morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Dickey Gap

To: USFS Road 86
Miles today: 18.7

It was another cold, raw, windy day with rain. It started raining after 10:00pm last night and rained most the night, but it had quit by morning. I had to pack my tent wet again though. If you don't backpack, the significance of that is that the tent weighs more. It stayed windy all morning and started raining again this afternoon. I saw another bear this morning, one mile south of the Trimpi Shelter. I saw a deer this evening as I climbed Lucast Mountain. I came by the Partnership Shelter tonight. It is a nice shelter with hot showers (take note, Pam). It is also near a road and you can get a pizza delivered there! Red Wolf, Gumby, Pokey, and Hitch were there and I was tempted to stay, but Pam comes in three days to Bland, VA. That is still 52 miles away so I have to keep moving.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: USFS Road 86

To: Near North Fork of Holston River
Miles today: 18.2

I am camped tonight near the north fork of the Holston River, but I suspect not legally. There is a sign that says it is private property and passage is only on the scenic right-of-way. This goes on for 3 miles then it got dark on me and I lost the trail so here I am!! I got a late start this morning. It rained again last night and was cold. My mom and dad said it was 35 degrees on Holston Mountain south of here some 60-70 miles. I stopped in Groseclose and got something to eat at Rhonda's Country Diner. It was good but I was in town for 2 hours. For the last 55 miles, the trail has been generally north against the grain of the mountains. There have been several ups and downs the past few days. I just crossed Big Walker Mountain this evening. I-77 runs east of here about 40 miles as a tunnel through a mountain. A tunnel on the trail might not be such a bad idea!!
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Near North Fork of Holston River

To: Garden Mountain Ridge
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

It was easy to find where I lost the trail last night. The trail made a sharp right turn across a muddy stream which I missed at dusk last night. I wasn't the only one. It was a gorgeous day for hiking. It was a grind going up Chestnut Ridge but the views were impressive. You can see all the way to Mt. Rogers in the Virginia highlands. It appears to me the rhododendrons are in full bloom at 2,500 - 3,000 ft. Chestnut Knob Shelter is one of the neatest shelters yet. Is is enclosed on all sides with bunks and great views. Someone said it had a snake in it but I think he was saying that to scare others away and have the bunk to himself! Anyways, Pam comes tomorrow. I am doing my "bland-a-thon" to meet her.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Garden Mountain Ridge

To: US 52 near Bland
Miles today: 17.2

I got an early start today - by 7:00 am. It rained for 20 minutes around 9:00 am. Ate an early lunch at Jenkin's shelter where I saw a pileated woodpecker and two deer. So far, the shelters in VA have had privys (outhouses). The privy here at Jenkins however, was totally open with no walls... just an elevated platform with a seat, but I could sit and watch and hear the birds... does life get any better?!! It was a pleasant hike along Brushy Mountain. I came out at US 52 and hitchhiked into Bland. A nice couple from West Virginia whose 2 sons had hiked the trail, picked me up. I've forgotten their names... but THANK YOU! I met Pam at Big Walker Hotel. She flew into Roanoke and rented a car and drove to Bland. We ate at Dairy Queen and saw Barrel Slug and Woodchuck. Woodchuck had hurt his knee and had to have his son come and pick him up from Georgia. Good luck, Woodchuck!
Date: 2005-06-01
From: US 52 near Bland

To: Lickskillet Hollow
Miles today: 13.2

It is only 4:20pm and I'm in my tent. I haven't officially stopped for the night but with the steady rain outside, I'm probably here for the duration. Stopping in the middle of the day is hard for me because I feel like I'm not making any progress. Actually, the dreary day matches my mood today. My pack is heavy with 7-10 days of food, Pam dropped me off at 7:30am on US 52 and drove back to Roanoke to fly home. About 2:15 it started to drizzle. The forecast is for possibly 1 - 2" of rain in Roanoke tonight. I hastily put up the tent and threw my pack inside and climbed in. Then I layed on the bite valve of my camelback and flooded one side of the tent. It figures I would see my biggest snake today! ... a 4-4 1/2' black rat snake. He seemed to have little fear of me as he lay next to the trail. I walked within 3 feet of him and he barely budged. I have also seen several gypsy moth traps in the woods. Evidently they can be very damaging to vegetation. (They are easy to recognize - the ones with the earrings and little bandanas on their heads.)
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Lickskillet Hollow

To: VA 606
Miles today: 5.4

Today has been another low day. It rained all night and into the morning. I finally broke camp and left after 12:30pm. Two reasons I left. First, I have talked with Pam every day since I started and my cell phone wouldn't work in the deep valley where I was. Secondly, the forecast was for improving weather. I did reach Pam but the weather didn't improve! It rained off and on all day. Then just before Kimberling Creek I walked through tall grass that soaked me and covered me with seed. When I came to a paved road, I decided it was time to regroup and headed to Trent's Grocery. Shortly after getting here, I saw Get-er-Done. I hadn't seen him since before Sam's Gap and was glad to see he was back on the trail. I also met TCB (Amy) and Bear Bag (John) from England. There was a tarp in the campground here so all three of us set up our tents under it tonight. One other interesting person I met yesterday was Rope-a-dope going southbound. He is the president of William and Henry University and raised $100,000 for a university program with his walk!
Date: 2005-06-03
From: VA 606

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained/drizzled a big part of the night but we were under the canopy and kept dry. It looked threatening this morning but actually cleared during the day. Tonight I am in a shelter and it is raining again! I ate lunch at the Wapiti Shelter today. Wapiti is another name for elk. I remember in Canada, where Pam and I visited a few years ago, the guide book says they call elk "wapiti" up there. However, we were unsure how to say the name. In Jasper, Canada the elk roam the main street so we asked the waitress how to say the name of the animal. She just gave us a blank stare and said, "We just call them elk!" One good thing about the rain is that it has kept the weather cool so far. One milestone today... I've now done over 600 miles of the trail.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: South Peters Mountain
Miles today: 12.3

Town days on the trail are always good days. And today it was Pearisburg, VA. It is only a little dot in Rand McNally's and if you drove by it, it would hardly get your attention. But on the AT a town only a one mile walk from the trail is heavenly! The day started early at the shelter. Two girls were up by 5:30am because they had a mail drop in town and wanted to get to the post office before it closed at noon. It was another foggy, drippy morning. Flying Brutus and I took our time getting ready but we got to town by 12:45pm. We first hit the Dairy Queen where his wife met him. I then went to the Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant. I was a little disappointed because I expected it to be like Ming Court in San Antonio. But it still had globs of cholesterol in various shapes to satisfy my craving. ... Then a quick trip to pick up a few things for the week at Food Lion and back to the trail. The climb out of Pearisburg is a grind with a full pack. When I went to put my food bag in a tree tonight the weight broke a 3" thick limb out of the tree! Time to eat and lighten the load!
Date: 2005-06-05
From: South Peters Mountain

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

One thing I have been remiss in writing about is the most important thing I do on this trip. That is... I ask the good Lord's guidance and protection as I hike. The importance of that was reinforced to me today. Spring has given way to summer now. It was hot and humid and I was tired today. I saw a 5-6' black rat snake but as the day went on, the heat zapped my energy and enthusiasm. The rocks are still wet from the rain and I fell for the fifth time when I stepped on one of them. There were no injuries providentially. A short time later, Dutch caught up with me and told me I walked right by a 4' rattlesnake. It was lying on a log, 2 feet off the trail. Dutch thinks it may have weighed 9-10 lbs. It scared me to think I missed it! Dutch says he was not in an agressive mood so the danger may have been minimal, but how many other snakes have I missed? As christians, we live where dangers lurk constantly and need God's constant protection. It's only 5 days until my parents come to Roanoke to meet me.
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: John's Creek Mountain
Miles today: 16.0

Question: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? Answer: We wouldn't be in this jam if you hadn't been so fresh. The past two days on the trail have been trying days and left me wondering what I'm doing in this jam. It has been hot and humid. Pam said it got up to 87 degrees in Pearisburg today. The flies and no-see-ums have been pesty to the point I had to take cover in my tent tonight. The bridge over Stoney Creek was washed away by hurricane Jeanne last year. That meant fording the freezing water in my bare feet. I didn't fall until I was on shore and had my boots back on! I fell on the slippery rocks. Others saw another big rattlesnake on the trail today. Tonight I have my camp set up early because it may come up a thunderstorm. So why do I do it? (besides the fact that I'm missing a few marbles). There are numerous reasons... It is an awesome display of God's handiwork. Watching the chipmunks play, listening to the birds, and seeing the views is unbeatable. The different people you meet on the trail, and the camaraderie that develops as we suffer together is great. Different people? ...Praying Mantis who hikes in a loin cloth and nothing else, Moonshine, Troll, and others who hike in kilts (I'm out of space now, but more to come later!) And one last note. Thanks to super Dave for the trail magic at Rocky Gap.
Date: 2005-06-07
From: John's Creek Mountain

To: Craig Creek
Miles today: 16.5

Day 80 since I started the trail... According to the movie, one can go around the world in a balloon in 80 days. It has gotten me just short of 700 miles on the AT. It takes an airliner about an hour and 1/2 to cover that distance and a car would take about 11-12 hours (unless Pam is driving, then it's 7-8 hrs!) How times change even in 24 hours. Last night, I was up on a mountain with a nice breeze. Tonight, I am in a gulley with oppressive heat and humidity. The trees are dripping from an earlier storm... no evaporation, just drips. But in spite of the heat it has been a good day. Picking up my thought from yesterday, loin cloth (Praying Mantis) passed me today with the Sequin Girls. They are two girls hiking in prom or party dresses. Only one had the sequins on today but I'm told they both hike in sequins. Another positive about hiking the trail has been the support from family and friends. I've mentioned Pam and my family but I also appreciate the encouragement from my friends in San Antonio. They have signed my guest book and given me lots of moral support. Thanks gang! (even you, Tax Man!)
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Craig Creek

To: VA 624
Miles today: 15.3

If I told you I crossed Dragon's Tooth Mountain and you guessed it was rocky, you would be right! I actually crossed two mountains today. The first was Brush Mountain (again?). On it was a memorial to Audie Murphy, the most decorated veteran of WWII, who starred in some old, western movies. Our VA Hospital in San Antonio is named after him. He was killed in a plane crash near the memorial in 1971. The second mountain was a painfully rocky mountain that led to the Dragon's tooth, a rocky spire I guess to be about 90 - 100 ft tall with awesome views. Coming down was an ordeal. It was the first time I had to use ladders on the trail. They were both only two rungs drilled into the rocks. The scariest point though was a rock ledge only inches wide and you had to use hand grips above a 50-60 ft drop. I hope that is the last of that!! It poured during the night and my gear is wet. I went to a convenience store in Catabwa and ate 3/4 of a pizza. I called the Bed and Breakfast in town but it was full. After the thundershowers this afternoon I really need a shower and a chance to dry out. Somebody just came by and told me the sequin girls are at the B&B.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: VA 624

To: Lambert Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Rain, rain go away... come again another... YEAR! I have on my long underwear tonight because it's the only thing I have that is relatively dry. Of the 9 days since I last stayed in town, it has rained 7 of them. It would have been 8 but Monday's thunderstorm was a near miss. It rained last night so I packed up wet again. I've seen several animals today. There was a deer watching me put my tent up from across the stream tonight. I saw a fawn running through the woods this morning, but no mama. This afternoon I saw another bear. He looked like a second year cub on his own. He ran down the hill from me. We stared at each other for 5 minutes about 100 feet apart. He seemed as curious about me as I was of him! Either that or he got a whiff of me and was paralyzed by my odor. Today makes 8 days since I last bathed. Tomorrow will be a trip record of 9 days. I would have to check with my mom to see if that is a lifetime achievement. But tomorrow it is town ...and my parents come ...and a shower ...and real food... and ... it's raining again outside! Good Night!
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Lambert Meadow Campsite

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Ahhhhh.... town! A regular bed! Air conditioning! Regular food! I am at my Uncle Benny and Lucille's house in Buchanan, VA. I got an early start by 7:30 this morning. It was very foggy. I think I mentioned a term the AT is famous for in the past... That is PUDs (pointless ups and downs)... and its cousin MUDs (mindless ups and downs). There have been many of those so far... Matter of fact, I've had whole days like that in my life. I would like to add some of my own terms... SUDs (senseless ups and downs)... SPUDs (senseless, pointless ups and downs)... and my favorite dedicated to the trail today, CRUDs (continuously rocky ups and downs). I had my most serious fall today on a CRUD. As I was swatting a no-see-ums, I slipped on a wet rock and skinned my right knee and hand. The bugs are getting bad with all the wet weather. I understand the first tropical storm of the season, Arlene, is brewing in the gulf. The hurricanes played havoc with the hikers last year. I didn't see any bears today but I saw my fifth snake today. It was black with yellow speckled bands. I made it to Daleville by noon and my parents arrived at 1:00p.m. I will take a zero in the Roanoke area tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

I had a wonderful zero day at my aunt and uncle's house in Buchanan, VA. My parents came up and re-supplied me. I have 14-15 lbs of food as I'm going to Waynesboro (134 miles) without re-supplying. When I got out of the car at the trail head today I ran into Get-er-Done and we hiked up together. It was a wonderful day of hiking with cooler weather and less humidity. Get-er-Done found 2 ticks on him today, though. I haven't found any on me yet. I am taking garlic tablets to see if it will keep the pests off me. Don't know if it will work on ticks but no other hikers want to tent near me! When we got to the shelter, Vermont was here. Vermont is the fellow from Scotland. I hadn't seen him since before Hot Springs, NC. Some illness has been afflicting the hikers the past few days, with vomiting and diarrhea. I haven't gotten sick yet (knock on wood). We have crossed several cow pastures lately. Instead of gates on the trail, there are stiles to go over the fences. Stiles are step-ladder-like structures with steps on both sides. Some of the stiles are fairly tall. I have noticed that you hold the rungs where you step with your boots after you walk through the pastures with the cow patties. I'm wondering if this is the source!
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: VA614 - It's a Wonderful Life Campground
Miles today: 16.9

Life on the trail can be rough but it is also good! Tonight we went swimming in a pool to cool off and will sleep in a cabin in the air conditioning. My dilemna - Should I let Pam think I'm suffering tonight and feel sorry for me... or shall I call her and tell her the truth? Let me start at the beginning... Last night was a wonderful night for sleeping. It was windy and pleasant all night. Get-er-Done got me up early to start hiking, though. I had to break up a spider convention on the inside of my fly before I could pack my tent though! We hiked in the fog for most of the morning along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This afternoon, however, the rain unloaded on us (outer bands of Arlene?) and we were soaked when we got to Jennings Creek. We thought about going on but I was out of water with none coming up soon... so we hitchhiked to It's a Wonderlife Campground. They gave us a room for $45 in a cabin. There's a bath house, pool, and air conditioned cabin. They also have a small store with a grill. It is well worth the side trip to dry out. It will be back to the trail tomorrow (they will give us a ride) but tonight will be good.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: VA614 - It's a Wonderful Life Campground

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

I have now done 300 miles of the 536 miles of the trail in VA. They say many people quit in VA. I imagine it is for various reasons. Instead of the often scenic views, one hikes more in a green tunnel with all the leaves on the trees. The lady who owns the campground where we stayed told us it is predicted to be 95 degrees with a heat index of 102 in the valley today. But it is supposed to cool off the next one to two days though. Another reason has got to be the bugs. The flies, gnats and no-see-ums were incessant today. I bought a bug net for my head in Daleville but haven't used it yet. The gnats were swarming as we set up camp tonight but calmed down after dark. We were low on our mileage today. We got a late start as our ride to the trail head wasn't until 9:00am. It was also a lot of uphill today on a hot day. Wingfoot, in our guide book, says the thru-hiker will ascend and descend 91 vertical miles by the time he finishes the trail. After today, I can believe it! Thank you to Blossom for the trail magic today!
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Little Rocky Row
Miles today: 18.4

Today I saw snakes #7 and #8! Number 7 was the most impressive, though... A 2' timber rattlesnake. He was lying on the trail as we came down Thunderhill Ridge. I stopped 5' from him. He was lying in the sun and wouldn't move. I stepped within a foot of his tail to get around him and he seemed to ignore me. Ger-er-Done was concerned someone would get bitten by him if left on the trail. I hit him behind his head with a rock and he barely flinched. Only when Get-er-Done poked him with his hiking poles did he move. Then he turned toward me and started to curl up instead of going into the woods. Don't believe the story about how he is more afraid of you then you are of it!! (I didn't see a wet spot under him, but I about had one in my hiking shorts) We wound up leaving him on the trail. Snake #8 was a garter snake. When I stepped over him, he slid under my boot and I almost stepped on him. The only other animal story today is... we heard a lot of Eastern Wood Pewees. Their name comes from their song "Pe-Wee" I have noticed when I walk by and they smell me, they change their song to "Pe-U"
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Little Rocky Row

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Tonight I am camped next to a creek with the sound of running water outside the tent. This valley is interesting. A group of freed slaves started a farming community along this stream and a lot of the ruins are still visible. At the shelter, is the last of three groups of youth from the Methodist church in NC I have passed. They had a huge pot of macroni and cheese left over tonight so Ger-er-Done and I helped eat it! It was wonderful and it was calories we didn't have to carry in! I think I may be a little short of food before Waynesboro. I found a hole in my food bag earlier this week. This morning I found a corresponding hole in the mesh of my tent. One night, when I kept my food bag in my tent, a small animal (probably a mouse) chewed into my tent for my food. Ger-er-Done had some duct tape and I taped the hole. The animals are relentless out here. Nuffy had to rescue her hiking poles back in the Highlands from the horses. They were chewing on the handles for the salt! I've heard the porcupine will chew on anything for the salt as well.
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: The Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast
Miles today: 18.1

Today has been one of those perfect days that remind me why I hike the trail. Ger-er-Done got me up by 6:20am and we were on the trail shortly after 7:00am. It was a stiff climb out of the valley where we camped to the top of Cold Mountain. But the weather was perfect with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. The views from Cold Mountain Bald were awesome with great visibility! It had me humming the theme from the Sound of Music for the first time in awhile. We then scared up a mother turkey and at least 4 chicks that flew out in front of us. Get-er-Done had a frog hop against his leg. He was bemoaning the fact he had been attacked by a frog, turkey, and Julie Andrews all in the same day. Tonight we hiked in to Montebello to the Dutch Haus B&B. For $35, we had a wonderful dinner, a bed with linens and our laundry done! Lois, the owner, gives you a robe to wear while she does your laundry! So all of us thru-hikers sat and talked and laughed in our robes tonight. The OFC (over-forty crowd), Noonin, Get-er-Done and Moonshine are all here. Thank you for for the wonderful hospitality Lois and Earl Arnold!
Date: 2005-06-18
From: The Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast

To: Tye River - VA 56
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was wonderful at the B&B. It was tough to leave this morning. Matter-of-fact hikers have a name for this syndrome called the Town Vortex. When you get the comforts of home and good food, town sucks you in and you don't want to leave! Ger-der-Done and I fell into that trap today. We left in good shape from the B&B. It was 650' 1.1 mile hike back up the mountain to the AT. We stopped at Spy Rock, a beautiful vista that involved some rock climbing to get to the top. We then came down the mountain to the Tye River. Here we found more wonderful trail magic. Okeepa and Beverly had set up camp with a grill. They had wonderful food and were getting ready to cook supper. A light rain started and we set up a tarp to keep dry. Before we knew it, it was dark! So we camped there with them. THANK YOU Okeepa and Beverly for your hospitality! One mile stone was reached today... I crossed the Priest (a mountain), the last 4,000' mountain on the AT until Mt. Moosilauke in NH.