morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-10-16
From: Blackrock hut

To: Waynesboro, Va. 
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

MOved out at seven-thirty. I really enjoyed the company at the hut last night and this morning. i met Matt, John, and Carol (I hope i have that right). I drank a quart or so of water (cameled up) then rolled without any water on me to slow me down up mountains. I want to be in Waynesboro by four which shouldnt be to hard...uh....I hope. Thats an even twenty miles. I averaged three miles an hour for the first hour and a half then slowed down because the terrain changed a little. I stopped at a really nice spot for lunch on top of Calf Mtn (2975ft). I am now out of the Shenandoah Natl. Park which has the Southern boundary at Jarmans Gap a mile back. Not a whole lot of views today but a noticable difference in trail after leaving the park. I very much enjoyed the Shennies. I saw many picturesque views and talked with so many wonderful people. I am very pleased to have experienced it and will return here sometime for a camping trip (with lots of HUGE steaks and stuff...haha) - I then hiked into Rockfish gap where i met two very nice employees (one came from Allentown, Pa..the next town near mine) and they were very helpful with the info they gave me. Well...haha...they worked at the Tourist information Center in Rockfish Gap. One of the employees named Dick turned into a trail angel and gave me a ride 4.5 miles into Waynesboro, Va. where I went to the YMCA. My original plan to go the the local church hostel didnt fall through when I re-read the hikers guidebook and saw that it only operates till the end of June. or something like that. The ymca is hiker friendly and lets us set up in the park behind the building there. They also let hikers take a free shower and will call trail angels to take us back to the trailhead when we are ready to head out. Very nice. The shower I took was just heaven. Hot water!!!! Absolutely awsomely! I now dont stink like the animal i am..haha. I then filled up my water bottle and headed to the library which is right next door. Then it was back to the park where i set up my hamnmock..ate dinner and went to sleep. Tomorrow I am looking forward to the post office opening. Ive got that Hiker Hunger going again. Sure is nice to Zero here since the last time i did was in Pennsylvania. Just a quick note..my pal dan is putting up my pictures from the first part of the journey (Maine to Pa.)- It will take a bit as he is working on it. I wont really be doing to much labeling and stuff until i return home after (god willing) I walk onto that oh so far off rock in Georgia. But I will get around to it and plan on labeling them in the order i took them..From the beginning of the hike in Maine to the end in Georgia. Thank you all for reading my journal and the kind words of support youve given me. It really keeps my spirits high!!! Thanks again.
Date: 2008-10-17
From: Waynesboro, Va. 

To: Waynesboro - VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I am zeroing here in the town. Waynesboro is said to be one of the larger towns hikers have access to near the trail. It has alot of restaurants and there is a Family Dollar store here. In the morning I packed up my gear and left my pack in the YMCA. Sure nice of them to watch it for me. I headed over to the post office where I checked for any mail and I picked up a box from Joe (my employer at E.T.I. Trucking in Allentown, Pa. - thats where I worked before I came to the trail. He sent me a bunch of awsome trail snacks!!! I ripped open the box and stood there in the post office eating some of it! Snacks rock! Thanks alot Joe! Totally awsome. I also recieved a really great hookup from my sister! Thanks sis. I then spent a large majority of the day in the public library reading books on Virginia and its history. Really interesting past this state has. In the evening I went over to the Family Dollar store and really went wild. I purchased a reeeaaalllly large amount of food. I love those inexpensive stores! Although my pack is no longer very light I lavish in the mere fact that I will be able to snack and hike in the coming days...yes...snack as I hike....I love the sound of that. I ditched my large pot I bought in Vermont (or was it New Hampshire???) to get rid of pack weight and I did a total pack re-check and got rid of all unneccessary items. It was a long time coming. Tonight I am going to go over the next few weeks in my thru hikers guidebook and project where Im going and some times. All in all...it was a nice relaxing day in Waynesboro.
Date: 2008-10-18
From: Waynesboro - VA

To: Paul C. Wolfe shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

I went back to the library today as I felt like doing a bit of reading before heading back to the trail. Earlier I stopped in the YMCA to ask directions to the closest laundrymat when the worker there said since I have such a small clothing load she would throw it in with the towels (not standard procedure and I appreciate it greatly). Nice- since the laundrymat was a nice distance away. At the library I read "On the Beaten Path". Its a re-count by a past thru-hiker and is quite a funny book. I shall pick it up at a bookstore later when Ive completed the trail (so I dont have to carry it.. Back at the ymca I took a shower, changed into clean clothes (two things that made me feel really good) then called from a list of trailangels they have there that volunteer to give rides back to the trail. I called "Roy". He showed up and i was off about 4pm. We drove 4.5 miles back to the trailhead and he dropped me off right at the blaze. Thanks Roy. Saved me alot of time and energy getting back to the trailhead! My stay in Waynesboro was very relaxing. I wish I could have been inside but the little park was nice. I hiked out to the Paul c. wolfe shelter about five miles south. There I met a large group from Boyscouts troop 300 who were very interesting to talk with. I tried to answer as many hike related questions they had. I really enjoy doing that especially for the younger kids out on their first hikes. They made room in the shelter for me and I had a pretty relaxing sleep that night.
Date: 2008-10-19
From: Paul C. Wolfe shelter

To: Maupinfield shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

This morning I hiked out at seven a.m. and summited Humpback Mtn. (3600ft). It was a gradual climb with alot of switch backs. At 2850ft there is a large panoramic view of the mountains and valleys called "cedar cliffs" which I found to be striking. Most of the day was hiked through wooded trail with many ups and downs. I spend alot of time thinking and daydreaming as I hike since Ive been hiking solo since sept. 24th. Its different to hike solo for long periods but it has its good points. I find I am much more in tune with the environment about me. The forest to be exact. I notice so much in the way things are there and in the habit of the few animals I do run into. different trees, which trees loose their leaves first, which animals dont come out on windy days, how spiderwebs mostly form where the sun crosses the trail, etc. Its pretty cool. As far as what goes through my mind...everything! Memories pop up as far back as when I was five living in California as a boy. It seems to switch back and forth between the past, present, and future. The trail is a great place to contemplate. Once at the shelter I ended the day at Maupin Field (shelter) where I met three hikers sectioning the A.T. They were from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We lit a large fire since the temperature was really getting low and stood about it until bedtime. Two other hikers came over (I suck at names)..and we all ate and chatted. It was a pretty nice time. Campires are so great when its cold out. I also cooked up the Jiffy Pop popcorn my friend Joey D. sent me. Everyone got a kick out of that. It was pretty funny since I havent bought that forever I had to read the directions on how to pop it. haha...duh...yeah..I got it. Yum. If youve been following my journal you KNOW that that popcorn didnt stand a chance at lasting very long!!!
Date: 2008-10-20
From: Maupinfield shelter

To: Priest shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

Waking up in the shelter this morning I noticed a considerable chill in the morning air. Yeah-it was f-ing freezing! My sleeping bag works like a champ and is so warm and cozy. The only way to keep warm once out of it is to keep hiking. I said good-bye to the friends I made last night (we may go hiking in the pa./n.j./n.y. area sometime) and hiked out to the summit of Bee Mtn (3035ft) then Three Ridges (3970ft). Coming down off Three Ridges I went to Harpers Creek shelter which was nestled at 1800ft in a little cove in the forest. Peacefull little area so I decided to eat lunch there. I started a fire and heated up some coffee while I munched on "Potted Meat" in a can and wheat bread. Im not sure whats in the Potted Meat and I have no desire to read the ingredients! Its solid food and does the trick. Fuel for the Trail! Hey- what a great name for a cookbook. I sat at the picnic table at the shelter for an hour at least. It was so nice out there in the woods. Just the sound of an occassional squirrel running about or an acorn falling from a tree branch above. Most of all it was the wonderful sound of silence only the forest can create. That stillness that seems to penetrate my soul and calm and relax me in such a natural way. I closed my eyes for a bit and just enjoyed the moment. I then hiked out and four miles later found myself hiking up a mtn. named "The Preist". Its 4063ft. to the summit and is broken up into switch-backs. The views from the top are spectacular to say the least but the climb up is pretty challenging especially if you have lots of water or food. I took a few breaks summiting it (30 sec. stops here and there)- its a long Mtn. to summit. The nice thing was that after almost 2 hours summiting this mtn. the shelter is only .5 of a mile down the Appalachian Trail. The shelter is at 3840ft. and is a cake walk after summiting. I rolled into the shelter right as it was getting dark, ate, then crawled into my sleeping bag. Its going to be a cold evening again tonight. I shared the shelter area with three section hikers who who were pleasant company.
Date: 2008-10-21
From: Priest shelter

To: u.s.f.s. rd 246 (stealth nearby)
Miles today: 11.2

Very cold windy morning. Guess I gotta get used to that. Its getting easier since I know its going to be like that most days. I packed up and stayed in the shelter catching up on this journal until 9:30am. It was needed and I felt like taking it easy. The trail was more gradual ups and downs but pleasant. I came across a sign which read "Spy rocks" 3860ft - and took a short side trail to check it out. How can you not with such a cool name like that..haha. The only thing better could have been "Super secret spy rocks". But...oh never mind..getting back to my story...haha...I had to boulder up about 30ft to the peak of these large rocks but the 360 vista view of Virginia Mountains were magnificant. Being fall the wind was a bit chilling. I came off of Main top mountain (3895ft), summited another mtn (3895ft). On the decent it started to get dark so I decided to stealth near mile 1371.3 (from Katahdin) at usfs rd 246 at 3500ft. I pitched my hammock and hung my food and settled in for the night. The wind tonight was in the 30's and the place I camped at had gusts of wind coming over the ridge all night. Very strong gusts! ok...it was cold as shit!!! No bull. This was the first Reeeaaallly cold night ive spent on the trail so far. Lukily for me Im a "Badass Southbounder" and am invincible against all forms of weather...er....hahaha.
Date: 2008-10-22
From: u.s.f.s. rd 246 (stealth nearby)

To: rice mtn. (stealth)
Miles today: 18.0

Woke up and hiked out really fast! Its the best thing to do to keep warm (yeah..I know..I keep saying that)..anywho...its a bit different when Im in a shelter but when Im stealthing and its cold- its get up and get moving. Today the trail traversed absolutely beautiful terrain. The trail at one point opened up to a grassy mowed (ok...it looked mowed..) field on top of a ridge with nice views sporadiacally popping up on both sides. I video taped one vista and as I was two deer came wandering near me. I spent a majority of the day hiking along ridges and doing switch backs. The highest mtn. today was 4022ft but wasnt too bad. The views were a sight to see. Makes the big mountains well worth the climb! I stopped twice today. Once for breakfast at a nice little campsite at a place called Hog Camp gap. The spring for water is quite a walk at 600yards. I stopped seven miles later at US60 parking area where I found a picnic table and grill. I started a wood fire in the grill and made Ramen noodles. As I was snacking two southbounders "Mr. Nice Guy and Card shark" arrived. I havent seen Mr. Nice guy since unionville, N.Y. at the Mayors house. We chatted for a bit then they took off because they were getting slackpacked by Cardsharks parents. Sweet! I headed out hoping to get to Punchbowl shelter about eleven miles away but decided to call it a day three miles shy. I stealth camped halfway up Rice mountain.
Date: 2008-10-23
From: rice mtn. (stealth)

To: Matts Creek shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Last night was a trip! I was all snug in my hammock when I heard some animal trotting through the forest towards me...it came closer..and closer...until I could tell it was within 25 ft...20ft...15ft...10ft...then it abruptly stopped and their was silence. I listened for a few moment then it bolted fast...probably a deer scared to death of my hammock. Then I heard all this ruckus over by my bear bag I had hung...lots of twigs snapping and scampering...I finally just yelled.."Knock it Off!!" and that stopped immediately. About ten minutes later I hear barking and howling about a quarter mile from me..a pack of whatever and on the other side of me two separate barkers..howlers kept going back and forth..like they were talking to each other. They did this for a long, long while. I finally fell asleep amongst the goofyness. Animals..sheeesh...haha. The morning was brisk so I packed up quick and hiked a bit until I came to Punchbowl shelter. A nice small shelter nestled in the woods at 2500ft (Bluff Mtn) for a spectacular vista view then followed the mtn. ridges quite a while enjoying views on both sides. Virginia in this area is very mountain like. The views of the distant mountains and trees seem to go on in all directions. Its rather spectacular to see from a thru hikers eyes. Looking across the state from the top of a ridge I could imagine how a great force gathered during the civil war. I could imagine the pride they felt for this huge, beautiful state. The second half of the day was easy. Going downhill along nice ridge walks. I passed a large turtle after crossing the James river (by us501) but as I went to snap a pic it recoiled into its shell. I went a bit farther to Matts Creek shelter. I build another fire then made Mac n cheese and tea. A trail angel left Cupcakes and donuts hanging in a bag in the shelter which was a pleasant suprise. I kept the fire burning for an hour or so then slept. It was a wonderful day.
Date: 2008-10-24
From: Matts Creek shelter

To: Thunder hill shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept good last night. Keeping that campfire going for a long while really brightened my spirits. Upon waking up I lite another campfire and made a hot breakfast (oatmeal and tea) then headed into the mtns. I stopped at noon at a shelter and started a fire to heat up more tea. Then something happened I didnt see coming..A deaf hunter came wandering by! We had nice conversation using hand signals. He was out hunting for birds. I ate for about five minutes then heard a gunshot up the hill to my right. I guess this was a bad day for an unlucky bird. I moved on and as the day went by and i hiked to hight elevations I found myself in a fog bank and it was very misty and wet like. This fog covered most of the peaks I could see. It made everything wet including my gear and eventually my boots. In the early eventing I saw a nice healthy large horse with a woman rider coming towards me on the trail. Kinda funny since i was on a small ridge trail on the side of a mtn. I got out of the way and she stopped and asked if I saw other riders up ahead and I assured her I didnt. She seemed worried then turned about and rode off. So about 15 minutes later I heqar voices calling out to her from the forest. She eventually found them as I crossed the horse path (found her pals). Now it started getting really foggy and cold and windy. The mist from the fog was in everything and I couldnt wait to get to the shelter. This went on for quite some time as I hiked along. I finally made it to Thunder Ridge shelter. I layed out my sleeping bag and crawled into it. I was very cold and just needed to warm up a bit. My gear situation doesnt look to good right now. I am now out of fuel for my stove two days now..I have toilet paper for one more session..I gathered choice leaves yesterday and put them in a plastic bag in the event I would need them. what kind of leaves you ask? Thats too much information...go find your own leaves. Also my lighter is almost out of fuel. Im still planning on pushing to Troutville-perhaps arriving there monday or tuesday. I veary much hope the weather clears tomorrow. So I finally doze off only to wake up at two o'clock with my sleeping bag wet on the outside. The kind of wet morning dew brings. I got up and put my hammock tarp over my bag but that only made the dew turn to water droplets. I removed that quick...curled up in the bag...said F-it, the eventually dozed off.
Date: 2008-10-25
From: Thunder hill shelter

To: Cornelius Creek shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: moderate rain

This morning it was raining a bit. I slumbered out of my sleeping bag and headed down to the privy. On the way back I noticed a couple standing at the shelter. I thought it odd that I would see anyone out hiking in the rain this early in the day. I walked up and introduced myself. The couple was Norman (president of the Natural Bridge A.T. Club) and his wife Jinx. They were there to check out the roof to see if the recent repairs on the roof stopped all or any leaks. I assured them that It didnt leak since i was checking quit often for any rain coming in that might get my down bag wet. I decided to hang in the shelter a bit to see if the rain would stop and said goodbye to them. I noticed they were coming back a few minutes later and they asked me if I would like to go into town and they would treat me to breakfast if I liked. Ever see a thru hiker pack his gear up at the thought of a nice hot breakfast in town...it was quite the 30 second pack job. haha. They drove a ways to the town of Buchanan, Va. where they took me to a store for re-supply (what timing...awsome)..and then to a family style restaurant on main street where I had a stomach loving meal of chicken fried steak with gravy, fries and veggies...then raspberry pie with vanilla ice cream! ahhhhhh...hahaha. It was sooo good. The town of buchanan is spread out a bit but it appears the Main st. is where most hikers would find hiker related things. Its a trek from the trail though. Pretty far. I enjoyed the town. There is an old theatre that has been restored a bit and kept up which I wish I could have had more time to see a flick at. I really like to go to those old theatres...their Gems. Norman and Jinx (Sykore) are wonderful company and conversationalists. I had a really good time. They drove me back to the trailhead then and we parted. I felt fantastic especially after last nights foggy evening. Thank you for everything Norman and Jinx! I hiked to cornelius Creek shelter where i met the boy scout troop 300 from North Carolina! I answered a few A.T. related questions then relaxed for the evening. They told me right away not to cook because they would have plenty of food. They did and it was great. For the second time today I ate like a king. This day really turned that rough day I had yesterday around. Its funny how things change on the trial day by day. Its really cool.
Date: 2008-10-26
From: Cornelius Creek shelter

To: Sharp Top overlook
Miles today: 17.7

Hiked out and stopped into the Bryant Ridge shelter five miles away for lunch. Headed south (duh..obviously..lol)...over Cove Mtn (2720ft) and past many vista from the frequent gaps I hiked through. Blue Ridge Parkway views are pretty sweet and very large and panoramic. I picked up the pace and was trying for twenty miles today but (I forgot to tell you...) I burned the recent page of my guide in a campfire thinking it was trash so I actually stealthed .6 of a mile from the shelter I was trying to get to (Bobblets Gap Shelter). All I had to do was walk down a little hill and BAM...the shelter would have been in my face. But then again..who would want that when you could have a nice ice cold windy ridge to sleep at. Nice Job Bearwalker...lol.
Date: 2008-10-27
From: Sharp Top overlook

To: Fullhardt knob shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I kept warm in my hammock last night by putting the rain fly flaps all the way down covering the bug nets. That really helped to block out the gust of wind about three a.m. or so. It was a brisk windy fall morning and a pleasant morning hike. I hiked out at seven a.m. and moved out. I went appx. seven to eight miles to Wilson Creek shelter and had lunch. Beware! The spring for water is at least 200 yards down the side of the mountain. If your coming south stop at the spring in your guidebook at mile 1447.9- trust me on that one. I wish I had. While eating lunch "Mr nice guy" came hiking up. We hiked out together breaking my one month-three day solo hiking streak! The trail is pretty nice until we reached the mountain leading to Fullhardt knob shelter. Not sure what its called but the mountain definately gives the calve muscles a good workout. The shelter is at the peak and is nice. We started a nice warm fire since the wind on the ridge (the shelter is at the top of the mtn.) was very cold. The shelter blocked the wind pretty well. Pretty good hiking day. I cant wait for a hot cup of java in town tomorrow.
Date: 2008-10-28
From: Fullhardt knob shelter

To: Daleville, Va.-staying with friends in Roanoke
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

Heading off the mountain this morning really woke me up quick. Ah...that cool mountain breeze. Gotta love it. I descended down to Troutville where I road walked to the post office and picked up a package my pal Dan sent me. I immediately went back to the trail and continued on to Daleville. Thanks Dan! I ate all the granola bars before I even reached Daleville which is right up the trial! Yum. Once in Daleville I went to a place called Mill Mountain Coffee house and hooked up there with a hot cup of Java and free internet service for my PDA phone. Yeah..good strong coffee! mmmm I called my friends whom I had met at the Green Mountain House hostel in Vermont and Frogger (Nichole) came out and picked me up and drove me into Roanoke, Va. and also gave me a mini tour of the downtown area. We then went back to Vagabond (Josh) and Froggers house for a bit until Vagabond got off work. I took a quick shower and Nichole washed my clothes for me at the house! Thanks Frogger. We then went out to Josh's work (hes a chef at a really nice restaurant downtown Roanoke) and then went out and about for a bit. I had a great evening hanging out with my friends here. Josh made an awsomely good General Tso's chicken dinner. It was fantastic.