morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Walnut Mountain

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Walking into a town seems to take longer than it actually does. The 1.1 mile from the GSMNP Klosk to the Fontana Hilton was miserable! The three miles on the PCT between Sugar Bowl and I-80 seemed long... and today's 13 miles seemed long. It took less than five hours, but I couldn't wait! I had heard great things about Elmer's Sunny Bank Inn. A music room, too!As a musician, the music room was particularly intriguing. After checking into a room, taking a shower, and eating dinner, I set to restringing the violin. I played a bit, then shuffled through the substantial library on the floor. After dinner, a woman who had recognized some of the tunes as Quebecois, joined in and clogged while I fiddled. A few others were there, and we sang a few fun songs. A good time was had by all. * Dinner was great! Elmer runs a top notch place here!
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Zero day number one!Nothing very interesting to report. I played more tunes, read a bit, and ate another fantastic meal, prepared by Elmer, the owner, and Jacob, an employee. I will be sad to leave tomorrow.After dinner, I went with the other hikers to the local bar. An experience that reminded me why I don't... do... bars. The people were great, don't get me wrong. There were a startling number of hikers there. Anyway, the music was loud, conversation, which I was more interested in was difficult... A waitress took orders, and I said "pass" making what I thought was the international sign language gesture for "no thank you. I don't drink but thanks for asking." Several minutes later, she handed me a bottle with the label "Bass" Grr....
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: moderate rain

It is always a mistake to ponder the question "can it rain harder?" Invariably the answer is a resounding "YES" Even on the CDT it didn't rain this hard. Though at least here it isn't 34 degrees. My homemade rain skirt works marvelously. I stay dry and well ventilated. The poncho is OK as well. I have yet to find rain gear that keeps you dry and is stupendously breathable. The Integral Designs rain cape is... OK. With heavy rain, such as I have experienced, I do get wet, but not soaked. I almost prefer the 1.99 plastic emergency ponchos.I started a bit after 9:00 after mailing a couple boxes and bidding a fond farewell to my home for the last two nights. Elmer's Sunnybank Inn is a wonderful place.A couple hours in, during the heavy rain, I considered stopping at Log Cabbin Road and heading to the hostel there, but resisted. I did another three miles and squished in with seven other people in Little Laurel Shelter, a six person shelter. It was like a VW full of clowns, or a can of sardines!
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Little Laurel

To: Hogback Ridge
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Nine days of continuous intermittent rain. I counted! But it's okay, I can handle it. After the rain this morning, it cleared a bit, but remained cool. Great hiking weather for MY birthday.I had a choice between 21 and 32 miles since I'll make Erwin tomorrow anyway. I didn't want to hike late, and I started late. I felt lazy... What am I making excuses for? 21.5 miles is plenty! Anyway, I will be in Erwin tomorrow.The highlight of today was a ridge walk just after I started, the "Bad Weather Trail". It is very rocky, which makes the walk a bit slow, but there are views! I couldn't see very far with the heavy clouds, but it was very dramatic. Clouds wafted by and the sun reflected off the dew. It was spectacular! A gift for the eyes.
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Hogback Ridge

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The call of produce is STRONG! I could have stayed up on the hill a bit longer, but I left early and cruised hard for 27 miles for nine-hours. I made it to Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel just after 4"00, in time for a shower and laundry before a ride to town for pizza and produce. Once again, I am in a full hostel! Every bunk is taken, and there are tents set up in the backyard. I might just take a zero tomorrow OR at least a long near-zero.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day number two!I may have mentioned some shin pain that flared during my decent into town yesterday. Pushing hard will do that, and I never seem to learn. So, with subtle but nagging pain that has migrated from my right knee to my left, and now my left shin, ankle area, I decided to take another zero. I have all summer to do this thing. What do they say? You can't win a race in the first mile, but you sure as heck can lose it? The same applies. Taking a zero off may delay my finish. NOT taking a zero could just end it. It is precautionary.So after waking early, as I have done every day for the last 17 days, I ate yogurt, lounged, read, lounged, ate, then I went tubing! Down the Nolichucky we floated, about two miles, slowly spinning through the class one and two ripples under a warm spring sun, butt deep in cool silty water. In a particularly amusing AT experience, as we floated, (five total) we saw perennial, and fifteen time repeat offender, Warren Doyle, walk by on the bridge near the hostel, his trademark day-glow ski pole in hand.It was a much needed rest day, and far too warm for doing anything silly like walking 25 miles.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Cherry Gap
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: moderate rain

What did I do with my sunny day? I went tubing, So today I walked in the rain.Ladybird showed up in the morning as I was packing up. We took off at about 11:00 and it began steadily raining immediately. We made good time to Cherry Gap Shelter. The persistent rain gave way to persistent fog. Several of the hikers from Uncle Johnny's showed up a little later in the evening, including the hiker Moss, with a sizable chunk of chicken of the woods, a mushroom, which as of yet has not killed her or anyone else who has eaten it. I may try it yet... maybe.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Cherry Gap

To: Overmountain
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: light rain

On a trail with sometimes rather limited views, Overmountain Shelter stands above all others. The shelter is an old barn that can fit dozens of people. Being a Saturday, there were many weekenders and thru-hikers. We met Papa Smurf there, a hikers with whom I have had several encounters, and a guy named Bear, who is doing the "Go Awesome Tour" He is carrying 70 pounds, so he says, and had food to spare at Overmountain. I am a bit sore. I took a zero at Uncle Johnny's to rest my left shin, but it is still hurting a bit. I rolled my ankle yesterday which sent spasms of agony up my leg, but today it kept to a dull roar. The low miles will likely help. As long as it feels better every day, I'll be happy.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Overmountain

To: Moreland Gap
Miles today: 27.6
Weather: broken clouds

Though We left in fog, the views were enjoyable. Up on the balds, the clouds parted a bit. I need to depart from this entry to discuss terminology. In the east, there are nobs and balds. Out west there are peaks and mountains. In the east, they top out at 6800 feet, which is a low hill on the way to my local ski hill in the Sierras. Out west mountains can be up to 14,491 feet! Bu the volatile weather in the east... Just imagine if Mount Shasta was transplanted into the northeast. The weather atop a 14er there would be magnitudes more dramatic than Mount Washington.Anyway, some of the balds were long ago cut and remain treeless. The rolling grassy hills of the Roan Highlands are now home to a small number of cattle which seem unfazed by the dozens upon dozens of hikers passing by. I however, was slightly intimidated. the bulls were as big as a VW bus with horns that couldn't fit through a Cosco door, maybe slightly smaller. In the morning and evening, Ladybird and I limped. She on her right ankle, me on my left. I coined a new set of nicknames, Tweedledee and Tweedledisabled. I don't know who is who. We were fine in the middle of the day. It might have been smart to take two zeroes.
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Moreland Gap

To: Vandeventer
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: broken clouds

Even on a relatively tame 24 mile day, I managed to pass two hostels. I passed one yesterday as well. With a trade for extra food, I have enough to get me to Damascus. I owe Ladybird gaiters. I am very much looking forward to an unreasonable substantial lunch.We saw Warren Doyle today for the last time, according to him. We should be safely ahead of his group who are doing 17 to 20 miles per day. Also, we seem to be ahead of the stretched out group which includes hikers who I may or may have not mentioned... Papa Smurf, Moss, Tabasco, Peru, Dragonfly... It is time to look into the register and see who I will pass next.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Vandeventer

To: Damascus
Miles today: 32.9
Weather: broken clouds

I feel good about my day's accomplishments. Not only did I walk 33 miles, but I had a sandwich and washed my clothes! I am comfy and warm in The Place, a cheap hostel in Damascus, the most hiker friendly town on the AT, so they say. On our way in, kids at the park would give us directions. In this town, everyone knows what I am. It is a far cry from some CDT towns where I was considered, just another bum.The walking was fairly easy and the terrain rolling, and rarely steep. Ladybird and I made the first 6.8 miles in two ours and continued cruising from there. We walked with Stoker for about 15 miles before she stopped to wait for friends. The final downhill into town was very wide and gradual, almost PCT grade! I look forward to my well earned zero. Damascus in less than a month? Woohoo!
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day. Nothing terribly interesting. Slept, ate, rested, went to a bar for the second time on this trip. This time I order a sweet tea and bypassed that Hot Springs nonsense.Damascus is a very hiker friendly, and hiker themed town. Streets are named after the trail and many businesses have "Welcome Hikers" signs For those who don't know, Damascus hosts Trail Days every year in May. Thousands of hikers and AT enthusiasts converge on the small town without stop lights to celebrate the AT, often with copious amounts of booze. I would have been interested in going, but was happy to keep hiking. That number of people scares me!
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

With the sounds of thunder I am reluctant to go onwards. I had time, but eh... why. These shelters are so convenient! Ladybird put in a few extra miles. We'll probably meet in the morning as I tend to be walking a hair earlier.Tomorrow is going to be a low mileage day anyway and I am on schedule. So anyway, I sat listening to Mikey, Toy Box, and Buck, the Band. They have two guitars and a mandolin, and aren't bad at all. I enjoyed the second half of my Subway sandwich and am going to bed early. I guess town isn't as restful as it seems it should be.---After mailing my boxes and finishing various town stuff, I waited at Mojoe's slurping a berry smoothie. At 1:00 we left. It was hot in Damascus, but as soon as we hit the cover of the ever-present trees and the light wind kicked in, it was very pleasant.Today we had the option of taking the official AT, ore walking the very flat Virginia Creeper Trail. We took the AT, which went up 1000 feet, then down 800, then back up... But I am used to it. I enjoy climbing actually.My fruit intake in Damascus suffered as the grocery store was a considerable distance from where I was staying. I'll try to ramp that up in Pearisburg.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Lost Mountain

To: Old Orchard
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: broken clouds

With a lot of sleep, I left early. I was on trail at 6:20 and across Elk Garden in the late morning, on my way to Mount Rogers and the Grayson Highlands beyond. Just before Mount Rogers, I encountered horse poo... The AT isn't a horse trail... Oh wait, there are wild ponies that live here. A little further on I found them. A group of about 20 very tame small horses. I was sad to not have sunflower seeds or fruit to give them.Before Thomas Knob the terrain opened up granting views to the east. Firs and hemlocks grow here, some rather stunted by the relatively high altitude and harsh winter winds. The Grayson Highlands is strewn with boulders and on a beautiful morning such as the one I had, it was a highlight. Maybe THE highlight of my entire trip.I took time but as the sky darkened I hurried to get lower. After Wise Shelter, Papa Smurf caught up with me and we walked the remaining three miles to Old Orchard and got under the roof just in time for a downpour. Ladybird showed up minutes later, apparently just minutes behind me all day. It was only 4:00. We stayed in the shelter during the downpour and started spreading out and unpacking after a while. We had met our quota, no need to push on in the rain. Smurf continued and we were joined by Rockefeller and Law man, and later, Flag. It is now clearing and not raining. Tomorrow is Partnership Shelter, where we can order pizza on trail, imagine that...
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Old Orchard

To: Partnership
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: light rain

What a novelty. I can order and eat pizza at a shelter! Ladybird and I arrived at about 4:00 to see Papa Smurf waiting, pacing... He was waiting for more to order his pie. A few more hikers trickled in and we ordered five. Partnership Shelter sleeps 16 and has an actual shower! It is a little cool but refreshing. It felt good despite my earlier swim in Holsten River. I could get used to this. THough today's swim did ice us a bit and slow our momentum.There ate 10 so far at the shelter and it is a fun group. The band is playing and the old men are snoring. It might be tricky to get some good rest, but this place is a lot of fun.
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Partnership

To: Rhododendron Thicket
Miles today: 28.8

Parnership Shelter seems so long ago. We left at about 7:00 and made it to the gas station for ice cream and snacks before walking through several miles of cattle country in the early afternoon, then once again into the hills and forest.When putting in big miles, one can't be particularly choosy about campsites. We passed Alpine, who had a beautiful spot, but neither Ladybird, nor I, had more than two swigs of water. We needed the creek below. So we left the idealic ridge en route to the Rhododendron thicket on our data pages. Well... It is at least comfortable. The leaves and duff are many inches thick and the water, though a trickle, isn't bad. But it is very dark and there are no views.Traveling with Ladybird, I have learned a bit about birds and can now at least recognize a handful. Tonight it was the whippoorwill that rhythmically sang. As I write, I can still hear its relentless three note tune.
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Rhododendron Thicket

To: Harvey's Mill
Miles today: 29.8

A swim can do a lot to revive oneself. After 20 miles, We stopped at a thigh deep creek to just get fully wet. This humidity stuff is tough to deal with. Stink and funk builds quickly. The smells progress quickly from rotten onions to refried beans to cheap canned pet food, followed by Swiss cheese... After a fully clothed swim in a creek, I smell like... well a creek! If I can do that once every couple of days, I will be thrilled.Early in the day we climbed Chestnut Knob, a 2100 foot gain with exposed bald grasslands up top. The mystery of the nighthiker (we saw two headlamps pass at 5:00 am) was solved when we saw Mikey smoking and playing guitar near the shelter. Buck had crashed two miles back, pack still fully packed.The shelter atop Chestnut Knob is fully enclosed and very nice... or at least reasonably nice. The view is spectacular though. The morning push was followed by a late morning slog through rain, then an afternoon trudge before our swim. From there it was an evening stroll to a full house and a LONG water run at Harvey's Mill Shelter. Pass that one up if you have water. It is a long way down...
Date: 2010-06-01
From: harvey's Mill

To: Doc's Knob
Miles today: 32.4

A new month dawns on the AT. The light may reach hikers furthern northeast first, but nevertheless, it is June. But not all that much has changed, or at least it has changed slowly. The trees are now fully leafed out, even up high. The Mountain Laurel, and Flame Azalea are still in bloom, now accompanied by Bright pink Rhododendrons. It is still green, still muggy, still raining half the days...As for me, I am starting to hit my stride. It really takes a while to get into hiker shape. But 30 miles is no longer a big deal. If I woke up early, I might have been able to do more! Maybe... Truth be told, I rolled into Doc's Knob Shelter slightly sore after a warm day and lots of little ups and downs, and one big up at the end of the day.I am still traveling with Ladybird which I forget to mention in some entries. Unless I say otherwise, "We" means Ladybird and I. And so, we, will be heading into Pearisburg in the morning in search for yogurt and fruit! I can also hear the call of the AYCE buffets... Maybe a pizza or two, maybe three plates of salad... mmmmNothing other to report other than that Papa Smurf is rather nutty! Apparently he walked past 11:00 last night just to pass uss. I am sure that look on our faces this morning when we saw him snacking at a shelter was priceless.
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Doc's Knob

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

We thought we would go to Angel's Rest for a breakfast break but found a better view a half mile before it. Two other hikers muttered about there eing no views witht he fog in the valley. liked the fog!Little ridges popped up like islands in the distance. Weat on an oovehangiock, 100 feet above the closest rocks and trees below eaf our supplies. Then into town, down the hill we raced, dreaming of berries and yogurt.32 ounces of yogurt is a lot. so is two pounds of berries and a bof grnola, but somehw between the two of us, Ladybird and I managed to polish it off. As we finished, sitting at a table near the court house, Alpine showed up. She had a room at a motel and offered us space there. We had set our sights on departing in the afternoon, but after internet, resupply and eating, we decided we could stay. We ended up soaking our frightening looking hiker feet in the motel pool.We decided to give up our breakneck pace and slow a little, make take a few more swims.
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Pearisburg

To: Baily Gap
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: few clouds

Leaving town without a stack of pancakes? Say it ain't so! Well... it is. But I have tons of food and am carrying some fruit. There were also some ripe wild cherries on some trees on the way out of town. The trail seemed fairly silly leaving town. It would climb a small hill, then drop back to the road that we had left not a quarter mile earlier. Finally we were on our way up the ridge and emerged into an open field. A walk along the ridge brought us to Symm's Gap Meadow, a stretch of grassy terrain with apple trees! Oh to be here in September... There were also numerous berry bushes. At the pace I am traveling, I could miss berry season altogether, even up north. It would be wise to slow down.I want to extend a thank you to Alpine for giving us some space in her room, she is very generous. The shower, bed, and foot soak in the pool was much needed.Last year I was offered a room, hot tub and dinner, and I declined, not wanting to miss the post office in the next town. I would have had time. Instead, I declined the offer and ended up twisting my knee. I learned a lesson. Accept hospitality and generosity!
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Baily Gap

To: Sarver Hollow
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

With Ladybird meeting a friend, I walked much of the day alone. By noon it was apparently 90 degrees out. Just past a shelter, I dropped my pack near a shallow stream and had a good soak in the surprisingly cool, John's Creek. It was shaded and pleasant. I followed Biscuit and Frisbee up the big climb, trying not to overheat. Afternoon thunder showers had settled in giving some relief to the once oppressive heat.The widespread cells joined forces in the later afternoon, forcing me into a shelter. I waited it out for a couple hours until Ladybird showed up. Together we walked the final stretch to Sarver Hollow, taking a break at a power line cut to watch the dramatic storm enhanced sunset.Sarver hollow is a very nice, highly recommended shelter. It was very quiet, and a considerable distance down a steep hill, but the shelter is new and even has a covered table! Unless night hikers show up, it will be a very quiet night. I don't think either of us snore...
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Sarver Hollow

To: Dragon's Tooth
Miles today: 20.3

Where does one start on a truly amazing day?I suppose from the beginning. At 5:22 a Whippoorwill landed on a close branch, repeating its incessant rhythmic tune. Since I couldn't hit the snooze button on the fairly loud bird, I lay there listening to the early morning activity.We didn't leave Sarver Hollow until 9:00 a new record! We are trying to slow down to take care of various tweaks and twinges, and just to remove the work aspect of hiking that we experienced on our three 30s. It is one thing to walk 30 miles a day alone, but unless one is going for a record or an especially big day, 25 is plenty. Even 20.So in the early afternoon after about 10 miles, we made it to Craig Creek, and the best swimming spot I have yet found. We hung out for a couple hours, washed our socks, shirts...Then on to Dragon's tooth. Dragon's tooth is a bit of a destination and we planned to camp there. We didn't plan on getting free hot dogs, smores, and rum. I passed on the rum.Sunset from Dragon's tooth was one of the better ones I have seen. We, along with a couple other weekenders climbed the 40 foot spire of rock to watch the day pass into night. Then we climbed it again at 11:00 PM to stargaze in the clear calm night.With a late night, I'll probably sleep in, at least a little. It was quite a day.
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Dragon's Tooth

To: Hidden Ledge Camp
Miles today: 20.6

How do you top a spectacular day? Well you can't but you can try. Today definitely was up there on the awesomeness scale. Ladybird and I talked about creating a scale, awarding points to hiking days. Good sunrise or sunset earns a point, trail magic earns a point, nice swimming hole earns a point...So today earned points for the sunrise at Dragon's Tooth. It earned points for the view from McKafee Knob. This particular place is a famous AT location. There is a large flat rock that juts out into the air, overhanging above the tree canopy below, granting views of a valley and the surrounding ridges. Next we earned a point at Tinker Cliffs with its fascinating rock escarpments and views back toward McKafee and Dragon's Tooth.Then several points were awarded to our campsite. We reached a view north east at about 7:00 and thought about stopping. We picked out some flat spots. After we dropped our packs, Ladybird looked over the cliff, seeing a ledge 20 feet below. It was just big enough for two people to camp without a tent. That ledge fell off another few hundred feet to the valley and forest below. We scrambled down the pine needles and walked along the ledge to where it opened up. Sunrise should be amazing.Just before Tinker cliffs, we had some fun. A squall was blowing up and we saw a rock overhang. "If it starts storming in .1 miles, we'll go back to that overhang" we agreed. .1 miles later the squall line hit with gusty winds and heavy rain. We turned quickly and actually ran back to the overhang to wait out the rain. If the oportunity to stay dry is presented, why not take it?