morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Campsite

To: Keffer Oak
Miles today: 16.8

There are all kinds of hikers. The speed demons, the plodders, the schedule keepers, and the free spirits. While in Pearisburg received a letter from a dear friend whom I had hiked a couple of weeks with. In it she wrote about why we hiked and about the types of hikers. I liked it a lot and asked if I could quote some of it. So, the thoughts below are courtesy of Spiderweb. "Being on the trail forces you to be present. You know, "Live in the moment". See, all of us, our minds, are always running at high speeds; in the future, in th past, in side universes (daydreams). Basically our minds never shut up enough to really be present. When you are hiking 8 - 12 hours a day the mind eventually runs out of gibberish and finally focuses on the present -- really listening to the sounds around you, looking at the landscape, smelling, etc. and only when we are present are we actually living." Anyway, a little food for thought. She goes on a bit more but this is the gist of it. I think she hit it right on the mark. Thanks Spiderweb, for everything! Free and I got started around 8:30 today. The rain had stopped but it was a cool, cloudy day. There wasn't much to plan for today so it became a walking day for both of us. Since our paces are different we usually would plan at meeting at the shelters for lunch or a rest, depending on how many there were in the days mileage. We got to Laurel Creek Shelter and it was still fairly early, 4:00 or so. we decided to push on and try to find a campsite in the upcoming pastures/fields. We passed through a couple of nice pastures but the camping and water situations were not up to par. We pushed on to the Keffer Oak and that is where we stayed. It was a perfect spot. The Keffer Oak is estimated to be 300 years old and is 18 feet in diameter at the base. It is a HUGE tree. We set up the tents nearby and got dinner ready. As we were doing that the Troll family came by and talked awhile. They were heading to the next shelter. We aaid we would see them in the AM because we would have to stop there for water. After dinner Free and I just sat and talked awhile as we watched night descend. Free then challenges me to a game of Yahtzee. I broke out the dice and we played. We played three games and I will admit that I won them all. She kept wanting to see the dice. As if, I, would have to resort to cheating to win at Yahtzee! Free immediately called for a rematch which we will play in the near future. Still don't know where the rest of the crew is. We are figuring they are 4 to 8 miles behind us right now. Not a full day, just enough to make it a big day should they try to catch us. It was a good day and a great evening by the Keffer Oak!
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Lambert Meadow Campsite

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: few clouds

Scholar was up and ready to go early. I told her she had the town antsies but I also said the coffee shop next to the grocery store had my name on it so I packed quickly also. Free was up so we said our goodbyes. Temporary ones I hope but it may be awhile. She was planning to take a zero on Monday along with the rest of the group while I planned on moving on. I am not ready to zero yet but I also do not plan on big miles. Just want to keep walking. Scholar and I left by 7:30. It was only nine miles into town so we figured we would be there by 11:00. The miles went by quickly and soon we were close to Troutville. I looked up from the trail and, up ahead, sitting on the side of the trail was a familiar face. It was Freedom! I couldn't believe it. After Trail Days I never thought I would see her or Thatch again. She had jumped ahead because her knee was still troubling her. Thatch was coming up for Pearisburg, pushing some miles to catch up. It was real good to talk to her again. And here I thought they had gotten off the trail! Scholar was going to get a room and wait for her father to get into town. I wanted to meet him before I left so I had plenty of time to get a couple of things done before he got there. I told her I would meet them at the room (Scholar had offered me the use of the shower) and I headed to the shopping center. First place I went to was the coffee shop where I sat and had a couple of cups of good and real coffee. Excellent stuff! From there I went to the store and picked up the spplies I needed to get me to Montebello, my next planned stop. From there I headed to the motel where I grabbed a shower. After the shower I went to find Scholar and Freedom. Not only did I find them but I found her father. We introduced ourselves and talked a bit. The Troll family was there as well as Stilts. I guess the rest of the crew pushed on from McAfee Knob after all. Touk came up and shortly thereafter Domino came by. Scholar's father had brought some trail magic so the bunch of us were sitting on a grassy spot between a gas station and a bank, watching the traffic and having a picnic. Great fun! I finally left for the trail around 5:00. It didn't take me long to cover the remaining 5 miles to the shelter. When I arrived I met a couple of girls that were out for a long section hike, Boots and Cave Girl. They had only been out for a short while but Boot's appetite was already taking control. She was looking forward to hitting Troutville. Eventually it was time for bed so to the tent I went. I realized that tonight was the first night since March 14th that there was not another member of GLGE in the area. Kinda strange!
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Another good morning as I pulled out of camp. I only planned on 13.5 miles today so it was going to be an easy one. It was quiet on the trail. The only person I ran into was Hopper, coming southbound. Spike and Hopper are great message passers. Due to a situation where they have to keep their car close they are slackpacking for awhile. Each day one heads north and the other south. If you want to get a message to someone in the general area behind you you just give it to them and they pass it along. I got to the shelter area around two. A case of the sleepys hit me so I took a little nap. After I woke Eagle Eye, Maniac, Caveman, and Out of Step swung in. They were only stopping to eat before heading on. This was the first time I had met Caveman and Out of Step. I thought Eagle Eye was ahead but he and Manac had pulled off for a couple of days. We talked and then the headed out. Since none of the crew is around right now I don't have many, if any, stories to write so I am going to start writing a story with characters and story line that I have been working on in my head for the last few weeks. We'll see how far it goes.--- --- ---- --- He looked at the scene unfolding below from the cover of the dripping trees. He'd been watching, for an hour, as the Towtra struggled. Struggled to get their pitiful camp st up before the rain. To no avail however, the rain had begun half an hour ago, but seemed to be slowing. From under the brim of his hat he flicked his eyes toward the sky, squinting as the sun broke through the clouds. The light played across his dark eyes and almost seemed to be absorbed by the unfathomable depths of them. "A little longer", he thought, as he chewed on the piece of jerky. Jerky he had gotten from the Gypsy two weeks earlier. He allowed his mind to wander as he watched. The Gypsy, he mused, she seemed appear out of nowhere and just as quickly disappear. She seemed to find him and not he, her. She intrigued him and she bothered him. She had an insight that occasionally sent a chill down his spine. She did not proclaim anything directly but made her statements with a subtle grace. Most unnerving was her last, "It is good to see you smile again", she had said as she handed him a bundle of jerky and just as quickly walked away. With a slight start he brought himself back to the matter at hand. With another look to the sky, the sun starting to drop below the treeline and the shadows growing longer as night crept in, the Towtra still had not completed the most basic camp task. He stood, tall and lanky, but with an air of one not to be taken lightly. With what seemed like one motion he stooped and slung his pack on to his back and stepped from the cover of the trees. Tonight he would eat something other than jerky, he thought, as he headed toward the Towtra camp...(to be continued)
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

A first. Last night was the first time I have had a shelter area to myself. Didn't happen last year and not until now this year. I awoke at six, made breakfast and coffee and read my book a little. Wasn't in too big a hurry because I was only planning on 13.5 today. I would easily be done by early afternoon. It did rain last night and for once, I was glad I was in a shelter. I wasn't going to have to pack up a wet tent. It didn't look like it was going to rain anymore, though it was foggy, so at 7:30 I was on the trail. Where we are now the trail crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. I had to be careful because of the fog. Did not want to get smackd by a car! By the third crossing the fog was burning off and the sun was shining. I reached Cove Mountain Shelter where I saw Caveman and Out of Step just heading out. I said hello and took my pack off to relax there awhile. Half the fun of going to the shelter is reading the shelter register. You find out where people are and all sorts of trail tidbits. At this one I realized that Break was now three days ahead. I don't think I will see her again unless she slows or I kick it into gear. From there I pushed on to Jennings Creek. It was lunchtime when I got there so I joined Caveman and Out of Step for lunch. We sat on a large rock right near the stream and enjoyed the sunshine. They departed and I stayed longer to read my book. I was determined to finish the book that day! Around 1:30 I made the move to Bryant Ridge Shelter and got there around 3:30. This shelter is, by far, one of the nicest I have seen so far. It beats Partnership Shelter hands down! Writings in the register talk about people wanting to move into it! Once again I broke out my book and started to read. Early evening came around and a few people came by; Tex and Fireball. They are a mother and son team. Fireball is quite the character and Tex just shakes her head. Next Jack-a-roo came in. He is from Japan and works for a Japanese travel magazine. He has a couple of the coolest cameras I have sen out here. Brownie and Soulman also stopped by. I thought they were ahead so it was a surprise to see them. I also met a few new people. Firefly, J-bird, and Ox. Not everyone was staying which was unusual considering how late it was getting and how nice the shelter was. I have noticed that people seem to want to push out bigger miles. I noticed the same thing last year. Not sure for what or why but it is happening. I finally made it to bed around nine or so. I didn't finish the book but I was close! I would be able to finish it before I left in the morning which meant I would be able to lose a half pound o pack weight. When people finish a book they sometimes leave them at a shelter for someone else to read. Almost like a traveling library! Tomorrow I am kicking the mileage up to 17 or so. A whole four extra miles!
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

It started raining last night. Not a hard rain but a slow steady one. I got up at 6:00 and quickly packed up my wet and damp gear. I also got et this morning. Et by mosquitos, a lot of mosquitos. First time I have assaulted like that this year! Guess I need to start eating more garlic. I walked the short distance to the store, which I knew opened at six, and got myself a cup of coffee. I sat there, drank coffee, and read my book. I was in no hurry to get out of town. I was only going ten miles and I could have sat there till early afternoon and still had plenty of time to get there. After awhile Tex walked by and pointed to the restaurant. I joined her, Eagle Eye, and Bravo for coffee there. Tex was waiting for her brother to come get her and Fireball. They were going off trail for a few days. She said he could bring us back to he trailhead when he got there. That was nice. No trying to hitch in the rain! After it was all said and done I made it to the trailhead around 10:30. It was still raining a little and the wind was blowing. Another great wet and cold day! Not! The rain finally stopped but that didn't matter. The water dripping from the tree leaves was just as bad. I reached the ridgeline and it got real nasty. The wind was blowing real hard and it was cold. This was one time I was hoping to get off the ridgeline quickly! I finally dropped down off the ridgeline and I motored along, completely soaked and trying to see through my fogged up glasses. I really hate glasses on days like this! After the last up for the day(and there were seveal good ones)I reached Little Ottie Clines memorial. Little Ottie lived in the late 1800's. He was four and it was wintertime. He was at school and the teacher sent him to get some wood from the stack next to the schoolhouse. There was a blizzard going on and he got turned around. They found his body seven days later and five miles away, at the exact spot where the memorial is. Hikers that pass leave things at the site. Coins,stuffed animals, little toys, whatever. I had a thought and grabbed the Frisbee I had been carrying and I set it there also. The whole spot seemed surrealistic. I bet Little Ottie never thought he would be remembered 100 plus years later. I got to the shelter around three where I met Truth and Ironhorse. They had zeroed at the shelter because of the weather. I changed into dry clothes and settled down for the day. Not much to do except watch the weather, eat or read. I don't think I could zero at a shelter in bad weather. I would go nuts! I figure that once you get wet you can't get any wetter so just suck it up and go. That is, as long as you have something dry to change into at the end of the day. The forecast calls for a little more rain tomorrow. Hopefully it just stays cloudy but I will be putting on soggy clothes anyway so I guess it doesn't matter.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Hogpen Camp Gap

To: Hogpen Camp Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Things got started early this morning. Redneck was up early and he got a big ol' pot of coffee perking. Then he started on the hash browns and eggs. Pop worked the pancakes, juice and fruit. Once again, food was coming at you from all sides. The Garland 5 were going to leave but they also decided to zero at the last minute much to the joy of the kids. I can honestly say this was the first zero I have taken where I haven't walked around much. I just sat around the fire along with the Garlands and the rest of the trail magic crew. As the day progressed more hikers came in and it was the same thing. Get there, see what was going on, drop the pack, and pitch the tent. Very few moved on. I knew Brownie and Soulman would be coming in today so when they got there they also debated about going on. Eventually they pitched their tent also. At one point in time I counted thirty plus people there. The festivities continued till the wee hours of the morning. When I got to my tent I checked the time and it was 2:30 AM! Not going to get much sleep tonight! Thank goodness I only have ten miles to go tomorrow. I really want to thank all of the trail magic group. You guys are the best and you sure put on a good time!If I am lucky I will show up next year and bring a cooler!
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Hogpen Camp Gap

To: Montebello, VA
Miles today: 10.0

Even with the late night I was up early. 5:30 early. I packed and was ready to go at six. I stopped and woke Brownie and Soulman because they wated to get into town early also and then I took off. Because of the rest and all the food I flew down the trail. I made it to Montebello at 9:30. Three and a half hours to do the 10 miles of trail and the 1.5 miles into town. Not bad! I walked up to the Dutch Haus and as I walked in Lois, the owner, said, "There you are. I have coffee brewing". I laughed. She remembered me from last year and so we talked a bit. A couple of others were here that I hadn't seen in awhile. Slap Happy and Tree Trunks. Slap Happy had zeroed because of a shin splint and was planning on going to Waynesboro to rest it some more. I also found out that Break had just left yesterday afternoon. She was resting her foot and had zeroed here also. That was good news! At this point in time She had been three days ahead of me and I figured I wouldn't catch her. I made the decision right then and there to make the push to Waynesboro in two days. Get there on Tuesday to catch her. She will get there late Monday or early Tuesday. I can most definitely catch her! Another surprise later in the afternoon. Scholar walks in. Lois said it was just like old home week. Same thing happened last year. I was here and Scholar came in in the afternoon. She said the rest of the crew was at least a day back though Free may be only a little way back. Several other hikers came in as the afternoon progressed. Troll, Anchor, Oblivious, Brownie, Soulman, Sam I Am and Origami. I last saw those two at Hard Core. The Dutch Haus is one of my favorite places on the trail. It has a good "home" feeling and you just feel comfortable here. Not to mention the fact that Lois can whip up one heck of a good meal! So, the plan is to get my maildrop in the morning and hit the trail. I am going to do as many miles as I can tomorow and then roll into Waynesboro on Tuesday. Hard to believe that I am almost in the Shenandoahs! Even better, I will get to see Break again!
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

There is a true good heart here. Len comes by every morning to see if there are any hikers that need to go back to the trailhead or the outfitters. Nothing requested, just the goodness of his heart. A Trail Angel. Today, he honored a large request. Break wanted to get about 70 miles north of here and he said he would do it. She got ready and once again, we parted. As I walked with her to the car she looked at me and said, "Don't worry, you WILL see me again". This time I knew I would and probably, sooner than later. I spent the rest of the morning reading and chatting. I was actually able to finish my book so now I only have five in my possession right now. Slap Happy, Tree Trunks, and I were interviewed by the local paper. They were doing an article on trail angels and asked if we would give our perspective. Not sure if I will be here when the article comes out. The crew has descended on Waynesboro! During the course of the day Free, Poet, Serenity, Bassline, Stilts, Gypsy, Touk, The Trolls, and the Garland 5 rolled in. There were many others that also came in. It was good to see everyone again! Things will split up here again, for awhile. Some are going to go into Washington, D.C. from here for the weekend. The rest of us are ging to leave on Saturday and head into the Shenandoahs. Yeah, another day of no hiking but I do have a several reasons for waiting, one of which, is the "reading". The reading is something I have planned since New Year's. It involves shelter hopping the Shenandoahs and, each evening, reading The Hobbit. It is a outloud, interactive read. There are 27 chapters and we will have to do aout 3 a night to finish it. Those that are interested take turns reading sections out loud. This was started last year by LWOP and I wanted to carry it on this year. A lot of us are looking forward to it and it should be good fun. Because we are shelter hopping, except for the one that is only an eight mile day, it gives a chance for those that going into DC to be able to rejoin without too much hassle. It was good to see Poet again. She had pushed five consecutive 20 mile days to catch up when she returned to the trail in Troutville. Free and Poet were the first of the crew to roll in and we had fun catching up. They are part of the group that will be going into DC so the catch up game begins again.
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I give up my residency in Waynesboro. Man, I have been here a long time. One good thing, at least I didn't have to spend money on lodging so I got out of here pretty cheaply. I also realized I never ate in a restaurant while I was here. That is unusual, in and of itself! I did a few last minute things and then said my goodbyes to a few people as I ran into them. Slap Happy was going to give her shin splints some more time to heal. Domino was going to aqua blaze the Shenandoahs and then come back and hike them. These people I may not see for awhile, if at all. I hitched out of town around noon and got back onto the trail. It was good to be back out here even though it was hot and humid and I was soaked with sweat almost immediately. I filled out the backcountry pass even though we don't officially enter the park until tomorrow. I reached the shelter aroud 3:00 and got the tent set up. A few section hikers came and shortly thereafter Gypsy, Touk, and Wolfsong came in. I was surprised to see Wolfsong because they were going to leave town yesterday. When Foto got there he told me they stayed partly because of the "reading". Stilts and Apple Pie came in as well as a few more thru hikers. After everyone ate I told everyone the "rules" of the reading. Cheer when you hear Gandalf's name, boo at Smuag's name, say yum at any food, and say Yahoo at any alcohol. Gypsy had the honor of beginning. It turned out to be a lot of fun and seven people took turns reading. We finished the first two chapters, or 43 pages, before quitting for the night. I had calculated that we needed to read about 44 pages a night in order to finish before we got to the end of the Shenandoahs. I think everyone enjoyed it and most people will be doing the 13 miles to the next shelter for tomorrow's read.