morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-04
From: US 220- Daleville, VA

To: Blue Ridge Parkway, mi. 95.9, Montvale Overlook
Miles today: 15.5

I was in no rush to get going this morning. We walked down to the post office and mailed letters and such, then stopped by the outfitter to get a new pack cover. Stick and Selina left about half an hour before I did, and I left around 11. The lighter pack made all the difference. I flew along up to the first shelter. The weather was absolutely wonderful, sunny and warm. Found Stick and Selina at the shelter, where we took a long break. The going to the next shelter was a big tougher, but I walked with Stick most of the way. Conversation always make the miles go by faster. Met a section hiker named Puff Turtle. Flying Turtle meets Puff Turtle. We stopped at the shelter for dinner and water, where we found Gel and his son. Made some chili and pressed on. The trail is now somewhat following the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail crosses the parkway every few miles or so. Every once in a while, the trail will cross next to a really awesome overlook. We camped at the second one we came to. There was a big grassy clearing right next to the road, so we decided to make camp here for the night. Hopefully no rangers will come by and make us leave or give us a ticket. Tonight is the first night I will be using my summer sleeping bag. Hoping it doesn't get too cold tonight. I held onto my thick jacket just in case though.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Blue Ridge Parkway, mi. 95.9, Montvale Overlook

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Although it was a little chilly last night, I slept rather well in the new bag. I just had to put on my thick jacket. Both Stick and Selina were packed and gone before I was. Talk about good timing though, as soon as I had finished packing up and had put on my pack, a park ranger drove by. I stopped at the shelter a few miles down the trail to get water. It was a steep .3 mile downhill, but I was out of water. Ran into Flubug and Cat at the shelter. It was a pretty mundane morning for the most part. Stick and Selina were way ahead of me, so I was by myself the whole time. Down at the road crossing, there was a sign that said there was a camp store about a mile down the road. It was a hot day, so I was ready to walk down there for a cold pop and a hamburger perhaps. What I got was much, much more. The road to the camp store paralelled a creek. There was a guy parked on the side of the road with a fishing pole, so I asked him if he had had any luck. Well, we got to talking and he was asking about my trip so I was telling him all about it when he asked me, "are you thirsty?" I said I sure was! He went to the back of his truck, where he had a big tub of ice with pops in it, among other things. He told me that his fishing club had just had a cookout and he had all the leftovers! He said to help myself. I was in heaven. There was hotdogs, hamburgers, potato salad and coleslaw, chips and dip, cantelope, baked beans, watermelon and anything you could want. He said to eat all I wanted. I ended up eating about 5 hotdogs, 2 hamburgers, 5 pops, a few slices of cantelope and some chips before I felt like I was about to bust. Trail magic like this is only something that you dream about, but here I was, eating my fill. It made my week. Thank you so much, Leo. I was on such a high going back to the trail. It didn't last long, as it was all uphill to the shelter. I'll just say that it was a lot better going down that it was coming up. I found Stick at the shelter, where I could barely contain my excitement as I told him what happened. He just replied, "well, I guess you won't be needing this" and pulled a pop out of his pack! He had actually gone down to the store and packed out one for me! What a guy! After a short break, we continued on to the next shelter for the night. The water source here is really crappy, but I'm still really full from this afternoon, so I didn't need much water tonight. Only the three of us here tonight. The rain threatened in the late afternoon, hopefully it will hold off tomorrow. Into Glasgow tomorrow for resupply.
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: US 501/VA 130- Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 19.9

It was chilly again this morning, so we were slow to get going. The climb up Apple Orchard Mountain wasn't too bad, just not the best way to start the day. On the back side going down, we past the Guillotine, which is a big boulder that is suspended between two other boulders, and you pass right under it. Stopped there for a few pictures. Right before Thunder Hill Shelter, we passed a man who was sitting in his truck at the roadside. He pulled out this gigantic choclate bar, which we graciously accepted. We stopped at the shelter to split it up and to get water. I pulled out my peanut butter. Chocolate and peanut butter...there is nothing better!!The rest of the day just seemed to drag on. The climb up to Archie's Notch seem to take forever. The humidity didn't help matter much either. I have new blisters developing, making things that much more unbearable. By the time we made it to Matts Creek Shelter, we decided to hike the extra two miles to town and find a cheap room. After a short privy break, we pressed on. Luckily, the last mile was along the James River, so it was relatively flat. We had a little bit of trouble getting a hitch into Glasgow, and we were almost ready to give up and keep going when we got picked up. There wasn't much at all in Glasgow, so we had two choices: either hitch back to the trail or hitch into Buena Vista. We decided on the later. After getting a room, it might have been a better choice to go back to the trail. Our room was overpriced and nasty. Don't stay at the Budget Inn. After a not so great supper at Burger King, we did laundry and crashed early. Going to resupply in the morning. It is going to be a hard hitch back, almost 20 miles I think, but I will worry about that tomorrow.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: US 501/VA 130- Buena Vista, VA

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

I didn't sleep well at all last night. I got up, packed, checked out and walked over to Hardees fro breakfast, which was great, as always. I went to the dollar store, which had everything I needed to make it to the next resupply. Told Stick and Selina that I was going to go ahead and leave town, they said they would catch up later. It was a very hard hitch out of town. I ended up walking over 2 miles out of town before a man picked me up. He took me to the cutoff road to Glasgow, but I still had another 6 or 7 miles to go back to the trail. I tried sitting and hitching, but after 30 minutes with no luck, I continued on walking and hitching. Cars kept passing by, and I was losing hope. A huge RV was coming up, and I knew they would never stop to pick me up, but for some reason, I still stuck out my thumb, and to my suprise, they stopped!! At first, I didn't think they were stopping for me, but as I stared up the road to where they had stopped, I saw the driver stick his hand out of the window to motion me to come on and get in. It was a couple, Trish and Alan, who were very nice. They were retired, and touring around the country sightseeing in their new RV. As he drove me back to the trail, I was telling him about my trip, taking time off from school and the such. Trish told me of the importance of going to school and becoming well off for myself, so that one day I can travel the country in my own RV! They were very nice folks, and I bid them fairwell as I continued up the trail.I stopped at Johns Hollow Shelter for a break in the shade, as it was very sunny and warm today. I met the Appalachian Snail, or just "Snail" as we called him. He is a pretty neat guy, from Jacksonville.The next 9 miles to the shelter were pretty rough. The sun had disappeared and it started to rain for a while. The feet are still hurting pretty bad from yesterday, so I am not punishing them if i can help it. I found Stick and Selina at the shelter. They didn't get out of town until late, so they hitched to the other road and are going to walk south until the point of where we got off in the first place, and then hitch back to the point where they got on today and continue north again. Don't ask me.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Today couldn't have turned out any better. I was up early, but took my time getting ready. My feet are still bothering me, but the terrain was very easy all morning. For that reason, I still didn't make very good time at all. Since Stick and Selina are still going south for today, I only had my thoughts to keep me company for most of the day. Around mid-morning, I ran into a group of nine students from Virginia Military Institute, who called themselves the Orange Iguanas. They are out on an exercise for a few days, having to find their way thru the woods, practically bushwacking, with bascially nothing more than their canteen and compass. They were taking a break, so I talked to them for about 30 minutes. I stopped at Brown Mountain Creek Shelter for a break to find Snail here for lunch and a nap. I really like his approach to hiking, he is very laid back. No wonder why he is called Snail. Today is Mother's Day, so I thought I would try to get a hitch into town and call Mom to wish her such. It was a 9 mile hitch, so I was skeptical. I was walking up to the road, hadn't even reached it all the way; I saw a car, stuck out my thumb and it pulled over! First car, what luck! And it gets better. He takes me 10 miles out of his way, and then waits for me while I call Mom and he takes me to Burger King and he sits and talks with me while I have a meal! I couldn't believe how nice he was. Thank you so much, Lars.After Lars took me back to the trail, it was ALL UP. The afternoon just drug on and on. I finally made it to the shelter, but alas, it was .6 of a mile off the trail! At this point, I really didn't care, I just didn't feel like going on anymore today. Luckily, it was pretty much flat. There was an ice cold creek right next to the shelter, so I soaked my feet (after I got water) and washed my shirt. A group of 6 high school boys are camped nearby, about a 1/4 mile away, just in earshot, unfortunately. Two families out for the day passed by the shelter, and I talked with them for over an hour while I cooked dinner. Very nice folks.It is almost 8 and I am still the only one here. I am wondering where Stick is. He was supposed to be continuing back north today.
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

The only person that ended up coming in last night was Cat. I slept in because it was a littly chilly, but it warmed up nicely. It was all up first thing this morning. I crossed a few balds, which were absolutely lovely. I caught up to Selina after a few hours, who told me Stick wasn't far ahead. There were very late getting back to the trail yesterday, and had camped about 2 miles short of the shelter.I caught up to Stick at a road crossing, who was almost out of water. I gave him a liter, since I had two. The heat made the hiking today pretty unbearable. A little later in the day we passed a guy that was out picking mushrooms. Hmmm... Around 2 we reached Seeley-Woodworth Shelter, which has one of the best piped springs on the trail. (or at least that's what the guidebook says) It was ice cold and tasted great. We took a hour break, ate and took a short nap. It was all downhill to Fish Hatchery Road, where Stick and I debated walking the 2 miles to town for a cold pop, but very quickly decided to press on after remembering what happened in Troutdale. It was all uphill after that, but blasted through it after having a good rest at the shelter. After that initial uphill, I lost all my energy and still had to climb the Priest. Luckily it wasn't too bad. We're staying at the shelter with two other section hikers from Canada tonight. They are very nice guys, as most Canadians are. (yeah, thats right, Spoonie) It is my dad's birthday today, but since I wasn't around any telephones, I wasn't able to call him and wish him such. So happy birthday Dad!
Date: 2005-05-10
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Woke up really early today, the weather was very comfortable. It was s very short uphill to the summit of the Priest, and then a long 3000 foot descent to the road, about 4 miles. Boy I'd hate to have to climb up that one going southbound!!After a very punishing 4 miles, we made it down to the road. Stick, Selina and I decided to hitch into Montebello and go to a free breakfast at the Dutch Haus Bed and Breakfast. At the shelter last night, we saw a sign in the registger offering thru hikers a free lunch or breakfast at the Dutch Haus, no strings attached. You didn't even have to spend the night, just show up. Cars were passing us, and we were starting to lose hope when a VW convertible bug picked us up. Boy, it was a tight squeeze, all three of us and our packs, but we managed. It just so happened that this lady was headed to the Dutch Haus to pick something up, so it worked out perfect. The Dutch Haus is ran by a couple, Lois and Earl. They were very welcoming. And breakfast was absolutely delicious. If it hadn't been so early in the day, I would have definately stayed here. It is very resonalby priced also, so I will be making a point to stop here on my next adventure. Earl gave us a ride back to the trail, but stopped by the store first so we could buy a pop. Back at the trail, we thanked Earl and continued on our way. It was up, up, up all the way. We took a side trail to a waterfall that had a swimming hole also. We spent a few hours there, relaxing and taking a very short dip, as the water was FREEZING!!!It was all up to the shelter, and by the time we reached it around 3:30, I was all hot and sweaty again, and wishing I was back at the swimming hole. Stick and Selina are continuing on, and I am staying here for the night. I will be getting up around midnight, and night hiking into Waynesborro, where my uncle is going to pick me up for a few days. Stick doesn't want to take 2 full days off, and as my uncle lives aways off the trail, he is opting to continue on and I am hoping to pull some big miles in the Shenandoahs and hopefully catch him by the end of the park. A lot of people stopped by the shelter, but most moved on, since it is still early. Here tonight is Whitee, who I met back in the Smokies, Cat, who will be night hiking with me also, and a Japanese man who doesn't speak very good english, so conversation is pretty much limited. That's ok with me though, off to bed early this evening.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Rockfish Gap- Glen Allen, VA

To: Glen Allen, VA
Miles today: 0.0

It was great to finally have a day off. My uncle took my to the post office and the sporting goods store to look around. Most of the day I spent resting, reading and working on journals. My uncle took me to Ruby Tuesday for supper, that place is great. Another good day of R & R and I will be ready to tackle the Shenandoahs.Also, happy 21st wedding anniversary to my parents!
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Glen Allen, VA

To: Glen Allen, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I slept in pretty late, but my aunt had made some waffles for breakfast, and I devoured those, they were delicious. I went to Walmart with my aunt to pick up a few things I needed. I spent most of the day making calls and working on journals. After my cousins came home from school, I played with them outside for a few hours. My aunt cooked a huge dinner, which was great. My new boots came in from home, so I will be trashing my old sneakers and going with boots again. These are a good fit, so hopefully this is the end of my feet problems. I will be heading back to the trail tomorrow, these two days off have been really great, but I'm ready to get hiking again.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Glen Allen, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

My uncle woke me up around five, since he had to take me back to the trail before going to work. Back at Rockfish Gap and said my thankyous and goodbyes and was hiking around 7am. The terrian wasn't too bad at all, I just think two and a half days off has made me a little soft. At the registration board, I ran into Whitee, who took some time off in Waynesborro. I stopped at Calf Mountain Shelter, after about seven miles to take a break. I figured out pretty quick that these boots need to be broken in. They are going to give me some trouble over the next few days, but nothing too serious, I hope. I met Heidi and Maruchan and the shelter. Yes, that is Maruchan, as in Maruchan Ramen noodles. I guess he must really like ramen noodles. They are good, but one can only take so much ramen. I was suprised about how nicely graded the trail was today. The only complaint was the heat. It was in the upper-80s easily. I stopped at a road crossing, which by the way, happens every 3 or 4 miles. Skyline Drive and the trial run parallel to each other most of the way throughout the park. Which isn't an entirely bad thing, since their are waysides and tourists out the wazoo, creating more oportunities to yogi. Anyway, I stopped at such a road crossing, and sat down under a tree to escape the sun and drink the last of my water. The guidebook said that there wasn't water for quite aways, but I figured I'll drink now because I'm thirsty and worry about that later. Fortunately, I didn't have to worry about it, because a day hiker that was getting back into his car, saw me and gave me a two liters of water!If it had not have been for the heat and the developing blisters on my heels, the hiking would have been most pleasant today. I passed a troop of boy scouts that looked like they were having even less fun than me. I was approaching the shelter that I would be staying at tonight, and at the road, I spotted a sign that said the spring at the shelter was dry, and to get water here. I did that, and carried my 2 nalgenes full and an extra 2 liters in my water bag the last mile. When I got there, I discovered that it was not dry, but just running very slow. Oh well, better safe than sorry when it comes to water I suppose. There was a big thunderstorm after I reached the shelter, which is good, maybe it will cool things off a bit. As I was unpacking for the night, I noticed that I left my skull cap at my uncle's house! That isn't good at all, because that hat keeps me really warm when I'm sleeping. Even though it is hot during the day, it still gets down in the low or mid forties at night. I will just have to wrap my jacket around my head tonight, until I can get my hat back. It was my first night using my new Jet Boil stove. It worked like a champ.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: broken clouds

I got a later start than I had hoped. My blisters are getting worse, I think they are going to become a real problem. They really are starting to slow me down. But even my aching feet couldn't damper my spirits as I walked past Blackrock Cliffs. The views were awesome. A lot of pollution in the air though, but still good views. It was getting on noontime when I reached the side trail to Loft Mountain Wayside. Without hesitation, I started down it and a half a mile later, I was in burger paradise. The prices here could rival Disney World. But the laws of supply and demand were in full affect and I chowed down. Here I met Dad's Grin, who is from Seminole, Florida and Doc, who I haven't seen since Hiawassee, over 800 miles ago. I was getting ready to leave, when a few weekend warriors were in somewhat of a heated discussion with the employees. Apparently, they had run out of food and heard that you could resupply here. About the only thing you could buy, besides concession stand type foods, was chips and candy bars. They looked to me, but I only had enough food to get me to the next campground store, about a day away. I felt bad for them, but they should have done a little better research. I sat outside, and with many tourist looking weirdly at my, proceeded to apply moleskin and then copious amounts of duct tape to my feet to hold the moleskin in place. That seemed to do the trick. Walking still hurt, but at least it was bearable. I stopped at Pinefield Hut to rest my feet and get water before continuing on. I realized that I might need to take a day off very soon to rest my feet, but I don't think you are supposed to stay in the same shelter two nights in a row in the park. Plus I really want to catch up to Stick before too long. So, to the disagreement of my feet, I continued on. The terrain was mostly up all afternoon, but since this park is frequented by thousands of tourists, the grade was moderate. Dark clouds threatened for several hours, but it never did rain. Temperatures weren't as high as they were yesterday, making the walking more bearable. I finally made it to the shelter, to find Whitee, Heidi, Maruchan, and a few section hikers. The section hikers had some trash, and ask us if anyone had a trash can! That has to be the funniest thing I think I have heard so far. My shorts are starting to rip, so I borrowed a needle from Whitee, and with some of my dental floss, showed off my awesome seamstress skills. Betsy Ross, eat your heart out!