morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Damascus

To: Pond Campsite 
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 12:30Starting Location: DamascusEnding Time: 5:00Ending Location: Pond Campsite north of Bear Tree GapMiles: 11.7Morning Weather: sunnyAfternoon Weather: sunny and 70 and hotBreakfast: Eggs, bacon, grits, toast (a la Dean) Lunch: Subway 6 inch sammich Dinner: Lipton with chicken, thin mints girl scout cookies Trail Description: Fairly easy out of Damascus. Very pretty sections where it bordered the Virginia Creeper trail and the Whitetop Laurel Creek (I think that's the creek).People: Amy, Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle (all of them in Boomer for breakfast), Will and Amy, Tumbleweed, and misc. thruhikers at The Place (names escape me), Early Bird and Indy at campsite Animals: frogs all around me at this pond Money: Mt. Rogers Outfitters purchases (Superfeet insoles, maps, ATC Companion) Complaints: It's hard to hike after three days off. My body was asking "what are you doing to me?" the whole time.Thoughts: I had a great break at home. I'm very glad I went home instead of staying up in NC for my days off. I got to pet the kitties (violently) and play my guitar for several hours. Amy and I got to hang around the house as usual and had a good time. My neighbors had us over for dinner the first night, and that was great (since our neighbors are great). They served up jerk chicken, cabbage, rice, and beans. Yum! Steve came over the second night and we grilled up some fatboy steaks. Amy and I had lunch with mom and dad at Skip's on the way out of town, then we drove to Boomer to stay with my grandparents. We were surprised to find my aunt and uncle there! I always have a great time in Boomer with the family...we've got some funny ones over there. Come to think about it, a large part of my love of the outdoors is inspired by my mom's brothers. Both enjoy hiking and paddling, and both set a great example for me for how to pursue outdoor activities amidst a "normal" life. It doesn't hurt that they are half crazy and funny as all get out...sort of how I hope I turn out. I paid a price for the days off. My body softened up and my legs never quite settled down today, making today not that enjoyable. I'm sure things will turn around in the next 20 miles or so.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Pond Campsite 

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: light rain

Starting Time: 7:30Starting Location: Pond Campsite north of Bear Tree Gap Ending Time: 6:40 Ending Location: Wise ShelterMiles: 21.4Morning Weather: Very slight rain and cloudy.Afternoon Weather: Cloudy but the rain held off.Breakfast: Granola and milk (thanks Will and Amy!) Lunch: Bars and gorp Dinner: Lipton and chicken Misc. Food: Yummy oatmeal cookies and zucchini bread from Early Bird.Trail Description: Long uphill over Mt. Rogers, but it was not near as bad as I expected. We dropped our packs and hiked to the summit just to claim the highest peak in VA. After Rogers, the Grayson Highlands were GREAT! I definitely want to come back here when it is a little sunnier. The colors were beautiful...browns and reds and purples. The terrain was similar to a bald, but had rocky outcroppings where the feral ponies were gathered. Indy pet one of them before it exposd its priapus and then ran away...very funny. We went through the "fat man squeeze tunnel" which your humble hiker was able to successfully navigate...it was basically a narrow pass through a large rock outcropping.People: Early Bird and Indy, cool weekenders from Thomasville, NC and Asheboro, NC at Thomas Knob shelterAnimals: 7 feral ponies, two white-tailed deer, tons of black and red millepedes Money: 0 Complaints: none Thoughts: I mentioned I could get through the fat man pass...I wanted to let everyone know that I have lost 23.5 pounds as of Easter Sunday. I tried on some clothes while at home and they all swallowed me up.I'm digging both Early Bird and Indy...very cool hikers. Indy is only section hiking so I'll lose him in a few days...bummer.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale, VA (Troutdale Baptist Hostel)
Miles today: 16.1

Starting Time: 7:45Starting Location: Wise ShelterEnding Time: 2:45Ending Location: Troutdale, VA (Troutdale Baptist Hostel)Miles: 16.1Morning Weather: cloudy and coldish (45)Afternoon Weather: light, persistent rain Breakfast: CIB x 2 Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Flounder, pintos, apples, and butterscotch pie at the Troutdale Trading PostTrail Description: Once again the Grayson Highlands area has proved awesome. The Scales area yielded more ponies (and an explanation of how they got there) and a great bathroom complete with trash can. There are tons of other trails in the area that weekenders are using for looping around the area...a must for future hikes. People: Early Bird, Indy, weekenders from VA Tech and Santa Cruz, CA, Ken Riggins (pastor of church) Animals: Deer (closeup), feral ponies, rabbitMoney: 11Complaints: feet sort of hurting, first weird rash appearing (yikes!) Thoughts: Well, the drama I mentioned from a few days ago is (somewhat) over. A thruhiker that is with his daughter has been questioned by police and social services and has been cleared of any perceived wrongdoing. Now, the guy is still weird and is spooking and/or annoying other hikers, but at least his daughter story is real and she is not in danger or in an abusive situation.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Troutdale, VA (Troutdale Baptist Hostel)

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

Starting Time: 8:45Starting Location: Troutdale, VA (Troutdale Baptist Hostel)Ending Time: 2:45Ending Location: Partnership ShelterMiles: 14.5Morning Weather: cold and cloudyAfternoon Weather: sleet, rain, and snowBreakfast: Hungry Man's breakfast at the Troutdale Traing Post...eggs, sausage, tater tots, biscuits and gravyLunch: Snickers bar and cookiesDinner: Pizza at the shelter! Partnership Shelter has a phone 100 yds away at the Mt. Rogers visitor center.Trail Description: Fairly easy grade and terrain..weather made it slightly slower.People: Early Bird, Indy, Bill, locals at the Trading Post (cool hitch...see below)Animals: Bat in shelter that was killed by BillMoney: 7 for breakfast, 11 for pizzaComplaints: I hate snow and it is back. I had a horrible weather day and got pretty down, really the first day I've been really down on hiking.Thoughts: Today was full of events. First, the hitch from Troutdale to the AT was hilarious. This crusty old guy who was having breakfast took us in his mid-80's Cadillac (black with red leather, oh yeah). His car had a bumper sticker on it that said "Friends don't let friends vote Republican." In Grayson County, VA, that is definitely a minority opinion. He spent the whole ride blasting Bush and his big government. "Why does Bush have his fingers in that Schiavo business? God D*@#it, Why can't she die in peace?" He kept saying things like this with just as colorful language. When he dropped us off he asked us if we smoked. I said no, and as I said it he pulled a joint from his visor. He said, "Aw hell, take it anyway." I refused again, and he said, "Hell, it isn't that good anyway. I had a lot better in Vietnam." He said Viet-nam in the separated way, like Forrest Gump. Hilarious. I managed to get back on the trail without breaking any state or federal laws. Then we had a bat in the rafters of the shelter. We looked at it breathing for quite a bit, then Bill took a broom and brushed it outside. It was hissing all the way at him. Fairly cruel, but funny vignette all the same.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 8:00Starting Location: Partnership ShelterEnding Time: 1:00Ending Location: Atkins, VA (Orchard Gap House)Miles: 11.6Morning Weather: sunny, windy (35 mph gusts), and coldAfternoon Weather: warmer (50ish) and sunnyBreakfast: noneLunch: Dairy Queen burger and blizzardDinner: Golden Corral pig-out-o-ramaMisc. Food: Leftover Thai that Amy brought me (yum)Trail Description: Snow! Walked a few miles on ridgelines where the drifts were close to two feet deep. Nice section coming down to VA11, including the Settler's Museum area (I'm coming back to the museum someday).People: Indy, Early Bird, Bill, Risk, AMY!Animals: Flushed three turkeys while running down toward train tracks.Money: 5 at DQ, 10 at GCComplaints: I hate snow, but at least it is melting immediately.Thoughts: I'm sooo glad that Amy has come to get me. This truly is the last time I'll see her until 4/30. We went to our family seat in Orchard Gap, VA (1 hr. drive) and stayed the night. The Orchard Gap house really is something special for me. The valley is all apple and peach orchards, and the apple trees are just beginning to bloom as I write this. When I step onto the soil here an electricity flows through me, telling me that I am indeed home. My brother and I hike Bald Rock Mountain, which overlooks the house and valley, almost every time we are up here. Tonight we went by my grandparents' gravesite, and on their Moravian-style gravestone is the verse "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills." I think Papa and Grandmama would approve of this hike. I remember Grandmama and my great aunt taking me and my cousin up to Shingle Ridge (top of the orchard) when they were past seventy. They really taught me to love the beauty of the outdoors, and to not take it for granted. I was told that my great grandfather used to look up at these hills of a morning and exclaim the beauty before him - his entire life. That's the sense of wonder I hope to retain through not only this hike but for the rest of my life as well. I will lift up mine eyes to the hills tomorrow and think of what special people both sets of my grandparents were and are to me.On a lighter note, when you come down towards US11 at Atkins, you go through an old orchard that then crosses the Middle Fork of the Holston, then crosses railroad tracks. When I was on top of the ridge above the orchard, I heard a train whistle, and immediately thought, "Train dodge...dig it." I ran as fast as I could down the hill (about a mile) and got to the bridge to cross the Holston right as the engine went by! So, I missed the train dodge. But, it was fun nonetheless, and I got to see a massive train go by closer and faster than I ever have before."The longest train I ever heardWent down the Georgia line.The engine passed at six o'clockAnd the cab passed by at nine"From the old song "In the Pines"
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Atkins, VA

To: Lick Creek campsite
Miles today: 17.0

Starting Time: 10:00Starting Location: Atkins, VAEnding Time: 6:00Ending Location: Lick Creek (tent)Miles: 17Morning Weather: Sort of windy, 50'sAfternoon Weather: Super nice! High 60's to low 70'sBreakfast: OatmealLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Lipton and ChickenMisc. Food: chocolate from Early Bird Trail Description: Easy day. Great mix of hiking through farms (private property) and small mountains similar to my Grandmama's house.People: Amy, Indy, RiskAnimals: Cows, multiple owls hooting (sounds like a conversation) all around my campsiteMoney: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: I'd like to first say that I crossed the North Fork of the Holston today. "The North Fork of the Holston" is a flatpick tune that my pickin' buddies and I play on a regular basis. So Terry, Tres, John, Steve, Dan, Dugas, and whoever else is reading my journal, I just wanted to let you know I've seen it and now have pictures of it (now just to figure out the setting of "Whiskey Before Breakfast"). I tried to hum the tune, but I got it mixed up with "Big Sandy River" and "The Gal I Left Behind me" just like I always do. Jump on it, son!Today was a great day of hiking, which I needed after two days in the snow. I can sense spring right around the corner, and I can sense increased miles in my near future. It's an exciting time! I've got a great, if slighty unlevel, campsite right by a small stream. I'll be falling asleep to "Water Music" tonight!
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Lick Creek campsite

To: Campsite north of VA 615
Miles today: 20.6

Starting Time: 8:30Starting Location: Lick Creek (tent)Ending Time: 7:30Ending Location: Campsite north of VA615 Miles: 20.6Morning Weather: 40 when I woke up but warmingAfternoon Weather: 75ish...super nice day with lots of sunBreakfast: CIB x 2Lunch: bars and gorpDinner: Garlic taters, LiptonMisc. Food: Trail Magic! At our campsite a church left a HUGE cooler of juices and desert-like items.Trail Description: The first climb was great, especially the last section through pasture up to Chesnut Knob Shelter. This shelter had a view of Burkes Garden, which was originally selected as the site for the Biltmore Estate. From the shelter you could see the entire area, as it was a round depression surrounded by the ridgeline that the AT followed. Very cool. That ridgeline was supposed to be easy, but it had tons of 100 foot ups and downs, and those get to you after awhile. The last section through Little Wolf Creek was ridiculous - there was no way to cross the creek (which crossed the AT 12 times) without just splashing through. Now, I enjoy water and like the refrshing feel of walking through a creek, but after 20 miles I want to "ease" into my evening. The Outdoor Club of Virginia Tech maintains this section...you think their engineers could figure out how to drop a big rock into the stream so a hiker could step on it. The blazes weren't anything to write home about either, as the many tributaries and side trails all looked like valid AT routes. The blazes you could see were usually very faint. People: Indy, two section hikers, weirdos at VA615Animals: Deer, hawks (hovering 20 ft. over me), mountain trout in Little Wolf Creek (thought of my buddy Steve and my first flyfishing on Conasauga River)Money: 0Complaints: See complaints lodged with OCVT aboveThoughts: It's weird that people are the scariest thing on the trail. I'm camping near a gravel backroad with Indy, and there are several trucks parked down by the creek with dudes just sitting in them. Now, they may have legitimate reasons for being there, but it's still weird. Before I left, everyone asked me if I was taking a gun, or if I was scared of snakes, or bears, or if, if, if...we live in a culture of fear and everyone is scared of everything (especially the unknown), and I am sad that it is that way. However, the only thing that worries me out here are the "town people." I think you might get that same vote from other hikers. You can smell a weirdo a mile away. I've heard several stories of hikers being followed by cars when they get near roads. This has got to stop! I'd like to ask these people just what they think they are accomplishing with these actions (or if they think at all).Sorry, that is strange commentary, and slightly disjointed, so I'm going to bed now. I had a great day of hiking otherwise...
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Campsite north of VA 615

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 8:45Starting Location: Lick Creek (tent)Ending Time: 5:35Ending Location: Jenny KnobMiles: 18.9Morning Weather: Sunny and warmAfternoon Weather: 80's!!!Breakfast: Juice from trail magic cooler, Odwalla protein barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Mtn. House and chocolate from Early BirdTrail Description: Real easy day today...sort of like yesterday with a lot of small ups and downs but today they weren't rocky, which makes everything easier.People: Indy, nice hikers at VA611 who told me that UNC won the NCAA tourney (bleh), Ken from WV at the shelterAnimals: noneMoney: 0Complaints: a little sunburned from yesterday, so I loaded up on sunscreen today and reeked like I was back in DCI Thoughts: Yesterday and today have been great. Yesterday I took two one-hour breaks and today I took a two hour break at Helveys Mill Shelter, which explains the longer times. I'm actually flying at about 2.5 mph...so not too shabby.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: light rain

Starting Time: 8:45Starting Location: Jenny Knob ShelterEnding Time: 7:05Ending Location: Doc's Knob ShelterMiles: 22.6Morning Weather: Threatening rain and 50'sAfternoon Weather: Actual rain and 50's, sun break at 6:30 when I was taking a break at Sugar Run Gap...very coolBreakfast: OatmealLunch: Double Cheeseburger, Powerade, Chocolate Milk, M&M Ice Cream Cookie at Trent's grocery...very cool place right across from a sawmill that sold everything...ammo, aspirin, chainsaws, burgers, etc.Dinner: Lipton and TunaMisc. Food: Oh yeah, Butterfinger I got at Trent'sTrail Description: Super easy and flat all the way to Wapiti Shelter, then a good climb followed by ridgeline into Doc's Knob.People: Indy, Ken, locals at Trent's (and I mean low-calls), E at shelterAnimals: something squeaking outside shelterMoney: 8Complaints: noneThoughts: One thing I love about backpacking is the "workout" aspect. I went fairly regularly to the YMCA before this trip and hit the elliptical trainers and the weights. And well, I guess I miss it. But, you can turn a section of your backpacking day into a workout by pushing extra hard, which is what I did from Wapiti to Doc's Knob. I did that 8.4, including a pretty big climb, in three hours flat. Very good workout that has me winded and exhausted. The really cool thing about long distance backpacking is that I can get two or three of these workouts in per day. Basically, I love what I'm doing.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Starting Time: 8:55Starting Location: Doc's Knob ShelterEnding Time: 11:40Ending Location: Pearisburg, VAMiles: 7.8Morning Weather: foggy and high 40'sAfternoon Weather: sunny and warmingBreakfast: barsLunch: AYCE Pizza HutDinner: lots of itTrail Description: Easy flats into a massive downhill off of Pearis Mtn.People: Indy, EAnimals: GrouseMoney: 50 for motel, food, and misc.Complaints: noneThoughts: Splitting a room with E tonight. Sad to be losing Indy (he is only section hiking). Nice to be in town and relaxing before a fairly aggressive schedule to Daleville.
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 10:40Starting Location: Pearisburg, VAEnding Time: 9:15Ending Location: Bailey Gap ShelterMiles: 23.5Morning Weather: sunny and 55Afternoon Weather: sunny and 65...absolutely gorgeous Breakfast: blueberry muffins Lunch: bars and gorp Dinner: Tuna, Chedder Broccoli Lipton pasta - best Lipton I've had TrailDescription: Passed by a nasty plant in P'burg (Celenex, I believe). There was a sign at a stream crossing near there that said something like "Do not drink water due to high levels of naturally occurring bacteria." Now, they may be occurring "naturally," but only as a result of the chemical landfill that you put one mile above the creek. Jerks.The traverse of Peter's mountain and the view near Rice's Field Shelter into WV was spectacular.People: E, Will and Amy (Helmet and Catapult), Early Bird, Early Bird's sister and her sister's boyfriend, J.D. from Knoxville who got in even later than meAnimals: Rabbit Money: 0 Complaints: none! Beautiful day for hiking.Thoughts: A very long day that included some town chores plus fairly big miles. The night hiking was great, the stars were out in full force against a completely clear sky. The shelter is jam-packed and everyone is asleep, so I'm signing off for now.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 8:10Starting Location: Bailey Gap ShelterEnding Time: 7:45Ending Location: Laurel Creek ShelterMiles: 14.6Morning Weather: sunny and 60Afternoon Weather: sunny and near 80Breakfast: peanut butter sandwichLunch: bars and gorpDinner: Pasta Roni and chickenMisc. Food: Trail Magic! At VA601/Rocky Gap, there was a cooler of orange sodas and candy bars. Just what you need after climbing 1200 ft., and facing 600 more feet elevation gain.Trail Description: Purple rocks everywhere...no middle ground - it was either flat or straight up/down. But I'm so ticked about getting off-trail, that the trail description doesn't even matter (see complaints below).People: E, Helmet and Catapult, Early Bird, Early Bird's sister and her sister's boyfriend, J.D., two nice older ladies doing a two week section hike (saw them at War Spur), several day hikers at Wind Rock after we got back there, including one who I actually passed in the Smokies when I climbed out of Newfound Gap - how cool is that?!?Animals: noneMoney: 0Complaints: I'm steamin' mad!!! I, along with everyone else today, went down the wrong trail(Peter's Mtn.) at Wind Rock after the Salt Sulfur Turnpike. There are NO blazes at the fork to let you know that the trail is shifting. The trail that goes straight (the wrong trail) used to be the AT route and has faint whiteblazes on it (this is no different than the real AT in this section, it too has very poor, faint blazes). Lastly, the fork is a campsite, and there were 10 high schoolers camping there with 5 tents and several coolers strewn all over the place, masking any transition we might have seen. Early Bird and I passed the turn, went down a mile, wondered if we were on the right trail, double-backed to check for white blazes, found white blazes, then proceeded to go approx. 4 miles off the trail. Needless to say, we were not saying nice words in those moments. Helmet and Catapult did the same, although they didn't continue off-trail as far as we. When we got to War Spur shelter, the register was full of entries where hikers had missed the turn. The Roanoke ATC needs to get up there and paint some frickin' blazes for hikers!!!Thoughts: I should have gone about 21 miles today. Instead, I only got 14 miles up the trail after still hiking about 21 miles. I am very mad at the Roanoke ATC.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 7:30Starting Location: Laurel Creek ShelterEnding Time: 7:00Ending Location: Pickle Branch ShelterMiles: 22.3Morning Weather: sunny and 50Afternoon Weather: sunny and 80Breakfast: barsLunch: bars and gorpDinner: Pasta Roni Garlic Asian...yumMisc. Food: Apple Sauce from AmoebaTrail Description: The first part of the day was beautiful...the AT went through pastures and over stiles. The Keffer Oak is a HUGE oak that I passed - 18 feet around. The climb up to the Audie Murphy Memorial was long, but great. The memorial itself was nice and I had a nice break there.People: J.D., Helmet and Catapult, Early Bird, Amoeba and Mountain Goat, Cathy and Richard (Early Bird's friends). Amoeba and I had a great conversation about the many uses of a white flour sack towel. I got a good picture of her hiker configuration of the towel. Animals: Reptiles! I saw three rather large lizards (5 inches or so) and two black snakes. The first snake was huge...at least 5 feet long and 6 inches around. When it heard me coming, it took off and flew across the trail and up to a rock outcropping where it had a nest. It was moving as fast or faster than I was walking. The second snake was about 3 feet long and I was able to get a picture of him.Money: 0Complaints: Feet hurt and are tired from 3 20+ days Thoughts: It was HOT today and yesterday. I took a 2 hour siesta at Niday Shelter and loved it. I was out of the sun and on my back for the whole time...very cool.