morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Very nice walk in the woods today. Put in good mileage past Laurel Falls where a family was out walking their dog and enjoying the great weather. Talked to them a bit and then headed on out.Mike and I started by taking the wrong trail to Laurel Fork Shelter. We were so engrossed in conversation that we missed the blue blazes on the trees noting that we were no longer on the AT. Kept going for about 1/2 mile (attention anyone who may be following us, beware) and then, on arrival at the shelter, looked for the AT to no avail. After a What the moment, we turned around and worked our way back to the trail. Easy correctable but usually we frown on adding any extra miles to what we are already hiking. With the nice day though, hard to complain.Wended our way separately coming out at Watauga Dam where a couple was handing out Little Debbies, sodas, and other very healthy food. When I got there, saw that Jo, Da Vinci, Buzz and Tandem (a father-daughter team from Atlanta) were already there enjoying the park, food and conversation. Sat for a while before getting back up, adding water and moving on. Would we have liked to stay longer? Sure - but moving forward is what we do and I have found, 4 weeks in, it is good to be moving towards our goal. Besides if you don't move forward, how do you know what is going to be around the next bend?After some climbs that put us way above the Watauga Lake, we made our way into great shelter area overlooking the lake at Vandeventer Shelter. Very tight spot for all the tents but a good group had assembled there plus we had a fantastic view out the back of the shelter across the lake and mountains.Tonight, we were supposed to see the meteor shower so got up to check it out at around 1230 AM. I moved away from the shelter area to look around. Unfortunately did not get to see the shower but was treated to a fantastic view of the stars. Neat standing there in the dark, temperature in the mid 50s, looking up and listening to not only noises in the woods but various snoring, muttering and other sounds from my fellow thru hikers in their tents and shelter. Stayed out about 45 minutes before reluctantly heading back to my tent. A good day and night.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: moderate rain

Left the great camping spot as we all move closer to Virginia.Day started nicely with weather nice. About 8 miles from the shelter, by now overcast and a bit of a wind, saw the Nick Grindstaff Monument on top of a hill in the woods. He died there in 1923 and there is a tombstone on what remains of his house with the sad epitaph "Uncle Nick Grindstaff - Lived alone, suffered alone, died alone."Pushed on through the woods. Good time to think, hiking alone for hours. How to capture some of this to take home once the hike is over especially in the real world with all its responsibilities and taxes on our time.Raining, in fact pouring now, but I am in my Mountain Hardwear jacket, all my critical items in waterproof bags in another trash compactor bag to keep it all dry. Food is readily available in one of my belt pockets - today I have a bag of fritos, a Clifbar, a Snickers bar and some Gummi bears. Water is full (only one liter to save weight) and I am comfortable walking and looking off left and right as I move up the path. Run into Celtic (a Scotsman in his late 50s, former Parachute Regiment soldier, sold his house in Wales before coming to thru hike) and we walk together into Low Gap where trail angels await with food and drink. It is there that Celtic receives the additional name, Oracle, since he is now 4 for 4 in getting up in the morning and predicting that we will stumble on to trail magic during the day. This kind of predictive talent is much appreciated by thru hikers and we all talk about how best to stay in contact with Oracle in future days so he can give give us a readout of what he senses up ahead.We all break up and head up and over farmland (in this picture, Celtic Oracle leads the way) and move to Abingdon Gap Shelter for our last stop before getting in to Virginia and the trail town of Damascus. A good day.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

A quick note: I wanted to remind everyone checking out this blog that there are more photos available for you to look at if you are so inclined. Go to Photos on the left bar and you can see some additional ones that hopefully give you a sense of the adventure.OK, today - perfect day, trail terrain, light packs and the knowledge that we are 10 miles out out of Damascus. I leave the shelter area the last of the thru hikers with only a father-son section hiker team from Murfreesboro in the shelter packing up (the son had just returned from teaching English in Korea for 4 years and he and his Dad were getting caught up hiking a 75 mile section).I felt really good and decided to pick up the pace, moving quickly towards Virginia. I start to pass Buzz and Tandem and Buzz asks me if I want to take a picture of the TN-VA sign which I almost miss. Back in Virginia! I cruise along making my way down hill and saying hello to different hikers headed in the same direction or coming up from Damascus.2 1/2 hours after leaving I arrive on the streets of Damascus and make my way through the welcome arch and onto the main drag. The AT runs down the center of Damascus. I walk to Hikers Inn to get a room and then back out to Dollar General to get a drink and some chips and wait for the others. Perfect weather day to lay out and relax especially after rain yesterday. Get checked in to Hikers Inn with Mike and then we all go get lunch (steak/cheese, onion rings) at the Blue Blaze Cafe. Rest of day is spent washing clothes, showering, getting equipment dry (tent, sleeping bag hung up in back yard) and sharing stories. The manager of our Inn is Paul from Brussels, Belgium who through hiked in 2009 and bought the hostel he stayed in and reopened under new management in 2010 - he just became a U.S. citizen two weeks ago. Very nice place, good upgrades and he takes care of the place.Dinner with many other thru hikers at the Blue Blaze Cafe; very nice time. Part of the conversation as usual turns to suggestions for my trail name but nothing sticks yet. Suggestions as you might expect from hikers are wide ranging but will keep thinking about it and get one in due course.Kim is arriving from Johnson City tomorrow. Will take a few days off to hike and chill before getting back on the trail.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Damascus, VA

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today took it easy while waiting for Kim to come in. Mike and I ate at Cowboy's in the local Exxon station and met the former owner, Cowboy, who enlightened us on all of the changes since he first arrived here 36 years ago. Very interesting hearing about the growth of Damascus, start of Trail Days, the Virginia Creeper, the arrival of the lottery (his store sold over 5 million lottery tickets a year alone, many coming in from NC) and the various personalities in town and thru hikers who have come through. Quite interesting.Kim came in at around 11. Mike picked up his mini iPad and other equipment. Here we went our separate ways for a few days. Mike is heading out in the morning on his own and we will link up after I get back on the trail.We went on to Abingdon and took it easy for the rest of the day. Lunch at the Wild Flour and dinner at JJs Sports Bar in Abingdon. Relaxing and great to see Kim. Very nice down day in southwestern VA.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Abingdon, VA

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Spent another relaxing day in Abingdon with Kim.Some of you may be wondering how it is we navigate our way each day. I have attached the picture to give you an idea. This is a page from The A.T. Guide, the 2014 Northbound Edition, written by David "Awol" Miller. Many of us use it to plan and record our days on the AT.On this example page you can see how many miles we are from Katahdin (Southbound miles/SoBo) and how many miles we have gone since leaving Springer Mountain (Northbound or NoBo). Then you see what feature is coming up as well as the elevation of that feature off to the right.You can also see whether there is water coming up (black water drop for example at Double Springs Shelter) and if you are staying at the shelter what is there (at Abingdon Gap shelter, there is water, tent sites and a shelter that can take in 5 sleeping bags (trust me you can stuff in a lot more if needed - the numbers below show how many miles to the next shelter - for instance from Abingdon Northbound the next shelter is 19.6 miles away. Probably one of the most important features in this guide is the elevation line that you see moving along the middle of the page from top to bottom. This gives you an idea of what the climbs and drops will be for the section of trail you will be on. This can be far more important than the mileage trust me. Of course, rain, heat, humidity, trail conditions are all variable and impact as well as you might expect. I use the book pages to record little stops along the way, what day I am where, what night it is on the trail and triggers to jar my memory later about what happened where. It is a great guide but only a guide - most of what the AT reveals each day is not in the book. Hope this helps give you an idea of how we think about the day ahead.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Abingdon, VA

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

Today, Allison came up with Tessa and we all drove over to Grayson Highlands State Park to see the ponies. Nice walk up through Massie Gap and we immediately saw the ponies that are along the trail and throughout the park.Tessa, Allison's dog did not want to have anything to do with the ponies, not going near them but also not running away, just feigning disinterest. A very nice day and as we walked up Rhododendron Gap Trail and crossed the AT, I noticed a familiar figure - it was Da Vinci coming down the trail having left Damascus a couple of days before. We talked and before we knew it others appeared: Jo, Celtic and then Mike. Bizarre timing to see them 30 miles further along the trail just when we happen to be there. Talked a bit and they all headed on down the trail and we headed back to the car. A very nice day with Kim and Allison, Tessa and the ponies.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Abingdon, VA

To: Whitetop Mountain Road - 488.7
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

After a really great few days with Kim, it was time to say goodbye and get back on the trail. Kim and I went by Mt. Rogers Outfitters, checked out the hammocks (see other photo) and we walked back to Hikers Inn to start the next section. Took this nice picture and Kim and I walked out of town on the AT and up for part of the trail into the woods before saying goodbye and Kim turning back. Left at noon and wanted to put in some miles over next few days to see how quickly I could catch up to Mike. Nice day and coming in to Saunders Shelter I had about an hour conversation with a new friend, Problem Bear. Lots of interesting things about him but one big thing is that he started hiking from Key West on January 1 and is hiking to the Canadian border. He had great stories to tell about hiking in the Keys, the Everglades, up through Florida and into Alabama before making his way to Springer Mountain. He had already covered about 1850 miles before hitting Springer. Nice and humble person, exactly the kind of people you hope to run into out here.After filling up on water at the shelter and wolfing down food including an excellent Oatmeal cookie given to me by Problem Bear, I pushed on. Darkness came on around 8:30 p.m. and for the first time this hike, I had to pull out the headlamp and navigate in the dark. Different experience of course: much more attentive to where the trail is going (where is that white blaze?); your world is now about 30 feet out and each step has to be assessed for its ability to trip you up; finally, sounds of trees creaking, leaves rustling (what was that noise?) of course has your full attention. No moon meant in the trees that the light from my headlamp was important. No fear, drive on.Up the side of Whitetop Mountain I went until finally, at about 10:00 p.m., I noticed that I was breaking out on an open area on top. The silhouette of Buzzard Rock came into view and I found myself on top. I looked around in the dark and turned off my headlamp. Stars overhead and lights down below in a distant town with a slight wind blowing and all quiet. Alone on top it really was a remarkable sight and moment. Stood there taking it all in before pushing on another mile and a half to where I set up my tent, sat outside and ate a late dinner and turned out the light at 11:30 p.m. A good day.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Whitetop Mountain Road - 488.7

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

Broke camp early this morning to keep moving. Rainy and foggy but organized everything in my tent and then took down the tent, ate pop tart, and mixed a carnation instant breakfast with Starbucks Via packet and got moving.Stopped near the highest point in VA, Mt. Rogers, and torrential, cold downpour so I had an early lunch at Thomas Knob shelter. Got to meet a firefighter from Philly who was walking with a couple of buds and we had a good conversation about our lives off the AT. The main storm front moved through and, although still wet and windy it was time to keep moving.By noon, I was passing through Grayson Highlands again but this time, very foggy and did not run across any other hikers. A few horses but kept on going over open areas through The Scales livestock corral and on down the trail. Kind of tired early afternoon pushing on in the heat now, so tried to figure out whether to take a quick nap or drink some water and eat a Clifbar. Water and the bar did the trick and so went to Old Orchard where a group of us huddled at about 5:30 to see if the rain would pass. I decided to roll the dice and of course, 50m after I left the shelter saying goodbye to the other 4 guys, the sky opened up and it was shall we say, torrential. Well you certainly can't go back now so I moved toward the next shelter, ironically named Hurricane Mountain Shelter. At the road, a lone hiker was out hitchiking in the driving rain and when he saw me he came over. He was done for the day and was trying to get into Troutdale and was feeling me out to see if I might be interested in sharing a room to wait out the weather. I decided to once again roll the dice for the next few miles and get up and over to the shelter. Need I say it, torrential rain continued until I got to the top and then let up. I walked to the shelter and found to my amazement that only one person was in there, a section hiker from South Carolina. Very nice shelter and, for the first time, I stayed inside a shelter for the night. It was great, out of the rain, cooked a got meal on the picnic table and slept in a bit waiting for the rain to stop. Another interesting day on the trail.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: light rain

Departed at 9:15 a.m., a late start but worth it for the extra rest, and it was my good fortune to run in to Problem Bear who was ambling down the trail. As I mentioned earlier, he is a very interesting guy who, besides having started hiking from Key West this year, had already done the Pacific Crest Trail and part of the Continental Divide Trail.We talked about our families and his adventures on the PCT, CDT and up through Florida and Alabama. Hiking from Key West he said was all road and hot, humid and took a toll on his feet. Question: "How were the Everglades?" Answer: "Traumatic." Question: "What was hiking up into Alabama like?" Answer: "I had some preconceived notions about them but they turned out to be some of the nicest people I have met - Perhaps a half a dozen times, people turned their cars around while I was walking around the road to find out what I was doing, treat me to a meal, offer to put me up for the night." One line of discussion ended with "And that's how I found myself out at 10 o'clock at night in this guy's backyard firing a Mauser. Have you ever fired a Mauser? More like a cannon than a pistol." You cannot make this stuff up and just another example of the conversations you have on the AT.At Partnership Shelter, there appeared to be a bit of a small party going on as it is an easy jump to Marion to get pizza and beer. Met a guy named Crazy Horse dressed in snake boots who was passing on bits of information he had gathered over the years. There I said goodbye to Problem Bear, ate a quick dinner and moved on to try and get to Chatfield Shelter, 7 miles further. Again, darkness set in, and with my manmade light, I picked my way through rocks and a narrow path before arriving at the Shelter at 9:15 p.m. A couple of red filter lights and people asking me who I was and then moving off, noone offering to make room in the shelter (maybe no room) - it was like stumbling into meeting The Others. I found a small flat area and set up my tent, ate a little something (Fritos? Spam? - not sure) and hung the bear bag to sleep around 10:30 p.m. A good day.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Laurel Creek, VA 615
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up in the morning and found that I had bypassed Mike. Mike had made the prudent decision, along with Chris, to camp near water, a pond about 2 miles back. Dan and I had blown right past without seeing anything due to the fog and rain.In the shelter, I saw DaVinci, and after ascertaining Mike's whereabouts was told that Jo, Movin' On and Wet Dog were also in tents outside. Also saw RainPants inside, Hoss, and Valley Girl who is hiking with her dog and is of course out of California. Great to see everyone again after the last 4 day push. Jo texted Mike and told him I was now up here and I had a leisurely time in the shelter blockhouse out of the wind making breakfast and getting my gear together.Mike and Chris joined us shortly thereafter and the rest of the day was spent walking and getting caught up, drying all of our gear at a stop (where we met TruBrit, a guy who one hiker termed a "constitutional extremist," and who was from Great Britain, former SAS, who had settled in southern Virginia to open up a survival and outdoor camp center and was running a nascent camp area. Apparently also has quite the gun collection as well. After a relatively short day, we set up camp at Laurel Creek and chilled out with Jo, WetDog, DaVinci, and Movin On who had set up camp there. Weather was nice and it was good to get in a low mileage day. Good to be back among friends, another good day.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Laurel Creek, VA 615

To: Ridgeline near VA 611, mile 596
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked from Laurel Creek before coming out on to a road and hitchhiking to the town of Bland, about 3.5 miles off trail. Nice guy gave us a ride into the Dairy Queen where we walked in like kids in a candy shop. Chicken fingers, french fries, Cheetos (from store next door), chocolate milk shake. A good start in town. Charged up our phones before Mike joined us and we all trooped over to Dollar General next door to buy some needed food supplies. (BTW, Dollar General is my new favorite store - what you need at great prices and always a great place to meet some friendly local people for a quick introduction to the town.)Then it was off to hike to the next restaurant where we plugged in our iPhones, iPods, Garmins, and ordered a hamburger platter that was superb. In between, we watched news on a big screen TV about the storms sweeping the midWest and South and the upcoming Kentucky Derby. I have never been further away from my daily news fix than on this trip and it appears things seem to be moving along in the real world even without me. I wonder a bit whether I am missing anything in the news, but then my food arrives, and I have to turn my attention elsewhere.We hitchhike back up to the trail and continue another 9 miles to set up on a ridge line for a really nice evening with low winds, nice temperatures, and quiet views overlooking the valley. Stomach relatively full, met more nice people and the trail and weather were kind to us - another good day.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Ridgeline near VA 611, mile 596

To: Ridge line at Mile 616
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: few clouds

Up and out at 8 AM. As there is no water on the ridge we are a bit anxious about replenishing our dwindling supply. Within a mile we are rewarded with a stream, said to be unreliable, but now flowing with enough to fill up our bottles. Here we chug down a bunch of water and fill up our Gatorade bottles for the next stretch. Shortly thereafter, we see a scene, a hiker marking the 600 mile mark (see photos). Take the obligatory picture, accept that we are making good progress but reminded that we must appreciate each day, since with over 25% done, this will be over before we know it.Out through the woods we cross a neat suspension bridge (see photos), and stumble on trail magic - a pickup truck with a cooler in the bed full of ice and sodas. No logbook or mention anywhere of who provided it so Jo writes a thank you note on the "For Hiker" sign. Soon thereafter, we get to Dismal Falls and run into this guy, Longhorn, and his bud, CaoBoy (who was on one of the Survivor episodes). They pass us whatever food they have - a turkey sandwhich, olives, peanut butter crackers, two hard boiled eggs, and, the piece de resistance, a CaoBoy cooked noodles and rice with spicy meat in a tupperware pot. After being assured that they have already eaten, we of course, partake and it is gone within minutes. We are able to pull out of Longhorn that he is the anonymous trail angel who placed the drinks on his truck. Nicest guy and a picture here to remind me of the kindness of strangers - who are now no longer strangers. We did of course take advantage of the Falls to go swimming and at least quickly soak some clothes that badly needed water other than sweat - let's just leave it at that.On to another ridgeline where we set up before the push into Pearlsburg. Another turn of the AT wheel - another good day.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today, recharging our batteries. Breakfast before Gray Ghost and Problem Bear head out.Get caught up on blogs, emails, phone calls, Walmart food shopping, additional clothes washing. Highlight of day is trying on my new shoes, New Balance Trail Runners MT610, Size 9, 4EE, which Kim made sure I got. Others have imploded after 2 months of trail running and another 650 miles on the trail so these could not have arrived at a better time. Thanks Kim!Will head out shortly to dinner and then prep for departure tomorrow. It's all good.Note: - A reminder that there are other photos available to see - just click on left.- If you want to leave a note, please sign the guestbook - your comments have been great and motivational - thanks! I will try to get back to you as I can.- Remember that you can also see our progress on the map which is at the signature block of each entry. Don't forget to adjust the right arrow at the top of the map so you can see where we have been over the past 6 months. Once you have opened it up to the right, you can zoom in on particular locations.- Finally, if you want to hear about particular things I am not covering, just let me know. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and visit! See you up the trail!Best,Al