morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Chatfield shelter

To: US 11/VA 683 Groseclose (Atkins, VA)
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

Well, my day has changed from the plan I had yesterday. I did stop at the Settlers Museum (which was closed when I arrived) and checked out the school house as I took pictures of the museum area. Then I hiked to Groseclose (NE of Atkins) and spoke with some hikers. My decision was to hitch back to Damascus to "fix" some minor gear problems and email my sister about the reunion. I think this will be a good thing, so want to help encourage all my family members to make every effort to attend. Spoke for a little while to Many Names again. Then I went to the buffet at the "Barn" accross the street from the Exxon station which just reopened a week ago Friday. After all I could eat, I went back to the Exxon station and spoke with the new (and previous) owner. She was very nice and helpful, and is excited to have repurchased the station after the owner she sold it to went quickly out of business. Bill and Bill (father and son hikers) showed up shortly before I attempted to hitch hike to Damascus and actually facilitated me getting a ride from a New Jersey/Tennessee resident and business owner. Joan is an engineer working with renewable engery. Very nice and interesting lady. Apparently, business seems to be booming down in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Western Virginia with in the last few weeks. The last stretch of my hitch was done by a Damascus resident. I got in too late to hit the outfitters, or the library (internet) which is actually closed on Sunday. But I did see and speak with Mosey and Dulcimer Dave whom I had hiked with on and off through much of my trip.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Did the miles North of Damascus that I missed by hiking the Virginia Creeper Trail on May 2nd. Then I hiked back to Damascus along the Creeper Trail. As I got back to Damascus, I stopped in Fattie's Restaurant and ate a nice 2 pound cheeseburger! It was delicious! It's proper name is the MacDaddy Fattie Burger. Named by the first person to complete the 2 pound challenge. When I was last in Damascus, a hiker I knew completed the 5 pound challenge and so named the Poppins Fattie Burger. Now the Challenge is a 6 pound burger. Not something I am anxious to try. 2 pounds was enjoyable after a nice long walk, more would be uncomfortable at least. Anyway, the day was very nice and I got lots of pictures along the AT and Creeper trails. I am in or around town until at least Sunday to partake the Trail Days events. Then onto "Hardcore" to do 2 days of trail maintenance and back to Atkins again. I must then start moving a bit faster as I have obligations when I arrive at Delaware Water Gap, PA.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Damascus, VA

To: Kincora (Hard Core)
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! Seeing so many friends and aquaintances at Trail Days was a really good thing this year! I didn't get a lot of pictures before the hiker parade, but I did take pictures of a lot of the hikers I met this year and those who came back from 2004. Also saw Rob Bird (owner of the Birdcage hostel in Dalton, MA) and Cuppa Joe who finished thru hiking in 2005 after an injury took him off the AT in 2004. And there at the same tent, I met the ex Mayor of Union, NY who runs a hostel there. And saw London Len whom I met at Fancy Free's house in Grafton, NH in 2005. And Luna from 2004 also lives in Grafton. Some great outfits for the hiker parade. I got to hang out with Gezza and Top Shelf and her friend Theresa (who works for REI outfitters). Also got to hang out with Almond Joy and Wishy Washy. Tibetan whom I haven't seen since before Blueberry patch hostel hiked into Damascus. Miss Janet was there as expected and I got to chat with her a bit. And a very good Hard Core crew to work with. Today we built some trail switch-backs just North of the Watauga Dam. Record breaking trail was finished today.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Kincora (Hard Core)

To: Kincora (Hard Core)
Miles today: 0.0

Brought my camera today! Really missed it yesterday when the local grouse was teasing a dog we had at the worksite. It kept getting closer and closer to this dog who was tied to a tree along the trail. Drove the dog nuts trying to eat grouse. Then, when it was only inches from the dog's grasp, it flew right at the dog and up the trail about 15 feet. Very entertaining for the group I was having lunch with. Today we are working on some new trail about 3 miles North of Carver's Gap (just North of Roan Mountain) which is severely eroded. I got to cut down a few small trees and move huge rocks with Gaia, Luna, Dragonslayer, Flora and Fauna (all hiked in 2004). Eventually the girls recruited a couple of other guys to help with the task. Hard Core was definitely an event that I want to return for next year. Very hard work, but lots of fun and very rewarding (and they feed you too!!!) I got some great pictures of the views and of the line of workers both hiking up to and coming back from the work site. And we took a couple of group pictures with most of the crew.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Kincora (Hard Core)

To: US 11/VA 683 Groseclose (Atkins, VA)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Luna brought Butter Toes and I back to Atkins. First she took me to the Atkins post office, then left me to drop Butter Toes off at the trail head. It warmed up a bit after 2 chilly days and bitter cold mornings. After sorting and organizing my stuff, I learned that my tent was a back order item at REI, so it would take more than a month to replace through the company. I decided to hang onto it in case I could get to a store to replace it there. Then I sent my bounce box and boots and walked back to the trail head. I was so sore and tired when I got there that I decided a bed and good night's sleep would do me a lot of good. So I stayed the night in the motel there.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: US 11/VA 683 Groseclose (Atkins, VA)

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Met Cas in the Exxon station last night, and I ran into her and the Birds (Humming Bird, Mocking Bird, and Tufted TitMouse) and their 2 male companions as I was hiking today. I spent a good deal of time at the Davis Path shelter site (which is now just a platform where the shelter was) as I ate my lunch and read some of my book. When I got to the shelter, a section hiker was already set up in his tent and Cas showed up shortly after. We ate dinner and talked some. As it got dark quickly, I decided to sleep in the shelter rather than set up my tent.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

Early start for Cas and I today. I saw her a couple of times early in the day. Then I saw her at the Chestnut Knob Shelter. There were a few hikers there when I arrived. Again I stayed for awhile for lunch and break time. Read some more of my book, took pictures, played some soduko (a vice of mine that I occasionally allow when I have some to do). Chestnut Knob is a very nice shelter, but has no close water source. I arrived late at the Jenkins Shelter. There were already a few people there, and again I cooked my dinner and cleaned up just before dark. So I again slept in the shelter. My snoring must have been too much for one hiker who left the shelter for her tent some time through the night.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Stopped in Bland today. I rushed to try getting to the Pizza Plus buffet from 11-2 and got to the road and got a ride with another hiker only to find out that the whole county was out of electricity and the Pizza Plus was closed. So I figured out what food I needed to get to Pearisburg and went into Bland. The grocery store was small and choices were limited. But I got everything I needed and started walking out of town. About half way, I saw the birds and the 2 guys with them. They were walking into town. I finally got a ride up the last 1/2 mile or so up a hill. Then I proceeded to hike to the first shelter out. Was a very unmaintained section of trail. Erosion and overgrowth made the trip tougher than just the steep climb. Lots of hikers camped at the shelter including Caveman and Smokey T, and I met Stickman. Cas had moved on. The birds and a few other hikers arrived late. I didn't see them at the shelter as I had gone to bed before they got there.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I left very late today sleeping in until 8:00am. Left the shelter about 12:00pm. I took my time as I was feeling more tired today than I had the past few days even though I had done early starts and a couple of longer days. Almost everyone was gone when I got up. Even Stickman was gone by 9:00am. I only hiked to the first shelter. Storyteller was there when I arrived.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: VA 606 (Trent store)
Miles today: 6.5

Got out earlier this morning. But still a late start. Up at 7:00am. Decided to head to the Trent store for a shower and to wash my long overdue laundry. Had been about a week since it got done and clothes were completely trashed at Hardcore. Crossed over the 600 mile mark today! I ate twice from the gas station/grocery/pizza + sandwich shop. They also own a "campsite" with many trailers sitting (most seem unattended) with a shower/bathroom and a laundry room. One washer and one dryer working, it took almost 4 hours to shower (a bit of a line when I arrived) and wash/dry my clothes. Probably in part because the cold water line was turned almost completely off due to leakage, and there was no handle or pliers to turn it back on for the rinse cycle which was cold water only. So I decided to stay the night.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: VA 606 (Trent store)

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: light rain

Big day for me! Unfortunately I didn't get in until after dark. I fell twice because of the wet conditions (it rained after I left the last shelter about 6:00pm). The Dismal Creek waterfalls were wonderful. I stopped for some quick pictures. Early start for me at 6:30am so I was at the falls before some people had even left their camps for the morning. Not sure where Storyteller went yesterday. He had stopped at the Trent store and left just after I went for my shower. Saw StickMan, Caveman and Smokey T, and a few other familiar faces. Met Panza and Quixote last night. A very nice married couple. We talked some at the Trent store campsite and I saw them a couple of times today while I hiked. The day started out with great weather! Stayed pretty clear most of the day, but just after I finished my dinner and left for the campsite just a couple of miles outside of Pearisburg, the rain came down torrentially leaving me to feel like a drowned rat with a heavy wet pack on it's back! For this reason, I decided to keep hiking until I hit town. It was dark as I hiked the last few miles of trail into town, but I didn't want to stop in the rain to grab my headlamp. I was able to make out the trail, but could not always make out the rocks and roots that reached up to grab my feet and throw me to the ground. I also could not tell when the muck and mud were going to be too slippery to place my foot safely on the trail. All quite an interesting hiking experience that I am not looking forward to repeating any time soon!
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

After 3 nights and 3 days, I have finally squeeked out of Pearisburg! With so much on my mind about going to Missouri to move my stuff, family reunions, and planning the flip-flop with my friend Gene, I have been trying to feel what my next move should be. And now, I am right in line to hike into the feast at Captain's on Saturday the 30th. So this will be my next "goal" for this adventure. Many of the hikers I have met very recently have mentioned their interest/desire to attend this upcoming hiker feeding frenzy. There is an actual zip line that takes you accross a small river (just too deep and fast moving to ford with a pack ... unless you like very wet gear) and right into his yard. Sounds exciting. Cas was at the shelter when I arrived just about 9:00 pm. As were 2 other hikers I had never met before. I quickly set up my bed and went right to sleep within 20 minutes of my arrival. The trail out of town was very steep with few switch-backs. And the trail was still a little wet and muddy. Could have been worse considering there was a major downpour just before I left Pearisburg. I was nearly hiking out of town when I spotted the porch of the Rendesvous motel and the roof overhead that would keep me from getting drenched just as I walked up to it. Luckily this one of many downpours this hiking season only lasted a few minutes, so I was quickly on my way. Shortly I will be posting many if not all of my pictures taken so far. The days with no pictures taken were rainy days. This should give you some idea how wet it really has been. And me being a "fair weather hiker" means that my 30 some odd zero days were mostly due to inclement weather.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Captain's feast (Stony Creek near Dismal Branch)
Miles today: 13.9

I arrived just after 1:00 pm at the zip line that would take me to the awesome feast provided by Captain and his friends/neighbors. He was hoping to beat his hiker record of 53 from last year. This was done with a few hikers to spare. This is his 5th year of having the hiker feast. And it was incredible! The food, the people, the activities, the food (okay ... there was a lot of food!). This must have been the most perfect place along the AT that I have seen to have a hostel! Even if it is not officially a hostel, the hospitality shared by Captain was unmatched in all of my experiences this year (and that is saying something!). The grill was manned constantly from long before I arrived until at least 11:00pm. Every couple of hours I had to go back for more just to let them know that I appreciated all they were doing! Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw, beans, deviled eggs, chili for the dogs (or burgers), and desserts too numerous to list! Not to mention the 5 or so coolers full of beer, water, and sodas. Lawn darts, bean bag toss game, volleyball, zip line, eating, internet, showers and massive conversations were just some of the activities provided at this gathering! I even saw some hikers I had known for awhile. Some I had met at hardcore, some I had seen at traildays, a few I had met early in my hike and at least 10 had been at the shelter I zeroed at (Rice Field Shelter - yes it threatened rain much of the day when it was not actually raining, which was for at least 2 hours). But Saturday was beautiful all day long! The perfect day for a feast!
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Captain's feast (Stony Creek near Dismal Branch)

To: Troutville
Miles today: 0.0

I hiked some today, well more like road walked. But it was just a short jaunt to highway 640 so that I could start my trek of yellow blazing to Waynesboro. It is time that I took care of my belongs which were left in St. Louis before I started this amazing journey. I spent too many nights at the Captain's but really enjoyed his hospitality and the company of my fellow hikers. Then I walked a couple of hours on Stony Creek Valley Rd walking back toward Pearisburg. I had nearly run out of food, so figured a resupply would be in order. Met several hikers at the Holy Family Catholic Church hostel and also saw Tibetan (whom I had met in Georgia before the Blueberry patch hostel), and Bam Bam (the real one - not Spike - whom I had met at trail days). I am not sure how long this adventure away from the AT will take me, but I must take care of my few responsibilities before it is necessary for others to take care of them for me. I may be able to get back to hiking before a scheduled family reunion takes place. That will be June 27, and no matter where I am, I must return to New Jersey before that day! As all of my needs (travel, money, food, and time) seem to always be taken care of, I have no concerns reguarding the timing of this side trip. I am certain this will work out just as well as it always has. Even my ride to Troutville took place just before the approaching storm really kicked in. And I hadn't left the hostel until about 4:00 pm! Seemed the perfect timing as Justin (the young man who kindly drove me out of his way all the way to Troutville) was turning onto highway 640 just before I got to the main highway section of the road and after only a small drizzle.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Troutville

To: St. Louis, MO
Miles today: 0.0

Adding some pictures to the site while I am getting my things together. So much time since I last hiked. It will be like starting all over again when I finally get back, but I still have miles left in me! I just hope the major rainstorms have passed for the season. One or two a week is okay, but not 4-6 rainy days a week! Hiking North from PA should put me amongst some familiar hiking faces. I will head North for about another month before I flip up to Katahdin with my friend, Gene Shaw. He and I did some hiking together in 2003. He is very excited to hike Katahdin and the 100 mile wilderness. Then I hope to hike South until I hit where I leave off (North of PA), before jumping back to PA to hike South to at least Pearisburg, VA. I may continue all the way to I40 just before the Smoky Mountains. I40 will take me to Asheville where I hope to relocate after this adventure. Anyway, for those who have kept up with my posts, I have added some new material as well as some pictures.
Date: 2009-06-28
From: St. Louis, MO

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiking again after a whole month of zeros!!! Will start North from here, hike 3-4 weeks and then flip up to Katahdin. I will pick up the 600 odd miles that I skipped on my way back down to Asheville, NC where I hope to relocate after this adventure. To my suprise, I found that I not only recognized, but knew many of the hikers staying at the hostel at Church of the Mountain. Leif E, McBride, Prairie Dog and Angry Beaver, Carpenter, Hulk, D.O.C., Tin Man, and Lost Acadia's dad were all at the hostel. Some I had not seen since Fontana, and Leif E I hadn't seen since the Blueberry Patch in GA! Looking forward to hiking up to Sunfish pond tomorrow. It has always been a special place to me since my first visit in my teens (middle 70s). As with all Sunday nights in the summer, there is a jazz concert on the lawn tonight. Need to walk a bit though, so I will be heading into East Stroudsburg to the Walmart.
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Beautiful day today. I left the hostel around 9:30 and started walking into New Jersey. As I got into the wilderness, I started looking for some sticks that would take the place of the sticks I hiked from Amicolola Falls up to the Captains house north of Pearisburg. I left them in Scranton, PA after I got back from Missouri and I miss them dearly. But it only took me about an hour to fashion a couple of makeshift hiking sticks. Prairie Dog, Angry Beaver, and Hulk all passed me as I was whittling away at the bark and sharp nubs where my hands would go. Also there were several day hikers and a couple of section hikers who passed me. I saw my first snake on the way up to Sunfish pond! It was a garter snake at least 3 foot in length. When I got to Sunfish pond the weather was so beautiful, there were people in the lake. Since swimming is prohibited, I obviously didn't go in or know anyone who was swimming there. But I did take some pictures of fish and frogs and a couple of hikers I knew had stopped for a "break". I saw another snake while I was there. It was swimming leasurely ... breaking the law! I nearly went in to reprimand it, but then rethought that idea as it was a snake! After my lunch, I stopped at the spring about half a mile past Sunfish pond to refill my water bottle and saw (almost walked on) a rattle snake! It was very fat and very slowly meandering off the Garvey spring trail. I had plenty of time to grab my camera and snap a few shots. Then I saw a conservation group who was out, and called them over to observe the snake. Hearing that Leif E was staying at the Mohican Outdoor Center, I stopped in to see if he was there. Besides, on my first day back, my legs were tired after 10.5 miles. He had left, but tenting was free to thru-hikers, so I decided to stay. It was a great day back. The trail up to Sunfish pond seemed much easier than I ever remember it being. I must have hiked it up and down at least 20 times in the past, but this time it seemed much better graded and shorter than before.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Camp Ken Etiwa Pec @ Blue Mountain Lakes Rd.
Miles today: 7.3

Today started out really nice but changed early afternoon. Stopped at the fire tower for my first break as Leif E and his girlfriend's family were packing up their campsite. I saw Prairie Dog and Angry Beaver again as they passed me when I stopped for a nap. They stayed at the Mohican Outdoor Center so that Prairie Dog could get his fix of a canoe ride on the pond at the center. Also passing me was the Pack of Divas (sp?), five or so women travelling together. Apparently they had also camped at the MOC. As I crossed the Blue MOuntain Lakes Rd., I stopped for water at the pump, and said hello to a group of "campers" (young overnight hikers travelling in a pretty large group) as they pumped water for the group. Then I ran into Baltimore Andy whom I had last seen on Springer Mountain, GA. That makes 2 of the first hikers I saw this year that I ran into today. (Leif E was at the shelter my first night after hitting Springer Mountain) As I was talking to Andy and 2 of the 3 friends he was hiking south with, the sky started opening as the storm which had been threatening for the past hour positioned itself overhead. It was that point that I decided to get under a roof, so headed to the camp which I had stayed at in 2004. It started to downpour about halfway to the camp from the road and I got soaked. But as I found a porch to sit on, I removed my wet shirt and put on my fleece to stay warm. After the first downpour had stopped, I checked out the rest of the camp for other hikers. I met the Pack of Divas officially where they stayed in an abandoned building. At the official shelters, a section hiker was cleaning up one shelter for human occupation. These shelters were in bad disrepair as the YMCA no longer ran and took care of this camp. After the next wave of storms came through, Green Lite and Blue Sky came down the road and decided to join me on the porch. It was still raining, but not nearly as hard as it had been. I wasn't certain that I was staying the night, but I wasn't anxious to move from my dry spot. Anyway, we got to hang out and talk for awhile as wave after wave of storms passed by. Not much longer, I saw O Canada (Lost Acadian's father) and Tin Man come into the camp. They asked where the shelters were, so I directed them in the general direction. After dinner, Green Lite, Blue Sky and I all decided to stay the night, so moved to the shelter area. Didn't see O Canada or Tin Man.