morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Kincora

To: Campsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Got up before dawn and cooked French toast for everyone before getting back on the trail. We hiked 1 mile before we ran into Daisy, Slayer & Ularu camped by the lake, so we stopped and shared some cookies, and then went to the rope swing. Mudslide went first, then me, Slayer, Oats, and then Thor. Daisy was a silly Australian and wouldn¢t go in the lake. It was COLD and I hit the water hard but it was great fun! The hike was hot and largely up hill at first. We got to the first spring on the ridgeline and stopped and took a nap. Slayer & Ularu & Daisy showed up and we took a long break. We made it 3 miles past the shelter, and then pitched camp. We had a nice fire, good night of conversation and chocolate. Cowboyed under the stars only to wake up to violent wind. We pitched the tarp in the middle of the night and it poured rain but we stayed nice and dry.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Campsite

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

We awoke to a nasty, cold morning. It started pouring on us shortly after Vandeventer Shelter - crazy wind, thunder right overhead, the smell of ozone. A bit scary. We were soaked and cold, the rain finally stopped, though. We got to the road crossing and Newt¢s Aunt was there - she built a fire and cooked us spare ribs, garlic toast, green peas, fruit, candy bars, and milk. We hiked to Double Springs Shelter with full bellies across beautiful, green pastureland. We were going to push on, but it began to pour rain, so the 5 of us (Daisy, Slayer, Ularu & us) holed up for the night. A bit of rain dripping through the roof but we stayed dry and slept well.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: The Place
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Woke to a chilly, windy morning. We hiked fast ¢easy terrain. Around 2 PM, we crossed the border into VA. WHOOO HOOO!!! We pushed ourselves into Damascus ¢ deposited our gear at the Place (hostel), then ran over to the hiker feed at the B&B ¢ hot dogs, burgers, cake, baked beans, potato salad, and soda. Everyone was there ¢ the Breeze, Jack, Pax a Lot & Buckeye, Bear Bait, Bulldog, etc. It was a good reunion! We showered and sat around the hostel talking then the Dude & Matty rolled in and we all headed to Dot¢s Bar for a few pints. [YUMMMY! AMBERBOCK! DOTS ROCKS! Oh sorry got carried away, editor] Returned to the hostel late and stuffed ourselves with snack food before going to bed.
Date: 2008-05-13
From: The Place

To: Campsite
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Up early, bagels for breakfast, roamed town all afternoon, then helped clean the hostel. A man named Trail Hugger cooked a ton of muffins and brought them to the hostel. They were so tasty! Finally left town at 2 PM. It was hot and sunny, slow hiking all day. 12 miles up and endless switchbacks, blooming red flowers, pretty river and squaw root. We camped with the ¢family¢, Rookie and the Breeze near a little pond surrounded by blooming dogwood, Russian Olives, croaking frogs. Had a little fire, nice night.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Campsite

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up late, sleepy, harassing Daisy, who got to camp late. An easy day with free-range cows in flowery, lush fields, views from Whitetop Mtn, friendly feral ponies on Mt. Rogers¢¦all really awesome. It was a packed shelter at Thomas Knob, lots of sectioners here. It was a windy night, but we slept warmly.
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Trail Days - Damascus, VA
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Grey, foggy morning with a rocky climb off Thomas Knob. Ponies were everywhere with their foals, stallions fighting, running with manes flowing behind them. Grayson Highlands was beautiful, rocky heath, good easy walk. Jim was waiting for us at 603 with a trunk full of baked goods from Julie. [Thank you, Julie, I got to eat some too! Editor] We gorged ourselves, and then headed to Damascus, pitched our tents in Tent city, hung out. There was a free hotdog feed at the Baptist Church. Well-stuffed, we slept wet.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Trail Days - Damascus, VA

To: Trail Days - Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hot, sunny day dawned had fun in the parade throwing water balloons and such. Lots of food, burgers, soup, chili, so full! Billville guys took good care of us. We stayed up late again at a huge fire and drum circle which carried on all night. It was good to see the Dude, Bag of Tricks, Pi, Pokey, etc. again. Lion King was playing songs on the guitar....I've had them stuck in my head all week, even though I don't know the words, they linger, sad and beautiful. Music is so crucial out here, because there isn't too much of it. The power of Song is elevated even beyond the ordinary emotive potential.
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Trail Days - Damascus, VA

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: moderate rain

Feels good to be back on the trail after a weekend of partying. Packed up camp, Wild Oats decided to go with the Billville guys to Beauty Spot to camp and hangout for a few days, so we parted ways. We crammed the ¢family¢ into Jim¢s car, went back to Rt. 603, said goodbye to him. Pack is heavy as hell. It was a damp afternoon and knees are stiff. It cleared up and I spent some time by a beautiful waterfall, some more time sitting at an overlook watching the clouds blow new oak leaves. It was beautiful. Looking off to the left, a wall of black clouds was coming towards me fast. I threw on my ¢rain cover¢ trash bag thing; hiked a fast 3 miles to Trimpi Shelter where I stayed nice and dry. The "family", plus Bear bait & Pootz and some of his hiking buddies crammed in and we slept solidly.
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

It was an overcast morning, said goodbye to Pootz and crew and headed off. Nice to hike alone at my own pace. 17 miles felt pretty good, sunny day, don¢t remember the hike. Stopped at Partnership Shelter but there was no pizza delivery before 4 pm, so we moved along. Went on to Chatfield Shelter and there was a great view a bit before the shelter. Nice blocks of stone around the shelter and a beautiful running creek.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Easy morning hiking through knee-deep fields of grass, the smell of apple blossoms, boardwalks over wetlands near the railroad tracks. Reminds me of being a child, playing in the deep grass in Rob¢s field. We all met up at the Barn Restaurant at the interstate crossing. Good little truck stop restaurant ¢ one waitress with a thick southern accent served us huge bottomless cups of coffee for 85 cents along with mounds of food. We ate bacon & sausage, biscuits, gravy, pancakes, eggs, hashbrowns. We were all thoroughly stuffed. Took a lot of time to hike 6 miles. It was a hot ridge walk with Catawba Rhododendrons blooming everywhere. A welcomed break at Crawfish Valley, a small pinewood fire was burning. Daisy and I had a chat besides the crystal-clear rocky bottomed creek, delicious cold water. We rejoined Slayer & Ularu & Newt in the pine grove. Took a long break before Daisy went on and we all felt guilty and hiked on as well. The sun was low in the sky, lovely shadows cast through green leaves. Jogged downhill to tree-lined corridor between farmers¢s fields, climbed over innumerable stiles through immaculate green cow pastures the sweet Virginia Mountains spreading out their folds around all purple with the evening sun. There was an old broken-down mill besides a muddy farm creek, the trail following a cow path. There was a cow skull hung on a signpost. May apples illuminated with sunlight, globes of green likr strange sea creatures. I was hiking fast through the dying day and finally reached the shelter. Daisy, Babu and some other strangers (Twinkletoes, Kirk) were already there. We stayed at Knot Maul Branch, odd name but slept good. It rained, I didn¢t notice.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I was feeling run-down and spacey today. The morning was wet, lots of stream crossings. Bit of an evil climb up Chestnut Knob but the view was well worth it with green ridges running in a straight line out into the distance. Got water at the spring-fed pond filled with frog eggs, then 2 miles to the shelter where I took a nap. The others headed off. The shelter¢s completely enclosed with a door and everything. It used to be an old stone firewarden¢s cabin. The wind up here is cold, howls terrifically. Blue skies, puffy clouds, I walked 9 odd miles and I am ready for sleep. Bleah.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

All by myself and am still feeling run down. Cold chills, sore throat no fun hiking the ridgeline in the hot sun. Beautiful rock formations, like sand castles or odd lumps of clay, strange shapes. There was no water at all. Beginning to loathe hiking but not willing to take a day off. I only made 10 miles to Jenkins Shelter, but at least I¢m farther down the trail. I¢ll be glad when I feel better. The hiking¢s so easy here my legs feel good. There¢s a nest of birds in the shelter¢s rafters and two deer came right up near the site. Last Minute and his dog, Sasha, are here along with Bulldog & Bearbait. At least there are some familiar faces and a nice fire burning.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Took some Benadryl in the morning, felt good hiking, the miles flew by. At the road crossing near Laurel Creek (yes ANOTHER Laurel Creek!) some folks from the Methodist Church picked us up and took us to the church for an all you can eat (AYCE) breakfast of fried apples, egg frittata, sausage, fresh blueberry, pancakes, coffee, OJ, milk, pumpkin bread, hash browns. It was absolutely delicious! Got back on the trail at 12:30 with a full belly. Hiked fast. There was a scary road walk across I-77 overpass, the cars moving so quickly it was a bit unnerving. Big uphill right before the shelter and the shelter was 14 mile off trail. The water was all the way back down the mountain .3 miles. BLEAH! Feeling sleepy, it was an easy 14 to Helvey¢s Mill shelter over all. Looks like it may rain.
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up late, had the shelter to myself as I ate breakfast. It was an easy morning ridge walk under a leafy canopy- 3+ mph all the way to Jenny Knob Shelter for a lunch break. I was hiking with Micro, and the talking made the miles fly. Ate lunch with Bulldog, Bearbait, Conan. It was a hot afternoon, had a tough climb, sweating up Brushy Mtn but the view from the power cut was stunning, all low-lying mountains, valleys, lying deep in between the gentle hills. Heady scent of honeysuckle. The trail ran under huge bushes of it before Kimberling Creek. There was a cool suspension footbridge over the creek. It was nice to take a break soaking sore toes. Easy gradual uphill, boring terrain hike to Dismal Creek Falls. It was a pretty spot but not worth the .3 mile hike off the trail. So I pushed on from there. The trail ran along Dismal Creek, crossed smaller streams on numerous bridges. I was mostly alone; the evening was coming on with long, cool shadows, beautiful pine groves, cathedral-like, a wonderful late day peace. I startled a bunch of whitetails and a fat lizard. Last 2 mi to Wapiti Shelter felt like forever. I kept thinking I¢d hiked past it and didn¢t want to camp alone. I was glad to arrive before 7:30 pm...a 24 mile day! I stripped off the shoes and went to the water source; a deliciously, cold rock-bottomed stream--waded fully clothed into it, washed my clothes and myself. Conan showed up with a couple of beers and shared one with me. I slept deeply but not long and was up with the sun but laid in my sleeping bag until almost everyone else had gone.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Plaza Hotel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

The first 8 miles were slow and felt horrible in the hot, hot sun. I was feeling dizzy and kept stopping every few hundred feet. Got water near an odd, old tumbled down cabin. Trail went over boulder fields, huge teeter-tottering rocks underfoot. Thought about staying at the shelter but decided to try to make Pearisburg. Raccoon showed up and I hiked behind him awhile which made me pick up my pace. Felt good to push the body, to know I¢m getting stronger. Bit of a climb, not bad, up Pearis Mtn. Gorgeous ridge walk. The mountains in the distance are cobalt blue, contrasting with the emerald leaf-greens. At the start of the hike, the distant mountains all looked purple without leaves. Now it¢s blue everywhere. The azaleas and rhododendrons are blooming everywhere, all purple and fuchsia and pink. The air is heavy with flower-scent. It is a cool evening, the air felt good. There are awesome rock formations at Angel¢s Rest before the trail plunged into the valley, a knee-busting descent. Got a blister on the 3rd toe on my left foot. Socks were chafing. Very dark under thick, leaf canopy. Got to the crossing and road walked into town. Got a cone at the DQ, then ran into Conan, who told me that everyone was at the Plaza hotel. Daisy & Slayer were by the pool, so I joined them for awhile. The four of us shared a room (they¢d zeroed). Daisy even let me have the bed to myself because he¢s not wholly a horrible little man. I washed laundry in the sink, took a long hot shower, and ran to Food Lion to resupply. I bought way too much food. I sat around catching up with everyone, eating bananas & bologna & spray cheese, drank a 2 liter of Fanta. Rotted our minds out watching Law & Order, crashed. Jim called- my new boots are waiting at the PO but its Memorial Day & I can¢t get them ¢til Tuesday, so I¢m zeroing today.
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Plaza Hotel, Pearisburg, VA

To: Holy Family Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Hiked from the motel with a laden pack said goodbye to the group. Got a ride partway to the Holy Family Church hostel, a large, old barn that had been re-assembled on church property. Tents were pitched in the yard, sprawling porch with a view of the green ridgeline. I hung out on the porch reading, eating spinach and rice.   Lipstick, Raccoon, shuttled a bunch of us to town to see Indiana Jones. The ride made me carsick and the movie was a bit disappointing but it was a $3.50 ticket and we got a $4 bottomless bucket of popcorn. Back at the hostel we lounged on the porch, Last Minute had his MP3 player, lazy acoustic guitar songs and ¢The Bear Necessities¢. Chainsaw, August & Poppins, Thoughfoot, Quatro are in for the night. Slept on the porch.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Holy Family Hostel

To: past Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

It was warm and I woke too early with the sun. Lipstick shuttled us to the PO ¢ my boots weren¢t there. A bit worried I went to the coffee shop to email Jim. August figured out that they were at the Rendezvous Motel and a local man gave me a hotdog so the day was saved. Lipstick drove me to pick up the boots, and then dropped me off at the trailhead. Clouds threatening as I started the climb out of town. It was rocky and excruciating and I was panting all the way. The grassy field at the top was exquisite with a great view and I decided to stay at Rice Field Shelter after a short day. New boots are stiff and squeezing my little toes. It began to pour rain. I sat it out with Nyquil and Motorbutt. It let up and I got a fire going. Some sectioners and Quatro rolled in. We had a good fire, relaxing. It was a long haul downhill to the water source. Just as I got to the source, it began to pour again ¢ it churned up the water source. Grit was in my water bottle and I was soaked going back. I dried out a bit as the sun came back out to grace the sky with cotton-puff clouds and a pastel sunset. Oatmeal came walking by ¢¦Insanity, reunion, joy!!!! Glad to see her again. She¢d left at 603 on Thursday and had been pulling an average of 25 miles/day. After a brief pause to collect ourselves, we decided to keep hiking so we set off into the sunset. 6 miles of night hiking, easy going and we saw a lot of deer. We pitched the tarp off the side of the trail, rain started a few hours later.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: past Rice Field Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

Woke to a wet, wet world. Warm enough but it made the endless walking over slippery rocks treacherous and I slipped a bunch of times save by my pole. Boots are not feeling good. I am clammy and cranky. Took a break with Micro and her dad, House-the-Cat at the roofless shelter. Picked up a turtle shell. A roadwalk re-route around a washed out bridge and found trail magic sodas they were tasty. A nasty climb up slippery slope and ended by taking a long nap at the shelter. I am feeling like I¢m getting a cold, am run down due to the hard afternoon up to Wind Rock. The rain stopped and fog began to lift. The view from the overlook which was level with the tops of oak trees was nice. Oats played her whistle, I climbed a tree. Refreshed by the beauty we hiked on 2 miles and took another break for water and to spend a little time by the campfire with Micro and Co. before the knee-jarring walk to War Spur Shelter in the waning light. We arrived just before full dark, weary. I soaked my feet in the cold creek ..Odd thinking about war in such an idyllic spot but I have to remember how many civil war battles were played out in these hills. You see the signs ¢ memorials, trailside graves of men ambushed. The stories of death and horror leave their trace but slightly.
Date: 2008-05-29
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

It is not one of my good days. I slept horribly to a sick sun-hot morning. Period¢s started. One more thing to deal with. My boots hurt my ankles, my toes, my bones hate me my back hurts. It is a struggle all day long. Took a long lunch break the brutal climb up Kelly¢s Knob wore me out. Another LONG climb to the ridge of another mountain. Clammy with sweat it was impossible to get cool. I was craving streams of water. Finally got to Sarver¢s Hollow Shelter trail after walking a rocky ridgeline with piles of blue grey rocks everywhere. Some old fruit trees were along the trail and it seems that farmers in a desperate attempt to make the land arable, picked up countless rocks, stacked them in oddly-shaped cairns and haphazard piles Before the climb, the trail wound again through cattle pastures, rich with flowers and the sweet smell of pine. Cows standing by the trailside were disturbed as were the donkeys that ran away at our approach.   Found mint growing by a small stream. Huge 200 year old oak tree next to a rickety stile, its massive trunk and twisted branches were thick as trees themselves. It would be a grand place for a tree house. The shelter was a quarter mile straight downhill but it was large and new and had a nice platform with a picnic table. There was an awning and grappling hook ¢chandeliers¢ to hang the food bags on. A Phoebe had built a nest in the rafter, small cheeping babies in it. Saw a bright, red sleek bird with black wings [editor: Scarlet Tanager] Had a good fire burning, cooked dinner and noticed a little rattlesnake coiled under the stones of the fire pit. He left us alone though. Shared the shelter with Nyquil, dog Patty, House the Cat & Micro, Tetra, Sandman & a ¢79 thru-hiker and his friends. We stayed up too late listening to the cry of the whippoorwill.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Sarver's Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

I slept fitfully again and got a slow start getting out of camp. It was an easy day at first, after the climb back to the trail. The water source was a spring that had formed an underground river with a series of sinkholes opening into it. Some odd, old, abandoned buildings were there too.   It was hot and muggy even early in the day. I was soaked and having difficulty breathing the thick, humid air. The scent of flowering trees was very strong, sun baked pines needles. Climbed across ankle twisting rock faces which gave us beautiful glimpses of the mountains covered in greenery, laurels blooming all over by the trail now. There were dozens of lizards scurrying around. I took a long break at Niday Shelter before pushing to Pickle Branch Shelter. Before we got there we took a brief stop to wade in a creek before the grueling climb up some horrible mountain in the hot afternoon sun. At the summit, there was a random bench! It was a nice break for sore feet. Hiked on down the hot pine covered slope. Ate some odd-berries off a tree they were tasty and didn¢t kill us. (yet) The leaves looked like a cherry tree¢s, the fruit like a blueberry only frosted pink. The last climb of the day wasn¢t bad ¢ scared some grouse. The shelter was 1/3 of a mile off trail but not downhill. It was a nice stroll through tall trees, sinkholes by the trail, lots of downed pine wood to burn. It was a beautiful spot, secluded only Oats, Sandman and I right now. I bathed, clothes on in the stream, it felt wonderful!!! I smell less hideous. I slept horribly due to being chewed on by bugs.
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Pig Farm Campsite
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

Dragging my tail up the AT it was a windy morning but kept it from being too hot. It was a crazy rocky climb up to Dragon¢s Tooth which is a sharp, jutting ridge bare, great view, mountains are hazy with heat. There was a turtle crawling in the middle of the trail. Tricky descent, clambering down rocks that could only loosely be referred to as a ¢trail¢. At one point we had to let ourselves down on steel handholds fastened to the rocks. Good fun. Rhododendrons are in full bloom, luscious soft purples surround the trail at Lost Spectacles Gap, a grassy glade where we stopped for PB & Honey tortillas. The afternoon was ghastly hot, sweat slicked skin. Saw a huge black rat snake by the side of the trail. Staying at Catawba Mountain Shelter because the next one north of here is crowded by weekenders. Bugs are biting. Had a brief torrential downpour but it¢s going to be a nice evening. After a 2 hour break, we decided to push on over McAfee¢s knob. Farmer¢s fields, grass mown where the trail runs, its growing high as my waist, tossing in the wind like the ocean¢s waves. We climbed up the knob¢s well graded and easy trail with huge formations. At the summit there are pillars of rock, pedestals of stone pink mottled with blue-green and grey lichens. The rocks are carved into coral like shapes. The views from the cliffs jutting out over the valley are absolutely stunning. You can see the next 5 miles of trail over to Tinker¢s Cliffs, all of the ridges running away to the horizon. We stripped off our shoes and played amongst the labyrinth of rock. We found a tunnel under one of the formations- a perfect playground. Tetra & Sandman had gone to Home Place for lunch and shared their leftovers. They had mashed potatoes, greens and beans, corn, fried chicken, biscuits, stuffed my face then we sat watching the sun set. The sky was radient with pinks & purples.   The mountains fading into deep, misty blues. The clouds were awash with light, their edges gilded by the sun¢s setting. Hung upside down over the cliff to see the world at a better angle. When the light was fading we headed down, pushing our way in between thick, growing laurel bushes, racing the sun. Hiked the last half mile with our headlamps on. Weekend campers took over the shelter so we camped at Pig Farm. Long walk in the dark for water while Oats pitched camp. Stars everywhere. Couldn¢t sleep.