morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-29
From: Dicey Gap (Troutdale)

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Today is for John & Norman Seward, friends in Lagos.Raining during the bight¢tempting to stay the ¢Hay¢. Neil was resting up today. Shared a bunkhouse with Rusty, a 68 year old retired army man who was going nowhere in the rain. I went to the diner and had a big breakfast, bought a few supplies and then the lady owner offered to drive me back to Dickey Gap. She was taking her kids to school. She, too claimed Irish roots. The day was overcast but the rain held off for the morning period. I met Randy and Fane, mother and son hiking the trail She is 63 and he around 35. They were soaking wet , their tent had ¢sprung a leak¢ during the night. A long climb from the Gap back up to High Point ( 3,700 ft. ) , but again a gentle , well graded climb. I stopped for lunch and enjoyed two lovely bananas. No sooner had I eaten when the rains began. On with the poncho and for the next five miles I sloshed along in the rain. After a 14.5 mile day, I came to the most beautiful shelter so far on the Trail ¢Partnership Shelter¢. Was I glad to see it around 15.30. There were many people already there, most of them since the previous night. La Nope Johnny, a Delaware Indian (so he says) was celebrating his 49th on the morrow and Squaw, his partner had hiked into some nearby town and returned with 2 doz. Beer and a bottle of Canadian Whiskey. As soon as I introduced myself, a can of cold beer was put in my hand. Hot showers and toilets also available. Changed into dry clothes, cooked some supper and enjoyed the party. The rain beat down relentlessly, nice to be inside.
Date: 2003-05-30
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Today is for Brian and Eileen Fitzsimons, friends in Lagos. Early start and feeling the effects of the party. The morning was overcast, so most were reluctant to leave the comfort of the shelter. I had one hell of a climb up Brushy Mountain and the energy level was pretty low. I think the ¢Party¢ had a bearing on the situation. Hiking and drinking sure don¢t mix. I stopped at a road crossing and sat down for some serious eating. I searched my food bag for anything that would raise the ¢n¢rgy levels., meat, cheese, raisins, even a snicker bar washed down with water soon had me feeling more like my real self. ¢Pirate¢ caught up with me and we more or less continued on at the same pace.11.45, I called to Chatfield Shelter and cooked myself some Macaroni with Cheddar. Sometimes I cook the main meal early and have something light in the evening. The sun came out and we had a lovely 4.5 mile hike through meadows and generally open farm land into the town of Atkins. I bought some supplies and had my first taste of ¢Dairy Queen¢ eating about 2 litres of Ice Cream. Full to the brim, I continued out of town. Just as I was leaving, ¢Pirate¢ put a cold beer in my pack. 2.7miles from town to the next Shelter, Davis Path. I walked through dry high meadows, with path barely visible I was glad to walk with the evening sun as my companion. On the way, I met two Thru Hikers from California who were slack packing and walking towards me. They told me that there was no water at the next shelter. Luckily they off loaded their supply plus candy bars and a lovely plastic container of peaches for supper. I ate a light supper after my trip to the Dairy Queen. ¢No Hear Um¢ and I shared the Shelter for the night. I was sleeping by 7.30.
Date: 2003-05-31
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Today is for Paul & Ciara, friends in LagosRained heavily during the night. The wind and rain beat a steady tattoo on the shelter roof with falling twigs sounding like the big drum. In the morning, I slept on and when the rain stopped around 7.30, I decided to ¢chance ¢ another day. The rain held off and I faced in to two hefty climbs. First Gullion( Little Brushy) Mountain, (3300 ft.), then down again into Crawfish Valley, (2600 ft.) before facing Tilson Gap, Big Walker Mountain (3,500 ft). It was damp and cold and not an easy morning. The path was muddy and dangerous and every couple of 100 yards , there were large wooden fences to climb, difficult at any time but in the wet and carrying a pack, it was torturous. I think it has something to do with ¢Land rights¢ and disputes in this area. I stopped and ate a quick lunch around 12.15. Then the sun came out and it looked like I was in for a lovely evening. But the weather changes quickly in the mountains. All day long I met nobody on the Trail except ¢No Hear Um¢ . Around 1.30 the weather changed and I decided that I would be happy with a short day., 11.5 miles. The left knee was continuing to worry a little. That, plus the threat of rain lowered my sights for the day and I headed for Knot Maul Branch Shelter. I arrived c. 14.30 . ¢No Hear Um¢ was already there and ¢looking¢ at the weather. Soon we were joined by ¢Skee Cat¢, a teacher from Minnesota, then Ian from Birningham, Laffy-Taffy, Cheeze Cake and a host of others. The storm broke and the rain fell with a vengeance. Luckily I had cooked and was ready for the sleeping bag. The shelter was full and still they kept arriving. Pitching tents in the dark and rain is no fun. I slept soundly hoping that the rain would blow over during the night. . Today was the last day of May. Initially, I had hoped that April and May would be the ¢Training Months¢. Now it is down to serious walking. Someone commented this evening that we had walked 14 of the entire Trail.
Date: 2003-06-01
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

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

Today is for all the Healy Family, thinking of Tommy, Brendan and Lisa especially. The rain cleared during the night but I awoke to a bitterly cold June 1st. Left camp after some cold breakfast at 7 stopping down the road a little to fill & purify my two water bottles. Two hard climbs in the morning helped to warm the body. Ian passed me and asked, ¢what about all this Ridge walking we were promised in Virginia¢. Stopped for break and food at the top of Lynn Camp Mountain (3000). Then back down again to the road at 2,300. The maddening thing is that you know that you have to climb again. Sure enough we climbed the famous ¢Chestnut Knob¢ and some ¢tea-sweetener¢ it was. But we ¢Konkered¢ it at 4410 ft.. The sun came out, but it was still freezing cold as I walked the last two miles in open grasslands with magnificent vista to Chestnut Knob Shelter (4410 fy.). Luckily, Ian warned me that there was no water at the Shelter so I loaded up about 1 12 miles back. Lunch in the Shelter was welcome after 9 miles. 12.10, I decided to have a go to the next shelter (10 miles away!!!). The terrain was rocky but not too difficult. Again the problem was water. I caught up with three young lads from New York. They were tired and weary and looking for a campsite. Their place was three miles short of my destination. I asked them if they could spare a little ¢Uisce¢, no problem and I gave them a Power Bar and headed on. A long three miles but mostly downhill. I came on a beautiful spring, straight out of the mountain. No fancy filtering with this ¢gift¢. I sauntered happily into camp with a fabulous display of mountain laurel, pink and white on either side. Ian, ¢No hear Um¢, and the others were in camp. We had hiked 19 miles today. The good news was that Breakfast was waiting for us next morning, five miles up the Trail.
Date: 2003-06-02
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill SHelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Today is for Seamus on his birthday. Rising early, I was on the road by 7.15. A bright crisp morning. The hands were cold but a hard climb up Brushy Mountain(3,080 ft.) soon knocked the cobwebs off me. Then it down and mostly flat and wet for the next four miles. We had to cross a creek 11 times in the course of the four miles and in many places it was not easy to stay dry. Memories of Davenport Gap came rushing back and I was not going to land in the creek for a second time. Cheeze Cake, we learned later fell in the previous evening and everything was wet. He spent a most uncomfortable night. At 9.15, I came to the road VA 615 and there to pick up Thru Hikers were members of the Uniting Methodist Church. A two mile shuttle back to their community hall where a massive breakfast was served. I was the first Catholic Priest to grace the premises and most of the members were anxious to trace their Irish Roots. Take away bags with fruit and cookies and I was back on the march. A huge uphill followed but with all the food inside it was sheer gravy. Again as we crossed another highway there was more cold soda waiting. And after I stepped back into the woods after the town of Bland, I was crossing a small stream when my eye caught a pleasant sight. Nestling in against the bank were about 1 doz. Cans of beer, all nicely chilled. I sat myself down and enjoyed one, leaving the rest for those following. ¢No Hear Um¢ never ¢Saw Um¢. Ian was too full but Laffy Taffy and Snot Rocket bringing up the rear felt it might ¢go bad¢ overnight in the river, so they sat down and had a party. The Shelter was only up the road, another hard climb but who could complain after such a ¢Magic¢ day. The sunshine was an added bonus as we saw some of Virginia¢s lush farmland down below. Today was a mere 12 miles staying at Helvey¢s Mill Shelter. The only negative was that the water was over 12 mile down hill and no credits for that mile. The ¢two party animals¢ came to the Shelter in ¢high spirits¢ around 7.30. We were ahead on the horizontal.
Date: 2003-06-03
From: Helveys Mill SHelter

To: VA 606
Miles today: 16.2

Today is for Christina ( Melbourne) and all her friends. Rain during the night. I awoke to the sound of light rain on the roof. I got ready quickly and by 6.45 I was walking complete with poncho. No great joy in the rain. No views as the mist covers everything. However, the hike was easy and without realising it I was walking too fast. A pain in the side told me to slow down. After two hours I stopped briefly for bananas and trail mix and quickly covered the 10 miles to the next Shelter, ¢Jenny Knob Shelter¢ where I cooked a nice lunch. It was 11.30 and the rain was beating down. ¢No Hear Um¢ decided to go on to the next shelter, another 14 miles. I decided to listen to ¢de body¢ and do another 6 miles, Ian, Laffy Taffy , Snot Rocket and I decided to stop at VA 606 and walk 0.8 miles to a diner with camping facilities. It was a long six miles and the terrain was sometimes muddy and the last mile was wet and heavy underfoot. We got a ride from some decent local and straight for the cold drinks section. Three dollars for camping with a hot shower. It was rough but the shower was the best so far,clean and presentable.I headed for the phone , got through to Seamus to wish him a happy birthday. Got thru to Peggy Quinn, then got thru to you after filling ¢the belly, with some local ¢dish¢. We bought some beer and played Rummy at the campsite till the drink rain out, in bed before 9.
Date: 2003-06-04
From: VA 606

To: Woodshole
Miles today: 9.3

Today is for M¡ire in Melbourne, hot shower to start the day and down to the Diner for breakfast. Heavy rain during the night, but my tent is as comfy as a house. Packing the tent when wet adds an extra few pounds. At 8.15 I walked back down the road to the trail head. It was dry but the Trail was wet and the going heavy. I met two English men Duncan and Doughnut heading south and for the entire morning,, that was it. 7.7 miles to the next Shelter where I ate a cold tuna fish lunch and some milk in readiness for the looming climb. This one was rough but slowly I got there and the sun began to shine to reveal some lovely vistas from our perch high in the mountains. I took my time knowing that the next shelter was within easy reach. Then I saw a poster on a tree telling me that ¢Woodshole¢ was open and that all Thru-hikers were welcome. 1.6 miles to go and the Trail was really ¢rocky¢. After rain the rocks are even more dangerous. But I was really careful picking my steps like an expert and when I had cleared the ¢bad patch and with my thoughts on the hostel, then I hit the deck. My feet went completely from under me and I ended up on my back ¢wedged ¢ between two trees and my legs up in the air. I could not move and could not unstrap my pack. I prayed that no hiker would come along and witness such a sight !!. As I lay there my mind made quick calculations checking for any injury. Incredibly, I hadn¢t a scratch and my knees were none the worse. I finally did manage to extricate myself from the harness and struggled to my feet. But I was wide-awake for the remaining mile. I reached Woods Hole, bathed in sunshine with a note pinned to the door,¢Welcome all hikers, I¢ll be back soon, make yourself at home¢, Millie. I spread my tent to dry and made an inspection of the premises. Drinks and candy bars in the fridge @ 50 cents. Bunk beds upstairs and a ¢solar¢ shower outside. I saw ¢No Hear Ums¢ gear and realised that after his 24 mile a day, he had not gone too far. Soon he arrived with Millie, and two other ladies who help run the hostel. Pizza and Coconut cake desert compliments of ¢No Hear Um¢ who had gone shopping with Millie an 80 yrs. + widow who comes up from Atlanta during May and June to look after weary hikers. A delightful lady who loves to chat and cook breakfast for all at a nominal fee of 3.50, God Bless her. It was a delightful stay. Tomorrow I head for Pearisburgh, 162.7 miles from Damascus.
Date: 2003-06-05
From: Woodshole

To: Pearisburg, V.A.
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is for Katie in Melbourne. Started the day well with a wonderful breakfast with Ms. Millie. She sits a maximum of 8 at table¢¦. The first eight into camp, charges $3.50 for a feast. Today is a short walk into Pearisburg so there is no great rush, only 10 miles!!! How times have changed when walking ten miles is considered a stroll. But it was a tough walk with one hell of a climb thrown in. Angel¢s Rest, Pearis Mountain at 3550 ft. let me know that there are no easy days. Ian passed me and said that he¢d wait when he got to town. I met Chris and Meredith who were ¢slack-packing¢ south. Meredith lives in nearby Roanoke so she uses and abuses. I am invited to dinner when I get nearer her place. Walking along in a ¢daze¢ I nearly stepped on a big black snake right in the middle of the Trail. That helped me concentrate for the remainder of the day. I hate the snakes even though they tell me the ¢black¢ ones are harmless, the send a shiver up my spine. I thank St. Patrick for ¢banishing the hoors¢ from Ireland. The day was beautiful and some wonderful sights from the high rocky ridge-way above Pearisburgh. I could see the falcons or were they eagles gliding in the airstreams way below me. The climb down was slow and as I neared the bottom it was slick and muddy from the recent rains. Ian (Spoon) was waiting for me. I called the Holy Family Hostel and Bill (72, retired army, who looks after the hostel) came and picked us. Lucky for us, the Hostel is about 2 miles off the Trail. Enjoyed a lovely evening there. Bill took me to his home to do the laundry while his wife Fran stuffed me with cookies and coffee. The local priest, I did not meet. He does not answer the phone, won¢t open the door, and he hates hikers. Somehow, he seems to be in the wrong business. Neil (Scot) and I walked down to the store and bought a few cans of beer. We sat outside and drank the beer from our water jars, with large milk cartons sitting harmlessly on the picnic table beside us. We were joined by Indiana (Slim) and a pleasant hour was had by all, before retiring to our bunks around 10.30. Spoon (Ian) and others went into town and came home about three in the morning. Never even heard them come home as I slept the Hiker¢s sleep.
Date: 2003-06-06
From: Pearisburg, V.A.

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

Bill called the ¢Shuttle¢ any hikers ready to leave at 8.15. I headed for the Post Office where I spoke with Kathleen. She told me the sad news of Eithne O¢Meara. Today as I walk through the streets of Pearisburg, I will offer the day for her recovery. A long walk through the streets of Pearisburgh but some decent soul stopped and gave me a ride. Called to the store where I loaded up with supplies. The selection is so vast it is hard to resist, but the big question is not ¢how much¢ but ¢what does it weigh¢! I bought a lovely sausage roll (weighing over 16 oz., but what the heck) I thought it was cooked but had to learn the hard way. A long walk across the Senator Shumate Bridge (1,600 ft.) and then the familiar ¢ leaving town syndrome¢. On the other side of a watering hole there is the inevitable climb. I decided to be ¢nice to myself¢ and only hike to the next shelter 8.2 miles away. I prayed for Eithne as I climbed to Rice Field Shelter ( 3,400 ft.). A young lad, Stretch, was there before me. He whizzed past me on the uphill, but even he, confessed that the climb was tough. It was 2.30, the day was lovely so I decided to move on, too early to stop. I walked through some magnificent meadows and was really feeling good. By 17.15, I had covered another 6 miles but now there was a problem. I met Sean Patrick Flanagan ¢slack-packing¢ south and he told the nearest spring was near the next shelter. He also invited me to slack pack the next day. I sipped my water sparingly and headed on.. The evening was beautiful and I stopped a few times to snack, reaching a stream by 7.30, where I washed, drank and filled the water bottles. It was 20.15 when I walked in to camp having completed 19.1 miles since 10.30. The knees were feeling good and the crowd in the Shelter made room for a ¢late arrival¢. Stretch was there and a host of ¢Potheads¢. They had a great fire going. I ate little and was soon in my cosy sleeping bag with my feet on the horizontal. I listened to the crack.
Date: 2003-06-07
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: moderate rain

Today is for Maura & Harry and family in Littleton. It rained during the night and we awoke to the sound of rain, cleared around 6.30 and I got ready to leave. Stretch was also ready to move. Complete with Poncho , I left camp at 7.30 , no ill effects from yesterday¢s long walk. Walking along a swampy creek in the rain there was no sign of Sean Patrick and ¢Knuckles¢ at the campsite, so I wandered on. As I was about to cross the river over a foot- bridge, I saw two tents. I called out thinking Sean Patrick was in one. Out jumped ¢Green Man¢ and offered me a beer. Fubar and Trip, a couple who met on the trail and got married in Damascus came out of the other tent. ¢Green Man¢ is one of the characters of the Trail. I first met him way back in Georgia and we became friends. Sniper was the other member of the crew. I stopped and chatted awhile and when I was about to cross the bridge, who drives up but Knuckles and Sean Patrick. So in the rain, we unloaded our gear into the car taking only some food and water for the day. An I had my first experience, I had my first experience of ¢Slack Packing¢.I walked north with Knuckles while Sean drove north , parked the car and hiked south. The rain beat down as we climbed ¢Wind Rock¢ (4100 ft. ) and continued for most of the day. It felt great to be without the pack. At first I thought I could fly but then the hard reality hit home. With or without the pack you have to walk those miles and climb those hills. In fact , I didn¢t walk much faster . I seem to have a certain gait and that¢s it. A very interesting day with Knuckles, daughter of a Presbitarian Minister who worked as Secretary for a North Carolina Senator in Washington .She was going to meet Sean and invited me to dinner with them in Catawba. We slack-packed 11.1 miles to the road beyond War Spur Shelter. I was soaking wet so I decided to move on to the next Shelter, Laurel Creek which was 5 miles away. It was 15.30 when I put on my back- pack. The pack weighed a ton and worse still, I had to climb. Never again will I ¢slack-pack¢. Mountain Dew and Sniper passed, a lovely guy who promised to reserve a spot for me at the Shelter. I arrived tired at about 18.30.
Date: 2003-06-08
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Today is for Chrissie. Another dull and humid morning. I decided to cook the sausage in my little pot, Waste not , want not, I could hear mother say. Knuckles had told me it would fry in its own fat!!! A lovely breakfast to start the day. A sluggish morning as I struggled without energy to climb the first mountain. It was not that high but it went straight up. I thought of Chrissie¢s last days in Dublin. The doctors, nurses and other patients who were there at the time, Sr. Eileen Ring, who died on June 9th. ¢ so much to remember. Afterwards, I learned that everyone felt the ¢drag¢on that last hill. 12.30, I came to the next Shelter which was .3 miles off the Trail, a steep downhill, but I needed water. ¢No Hear Um¢ and ¢Wolfe Man¢ were there. A magnificent new shelter called Sarver Hollow with a cold spring. I was tempted to stay for the day. I cooked the rest of the sausage and had a feast. Wolfe Man and I chatted for over an hour, only 6 miles to the next shelter. But it was over some dangerous rock face. I met Knuckles slack-packing south and she warned me of the rocks. The sun came out and it was beautiful as I edged my way ¢on top of the world¢. I savoured those last few miles and walked slowly into Niday Shelter on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Date: 2003-06-09
From: Niday Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is for Mary Ellen and Aunt Kitty, who were ¢mothers¢to us for so many years.A beautiful day after heavy rain during the night. The flowers were in full bloom, Mary Ellen would like that. Left the camp at 7 and after a mile I came upon a raging creek, swollen beyond its limits by the night¢s rain. No bridge, memories of Davenport Gap came ¢flooding¢ back. Remembering how often we crossed the Suir barefooted, I took off the boots and socks, secured them to the rucksack and waded the creek. Stretch followed suit but all the others waded across in their boots. Was I glad to have my feet dry for the remainder of the day. And what a day. A long, long climb, almost 4 miles before I reached the Audie Murphy Monument. He was killed in a plane crash in ¢91 on this mountain. A long walk till I came to the Dragon¢s Tooth on Cove Mountain (3020 ft.). Sean Patrick caught up with me and together we climbed the Dragon¢s Tooth. The day was clear and this must rank as one of the finest views on the Trail. ¢Green Man¢ had told me about it. The climb was tough but worth every step. Two Black snakes today- sunning themselves on the rocks. A long ¢rock face¢ decent for almost a mile, fearful at times, a fore-taste of the ¢New England¢, they tell us. Tired but happy I walked 12 mile to Four Pines Hostel. 16 miles today. A big crowd at Four Pines, a big garage at the back of a private house. Cold beer and soda in the fridge. Aahh !!!