morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-10
From: MARION 

To: ATKINS
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

TURTLEBACK AND I TOOK THE SHUTTLE BACK TO THE MOUNT ROGERS HEADQUARTERS AND I WANTED TO GO BACK AND TAKE A PICTURE OF THE PARTNERSHIP SHELTER AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYONE THERE I KNEW. SAID LATER TO TURTLEBACK AND I WENT BACK TO THE SHELTER AND FOUND CHECKPOINT AND COLDFEET HANGING OUT THERE. THEY WERE SURPRISED AND WERE LIKE WHERE DID YOU COME FROM. I TOLD THEM I WAS IN MARION. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE .50 CENT SHUTTLE TO MARION AND I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE SHELTER, SAID LATER, WENT BACK UP TO THE MT ROGERS HEADQUARTERS WEIGHED MY PACK. 70 POUNDS, SUPER. FOUND THE POST CARDS I FORGOT THERE THE DAY BEFORE FILLED THEM OUT, MAILED THEM AND I HIKED ON.I WAS TAKING A BREAK AT THE SHELTER THAT WAS TORN DOWN AND USED THE PRIVY THAT WAS STILL THERE. THERE WAS A MOMENT THE SUN PEAKED THRU AND WAS SHINING. CHECKPOINT AND COLDFEET SHOWED UP CHATTED FOR A MOMENT AND CRUISED ON BY.I GOT TO THE CHATTFIELD SHELTER AND FOUND CHECKPOINT, COLD FEET AND TURTLEBACK. THEY TALKED ME INTO HIKING PAST THE LAST SHELTER INTO ATKINS EVEN THO I MENTIONED THE ONCOMING RAIN, HAIL, AND SEVERE LIGHTNING ON ITS WAY. I WAS HESITATE AND COLDFEET GAME ME A REPAIR STRAP HE FOUND IN THE SHELTER TO FIX MY PACK. THEY WANTED TO GO PARTY IN ATKINS. I WAS BEAT AND WORRIED ABOUT THE ONCOMING STORM BUT SAID I'M NO WUSS, LETS ROLL. WE STOPPED AT THE SETTLERS MUSEUM SCHOOL HOUSE AND TOOK A BREAK AND SOME PICTURES. AFTER WE STARTED HIKING ON WE GOT CRUSHED BY POURING RAIN AND A WICKED LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORM. I HIKED WITH COLD FEET AND TURTLEBACK WAS HIKING WITH CHECKPOINT. I TOOK TWO NASTY SPILLS AND COLD FEET TOLD ME TO SLOW DOWN WERE ALREADY SOAKED AS HE TRIED TO HELP ME UP AFTER I FELL THE SECOND TIME IN THE MUD ON THIS NOW COMPLETLY SOAKED TRAIL. I JUST LAUGHED. IM IN A HURRY TO GET OUT OF THIS LIGHTNING STORM. WE ARRIVED IN ATKINS AT A GAS STATION AND NOW WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ALL ARE GONNA STAY. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE INTERNET HERE AND I WASNT AWARE IT COST MONEY. THERE IS A GUY NAMED RABBIT AND TWO GUYS NAMED EAST COAST HERE AS WELL. THE HOSTEL IS OUT RAGIOUSLY PRICED. SO WERE TRYING TO SPLIT A MOTEL ROOM JUST DOWN THE ROAD. WE MAY BE OUT OF LUCK. IM COLD AND SOAKED. MY SHOES ARE SOAKED. I KNEW THIS WAS GONNA HAPPEN THE MOMENT I LEFT THE CHATTFIELD SHELTER. WE SUCCEEDED IN GETTING ONE OF THE REMAINING ROOMS. THERES FOUR OF US SHARING A ROOM. CHECKPOINT, COLDFEET, TURTLEBACK AND I. THEY GOT A BUNCH OF BEER AND PIZZA AND I TOOK A HOT HOT SHOWER. THE MOTEL ISNT THE BEST, BUT IT BEATS THE RAIN. THE GUY MANAGING IT IS A GREEDY JERK.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: ATKINS

To: CRAWFISH VALLEY
Miles today: 6.3

TRIED TO GET TO THE KNOT MAUL SHELTER BUT STOPPED DEAD IN MY TRACKS BY A THUNDERSTORM ONCE AGAIN. SET MY TENT UP AND PILED EVERYTHING IN IT TO STAY OUT OF THE RAIN AND TO KEEP DRY. GREAT DECISION. WOULD OF NEVER MADE IT. SAW EAST COAST, RABBIT AND SUPERGLUE GO BY AND FOUND THEY GOT STOPPED SHORT AS WELL. TENTED BY MYSELF AT THE CRAWFISH VALLEY TRAIL CROSSING AND AFTER THE RAIN WENT BY I MANAGED TO GET A FIRE STARTED. GOOD THING. ENJOYED THE EVENING EVEN THO IT RAINED SOME.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: CRAWFISH VALLEY

To: KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

WORN OUT TODAY. MANAGED TO GET TO THE KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER WHERE I MET TURTLEBACK AGAIN. HE TOOK OFF OUT OF ATKINS EARLY AND WAS STOPPED SHORT OF THE SHELTER YESTERDAYS THUNDERSTORMS. HE WAS NAPPING AND DRYING OUT STUFF WHEN I ARRIVED. I DECIDED TO STAY AT THE SHELTER ENJOY THE SUN AND DRY OUT MY STUFF. I WOULD TACKLE THE 4000 FOOT CLIMB TO CHESTNUT KNOB SHELTER IN THE MORNING. NICE FIRE AND A PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE. SPOON AND HAZARD STOPPED BY SAID HI AND HIKED OFF. I DONT BLAME THEM IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR HIKING.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER

To: JENKINS SHELTER
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

LEFT EARLY ABOUT 7 AM AND WAS GONNA JUST MAKE THE CHESTNUT KNOB SHELTER WHICH IS A OLD FIRE WARDENS CABIN. NICE PLACE. THEY CALL THIS UNUSUAL GEOLOGIC FEATURE GODS THUMBPRINT. TURTLEBACK TALKED ME INTO HEADING TO THE JENKINS SHELTER WHICH WOULD BE HIS BIGGEST DAY. LONG DAY AHEAD. THE HIKE UP TO THE TOP WAS SPECTACULAR. MET A 81 YEAR OLD MAN AND ANOTHER GENTLEMAN WHO TOLD ME SUPERGLUE COLD FEET AND CHECKPOINT CHARLIE PASSED BY HOURS BEFORE. GUESS THE OLD FELLA HAD HIKED THE AT THREE TIMES. AFTER I GOT TO A VIEW SHY OF VA 623 I MET THE DAIRY QUEEN GROUP. THEY WERE TAKING PICTURES THERE AND I ABOUT KNOCKED ONE OVER TRYING TO STEP OVER OR SHOULD I SAY FALL OVER A DOWNED TREE. CHATTED WITH THE LADIES UP THERE AND KNEW I HAD TO GET GOING ONCE AGAIN. MANAGED TO GET TO VA 623 WHERE I TOOK A BREAK TO LOOK FOR WATER. THAT WHERE I MET A COUPLE IN A VAN WHO SHUTTLE THE DAIRY QUEEN GROUP TO THE TRAIL HEAD. THEY OFFERED ME BOTTLED WATER WHICH I SURELY APPRECIATED GREATLY. THE LADIES CAME DOWN AND HE RUSHED TO TAKE THEIR PICTURES. ONE OF THE LADIES OFFERED ME A DIET COKE WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A RARE OCCURANCE. THANK HEAVENS A DIET COKE. SOME CRACKERS AS WELL. GREAT TRAIL MAGIC. CARRIED ONE BOTTLE OF THE WATER AND THE DIET COKE WITH ME AS WELL AS THE CRACKERS. THANKS TO THIS GROUP FOR WHICH I APPRECIATE ALL THE TRAIL MAGIC AND THE NICE CONVERSATION. NOW I NEEDED TO DO ANOTHER THREE MILES TO THE SHELTER. THERE WERE SOME INTERESTING ROCK FORMATIONS ON THIS LITTLE STRETCH WHICH I PASSED THROUGH. RACING THE DARKNESS I PRESSED ON. AFTER GOING THROUGH THIS STRETCH IT WENT DOWN SHARPLY. IT NEVER ENDED IT SEEMED LIKE. DOWN I WENT AND ON IT WENT. THAT CANT BE THREE MILES CAUSE IT SURE FELT LIKE 6. ANYWAYS I MADE IT. I THEN CRACKED OPEN THAT DIET COKE AND OH MY GOODNESS DID IT TASTE SO GOOD. I ROUNDED UP FIREWOOD AND WAITED FOR TURTLEBACK. HE SHOWED UP LATE. I HAD A NICE FIRE THAT NIGHT AND THE SPRING WASNT TOO FAR FROM THE SHELTER. I DRANK SO MUCH FLUIDS THAT DAY.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: JENNY KNOB SHELTER

To: WOODS HOLE HOSTEL
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

LONG LONG HAUL! GOT CAUGHT IN THE RAIN TWICE. FIRST TIME WAS JUST SHY OF VA 606 AT THE KIMBERLING CREEK BRIDGE. THATS WHERE I HIKED OFF THE TRAIL TO A LITTLE GROCERY STORE. THAT FIRST BRUSHY MOUNTAIN HIKE WAS MURDER. I PLANNED ON THE 20.4 MILE HIKE. THE GROCERY STORE WAS A SODA I COULDNT TURN DOWN. TURTLEBACK WAS THERE AND SLACKPACKED. HE CAUGHT A RIDE TO WOODS HOLE. I HAD TO HIKE IT AND THE MILES AREN'T GONNA HIKE THEMSELVES. 14 MORE MILES OR MORE. I GOT A WARM SHOWER A COUPLE OF SODAS AND A BURGER AND A DOUBLE BURGER. REFRESHED I HIKED ON AFTER A SEVERAL HOUR BREAK TO LET THE RAIN STOP AND SOME DRY CLOTHES. I KNEW I WAS GONNA CUT IT CLOSE BUT COLD FEET AND CHECKPOINT WAS GONNA BE THERE AND NOW TURTLEBACK WAS GOING TO CATCH A RIDE THERE. SO IM ON MY OWN. I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE SWAMP AS I CRUISED THREW THE DISMAL CREEK FALLS AREA. THE RADIO WAS BUZZING WITH WEATHER WARNING TO TAKE COVER. THAT WAS THE FIRE THAT WAS LIT. GOTTA GO AND GO FAST. JUST SHY OF THE WAPITI SHELTER I GOT HIT AGAIN. THOUGHT I PASSED THE SHELTER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IT WAS. PRINGLE WAS THERE WHO ASKED ME TO SIGN HER BANDANA. I HAD JUST UNDER 6 MILES TO DO IN A LITTLE TIME. WAITED OUT THE RAIN AS PRINGLE SAID I LOOKED STRONG AND I COULD PROBABLY DO IT THO SHE WOULDNT MIDE THE COMPANY. IM GOING FOR IT. TOOK OFF UP THAT LAST UPHILL AND IT WAS STEEP. THEN ALONG A RIDGE DOWN THE OTHER SIDE INTO A DEEP GAP THAT GOT REALLY DARK AND ROCKY. I WAS CERTAINLY RACING DAYLIGHT AND THE RAIN. I REALLY MOTORED ALONG THIS STRETCH. IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD LEFT. I ABOUT FELL DOWN A DEEP DROP ON THE LAST 1.6 MILE STRETCH WHERE IT DROPPED DOWN ABOUT 10 FT. I FELL FORWARD AND ALMOST DOWN THAT. CAUGHT MYSELF BARELY. WHEN I GOT TO SUGAR RUN GAP I WAS TOTALLY EXHAUSTED AND FELT LIKE COLLASPING. SOAKING WET FROM HEAD TO TOE. I NEEDED A WARM SHOWER AND THATS ONE REASON I TRAVELED SO HARD. TURNS OUT THE WOODS HOLE HOSTEL IS QUITE THE PLACE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE HOLE IS FOR THE HOLE IN YOUR POCKET YOU MIGHT HAVE IF YOU STAYED. I GOT LUCKY. SHOWER WAS 7 BUCKS, NO THANKS. SOLAR SHOWER IS FREE EXCEPT ITS BEEN RAINING ALL DAY. DINNER 12 BUCKS. NO THANKS ITS NOT ALL YOU CAN EAT. SOUP AND BREAD 3.00 BUCKS, ICE CREAM 1.50 HERES ANOTHER 1.50 FOR THE BUNK. I WANT OUT OF HERE. ITS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. HOSPITALITY WAS NICE. JUST DIDNT WANT TO SPEND MONEY I MAY NEED LATER. WAPITI SHELTER WOULD OF BEEN JUST FINE. GOT THE 20 MILES IN THATS ALL THAT MATTERED.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: WOODS HOLE HOSTEL

To: PEARISBURG
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

ABSECCED TOOTH. I KNOW WHAT SUFFERING IS ALL ABOUT BY NOW. THANKS MOM FOR MY PACKAGE. KRIS AS WELL. GOT THEM BOTH. I MAY TAKE A ZERO DAY TO SEE IF I CAN SEE A DENTIST. THEY ARE CLOSED THIS THURDAY. WHAT TIMING. I MADE IT 624 MILES SO FAR.
Date: 2009-06-18
From: PEARISBURG

To: DENTIST
Miles today: 0.0

WENT TO THE LIBRARY. A GUY GAVE ME A RIDE FROM THE LIBRARY TO THE POST OFFICE. LOOKED FOR THE DENTIST OFFICE WHICH I FOUND. CLOSED. MET CHECKPOINT AND COLD FEET AT THE LIBRARY ON MY RETURN AND LED THEM TO THE HOSTEL. THATS WHERE WE RAN INTO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO YELLOW BLAZE OR BLUE BLAZE OR WHATEVER BLAZE THERE DOING. SO IT ENDED UP BEING A HOSTEL BUILT ON A OLD CEMETARY FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD. I CALLED IT THE HOUSE OF SIN FOR I THINK EVERY RULE WAS BROKEN THAT NIGHT. I SAT AFAR AND OBSERVED. THEN WENT IN LATE AND CLOSED THE PLACE DOWN WITH CHECKPOINT AND COLDFEET.
Date: 2009-06-19
From: PEARISBURG

To: RICE FIELD SHELTER
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

TOOTH EXTRACTED. 204 BUCKS. THAT WILL LEAVE ME SHORT FOR SURE.GOT MY TOOTH EXTRACTED AS I HEADED FROM THE HOSTEL ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TOWN, DOWN TO THE DENTIST, RITE AID, THE POST OFFICE AND ON TO HARDEES, THEN ONTO THE TRAIL. LONG WALK JUST TO THE TRAIL. DENTIST TOLD ME TO TAKE IT EASY THE FIRST DAY.GOT TO THE FIRST SHELTER AND STARTED A FIRE. THE CLIMB WAS STEEP AND LONG. A GREEN SNAKE SHOT BETWEEN MY LEGS AND DOWN THE TRAIL AS I TRIED TO CLIMB A LARGE TREE ROOT. COULD BARELY REACT. GOT TO THE SHELTER AND HEADED DOWN TO THE WATER. DOWN IT WENT INTO A NEVER ENDING PIT. STARTED WISHING I BROUGHT MY HEADLAMP WITH BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING DARK. JUST MADE IT BACK. LATER THAT EVENING COUPLE COLLEGE KIDS ON THE COLLEGE SCHEDULE SHOWED UP AND DIDNT WANT TO GO GET WATER DUE TO BEING SO FAR. THEY ATE SOME BARS. NICE VIEW OF WEST VIRGINIA.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: RICE FIELD SHELTER

To: PINE SWAMP SHELTER 
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

THATS WHERE I CAMPED WITH AN ISREAL COUPLE A GUY NAMED GORDON OR FLASH GORDON. ANOTHER COUPLE OF COLLEGE KIDS ON THE COLLEGE SCHEDULE. WATER WAS CLOSE. THAT WAS A RELIEF. WATER IS SCARCE AROUND THIS STRETCH.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: PINE SWAMP SHELTER 

To: WAR SPUR SHELTER
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

STOPPED AT THE BAILEY GAP SHELTER THEN THE WAR SPUR SHELTER. THATS WHERE I DECIDED TO STAY. A POLISH COUPLE WHO MET ME AT THE HOSTEL IN PEARISBURG CAUGHT ME AND STAYED. MANY NAMES AND LAKE TO LAKE. A FRENCH COUPLE AS WELL GOES BY BLA BLA CAUSE THE FRENCH I GUESS TALK TO MUCH. INTERESTING TO LISTEN TO THE FOREIGNERS CHAT IN ENGLISH. THEY'RE ULTRA LIGHT BACKPACKERS WHO HAVE TRAVELED TO MANY PLACES TO HIKE THE MOUNTAINS. HEARD A INTRIQUING STORY ABOUT BOLIVIA. INTERESTING EVENING. WONT BE KEEPING UP WITH THEM. NOT QUICK ENOUGH. WATER WAS CLOSE.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: WAR SPUR SHELTER

To: SARVER HOLLOW SHELTER
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

ON MY WAY I WALKED BY THE LARGEST OAK TREE IN NORTH AMERICA I BELIEVE ITS THE KEFFER OAK. WALKING ALONG THE RIDGE I NOTICED A LOT OF ROCKS STACKED UP IN PILES LIKE SOMEONE HAD DONE THAT FOR A REASON. THEN I STUMBLED INTO A TRAP! SARVERS HOLLOW SHELTER . DOWN INTO A LARGE GAP THERE WAS A SMALL OLD LOG CABIN AND ANOTHER BUILDING THAT HAD FALLEN DOWN EXCEPT FOR THE ROCK CHIMNEY. THIS WAS A WAYS OFF THE TRAIL. I MEAN A WAYS. THOUGHT I WAS GONNA BE THE ONLY ONE THERE BUT THREE OTHERS SHOWED UP. A COUPLE AND ANOTHER THRU HIKER NAMED RAFFIO WHO STAYED THE NIGHT. HES IN A HURRY TO CATCH A MUSIC FESTIVAL SOMEWHERE UP THE TRAIL.
Date: 2009-06-23
From: SARVER HOLLOW SHELTER

To: PICKLE BRANCH SHELTER
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

NOT AGAIN! ANOTHER WAY OFF THE TRAIL SHELTER WITH A WATER SOURCE DOWN A LARGE STEEP DECLINE. THOUGHT I WAS GONNA BE ALONE AGAIN BUT A GUY NAMED LEPRACHAUN STOPPED IN LATE. HES DOING SOME BIG MILE DAYS I GUESS. CLIMBED SINKING CREEK MOUNTAIN AND THEN UP TO THE AUDIE MURPHY MONUMENT WHICH WAS THE TWO TOUGH CLIMBS FOR THE DAY. AND THEY WERE.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: PICKLE BRANCH SHELTER

To: JOHN SPRINGS SHELTER
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

HIKED UP TO COVE MOUNTAIN AND THE DRAGONS TOOTH WHICH HAD A INCREDIBLE VIEW. TOUGH CLIMB ONCE AGAIN. EXITED OUT AT VA 624 AND OFF THE TRAIL TO A GROCERY STORE FOR A COLD SODA, LOAF A BREAD, AND SOME BALONEY. LONG STRETCH THIS IS. IM SO HUNGRY.
Date: 2009-06-25
From: JOHN SPRINGS SHELTER

To: LAMBERTS MEADOW SHELTER
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

WITH NO CAMPING EXCEPT IN DESIGNATED SECTIONS, I DECIDED TO STOP AT THE LAMBERT MEADOW SHELTER AND INTO TOWN FOR A MUCH NEEDED RESUPPLY AND BREAK. MY CAMERA HAS BEEN ON THE BLINK SO IT ONLY WANTS TO TAKE PICTURE WITH THE FLASH. THIS IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT AND IM TRYING TO GET ANOTHER CAMERA TO KEEP UP SOME GREAT PICTURES WHICH DEFINATELY HAD SOME ON MCAFFEE KNOB AND THE TINKER CLIFFS. THE OLD REVOLUTIONARY WAR DESERTER HIDEOUTS. WHO SAYS VIRGINIA IS FLAT. I CERTAINLY DONT.
Date: 2009-06-26
From: LAMBERTS MEADOW SHELTER

To: DALEVILLE
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

LEFT AT 7 AM AND GOT TO DALEVILLE AND GOT A ROOM AT A HOTEL. A SHAVE, A SHOWER AND RESUPPLY AND REORGANIZATION. NEED TO LOOK AT MY MOUTH. COSTLY THIS WAS BUT I NEEDED TO STOP. GOT HERE EARLY SO I HAVE SOME TIME. NO MORE PAIN.SEEN A LARGE RATTLESNAKE ABOUT 5 FT LONG AND BIGGER THAN MY ARM. ABOUT 10 RATTLES. STUMBLED UPON A BLACK SNAKE SHORTLY BEFORE IT. LUCKY SAM WHO HAD PASSED ME EARLIER WAS THERE TO WARN ME. I WOULD OF NEVER SAW IT. SNAKES HAVE BEEN THE NORM LATELY. SEEN A RATTLESNAKE A COUPLE DAYS AGO AS I ROUNDED A CORNER. HAD TO SHU HIM OFF THE TRAIL TO GET BY. TURKEYS, AND DIFFERENT LIZARDS, DEER, FROGS GETTING EATEN BY SNAKES. SEEN TWO LITTLE BEAR CUBS WITH MOMMA BEAR IN FRONT OF ME DIGGING AT A LOG FOR FOOD, SO I GOT UP TO TAKE A PICTURE BUT THEY RAN OFF. MIGHT OF GOT ONE. WE WILL SEE.JUST CHECKED THE LAST 200 PICTURES AND THEY ALL FAILED. MY CAMERA IS NOW OUT OF ORDER. THAT SUCKS. GONNA TRY TO FIGURE ANOTHER OPTION. THE VIEWS WERE SPECTACULAR ON THE DRAGONS TOOTH AND MCAFEE KNOB. I HAD PICTURES OF THE AUDIE MURPHY MONUMENT. THAT SUCKS I DIDNT GET THEM. I THOUGHT I MANAGED TO PULL IT OFF. THE CAMERA WAS SNAPPING THEM BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH IT. ITS ACTING LIKE THE LENS CAP IS ON IT. BEEN INTERESTING LATELY. THAT STRETCH WAS HARD TO FOLLOW. WALKED OFF THE TRAIL I THINK TWICE WITHOUT KNOWING. THE GREENERY WAS FACINATING. THE WAR SPUR WAS INTERESTING. THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE MOUNTAINS SEEM DIFFERENT. DRY LEAVES ARE SLIPPERY TO WALK ON. THE SOIL HAS BEEN SANDY IN STRETCHS FROM ON TOP OF MOUNTAINS TO DEEP IN THE GAPS. I LIKE RODODENDRUMS WHEN ITS NICE OUT BUT WHEN IT RAINS I DONT WANT ANYWHERE NEAR THEM. LOWLANDS ARE WET. HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS GET SCARY IN THUNDER AND LIGHTNING STORMS. HIGH GREENERY IS WET TO RUB AGAINST IN THE RAIN. DOWNHILL SEEMS WORSE THAN UPHILL A LOT OF TIME. RIDGES ARENT FLAT BUT GO UP AND DOWN. DOWN NEVER EVER MEANS JUST DOWN, JUST THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO. MET UP WITH THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE DIVIDE ABOUT 400 MILES FROM THE ATLANTIC A COUPLE DAYS AGO. SEEN WEST VIRGINIA FROM A RIDGE. GREAT VIEWS AND SOME HARD TERRAIN. DRAGONS TOOTH WAS A BRUTAL CLIMB DOWN. THIS IS A BATTLE TO KEEP UP THIS HARD ENDEAVOR FOR WHICH DEMANDS A LOT. THE CLIMBS ARE SO HARD AT TIMES BUT I RUN UP THEM DAY AFTER DAY. I TWIST MY ANKLES AND FALL TIME AND TIME AGAIN. MY SHOES HAVE BLOWN OUT ON BOTH SIDES BUT STILL THEY DO THE JOB. I CARRY LOTS OF WEIGHT AND HAVE BEEN CARRYING LESS WATER ON STRETCHES. THIS NEXT STRETCH MAY REQUIRE A LOT OF FOOD WEIGHT. IM HEADING TO WAYNESBORO VA WHICH IS THE 850 MILE MARK. IM AT 717 MILE MARK. IM GUESSING ABOUT 8 DAYS OR SO. THE WEATHER I THINK IS GONNA BE IN THE 90'S AGAIN. GOTTA GET THE MILES IN. THE SHELTERS ARE SPACED FUNNY SO IM NOT SURE HOW FAR EACH DAY I WILL BE TRAVELING. DONT HAVE A WATCH SO I NEVER KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS. 20 MILE DAYS CONSIST OF A EARLY START AND A CONSTANT MARCH TILL DARK. SOMETIMES A HOTEL IS MOTIVATIONAL. IM GONNA HAVE TO BE FRUGAL. WHERES THE PAY IT FORWARD NOW THAT I NEED IT. DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO MY PAYPAL AT FLETCH68@NETZERO.NET
Date: 2009-06-27
From: DALEVILLE

To: WILSON CREEK SHELTER
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

GOOD WEATHER COMING UP. LETS HOPE. NO CAMERA DURING THIS STRETCH. IT BROKE. EVERYONE IS HEADING OUT. I MOVING ON BEFORE THEM. DECIDED IM GOING 11 MILES UP TO WILSON CREEK SHELTER. STOPPED AT THE FULLHARDT KNOB SHELTER TO READ THE JOURNAL ENTRIES AND TOOK A BREAK. I THEN WENT ON TO WILSON CREEK. IT WAS A HOT DAY.
Date: 2009-06-28
From: WILSON CREEK SHELTER

To: BRYANT RIDGE SHELTER
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

WANTED TO GET A 20 MILE HIKE IN. NO WATER AT THE COVE MOUNTAIN SHELTER SO I WANTED TO GET TO THE ONE AFTER THAT ONE. HEADED OUT AND CROSSED SOME OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY OVERLOOKS. CHECKED OUT TAYLORS MOUNTAIN OVERLOOK, MONTVALE OVERLOOK, HARVEYS KNOB OVERLOOK, SHARP TOP OVERLOOK, AND MILLS GAP OVERLOOK. HAD TO CLIMB COVE MOUNTAIN AND THEN THE TOUGH ONE, FORK MOUNTAIN. I PULLED IT OFF AND WANTED TO GET TO THE SHELTER. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ANTICIPATED. GOOD THING I MADE IT THERE TOO. IT RAINED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. WORN OUT SO I WENT TO BED FAIRLY EARLY.
Date: 2009-06-29
From: BRYANT RIDGE SHELTER

To: MARBLE SPRING CAMPSITE
Miles today: 17.2

GOT UP EARLY THANKS TO KT AND SAM WHO ARE EARLY GOERS. FLOYD MOUNTAIN WAS THE 200O FT CLIMB EARLY IN THE MORNING I HAD TO TAKE OUT. WHAT A MOUNTAIN. ROCKS MOSS AND INTERESTING FOLAGE. THEN IT WAS BLACK ROCK. THE 4000 FT MOUNTAINS ARE DISAPPEARING. UP TO APPLE ORCHARD MOUNTAIN AND DOWN THE GUILLOTINE. STOPPED AT ALL THE SHELTERS ALONG THE WAY TO READ THE JOURNALS AND TAKE A BREAK. MARBLE SPRINGS CAMPSITE WAS NEAT. THE CAMPSITE HAD MANY DEER THAT JUST WALKED AROUND YOU. THEY ARE DEFINATELY PRETTY LOOKING CREATURES. THE BUGS WERE BAD HERE BUT I OVERCAME THEM. I PITCHED MY TENT DIRECTLY ON THE TRAIL HERE. THE DEER ROAMED AROUND OUR TENTS ALL NIGHT. KT AND SAM WHO I MET AT THE SHELTER JUST BEFORE DALEVILLE HAVE DECIDED TO CALL IT AFTER THE NEXT 9 MILES IN THE MORNING. TIMEBOMB AND THIMBLE, THE MARRIED COUPLE WHO I HAVE TRAVELED WITH THROUGH THE SMOKIE MOUNTAINS AND WHO I WAS HOPING TO CATCH UP TO SHORTLY HAVE GOTTEN OFF THE TRAIL IN THIS STRETCH AS WELL. IS THIS THE VIRGINIA BLUES I'VE HEARD ABOUT.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: MARBLE SPRING

To: PUNCHBOWL SHELTER
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

GOT UP EARLY AND WAS DETERMINED TO GET TO THE PUNCHBOWL SHELTER. THE VIEW PAST MARBLE SPRINGS WAS AMAZING AS I SKIRTED AROUND TWO RIDGES AND GOT A GREAT LOOK AT SOME MASSIVE MOUNTAINS WHICH I THINK ARE THE ONES I JUST CLIMBED. WHAT A VIEW. DOWN I GO TO THE JAMES RIVER. STOPPED OFF AT MATTS CREEK SHELTER AND THAT WAS A NICE ONE. CROSSED THE LONGEST FOOT BRIDGE AT THE JAMES RIVER. MET SOME PEOPLE WHO I CHATTED WITH HERE AND NOW I HAVE TO HEAD BACK UP TO THE 3000 FT LEVEL. BIG ROCKY ROW AND BLUFF MOUNTAIN. LOOKING BACK FROM WHERE I WAS I COULD SEE THE RIDGE I CAME DOWN AND THE FOOT BRIDGE I HEADED OVER AND FROM WHERE I WAS STANDING I HAD TRAVELED A LONG WAY. GREAT WEATHER. IM COVERING GROUND WHILE I CAN. THE PUNCHBOWL SHELTER WAS OFF THE TRAIL AND DOWN NEXT TO A POND. I WAS ALONE IN THIS SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT. AT FIRST I WAS TOO LAZY TO START A FIRE BUT GOT A SECOND WIND AND HAD A GREAT ONE THAT NIGHT. BUGS LOSE THAT BATTLE. THEY WERE REALLY BAD TILL I GOT THE FIRE GOING.
Date: 2009-07-01
From: PUNCHBOWL SHELTER

To: THE COW CAMP GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

HERE IS WHERE IT GETS INTRESTING. DOWN I WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE PEDDLAR RIVER WHEN I GOT TO US 60 I SAT AT A PICNIC TABLE AND CHECKED OUT THE WEATHER. NOT GOOD. I HAVE ABOUT 4 MILES TO GO AND THREE OF THEM ARE UP HILL TO BALD KNOB A 4000 FT MOUNTAIN AND A 2000 FT CLIMB. ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS POND FLATS AGAIN. BETTER GET MOVING AS FAR UP BEFORE I GET HIT BY RAIN AGAIN. FUNNY HOW YOU CAN MOVE QUICKER WITH A LITTLE WEATHER ABOUT TO HIT. I CONQUERED BALD KNOB AND STARTED HEARING THUNDER. I PRACTICALLY RAN DOWN THE NEXT MILE DECIDING TO PUT A ROOF OVER MY HEAD AND HEADING OFF THE TRAIL .6 OF A MILE TO THE SHELTER INSTEAD OF HIKING 1.5 TO THE CAMP SITE. PASSED A DAY HIKER AS I GOT TO THE SHELTER TURN OFF. ASKED HIM IF HE WAS HEADING HOME AND HOW WAS THE WATER AT THE SHELTER. HE SAID HE WAS MOVING UP TO THE CAMPSITE AND THE WATER WAS GOOD. I THEN HUSSLED DOWN TO THE SHELTER AS FAST AS I COULD. NO SOONER THAN I GOT THERE, I SET MY PACK DOWN, RAN TO THE WATER AND GATHERED FIRE WOOD AND THREW IT UNDER THE SHELTER DID ALL HELL BREAK LOOSE. RAIN THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. HOW LUCKY CAN I GET. POOR GUY WHO HEADED OUT, WONDER IF HE WILL HEAD BACK. A LITTLE LATER HE DID. SOAKING WET HE WAS. HE DECIDED TO STAY. HE GAVE ME SOME APPLES WHICH I WAS SO HAPPY TO HAVE. I WAS SO HUNGRY. HAD A GREAT NIGHT. FIRE WAS A LITTLE SMOKEY BUT A GREAT NIGHT NONE THE LESS.
Date: 2009-07-02
From: THE COW CAMP GAP SHELTER

To: THE PRIEST SHELTER
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

UP COLD MOUNTAIN ANOTHER 4000 FT MOUNTAIN FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. THEN I WALKED ALONG THE RIDGE FOR AWHILE. MAIN TOP MOUNTAIN WAS THE NEXT 4000 FT MOUNTAIN. THE PREIST WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE LAST ONE. MET AJ AND HIS TWO DOGS (BRITTANY'S) HERE. HE HAD HIS TENT SET UP IN THE SHELTER BUT I HAD ROOM. I MADE IT TO THE PREIST AND WAS HAPPY TO BE THERE. LATER THE ISRAELI COUPLE COME IN AND SET UP THERE TENT. WHILE I WAS SITTING BY THE FIRE TUESDAY AND HERE BUDDY SHOWED UP UNDER DARKNESS. I HEARD ABOUT TUESDAY BUT NEVER MET HER DUE TO BEING AT A HOSTEL WHEN SHE WENT BY. GUESS SHE DOES BIG MILE DAYS. READ IN A REGISTER BACK A BIT THAT SHE WAS SICK FOR TWO DAYS AND STAYED AT A SHELTER. I MAY CATCH HER I THOUGH. SHE WAS THINKING OF HANGING IT UP. GUESS SHES HEADING SOUTH NOW AFTER A TRAIL ANGEL TOOK HER TO WASHINGTON DC. SHE SAYS YOU ARE THEE FLETCH. I GUESS SHES HEARD ALOT ABOUT ME FROM TARZAN (BRYCE). I GUESS THE WORD SHE USED WAS AMAZING. THANKS TARZAN FOR ALL THE GOOD WORDS. THE TEAM I STARTED WITH ARE SIMPLY AMAZING. WELL IM RUNNING OUT OF FOOD. HAVE JUST ENOUGH TO GET TO WAYNESBORO BUT NOT ENOUGH SNACK STUFF.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: THE PRIEST SHELTER

To: MAUPIN FIELD SHELTER
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

UP THE PREIST WHICH IM ALREADY PRACTICALLY UP AND THEN DOWN THE OTHER SIDE FROM 4000 FT TO 970 FT AT THE TYR RIVER. DOWN AND DOWN I WENT. AJ SAID I COULD HAVE WHAT FOOD HE HAD LEFT WHEN HE GOT DOWN TO THE ROAD AND HIS TRUCK. MET SOME PEOPLE RUNNING UP THE PREIST TRAINING TO BREAK THE COLORADO TRAIL RECORD NEXT WEEK. THEY ARE ULTRA MARATHONERS. DOWN THE PRIEST WAS BRUTAL AND HAVING TO CLIMB UP THE CHIMNEY ROCKS AND THREE RIDGES AFTER WOULD TOTALY KICK MY BUTT. NICE VIEWS AT THE CHIMNEY ROCKS BUT THE THREE RIDGES WAS OVER GROWN AND THE BLAZES WERE HARD TO SEE. LOOK OUT FOR SNAKES UP TOLD. THAT CLIMB WAS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST. IM BEAT. SO HAPPY TO HAVE MADE IT HERE. MET A COUPLE OF CAMPERS FROM RICHMOND WHO GAVE ME SOME TRAIL MAGIC. ANTHONY AND MATT WHO I ENJOYED THEIR COMPANY.
Date: 2009-07-04
From: MAUPIN FIELD SHELTER

To: WAYNESBORO
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

MADE IT TO WAYNESBORO AND HITCHED A RIDE. A TRAIL ANGEL TOOK ME TO STANTON TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS. STAYING AT THE YMCA CAMPSITE. HAVING TO TAKE A DAY OFF TO PICK MY CAMERA UP AT THE POST OFFICE ON MONDAY. TIMING WASNT GOOD HERE. GOT HERE TWO DAYS BEFORE I ANTICIPATED. WANTED TO GET HERE ON SATURDAY BUT IT WAS THE FOURTH OF JULY. OH WELL. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER AND JOHN SR. WANTED TO CALL AND WISH THEM BOTH HAPPY BIRTHDAYS.