morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Chatfield Memorial Shelter

To: Stealth Camp near Reed Creek
Miles today: 10.8

On the trail at 7:15 and hiked the 4.5 miles to Groseclose. Ate a huge breakfast at The Barn Restaurant where I saw Caribou and Nesta - haven't seen them since Kincora - I'm amazed I caught them. But then I found out Caribou has had the Nolichuckies so they've been hiking slow. He's recovered today so they're planning to do 18 miles.The milestone today was completion of a fourth of the trail. Ever so slowly the miles keep falling behind my feet. I did a small resupply at a gas station and bought 2 dinners and a lunch and was back on the trail and out of town by noon. It was slow going today and I somehow missed a water source and was running low on water so stopped earlier than I had planned and tented at a campsite alone that had a good water supply.The warm sleeping bag felt luxurious as the day had been cold and windy.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Stealth Camp near Reed Creek

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Had my leftover dinner for breakfast this morning as I had been more cold than hungry last night. The terrain was interesting going from rhododendren (spl) thickets to rolling hills and cow pastures complete with stiles for getting over the fences.Don't know why but I seem to have some of my highest mileage days over the toughest terrain. Today I climbed Chestnut Knob which was about 4,500 feet. It was a long steep climb from 2,400 feet at one point these were wooden stairs built into the side of the mountain that appeared to go up as far as the eye could see. Couldn't help but sing Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven as I slowly climbed them.There was a pond in a meadow at about 3,800 feet where I almost stopped to camp but instead I slogged on another two miles to the shelter and I'm so happy I did.This shelter was made of stone, was right on top of the mountain and was totally enclosed with built-in bunk beds and even a picnic table inside. And the 360 degree views were spectacular. Watched the sun set, made a hot dinner and slept soundly.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: .Stealth Camp near Laurel Creek
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Cold night. Could see my breath in the morning and there was frost on the grass outside so had a really hard time getting up and out. Didn't make it on the trail until 10:00.It was a cool day, which is nice for hiking, but I had no energy. I need to change or add to what I eat during the day. My metabolism seems to be in hyperdrive where I burn off the calories eaten at breakfast in just 2 hours, same with lunch, which is why I stop to eat during the day two to three times. I think, however, that I need to increase the calories, eat about 35% protein and make sure the carbs are complex and low glycemic. Also add 1/2 liter of Gatorade in the afternoons to replace electrolytes.Took me 6 hours to go 10 miles which was both due to a very rocky trail and no energy. Stopped at Jenkins Shelter for dinner and pressed on at 5:30. Made it 5 miles in 2 hours to campsites along Laurel Creek. I stayed in a site with Yahtze and Beaver Chief.Beaver Chief is trying to catch up with Nesta and Caribou who are going to D.C. rather than Trail Days. He'll be hard pressed as they are about 2 days ahead and very fast.He is very into basics and cooks his food over a fire and makes a lot of things from scratch. So he whipped up a batch of biscuits from flour and baking soda and "baked" them in his frying pan. Yummy.He also leaves his food right outside his tent. So I wasn't surprised to hear him clacking his poles together and "growling" to shoo some animal(s) away. I surprised myself by being brave enough to put on my headlamp, unzip my tent and take a look. I saw two coyotes slinking back to the woods. No further visitors and slept well.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: .Stealth Camp near Laurel Creek

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

We all woke up at 6:15 as the first drops of rain began to fall. We must have looked like a chinese fire drill as we all jumped out of our sleeping bags, took our tents down, and packed everything into our backpacks in just a few minutes. No hiker likes to carry wet gear. Found a new quick way to take down my tent. I have an REI Quartedome UL that has two poles which you slide into sleeves. A quick takedown is accomplished by removing the stakes and the poles and leaving the fly on. Then you just roll the whole thing up. Reverse the process for set-up with the tent remaining dry if it's raining because the fly is still in place.Had a pleasant hike, some of it level, a lot of it re-rounted and suspect I again hiked a few more miles than the guidebook will let me take credit for.Yahtze, another hiker with whom I camped last night was about 15 minutes ahead of me. I caught up with her at the road going into Bland, VA. Just as she came into view, a van pulled over to pick her up (she had been trying to thumb a ride for 15 minutes), so I hustled fast and jumped in too. Got dropped off at Dairy Queen where I did some serious damage to their food supply. Hiked a mile to the post office to pick up my maildrop. Stopped in at the Napa Auto Parts next door and got free denatured alcohol for my stove. Got a quick hitch back to the trailhead and hiked to the next shelter where I was joined by Seeker, 6 Toes, Brooklyn, Stitch, Cheese, Red Lobster and Aldaline.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: VA606
Miles today: 16.3

Passed the 600 mile mark this afternoon. Did almost 100 miles in a week. Wow! Cannot believe I'm actually doing this!The water source at this shelter was 1/4 mile downhill but was on a nice switch-backed trail. I "cameled up" (drank a liter of water) and carried more than the "normal" load of water because the next source wasn't for another 10 miles.Had lunch with Little John at the next shelter who is taking a series of zero days there trying to heal up his shin splints. Hiked another 6 miles to what was a very bad water source, a big, dirty appearing creek that I had to cross via suspension bridge, Silverback had left 10 gallons of bottled water for thirsty hikers. Great trail magic!Hiked 1/2 mile on the road to Trent's Grocery where I again damaged their food supply. They let me camp out back and even had a shower and washer/dryer I could use.Peaceful night.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: VA606

To: Sugar Run Gap
Miles today: 13.9

Every hiker has commented that today's miles felt more like 16 or 17. There's been some re-routes of the trail that don't jibe with what's in the trail guide. Or maybe we were all simply tired from the heat, humidity and lack of a breeze. My freshly laundered hiking clothes are again wet with sweat.Took a .3 mile side trail to see Dismal Falls. It was lovely. Beaver Chief was there. I hung around for awhile, soaked my feet in the cool water, then left and continued hiking north.Stopped at the Wapiti shelter for lunch and then pushed on again. The re-routes had me traveling longer than I expected and I ran out of water earlier than expected because of the hot day. Took a .1 mile trail to the Honey Spring Picnic Area which turned out to be one of the creepiest places I've been to on the whole trail. There was a one room shack with a roof falling in that was dark and dreary and a picnic table where nobody has probably sat for decades judging from the size of the saplings growing around it. The kicker though was the caved in privy sitting 10 feet from the water source. No thanks. I left thirsty.It was about 7:15 and I still had 2 miles to go to get to the hostel so would probably need my headlamp. I couldn't find it! Perhaps I left it in the grass at last night's campsite. Damn!Even though I tried to pick up my pace, the trail got very rocky so I had to keep it a bit slow so I didn't turn my ankle. Even had a 4' rock ledge I had to scramble down on my butt. Finally made it to the Woods Hole Hostel at last light where the owner gave me dinner and a bed in the bunkhouse for the night. Long day.P.S. Found my headlamp rolled up inside my tent.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Sugar Run Gap

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Focused on getting the miles under my feet and had the energy to do so after a wonderful breakfast at the Woods Hole Hostel and a good night's sleep being serenaded by hundreds of frogs and a few owls.Finally attained the ridgeline with a delightful 3 mile walk on mostly level, not too rocky ground. Realized it was getting late in the day and I wouldn't make Pearisburg before having to make a phone call (another real life intrusion, but necessary). So I found a lovely spot to sit in the shade with a beautiful view to the valley 2,200' below me and the mountains I crossed yesterday in the distance. I delayed the phone call for 15 minutes because just as I was ready to dial, two golden eagles soared right in front of me riding the thermals. What magnificent birds! They are huge!Finished the call and hiked another mile or so to a big rock formation on the other side of the ridge called Angel's Rest that overlooked Pearisburg. It was very hot ndn humid today but walking between these 20' rock walls was refreshingly cool. Then had a thigh burning 2,200' steep downhill into town where I checked into the Rendezvous Motel. I'm going to take a zero here tomorrow and leave on Sunday. After showering, walked about 3/4 of a mile to pizza and salad bar and made it back to the motel just as it was starting to rain. Then proceeded to glue myself to the TV until midnight. Simple pleasures.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

Had the motel owner shuttle me into the town center - about 2.5 miles. My regular mail drop and the one that was forwarded from Adkins were at the motel but I needed to send some stuff up ahead and mail home some of my winter gear so first stop was the post office. Hiked another mile to the library and got on the internet for awhile, then hiked a mile back to the grocery store to buy some snacks and dinner for the motel and some trail food that I've been craving (cheese, sausage, bagels). Hiked another mile to an all you can eat salad bar for lunch and then hitched back to the motel. Ate, slept, showered and watched movies on TV for the rest of the day.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

Slept in until almost 10:00 but quickly packed up. Checked out and was on the trail by 11:30.It was hot and humid until I climbed to the ridgeline where a refreshing breeze made things bearable. Saw the rain coming and missed getting to the shelter before it started by half an hour.Several people hiked to the shelter after getting a shuttle or hitch from Damascas as Trail Days are now over. So I anticipate a big bubble of hikers are coming up from behind me now.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up to heavy fog as we were in the clouds. Walked over high meadows with the fog so thick I could hardly see where the trail went. Rained off and on all day and just seemed to lack energy today.Simply hiked to the next shelter and stayed there. Think I might be coming down with something so went to bed early.
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Still not feeling well. Don't appear to be running a fever but if I am, it's a low grade. Not raining this morning so got on the trail as quickly as possible.Stopped at Bailey Gap Shelter after a grueling 1,200' climb in only one mile. Took it slow as all that huffing and puffing also had me coughing. Beautiful scene at the shelter with dozens of yellow and orange azaleas in bloom all around. Boo-Boo and Tree also stopped but Boo-Boo is going to stay. His one ankle is really hurting - so much that he can't put on his boots and he walked the last 4 miles in his Crocs. Just as well because the trail became more treacherous with the rain starting again, slippery rock fields to negotiate and mud. I took it nice and slow but still managed a spectacular fall that badly twisted my already hurting right knee. My hip landed on a rock so I should have a purple rock kiss on it tomorrow. Fortunately, most of the impact was absorbed my my backpack. But there I sat in the mud and rocks and for the third time on this adventure cried. I wasn't sure if my knee would even hold my weight but eventually I got over my emotional outburst and got up. Knee worked. Perhaps I shouldn't be so concerned about it because the only time it doesn't hurt is when I'm walking. Forget stepping up, stepping down, squatting, hurts like hell and no strength in it at all. But walking, it's fine.After the rock field, had a long ridge walk. Some areas had beautiful mature trees and the entire forest floor was covered with ferns. It looked fake.The last two miles of the day were all downhill. As I lost elevation, the mountain laurels were in bloom. Clusters of pink blossoms decorated the forest with pink petals knocked off from the rain making my way.Made it to War Spur Shelter at 7:00. Tree and I were the only ones there. Rained for awhile during the night but stopped by morning.
Date: 2010-05-19
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Tree and I were very decadent and cooked our breakfasts and I made coffee while still in our sleeping bags. Another little luxury I miss from home - the simplicity of being warm and comfortable AND sipping coffee in the morning.Finally got up and moving to partly sunny skies and cool temperatures. Had to deal with crossing of some swollen streams many of which had stepping stones that were all awash with the high water. There were a couple bridges, one had three shaky, slippery logs which I took very slowly walking duck-footed so I wouldn't slip, and one really scary one was a rock scramble over a waterfall where I started to slide off this slippery moss-covered rock slab at the edge of the waterfall. As I'm sliding, I leaned forward and grabbed a sturdy tree root on the opposite bank and wedged one of my feet on a little toehold and managed to pry my way safely onto the bank. The backpack and poles dangling from my wrists were definite hinderances, but all that adrenaline sure got me moving!From there it was a relatively nice walk in the woods, followed by a couple miles of meadow and hayfield walking, going over a half dozen stiles and even through a pasture with three curious donkeys, one of which came up to me and tried to bite my hiking poles but I was able to distract him by scratching behind his ears.Awhile later I came across the Keffer Oak which is estimated to be over 300 years old. The trunk has an 18' circumference. The tree is magnificently huge with stately widespread branches. It's hard to imagine a whole forest of trees this size.I crossed a road a bit later as a car was dropping off two hikers. It was Q-Tip and Trinket. From the shelter registers, I knew they were around but it's always a pleasant surprise to meet fellow hikers again. They were only going a little ways looking for a campsite.I continued up a steep 1,200' climb to the next shelter which was spacious and new and very nice. The water source was a bit far away, but very interesting with the fireplace and chimney of a house still standing and the remains of a log barn.Slept long and well but the sinus infection still has me under the weather.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Stealth Camp above Trout Creek
Miles today: 14.2

Walked along the spine of the ridge for 3 miles about half of which involved climbing over rock slabs and a bit of bouldering. Just after I negotiated a 4 foot climb and stepped around a tree, I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye about 3 feet from me and almost immediately heard the rattle of a real, live, honest to goodness rattlesnake. Big one, too. I was calm and cool and just continued my smooth forward (and away from the snake) motion. I thought for a moment of stopping and taking a picture but when I glanced back, I re-thought that idea and decided to just get farther away. About 150 feet later, I sat down on a rock and rested awhile because I was shaking so much from the adrenaline.After that excitement, the rest of the morning was pretty tame. I stopped at the next shelter which was supposed to be 6.0 miles away. It seemed to take forever to get there but that was because due to trail improvements and re-routes, it was really 7.3 but the guidebooks haven't caught up yet so I only get credit for the 6.0. Seems to be quite a bit of that here in Virginia.It was a beautiful, cool, sunny day but as evening approached, I realized I was running out of daylight with many miles yet to go. Had a really long climb onto the next ridge which took longer than expected, especially being at the end of the day. Once I gained the ridge top, I really started hoofing it but stopped for 15 minutes to see the Audie Murphy Memorial which is near where he died in a plane crash.Covered another 3 miles in about an hour but definitely was losing daylight so found a level spot for my tent and set up camp for the night up on the ridge.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Stealth Camp above Trout Creek

To: VA311 (Catawba, VA)
Miles today: 14.5

Quiet night, no critters came by to bother me so slept well. Got up at 7:00 and on the trail by 7:30. Had to forgo breakfast as I was almost out of water. Hiked about a mile down to the gap where there was water, stopped and had breakfast there and loaded up on water for the climb ahead.Landscape abruptly changed to mountain laurel, pine trees, rocks and sandy soil. Trail was nicely switchbacked but it was still a hot long climb to Dragon's Tooth where things started to get interesting. There were at least 7 false summits where you think you're at the top but you're not. The trail became rockier and rockier which then got steeper and the rocks became boulders and giant slabs at skewed angles. The rock scramble turned into bouldering which is hard enough by itself but with hiking poles and a 27 pound backpack became downright difficult.   I finally collapsed my poles and tied them to my pack as I preferred the security of handholds.Arriving at Dragon's Tooth, we then were faced with near technical climbing for about a half of a mile, negotiating angled slabs of rock and using rebar handholds in a couple of places. Very exciting and challenging. (See photos.)Remainder of the hike was pleasant, the best part of which was getting a hitch into town within a minute of hitting the road. Picked up my mail drop at the post office, arranged to sleep in the general store's tool shed ($3.00) and went to eat at the Home Place, an excellent all you can eat family style feed that is the best I've had on the trail.Jibitz and I were the only females at the table with 7 male thru-hikers. The meal is served home style and being hardcore hikers, we kept ordering more food. However, they don't serve dessert until everyone at the table has eaten their fill of the main course. One by one, the guys pushed away their plates to wait for dessert, until only Jibbitz and I were still eating. AND we ordered another platter of fried chicken, another huge bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy, and more buscuits. AND the two of us finished it all. AND then we each had two desserts. After we were all finally done, we hung around outside talking to people waiting to get into the restaurant who seemed to be fascinated by all of us. Some of our group went out into the open field and played catch. After that meal, all I was able to do was waddle back to the general store.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: VA311 (Catawba, VA)

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: moderate rain

All the food and sugar last night made for a restless, dream-filled night but got up at 7 and got coffee and a breakfast sandwich. I haven't felt this foggy in the morning in awhile. Wonder if it was all the heavy food or all the sugar.Got a quick hitch to the trailhead and headed up to McAfee Knob, the most photographed rock formation on the trail. The weather started to turn and I was enveloped in a cloud so didn't get the view but still got my picture.Stopped at Campbell Shelter to take a rest and have lunch. The timing was excellent as it started pouring down rain about two minutes after I arrived. So I had a leisurely lunch and took a 45 minute nap and when I was ready to go, the rain was just a light drizzle which barely made it through the canopy.On the long climb up to Tinker Cliff, a doe casually walked across the trail about 20 feet in front of me. She was curious but kept on moving.Finally made it to Tinker Cliffs where the trail follows the top edge of the rock walls and formations. I "lost" the trail near the beginning and found myself following a path at the base of the cliffs. I realized I hadn't seen a white blaze for awhile, went back about 400 feet and found the turn I had missed. Later on found out that half the hikers had missed the same turn.Got the last spot at the next shelter and slept well anticipating going into town tomorrow and taking a zero. I still have sore muscles from Dragon's Tooth so a day of rest is on the agenda.Oh! I passed the 700-mile mark today! WOW!
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: US 220 Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

As lemmings are drawn to the cliff face, hikers are drawn to town. We all got up early and headed out. There were more rock climbs and vistas which I probably would have appreciated more but I just wanted to get to town and shower. I did take a few photos and in looking at them again, the forest was truly beautiful this morning with the slanting rays of sun adding drama to the light fog as I walked through the clouds. However, I did stop and talk to a day hiker who was fascinated by all the thru-hikers passing him by. Even I am fast by day hiker standards. He wanted to know how we had gotten into backpacking and had lots of questions about hiking the AT. I told him all the hikers were meeting at the Mexican restaurant for dinner this evening and invited him to join us.As I got into town, I saw a hiker who I had met and slept next to at the shelter last night. He was at the BP gas station looking for a coupon in a free tourist magazine to get a discount at the Howard Johnson's Motel next door. I asked him if he'd like to share a room and split the cost. Only on the AT can you platonically share a motel room with a man whose real name you don't know.After showering, went to Pizza Hut for lunch and a few hours later went to dinner at the Mexican restaurant. I had a whiskey drink - my first alcohol since I started this trip. Mudfoot, Fireman, Marty McFly (aka Guppy), and Muddy were there and we had a good time, lots of laughs.The day hiker showed up as we left so he and I got coffee at the gas station and sat around the pool talking until about 11:30. Nice guy.Great day.
Date: 2010-05-24
From: US 220 Daleville, VA

To: US 220 Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Signage, the 2007 thru-hiker I met and hiked with down in Georgia picked me up at 10:00 AM and drove me to the outfitter where I bought new non-Goretex trail runners and new zip-off hiking pants as I'm now 4 sizes smaller and 43 pounds lighter than when I started hiking. The only thing that were holding my old hiking pants up were the hipbelt on my backpack. She brought me back to her house where we had Chinese carry-out and watched TV.