morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 16.1

Woke this morning and hiked well ahead for most of the morning. I came upon some campers a a large campsite. They were picking up and loading their truck. The trail just happen to go thru the site!! Hey, not my fault. Perfect set up. If you look pitiful enough, you dont have to do much more. I already look half starved!! Lost 25 pounds so far!! This gentleman asked if I needed some supplies when he realized I was a thruhiker. I said no thankyou but if he had an extra coke that would be great. He gave me a coke and then offered some fresh apple cobbler, right out of their dutch oven. I was not going to be impolite and say no. By that time F100 and Steady caught up and also were polite and sampled their offerings. Cobbler and chocolate. Oh, did I say I got the last coke!! Now that I truly did feel guilty about. After stuffing our faces we hiked another couple of hours before coming to a road crossing with a parking lot. There was a young weekend hiking couple packing up. They saw I was very tired and offered me a banana. Yes, thank you, that would be great. While waiting for my friends to catch up they also gave me a VA brewed pale ale. Talk about great folks. After F100 and Steady caught up these guys sat with us and talked hiking and shared a couple of beers with us. Then it was time to move on. Oh their names were Shawn and Cats.    We hiked on until we reached an old campsite where we took a break. There we met two young guys I have not seen since GA. GQ and Maxxum. Fast hikers doing alot of miles. They have taken several zeros due to injury and sickness but are healed and on the go. We also met two others we have seen several times. Craftsman and a guy that wears a kilt. They say they bushwack and dont use the trail much, hummm, now being from Louisiana and spending time in the woods, I know I get torn up badly from briars. And I dont wear a skirt!!! They dont have a scratch on them!! I'm just passing on an observation. Nice guys. Made it to Dickey Gap by 7 and set up camp. GQ and Maxxum were already there. There were excited because they had seen a bear right after seeing us earlier. I was beat and tired. I went to sleep. Long but great day on the A.T. Swamprat
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Dickey Gap

To: Marion VA
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well last night at around 330 this morning I was startled suddenly in my hammock. Something woke me. When I realized there was an animal sniffing my hammock, right by my head, I pulled my head back quickly and just stayed very still. There was an animal walking around the area. Bear? Don't know. All I know is My head was a good 2.5 feet above the ground and something was sniffing me. Poor animal!! I sniff me and I want to run off after 4 days in the woods!! Alright guys!! YES!! It scared the crap out of me. This morning, i asked everybody else if they heard something around camp around 330. They all said yes!!!    I packed and hiked with my buddies all day today. We knew Marion had a best value motel. On the way we found a vine hanging over the trail. On both sides of the trail there were small hills. Ok, just had to do it. I swung from each side on the vine, knowing all to well what was likely going to happen!!! And NO! It did not break nor did I bust my #%}. Good thing I have lost 25 pounds!! After I did it F100 did it as well. We have all on video. I will post on facebook!! Priceless.    We hiked to VA Hwy 16 where we hitched a ride 10 miles to Marion. Tomorrow will be a zero day. I have hiked about 40 of the 65 or so on lots of rocks and the ankle actually hurts a little. First time it actually hurt since I rolled it on day 4.   So, back on the trail on Wednesday. Today was a good day on the A.T.   I am at mile 530.7.   Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Marion VA

To: Marion VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Slept well last night but woke up at 530.  There w is a train track about 30 yards from my room.  I am taking a zero day today because of my ankle.  Maybe it needs a day off the rocks. About 40 or so of the last section was hiking thru rocks. Big ones, small ones, sharp ones, you name it. No choice but to walk across most of them causing your feet to roll in all directions.  The one thing my ankle does NOT like!!     Re-supplied today from Walmart and Ingles. Going to eat cereal at breakfast, peanut butter and jelly at lunch and noddles for dinner. Got some power bars for snacks. Instant coffee and nestles chocolate. Not much for four days. Guess thats where the 20 pounds have gone!    Iced the ankle a couple of times today. It is feeling better and I will be back on the trail in the morning!! Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Marion VA

To: Davis Campsite
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Got up at 630 and started packing. Time to walk/ hike.  Will wait for the transit bus to take us back to VA 16.  Bus picked us up at 10 am.  Got back on the trail by 1030.  It was a moderate hike today but the first half of the day had lots of rocks again.  I noticed the feet and the knees hurting by 2 pm.  I rated my knees at a 5 and feet at about an 8.5 on the pain scale!!  I stopped at a stream for lunch and soaked them in the ice cold water while I ate. Also took two extra strenght asprin!!  After a quick lunch we hiked on.  We came up on an old schoolhouse. It dated back to 1894..  After that we hiked thru several pastures before coming up to a small community called Atkins, VA.  There is a restaurant there called the barn and is listed in the guidebook. It was about 5 pm but we decided to get a hamburger since we were passing thru anyway!! Man it was going to be a late evening. We still had 2.7 miles to go to get to our campsite for the day.  Before we left we each had some icecream.  It will be Saturday before we have real food again!!  The trail then left from the Barn, went under Interstate 81 and the re-entered the mountains.   Most of the next 2.7 miles were across fields; it was neat to cross these areas.  When we hit the wooded area again I heard chopping noises. I told F100 that it was probably this dude called craftsman.  I have mentioned him before.  He likes this goofy looking hatchet and in the Smokies he and his running buddies kept getting the Park Rangers attention.  Turns out, it was him!!  They were making camp so we pressed on to our planned stop.  With about a mile left, the trail went up fairly steep.  Go figure, always seems to end with a climb to the shelter or tent site!!   Made it by 730 and hung the hammock.  Now catching up on my journal.  There is a whippoorwill nearby whistling away.  Man they are loud.  Hope he quiets down.     Other than the feet, oh, and the knees today, I had a good day on the A.T..Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-04
To: Davis Farm Camsite
Miles today: 14.9

Got up and started hiking before F100 and Steady.  I felt great for the first half of the day.  Climbed brushy mountain about a 700 foot climb and back down the same.  I made pretty good time.  Then started the big climb of the day.  2000 feet plus but it was over 4.5 miles. Wasnt bad.  Now here is where I find the guidebook doesnt help much.  It shows the elevation has little change after walker gap.  Looks easy right?  Wrong.  There are 4.5 miles of roller coasters and rocks.  Made it to the road crossing and only had 1 mile left to the campsite. I will have to ration my water because there is none at this site.  It was warm and humid today so I refilled water every chance I got today.  I drank at least 200 ozs of water today!!       It is a myth that Virginia is flatter or easier!! The days are longer so your hikers that do the bigger mileages hike longer, therefore put up these mid 20 days!! I read a blog where a thruhiker is almost through VA and he says it is full of roller coasters and rocks!! Great, just great!! Who wanted easy anyway? Hadn't had it yet so why start now. And if one more perso says " but it's all downhil from here" !! They must be talking about the side of the trail; yea, that part is downhill!!   Oh, the guys with the hatchet and alledged handgun creating havock since GA may be on the lamb now. Seems yesterday another NOBOer saw a Park Ranger and two Deputies on the trail. One Deputy had a rifle the other a shotgun. They said they were looking for two hikers that have overstayed their welcome. They just may be bushwacking through the mountain for real now!! Couldn't have happened to two nicer of gentleman!! HA!    Oh well. I will be in Bland VA tomorrow and catch up on yesterday's journal and try to upload some pictures. Swamprat.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Davis Farm Camsite

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Slept well last night until it started raining before daylight. Then I hear this loud crack and the distinct sound of a limb falling. It sounded so close I cringed!! It fell across the ties for my hammock, two more feet and it would have ruined a perfectly good rainfly. It eas about 10 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. After that I eas up for good.    The first half of the day was rocks and downhill with a few climbs. The second half was what I was hoping it would be. 7 miles of gentle climbing and lots of flat with no rocks. Well just a few anyway. Came out the woods and found an ice chest that a 2011 thruhiker had left. His name was Rusty Bumper, he was almost finished the trail when he fell and seriously broke his leg. He had to be rescued by helecopter!! Thank you Rusty Bumper!! I hope to get as far as you did. I enjoyed reading your journal last year. Another thru hiking this year was also recognized. Their mother had left coke, apples and bananas in one of the chest. Thank you Sakuta's mom. She is hiking with her husband Lucky Day. I know I slaughtered that spelling as bad as I said the name.    We walked to US 52 and sat down. A truck pulled up and out came Wild Turkey and Feathers. They were getting back on the trail and we were going to Bland to re-supply. A truck passed by, F100 stuck a thumb in the air as an after thought and the gentleman still stopped and gave us a lift into Bland. Another couple, Santa and Gnome, also jumped in. They are from upstate New York and I swear, he looks just like Santa Clause!!    Got to the motel, showered and hit subway. Ate a footlong meatball, chips, cookie and two sodas. Then after re-suppying at Dollar General, hit the DQ. I had a medium chocolate malt. Delicious! Now after re packaging my supply and washing my stinking cloths I am going to bed. Tomorrow we hit the trail early, (kinda) and heading north. Great day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Bland, VA

To: Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 18.4

This is may 6 2012Left Bland this mornig at 915.  Got a ride from the motel by Bubba..  For real!!  The name he goes by is Bubba.  He dropped us off back at the trail. Today was an easy profile day, probably the easiest day since I started.  Had we gotten an earlier start we could have done 20 miles. Today we did 18.4.  We decided to hike to Trent's Grocery.  He sells hamburgers and hotdogs and offers tent camping and hot showers!! We will eat there and tent.    There was not much to see today.  However, I did catch a 7 foot Black Snake.  After scaring the daylights out of F100 and Steady ( not on purpose either, I would not do that) F100 took a couple of photos of me holding the snake.  After, I released it unharmed.  Oh,  kids, dont try this at home.    After the snake incident we continued north.  I tried to maneuver a muddy spot in the trail but failed.  I fell head first into the side of the mountain.  Once you pass a certain tipping point, Newton's laws of physics take over and you are not going to save yourself.  My face was planted and the pack had me pinned.  After considerable effort and embarrasment I was able to get up.  F100 could not stop laughing.  He said he wished his camera had been closer, it apparently was a kodak moment!!    After crossing this neet suspension bridge we came to the highway that took us to Trent's grocery.  After we got there we all ordered hamburgers and fries.  I drank three 16 oz cokes.  The owner gave us directions to the tent sites and off we went.  Set up camp and tossed and turn most of the night. All and all a fairly easy day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Trent's Grocery

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Set the hammock up on the ground last night in this so called campground.  Hey, the owner let us know that you get what you pay far and for 6 bucks not to expect much. He was correct.  There were 5 or 6 very old campers that looked abandoned and a grassy area that we could pitch tents on.  There was a cinder block building that had a shower, with hot water I might add.  A sink with hot and cold water.  6 nails driven into the concrete wall to hang a towel or clothes on.  Trust me, if they fell on the floor, just burn them.  There was an old towel hanging on one of the nails that needed to be thrown away; it had not been tossed up till now because nobody will touch it.  So, neither nail on either side of that was usable.  At least I wasnt putting my stuff near it!!  Oh! The sink had half a mirror above it.   The next room had a washer and dryer. They worked, kinda.  The dryer's control knobs were hanging over the top, bare wires and all.  But hey, the cloths were washed and dryed, I took a hot shower; with my crocks on, and I set my hammock up as a tent being that there were no trees.  So like he said, I got my $6.00 worth.     I did not sleep well, may have to do with the three 16oz cokes I drank at 7pm with my hamburger.  It was humid also and hot and sticky in or on top of the sleeping bag.     Today wasnt too bad of a profile. We did have 1 climb of abot 1500 feet, no switchbacks, all straight up.  Then it leveled off for about 5 miles before climbing a little.  The last two miles were fairly rocky before finally making camp at Doc's Knob Shelter.  Tomorrow will be a town stop in Pearisburg.  Todays mileage, 16.1.   It is very windy tonight.  I looked in the trees around me; dont see any limbs that can fall this time.  All in all, a pretty good day on the A.T.Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The plan for the day was get up at daylight and hike into Pearisburg.  Well as usual, the A.T. Decides the plan!!  It started raining at daylight.  So, I decided to stay in th hammock for a few minutes and see what happens. As usual, it stopped long enough to start packing up and then it started raining again. Things got a little wet. That in turn makes the pack much heavier. Started hiking around 8 am. I was making great time until I had to stop and take my smart wool long sleeve off and go to a short sleeve. I wasn't able to start back at the same pace, it was like I down shifted and couldn't find that same gear again. I made it to the top of the climb and started walking a ridge. I must have been on the ridge for a couple miles. I felt like a hamster on top of one of those wheels that spin while he runs but he doesn't get anywhere!! It seemed like the scenery never changed while up there!! The fog didn't help any. Thought I was crossing the Causeway there for a while. Couldn't see much past 50 yards!! Finally started back downhill. The downhill was extremely steap. Because of the rain it was steap and slippery!! About 1.5 miles from town the trail got worse. I skated downhill many times, almost falling. Then came the wooden steps to a blactop road. I deliberately took it very slow and easy. Then the trekking pole gave and down I went. On my butt to the blacktop. I have the picture to share when I have good service. Not sure what to do about another pole. I can't fix this one!! I made it to town finally in one piece. I have to say this about these small towns. This has been truly some of the best moments of the trail. It offers a glimpse of America that you pass most of your life without noticing. There is much to be said about small town USA. A gentleman saw F100 and I come out the mountain. He knew we had to walk about a mile up hill. He offered us a ride in his very nice Ford P/Up. He insisted even after seeing how muddy I was. He gave us a ride to the Plaza Motel. Hiker special 40 bucks. That's my stop for the day. Leggs are done. Re- supply tomorrow. Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well yesterday we sat around The Plaza Motel doing absolutely nothing. The manager here is super. She offered to wash any clothes that we had.  She has also offered the use of her computer should anybody need  it.  F100 and I sat out front and talked with the legendary Machete Mitch, (likes to carry a machete) and while sharpening it yesterday, he cut the heck out of his thumb.  Then you have Craftsman, (his toy is a Tomahawk hatchet.  He carries it dangling in his waist belt.  If he trips he's gonna cut something, well you get the picture!! And then there is Turtle.  Turtle's toy I hear is a small handgun; although I have not seen this for myself.  Since I typed that, he has walked up, decked out in his army surplus with a S&W 45 strapped to his hip These guys have sturred up contraversy since Georgia.  Most it seems has been greatly exagerated by hikers that have heard something and by the time it was repeated over and over things were way out of text.  The three seem to be traveling just off the main trail.  One is from Alaska, one from Pittsburg and the other, not quite sure.  They sat with us at dinner at the restaurant across the street.  All three are harmless, reminding me of three mischievious kids that eventually get put in time out now and then.  I am sure we will see them many times before reaching Katahdin.     Today I plan on loading up on calories.  I have lost about 30 pounds which is not a bad thing, however, I still have many miles to go!!  I ate two, yes two, complete breakfast this morning.  Just before lunch I got me a large malt from DQ.  Man that was good.    Just before eating lunch, Turtle shook our hands and he and Craftsman walked back to the trail.  We will see them again. I really hope the manage to finish their hike successfully.     We went to eat lunch and will re-supply this afternoon.  We should be hiking by 8 in the morning.  The leggs feel great.  Should be a good day tomorrow. Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: No name campsite
Miles today: 15.5

Today I get back on the trail.  My motivation for hiking is very low.  I was awake by 6 am.  I packed and got coffee from DQ to sip on while waiting on F100 and Steady.    We walked back to our stopping point and back into the woods we went.  The start of the hike was a fairly steap climb of about 2000 ft.  It took abot 2.5 hours to go the distance.  The trail then traveled the ridge the rest of the day.  During the day we met Sprinkles and nokey along with snagglefoot.  At the first shelter we met a hiker for the first time, his name was Alpo because he was bitten by a section hikers dog.  There was also a hiker we met for the first time. His name was Kindle Ninja.  He carries a kindle.  And last but not least we all know Roadside.  Aka "jingle Bells"  I was glad to see he made it back on the trail. He is camped at the same location.  He is sleeping Cowboy style.  That would be sleeping bag no shelter under the stars.  Did I say how cold it is expected to get tonight.  It will be in the mid 30s.   Well the heels of my feet hurt really bad today. I believe I will get new shoes in Daleville. There is an outfitter there.  My trailrunners served me well but they have broken down badly.  I have at least 650 miles on them.  Time for new shoes.   That's about it for the day.  Like I said earlier, motivation was low today.  It will get better. Many great areas coming up soon.  Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-11
From: No name campsite

To: No name campsite
Miles today: 17.0

Last night was pretty chilly!!  Hammock hanging is cold in cool weather.  I slept well even chilly.  Woke up after 7.  Packed and like all mornings, started walking.  Was pushing items down in the pack and shoved my writing pen into the palm of my hand.  Hope that's not how the day is going to go!!  We had several long climbs today.  Most of the afternoon was on rocks, big sharp rocks.  Talk about tough on the feet.  Ok, I promise I'm going to stop whining about the feet, it is what it is.   While hiking today,  I thought about the hikers that are off the trail due to injury. These are the ones that I have hiked with since the start of the hike. There is Katie hikes ( feet ), the Australian newlyweds ( she dislocated her wrist in the Smokies),  Barefoot ( broken leg ),  The Inlaws/John the German ( saw him yesterday heading to the hospital with bad cut and possible broken bone in hand ),  that may be all so far.   We still have a little over half the trail to go.. Not bad eah?      My motivation to hike was much better today.  Thanks guys for reading this journal and signing the guest book.  I try and keep things in prespective, I know I am blessed to have this opportunity and believe me when I say this is a once in a lifetime journey.  Spooked a deer from the spot we camped tonight. She ran a few yards before stopping and watching us for about 5 minutes.  Anyway, tomorrow looks to be a very tough day so I will say, great day on the A.T.  Swamprat
Date: 2012-05-12
From: No name campsite

To: No name camsite
Miles today: 12.1

Cold night last night.  I was hammocking near a stream so the humidity didn't help.  I need better insulation between the hammock and the nylon undercover.  I am using a neoair mattress but if the temps dip below 40 it gets cold.    We had an 1800 ft climb right from the start.  Including rocks.  The first gravel rd we crossed had an ice chest sitting there. It had drinks, apples and oatmeal cookies.  A local hiker keeps it stocked during the thruhike season.  It is greatly appreciated!! After the quick snack we climbed up a steep hill about 800 feet.  We met another thruhiker for the first time today "Easy Mile".  Guess the miles come easy, I sure would like that.  They are coming much easier than 6 weeks ago.  I can actually make a climb up a mountain now without stopping, pretty cool eah?    There were some great views today.  Kelly's knob was one of them.  Then there was the second largest oak tree on the A.T.  18 ft in diameter.  Impressive, but I thought it looked somewhat poor.  It just didn't look in great shape.    After the tree, we hiked up another climb.  Very steep 1200 footer.  It may be because it was the end of the day but this climb kicked my butt.  Oh,  I guess I should admit also that I did have to stop several times for a few seconds.     We finally made it to the ridgeline and decided to go another 2 miles or so before camping.    We found a campsite and I hung the hammock, fixed me some instant mashed potatos, cut up a slim jim for meat, used the cheese that came with the slim jim and last, poored a beef flavor packet in for taste.  Man that was good!!     Well, I hear there will be a huge hiker feed along the trail tomorrow.  Every year they cook all kinds of food using dutch ovens.  Sounds like lunch to me!!     A great day on the A.T.   Swamprat