some glaring errors in my English, particularly in tenses. Sometimes I have switched tenses in the same sentence. This is largely due to the fact that I'm generally quite tired when making the entries and don't have the energy to correct it. Eventually I will. In the meantime go with what I meant, not what I said. It worked for my Dad.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Troutville

To: Curry Creek
Miles today: 8.6

I finally left Troutville around the middle of a warm, sunny day with a backpack full of food and a belly full of lazy. My shopping was a little different because, quite frankly, I was more than a little tired of my limited diet. New additions to my vast (or half vast) gastronomical repetoire were a half pound of sharp cheddar, one lb of hotdogs, buns, mustard, powdered milk, carnation instant breakfast and powdered gatorade. I had also picked up another new pair of hiking boots since the earlier pair had been eaten up by a water proofing compound containing beeswax. Evidently beeswax is a microbial and shortly begins to eat the very leather it is supposed to protect. My boots had only lasted me about 400 miles, but were otherwise excellent and so I decided to go with the same.While stopped at VA652 and enjoying a trail magic soda, a lady thruhiker happened by. Her name is Hareball and she is a retired Treasury Agent. As we hiked together I told her about the hotdogs, since she didn't seem like a bad sort, and offered that if we camped in the same vicinity that evening I would share them with her. I am not particularly noted for the smart moves I've made in my life, but that was sheer genius because she was packing all sorts of fresh fruit, vegetables, spices and other goodies that need cooking and taste absolutely wonderful. Even better was her tendency to buy way too much food and carry it into the woods. Because of the additional weight on her back she was in the position of having to throw away food or find people to feed. I was just the guy and luckily had offered my food first and so could not be successfully be cast in the role of using her for food. Note to the younger reader: What you use the opposite sex for may actually change as you get older. It was my bright idea to camp early because I couldn't get my mind off those hotdogs. Hareball agreed and so we set camp by Curry Creek, a lovely little stream with good drinking water and a beautiful, relaxing bubbling gurgle. Once the tents were pitched we both set about gathering firewood and a small campfire was soon dancing against the gathering dark. Green sticks were quickly cut on which to cook the weenies and then the good stuff came. She began to unload food from her pack, blueberries, cherries, onions, cookies and on and on. The hotdogs were soon cooked and eaten and then I started on what she had carried in. That night I slept the sleep of the satiated and the gluttonous. Life was good.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Curry Creek

To: Cove Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The day started a little later than usual because it was just so comfortable laying in my cozy little tent. We were out before 9:00 with the stated intent of at least getting to Cove Mountain shelter, a distance of 16.3 miles. There weren't going to be any significant elevation changes during the day so despite the distance, it wasn't likely to be a strenuous day. What I recall most vividly is my annoyance at the trail crossing the Blueridge Parkway 6 times during the day and following close by more than I cared for. The AT is not always, or often, in the middle of nowhere. As we move more and more north the sounds of vehicles are too often heard and severely detract from the experience. Still, all in all, the trail is beautiful. Rhododenrons are in full bloom as are wild Azaleas which give off a light and deep fragrance. My hiking partner, Hareball, insists the aroma was from yet another plant, but she is nuts, which I can now freely say because I am safe in my son's residence and she can no longer control my opinions with her food (Ha! Take that!...just teasing). Darkness was shortly upon us when we arrived at the shelter and so cooking was done without the aid of light. I made a small fire and cooked my hotdogs, sharing them with Hareball and she cooked red beans and rice supplemented with fresh peppers and onions, sharing it with me. It was at this point that I noticed my gastrointestinal system undergoing a remarkable change as my diet suddenly changed from cold and bland to hot and spicey. I began to fear that my single roll of toilet paper, sufficient since Catawba (44 miles) would not carry me to the next trail town. Talk about foreshadowing.