morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-05
From: home Salt Lake City, UT

To: Home Salt Lake City, UT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

"Pace Yourself!" John Metos Tired and some sore muscles, after Mt Olympus yesterday, but joints OK. So I made plan to restart NB at the Whites and meet Bro Henry for 100 mile + Big K in Sept. Then flip and go South. Theoretically could finish thru hike Thanksgiving. But harder to leave home this time. And still not feeling 100%. Maybe 85% thou. Maybe at 60 this is the new normal.  Even with the runs for 9 weeks, I've regained all the weight I lost hiking. Still have to pull myself away from the Little Debbie aisle at the market. Miss being able to eat 3 before dinner and still lose wt.   With slower geriatric pace planned, I'll have to be a little careful what I eat even on the trail.Loaded up my pack with winter clothes back in. Also packed a Baby Martin Guitar with thick gig bag completely inside the pack. If I ever finish AT, plan on doing more biking, but have never toured w gear.So I threw all my back pack stuff w 5 days food onto my old commuter bike. Everything but the guitar, it fit easy.   Decided to push my knees a little more so took the loaded bike up City Creek Canyon and back up the 20% grade to my house.   Made the whole canyon in middle chain ring . Using higher gear than you can really turn over can really tear knees.   But again no joint pain only more sore muscles.   Ran into this snake stretched out across the road (closed to cars on odd days) Usually the big snakes are Gopher Snakes which mimic the Rattler's colors. This was a real big rattler.   Went to move it out of the road and realized I don't have hiking poles.   So pushed him off with bike, thankful for large frame to keep distance.   He got pissed and managed to move sideways while maintaining a striking pose.. His head is blurred due to his head fakes and low light. After this I went slow coming down to avoid hitting snakes. You can get up to about 45 mph on the straight aways. But dangerous on curves hard to avoid pot holes and snakes over 20 mph. Don't trust my balance to jump over snakes anymore, especially with 30 lbs of gear.First test ride with loaded bike no problem handled ok. Nothing came loose on the rough road. Tomorrow I'll book flights if still no aches.
Date: 2011-08-06
From: Home Salt Lake City, UT

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got my plane tickets! I am now a section hiker. Fly to Roanoke Aug 17 to resume at Catawba where I left off. Gave up on plans to Flip Flop to South Bound and beat the fall weather at Kahtadin and the Whites.   EE strongly influenced my plans. After being away so long already, there's no I want to be gone for 4 months till Nov to complete. EE would like to join me for Whites and 100 mile wilderness.   So we can plan around her school teacher summer summer break. She also knows I will push too hard and break down if left to my own devices. Plan on visiting Gettysburg and Anteitam. Also excited about hitting Hawk Mountian around first of Oct, right in middle of migration.   My son, Michaell, will be back from South America. I'm sure he will help EE and my daughter, Kathleen around the house and help keep Molly dog company.No way to know how body will hold up without trying. One step at a time. One day at a time. With no need to make miles no more afternoon hiking in summer heat. If rains, stop long enough to dry shoes and socks hopefully avoiding blisters, chilblains and trench foot. Bringing travel guitar, harmonicas and whiskey definitely avoiding boredom if not lonlieness.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Home

To: Home, Salt Lake
Miles today: 0.0

Well I didn't get back last August. I had my plane ticket but bailed the night before when I stubbed a toe while doing last minute packing. Broke mail completely off in one hit. Just as welll as my body was not really ready. It two or three more months before the arthritis and sores on my toes went onto remission. It seemed a bad omen to find out Stonewall was buried and presumably murdered on the trail a week earlier. Still do not know of any resolution to that mystery. So tommorrow heading back to Roamoke to resume at mile 700, just before McAfee Knob.This will be 2 week test. Hope to make it into SHenandoah Nat Park.My sweetheart old dog, Molly, is 15 now and special attention at the end of her life. Also tied up doing volunteer hawk citizen research field work in Utah until the breeding season is over. I am still drawn to the trail and entertain thoughts of completing in late summer fall as South bounder.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Home, Salt Lake

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

Very nice flights on Delta with empty seats next to me on both legs. Got in early!   I completely packed my pack along w 8 days food . So I could just pick up from bag claim at 4:30 add water and hike 2 miles to the shelter same day.   My pack was put on a plane to Atlanta instead of Roanoke. It should land by 11:30 pm. So time to be flexible... Off to Ho Jo in Daleville. Nothing but the tee shirt I'm wearing and my little guitar. No meds no glasses no underwear. Not even a tuner.   Walked to Kroger for tooth brush.   Met first thru hiker at dinner. Duffer who is just my age and recently retired from EPA. Real interesting guy doing great and going strong.Managed to tune up by ear and played all 3 songs I know whilile waiting. Oh yeah, it's humid in VA and also very green and beautiful.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: VA 311 Catawba VA

To: Lambert's Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Amazing restart hiking. After many phone calls my stuff was finally delivered to HoJo. Ran into trail angel Motor Mouse as I was getting my pack from airlines service. She whisked me right to the trailhead. Perfect weather good sweat climbing to. McAfee Knob.Sky clouds and light at top insanely beautiful. Met up w Simple Fire and Dragline. Really cool pair of ex marines. Guitared the top with new trail guitar.More views and photos at Tinker Cliffs.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter

To: Ho Jo Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

More beautiful but darn hot weather. Tired after Whipoorwill sang above tent all night. Barred Owls also put on great concert. Got up when Whipoorwill song seemed to change to " what's to eat"Feel great but trying to keep startup miles down to avoid injuries which usually plague me from over doing it. Missed seeing Dragline and Simple Fire off as they left before first light to get start on drive to the Kentucky Derby. Later found Draglines Purple IPod. Sped up to try and catch them but plantar fasciitis started on my right foot. $800 Dr orthotics not soo good.If anyone knows Simple Fire, from Conn or Dragline from Kentucky, give me their contact info would love to return iPod. Contacted Apple but they refused to tell me where to send it. Met a group of local Pearisburg high school students doing some kind of workshop walking w blindfolds on pretending to have been blinded by skunks. Some kind of team building deal. Most of them had never set foot on the AT before! Kept hearing humming noise like some kind of factory w grinders. Then passed into a hatch of 17 year locusts near Daleville. Much different from everyday cicadas in Utah. Brought back fond memories of riding motor cycles thru clouds of 17 year locust ? 34 years ago in N VA.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Ho Jo Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Really hot for May. Caught up w Stray Dog and met Col Potter at Stream to cool off. Steamer caught up while we were cooling off. I am wearing bike bibs wout the saddle pads. Very comfy in hot weather the Lycra keeps pack straps from rub where I normally get rubbed raw. Steamer caught up at stream. Stray Dog was suffering pretty bad w tendinitis in his foot/ ankle and me w planter fasciitis ... cold water w sip of whiskey terrific.    Stopped at next stream and jammed w col P on harmonica. Tented at the shelter. There was a crusty old guy at shelter who wouldn't give trail name(I'll refer to him as CJ) didn't want to talk or take a sip of Maker's M. Seemed mellow tho. Maybe he's done the trail so many times he's tired of all the newbies. Also offered him the guitar which he admitted he could play but declined.I did a little strumming and then tried to Sing which I don't have much luck with. Did "cocaine blues" but got discombobulated. CJ was getting restless and sorted of agitated in a kind way. In a fatherly manner, he suggested I slow down and keep it simple. Tried another song and noticed he was starting to move his fingers ever so slightly like he was playing. Offered him the guitar again which he gladly accepted after hearing me sing! He was rusty and crusty but talented. He played mellow Neil Young's "Helpless" and some Grateful dead. Admitted he had played in several bands and finally shared his trail name. Had great time signing along doing bass on Oh Mary don't you weep. Borrowed Col P'sl "A" blues harp and tried to follow CJ doing "walking" blues in E. Harp and guitar sounded pretty good till he stared mixing in A minor and g chords which lost me.Birds were loud again with a bob white right over Col P's tent..But sweet sounds to my ears.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked by myself all day. Left before anyone else was up.   Uneventful but threatening to rain. Lots of natural VA beauty. Pulled into shelter which was empty except pretty good size group of Boy Scouts and leaders tenting and using the table. Lots of Scouts train on the AT for summer camp at Philmore. Really nice Leaders especially the woman who seemed to take charge. They made a huge pot of food and offered leftovers as well as choc cookies. Right at dusk two young hikers arrived: Lemme Winks and Professor Oak. Figured they are thru hikers by the way they went full speed right thru the camp up to the shelter and dropped packs in an instant. /sure enough they are grads from VA Tech, doing 20+ miles/day. Coach and Coach showed up, two high school wrestling coaches from Penn, sect hiking. I was embarrassed to try playing in front of scouts but Lemme played a few songs. He's good and Prof Oak sings well, he loves karaoke. Early bed with rain starting.
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Cove Mountain Shelter, mile 744.9

To: Thunder Hill Shelter, mile 762.1
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Left before anyone up as usual. Prof O and Lemme caught up in a couple hrs. Leap frogged with them all day. I go slower they stop more. Nice up hill my sore plantar fascitis easing up, foot not so sore. On the way up Apple Orchard Mt heard them talking in the distance and tried to call them with my best Barred Owl call. Tried to take funny pictures at the FAA round tower and Guillotine. Lemme and Prof O stopped early since it was grey starting to rain so I caught up at shelter. Enjoyed the birds around the shelter including an Eastern Kingbird with eggs nesting under shelter eaves. Rain held off till tent up but not long enough to cook.   I played and sang a verse of Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven's Door. Prof O joined in, or rather took over the vocals 10x as loud as me. Sounded terrible thought he could not sing until explained he's doing the Guns n Roses version.   Any song you name Prof Oak can do pretty good imitation He has great ear. Lemme Winks took over the guitar while I cooked dinner. Did some Flogging Molly, Californication and other duets w Prof O. Nice solo version of Redemtion song.   Decided to give the Baby Taylor a trail name. Named it after my little brother Rick (6' 4") so "BB" for "Baby Brown" which also works for "Big Brown" which is a nickname for Rick now.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Salt Log Gap
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left early but Prof O and Lemme W passed in first hour. They hoped to do long day and get to B and B in Lexington before big storm forecast. At Matt's creek stopped for a break and saw shout out with encouragement from Lemme and Prof O to Jimdog and "BB" which made my day. Figured I would never see my new friends again as they are going full speed now.Caught a cute little snake along the James River. Surprised to find Lemme and P O finishing lunch at Johns Hollow Shelter. This is a fancy multi level shelter with nice view of the stream. Close to road, I bet it gets lot's of local parties.   Someone had left trail magic but as usual for me, only thing left was large pack of baby wipes. The young men took off saying see you at Punchbowl instead of shooting for US 60 and ride to Brierly Inn in Lexington which would be crazy 37 mile day with lots of climbing. Nice views with black storm clouds moving in from false summit of Big Rocky. Wanted to make Punchbowl keep up with young dogs, but not reality. Opted to stealth camp in daylight before rain at Saddle Gap first flat area big enough for tent.. Also nicely protected from winds along the ridge and big logs to sit on. Rain started 5 minutes after I ate and hung bear bags. Winds tapered off and nice steady rain. Sleep great w steady rain noise not gusty winds..after long 22mile uphill day.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Salt Log Gap

To: US 60 Brierly B&B Lexington VA
Miles today: 15.0

Rain stopped before sunrise. Early start hoping to catch friend for ride to B&B.   It's not on last years guide, but real big hiker discount for what are normally expensive rooms. Got to punchbowl just as everyone was leaving. Lemme gave me B&B phone #. Called from top of rice mt for pick up at 3pm.Really enjoyed hike up Brown's Mountain Creek. Enjoyed the historic markers and sat listening to the stream trying to envision life for the freed slaves in this idyllic spot. Would have like to linger all day play guitar and daydream, but pretty hard rain started. So pushed on to the Highway at 1pm 2 hours early raining hard.. Nice trail magic 2 sodas and some sugar junk food. Got cell and called Joyce said Ken would drop everything and be there in 1/2 hour.   He arrived in 20 min.   Meanwhile a big yellow dog climbed up on pick nick table and pressed into me keeping me warm sitting in the rain drenched. Several people offered rides and enjoyed watching log trucks roar by. Reminded me of my days 40 years ago in the area.We had nice dinner at Applebees. Fancy room with view 4 poster bed embarrassed to spread so much dirt in immaculate room.   Plates of cookies, candy chips, fruit by computer in upper lobby. White bathrobes to wear etc.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Brierley Hill B&B, Lexington,VA mile 799.1

To: Brierly B&B Lexington, VA mile 799.1
Miles today: 0.0

Ken took me on a tour though my right leg was very swollen knee down. Limped around Lee Chapel. He also drove me up the Maury river to rapids where I first tried out my new Grumman Canoe with my roommate, Gene, at VPI. We pinned 3 times in about 6 miles...DSomer pretty technical rocky rapids.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Brierly B&B Lexington, VA mile 799.1

To: Seeley Woodworth Shelter, mile 812.5
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Alternated all evening icing and elevating my swollen foot and leg with playing the guitar for hours. Also trying out compression socks.   Less swelling in am and beautiful weather rain stopped, dramatic clouds.So thought I'd try a short bit of easy uphill to see what happens. Soft trail and uphill helped. Thought I would probably be going home beat down by injuries again. Soft trail and uphill actually pumped out the inflammation. Swelling gone when I checked at mid afternoon. Said goodbye to Ken when I passed him and his grandson out on a day hike up Bald Knob. Didn't really want to stop around Cow Camp, where Stonewall's body was found last Summer.   Its .6 mile down off the trail anyway.Felt good so just kept walking to Seeley-Woodworth. Lots of hikers cueing up for free lunch atr the Dutch Hause next day. Coach and Coach were there. Of course no one but me set up a bear line. Not many big tree branches the right height. But want to set an example and show how its done...Make it look easy. ended up making an Ass of myself and almost cutting off my Pinky! Coach helped with the first aid and also took over playing guitar for my. Did Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. Off to my tent with help of pain pills and whiskey. Ouch!!!!xxxx
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Seeley Woodworth Shelter, mile 812.5

To: Spy Rock, Dutch Haus, mile 814.9
Miles today: 2.4

Got up before light. Finger throbbing and packed quick. Finger is a real mess almost down to bone with tendons showing and about 1/4" of meat missing from where the cord sawed.   So once again expect to be headed home in a basket. I got to Spy Rock Road around 8am and surprisingly got phone connection to Earl at Dutch Haus.   He broke the rules of the private road owners and drove up the dirt road to get me. Loise is an EMT and was all over it. Mainly making me clean the heck out of it w soap and water. She washed all my clothes while I got nice hot shower. By 8:30 lounging in a clean white bathrobe with hot coffee. All the hikers where gone back on trail except one who overslept. His trail name is Doc.
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Rockfish Gap, mile 854

To: Blackrock Hut, mile 874.0
Miles today: 20.0

Ready to go again, but need to skip ahead to be on time meeting my family at Front Royal for our annual bike ride. So Lois arranges a driver to pick me up early and also make me a gourmet breakfast before the others get up. Driver is in hurry to meet someone so leaves me at Rockfish visitor trailer with list of trail angels who give free rides into Waynesboro. First call gets me in. I need to swap out some gear with mail drop waiting. Expect PO open till 11am on Sat, but Its closed. A local says come back at noon, so I get more food at the grocery store. At noon still closed and staying closed. So I hitch back to Rockfish and start walking.   I have been biking here every year and have done lot's of test hiking before trying to thru.So I know its pretty easy with lots of eats. Weather is just a little hot but nice breeze. Somehow I make 20 miles starting at 1:30 pm. Get my tent up as it gets all the way. Dark lots of nice partying section hikers. A blond young woman from Utah. She and boyfriend are hiking barefoot and carry water & liquids in mason jars OLd old school, canvas bags. Everyone has plenty of spirits so not much borrowing of my whiskey! Pretty Loud and we have big fire. So I take BB off to side and try some licks.   One woman said listening to me and BB at campfire was high point of her whole 500mile hike. Sure she just said it cause she felt sorry for me but it went right to my head.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Blackrock Hut, mile 874.0

To: Hightop Hut, mile 895.4
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

Got up in dark an packed. AZ Cuiser was tenting right next to me in identical contrail Tarptent tried not wake him. Snuck a hundred yards down trail and made liquid "GO Juice" for breakfast..instant coffee, protein powder, gatorade, sugary coca...etc. Motored to Loft Mt Wayside Grill, second breakfast actually ordered two specials. AZ Cruiser caught up at breakfast...he moves really FAST for an old Grayback like myself. Tried to fill out park permit but the kiosk was out of forms, so I made one up copying AZ,s. I should of just fessed up to the Ridge Runner on the trail last night. He would have given me one to fill out I'm sure. How bad could you get busted for no permit?AZ took off ahead. I was going really fast almost running but didn't catch up again till he stopped to photo graph the impressive fresh bear scat in front of the shelter. It was getting real dark and gloomy been threatening and forecast big rain all afternoon. I got water and found another really big scat 2 ft from piped spring.maybe 1 to 1 1/2 day old..made me nervous kneeling to fill water looking over shoulder.We had seen some signs posted warning of bear activity, maybe that or the weather is why we had the place to ourselves.   I chickened out of tenting like I always do..and piled up some softball + sized rocks along with a 3" thick pole.   Started thunder wind and pouring just as we cooked. Amazing how many time you get lucky to have the rain not while hiking.   I put my whole pack on the bear pole but AZ only stashed his food and hung his pack on mouse line in shelter overhang. Wind picked up and thrashed his pack around waking me at 2am. In my dream the pack was a giant bear charging... Woke with a boulder cocked in my hand as the BEAR melted back into AZ's pack. Whew Calm down Jimdog!
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Hightop Hut, mile 895.4

To: Lewis Mt. Cabins, mile 907.0
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Tried to go fast and early to beat rain. Started with drizzle, but started pouring. Keep up speed tyo stay warm till Lewis. Camp store hot lunch in micro wave. Trying decide to go or stop when AZ comes in and invites me to use the extra room in cabin already rented! So head in to dry stuff at 1 pm then chill. Have another lunch while doing laundry. Lemmewinks an PO arrive shopping for beer along with a young lady. Drink and play guitar till 1 at their place. Rains whole night.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Lewis Mt. Cabins, mile 907.0

To: Skyland, mile 923.8
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Rained all night but just a drizzle and fog at breakfast. But started pouring shortly after we hit the trail. Walked fast to keep warm but AZ still outpaced me.. He is tough for an old Silver Back section hiker!Stopped at Lewis Mt for hot microwave lunch at the camp store. Nice Lady at the counter showed me how to work the dryer. Planned to eat, dry and go on. But rain only let from heavy downpour alternating with steady rain. AZ came in for more lunch and invited me to use the spare room in double cabin he rented. End of discussion! So spread every thing out to dry and washed clothes, nap and second hot lunch. Around 5, Lemme Winks and Prof Oak arrived shopping for beer and food. They are sharing a cabin with a young lady thru hiker. So joined them later to have a few drinks and do some music. Really enjoy their playing Lemme good on guitar songs and P.O. good signer and rememberer of lyrics melodies. I am jealous of their natural talent. Wonderfully relaxing hanging out in dry cabins with cool rain. Finished off the my and their whiskey and tried a video on phone of "Californication" one of their standards.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Skyland, mile 923.8

To: Elk Wallow Wayside, mile 941.9
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I still want to be big achiever and make it all the way to Front Royal to meet sister Elena and bro Rick at the Scottish Inn, Front Royal at lunch on thursday where and when we always start our traditional family SNP bike ride. This exactly what AZ and Lemme Winks & Prof Oak had planned. Henry want's to relax end enjoy the woods rather than push 18+ miles his first day. He drops me back at Skyland and then parks at Elk Wallow to back track and meet me. Spectacular day with lots of highlights, Mary's Rock Scramble and playing songs. birds, scenery photography etc. Meet up with Henry 4 or 5 miles from elk wallow. He is very observant of plants animals etc and I enjoy being slowed down. He wants me to take a picture of a little black rat snake striking. But of course snake is lightning fast and can't come close to catching w time delayed phone camera, let alone see it move so fast. Hen is provoking it with gloved hand but snake bites just an inch above the glove. Strikes too fast to see but leaves little holes. At Elk Wallow we meet a group of young Mennonite Men from PA touring on recumbent bicycles. I thought they were Germans from the accent. They were really cool doing 200 miles /day with gear and camping like it was a breeze.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Elk Wallow Wayside, mile 941.9

To: Front Royal by Car bike to skyland
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided it was too much to try and go another 18 miles by lunch then ride back to Skyland on bike. So Hen jogged to waterfall while i worked on my feet and managed to tear off a couple of loose toe nails.Then Drove to Front Royal and started family bike ride.