morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Wanting to be 

To: Packing for the hike
Miles today: 0.0

Half Left and I went through all of our trail food we have been stockpiling on Sunday and packed 4 days of food in our food bag ready for the trail. We also are in the process of going over all of our gear making sure we have it all. I can't find my pack cover so it looks like I will have to buy another one. Following trail journals of other hikers tells me it has been wet on the trail, lots of rain. Good thing I purchased a new Marmot Precip jacket last week. When we hike as a couple it allows us to split gear up, saving us both weight. I carry our "Big Agnes" double sleeping bag, Half Left carries the tent, a MSR Hubba hubba, both weigh about 5 lbs. I will carry our "kitchen" which comprises of our "Snow Peak" stove, titanium pot, cups for coffee, cloth to pick up hot stuff and also wipe out the pots, along with condiments (salt & pepper, spices, olive oil, etc). Half Left will carry the food, only breakfast and dinner. We each carry our own snacks and lunches. Sleeping pads, clothing, water and tolitries are carried individually. My pack should weigh out with water at about 30 lbs while his at about 35lbs. Sometimes they will be less with less food. We hiked 700 miles in 2010 and this system seems to work. My pack is an Osprey Ariel while Half Left has a Gregory.We have also put together a couple of boxes to ship forward although we plan on mostly buying from local stores along the way. I plan to update our Maildrop list in case anyone gets a wild hair and wants to send us something.We are both in a bowling league which ends next week, just in time. Our daughter is turning 12 and son 21 before we leave. Plans are to have a party for them both on the 19th as well as a "going away" get together at the same time. I already made 120 Crab cake balls and we will be smoking 2 Boston Butts on the Weber. Friends will be bringing sides and desserts. Yummy!!!! Still can't wait, things are falling into place. See you on the trail...
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Heading for the mountains

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We have our backpacks packed, home taken care of, final banking issues completed. Now what is left is getting ourselves to the trail. We will be leaving in the morning with happy faces! Not sure how much sleep we will get tonight but the coffee will be brewing early to boost our departure. We plan to update the journal as much as possible through my droid and also on computers in local libraries, hostels and hotels when possible. Please don't forget to sign the guestbook, we love hearing from everyone!Some news I just got a couple of days ago, our oldest son Joshua and his girlfriend Cami are expecting our first grandchild. She is due sometime early 2013. We will be back by then so we wont miss anything. Our youngest son Jesse just turned 21 on Wednesday. We took him to Carrabas for dinner and out to an Irish pub called Fionn McCools. He made it through his first shot laden evening without upchucking. Jesse is staying at our house and taking care of our 2 dogs, Shasta a Chow and Pogey a Chihuahua. The pool will be enjoyable for him this summer.Well off to finish last minute stuff. See you on the trail...
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Newport,VA

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 674.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sitting on the porch of our hotel room anticipating tomorrow morning anxiously awaiting our first day back on the trail. We have once again gone through our packs shedding weight. Brent will be taking home all the extra stuff we decided was too heavy to carry. Our Florida group is ready for our journey to begin. We are in Pearisburg at the Plaza Hotel. Thru hikers have been scurrying around hooting and hollering because they are clean from the showers and have full bellies from finally being in a town, not to mention beer in bags awaiting consumption.We spent a glorious 2 days visiting two good friends in Robbinsville, NC. They took us on Fontana lake on a pontoon boat. We could see Shuckstack rising up above the lake. All of us have climbed to the tower at least once. I have ascended 3 times. The Smokies are a beautiful part of the trail but have lots of regulations that are annoying, we are glad to be way past there.Back home, tropical storm, Beryl in powering it's way through Jacksonville. We hope everyone stays safe.Must get to bed so we can start in the AM.See you on the trail...
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Niday Shelter 
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: few clouds

Our hike into our first shelter was hard coming out of the shute. All uphill and the shelter was .4 down a ridiculous trail. Not to mention the water was another .2 down a steep hill. Half Left, being the good man he is, got the water. Our night was uneventful but the next morning we had to scale the "ridiculous " hill just to get back to the trail. We got moving up the way for our trek heading to Niday Shelter. It was a great ridge walk until we hit the rock ledges. That could send you straight to a sure death. Well we didn't get the life insurance policy from the big brother so no falls for us! It is very tiring walking sideways! We all made it, thank God. The shelter was very nice and right off the trail with a brand new privy! Yay! The croud was nice and we had some good conversation. Someone mentioned rain and within 5 minutes it started pouring. Glad to be in the shelter!The rain was soothing and we slept well.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Niday Shelter 

To: Pickle Branch shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

We were up early, thanks to a couple of other hikers that decided to get up at 5:00 am. Our mileage for the day was to be 10 miles to Pickle Branch Shelter but upon looking at the distance off the trail(.3 mile steep down) we decided to look for a camp site. The hike highlight was a steep incline of 3 miles to the Audie Murphy Memorial. We were slap warn out by the time we reached the top where a nice inviting bench was waiting for us to plop down on. The blue blazed trail to the monument is only .2 off and well worth it! Half Left 's family has a strong military background as well as mine, so this was quite a treat. The monument has engraving on it telling about his demise from a plane crash near the site at only 46 years old. He was the most decorated war veteran from WWII. We enjoyed lunch and said a prayer then travelled on. The descent was again steep and 3.7 miles. We reached the bottom of the mountain which ended by a beautiful stream called Trout Creek. A lovely place for a camp. We usually don't camp near a road but as we were deciding 6 other hikers joined our camp. There was a nice place for us to soak our tired feet. We set up camp and talked to some of the other hikers, Zip along with his 2 golden retrievers, Smiley, The Incredibles, and a couple others. It was a nice first evening alone in our tents. Iron Maiden and Girl Hobo used theirs also for the first time. Glad to be hiking the AT!!!
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Trout Creek Campsite

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

A quick note, these entries are being posted on TJ with my DROID. Therefore they are shorter and less detailed than I normally would do and spelling is hard to cjeck, so forgive me please.Our AT Guide which I love, shows an easy uphill lah tee dah hike for today, NOT! It was the toughest, most scariest and grueling day ever! 5.5 miles of huge rock steep inclines. A few places we had to take our packs off. Half Left took a spill but didn't get hurt.. He then touched a stick with his boot and thought it was a snake. Iron Maiden was in front of us and Girl Hobo behind. We all reached the summit with worn out looks. The Dragons Tooth is spectacular but thehike to it NOT! Spending about 45 minutes eating lunch and talking we decided to descend. Girl Hobo stayed behind to rest more. The descent was more grueling than the ascent. It was rock climbing. With a backpack. Scary! !! We went about 100 feet and started hollering form Girl Hobo to come along with us. We had to help each other down quite a bit and knew with her bad knee she would need help also. She didn't hear us so we waited for her. I think rock climbing would be fun but not with a 35 pound pack on your back. It took is 3 hours to come down the mountain. We were all literally exhausted and still had. 3 mile road walk to the hostel Joe Mitchell the owner of the Hostel welcomed is as well as his dogs. It is a 3 car garage behind his house. Cots and lawn chairs laid around as well as couches. There were hikers everywhere. After a long hike lik had it wasa welcome site for everyone. Baltimore Jack, Fizz, Tall Olf, Wanderer, Crazy Top, 65, and all of us piled in the truck for a great meal at the infamous Home Place restaurant. Fried Chicken family style. None of us could walk when we left. If you are ever near Catawba, VA Thurs-Sunday, go to this place! We all came back and sat aroumd in the garage as it rained. Tomorrow McAfee Knob!
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Tinker Cliffs
Miles today: 15.7

Our hike for the day was going to be strenuous for our fresh legs. We packed out our pizza from yesterday to eat for lunch which we decided to eat at the shelter right before the big climb. The hike to the shelter for lunch was alot more ups than I remembered. Our legs were still tired from the Dragon's Tooth. We arrived for lunch about 11:00 and ate the delicious pizza and a few chicken wings. It started getting cold so we all put on our raincoats. Girl Hobo's knee was bothering her so she arrived much after us. We have been concerned because she really strained it on Dragon's Tooth. We waited for her to eat her lunch and all set out together. The climb kept getting worse and worse for our tired bodies. Girl Hobo told us to leave her behind and she would meet us on top. It took us about 2 hours to get to the top, gorgeous!!!! We had made a great choice staying the extra day at the hostel because the weather was beautiful! We could see for miles!! I spotted Tinker Cliffs in the distance, my body shivered knowing when we leave this spot we had to climb upto that. Also up on the crest were the 2 ladies we met going up Dragons. I finally got their names and found they are from Maryland. Iron Maiden brought ashes of her 25 year old son who passed on after a motorcycle accident in October. We all went with her to the edge where she proceeded to let him fly out in the wind. She was visably upset, we were glad to be with her through this difficult task.Girl Hobo was in tears, she hurt so bad, she told us she could not go on and would hike back down and return to hostel or hotel. The pain too much to bear.We all hugged and wished her well getting back down from the hike.The rest of our day was to conquer Tinker, and what an uphill, uphill, uphill, thing that was. We would crest the large up only to see the next LARGE UP, and again, and again. Well once we got to the cliffs, we could see why it is so worth it. BEAUTIFUL!!! We could see forever, and across the valley, McAfee. I took a photo across the way just like the one I took across from McAfee. It is hard to upload photos now but hopefully soon I will be able to.We found a nice camp spot and Half Left built a fire, we just relished in the view, wonderful evening!!!
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Tinker Cliffs

To: Daleville
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

We woke from our nice sleep on the cliffs, Iron Maiden said her 45 degree back froze her. It's has been colder than usuall up here and plus we were way up on the cliffs where the wind howled all night.Packed up and donning our rain gear because that's all we had to keep warm, we started on our hike, this day to be 10.5 miles into the hotel in Daleville. The hike in the book looked farely easy except the downhill off Tinker. We arrived at our first stopping point, Lamberts Shelter, just 1.6 miles down. Our water was low, so we all filled up for the rest of the day. At Lamberts Meadow campsite we spotted a deer, just walking around not a care in the world. She didn't ever budge as she looked up at us. On for the rest of the hike. It was much harder than the book lead on. Lots of ups and downs. I started getting hungry so Half Left and I stopped on a nice patch of rocks right on the trail, Iron Maiden carried on choosing not to stop. We never saw her again on the trail. We still had 6.9 miles to go, UP, DOWN, UP, Down and up and down. Finally cresting we could see Daleville, and what a welcome sight. The trail descended down into about a mile flat walk. Half Left spotted bear scat and a bear print, which he photographed. We arrived at the hotel with big smiles and HAPPY FEET!!!In town, we bathe (thank God), get groceries and rest. Lots of hikers, about 20 are in the hotel tonight, some notibles: Yetti, Kentucky, Hot Wheels, Aimster and Scooter, One (just one of the herd), Whittle Chicken, Just Jason, Badger, Simple C, Iron Maiden, Girl Hobo and many more I can't remember.We had a nice evening and good sleep, off to outfitter to get a part for my Osprey Ariel packs' belt and some fuel for our stove. Then with 6 days of food, to the trail. Next stop Glascow.See you on the trail... Get out there!!!
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Daleville

To: Curry Creek
Miles today: 8.6

All packed and ready, Half Left, Iron Maiden and I lined up in front of the HoJos for a photo op. Girl Hobo took our photo and sadly walked back into the hotel to do her writing. We trudged on with giggles and smiles. Half Left spotted bear scat after bear scat announcing every time he saw some. The trail meanders under I-81 through Troutville and starts up the mountain through a cow field. We had to hop over about 4 or 5 stiles that allow hikers to pass not the cows. We planned on just a 5 mile hike because we were carrying 6 days of food however, when we arrived at Fullhardt Shelter we felt great and the day was still early. We pressed on. The trail was fairly easy with the exception of the hard downhill into Curry Creek where we spotted a beautiful campsite next to the swift running spring. Half Left got us a fire going while Iron Maiden and I set up the tents. It was a relaxing evening after 8 miles of hiking. It is always hard to get the body going after a town stop. But we all did it and felt great.
Date: 2012-06-05
From: Curry Creek

To: Cove Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 14.6

Waking up to the stream sounds along with the Whipperwil sounding off and no rain gave us a joyous morning. We ate our breakfast, Half Left - oatmeal, Iron Maiden - instant breakfast and dehydrated apples and I had a breakfast bar, coffee and instant breakfast. The trail out of the campsite is steep. Then just what I call lollygagging along. We hiked up to Wilson Creek Shelter for a quick snack and to read the journal to see who had come through. Hikers keep up with each other with the journal that is kept in each shelter. Notes are passed letting friends know where each other is staying. Traveling on, the trail crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. Views of the surrounding area at the waysides are outstanding! We could finally see the weather. Most of the time the trees are so dense you can't get a good look at the sky. Plans were to stay at Bobblets Shelter but when we arrived, a group who we "partying" had their bags and gear spread out all over the shelter and table. No camping sites were found around the shelter either. So we cooked up dinner and got enough water for the evening and continued out quest for a spot to perch. We hiked and hiked and hiked on and on and on. No sites until we crossed the road at Bearwallow gap and hiked up to the top of Cove Mountain did we see anything resembling a tentsite. Just as we crested, a site! Them the sky started falling. We hadn't even had a chance to set up camp. We helped each other quickly set up in the rain and thank God we had already eaten because there would be no cooking tonight! We snacked and not too much longer were all fast asleep. It rained all night!
Date: 2012-06-06
From: Cove Mountain Campsite

To: Jennings Creek - Middle Creek Campsite
Miles today: 5.0

Plans for the day were to hike down off Cove Mountain to the road crossing where we could get to Middle Creek Campground for resupply. The trail was all downhill and as always, hard on the knees. Upon arriving at the road, we spotted a sign that read trail magic just 100 yards to the east. Our eyes lit up, yes we could all use some burgers and fixins. Well sadly they were just loading up the grill, no burgers for us. I asked the driver loading the grill if he could give us a ride to the campground. "Sure" he said. Thank God he did, the road was gravel (hard on the already sore feet)and all uphill! Another couple also asked for a ride to the same place, Fidgit amd Mame. The driver dropped all of us and we began introductions Come to find out, Fidgit amd Mame had followed us preparing for their hike. They asked if we wanted to share a cabin. Sure we said! We all began to pull out our cash when Fidgit said "No, our treat, it's our way to trail angel you and get to trail talk". Thank you both!!!!!! We all got into the cabin and washed clothes, showered, and of course ordered us some delicious wimga, burgers and BLTs, right from the camp grill. Yummy!After our wonderful dinner and trail talk with them, we meandered back to the cabin. Half Left was itching to try out his travel fishing pole on the trout pond directly behind our cabin He caught a small mouth bass and a blue gill. We all had a wonderful evening with some down to earth people. Thanks again, Fidgit and Mame from Texas!!! Keep us in touch.
Date: 2012-06-07
From: Jennings Creek - Middle Creek Campsite

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: few clouds

Hiking out of Middle Creek, we were dropped off on a blue blazed trail that leads to the trail. It wasn't long before we were all in stride. Fidgit and Mame said their goodbyes and we of course thanked them again. We had hoped to meet up with them tonight at the shelter. It was up a huge climb that exhausted us all. The trail hike was uneventful except for wearing us out. We asked hikers arriving after us at the shelter if they had seen our friends. They told is the climb wore them out and they decided to camp at the base of the mountain. At Cornelius Creek Shelter, we met a group from Atlanta and Seattle, on a week hike. Also a gentleman named "Oldman" from Jacksonville (our hometown). Some others, Comma Kaze, Thin Timber. Castaway and another I named "Creepy Dude". It was a nice evening, the two young men from Seattle as well as Thin Timber started a wonderful fire. We all talked, ate and enjoyed the fellowship. One of the guys from Seattle is musician om a band called Black Queen. We must look them up.About 10:00pm a huge thunderstorm came through and "put the fire out".
Date: 2012-06-08
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 12.2

Early risers woke the shelter up. I am not one of those! I love my beauty sleep and as I get older need it. Well Half Left says gotta go gotta go. All righty then. Up and At'em. Coffee, oatmeal and instant breakfast, pack the bags and down the trail we go.We always make plans to hike as far as we can at any given day, so today, it's at least to Marble Spring Campsite 12.2 miles away. The hike today, not very hard in comparison to other days with the exception of the climb up Apple Orchard Mountain, the tallest climb in Virginia, 4225'. On top is the FAA tower. We stopped on the bald for lunch of cheese, pepperoni, crakers and candybars. We had a phone signal, made a few calls and were fastly back on the trail.We stopped at another shelter called Thunder Hill for snack and met "Robo". He's from Ocala, Fl. Iron Maiden got caught up in conversation and hiked yacking with him for a few miles. We arrived at the destination to find Comma Kaze deciding to also camp. She was looking for Blue Sky who showed up not too much layer. Also at camp, High Gear and Hot Wheels who have been doing 24 mile days. Their feet were torn up with blisters but they continue the torture. I would be bedridden! It was a nice group. Beddy by time though " hiker midnight " which is at dark. Hikers don't stay up yaking past dark, we're too tired!
Date: 2012-06-09
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: Glasgow
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Waking at Marble Spring our chore for the day was to make it to Glasgow for resupply. Just a mere 8 mile jike, them hitchhike the 5.9 miles to town. The trail was mostly downhill and for the mostpart easy. We arrived at Matts Creek Shelter for water and lunch. The rest of the trail followed Big Cove Branch Creek all the way to the James River. We hiked along the river for a mile, nice and cool, slightly downhill. My kind of hike! Crossing the James River was the longest foot-use-only bridge on the AT. It was really beautiful!We made it to the road to hitch. It was sunny and HOT! We got a ride from a lady who was slackpacking her son Tank through Virginia. She is from Maine and was lovely to talk to. We arrived to the town supported free shelter and shower. Also in town was the river fest carnival. COTTON CANDY!!!At the shelter was a German named "Manfred" and a man and "Gus". Gus had just gotten out of the slammer for being drunk at the carnival. Wow just our luck. Well must make due with cards delt. Iron Maiden and I did laundry, shopping and dinner at the diner while Half Left kept guard of our belongings. We also made it to the fair for cotton candy and Half Left's fish dinner. The evening as you could imagine was quite interesting. Hiker midnight hurry!
Date: 2012-06-10
From: Glasgow

To: VA607
Miles today: 11.2

Leaving Glasgow was a hard hitch. It took us until 10:30 to get a ride and it was from 2 gentlemen who were avid hikers and new the area well. We had a hard hike up Little and Big Rocky Row. We were told not to stay at Punchbowl Shelter because of the mosquitoes. So destination was a gravel road with a spring. It rained on and off throughout the day. We summited Bluff Mountain where a monument memorializing little "Ottie Cline Powell" who died in 1891 at age 4 years 11 months after wandering off from her schoolhouse. Not sure how she made it up the difficult climb being that young. Sad.We said a prayer for her and carried on.Camp for the night was a gravel road by the dam.
Date: 2012-06-11
From: VA607

To: Bald Knob
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Today's lovely hike was easy until the HUGE climb of 5 miles at the end youch!We came into Brown Mountain Creek during this RAINY day. Brown Mountain was a community created by freed slaves. The creek flowed swiftly through the valley past the old rock fence. It looks like it was a shield built to guard the small settlement from flash floods. It was interesting to see some of the ruins still visable from so long ago.We arrived at Brown Mountain Shelter for a hot lunch in the misty rain. We still had the climb up bald knob to complete, ugh. So in the rain, we climbed the beast. It seemed to never end! Well it did, finally and Half Left found us the perfect campsite. We ate junk for dinner and slept with the rain pounding our tents all night. We passes our 800 mile mark today.