morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

As usual our little group was the last ones out of the shelter this morning. We planned on hiking about 6 miles to the road and then to trents grocery for lunch. I was the first out of the shelter of all of us, and cruised to the long suspension bridge accross the stream that boarders the road. I waited there for everyone else. while I was waiting a guy and I guess his child, walked up. He went on to tell me about his thru hike many years ago when he got bit by 2 poisonous snakes and all kinds of other BS. He told me that he would not do it again because it was too much walking. Well everyone showed up and we went to trents and pigged out. Right after lunch we hiked in, I was hiking with squid J for a while. then some nice ladies informed me that we had missed Dismal falls, almost a mile back. It was on my to do list and the terrain was not bad, so I headed south to catch the falls, and I will assure you that it was worth every step. this place is one of my favorited on the trail so far. It was a stream that ran accross a huge flat rock surface them into samll falls, with a pool that you could swim in below. when I got there Moose was already there. I decided I was hot and I was going to take a dip. the instant I felt the water I changed my mind. It was freezing but refreshing. I made it up to my waist before I bailed. We moved on after a couple hours spent soaking our feet and laying in the sun. the trail from there to the shelter was as flat and easy as I have ever seen. It was like walking back in Kentucky. We did see some deer, and a rabit that would have let Moose pet it. We got to the shelter and it was just the crew plus Paul and circuit Rider. We threw the frizbee, and played hacky sack before dinner when we had a fire and roasted hot dogs we had gotten at trents. As we were all about to fall asleep Mileage freaks out cause she sees eyes in the woods. It turned out to be deer. So being me I had to get a picture then we all slept well.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We all got moving around 9:30. the day started with a fairly big 1500 foot clims. then we walked a ridge for a while. I asked squid if he thought we could make it to Pearisburg before the Post office closed, because my wonderful mom had sent me gift certificates for food and I can always eat, plus I got a new pair of shoes and they were also waiting there. squid did not seem to think it would be a problem. We hiked on at a good pace and stopped for lunch at a shelter before doing the last section into town. I had some dollar store chicken salad, a snickers, and picked up a new book to read. I got Life of Pi. It sounds good. We did the last section which involves a 500 foot climb that wouldnot be bd, but this was in about and eighth of a mile. but it was over before we knew. We got into town around 3:30 and got a ride to the postoffice. We got a room at the Plaza (not the plaza's we were used to, but the best we can afford on a hiker budget.) Piker, Mileage, Squid, and I used Moms pizza Hut gift card and ate like madmen. I think between the 4 of us we ordered 3 pizzas and a family size order of cheese sticks. We ate, then piker and mileage went to clean up and squidand I went to the bar that is right next to our motel. We hada dink them barely made it back to our room before it began to storm. the rest of the evening was dedicated to phone calls and tv.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

We all got up and had left over pizza for breakfast. Then we ran accross the street to the grocery to get some food. The storms had stopped but the skies still were threatening. We checked out of the hotel at 11 and decided to grab a bite at hardees on our way out of town. We ordered and no sooner than we sat down, it started to pour outside. We ate and the rain just kept comming down. We could not pull our selves away so we talked to the locals who were full of questions, the same ones we always hear and still love to answer. finally we could not wait anylonger so off we went. We only had a short climb and it rained on us off and on the whole 7 miles to the first shelter. It was full, but we were cold and tired so we pitched tents behind the shelter and built a fire. thanks to Burn who was our teacher for our building a fire in the rain sessions. I ate some ramen noodles which i have recently found a new love for and a hot dog that piker packed in, and called it an early night around 6:00 when i went to sleep.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Of course it would be cold and wet in the morning, so I packed up my wet tent ate some grits which tasted less than par, and got to moving. the wind ripped right through me at first but when i got moving it was better. we stopped to fill up with water at the last spring for 12 miles. The hike was nice, but it was cool. I ate an early lunch and then caught up to everyone. Piker, Mileage and I fell back behind squid whileplaying the "stab a piece of wood and hurl it at a tree" game. as always Moose was pulling up the rear and we did not see him until we stopped for a late lunch at a shelter. squid Jerky found a piece of hair in his beef jerky so he left it in the shelter register for someone else to find. Right after leaving the shelter there was a sign sating a bridge was out and that you would have to ford the river if you took the trail, or you could take the road. It was cold and i did not feel like crossing a cold rushing river, so I took the road, which was a good choice because there was trail magic at a house on the road in the form of candy and sodas. It was then we realized that piker and mileage took the trail and were going the whole way accross. Everyone else took the road so we beat them to the shelter which was a climb from the road. We thought they may be cold so we got a fire going and got our spot in the shelter. they rolled in and told us about the creek and we huddled around the fire and enjoyed another relaxing evening lounging in the woods next to a fire with good friends.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: clear sky

Sowe found out last night for sure that the place that Piker and Mileage had mail drops sent has closed down and the packages will be forwarded to the post office in Cataba. this poses a problem since it will be closed til tuesday due to memorial day. So wehave decided to try to be there by sat morning before 10:00 when the post office closes, and thatis 50 miles away. so we are planning a big day today. We are throwing around 29 miles so we can sroll in early. so when i woke up I got my stuff packed up, and found a cool jar in the shelter. We left around 9:30 and were planning on taking it easy all day so we could walk further. We climbed the first climb to a great lookout over a gorgeous ridge. Shortly after that we caught up to Moose who had left before we did. He was stopped at a campsite getting water. We all gathered there by the trees that had rocks stacked up between them. We left there and passed a partially decayed deer carcus and could not pass up this unique photo opportunity. wethen rolled into War spur shelter for a long lunch break, andfor what Eagle Eye likes to call a POBO (pack off, boots off) break. After a good meal there to give me the needed energy for the remaining 15 miles squid and I left. We had a huge climb that ended up not being as bad as I had expected and got 600 foot from the summit at a road crossing to find a cooler with sodas. We knocked back a soda and rested for a few minutes while talking to a girl who was out day hiking with her dog, then climbed to the ridge. the day was going smooth and then ust past VA 630 we came accross more sodas in a creek so we enjoyed them while sitting by the largest oak tree in the south that is right on the trail. It has a girth of over 18 foot, and was simply amazing. I had already eaten but the rest of the crew had dinner there to power them for the big climb that we were taking head on. By the time we got to the top of the ridge it was almost dark so we dawned the headlamps and moved on down the trail to start our second night hike. Itwent smooth til we all just wore down. the trail stayed on the ridge but took a difficult path over some large boulders and past some vistas that I am sure would have been amazing if we could have seen them. We all stayed together for the night hike, but you could have heard a pin drop because we were all so tired that no one saida word. we took a break around 10 or so at an overlook where you could see the sky and lights on the horizon. While were were sitting there we saw a shooting star. Everyone saw it except for moose which is typical. We were exhausted when we rolled into the shelter around 12:30 to find it occupied by only one other person. So we all piled in, probably not as quiet as we should have been, but glad to be there after 27 miles. Not the 29 we had planned, but we got a spot in the shelter so it worked out. But the bad news is, we still had a big day tomorrow.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: 1st road to cataba

To: VA 311
Miles today: 5.9

So we got up and ate a good breakfast that "Briarpatch" fixed for us. He left for work and took Mileage and Piker to the post office to get their packages then back to the trail. Squid and I stuck around the house and enjoyed the creature comforts that we can only get at home. Mandy took us to the trail around 11 and we started our 6 mile hike to VA 311 and our meal at the Homeplace. We have heard from everyone that it is the best place to eat on the trail. We saw Moose as soon as we got on the trail and caught up on trail gossip with him for a while. We took it really easy since we did not have to be at the Homeplace til around 3:00 or so. The hike was fairly easy with several ups and downs but some great trail and nice vistas. We stopped for a while and played on the huge rocks on the top before doing the couple miles to town. While on our way down Moose, Squid and I ran into a guy headed up. He asked us if we were thru hikers when we said that we were he offered us a cold beer that he had packed in for a little trail magic. Moose and I had one and Squid had 2. He offered us more but we told him to give them to Domino and Tiny Dancer, who we heard from Moose were right behind us. He said that if we needed a ride to town that he would give us one if we were still there when he finished his short hike. We thanked him and finished. We got a hitch easily from a guy in a jeep wrangler. It was a nice jeep but it was a cram for 4 people and 3 packs. the ride was just a mile to town and when we got there Piker and Mileage were sitting on the lawn in front of the post office. They did not get their maildrops but said that Briarpatch was going to give them a ride back here on Tuesday from Daleville. Everything was falling into place so well the past few days. We grabbed a small 2 day resupply at the grocery and headed accross the street to the Homeplace to eat. We got a huge table in the back room for about 13 of us when it was all said and done. At this place they had all you can eat family style dinner. We all had fried chicken, roast beef, and ham with green beans, pinto beans, mashed potatos and gravy, slaw, macaroni, biscuits, blurberry cobbler. I had at least 3 serving of everything and was miserable when I got up and had to lay in the lawn there just to keep from getting sick. We all decided that we had too much fun at the house last night so we decided that we would try to get ahold of Mandy and Brairpatch to see if it was cool. We hope so because Moose needed a shower and laundry in the worst way. We could not get hold of them, but Spike and Hopper said they could give us a ride to their house. So off we went crammed into the camper on the back of the pickup truck they drive. When we got their and walked up the driveway Briarpatch was there and seemed delighted that we wanted to come back. We all layed around trying to digest our food. After we were feeling better we had a small leg wrestling tourny in the front yard, of which I was the champ!!! Briarpatch got some more beer so we all hung out and watched some Chapelle Show episodes. I fell asleep on the floor!
Date: 2005-05-29
From: VA 311

To: cambell shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: few clouds

So we finally decided to leave Briarpatches this afternoon. Moose and I cooked a huge breakfast for everyone. Moose made his now almost famous french toast while I fried up the bacon. suid and sunshine left this morning with Briarpatch, but the rest of us stayed behind and got a ride later. we spent the morning chillin out and watching the chapelle show, and making more phone calls. Mandy droppe dus off at the trail around lunch time, and we headed up to Mcafee Knob, whis is probably the site of the most taken picture on the AT. It was only a 3.5 mile hike so we took our time getting there. WE got to the knob and took a few pictures and ate a snack. As the sun changes positions we took more pictures between eating more and playing chess. Moose and I walked around the top of the Knob and jumped between huge boulders and ran around in the trenches between the boulders. We had planned on ataying for the sunset, but we decided to head on out early. we just went another .6 miles down to the shelter. We got there and Piker had a fire going and was already cooking hot dogs. Moose and I roasted up a couple then claimed a spot in the shelter. We never saw squid J so we were sure he moved on up the trail, probably with Briarpatch who was out for the next 2 days. I got nominated to get up early and catch them to make sure that Piker and Mileage still had a ride back to cawtaba to get the mail they missed when we were there. I set the alarm for 6:45 and hit the shelter.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: cambell shelter

To: daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I didn't need my alarm this morning, everyone in the shelter was up at 6 except moose and I. Mileage and Piker tented so they don't count. I laid there for a while before deciding to actually stick to the plan of catching jerky and Brairpatch. I got packed up quick and left at 7. I ate on the run so it was a poptart on the trail. I got to Tinker cliffs in about an hour and a half. I talked to pogo there and moved on. I saw so much wildlife on my hike today, maybe I should get up early more often. I saw several deer along with numerous chipmunks and other critters. I found squid and them at 9:30 still at camp. I think they hit the bottle a little bit to celebrate the memorial day weekend. I talked to them while they got all packed up. while we were sitting there, a deer walked right up to the campsite like we were not there. I was able to get a couple pictures before he looked at me with a look of annoyance and slowly walked away. We left there at 10 and decided that we could make it to daleville by lunch for the AYCE Mexican place. We hiked with Teach who also camped with them last night. I moved well all day, as we usually do when it is for good food. We got into daleville at 1, just as we planned, but the Mexican place was closed, I guess they also celebrate Memorial day? But we got some taco bell, where we ran into domino and his G/F Debra.(sp?) I know he was happy to see her for the first time in a while. He said everyone was at the comfort Inn, which is where we planned on staying, so it worked out. we went and got a room. Shortly thereafter squids friend showed up and is going to hike with us for the next week. Then Moose showed up follwed by piker and mileage. It seems like we have not been roughing it too much the past week, we vow to each other that we will eventually.
Date: 2005-05-31
From: daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

So after a good nights sleep at the hotel, which is the nicest one we have stayed in yet, I was up and trying to find a ride to the post office to pick up packages. I got a ride from a trail angel that was helping out hikers. I picked up two packages, one from my mom, and one from John Matt, a friend from home. Both were full of snacks food to give me energy. It is great to open a box, especially when you have no clue what is in it, it is like Christmas everytime I go to the post office. I went back to the room to sort out the maildrops. Piker and Mileage had gone back to Cawtaba with Briarpatch to get the maildrop they left there. Moose and I ate Mexican, and walked to the outfitter where we met back up with piker and mileage. Squid and his friend showed up for a second, but went to the post office. I sent my broken trekking pole back to REI, and bought a new pair. I also found a pack cover that fit my pack in the hiker box, which was a good find. Everyone parted ways and headed back to the trail. Moose and I started with Tiny dancer, but lost him a couple miles in. The hike was not bad one of the easiest out of town hike we have had. Most of them are straight up. We got to the shelter just before dark. Piker and Mileage had a fire going so Moose and I set up tents behind the shelter before sitting down to a good Ramen Dinner.
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Wilson Creek shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 16.9

So as usual our little group were the last ones out of the shelter. I slept really well last night and did not want to get out of my tent. We had a good breakfast of poptarts set out. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times today. It is a scenic parkway that some say has better views than the trail. So much hin fact thhat several people choose to walk on the road instead of the trail. We chose to stay on the trail. We stopped at Bobblets Gap Shelter for lunch. It was bad because it was about half a mile off the trail downhill. We got there and Snowman and Icicle were there with Snowmans boys here for a visit from Whales. They stayed with the theme in their names and the boys ennded up being Frost and Blizzard. After a good lunch we moved on. We rolled into Jennings Creek where we planned on doing a little swimming. Scholars dad had left some chex mix and cake for everyone with Spike and Hopper so I indulged. Before I had a chance to swim, a lady stopped by and offereed any of us a ride into town to the grocery. So Squid, Russ, and I rode in to grab some beer and snacks. After listening to her give us her life story, she offered to let us stay on nthhe porch of her cabin. We decided to do this vs. sleep in a tent since it was already raining. We got back and after 2 carloads of people we were all there. She let mileage take a shower in her house, but did not want the guys in here house. So we all stayed out back at thhe cabin. Her and mileage did a load of laundry and cooked us all dinner. We had a huge dish of spaghetti whhich lasted only a few minutes around us. we all sat around talking over beers til 11 or so when we turned in. In thhe middle of the night after we were all asleep we woke up to gunfire. We later found out that she had shot a possum at night. I am sure there was not much left to the possum after all l0 shots.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Jennings Creek

To: Brryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: moderate rain

So we woke up to breakfast in bed around 7 or maybe a little before. Shee cooked us eggs and toast. We ate that and went back to sleep. We were in no hurray so we did not get ready to go until about 11. We decided that nonne of us felt like moving far since it was still raining, so we decided to just go to the next shelter which was supposed to bew really nice and sleep alot of people. So she dropped all of us off at thhe trail and we ehiked thhe 2 hours to thhe shelter. We cooked lunch there and it was even nicer that we imagined. We started a chess tournament. I won the first round against Russ which was my first cheess victory in my life since I just started playing out here. Piker quickly put me out of the running. We cooked up more spaghetti with hthe ground beef mom msent in the last maildrop. It turned out really good even though we had to use ramen for extra noodles to feed all lof us. A few more people started to roll in but the shhelter was so obig it easily accomidated all of us. We saw everyone from the group that was slackpacking including domino, troll, oblivious, gypsy lulu, touk, bassline, and stilts. They all moved on and we settled in for the night. I slept well considering the fact that I did nothing all day.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Brryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

So since we did short miles yesterday, we decided that we needed to go big today. We did not get a good start considering we had a huge climb ahead of us, but we are persistant so it pays off. The day started off with ha big climb that took us to Cornelius Creek Shelter. We stopped there for a snack and moved on to attack Apple Orchard Mtn. the climb was not as bad as we expected. We have found out that if we make it seem bad in our heads then it is usually easier that we expected. we summited the Mtn and continued to the guillotine which is a huge boulder wedged between two slates or rock. It is one of the three places where the trail actually goes under a rock. After a short break and several pictures we hiked the mile too Thunder hill shelter where we had a huge lunch and chilled for a while before moving on for the last leg of our big day. The hike was moderate after this but it got long. We hiked til after dark when nwe rolled into the shelter. Everyone there was already in their bags but was still awake. We found out that Squid and Russ had moved on .8 down the trail, but we were beat and stayed there in the tents. Moose and I bunked up in his tent so we did not have to set both tents up.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: overcast clouds

So we got up and hhit thhe trail. The hike was easy as it followed the James river. I crossed the James River footbridge which is the longest foot only bridge on the AT. This took us to the parking lot where we would hitch into Glasgow. Moose annd I waited for Piker and Mileage. When they got there we started trying to hitch. We noticed Russ's hiking sticks leaning on na sign and figured that thhey must have gone into town. A guy coming off thhe trail said he could fit 2 in his car so Piker and Mieage went and Moose and I got a ride a little later with 3 guys. WE got a room at Mom and Pops and ate lunch at the restaraunt there. I had a really good salad off thhe salad bar and some spaghetti annd meatballs and fried chicken off the buffett. I found out that the library qwas open til 1 and by this time it was 12:40. I ran accross the road and was able to check my email and put in a couple journal entries before I was kicked out. We went back to the room and hung out. We nevere saw squid but we were told that they had skipped this sectionn and hitched into Buena Vista so russ could get home on time. We figured we would catch him in a few days. Thhe salad was so good that after resupplying I went back again for another one. I called home annd Dad told me that he cancelled his scuba trip and was going to be able to hike witht me for a while. It works out well because he will lbe here friday just in time to start the Shenandoahs.