morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Stony Creek Valley VA 635

To: Pearisburg, VA Lane St.
Miles today: 19.6

I had an excellent country breakfast at the Inn and Don picked me up at 7 am and drove me North so I could walk south back to Pearisburg without all my heavy gear. Alan agreed to pick me up when I called from Pearisburg at the end of my day. Heavy thunderstorms were forecasted for the afternoon. Without all my gear I was able to do almost 20 miles.During my southbound day I met Critter, Half Life, Harry, Allstate, Bootsie, Ishmael and Titus my long lost cousin who were all heading North.   Around 1 PM the first hard rain came then at 2-3 PM Hail, rain, thunder, lightening and high winds came hard. The newspaper the next day stated winds reached 70 MPH. I was on an exposed high bald when it hit and all that storm gave me lots of forward progresss. I mean to say I was running, I made it to Rice Field Shelter at the height of the storm and waited out the worst of it. The hail and wind were going sideways. I felt the wind trying to lift me off the mountain. I put on my rain pants and rain jacket as it was wet and cold. When there was a lull in the weather I took off again down the mountain.Around 4 the weather turned warm and sunny and I walked into Pearisburg around 5 pm. I hitched a ride up to Hardees and ate hardy. Well I didnt super size it. I just took the edge off of my hunger an appetizer sort of.   I tried to reach Alan to no avail. I called Don and he came right away and delivered me to the Inn. The power had been knocked out and Alan had no phones. I arranged for Don to drive my North tomorrow to the place I started my southbound slack pack. Anna's was closed so Nagel offered to make me a spaghetti dinner with salad and garlic bread. I was joined by a local named Fred who is a recent Widower. He is a retired rail road worker originally from Pennsylvania but has live here 41 years. Fred was almost killed by a bull last summer. He works part time on a farm. They were loading cattle for market when a 985 pound bull turned around in the cattle gate and head butted Fred then threw him about 30 feet thumping him in the chest. He had shoulder chest and rib injuries but not a single broken bone. He was told he had no pulse at the hospital and he said he had something like an out of body experience. No doubt he should have been dead. Nagel made us a quick apple pie kinda like a apple cobbler with icecream. MMM good.   I chatted with Alan and Fred until my bedtime.   The shin is making remarkable recovery and had little swelling and no pain on the down hills. I put ice on it anyway and took a long hot shower.   My feet are throbbing from the battering the rocks gave them all day up on the ridge walk.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Stony Creek Valley VA 635

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Some easier walking today. Don dropped me off at 8 am and I was off into the woods. I am feeling stronger today and rested. I stopped at Baileys Gap shelter to have a mid morning snack and met Tex who ofcourse is a thru hiker from Texas. I ate lunch at the War Spur shelter, peanut butter on flat bread. All and all not a bad day it seemed easy and fast tracked as opposed to all the mud I had been trudging through. I did see several black snakes which some call King snakes or rat snakes. One in particular would not yield the road to me so I gave him a wide birth. I am sure he wasnt poisonous but I wasn't gonna test it. I have a healthy respect for reptiles. I arrived at the Laurel Creek shelter around 6. In camp was Outback, Kemosabee, Half Life, Critter, Titus, and Spider. Critter gave me some country ham to put in my mash potatoes. I had Chipotle potatoes a little to spicy for me. Lots of chatter around the shelter table and sharing of foods. I passed out some of my favorite food, licorice. It is a food Mom you used to eat it. Tent set up and water gathered I was in bed by 8:30. No 3G signals out here in the Mountain Lake Wilderness. I feel good and grateful that I am doing some miles.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Foot bridge, Trout Creek VA 620
Miles today: 21.2

I got on the trail by 7:30 am, last night I asked the fellow hikers if they knew who Audie Murph was. None of them seemed to know. Audie died in a plane crash in the 1970's on Brush Mountain. He was the most decorated WWII veteran and later starred in Hollywood remakes of his exploits. I was amazed by this little Texan and the feats he pulled off in real life. I was raised a pacifist but I still admired Audie Murphy. Anywho google the man rent a movie of his. I encouraged my fellow hikers to visit his monument.Today started nice going up easy pasture land except when I had to go through a bog and get my feet totally wet.. argh.   As spider said just once I would like to not have wet feet.   Today featured the great grand daddy of all Oak Trees, the Keiffer Oak. Alright there is one bigger in NY called the Dover Oak. The Keiffer Oak is over 300 years old and is a magnificent tree.At Lunch Kemosabee asked if everyone got a picture of The Oak, ofcourse I was willing to let anyone take my picture for one dollar.Today I ran into Smiles and Nameless. It was a joyful renuion and was nice to catch up with my favorite hiking couple on the trail. We hike together for a while. At one point we paused for a veiw and I spotted a large owl behind us which we took pictures of. There appeared to be Indian burial mounds along the trail similar to the Indian grave behind my brother Frank's house in Pennsylvania.Some of the climb up to Audie's memorial was difficult and the afternoon got very hot. I joked with Nameless that there would be a vending machine up top with cold sodas. There was not, but there was a cooler with Gatorade and sodas and snacks. We were in heaven with this trail magic in the middle of no where at the crest of Brushy Mountain. We paused at Audie's Memorial and made our way down the mountain. It was another exhausting day. We had planned on getting to Pickle Branch Shelter but we stopped at Trout Creek. Tents set up and I nibbled at a few granola bars but I was too tired to fix a meal. Bear bags were hung, water collected, feet soaked in the creek and in bed reading by 8 PM. There was no service so I wasn't posting my Journal. I know people started to wonder where I was. I was happily exhausted, doing miles , and not having enough energy to write a journal. My shin doing better each day but not where its100%.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Foot bridge, Trout Creek VA 620

To: Johns Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

Day started with Nameless and Smiles attempting to get their bear bag off a tree. It was stuck the line they had apparently got stuck in the bark of the tree. I tried to raise a dead pine tree to get it unhooked. Eventually Nameless found a perfect branch to pull the bags down. Today was a day with lots of day hikers and families hiking. Happy Father's Day.The Dragon's tooth was quite and experience we climbed up to it took pictures. Spider made it part way up the Dragon's tooth. A large Monolithic stone on top of the Mountain. Going down was a chore as it was more of a climb down not a hike at all. I had to throw my hiking sticks several times and climb down steep rocks. There were ladder rungs in several places. The day was hot and the trail was crowded. We made it down to Catawba VA and some went to the Homeplace for AYCE. Smiles, Nameless and I went to a nearby Gas station/grocery store and ate hamburger, icecream, and cold drinks. It was good !!!!! Sated we hiked on into the hot afternoon up some steep hillsWe made it to John's Spring Shelter before the rain came. I chilled in my tent and again didnt feel motivated to do my Journal. Tomorrow will be a long walk into town, but I get psyched about town food and a hot shower. The things many take for granted. Good chats with Nameless and Smiles. I really enjoy there company. It helps to have friends on the trail.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Johns Spring Shelter

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 18.8

On the trail by 7:40 and up to McAfee Knob another tourist attraction. McAfee Knob is a rock that is an outcropping which hangs over a beautiful view of the valley below. We took our pictures there hangin out a bit. I met Marcel Burroughs and his friend Joey. They are both Juvenile Detention workers and we shared some stories about that kind of work. Marcel was a Division I football player at San Jose State, and offensive guard. He moves well on the trail and made the ups look easy. Well with a daypack it is easier.   Marcel was celebrating his 30th birthday with a 20 mile hike. I hike with them for a bit and enjoyed the pace. Tinker Cliffs provided us with more up and up climbs but awesome views were the rewards. Up top I met Steve and Uke thru hikers. I saw Spider walking south and I called out to him, "Dude your going south", He was like What the .... (provide yer own expletive). He had got turned around and walked back up the ridge. The afternoon was a series of ups then down repeated like 20 times and you just kept thinking what another up darn! Its got to go down to Daleville soon.   It was very hot and I hydrated frequently and stopped several times when I felt over heated. I made my way down to Daleville about 5:30 and checked into the Howard Johnsons, ordered a pizza, did my wash and was exhausted. Next door neighbor were up past 2 am very loud. I moved to another Motel in the morning.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Daleville VA

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0

A Zero day as it is gonna rain most of the day and I need a rest. I went to the Outfitter where they repaired my hiking poles and replaced my water bladder which had a broken part for free. They were very helpful. I had lunch with Smiles and Nameless at the Three Little Pigs. Best smoked BBQ ribs I ever had.   We got a free banana Pudding they give all thru hikers. We resupplied at Krogers next door and I went and took my power nap. Dinner was at the mexican restaurant called Ranchero Viejo. My dinner was steak, of course, Fajitas. Flan for dessert and off to bed with a smile on my face and in my belly too!
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Daleville

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

I got a late start its hard to leave a town. I was on the trail at 11:00 am heading North and feeling the weight of the 4-5 days of food I had bought. I hiked till about 4:30 and felt I had hiked far enough for a half day. The shin was feeling okay but I wasn't going to push it. I stopped for a snack at Fullhardt Knob Shelter and tried the water but it was the worst smelling I had experienced yet, coming from a cistern. I camped at Wilson Creek Shelter and ate with Half Life, Critter, Kemosabe, Outback, Harry. Critter gave me some fried country ham which tasted good in my mashed potatoes. No much to say I was in bed by 8:30 and chillin.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

A fairly fast track today with the biggest excitement coming when some of us stopped at Jennings Creek Swimming hole to soak and swim. Spider, Aqua, Enoch and I swam up the rapids and let the current carry us down stream trying to avoid a submerged boulder. Spider went in first and well he screamed in a high pitched voice, like a little girl as the water was a bit brisk at first. I have to say we were like little kids at the swimming hole and it was tiring swimming but a good tired. I did the gradual method and after standing waist high for a bit I took the plunge. It was wonderful to get cooled and clean. Ofcourse there was a climb up out of Jennings up Fork Mountain which got me all sweaty again. It had been a very warm day. I decided to stay the night in the Bryant Ridge Shelter which was very well designed with multiple levels and efficient spaces and nooks to cook and sit in. I definitely wasnt your cookie cutter type shelter.The bees were out in droves as we made dinner. I met Bojangles (from PA) who is doing a flip flop going south for now. Cricket and Gumby were here with Thorin, Poseidon, and another feller. Enoch, Spider, and Aqua ate dinner with us and pushed on North.During the night at 2 AM my air mattress went pssst, and I got no sleep on the hard shelter floor. I tried to patch it but to no avail. My stuff sack, which doubles as my pillow has a plastic collar which pierced the air mattress.Cricket gave me a tear patch for her thermarest which seemed to solve the problem. I will do a repair later.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Springs Campsite
Miles today: 17.1

Some of my readers have commented that they like my descriptive poetic prose. So I will attempt another poetic journal entry.This day started out grey, the morning fog hung like a wet wool army blanket cloying on the earth. As my trail runners crunched along the path my hiking poles were goin clickety clackety and sometime thunk. Moths fleeing my advancing feet flew low heavy with the morning dew drying their wings. I think of the movie Mothra and how I am getting back at the moths as a giant Behemoth invading their morning sleep. The sun weakly attempts to pull back the heavy grey blanket to no avail. Cold damp air is refreshing to my skin as I warm up by making a steady upward climb. The sun's weak light is not match for the fog. Orange-Red Salamander are soaking in the morning wet air on the trail. They look like gummi bear candy translucent and well candy like lookin. I try to avoid stabbing them with my hiking poles as I feel if you kill it you got to eat it.And I like Don Quixote am waving my swords (hiking poles) at unseen foes. I cut a swath through morning cobwebs and inch worm silken trails. Those webs I miss seem to coat my face with an itchy silk and cause me to claw at my face to remove unseen but not imaginary webs.Thats my attempt at waxing poetic, you have all kinds of time to think of these things as you walk along with an empty head waiting for an idea to pop into it.The day had several big climbs and the sun did break through by Noon. The Climbs often felt interminable never ending ups then down only to go up again. Fortunately some switch backs eased the climbs.I camped at Marble springs Campsite which had great spring water and some level campsites. I was settled by 6 PM and exhausted. I saw Harry go by and I tried to convince him to stay but he moved on. I met Hardtack who camped here. The repair to my air mattress held and I slept better. Some hikers passed me going to Glasgow for a re-supply and a long day of hiking. I didn't really eat a good dinner as I was too tired and the appetite wasn't there. I had cooked a lunch of mash potatoes and beef jerky. Sometimes I am ravenous sometimes I am not at all hungry.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Marble Springs Campsite

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2

I left Marble Springs at 7:37 and hiked down towards Glasgow and the James River crossing. There were some great places to camp along the river but alas it was early in the day. As I crossed the James the sun was hot. Spanning the James River is the longest footbridge on the Appalachian Trail. I saw canoes, boats, water skiers, and fisherman all enjoying the day. As I near the end of the bridge I spied a parking lot which I hoped had some trail magic. Visions of sodas, little Debbies, and fruit danced in my head. When what to my wandering eyes should appear... Santas helper in his Mini Van offering trail magic of mountain dew, pepsi, coke, little debbies etc. Santas helper is a legend on the trail. Last year he brought trail magic to hikers in very remote areas of the 100 mile wilderness in Maine and other places as he finished his section hike of the Appalachian Trail. He is a true gentleman and all he asks is that we "pay it forward" to help others in some way down the line. I had a nice chat and ate and drank. This gave me some fuel to get up the next climbs of Little Rock Row, Big Rocky Row, and Bluff Mountain. They were kick butt climbs.I arrived at Punch Bowl shelter by about 5:30 and made dinner, gathered, water, set up the tent. In rolled Mark and Maggie now trail named Little spoon and Chuckles. You may remember they were my bunk mates the the night before I began this journey in Georgia. I had not seen them since, they did not recognize me and I did not recognize Mark. We have both lost at least 30 lbs. Mark said you look ten years younger. It was good to see them and apparently they are also good friends with my favorite hiking couple Nameless and smiles.The frogs in the pond croaked a lot during the night so I put in my ear plugs. I had some early morning miles to do as Ann is meeting me at the Long Mountain Wayside where the trail hits route 60 nearest to Buena Vista which is 9 miles west of the trail.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: US 60 Buena Vista
Miles today: 11.3

I was out on the trail by 7:30 hiking faster than usual because I can when I am headed to a zero day off the trail.When ever anyone says, "The trail is mostly down" I don't believe them. The trail looks mostly down today but in actuality its up and down all the way with a nice little up the last 2 miles. I am impressed by the remains of the Brown Mountain Community. In the late 1900's freed slaves lived along the river here eking out an existence sharecropping. If you could afford a mule you could make some money. Mostly the landlord and grist mill fellow got most of the rewards. The community sold its land to the Forest Service in the 1920's. All that seems to remain is part of the road and walls that were built as fences.At 12:15 I was out on the wayside awaiting Ann. I dried my tent and changed my shirt and dried out as I was soaked in sweat and smelled rather ummm.... well not so good. I found a wallet in the grass as I waited for Ann, it appeared to be a fellow thru hikers wallet, with cash, credit card and license.I will attempt to locate the owner who is probably up the trail. Ann arrived and whisked me away to Lexington to a hotel, shower, and food glorious food. Ice cream, banana split, steak oh my.Later that night I found the wallet's owner by googling the name and sending and email to a website that that unfortunate hiker had posted a comment on. The website owner contacted me immediately and sent a message to the hiker's husband in Indiana. Anyway the short version is I got a phone call from SIS (sliding in sideways) husband who told me she had lost her wallet. He had just driven from here today home as he'd been hiking with SIS. I arranged to drive it up the trail 100 miles tomorrow to Lewis Mountain Campground.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: US 60 Buena Vista

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ann, Jack the dog, and I drove to Shenandoah National park to deliver the lost wallet. Just before Lewis Mountain Campground out of the woods comes thru hiker Pippi who is limping and trying to hitch. Shes got a bad knee and wants a ride to a Hostel in Luray. We took her in and decided to drive her all the way some 30 miles. We did stop at Lewis Mountain and delivered the wallet which awaits SIS. I called her husband and let him know it was delivered. He told me SIS wanted me to take some money for gas I refused. As Santa's Helper says, pay it forward. We in the hiker community help each other out. SIS did call me and was very grateful and reminded me we had met in Atkins. If I catch her up on the trail shes gonna buy me a dinner woo hoo!We deposited another grateful hiker Pippi in Luray, shes from Maine, 62 Amazon, who hikes with braided pig tails and Pippi Longstocking socks. We hope her knee recovers shes a strong woman. She offered to help me out if I need it in Maine. Pay it forward.A long ride back to Lexington but it was rewarding. The rains came hard and furious and I was glad not to be hiking in it.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: US 60 Buena Vista

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Day started very lazy like as I was in no hurry to go back to the trail from my Zero day. I re-supplied at Walmart for 4 days.   Ann and Jack dropped me back at Buena Vista, hometown of Charlie Manuel, the manager of the Phillies. And I had been here last Fall on the way back from Tennessee in search of a good BBQ place, which was closed.At the Trailhead were Spider, Aqua, Allstate, Rabbit and several others. I had bought some Little Debbie Oatmeal cakes and some sodas which I handed out. As usual there is a steep climb out of every town. I climbed Bald Mountain around a 2000 foot climb in 2. 5 miles. Fortunately there were some switchbacks. Some ups and downs all day and I decided to stop at Seely-Woodworth Shelter as I had started at 12:30. I tented up the hill from the shelter. I made my dinner whilst being swarmed by gnats that suck yer blood and leave all kinda bites on you. Essentially the last week the bugs have been very bad. Mostly they stop biting at dusk but thats not been the case. They seem impervious to Deet 100% and while hiking they shoot for ears, eyes, mouths. The often buzz around my head causing me to swipe at them frequently. This game goes on all day. Its like they got some heat seeking device that senses moisture. Kamakazee bugs dive into your eyes, mouth and ears. The found a way into the collar of my socks and sucked my blood all day long like I was an all day sucker. Im itchin but still smilin
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Mauphin Field Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

I hiked from 8:30 AM to about 4:00Pm. I think yesterday took a lot out of me. I was out of gas by 4PM so I stopped at Paul C. Wolfe and just layed in my tent early. I had hoped to hike into Wayesboro but I didnt want to push it. The joints complained today as there was lots of downs.I started the day with a chat with Miami and learned he'd been living a subsistence kind of life in Georgia living off the land. He travels on the AT with no stove so he cooks over fires. He is resourceful and getting the things he needs. He carrie mostly second hand gear that is heavier. He camps out mostly in shelters but has a bivy sack. At Paul C. Wolfe I met, Lucky One, Uke, Enoch and Water TankI was in bed really early and got some sleep
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 5.2

Started the day talking to Enoch who says he's got shin splints and walked 15 miles yesterday and said every step hurt especially down. I shared my experience regarding shin splints with him. RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression (ace bandage) and Elevation. I showed him some stretching exercises and told him massages help along with Ibuprofen. I had a talk with Water tank a feller from Seattle age 25 who seemed nice. We chatted about shoes and inserts. He took off for Waynesboro and I followed a round 8:30 am. I quickly made my way to Rockfish Gap where Water tank and I hitched into Waynesboro. We stopped at CVS and Burger King. I ate the #2 with a large Vanilla Shake. I am now doing my best to gain weight and get protein into my diet. I decided to stay the night in Waynesboro so I hitched to a Comfort Inn and got a room with a jacuzzi ok the motor is broke but its a tub i can soak in so I did.I ate a second Lunch at Wendy's and I'm gonna go to Outback and get me a steak. Steak is my favorite as you might know. A good steak makes me smile. Momma knows just how I like it too.