morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Mt. Rogers NRA Hdqtrs

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Awoke at 5:15 to the sound of a whip-poor-will calling LOUDLY. Woke everyone up, but what was more annoying was Woofman yelling about how annoying the bird was. Actually got up around 7, ate my pizza and walked around in an attempt to work the kinks out of my knee. Eventually packed everythin up by 9:45 and went to the Mt. Rogers NRA visitors center. Hiked through a Rx burn for most of the morning until Chatfield Shelter where we saw Rock-a-mini, Bald Eagle and Marathon Bob. We all pushed on to Atkins for a hotel, laundry and resupply. Checked in to The Relax Inn and discovered the only option in walking distance was the gas station. We called a cab co. but they would only take 5 of us and wanted $24 each way. So I asked a very nice lady named Ging, who had a van and was with some other hikers for help. Boy did she come through! Another Trail Angel. She drove us to the Ruby Tuesday and WalMart Super Center.We all stuffed ourselves and bought too much food AGAIN! Got to work on that.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Had a slow morning at the Inn. Repacked the backpack, showered and had breakfast at the Exxon station. Finally got back on the trail at about 11:45. Hiked with Samson and Becca for the morning, looking for the shelter that wasn't. Slow moving with several climbs and very high humidity. Stopped at Crawfish Valley for lunch and then again at Holston River North Fork for a snack and foot shrinking soak/body cleansing. Jogle saw a water snake, grey with orange neck ring. Maybe ring-neck snake? Also saw song sparrows and red-wing blackbirds. Got to Maul Knot Shelter and had dinner. Met up with Gina's daughter and boyfriend. 8 packed into the Shelter tonight. Finished 25% of the AT today!!
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got to Pearisburg, VA today after an nice morning hike. Will not be able to fill in all the gaps in the trail journal until later, but have crossed the 25% of the trail mark, and the 600 mile mark in the last week. Have been hiking as a part of "Team Lovely" for the past week or so. This is a group of us consisting of Me, Jogle, Becca, Samson, Campfire, Mas, and The Animal. We are the "30-somethings". Very few of us out here, so we've been enjoying each other's company very much. Saw the rare yellow Lady's slipper yesterday, and have really been feeling strong that I will be able to complete this joureny, both physically, and mentally. Am having trouble replying to emails that folks are sending, so please don't feel bad if you've asked questions and not gotten a reply. Technical difficulties. Also, my phone has died, so no help there either. Will be working on both of these issues. Best wishes everyone, and expect the gaps to be filled in soon.
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Symms Gap Meadow
Miles today: 12.1

Awoke at 6:40 again. Can't seem to sleep in eveen when I have the chance to sleep in a bed. I guess my body is going to have to handle the lack of sleep for much of this trip. Either that or I'll just crash sleep-wise at som point. We'll see I suppose. Took a while to get functional this morning though. Finally headed out to breakfast and the Post Office. Have started mailing back more items, like the heavier long underwear, my winter hat, etc. Couldn't resolve the cell pnohe issue yet though. THere is no AT&T service through this entire region, so no-one sells At&T phones or go-phones. Re-supplied grocereies for several more days, and have decided to carry a few pieces of fresh fruit on each section now just to improve my diet and eating. Team Lovely is starting to break up a bit more (as happens). Campfire has pressing issues at home that are calling him back, so we are sad to see him getting off the trail here. Samson, Mas, and I are hitting the trail today, but others are taking a zero day. No doubt we will all cross pathsagain soon. It seems to keep happening that way. I found out that Needles (from Blood Mtn). Got off the trail today too. A reminder that so few of us will make the entire trip. Had a blizzard at Dairy Queen on the way out of town, and got a ride to the trailhead from a very nice woman. Saved us1+ miles of hot asphalt road walking. It was still a hot climb out of town from 1,700 ft to 2,500. Most departures from town involve a steep climb as development seems to be concentratedin the valleys and lower,more level areas. I got a new tank top at Goodwill, made of nylon spandex mix with a shelf bra. Much cooler than the shoty sleeve shirt and sports bra, and I think it will also be less smelly as it doesn't trap the swaet under my arms. New trail gear for $2. We hiked past the lovely Rice Field Shelter, on to Symms Gap Meadow. This gave us more distance for the day, but the water source was by far the worst onthe trail. A SMALL, brown puddle, with literally hundereds of well-developed tadpoles in it as well as fish and insect larvae. None of us happen to have filters, so we had to scoop the water out, and in many scoops were getting tradpoles as well. Of course that means we were drinking tadpole poop too. Mmmmmmm. We did treat the water with Aquamira, but the taste of pond scum was still there. I added flavored drink packets to mine before injesting it, but Samson went straight up and he said he tasted it for days after. Had a beautiful sunset though and a clear night of a starry sky with several meteorites.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Symms Gap Meadow

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke early again, and as asoon as I left my tent, I was beset my an allergy attack. One of the grasses in the field and meadows round here is brutalizing me with itchy eyes, faucet nose, and all the wonderful allegenic reations. I moved over to the woods and made breakfast while the others were still snoozing. Wish I could do that. The mroning hike was good. Went first to Pine Swamp Branch shelter for a lunch stop. Theshelter's roof had been destroyed (by a falling treee we guessed...hope no-one was sleeping in it at the time). One sad/interesting/disgusting aspect of themrning was that there is a large Gypsy moth infestation in this area and it was literally raining Gypsy moth caterpillars and their frass all over us constantly.   We could hear the frass falling like rain. Disconcerting at best. Ate lunch with Landlubber, Ice Princess, Truckin', Pilot, Dirty Girl, Samson, and Mas. After lunch I took the "not advised" section of trail to Soney Creek. It was not advised because the footbridge over the creek had washed out in 2004. I meant to take the detour, but I missed it. I was a little concerned about possibly fording a high river/creek, but when I got to Stony Creek there was a footbridge made of logs and rocks and a note written on a rock from some hikers that had passed through earlier inthe month and made the bridge for the rest of us. Thanks! After Stony Creek it rained for the rest of the afternoon. Pressed on to War Spur Shelter hoping and thinking we'd get a spot inthe shelter, but when we got there it was full. Grrrrrr. Had to look around for a tent spot inthe rain, and I must admit I lost my sense of humor a little bit.   Did get my tent set up, and then sat in it for about 20 minutes cleaning up with wet wipes and eating gummy bears, watching rain pool at disturbing places around my tent. When I finally regained my humor I got out o the tent and adjusted the straps to reduce the rain pooling effect, and went up to the shelter to make dinner under the leave. Played hangman for a little while in the tent, then went to sleep hoping for no rain tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

Slept well last night Finally! Also no rain this morning, so Yay! It was actually sunny at the shelter site, so I was able to lay out my wet gear from yesterday's dousing, and get it to dry a bit. Chatted with Dirt, Okie Girl, Stardust, Bigglesworth (all women), Wolfhound, Vegas and his friend Andrea, Powder River, and the others. I was the last to leave the shelter, but felt much better with dry stuff. Did lots of thinking while walking today. CAught up with Mas at a great view and sat on a big rock overlook eating lunch with some trail magic soda that was left in a cooler by the side of th trail. THere are so many little moments of trail magic happening. Coolers with water, soda, candy bars, nice people, etc. Hiked on a took a soak in Laurel Creek, felt soo good, and sort of clean afterwards. Also saw a groundhog. Then, for fun, Mas and I made a bet about reaching the Niday Shelter by 7:30. If we made it before 7:30 he would have to get my water all day the next day, if after then I would have to get his. And the race was on. I was hiking in front for a while, until we got to the Keffer Oak, the largest oak on the trail in the south (18 foot circumference), then Mas took the lead (obviously to prevent my hiking too slow and therefore ensuring my victory (though I wouldn't have done that). Climbed lots of stiles and wnet through many meadows. In the end we were practically running down the hill and got to the shelter at 7:30 and 20 seconds. Very funny. We agreed that I had wonthe bet by a 20 second margin. The night at Niday was awful though. Tiny biting gnats and mosquitos swarming us all night. I finally set up my tent in the shelter, but Samson and Mas just got eaten alive all night.
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Niday Shelter

To: Catawba, VA )VA Road 624
Miles today: 16.0

Today my water is going to be brough to me! Hee hee hee. Powder River, 2 Mile, and Waetherman had all left the site at 5AM with the goal of getting to the Homeplace Restaurant for "Southern Barbeque" night. We were just planning to get to a road into Catawba, but hit the Homeplace (a legendary restaurant with family style all you can eat country cooking) tomorrow. We set off at about 9:30 witht he plan of getting about 16 miles. Went up a steep 1500 foot climb to Audie Murphy monument, then down to trout Creek for a quick clean-up. Then we had to go up the Dragon's Tooth, a steep rock formation, and another 1600 ft climb. It was slow going, but we finally made it. I was well behind Samson and Mas, but did get there to climb the Dragon's Tooth and meet Freeze, a section hiker that gave us some directions and info and a bottle of gatorade. There has been an intense heat wave, so we really needed it. We descended the Dragon's Tooth, very steep and rocky, a bit treacherous. But finally got down to the gas station store at VA Road 624. We found out that we could camp at the Catawba General Store, so we got a ride there from one of the patrons of the gas station. At the generalstore I ran back intos "D" from my first week on the trail, as well as Waters, Frumpy, Bruce, and others.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Catawba, VA )VA Road 624

To: Catawba, VA (VA 311)
Miles today: 5.9

LEft most of our gear at the generalstore in Catawba and slackpacked with out packs and water from VA 624 to VA 311. Only 5.9 miles, and the extremely light packs prompted a big realization that there has to be a way to drop some more pack weight. Only took us 2 hours to do this distance, then we got another ride back to the general store in time to take a hose bath inthe yard and get to the Homeplace in time for the 4:30 opening. DElicious AYCE (all you can eat) chicken, roast beef, ham, veggies, cobbler, drinks. MMMMmmmmm. We all just laid around like gorillas afterwards. Went back to the general store and had beers and lots of laughter with the other hikers. There are about 15 folks here tonight. I mailed home fleece socks, rain pants, my long sleeve shirt, and a few other small items to bring the pack weight down further.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Catawba, VA (VA 311)

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Got a slightly slow start for a planned big day from Catawba to Daleville, VA. The heat wave is in fullforcew, and we are shooting for almost 20 miles today. All the other hikers we spoke to were planning to split the distance into 2 days. Caught a ride back to the trailhead, and got a good start with the plan of hydrating continuously. We reached McAfees Knob after sa few hours, one of the most photographed and scenic points on the trail. Sat there for a few minutes and enjoyed the view but it was blazng sun and heat. Then it was on to Tinker Cliffs which was also very scenic. Mid-day we got water at a shelter where there was an old sign saying "If you drink this water you will die, you will die like my uncle!" What????? We alltook the water and drank it, and no-one died. Made us all laugh and ponder though. We kept pressing on in the heat. Got to the last shelter where there was a group of weekedn hikers. This is the only way we realize it's the weekend, when we see other hikers on the trail suddenly. Had a brief downpour, but thenwe pressed on. The heat of the day was really starting to wear on all of us. The heat index was 99. We all just hit the point of major fatigue and copius sweating, and heat rash showing up on out bodies. Sore feet and legs. REalized we probably hadn't made the best decision. But we made it to town at 8:30 or so. And,saw a very nice black rat snake. InDaleville, we got a room at the Comfort Inn at the hiker rate of $39. A very nice room too. Super clen, a pool, etc. And being the only woman, I got one of the beds to myself and the guys had to share. So glad we made it. Learned a little lesson here.
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Awoke at 6:30 again! Even in this super comfy hote room. ARRRRGGGHH! We all went to breakfast, and then MAs's Dada, John showed up to take Mas on a zero day. He very kindly invited Samson and I to also go shopping with then and stay at his house for the night so we of course said YES, THANK YOU! We were able to go shopping for food, saw the new Indiana Jones movie (so nostalgic and fun). John treated us to a Mexican food dinner. Then we saw the end of the sunset at his house, and toured all the lovely landscaped koi ponds and gardens in the back. We were able to do laundry and hang out in the evening. It was a great day and a great night. It was so nice to be in a house. Much more relaxing than a hotel room could ever be. John and Mas were very kind hosts. Lots of bullfrogs calling from the koi ponds at night. GREAT!
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Awoke at 6:30 again. Can't break this cycle. Too tired, Too tired! Samson and I sat out by the koi ponds and talked while Mas and John made us breakfast. THis was the peak of calming and relaxing. Big, beautiful koi swimming around, a yellow lab begging fro a stick to be thrown, and then incredible omelets and potatoes with bacon a roasted garlic bread. Mas and John are a dynamo cooking team. Ate on the porch and enjoyed the gardens. Then we went back to town to the outfitter and dropped Mas abd John off to hike together, Samson and I decided to stay another night at the Comfort Inn cause it was so late. We had just run into too many hikers scared off the trail by the heat, and we could still fell the effects on our boides of the hike from Catawba to Daleville. Rest was the prudent choice. Will start back out tomorrow nmorning.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Daleville

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Got up and enjoyed the continental breakfast at Comfort Inn. Samson & I pack up and drove John¢s car to the outfitter, bought a few items at Food Lion, mailed a Father¢s Day card, and walked to the trail. We met Mas & John just as they were finishing up. Chatted with them for awhile, then Samson & I hiked on. I took my first detour in a cow field. Followed the cow path instead of the AT for about 15 minutes. Realized the problem and back tracked. Caught Samson at the access to Fullhardt Know Shelter widh has a cistern for water ( which was dry!!). Mas & John had had a dry night due to this, but for Trail Magic water delivery from Longshot. After Fullhardt we walked to Wilson Creek Shelter (before this I had a good cleanup in Curry Creek.) Snap, Shack, Longshot, Jersey, Wavepool were there and Jogle, Becca, Barfight, Donny, Flame, Azalea, Neal, Shay and Mas showed up later. We all hung out for awhile and enjoyed the sunset. Slept in the tent with no fly. Very nice. Deer were super active all night right around the tent area. Was awake a lot of the night due to that and the excess hydration in the evening. We were told no water for 17 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

We were told there¢d be no water today for 17 miles, so everyone cameled up in the morning and left the shelter with maximum water capacity. I was carrying 5L, an extra 10# in my pack. When we hit the first crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway, we encountered 2 southbound section hikers, 2 Weeks and Tag-Along who told us that there was actually water. So I drank 2L to lighten my pack and continued on with many pit stops. Took a rest at Harvey¢s Know Overlook and got a Trail Magic soda from Start Slow & Taper Off. Lunch at Bobblets Gap Shelter, then a nice cleansing swim at Jennings Creek. This was totally ruined by a crazy dash up to Bryant Ridge Shelter in the dark during which I was wishing I hadn¢t eaten the potato bacon dinner at the creek. Samson RAN to the shelter, Mas & I cam in after dark. Cool 3-story shelter dedicated to the loving memory of Nelson Leavell Garnett Jr. ( age 24). Several section hikers there, with an addly placed slack line. Tried to sleep on the top shelf, but had to move due to the biting no-see-ums. They were AWFUL. Ended up in my tent on the platform on the ground floor. Saw what may have been a vireo of some sort, light yellow head, grey/brown wings and tail, whitish under abdomen. Good sized. The section hikers took up way more than their share of space.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Harrison Ground Spring
Miles today: 12.9

Awoke early to the section hikers with the slack line. Got up and packed my stuff. Would have been going early, but ended up giving a sewing lesson to Mas and sewing the edges on his skirt. Met Swamp Fox, Parrot Head & Game Cock.   Went over Floyd Mtn., again with profuse sweating and could practically wring out my shirt by the time I reached Cornelius Creek Shleter for lunch. From there, I left to keep moving slow. Don¢t want to wear the knee brace as I seem to have a rash forming behind my knee.   Got camp set up and waited for the others to catch up. 2 hours later they showed up and it turned out I had missed the trail magic. A man whose son hiked last year had come out to cook pancakes, eggs, and sausage. Becca, Jogle & Donny were nice enough to pack some pancakes and some sausage to bring to me later and I enjoyed breakfast for dinner. We all sat around the fire talking for a while longer¢¦.tomorrow on to Glasgow.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Harrison ground Spring

To: John'sw Hollow shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was the BEST DAY YET! We got an early start to head into Glasgow, VA to pick up our varous packages and mail drops. I'm getting my summer sleeping bag today which will drop another 10 ounces from my pack! We had a lovely morning. Seemed like hiking in the Sierras by the humidity, and vegetation. When we reached teh James Rivere just before Glasgow there was a big footbridge, and we heard the unmistakeable WOOSH SPLASH of people jumping off the bridge. Some local guys were there jumping, and they showed us where to jump and so, we did it to. What a thrill. We jumped off the lower rail a few times (maybe 30 feet), and then went into town, got mail, didi laundry, ate cheesburgers, and re-supplied food. On the way out of town we paused at the river again, and Mas decided to jump off the top rail (40 feet). Me being me, I said "if he's going to do it, I'll do it too". So we all went back down to the jumping spot, and Mas climbed up and jumped. Then I climbed up, stood up there dealt with the moments of fear, and jumped too. SPLASH! The worst spanking of my life. Didn't manage to jump with good form, just smacked the heck out of my thighs and rear on the water. OWWWWWWW! After witnessing this, Donny and Samson decided not to jump off the top rail (good call guys...though I'm very glad I did it). I was on a total adrenaline high after that, and we hiked the 2 miles up to the first shelter for the night. Then, to top the day off, Donny made us "trail sushi". His wife Marissa is sending him all sorts of awesome dehydrated things for food, and this really came out well. A fantastic day!
Date: 2008-06-14
From: John's Hollow shelter

To: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

Really wanted to sleep in this morning , but just couldn¢t. Awoke at 6:30. Got up feeling like the day after going to an amusemtn park. Tired and groggy, but still glying high from the bridge jumping, town, sushi day. Was slow to leave the shelter, last to go. Climbs were pretty solid for the morning, first up Rocky Row, then Bluff Mtn. But, I was so happy from yesterday and took is slow and was fine. Got to Punchbowl For a, late lunch, and just as I started packing up, it started to rain. The rest of the afternoon ranged from slight drizzle to heavier rain, to lightning and thunder. The lightning was a bit disconcerting. Made it to Brown Mtn. Shelter, got cleaned up and had a good dinner. Met Zen, Becca & Jogle. Saw a scarlet tanager today and a ribbon snake.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Brown Mtn Creek shelter

To: Seeley Woodworth shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Everything was still wet this morning. Stuff just doesn't dry overnight after a rain soaking. When we all reached US 60, there was a wayside park with picnin tables and the sun was out, so we set our stuff out on the grass, and actually got some items dry while munching on snacks, and hoping that some passing car would bring trail magic. No trail magic, but we did find a big grape vine perfect for Trazan swinging, so had funs with that for a few minutes. Climbed up Bald Knob and was able to call Dad for Fathers Day. But, then got rained on again, so the drying was pretty pointless. Made it to Seeley Woodworth shelter by 6:30, Beca Jogle and Samson are all perssing on to get to Waynesboro sooner. I just don't have the energy for it though. This section has really been sapping my strength (several others are feeling the same way too). I was able to impress Donny and Mas with my fire building skills (damp wood and all). Saw a waxwing today, probably a cedar waxwing.