morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-30
From: VA 42, O'Lystery Pavilion mile 554.4

To: Chestnut Ridge Shelter mile 565.7
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Felt like I was climbing uphill all day. Got started at 9:00 am and it was almost 7:00 pm when I reached the shelter. Ten hours to go 11 miles. Tomorrow's terrain will be flatter. Solo Amigo was the only person at the shelter when I got here, but three other hikers arrived before nightfall. Shelter is a converted ranger's cabin with four walls and a door which would be a real blessing when the weather is bad on this exposed ridge. No water at the shelter. It has to be carried in from a spring 1.7 miles before the shelter. The predicted rains never came and the view of the valley from the shelter is beautiful, so it was a good, although tiring, day. Lonely day. No one passed me and I met only one couple who were section hiking southbound. Skip, the shuttle driver entertained Deliberate and me as he drove us to the trailhead with tales of the area and of hikers he has hauled. He described a retired Virginia Tech entomologist who frequents the area I will be hiking through and who spooks out the locals. I bet he is the fellow who discovered the cave dwelling Lee County Isopod that held up the Federal Prison project while I was doing economic development work for the county.A spider just walked across my iPad screen while I was writing this spooking me.As I started this morning I walked with a couple who are volunteer editors for the AT Conservancy's trail guide and were checking distances with a measuring wheel. They gave me a lesson on how to get an accurate measure while rolling the wheel over logs and other obstructions across the trail. At the Knot Maul Branch Shelter that I passed 2 miles up the trail I found last year's shelter log where someone had composed an AT version of Jabberwocky that I photographed.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Chestnut Ridge Shelter mile 565.7

To: Jenkins Shelter mile 575.7
Miles today: 10.0

Trail was relatively flat along ridge, but much of it was quite rocky. I had expected to go farther, 10 miles took all day. Lots of hikers camped around shelter, but only four in it with me. We are now in a stretch where water is not as plentiful as it has been. Tomorrow's trail has a nine mile section with no water. I normally carry only 1 12 liters in my bladder. Now I will have to plan my water stops in advance and carry 1-3 additional liters. I have been listening to a recording of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. All I knew about the book before starting it was its opening line: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." So far the book tells the stories of a number of unhappy families. I keep mapping the stories to the experiences of folks we know and love.Bugs are getting worse. I will spend the night trying to ignore the itch of some bites.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Jenkins Shelter mile 575.7

To: US 52, Bland, VA mile 587.6
Miles today: 11.9

Awakened a 5:00 by whip-poor-will aspiring to rooster status. On trail at 7:30 and reached road to Bland by 2:30. Trail was smooth and unlike yesterday had few ankle turning rocks. Met Solo Amigo on trail and agreed to share a room with him at the Big Walker Motel, the only lodging in Bland. Motel did not have a washing machine; so I had to hand wash sweaty clothes. at least they did have a nice clothesline. Had a balanced hikers supper of big salad and smoothie at Dairy Queen then pizza delivered to the motel. Got food supplies for the next few days at Dollar General store.Only problem walking today was spot where my misaligned left little toe's rubbing against my fourth toe. The pain has gotten worse and really stings when I stub my left foot on a rock. Sore spot on fourth toe is swollen and inflamed. I will construct a gauze pad before walking on it tomorrow, bot I anticipate additional problems with it.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: US 52, Bland, VA mile 587.6

To: Jenny Knob Shelter mile 599.5
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Very restful and comfortable night in the motel. After breakfast at Dairy Queen we caught a ride back to the trail with a local fellow who provides transportation service for hikers and who is really named Bubba.On the way to the trail Bubba shared stores of other hikers he had hauled. One fellow wanted to return to the trail on an awful winter day when the temperatures were in the teens. When Bubba protested the hiker explained that he had done winter camping up north and had hiked across glaciers. An elderly lady made a similar request on a day when the temperature was in the twenties and the ground was covered with a deep snow. After talking with her Bubba refused to take her to the trail and took her to a motel instead. He later learned that she was an escapee from a nursing home. Bubba was convinced that his refusal saved her life, but on the other hand she had made it Fromm Georgia to Bland, VA before they caught her. Solo Amigo hiked with me all day. We have reservations for Woods Hole, a neat sounding hostel Wednesday night. The trail was relatively easy. Few rocks and roots so it was safe to take my eyes off the ground and look around. Nevertheless I walked right past a deer standing near the trail without seeing him. Solo Amigo was more observant and got some good pictures. A batch of young hikers who had spent the night at True Brit's hostel site passed us slack packing south. He had ferried them to a trail head and they were hiking back to spend a second night listening to his OSS war stories. Although I said hiking, Monkey Man and some of the other young folks were running along the trail in sandals. Interesting lunch time conversation with Sunshine and String Bean, a middle aged couple from the Philadelphia area doing a long section hike from the Shenandoah toward Georgia. Most of the conversation was between Solo Amigo and Sunshine sharing his considerable knowledge of plant life, particularly trees. I am learning a good bit from him. We passed a second southbound couple twice. They are going north, but have two cars that allow them to slack pack every day by hiking south and shuffling cars. Only thee young people with us at the shelter. Water supply is a convenient nearby spring, but flow is only a trickle. It took a long time to catch each cup of water from the tip of a Rhododendron leaf placed in the flow and the water tasted better if you did not think of all the little green worms who were congregating in the puddle where the spring seeped out from under a log. I wrapped gauze from my first aid kit around my sore toe to create a cushion before putting on my socks and boots this morning. It seems to have worked. The toe did not hurt nearly as much as yesterday and when I took the gauze off at the end of the day the toe was much less inflamed. I will repeat the exercise tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Jenny Knob Shelter mile 599.5

To: Wapiti Shelter mile 613.7
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

I am continting to hike with Solo Amigo. In addition to hiking 14.2 miles of the trail we walked 0.5 miles to a rural store for lunch and an additional 0.6. Miles to see Dismal Falls for a total of 15.3 miles.,We passed the 600 mile mark early today. Some previous hiker had made a neat stone 600   We took each other's picture with it. The trail had only a few sections with ankle turning roots and rocks and only a few steep climbs, so it was a relatively easy day. The predicted rain turned out to be just a brief sprinkle over us, but I put on my pack cover and rain pants when the sprinkle started and hiked hot in them all day. We hiked through lots of poison ivy gardens today. Although I have a few bumps and rash spots that I think are poison ivy, so far I have not had any serious problems with the dreadful stuff.Just before the highway to Trent's Grocery a large creek is spanned by an impressive wood,suspension bridge that made a good photo op. The spot was not as pleasant as it looks in the picture because some thoughtless fisherman had cleaned his catch near the site and left the guts to stink. Chicken sandwich, fries and milkshake at Trent Grocery was worth the half mile road hike to reach the store and much better than the energy bars we were carrying for lunch. We caught a ride back to the trail in the back of the pickup of a fellow wearing a T-shirt that read "I still live with my Mother".On the way to the falls we passed a large group from a NC Elderhostel who had made the two mile hike from the nearest road to the falls. I am not sure what they thought of the group of young hikers lounging there drinking beer and smoking pot. One of their leaders was a fellow who had hiked the whole AT five times. The falls were pretty, but not spectacular. I would have liked to take my boots off and dangle my feet, but we had left our packs at the beginning of the side trail; so I did not have anything to dry off with or to replace the gauze protecting my toe. There is a large number of young people at the shelter tonight, so Solo Amigo and I pitched out tents. I did not reach the shelter until 7:00, so it was well after dark when I finished setting up, getting water and cooking supper.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Wapiti Shelter mile 613.7

To: Woods Hole Hostel mile 620.9
Miles today: 7.2

Humidity remains high and all my gear feels clammy. Since the last weather report I saw predicted nice weather for today and since we were headed for a hostel with clothes washing service just 7 miles away, I put on my last set of clean, dry clothes. The weather gods attended to my impertinence by having it start raining as soon as we started up the trail. In addition to being wet, the trail was rougher than I expected. The 7.2 miles of trail and 0.5 mile road walk to the hostel was all I wanted for the day. By the time we reached the hostel I was soaked to the bone; so their hot shower felt doubly good.The American Chestnut has been killed off by a disease similar to the disease that killed the county's Elm Trees.   You can find young trees, but the disease kills them before they mature: so about the only source of Chestnut wood is old barn timbers. Mike (Solo Amigo) is a fan of the tree. He belongs to an organization that is working to breed a disease resistant version of the tree and has been telling any hiker who is interested about the project. He gets a special treat tonight. Our hostel room in is a historic cabin made out of Chestnut logs. Michael Laseckj and Neville Harris, the owners of Woods Hole Hostel have achieved their goal of creating a wonderful experience for their visitors. The picturesque farmstead is on a seldom traveled road a half mile from the trail. They are sustainable living true believers. Vegetables come from an abundant garden, free range chickens provide the eggs, hogs eat the slop, and a wood fired boiler provides hot water for the showers. The daily routine includes yoga and meditation and the supper meal begins with everyone holding hands in a ring to share their name, home, and something they are thankful for. In addition to the traditional hikers box they maintain a donation jar and encourage visitors who can afford it to leave a donation hat hikers on a tight budget can draw from to pay for their food and lodging. Neville is the granddaughter of the couple who found the abandoned cabin over a half century ago, restored it, and started serving trail hikers. After getting cleaned up, Solo Amigo and I sat on the porch in a rocker gazing across a field to the mountains stroking a dog and shooing a chicken away forum our fresh baked loaf of bread as we sipped delicious fresh strawberry smoothies.I checked myself on a scales in the bunkhouse. I weigh 160 down from. The 175 to 180 I weighed when I started the trail.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Woods Hole Hostel mile 620.9

To: Lane Street, Pearisburg, VA mile 631.3
Miles today: 10.4

Rain came down in a gully washer last night making it a great night to be indoors in a soft warm bed instead of huddling in a tent or shelter. As one of the hikers said during the pre-breakfast thankfulness ceremony, rain sounds much better on a tin roof than on a tent.Solo Amigo decided to take a zero day at Woods Hole. I called and got a two day reservation at the McArthur Inn in Narrows, VA. After a delicious breakfast I left for the trail. I started hiking as Neville was completing her daily yoga session with the hikers at her hostel.After a climb to a ridge top most of the day's hike was relatively easy with little elevation change and few rocks. The trail from the ridge down to the New River valley at Pearisburg was steep and long. I was glad I was going down it instead of up. The sky was overcast and looked like rain all day, but it stayed dry and cool. Perfect weather for hiking. There were several overlooks along the ridge that gave views of the valley below and mountains beyond and interesting rock formations.   Rhododendron and azaleas were in bloom along the trail along with occasional other wild flowers. At a few points last night's rainstorm had knocked so may rhododendron flowers to the ground that I walked on a carpet of pink petals. Gandolf, a hiker ahead of me had marked a large cluster of Chicken of the Woods, an edible mushroom Nathan had told me about.The McArthur Inn in Narrows, VA is a historic resort where the General and his cronies used to come to fish and drink. It had been closed and deteriorating for years until a local fellow did some patching and reopened it a couple of years ago. My best description is shabby elegance.Alan, the owner of the McArthur Inn recommended that I go across the street to Anna's restaurant. While I ate a delicious buffet supper with chicken livers and lots of fresh vegetables I sat in an audience of eight or nine listening to 15 local musicians with fiddles, guitars, banjos, mandolin and bass play country music together for their weekly jam session. I've been given another gift.Today is my son Nathan's birthday. When I talked with him he suggested he could hike with me in Maine for a week or two if I started my flip flop around July 4. I had supposed that I would not consider going to Main to start South until I reach the mid point of the trail near our home in Pennsylvania. I doubt that I can get that far by July 4, but there is no reason I have to get all the way home before flipping to Maine. I planned to slack pack tomorrow, but the nearest road crossing North of Pearisburg is 20 miles up the trail. Although the distance is intimidating, the trail profile looks fairly level except for the climb from the road crossing to the ridge line and the descent from the ridge back to the New River valley. I think I can do it without the burden of a pack.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Stony Creek Valley Parking Lot on VA 635 mile 650.

To: Bailey Gap Shelter mile 654.5
Miles today: 3.6

I slept long and hard after my 20 mile slack packing trek. No after effects other than a brief leg cramp when I went to bed. I slept late, ate breakfast, washed clothes, purchased groceries and packed before asking Allen to take me back to the trail. As a result I did not get started until after 1:00. I had planned to go 12 miles today, but stopped at the first shelter I came to after a long hot climb.Next lodging opportunity is a hostel about 50 miles away. B&B where I had hoped to take a zero day is closed while owners take a vacation trip to Europe. I bought food for four days and will hope I do not get hit with multiple days of rain. On the way to the trail Allen took me by his home to see his horses and his son's motor-cross track. Allen owns the side of the mountain below Angel Lookout. He has a collection of wagons and draft horses he uses to provide rides for customers of his hotel business. Bo & Simon are is prize animals. He claims they are the largest draft horses in the country.   Bo, the larger of the two did not come out of the field when he called, but Allen took my picture with Simon. I don't know if he is #2 in the country, but he is one whale of a big horse.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Bailey Gap Shelter mile 654.5

To: Laurel Creek Shelter mile 669.1
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Today is May Louise and my 49th wedding anniversary. It feels like just a few wonderful years we have been together, not half a century. While I am in the woods walking a Virginia ridgeline she is driving to Boston to see her friend Gerald Roy's quilt exhibit at the Boston Art Museum. I will do better by her next year for our 50th. Came across a 5-6 foot black snake in the middle to the trail this afternoon. Hike went well until the end of the day when I got caught by rain. I was already sweaty from a long climb and I thought I was just a few minutes from the shelter, so I pushed on instead of stopping to put on my rain gear. Shelter was further than I thought and I got soaked. Shelter was crammed to capacity with 8 hikers laid like matchsticks. I tripped and fell in the rain putting a bend in one of my trekking poles. It is still functional, but it is weakened and will need to be replaced.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Laurel Creek Shelter mile 669.1

To: Niday Shelter 681.5
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

I wanted to get to Four Pines Hostel which is 29 miles away by tomorrow night, but next two shelters were 10 and 20 miles up the trail. My plan, If weather stayed decent was to walk 15 miles and look for a campsite.Packing after being wet took extra time so I did not get back on the trail until after 10:00. At Sinking Creek I had my first crossing where wading in water over boot high was required. The creek was bridged, but the rain and a blockage above the dam made the creek flood the field on either side of it. A couple of southbound hikers warned me to put on my crocks for the crossing in order to keep my boots dry. From the bridge I saw big fish in the creek. At noon I came across Mark and Connie Fleetwood, the parents of Little Foot of the through hiking couple Little Foot and Fiful who had set up a trail magic lunch at a road crossing and were waiting to surprise their daughter and her boyfriend. Their kindness was a wonderful surprise for me, a large group of other hikers, and their daughter who arrived just before I left. Much of today's trail was rough with long climbs and descents and a narrow, rocky ridge walk. I tripped and fell again. No injuries, but I hit rather hard and the fall left me shaky and unsure of my legs. Unfortunately, right after I fell there was a lengthy section of the trail on steeply slanted rocks along the edge of a long drop off. I crab walked along the edge afraid that any slip could be deadly while confident young hikers strode past me. The rough trail and my caution on the cliff slowed me down. The day ended with a long steep descent. I looked for a place to camp, but there were no flat places until I reached the bottom of the ridge and I did not get there until it was almost dark. I was too exhausted to get water or cook supper. I just ate a couple of snacks and crawled onto my pad in the shelter.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Niday Shelter 681.5

To: Footbridge over Trout Creek and VA 620 mile 690.3
Miles today: 8.8

Woke up as Dawn started to light the sky and enjoyed the luxury of a new, clean privy. Little things can make a hiker happy. Two and a half mile climb to the top of Brush Mountain was not as step as I had anticipated and Leo Tolstoy kept me distracted. I am now on the next to last book of Anna Karenina. I took a short side trail on the Brush Mountain ridge to the Audie Murphy monument. The monument is near the spot where the highly decorated WW II veteran was killed in a plane crash. The monument is a simple commemorative stone installed by the Christiansburg, VA VFW on a overlook with a couple of benches, but visitors have surrounded the monument with rock cairns and left momentous like those left at the Vietnam War Memorial which made the visit even more touching. I looked on line and found that after the war Murphy worked as a movie actor and had the lead role in the 1955 film adaptation of his war memoir "To Hell and Back". After I get off the trail I want to look up the film and watch it.The day was beautiful and after the morning climb the trail was relatively easy, but as I came down from the mountain it started thundering and by the time I reached the bottom I felt exhausted. In addition I had gotten a text message from May Louise that a close Kingsport friend who was struggling with fast acting cancer had gotten a disheartening report and May Louise was cutting the Boston trip short to come visit her. At the road and creek crossing at the bottom of the mountain Connie Fleetwood was again set up providing trail magic lunch to the passing hikers. Her daughter Little Foot who had been in the Niday Shelter with me last night had become ill. Connie's her husband Mark had gone to an earlier road crossing to pick her and Fiful up. Weighing my exhaustion and my concern about my trips and falls over the past couple of days I asked for a ride to a motel for a zero day. Salem, VA was the most convenient place for Mark to drop me off. I am at a Holiday Inn Express by an I-81 intersection. The hotel is nice, but not convenient. No restaurants or resupply sores are nearby. I bummed rides to a downtown Salem restaurant and back where I had a big steak dinner. A friend, after seeing a trail photo, commented that I looked scrawny and scruffy. After cleaning up and checking myself out I have to agree that if I were a chicken I would be the last of the flock selected for the pot.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Footbridge over Trout Creek and VA 620 mile 690.3

To: Holiday Inn Express, Salem, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Pleasant restful day including a soak in a hot tub that ended with a heavy thunderstorm. Storms are much more beautiful when watched from inside a dry, warm building. Got my clothes washed, trail journal posted, and some correspondence caught up. Coordinated with May Louise to meet her Friday to go visit a good friend who is losing a battle with fast acting cancer.