morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Whistling Gap

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 13.5

I set up my tarp again last night. The wind roared through the gap all night. I woke up to a cloudy and windy morning. I started walking before daylight. As dawn broke I heard turkeys gobbling. Woodpeckers were up early hammering on nearby trees. It started to rain; so I had to stop and put the pack cover and rain gear on. It was just cold enough to be concerned about hypothermia. Did not see anybody on the trail. I did pass several tents but no one was stirring. Today is a town day. I'm going into Erwin, Tn. today and plan to take tomorrow off. I have had only one -0- day since I started. Starting to wear down some. So I'm going to slow up a bit and take more days off. I am feeling ok, but I've been pushing a little too hard lately. I have to back off a little. Looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Nolichucky River

To: 0 Day (Erwin, TN)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This was a planned day off. However, it came at a good time. I have suffered from vertigo for about 10 years. I never know when it¢s going to hit me. Well I woke up this morning dizzy and slightly nauseated. So I spent most of the day in bed. I have arranged to do a slack pack tomorrow. Usually when I have vertigo it last 2 to 3 days and then it takes another 2 to 3 to return to normal. This appears to be a mild case. Those that can deal with adversity on the trail are the ones that stay out here and continue to move forward. So we will see what happens. Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Nolichucky River

To: Iron Mt. Gap
Miles today: 19.1

Well when I woke up this morning I felt ok. Must have been a very mild case. I was cloud walking again at the higher elevations. Cold misty walking up high. I went over some big mountains that would normally have great views, but not today. As the elevation dropped the temp. warmed some, and the sun made an appearance. Long day today. Time to get some rest.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Iron Mt. Gap

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Another big climbing day. The highlight today was climbing Roan Mt. Roan Mt. is the last 6000+ mt. until the Whites in New Hampshire. Roan is a 3 mile steady climb. Spent the night in the Roan High Knob Shelter. This is the highest shelter on the AT. I stayed in the shelter with Walkee Talkee, who is from Georgia. I also saw Leaping Turtle and Walrus. Walrus is a retired OBGYN doctor. Well its 7:00 time for bed.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Walked down from Roan Mt. and then over a number of Balds. A Bald is an open area on the mountain top. Many times you can see 360 degrees around. It was breath taking going over them today. The second half of the day was mostly down. However, it was over boulder fields and lots of big tree roots. I got to the shelter pretty early and had planned to do a few more miles. For some reason I felt worn out. My legs felt tired all day. I never felt good hiking today. I'm going to have a good day tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

I camped with Walkee Talkee. At the end of the day we seem to at the same shelter or campsite. We actually ended up at a hostel right off the trail. We were then shuttled to a steak restaurant. Leaping Turtle, Walrus, Sightsee, V-8, and Auntie Maine all joined Walkee Talkee and I for a great meal and conversation. Hiking the trail today was about as good as it gets. Good trail with little elevation gain or loss. This rarely happens on the AT. The weather was warm but not hot. It was really a good day hiking. Hope for more of the same tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Campsite

To: Laural Fork Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a great breakfast at the Hostel. We did get a late start hiking. We were on the trail at 9:00. Had a good trail to hike. Saw two beautiful waterfalls. One was called Laurel Falls and it is probably the best on the AT. Camping at the Laurel Fork Sht. above the falls. I'm watching a gorgeous sunset on the distant ridge. This was another great day on the AT. Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Laural Fork Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

On the trail by 6:50. Looks like another warm and clear day. The trail ran next to the very scenic Laurel Creek for a few miles. Then it took a hard right and gained about 2000ft in elevation. Spent time hiking around and over Watauga Lake and Dam. Noticed a lot of blue flowers lining much of the trail today. Mountain Laurel is blooming at the lower elevations. Spring is nipping at our heels and will catch us soon. I should be in Damascus, Va. Monday. Hard to believe that I'm over 400 miles into the hike. Time and miles seem to be flying. Hope to have a good day tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: McQueens Knob 
Miles today: 22.0

Today was a day of contrasts. The weather for the morning hike was mostly in sunshine and warm temps. The afternoon trek was a different story. A violent weather system moved in on top of us. We were walking on ridges completely open to the elements. Lighting was popping all around the area. The wind and rain was intense. I was pretty far in front of Walkee Talkee, but the original plan was to find a campsite about 18mi. down the trail. That wasn¢t going to happen. I found an old Boy Scout emergency shelter that would only hold two people. Wallkee Talkee came up and we made it our home for the night. It was cramped with the two of us and our gear, but we were glad to be there. The roof didn¢t leak so we had a good night.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-28
From: McQueens Knob 

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: moderate rain

The cold front that came in yesterday is still with us. The temp. dropped about 25 degrees, and it's still raining. The walk into Damascus, Va. was mostly down and fairly short. Got into town early and secured a place to stay. I'm not sure if I will take a -0- day here. I have been cold for a day and a half. So the first thing I'm going to do is take a hot shower. Then get something to eat. Walkee Talkee and I are in town together. Hope to rest some tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Damascus, Va.

To: Whitetop Mt. Rd. 
Miles today: 21.0

Walkee Talkee and I met up with Sight See last night and decided to get a shuttle up to the top of Whitetop and hike back to Damascus. Whitetop was covered with snow and the temp was about 25 degrees. I tried to get off the summit quickly. A drop in elevation would mean warmer temps. The hike was mostly down all the way back to Damascus. The AT joins the Virginia Creeper Trail far a few miles. The Creeper Trail parallels a beautiful creek almost all the way back to Damascus. I am not sure if we will take a day off tomorrow or continue hiking.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Whitetop Mt. Rd. 

To: -0- Day in Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Spent a relaxing day in town. The AT goes right through town. Walkee Talkee and I are in town to together. I also saw Leaping Turtle, Sigh See, V-8, Auntie Maine, Belige Rat, Down Stairs, Lone Wolf, and others. Will start hiking again in the morning.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Whitetop Mt. Rd. 

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a shuttle from Lone Wolf back up the mountain. Nice guy. He does a lot of good deeds for hikers. Started hiking at 9:00. The trail was good with gradual climbs most of the day. Went through Grayson Highlands State Park. This is the place with the wild ponies. They graze on and around the AT. We also were within .5 miles of Mt. Rogers summit. It was a beautiful day weather wise. Lots of sunshine with warming temps. The afternoon was spent hiking over a lot of boulder piles. Decided to stop a little early today. Plan to put in a big day tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Started hiking at 6:10. The day promises to be warm and clear. Still had a few miles left in Grayson Highlands State Park. This is a nice but rocky section of the trail. The day turned from warm to hot in the afternoon. Crossed the same creek about a dozen times and saw another pretty waterfall. I left Walkee Talkee in camp. He doesn¢t like to get up quite as early as I do. We do not hike much together, but we have been meeting at the end of the day. Should be in Rural Retreat late Sat. or early Sun. I have a mail drop (resupply box) there. So I will spend the night. Everything is going well. Just went over 500 miles. The trail covers about 500 miles in Virginia. Time to fix supper and then to bed.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Short day today. The plan is to stop at Rural Retreat, Va. tomorrow. I could have had a long day today, and a 4 mile walk into town tomorrow. Instead we will have two short days. It all works out about the same. Noticed a lot of song bird chatter this morning. I usually start at first light (6:00). So I get to hear them warming up for the new day. It¢s kind of a nice way to start the day. There is nothing like the freshness of a near spring morning to get the day started right. Looks like its going to be a stormy night. Lots of rain and temps dropping about 20 degrees. It was near 60 this morning and will be around 40 in the morning. Sent some of my cold weather gear home (I do know better). So I may be wearing everything in my clothes bag tonight. It¢s always colder in the mountains. It will be about a 5 hr. walk tomorrow, then a hot shower, clean clothes, and food.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Partnership Shelter

To: US 11
Miles today: 11.6

The Partnership Shelter was very nice. It¢s one of the better shelters on the trail. A phone near a Forestry Headquarters building could be used to order Pizza from the Pizza Hut in Marion, Va. This is the only time this happens on the trail. So we took advantage of the situation and ordered a pizza.The expected storm did not happen. The morning was cloudy and cool, but the day turned warm and sunny. The walk into Rural Retreat was pleasant and uneventful. Plan to stay the night and head out early morning. Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-05
From: US 11

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Started hiking about 7:00. There was more elevation gain and loss than I expected today. We had some pretty good climbs. Walkee Talkee and I are still hanging together. Our hiking speeds are not very compatible, but we end up at the same place at the end of the day. Turkey Buzzards were circling me off and on all day. You think they know something I don't? We are at a campsite close to a nice little stream. It should be a good sleeping tonight. The owls are starting to talk. Sounds like its time for bed.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Campsite 

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

I got a little cold last night under my tarp. I sent my winter sleeping bag home and I'm using a 40 degree bag now. It will be fine, but I may still have a few cold nights left. Some of the treadway today was not good. There were many 200ft to 300ft ups and downs over rocks and boulders. This was over an 8 mile section. No views only dead trees and big rocks.I did not see any buzzards today. I did clean up good last night. I'm at the shelter tonight with Walkee Talkee, Thinker and two section hikers. Walkee Talkee is having some boot problems. He may get off the trail for a couple days to try and fix the problem. Tomorrow will be a better day.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

Started hiking at 6:30. Temp. in the upper 40s. The day turned warm and sunny. Today the trail was very good. It stayed up on the ridges most of the day. There was very little elevation gained or lost and the treadway was excellent. Something tragic occurred near the trail today. A man who was convicted in the 80s for murdering two women on the AT, and spent 20 years in prison, today shot two campers in the same area of the trail. They caught him, but they think he may have done more. So the AT is closed around the crime area. It¢s only 7 miles from where we are camped tonight. So tomorrow we might have to detour around this area. It should be an interesting day tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It was another good trail day. Weather was cloudy and muggy. The Law Enforcement Agencies finished checking the trail and gathering evidence. So they re-opened VA. 608. The guy that shot the two campers also in the 80s shot and killed two people in the shelter Walkee Talkee and I are staying in tonight. The last couple of days the trail has been great. I saw Mountain Laurel blooming today. I also noticed chipmunks playing on the side of the trail. Saw another nice waterfall close to the trail. Plan to be in Pearisburg tomorrow afternoon. Will have a 1200ft climb early. Then it will level out some and sharply decent into Pearisburg. Walkee Talkee says this shelter is probably haunted. Could be! May not get much sleep tonight.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

Rainy night as thunder storms rolled through the area. It continued to rain most of the morning. Had several climbs before the trail turned down into Pearisburg. The weather was foggy and chilly at the higher altitudes all day.   Will take a -0- day tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Pearisburg

To: -0- Day Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0

Town chores today. Walkee Talkee decided to get off the trail for a few days. His boots have been hurting his feet for a while. He is going get new boots and there is not an outfitter in Pearisburg. We did not hike much together but we did spend time together in shelters and town. He is a good guy and I wish him well.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-11
From: -0- Day Pearisburg

To: -0- Day Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0

The weather was too bad. I could not get out of town. A nasty weather system is making its way through the area. It has produced high wind and rain most of the day. Severe weather warnings have been posted all day.   There is more to come tomorrow, and the temps. are also dropping. I hope to be back on the trail tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Pearisburg

To: VA. 635 
Miles today: 21.4

It was a nasty weather day. Gale force wind, rain, and cold was the order of the day. The conditions were too bad to stop. So I just put my head down and trudged. I spent most of the day walking on mountain ridges. This is usually a good thing, but because of the weather today it was pretty bad. This system is supposed to move out before morning. Tomorrow is going to be a much better day. It will, however , be a big climbing day. A thousand ft. climb early and then another late. I'm looking forward to a little sunshine tomorrow.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-13
From: VA. 635 

To: Laurel Creek Shtelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Great looking morning with blue skies, calm wind, and warming temps. It is a complete opposite of yesterday. I hiked some today with ME to ME (ME to Maine). He worked for Clemson University. His wife is a professor at the same University. Like most of the people out here he is very nice. The trail was tough on me today. Had a 1000ft climb first thing. Much of it was a boulder field. Then near the end of the day there was a 1800ft climb. Overall it was tiring but really not a bad day. At the lower elevations the trees have leafed out, but at the higher elevations they still have a ways to go. Rain is in the forecast for the rest of the week. I will be using my tarp tomorrow night. I would like to use it in a heavy rain, and if it keeps me dry I would probably use it a lot more. Bugs will be a problem later, but I have a bug net I can set up over me. Plan to have a big day tomorrow. So its bed time (7:30).Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Laurel Creek Shtelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

The day started out sunny and ended up cloudy with a strong threat of rain. Spent some time on the ridge line today. The views were great, but the treadway was very rocky. There was a long stretch of boulders along the ridge. I have been hiking in the same area with Me to Maine. Tonight we are camped near the Audie Murphy Memorial. He was a World War 2 hero and later a movie star. His plane crashed many years ago near the memorial site. Tomorrow we are going to walk a mile off the trail to Catawba, Va.. Catawba is a very small town. It has a post office, general store, and Home Place restaurant. The restaurant is suppose to be the best on the AT. We will find out tomorrow. Its beginning to rain. So I'm going to snuggle down in my sleeping bag and call it a night.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Campsite

To: John Springs Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

It was a cloudy morning that turned to light rain late afternoon. The hike today was mostly over rocks and boulders. Spent most of the day climbing. The highlight today was going by Dragon's Tooth. I saw rhododendron blooming near the trail. The flame azaleas are also in bloom. The forest is starting to really look good. Walked a mile off the trail to eat at the Home Place Restaurant. It's all you can eat with plenty meat & veggies. I met Hoosier Ben and his wife at the restaurant. Hoosier Ben was doing a big section and he finished it at Catawba Va. It was nice seeing him again and also meeting his wife. They gave ME and I a ride back to the trail. We will try and hike into Daleville tomorrow. That means getting up early. So its time to hit the sack.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-16
From: John Springs Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Rained through the night and into the early morning hours. It was a warm rain. So it really wasn¢t a problem. The highlight today was hiking to McAfee Knob. It¢s an out cropping that you can walk out on. This probably is the most photographed spot on the AT. The trail today was kinder than yesterday. It was not as rocky and boulder strewn. I saw rabbits, turtles, and deer today. Wildflowers are blooming through out the forest. This is a good time to be hiking the AT. Hiked into Daleville and will take tomorrow off. The last three or four days have been tough on the body. I need a day to rest. I went over the 700 mile mark today. Well I'm going to eat, wash clothes, shower and go to bed.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Daleville

To: -0- Day Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I'm in Daleville, Va. and I took the day off. The day started out ok. Blue skies warm temps. and a good breakfast at the Howard Johnson's Motel. I even washed my pack in the bathtub. Then things started going downhill. There was a nice grassy, sunny area in front of my motel room. I thought this would be a good place to dry my pack. So I went to the motel office to check my e-mail. When I returned my pack was gone. I checked around but to no avail. The pack was gone. All of my gear was in the room, but now I don't have a pack. What to do? I have another pack at home. Today is Sat., and it would probably be Wed. before I received it. It would cost more to stay at the motel than it would cost to buy another pack. Daleville has an outfitter. So I bought another pack. I had a ULA Circuit. They did not carry the ULA line of packs. I had to get a different pack. I'm not a happy camper, but its my fault. I should not have left the pack outside. I'm old enough to know better. I also had to buy new boots. No I didn¢t leave them outside too. They were hurting my feet. So I will start out in the morning with a new pack and boots. It should be interesting. Writing all this has exhausted me. Its time for bed.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-18
From: -0- Day Daleville

To: Bobblets Sht. 
Miles today: 18.4

I had a big breakfast at the motel and was on the trail by 7:00. The day started clear and crisp. Most of the hike was over good trail. There was not a lot of elevation gain or loss. The trail is hardly ever flat. So there was a lot of up and down. The Rhododendrons were beautiful today. Many times they lined both sides of the trail. The AT crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway four times today. I will see a lot more of the parkway as we get closer to the Shenandoah. The new pack and shoes worked fine today. Its raining so I'm in a shelter tonight. Their are 10 people in a shelter built for 8 max. It will be cosy tonight. Hope to get an early start in the morning.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Bobblets Sht. 

To: Thunderhill Shelter 
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained off and on during the night. The mornng dawned windy & cold with clearing skies. There were several climbs over pretty good trail. It was cool and windy all day. Lots of excellent views today. Turkey Buzzards were soaring in the sky, and songbirds were singing in the trees. I'm still hiking alone. I did not see any other hikers on the trail today. So far I'm the only one at this shelter. Its starting to get cold. So I'm going to crawl into the sleeping bag (7:00) to warm up.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Thunderhill Shelter 

To: Johns Hollow Shelter 
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

The weather was so nasty this morning that I slep in an extra hour. It was cold, windy, and rainy. I was on the trail by 7:00. By early afternoon the day turned sunny. The trail could not have been any better today. This was about as good as it gets on the AT. It ran next to several creeks for awhile and then crossed the James River. The James River at 740ft is the lowest point on the AT. In two days the trail will climb up to 4300ft. Today I saw deer and lots of birds. I also flushed a huge turkey that was right off the trail. It scared the heck out of me. I met Hangman today. He is a young guy from Brandon, Ms. He is the only other guy from Ms. that I have seen on the trail. Well its cold again tonight so I will be in my bag early.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Johns Hollow Shelter 

To: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The morning started with calm winds and warmer temps. Most of the elevation gain was during the first half of the day. In the afternoon I lost most of what was gained in the morning. I flushed a grouse near the trail today. She did a little dance around me and then took off with her wing hanging down. I looked around for her chicks but did'nt see them. I walked next to a creek most of the afternoon. There were lots of mini waterfalls to see. Even though the trail leveled out some in the afternoon I felt very tired. In the morning first thing I will climb from 1395ft to 4059ft over 5 miles.Tomorrow I would like to get to the Dutch Haus 18 hard miles away. The Dutch Haus is a B&B that caters to hikers. Here at the shelter tonight are Re-Thinker, Mountain Sailor, and Love Boat. It's going to be a hard day hiking tomorrow. So I'm going to bed.Happy TrailsMississippi Mule