morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Under Powerline near Sarver Shelter, VA

To: Trout Creek, Va
Miles today: 13.0

I woke up before the sunrise. I had to sprint over and dig me a hole and deficate. I no that is TMI(too much information); but, it was a crisis. When I got back to my pack, I saw what that rabbit was up to. He ate my drawstring on my pack; ate my dew rag; and ate one of my sock liners. I should have ate that son of a gun. I got going right away as I wanted to catch Mo. The only problem was that the walk across this ridge and down to the nidday Shelter is pure hell. It is very rocky and includes alot of literal rock climbing. It got me hungery and thirsty. Not much water up here and I did not go down to the Sarver's Shelter because of the steep descent of .3 miles. Just before Nidday Shelter; I stopped to eat a big meal. As I did, several hikers went by and did not even seee me. After the long descent down to the shelter, I read that "Mo" had just left about 2 hours before me. That kind of gotme fired up and I then attempted to climb up the mountain to the Audie Murphy Monument. It is a long climb; but, is fairly well graded and I did it without stopping too much. When I got to the top: 2 Sobo section hikers told me that Mo would meet me in Catawba when I got there. It was getting around 3pm and I did not think I had the "juice" to get to Catawba before the AYCE restaurant closed. It did not matter because when I got to Trout Creek it began to rain. I then put my tent up. Thank you "Mr Happy". I did pretty well because there were some big downpours in that storm.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Catawba Country Store, Va

To: Comfort Inn, Daleville, Va
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It drizzled on us most of the night due to the wind blowing the precip into the carport. None of us moved. We did not get hardly wet at all. We all woke up early because of the birds and all the cars whipping down US 311. Last night Mo forgot to call back a shuttle that was going to slack him into Daleville. We decided to let him take Mo & I's pack and drop it off at the Comfort Inn and we would "slack" into town. This was fine by me because my feet still hurt. It is going to take a day or two off of my feet to get them back to normal. The shuttle showed up around 8am and we were on the trail at 8:20 am. This hike today is another all star walk. We walked up the 3 miles up to McCaffee Knob. It was stunning. I am having difficulty finding new words to describe just how amazing the beauty is on the trail as springs blooms. The ledge on the knob is about 1/2 mile long and it had many campers from Radford U and Va Tech. We looked out and followed the ridge over to Tinker's Ridge and then followed it on down into the town where we were going. If you look at a relief of the contour of the trail: it looks like this is an easy hike all down hill. Dont you believe it. It goes generally down; but, does the AT thing of going up and down. It goes up to every electrical tower and rocky crag it can find. The views are stellar. When we were about 6 miles from town. I took over carrying Hawk's pack to let him rest some blisters he had going. Like me, he has worn right through his socks and it made blisters on his feet. I carried his pack for about 4 miles and I was shot. I did like his Osprey pack, though. We finally got into town and Mo went into the outfitter. When he got back we checked into the Comfort Inn where are packs were delivered earlier. Im glad we did this, my feet were killing me.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Comfort Inn, Daleville, Va

To: Comfort Inn, Daleville, Va
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I jogged to the Troutville PO with about 7 pounds of winter gear that I was sending home. It was about a 3 mile run. Picked up an awesome Package from "Complete Package". Then got a ride to the outfitters by Pat. The outfitters were sold out of Therma-Rest pad patches. The other day when Hawk, Alley Cat, And I did that 6.5 mile evening "slack" from va 624 to US 311; I forgot to mention a good story: We were moving about 3.5 miles per hour without our packs and we came up to a cow pasture with a hurd of black cattle. The trail led right through the middle of their hurd that was about 50 head. There were several new born calves with there mothers. Being from a beef producing area and having walked through hurds like this; I began looking for the bull. There he was. There was the trail leading us right by the new born. I knew this was not good. I began to use my baby voice, saying, "it's ok, I'm not going to hurt you." The bull was about 20 yards away and began moving our way. Hawk and I moved to a slight jog to avoid the bull's path. Alley Cat froze! The bull started to head straight for the Frozen Alley. I turned around and starting yelling at the bull to take his attention off of Alley. Hawk did the same. The bull saw us and darted at hawk. Hawk sprinted away; then he came at me; and I sprinted hoping that I would not be trampled. Luckily the bull snorted and veered away from me and stopped. Alley was still frozen! She was safer now; but, not out of danger. Hawk and I were out of the hurd; but, she was still in the middle of the pack. In an elevated; but, soothing voice. I said, "It's OK Alley, move, run, come on,". She did and the bull glanced at her; but, let her pass. It was all we talked about for the rest of the night. I joked, "Alley it is bears that you do not run from; Bulls run!" She named us El Hawk Matador Y Zero Toreador!
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Comfort Inn, Daleville, Va

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

I definetly recommend The comfort Inn. It is a little off the trail(.5); but, the internet access and breakfeast bar make it worth it. Plus, with Mo and I, it was just 43 dollars with the "hiker corporate" rate. We started the day with a big breakfeast at 9am. Mo needed to go to the outfitter in Daleville. While he did this; I worked on the computer. We said that we would meet up at 3pm at the trail junction at US 220. That would give Mo plenty of time to do his thing and meet me. He got his Trail Name, Mo Lassus, because he "is slow as molasses" and I hate waiting on people. I walked up to the trail junction and started chewing on a beefstick with mustard when Mo walked up. I noticed a big difference in Mo today. He was real excited about meeting up with this female NOBO named "Snackbreak". He said he and her had a good rapport. I was like, whatever. We moved pretty fast up to the Fulhardt Knob Shelter. We stopped once as it was around 90 degrees and it we did some walking across some open fields. We got moving again along fairly level well graded trail to The Wilson Creek Shelter. Mo went off and left me. Man, he is excited! My feet were also hurting some as "Complete Package" had sent me a large food drop. Im not complaining because she sent me some good stuff. When I got to the shelter; everyone said,"Hi Zero!". Several new faces:"Iceman Dan, Dirty Blonde(female) & Backbend, & Snackbreak". They were celebrating that we were 1/3 of the way to Mt Katahdin, the AT's terminus in the north. It was mainly Snackbreak drinking tequila. Mo, Iceman Dan, and I were drinking some Jim Beam that I carried up. We all got acquainted. One funny and gross thing was that Dirty Blonde and Backbend had lost their toothbrush and were now sharing one with Snackbreak! Yuck, I could not do that. Snackbreak is also a bit of an exhibitionist and stripped right down to her underwear right in front of us. No, there is nothing wrond with this, nor was I embarrassed. 700 miles of hiking looks good on a body and I did take a few peeks. Most people do not change right in front of the group, though. I did compliment her on her legs and she said thank you. I then set up my tent and they slept in the shelter. I took a sleep aid and was out around 10pm.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night we had a roucous night. First it was the frogs making all kinds of noises down by the creek about 25 yards away; next it was a screech owl that had Snackbreak saying, "Im going to die tonight". If you have not ever heard a screech owl; it is a racket that very strange, screeching and cawing. Then a flying squirrel came in and screamed at us for about 30 minutes, while it knocked over our stoves. We we did finally make it to daylight; I heard the rain. Everyone had left except Mo. As we talked, I could tell that our hike together was coming to an end. Let's not forget that Im a counselor and I notice the most subtle of changes; particularly in my friends. An example was when I called "The Professor and Bobsled"; "The Professor and Maryanne"; he corrected me. Now it was usually vice versa with me correcting him; but, since he was now courting, he was honing "the diamond" to a finer hue. Many other things were said as he left; but, I will save them for the book. I knew that he and I, would probably not hike together much longer.I realized this quite awhile ago due to the way that I hike. Like this day; I would not hike because it was raining and turning colder. I was kind of sad; but, happy that we had our time together. I spent the day eating, drinking water, and doing exercises. At dusk "Macgyver & The Caveman from Ohio" came in. I slept pretty well.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matt's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained most of the night and through the morning. Around noon, I got my butt in gear and did the long morning routine. I am feeling stronger the last few days because Hawk left a bunch of powdered milk, chocolate drink, and protein shake at the last shelter. I cannot tell you how much the protein powder makes a difference. My muscles never really get tired. My feet do; but, not my muscles. I still do not have to take pain medication for them, though. Just as I am about 30 minutes away from leaving, "Tom, Dick, & Harry" showed up. They are section hikers from New Mexico. We had a great conversation and headed out. It starting raining as I left and a cold rain. I was like, oh no! It actually stopped about 20 minutes into the hike and I was not too wet. I was happy it quit. I was wanting a big day. It is a good 4 mile climb up Floyd Mtn that I did like a world champ. I took a break at The Cornelious Creek Shelter and noticed that the temps were about 30 degrees colder than they had been. I had to get going quickly. I then climbed up to Apple Orchard Mtn. Up here there is some sort of giant golf ball radar tower that I had been seeing for days. I remember Backbend asking,"Do you see that mtn? Do you think we are going up there?!" I said, "Your a thru-hiker that is 1/3 of the way through the hike, what do you think the sadistic AT maintainers are going to do?" He knew that was a rhetorical answer and he just sighed. It was a nice view up here. With the rain lifting and smokey clouds in the valley; made a great view which we had not seen in awhile. I quickly got to The Thunder Hill Shelter and met Sobo's "Shamus & Liz". We drank a good cup of "cowboy coffee"(coffee made with the grounds poured in a boiling pot of water on a fire, non filtered) with real half and half that I had carried from The Comfort Inn. Their conversation and coffee got me fired up. It was dark after about an hour after I left them. It was 13 miles from that shelter to the next one at Matt's Creek. I did most of it with my headlamp. It was not that bad of a hike and not even spooky. There were some big climbs in here like Thunder Hill and High Cock Knob(even though the elevetion contour on the maps looked like an easy decsent). One very nice view over to the east at a power plant going full steam on the James River. I did get wore out about 2 miles from the shelter at the last climb. I stop right in the middle of the trail. I ate a bunch of bacon, nuts, chocolate, & got going. I arrived at Matt's Creek in pretty good shape; but, very late. The bridge over the creek was washed out and I had to ford it freestyle. I nearly fell in; I have learned from my experience on the Clingmans Dome Icefield back In February to keep 3 points of contact on inclines. In this case, I had a sappling in my left hand and slid about 4 feet down; but, saved myself. Man, Im like a cat(that's for you O.G.) I got in and set up my tent and laid there awhile and wished that I would have kept going. I had not completly "given up the ghost" of catching Mo Lassus, The Jersey Diamond.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Bald Knob, Va

To: Dutch Haus, Montebello, VA
Miles today: 16.5

That was a difficult night. The wind blew in right under my rain tarp on my tent and kept me completely chilled. I had a dream that I was in a tough counseling session and I could not get my words out because I was hyperventilating. This actually happened once when I was firing a counselor for beating a kid and I was afraid that he was going to get his gun from his truck and shoot me. Anyway, I woke up freezing and completely down in my bag; all balled up with the bag over my head, gasping for air. It was daylight; but, I was not waking up, until the sun came up more to warm me up. When the sun did warm me; I then had my next dilemma: water. Since I did not plan to camp here; I did not bring any more water than what I needed on the 5 mile climb up here. So, I was already parched. I ate a few granola bars and washed them down with my last swallow of water. I still had about a mile climb and then about a mile down to The Cowcamp Shelter(it is .5 off the trail). I did not want to go down there; but, I had to have water. I got there and drank quite a bit of untreated water as it was coming right out of the ground. I ate a giant brunch and drank a big protein shake. I had to lay there on a massive picnic table to let the food digest some and it was so warm. It was still kind of chilly when the wind blew. I knew that I had to get to the Dutch Haus B&B today or freeze tonight. I got moving over a big bald before Pig Farm Gap. It was a beautiful view. I met 3 yellow blazing NOBOS named "Many Miles, singe, and Tattoo". They admitted to yellow blazing. I love it when people can admit that. Many people yellow blaze and act like they hike all those miles vs hitching a ride. I really started turning it on as I miscalculated the distance to The Dutch Haus. I still had about 10 miles to The Fish Hatchery Road and Then 1.5 miles down a very steep slope to the highway to Montebello(It was around 3pm). I did make it to the road with only stopping to get water. It was the hardest hiking that I had done yet. I was encouraged by Tattoo. He said man your a fast hiker. I said that I am today! I actually ran in places and ran most of the way down the Fish Hatchery Road. When I hit the highway; I got a ride right away. I cant believe my luck at hitching lately; nothing like a $5,000 dollar smile! The hunter dropped me off right off at the Dutch Haus. Just in time for dinner. They took my dirty clothes and I walked around in a smoking jacket/robe all night. I felt like Hugh Hefner or James Bond. This B&B is a very nice cabin/house. The Proprietors Lois and Earl are from the same part of Texas and said they always love a man who ask for hot sauce. I was raised to not season; until you taste the meal, but I asked before the meal here because they are Texans. The hikers here were "Grasshopper, Caveman of Ohio, Capt Bly(section hiker). I did not get to sleep until 5:30 am due to the TV and Internet.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Dutch Haus, Montebello, VA

To: Dutch Haus, Montebello, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Man, it was cold outside last night. Gald I was in here. Ok, I need to "clear the air": First of all my buddy O.G. e-mailed me and wanted to make sure that I was still having fun with all the internal dialoging that I have been doing. The answer is yes. I laugh all day and think of family and friends and pray. I go through what I will put in my journal and cant wait to write the book to get all "the other stuff" in the open. Nothing to dramatic; but, too personal to live and write about as I hike. The next thing is about Mo Lassus, The Jersey Diamond. I am sad that I essentially could not keep up with him due to my idiosyncrasies about hiking. I miss him; but, that is my life. He is still a friend and I will see him at Trail Days. And Snack Break: I think she is cool. I guess I left my journaling about her in a neutral status. I think her getting Mo, "Mo"tivated, is an awesome thing. Somehow I did not make myself clear about the thru-hiker culture around single women and putting Snack Break into that culture; I may have been stereotypical. That is not fair to her. Hell, I only hiked with her for one day! I have old issues around "trail marriages" that I will explain later. I did start that story. You remember the one when my buddy, "Mt Mike" from Dallas, came out and brought a croosbow with him. Now let me try to explain a part of the trail subculture that involves NOBO's. Remember that I created and collapsed dozens of groups in my day; both adolescent and adult; and trained others to do so. When you are hiking north on the AT in peak hiker season: the ratio is 10 to 1; male to female. This creates an interesting culture around these very few females. It is a matriarchal society with about 5-10 male svengalis that are totally engulfed with this female. Many of these women become complete demagogues and to cross them; question them; talk while they are talking; &/or basically not ingratiating them constantly; you can wreak the wrath of their entire group. I have many examples of these interactions; but, one from "The Traveller"(87-89 10005 continuous miles on AT) will suffice. Traveller hiked south last year and was at a shelter in Penn getting ready for bed. There was about 15 hikers all milling around and there was a female NOBO that was speaking to her minions. He had his hiking buddy there with him and after about 10 minutes of everyone listening to her; he asked his buddy where were they gong to hike tomorrow? The female NOBO stopped in mid sentence and looked over the crowd and said, "dont you interupt me when Im talking!" He said that he just looked at her and thought about the time he sparred with a cocky woman in a open sparring hour. The Nobo female continued on unabashed with her conversation. Now, not all Nobo group cultures are like this; nor are many women; I just wanted to let you all know what goes on at times. I hope I do not look misogynous; it is totally the contrary. I love women; but, let's be real! Go out sometime and see for yourself.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Maupin Field Shelter, VA

To: 4 miles From Maupin Field Shelter, VA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: broken clouds

I just could not get out of my tent this day. I put my tent up in the shelter the night before to keep the bugs off of me and as hikers came in and left: I just stayed in my tent. That climb last night whooped my butt. I finally woke up with about 2 hours of daylight left, yes it's true. I did sleep about 18 hours off and on. I think it was the climb last night; hiking in the heat; and not sleeping hardly at all at the Dutch Haus. Anyway, as strange as this is; I got up and ate a monster breakfeast/lunch/supper/dinner(take your pick). I got going around dusk with my headlamp on. I was going to hike all night. Well, guess what? It started raining about 4 miles into the hike. Yes, I put my tent up to avoid the rain and was soon asleep. I dont know how I slept; but, I did. I also feel very hot, my skin temperature. I also feel as if I have some chest congestion. Both of my sides hurt down by my lateral obliques. The left side hurts often from an old football injury where I had one of my ribs on the left upper side of my sternum pulled from my sternum. I am used to that but the right has me a little worried. Im such a hypochondriac and now histrionic since im telling you all about it. The pain in the right side is that feeling you get when your side hurts when you are excercising too hard for your current endurance level. It did quit raining sometime in the night; but I went back to sleep.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: 4 miles From Maupin Field Shelter, VA

To: Waynesboro, Va - YMCA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up at a decent hour; probably around 9am with the water dilemma again. I ate several poptarts and some candy bars and drank the last of my water. I packed up and got to a good water source near Dripping Rock. It was one that came right from the ground; so, I gorged myself without treating the water to get rehydrated. My side still hurts and Im not feeling it. I walked past a spectacular view and walked up to the Dripping Rock parking area and cooked some Ramen. While I was doing this; I was sticking my thumb out hitching. After eating; I told myself that I would try 2 more cars and then hike over Humpback Rock and into Waynesboro. A car went by and paused then drove on. This car came back about 5 minutes later. It was 2 students from U VA. They took me to the visitor center at Rockfish Gap, Va. I then got a ride from a local trail angel named Sylvia. Dont worry folks, I will go back and start up at Dripping Rock. I went to the Y for free camping, shower, and companionship with many other thru-hikers. I then ate at Ming's; a local chinese AYCE. Bought a beer at Kroger and went to bed with a thunderstorm bursting till midnight.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Elkton Motel, Elkton, Va

To: Waynesboro, VA Ymca
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

I got a ride out to the Dripping Rock parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is about 15 miles north of Rockfish Gap. I was "slackpacking" and hoping to get to the Shenandoah visitor center before 5pm to get a ride back to Waynesboro. I love "slacking". It is so easy to hike. It is like floating! I did the 4 miles up to Humpback Rock in about an hour and a 1/2 with thoughts of a beautiful lady. I got up there and enjoyed the view down west into Waynesboro and to the north into the Shenandoah's. With the wind blowing; it was kind of cold. I got going on the 6.5 miles down to the shelter. As I was hiking, I developed a nagging cough. All the dust, pollution, and pollen from the valley blowing up on the rock messed my sinuses up. The descent down to the shelter was very rocky and my feet hurt when I got to the Paul C. Wolfe shelter. This was a nice shelter. I noticed a note from "fannypack" that he had left me some water back about a week ago(long gone). I hope to meet him at Trail Days. Him and I have been e-mailing since I started back in January. I cannot believe that my feet still hurt like this. My granny and Aunt Faye had early onset arthritis; I guess that is what I have in my feet. It is strange though; because they did not hurt from Damascus to Pearisburg? I am looking forward to Trail Days to rest them for an extended period. I then pretty much ran the next 5.6 miles to Rockfish Gap. I wanted to get there by 5pm. About half way; I nearly ran head first into a jogger. I had to jump out of the way. he had headphones on and had his head down. It was really close. I got to Rockfish Gap too late for a ride and I had to hitch. I got a ride quickly from a local trail maintainer. He dropped me off at the Y where I took a shower and prepared for my 4 days @ 27 miles a day to meet my ride for trail days at Front Royal, VA. I slept well.