morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Fox Creek

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I got on the trail about 6:45..it might sound early to a lot of people but it is normal for me. I usually got up around 5 to 5:30 when I was at home. The day started out as with an up ... a long up. When I reached the top I heard noises behind me. I turned and there was Hawk and Wizard coming up the hill. I laughed and said they had gotten a real early start! The rest of the crew came up shortly after them. The plan was to get to Troutdale for lunch. Off we went and I mean went. We literally flew down the mountain. We got to the road that led into Troutdale around 11 and we were trying to figure a way in. No way was anyone going to stop to pick up 6 hitchhikers! While we were standing there a car pulls up, the window opens, and there is Sarge [of Little Engine and Sarge]. He is spending some time shuttling hikers around the Damascus area. To top it off the No Name, Whiskey, Sunshine, and Stands With A Fist were in the car. They were getting out there and hiking back into Damascus. Sarge took us into Troutdale where we ate. Cheeseburgers and fries were a big hit for us. After lunch Sarge took us back to the trail and off we went to finish the day. There was not much left because we were only going another 4 miles to Trimpi Shelter. We got to Trimpi, set up the tents and waited for the storm that was coming. We are in that pattern of late afternoon thunderstorms. It rained for awhile. Nothing major, but most of us got into the tents early and read for awhile before hitting the sack. All in all a good day, especially with a nice lunch.
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

I have to figure out what is going on here. I left Trimpi at 6:30 and got to Partnership Shelter at 10:30. Ten miles in four hours! I never do ten miles in four hours. That is 2.5 miles per hour. I keep checking to see if little wings are growing on my feet! Only problem I have with that kind of traveling is my foot feels pretty sore at the end of the day. Anyway, I was toying with the idea of heading back to Damascus from Partnership Shelter instead of from Atkins. Get back a day early and leave a day earlier than planned. Sunday instead of Monday. Same amount of time spent in Damascus just moving things up a day. When I got to Partnership I had decided to do it. I told the rest of the group I would see them in town and I headed for the road. I got a ride into Marion with the second car that passed. It took longer to get a ride out of Marion but I eventually made it to Damascus. The town is starting to fill up. I walked into the Side Track Cafe and Sweetleaf was there. She had to get off for a few days but she is back on now. Lumber, Ski Bum, AKA, Two Cents, and Big Stick were also back in town. I also heard that Yertle and Kickstand would roll in on Wednesday. It will be good to see them again. As a matter of fact most of the crew that is ahead will be rolling in on Wednesday and Thursday. Not much else to report today but I will put up a couple of entries while I am here. Have to report on Trail Days!
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Partnership Shelter

To: US 11/VA 683
Miles today: 11.6

I made it out of Damascus alive! I am free of the vortex! It was an early morning and a very late night. I was far from feeling good ... everything was in a haze .. OK, fine, we had a few to many adult beverages last night. I went down to the Side Track around 7:30 where I got some coffee and breakfast. Nuffy was there so I said goodbye and headed for the edge of town. I got my first ride real quickly and he took me to the freeway entrance. My second ride came after about 10 minutes and he took me to Marion. My third ride got me to Partnership Shelter. Thanks to all that got me there. I emptied my pack and laid things out to dry some. We got hit with a big thunderstorm early last evening and things got damp and water adds weight!. While sitting there I was debating on whether I should hike today or recuperate. I decided to hike. It was a nice day. While walking I ran into Fix-a-Lot and Blue Sky. We all agreed that it was hard getting back into the swing of things after a few town days. I continued on and after awhile the routine was back. I got to the Relax Inn around 5 or so and another debate went on in my head. A real bed or my sleeping bag. Guess what I chose. I have not slept in a real bed since Erwin and it feels nice as I sit here typing this. Damascus will be last zero day I plan on taking until Harper's Ferry.[Note-key word is plan]. Never know what might happen "unplanned". This will be the last update until I hit Pearisburg which will be around Friday. When I send the next batch I will include the Trail Days update. There is just too much that I want to write about and I do not want to rush it. Signing off till then.Simple Thought - Why do you try so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out.
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Atkins, VA

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

Another milestone accomplished today. I have completed 1/4 of the trail as of today! Still a long way to go but this is a nice milestone. I guess I will give some statistics that I have heard and know about up to this point;   As of April 22 1100 plus thru hikers have started. This number only reflects those that signed in. 320 or so back country permits have been filled out for the Smokies. This indicates there may not be a whole lot of us left out here. It doesn't take into acount the people that started in April but have not hit the Smokies. There should be a better read on how many are left around the end of May. Interesting numbers because most everyone I have mentioned in my journal is still going strong. My numbers to date include;14 zero days49 hiking days548 miles hiked11 miles a day average1.5 to 1.6 MPH early on in hike1.75 to 2.0 MPH now I am caught in the middle of groups again. Dingle, Skirt, Kickstand, Yertle, Banana, Stands with a Fist, Sweetleaf, and Sunshine are anywhere from a day to six days behind. Most everyone else is a day to several days ahead. I am running into hikers that did not go into Damascus for Trail Days. Interesting to meet new people. Today I met Jitterbug. She got to the shelter and asked if I was Cuppa Joe. I said yes and she said she had been reading my journal. She and her husband are doing some section hiking this year.Simple Thought - Rhodedendrums are starting to bloom. Will be very pretty when more start showing.Special Note - Happy Birthday Kickstand!
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

First let me say,"Happy Birthday Melissa"! Hope you have a good one. It is time to proclaim a new personal best. I did a 19 miles day today. Of course I chose a day where the going was tough almost all day. A long uphill going up Chestnut Ridge and then a long rocky section. To top it off the water sources were a bit slim today. I stopped for lunch at the Chestnut Knob shelter. It is one of the nicest shelters I have seen. Completely enclosed sleeping area. Only thing that keeps it from a 10 is there is no close water source. We are in the afternoon thunderstorm pattern and it has done so everyday so far. I don't mind the rain because it is warm. All I do is throw the pack cover on the pack and off I go. Don't even worry about rain gear. I always carry an extra shirt and shorts to change into at night. If the other stuff drys overnight so be it. If not, no big deal. It is going to get wet anyway either from rain or me sweatng. I tend to sweat a lot during the course of a day, especially now that has gotten hot, so I make sure I keep drinking water all day. Sometimes, when I am getting water I will purify a liter and drink it down right there and then pack at least a liter and a half with me. One of the worst things you can do out here is get dehydrated. I met a thru hiker from last year at the shelter tonight..Shady Smurf..I like talking to previous thrus. Fun to listen to some of the stories they have. Off to rest my tired feet and body.
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

A good terrain day today. It started out by crossing the Little Wolf Creek 12 times as the trail wound its way around it. I enjoy sections of the trail like this. Sometimes the steady up and down gets a bit monotonous so something new adds spice to the day. There was also a long road walk today. The trail crossed over I77. It was funny to watch all the cars go speeding by and know that all you did was around two MPH. A lot of people go into the town of Bland from here but I have enough supplies to get me to Pearisburg. I got to the shelter area around 1:30. At first I was just going to rest and go on to the next shelter, which would have put me at a 23.7 mile day. I then thought,"Hold on there bucko! Don't push it just because you did a 19 yesterday"! I decided to stay here. It gave me a chance to string a clothesline and hang some of the damp/wet clothes I have up. Another thing, Kat was here when I got here. Had not seen her for awhile so we chatted a bit. She was going to go on for awhile today.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Wow! 24 miles! I was in cruise mode today. It helped that there was excellent terrain to walk on. I can tell I will feel it a bit tomorrow. The knees and feet are sore. That is one of the problems with doing big miles. You don't feel it until the next day. As I said, there was good terrain today. Gentle ups and downs and not a lot of rocks on the trail. I got to the first road crossing and was taking a little break when I looked up at the sky. It was getting darker and I quickly put my pack cover on. Just as I finished it started to pour. I crossed the road and went back under the cover of the trees. It rained for about 15 minutes and then quit. Enough to get you soaked but what is worse is when the sun comes back out. The humidity is brutal! One thing that we are going to have to watch as it gets warmer is chafing. I got to another road crossing around 2 and took a left to go to the little store that was down the road a bit. I had been thinking about a cold soda for awhile and I was saying over and over to myself,"Please be open"! It was. I got a Pepsi, 2 bananas, 2 hotdogs, and a chocolate milk. I sat on the bench in front of the store and proceeded to enjoy the goodness. As I was eating a car pulled up. It was Hawk. His wife was visiting so he was taking a couple of days off. We alked a bit and then he was off to do some trail magic. It still amazes me who and where you bump into people on the trail. As I was leaving a sheriff's car pulls comes toward me. My first reaction was,"Oh man, why are you bustin' my chops"? [Just because we look like bums!] but his first question was,"Where did you start from"? I laughed and we talked trail and weather for a bit and he wished me luck. I had stayed there for a little over an hour before heading back to the trail. I had seven more miles to go to get to the shelter. I was getting pretty tired by then and was slowing down some. The area I was entering was pretty cool though. Dismal Creek. There was a lot of water flowing from many small streams and a lot of rhododendrum bushes. Good scenery! I finally made it to the shelter around seven and I was beat. It was a good feeling to have broken the 20 miles day mark but I couldn't do that kind of hiking for several days in a row. The body takes a beating! People at the shelter tonight were: Dacks, Chill Out, Southern Boy, and Sierra Marmot. Like I said before, new names, new people.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg,VA
Weather: overcast clouds

I was definitely sore this morning! The day started with a long uphill climb and the body was not working to well. The goal was Pearisburg which I figured to hit around 3:30. It was a good day weather wise. There was plenty of sun with a slight breeze and it didn't look like rain. I took a break a Doc's Knob Shelter and then made the uphill push to Angel's Rest. Once you get to the top you walk along the ridge for awhile. I came to a spot where the view was spectacular! Simply amazing! It's things like this that make an entire day's walk worth every sore muscle and joint. I arrived in Pearisburg and headed for one of the motels that gives a good rate to hikers. Coming down the road toward me are The Honeymooners. They had been here two days and were heading back onto the trail. It was good to see them again. I got to the motel and ran into CatDog, Lonesome Dove, Salt Lick, Coyote, Quest, Chicago Rob, and Scholar. Most of them were planning on heading out tomorrow but Lonesome Dove was having some foot trouble so she said she might have to lay up another day. We all had dinner and then sat around and talked. Lots of fun. Tomorrow will be laundry, resupply and post office. During Trail Days the back pole on my tent broke and I had emailed Henry Shires to see if he could get a new one sent to me here. He replied and said it would be waiting for me. That is what I call customer service! I also wanted to send another photo chip to my brother. Special Note:Some of you have asked what my maildrop schedule will be after Waynesboro. I will post them when I get there. The ETA's may be way off if I posted them earlier.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Pearisburg,VA

To: Campsite
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

I ended up staying in Pearisburg another day. Lumber, Ski Bum, Party Girl, Lonesome Dove, Chicago Rob, Southern Man, and CatDog were also there. It was one of those days where you try to get a lot done but it seems to take forever. By time I was finished it was afternoon and I did not feel like leaving, not to mention that everyone was sitting around enjoying the sun. I did get out around 10:30 this morning but the plan was not to go very far today. Lonesome Dove and CatDog were also leaving today. A half hour afer I left it started to rain. Par for the course for me!. After it quit the walk was not to bad. It is less humid as we climb out of town, or so it seems. I got to the campsite which was a mile or so past the shelter around 3:00. The choice was a matter of logistics. The shelter's water source was a half mile walk and here it was right on the trail. You don't walk for water unless you absolutely have to! Southern Man was already here and I got my tent up in a hurry because another storm was rolling in. CatDog arrived and got her tent up just as it started to rain. Lonesome Dove [LD from now on to save on typing] arrived and waited out the storm in CatDog's tent before pitching hers. Somewhere during the storm I fell asleep for awhile. I have just finished making my dinner. Tonight's entree consisted of Mac and Cheese with part of an onion and part of a garlic clove mixed in. Anything to help spice it up. Supposedly, eating some garlic out here will act as a natural insect repellent. Can't hurt to try. I am typing this entry while the rain pounds away on the tent and the thunder rolls around the mountain. I really enjoy thunderstorms, especially when I am not walking in them! Trail Definition - Webwalker; the first person to leave a shelter or tent area in the morning. He/she is the person that will clear all the spiderwebs from they trail as they walk. This person is usually me and you do run into a lot of webs!
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Campsite

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Weather: overcast clouds

The days activities are starting to fall into such a routine you don't even think about it anymore. Funny, two months ago I was new to this trail and new to the ways of hiking it. It gets to the point where most things don't bother you anymore. However, there is one thing that I still do not like to do, and that is to have to set up camp when it's raining. I don't breaking down when it is wet, just setting up. I got to the shelter around 3 and decided to take a spot in it. Firefly and River Otter were there [formerly The Hobbits] as well Southern Man. I got set up and proceeded to read my book. I wanted to finish it that night so I wouldn't have to carry two books anymore. After awhile LD, Catdog, and Spiderweb showed up. I first ran into Spiderweb a few days before Pearisburg and she seems to have the same hiking pattern as the group I have been ending the day with. Hike enough miles without killing yourself but still get some ground covered. Just before dark Hawk showed up. LD and I had been joking earlier that he may show and sure enough he did. Several others also came in. There seems to be quite a large batch of hikers entering and leaving Pearisburg so the shelter areas are getting full at night. I also found out that Navigator was getting off the trail due to injury. In the last few days I have heard of 4 people getting off the trail. They say that Damascus is a big attrition point for thru-hikers. I think there will more in the days to come.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I guess the big shocker for the day is that The Honeymooners are off the trail. There was a notice from them in the register. I will miss them. They were fun to talk to and I took the best photo ever [in my opinion] or them. It was the evening at Thomas Knob Shelter, just before the Greyson Highlands, and we had that double rainbow. I got them, with that as a backdrop. As soon as I send that chip to my brother he can get it posted. Good Luck Marck and Kim. I will be talking to you. Other than that there was not a whole lot of excitement on the trail today. Some days are just plain boring. You are walking on the path that bathed in shade and that is all you do for a good part of the day. No boulders to climb over or roots to trip over. That is what makes the meadow walks to much fun. You break out of the woods and there is a huge meadow that the trail goes through. The sun is shining, no one around, and you stroll down the path..nuff said. We seemed to have formed a loose coalition with those that are on the same pace. Included are Spiderweb, Minus One, Hans, Now or Never, No Worries, CatDog, LD, Hawk, and Raven. Everyone seems to end up in the same place or very close to the same place at night. Still rains on us at least once a day. Everything is always damp or wet. Till tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day today. A lot of ups and downs. Future thru-hikers! Virginia is not flat! Don't believe the stories you hear starting in North Carolina! The day started out just fine. I was walking across a ridgeline when I saw a cat in frnt of me. As a passed I wondered how he got there. All of a sudden I think I hear someone calling for the cat. I stopped and looked all around and could see nobody. I kept walking and I heard it a little while later. Still nobody around. I start thinking,"Boy this is wierd". When it happened the third time I looked all around and up into the trees. Still no one around! Nothing happened after and I never so anyone. I figure I better keep this one quiet. Cuppa Joe is hearing things on the trail! We were shooting for the 22 mile mark because water sources are scarce in this area. You have to carry extra because it may be 8 to 11 miles between sources. Anyway, around five it starts clouding up. But this time it is darker and I still had a 2 miles to go. It seemed to get darker as I moved along and I thought this was going to be big. And then it hit. LD and I were at the bottom of the last hill before the shelter. I took off and the wind started blowing hard. The thunder rumbled and it started coming down. Slowly at first, the leaves blocking out a lot of it but then it really starts pouring. Not only pouring, but caming at you sideways. Normally, my hat blocks the rain from my glasses but coming from the side nothin stops the rain. So here I am, can't see, climbing uphill, lightning in the sky above, [really puts a lively step in your feet when it flashes right over you] and you still have a 1/4 mile to go. All that is going through your head is that the shelter is full. I finally make it and Southern Man yells out from his tent,"The shelter is full". I nodded and when there to stand out of the rain for a minute. I get there and Spiderweb says, "Cuppa Joe! We have a spot for you". I was never so relieved to hear that! Like I said, long day!
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Just start the day with a little side story. Three days ago a guy comes into the shelter. He is going to do two weeks on the trail. We talk hiker talk and the next day he shows up at the same shelter we are in. He is trying to keep up with thru hikers on his second day out. It took us six weeks to build up the muscles that you use in doing what we do. No matter how much you run or work out it is not the same as being out here. I thought he was doing the wrong thing. When we were going to do the 22 mile day he shows up at the shelter we stopped at for lunch and he said he was going on. That was the last I saw of him... that afternoon was the big storm. He got caught in it, he had gotten posion ivy on his legs and when he woke up this morning he said, "This Sucks"! and got off the trail. Word of advice; hike your own hike and don't worry about keeping up with people. You will always meet someone new. The plan for the day was this. Six miles into the hike was a road. .3 to the Hostel which sold denatured alcohol for the stoves and .4 the other way to a little store. Spiderweb was going to go the the hostel to get the alcohol and I wuld go to the store and pick up her goodies and we meet back at the trailhead and exchange items. Saves the extra walking. I got to the road first and went to the store, picked up the stuff, had 2 egg rolls and an ice cream and went back to the trailhead. Spiderweb comews in from the opposite direction and shakes her head. They were out of fuel at the hostel. I had noticed the store had HEET, in the yellow bottle, which works just as well so we both headed back to the store...the best made plans! It was an awesome day. Cleared up in the early AM and the sun was warm. Started the day climbing up Dragon's Tooth which had a good vista. Coming down from there the we did some serious foot width league walking and descending. Shades of things to come in New Hampshire? After that, in mid afternoon we had the climb to Mcaffee's Knob. What an incredblie sight that was. You could walk along the rock overhang and see down into the valleys and even the path we would take in the morning to Tinker Cliffs. We just sat on the rocks for almost and hour and just talked and sokaed in some sun. This more than makes up for yesterday's beating in the storm! Somewhere along the way I lost LD, CatDog, and Hawk. I'm sure I will see them tomorrow. So far, 11 people have dropped from the trail [that I know and have heard of] in the last few days. More and more people are throwing in the towel. Some to injury and some to having had enough.