morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Mile 643, short of Symms Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: broken clouds

Headed out of Pearisburg today. Left at noon in heat of the day and climbed up and out of town. Trail was rerouted so it was kind of squirrely walking up and down with lots of U turns.Felt a bit sluggish, no mojo, and I think this was due to late breakfast and no lunch. Have to remember to both eat and drink especially on these hot days. Pressed on and stopped at Rice Field Shelter for a bite to eat. Mike joined me there and we hiked on together to a very nice spot near Symms Gap with a nice overlook. There were already 3 folks there from Massachusetts - this is where we met Chops who hails from Lowell, nice guy on his own. Just after dinner, we were given a nice sunset present which we watched slowly go down to end the day. Everyone was kind of quiet and reflective.On a sad note, while hiking up out of Pearisburg, we came upon some water bottles and a note from Celtic telling us of a hiker who died at that spot the previous day. Apparently, a man in his 60s had been hiking with his son and another man as well as Celtic. He had a heart attack climbing the hill and could not be saved by the other hikers or the emergency response team. Our condolences go out to his family and, as we have discussed among us hikers in the past few days, hope that even in these difficult days, the family takes some comfort in knowing that the man passed away hiking among family, friends and out in nature. The sunset had additional meaning for me tonight.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Mile 643, short of Symms Gap

To: Mile 664.2, near War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we headed out early. The talk is about getting to the Captain's where there is a zipline to go across the stream to his place where we will take a lunch break.The Captain did not disappoint. After about 8 miles, we saw signs in the woods and then the zipline (see photos). Across we went with the Captain pulling the line. He welcomed us over, informed us that he was called the Captain because he looked like Captain Kangaroo, and told us to feel free to grab some cold drinks on the porch. Took a couple of hours for Mike, Jo, Chops and I to dry our gear, eat lunch, drink sodas and share some stories with the Captain. He is a Vietnam vet who bought this place 11 years ago and has been hosting hikers ever since. Very nice waterfall, stream running by the house, a dog jumping around chasing bees, and just a very relaxing place. Reluctantly we all moved on around 2 to make our next camp.Got in late to that one after a long day and set up for next push. A good day.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Mile 664.2, near War Spur Shelter

To: VA 621, Craig Creek Road
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was another one of those days where you just never know what the next turn on the AT will bring.Hiking through the woods I ran into a guy named Feather who said, "I hope you like sun." Immediately after broke out of the woods and walked miles of pasture out in, you guessed it, the sun. A bit warm I might add and glad that I had stocked up on a couple of quarts of water. Finally broke out and back into the woods, stopping for water refill and lunch before heading up to see the famous Keffer Oak, largest oak tree on AT in the south, over 18' around, over 300 years old. About 100' from the oak, I almost stepped on another snake (see photos), which was about 3 feet long and I would estimate about 10 years old... After a minor standoff, snake got bored and headed into the woods and let us pass.After oohing and ahhing the oak tree (insert sarcastic tone here), continued on and decided, rather than staying at Niday Shelter to go on another mile and a half to get positioned for big climb next day. On arrival at campsite, saw a guy sitting out back of his Subaru, with a map and a couple of coolers. A quick hello and set up our tents. He offered us a beer which we reluctantly accepted and we talked. He mentioned his name and I immediately recognized the guy - Ultramarathoning legend Karl "Speedgoat" Meltzer, one of the top U.S. and world ultra marathoners. Turns out he was out there doing a recon for his end of JUN 2014 attempt at thru hiking the AT and breaking the speed record of 46 days, 10 hours set by Jennifer Pharr Davis in 2011. He was checking out where his support team will need to meet him and then running some miles to check out the trail. To beat the record he will have to average over 48 miles a day for 45+ days. We hope to see him farther north after he sets off southbound in late JUN. Laid back guy and we really had a great conversation. Very cool. The picture here is of me and my new best friend Karl. Another good day on the AT - you never know what will happen next.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: VA 621, Craig Creek Road

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started off with a steep climb early morning up and out of the gap. After about a 2.5 mile 1500' climb, we came up on the ridge line only to be immediately rewarded with trail magic (see photos). A bench, a cooler full of iced canned drinks, cookies, and a trash bag. Simple yet made our day. After a brief stop there, we continued on to the Audie Murphy Monument. Audie Murphy was the most decorated U.S. soldier in WWII, filmed his autobiography To Hell and Back, and was tragically killed in a plane crash near this spot in 1971. Very nice spot and remembrance (see photos).Pressed on along a ridge line to the Dragon's Tooth, a very steep, rocky overlook. Stopped and climbed around there for a while before heading down some difficult, rocky terrain and out on to Newport Road. There, we hiked a half a mile to the 4 Pines Hostel. It is a converted garage with cots, sofas, a sofa bed, refrigerators, microwaves, a bathroom that the owner, Joe, has set up on a donation basis. I cornered a couch and we immediately set off for the HomePlace Restaurant, for homestyle cooking with about 10 other thru hikers (see photos for more). Good chow, good SE VA hospitality.Back to the 4 Pines where we all talked until late. I was finally able to put faces to names I had been hearing about or reading about in the shelter journals (some of these folks are captured in the meal photo). Good to meet and speak with Mambo, Eastwood, Trip, BootBurner, Murphy, Jo, Pippin, Dan From Illinois, and Hoss. Very enjoyable.On our return, we were asked by Joe if we wanted to participate in the Alpaca annual shearing in the morning. Why yes we would. More on this in the next entry. A good day.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

Again, one of the great things about this hike is you just never know what you are going to wake up to on any particular day.This morning it was shearing Alpacas. We helped herd them into the barn and a professional shearer came to do their annual cut. Very interesting watching the process although the Alpacas did not seem as happy to participate. (See photos for more)This photo is the result of the shearing. The guys behind him seem to be moving away from him and are probably muttering "what the heck happened to Jerry?" But they all faced the same music and as I walked away wearing my new Alpaca sweater I can say it was worth it. (Just joking - or am I?)Headed out into the rain and moved on to a nice campsite where we were joined by 2 Roanoke Parks and Rec guys (not as funny as Leslie Knope but nice guys) who were leading 5 female hikers who were camping for the first time. One of the women had her priorities straight on what constitutes critical gear for a first timer, passing around a quart of whisky that she had hauled in on her back. We thru hikers could learn a thing or two from people like her.Early to our tents for tomorrow we push to Daleville and a stop at the famed 3 Li'l Pigs BBQ before I hole up in a Super 8 and await Kim's arrival! Another good day on the AT.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Lamberts Meadow Campsite

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Rather leisurely hike today along the ridge line, across 3 sets of power lines and into Daleville.Kind of a shock though coming from the quiet AT and onto a major thoroughfare with trucks, cars and motorcycles whizzing by. Was thinking about turning around and heading back into the woods. But did not because 3 Li'l Pigs BBQ was calling my name. We hiked on down to the restaurant and in we went to have the recommended half rack of ribs, tomato paste, curly onion rings, potato wedges and, free to thru hikers, banana pudding. When we came out of the restaurant, we found this note and a bag of food (Double stuff Oreos, bananas, apples, almond joys, etc.) sitting next to our packs - the guy or gal who dropped it there was long gone. Another random act of kindness - I was actually quite moved that someone had done this. I hope to continue in his/her footsteps when I get off the trail by doing same for others. Headed to Super 8 and got checked in. Tomorrow Kim arrives and looking forward to a great few days with her.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Daleville

To: Roanoke
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up and cleaned up my gear, got reorganized, and got ready for Kim's arrival.After breakfast, checked out and headed to an outfitter to pick up a Platypus bottle (Sawyer needs to get their act together on their worthless bottles which spring leaks rendering them useless), some Campsuds soap and a new bear bag line (mine is hopelessly tangled and unmanageable). Then over to Wendy's (mmmm Single hamburger combo), and then over to a coffee shop to drink coffee, read Jack Reacher novel and await Kim. She arrives at 1:00 p.m. and can't wait.Off to Roanoke for the rest of the day to relax and start a few zero days. Checked into Cambria Suites in Roanoke - very nice place!
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Roanoke

To: Roanoke
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After many suggestions for a trail name I have settled on "Wingnut" passed to me by an old Army buddy.   "Wing" refers to my Army helicopter flying days and "nut" - well because frankly anyone attempting an AT thru hike is, by definition, a bit nuts. Wingnut also has the following definition: "A person appearing to be moderately to severely crazy, disoriented, majobling, see Majoble, jumbled and more often than not, a total mess."Army buds, and likely others who have known me through the years, will agree that this describes me well. Thanks Scott!
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Daleville

To: Bobbletts Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

After a great couple of days in Roanoke with Kim, it was time to get back on the trail. We drove back to Daleville and I slack packed (no pack) for a couple of miles along the AT and met Kim in Troutville. We hiked together for a couple of miles before heading back to the car and getting Kim on her way. This selfie is of us on the AT - inspiration over my shoulder!Since I started to hike late, knew that it would be a night hike to try and catch up to Mike. I got a text as to where he was pressing on to and decided to do what I needed to link up with him that night. While isolated thunderstorms were expected I was pretty lucky most of the way. Once it got dark, put on the old headlamp and pushed over hill and dale. The fog came in and as you know from driving your car in the fog, seeing very far forward with even a headlamp became a challenge especially in the dark (see additional photos). A couple of times I came out onto overlooks roads at Taylors Mountain and Harveys Knob and had no idea where the trail went. So I moved up the right side of the road looking for white blazes and then down the same side in the other direction - no luck. Then cross the road and do the same glancing into the woods frequently to see if a white blaze would jump out. Finally, in both places I was rewarded by a white blaze and continued in the dark and fog arriving at Bobbletts Gap Shelter at 11:45 that night. Set up the tent outside the shelter and quietly ate my late dinner at the picnic table while 5 thru hikers snoozed a few feet away. Then to bed. A good day.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Bobbletts Gap Shelter

To: Middle Creek Campground
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

Woke up early this morning and looked out my tent. First thing I saw through the tent screen door was my old friend Mike, already up and getting organized. Until that moment I did not know whether I had caught up to him and whether he was one of the 5 hikers sleeping last night in the shelter. Just a good feeling to have linked back up with him - could not ask for a better fellow thru hiker to share this experience with and this morning I am upbeat as we will be hiking together again.We pack up and move out. We have been invited to come off the trail at noon to have lunch with Jo and her family visiting from Napa Valley, California and Lawrence, Kansas. But before we get to the link up site, the skies open up. And I mean open up. Torrential downpour, river down the AT, and within 10 minutes, we are soaked and quoting from Caddyshack ("I'd keep playing. I don't think the heavy stuff's gonna come down for quite awhile.") and frankly just enjoying the deluge. It helps that it is not cold and we have all of our gear safely waterproofed. Did I say it was torrential?By 1:00 p.m. we are under a bridge at the link up site getting dry, eating some chow and waiting the few more minutes for Jo to arrive. Off to lunch (her brother Tom picks up the tab -thanks Tom!) and then we talk about whether we want to stay out in the rain as it continues for likely the next 16 hours. No is the answer and Mike and I get dropped back off at the nearby Middle Creek Campground and hole up there for the night. Showers, washing machine, coffee - for dinner, nachos, chicken fingers, and steak and cheese with a chocolate shake - perfect. Another good day.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Middle Creek Campground

To: Harrison Ground Spring
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a long day. Sometimes it just does not come as it should, head was not right for most of the day and it just seemed that it was a slog. It happens and during these times you just push on, one foot in front of the other and keep moving. Knowing from long runs that there will be down times and moods, I press on also knowing that, if you wait it out, it always seems to get better. The sun does come up or in this case out through the clouds. Late in the day, with Mike pressing on far ahead, I come out on this overlook at Thunder Ridge and am rewarded with this view - which immediately lifts me from my mood and sets things right again - coincidence? I think not. I enjoy the space for a while and am reminded of how fortunate I am to be given the opportunity to take this trek and happen on to these scenes. I set off again and within an hour happen on a very big snapping turtle sitting in the middle of the AT (see photo). He/she just sits there and we look at each other for a few minutes before I walk well around him/her and head north again (it would not do for me to come into our campsite and ask Mike for help in removing a turtle from a body part...)With darkness falling quickly, we set up camp and after a good dinner, break for our tents for a good night of sleep. The highs and lows of the trail experienced in a day - all in all a good day.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Harrison Ground Spring

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Good hiking today with some water, steep hills, a cool foot bridge, and a near collision with a scared rabbit.Left early to hike mostly downhill to the James River. Foot bridge is supposed to be the longest on the AT.On my climb up to Big Rocky Row, a big rabbit comes bolting down the trail towards me, clearly spooked (by a large group of hikers I soon find out). It is racing straight down the middle of the trail and the rabbit either does not see me or does not care - we are about to run into each other. About 10 feet from impact, the rabbit approaching Mach 1 speed, I yell at it hoping to avoid the collision. The rabbit looks up at me and does a quick 90 degree turn into the woods. I am happy it did not run into me for the simple reason that had it broken something, I would have become the laughingstock up and down the AT - First hiker: "Hear about Wingnut? He's off the trail recovering after a rabbit supposedly ran into him near Big Rocky Row." Second hiker: "Seriously?! When are we eating?" Third hiker: "Poor rabbit? Anyone know his trail name? We can check and see how he is doing on his blog."
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista
Miles today: 10.9

Walk to US60 for a NERO (near zero), few miles to try and catch a ride into Buena Vista. Mike and I get settled at the Buena Vista motel (a very nice guy from India is the owner/operator and we have a good conversation before he gives us his best room. Mike tells him on the way out to not worry if police cars show up outside our room and the owner says he won't. We link up with 19 and Bubba for lunch, meet Captain Phillips (a retired British SAS soldier who has been given this name for his work going after pirates as a contractor) and Lunch who is here with his girlfriend, Cindy. Most of the day is spent getting organized, getting food and, back at the hotel we run into Hoss, Mambo, Pippin and DFI (Dan from Illinois) who have just come back from Damascus Trail Days with new gear and some interesting stories.Some of you have asked what it is we eat along the trail so I thought I would post this picture of my food kit coming out of Damascus. The choice in food to date has remained relatively the same so this gives you a good sense of what I am eating. Peanut butter and oatmeal have dropped off the list replaced by Nutella (deepish! and lots of calories) and Carnation Instant breakfast (2 packets with nonfat milk, a coffee packet or two and powdered hot chocolate all mixed in a gatorade bottle - drink it down, eat a couple of chocolate pop tarts and you will have what you need for the next 3 hours of trail climbing). Spam has also reentered my life although other thru hikers seem to move away from me when I eat it for some reason. So there it is - replace calories as much as we can. For some reason, even with this intake every day I have still lost about 8-10 lbs but now it is holding steady which is a good thing. All this talk is making me hungry so off to get some Fritos and a honey bun. Enjoy!
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Buena Vista

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Today after a nice breakfast at Bluedogart Cafe (ate the Zacker Stacker: Fried egg, cheese, bacon served between two pieces of French toast topped with maple syrup), we got packed up and were picked up at the motel by Butch who shuttled us up in the back of his pick up to the trail head. For us it is important that we get dropped off exactly where we were picked up so that as "purists" we look to do the entire trail.We start hiking up and out towards Bald Knob a 2000' climb on a warm day. About half way up, I come upon a woman in her late 50s, Judy, whom we had met at a shelter a couple of days ago. She is clearly in distress and, after speaking with her a couple of minutes and realizing we need to get her to help, Mike and I drop our packs and walk her slowly down the hill to the road. She is able to go down and wants to do so under her own power so we work our way over the next hour back to the trailhead. She is a diabetic and I must say, it was great to watch Mike at work (he was an Army Nurse), reassuring and calming Judy, working through the questions/symptoms, trying to get her to take in some sugar and just basically nursing her down the hill to help. Mike told me later we were lucky, he thought she might have gone into shock and it could have been far worse situation on that hill. We got her to the bottom and she was linked up with a friend who then got her to the ER. Hoping all is well in her recovery and we are looking forward to seeing her back on the hill. An additional note: Mike did all of this despite having his own stomach problems and getting sick earlier on his own climb up the side of that mountain - stud! With the medical emergency, we shortened our goal today and landed in Hog Camp Gap, a grassy meadow and very nice camping spot. There we met Jelly Bean and his dog, Lucy, who were in for the night there. Able to be there for a hiker in distress and hopefully making a difference - a good day.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: clear sky

This morning I was reminded about what the AT should be. Mike and I got up early - the plan was to put in a 20+ mile day and we wanted to get going. Got all packed and just as we were getting ready to leave, a guy wanders into our area from his tent site and introduces himself as Fresh Grounds. He asked if we were interested in some fresh brewed coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. I immediately thought to myself, we have a long day ahead, a lot of miles to put in, we are ready to go - no we do not want to stop what we are doing and wait for a cup of coffee to brew.Fresh Grounds says he has his own Press and that he would be glad to make us a cup. Mike and I agree but I am frustrated, as FG sets his cook set up, that we are not moving out especially when he asks if we have any water we can contribute. But I put my pack down and we start talking. Turns out to be the best thing we did all day. He has been making coffee (as well as eggs, bacon, hot dogs and hamburgers) for other hikers over the years and this is just what he does in between his electrician jobs. We have a great conversation as he talks about working to make the perfect brew in the field and learn a lot about him and his world. We sit for an hour (the coffee was outstanding) and just talk and enjoy the company. After that he packs up and we go our separate ways.This was a great reminder to slow down and recognize that the best moment of the day may be walking right in front of you and not part of what I had planned at all. The rest of the day was nice but our encounter with Fresh Grounds helped me remember what this trip is all about - the journey not just the miles.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Put in a long day today to get positioned for linking up with Kim in Waynesboro to celebrate our wedding anniversary.This was a day of just pushing on through the humidity. Not a hot day but the humidity did seem to suck a bit of the life out of you. Still felt lucky by some great views and made it in to Wolfe Shelter area, complete with stream and waterfall and a host of hiker buds (19, Bubba, Tatianna, Hooper, Hardwood, and a day hiking couple that had placed cokes in the river for us to drink on arrival - nice!)I wanted to post this picture of how I package my gear everyday before placing it in the pack to give you kids an idea of what this all looks like. I have posted a before picture of the pandemonium that is my tent each morning so you can get idea of what that looks like in the tent. Here I have laid out next to the tent, from top left, clockwise: (1) Trekking poles; (2) My food bag and bear bag rope; (3) 32 oz Gatorade bottle, normally my only water until next water point; (3) ULA Circuit backpack; (4) Orange sit pad; (5) Tent bag; (6) Maroon air mattress, pillow bag; (7) Sleeping bag in Zpacks Cuben fiber bag (8) Gray miscellaneous stuff bag; (9) Sea to Summits first aid, foot care and guide bag; (10) Purple daily bag with headlamp, notebook, wool hat; and (11) clothes bag. Surprisingly it all fits into the backpack, is relatively organized and gives me what I need for my roof, bedroom, kitchen, closet, and living room. Around 26 pounds with 4 days of food although with the warmer weather some of this is going home until the Whites in NH. Good kit and works for me.