morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-06
From: CJ's place Bristol, VA

To: CJ's place Bristol, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I got some good sleep and woke up to a wonderful breakfast of all kinds of good stuff. My favorite was english muffins with cream cheese and smothered in strawberrys. I think I ate about 10 boxes of english muffins. While everyone else went to church, Dynamite and I lounged around. I made some phone calls and eventually we met back up with everyone at Outback Steakhouse. We had a great meal of bloomin onion, bread, steak and potatoes and coming off that big breakfast I was stuffed again. The hikers all drove around to buy what we needed. We stopped at a mall, picked up a movie for later, and got our resupply at Walmart (very cheap). I also put some pictures from my memory card on a CD and will try and get those home somehow. Esra got my mail from Erwin and put my pictures up on Flickr. They came out pretty good. I can only look at them from the tiny screen on my camera. I made some more calls. I talked to Stevo and found out how Doug and Matt are doing. They're somewhere in the Smokies now and probably having a blast like I did. Stevo might send me something to Pearisburg and also we talked a little about his 50 high points goal. I would definitely do Clingsman and Mt. Mitchell with him and Mt. Rogers is coming up soon as well so maybe I'll get to revisit some of the trail with him later on. I also spoke with Bob and got some info about what to expect coming up. It sounds like he's staying out in Seattle for a while which is good for him but bad for east coast friends. I caught up with Derek as well and sounds like same old stuff back home which is always good to know. I was going to make some more calls but dinner was approaching and I had to get organized a little for the next day or week of hiking. Since that package didn't come I couldn't charge anything which sucked but whatever. Esra emailed the journal entries she typed up and I went over them. I'm not sure how I feel about putting all of my stuff out there but I do think a trailjournals account would be a good way to keep the fam updated. Dinner was chicken and dumplings with all sorts of other good stuff (corn, green beans, bread etc.) again I overate but I didn't have room for another dessert sampling. I must have ate most of the cobbler CJ's mom made but I just couldn't help it. We played a game called catchphrase which was fun and then we watched the movie that we rented called Hitman. It was kind of a shoot em up Borne Identity supersoldier movie. I tried getting a little more organized for tomorrow but there's time because were not going to be hiking until the afternoon.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: CJ's place Bristol, VA

To: Saunders Shelter (3100')
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to more food and since I slept in I had the table all to myself. I had some cereal, fruit, coffee, and cream cheese and strawberry covered english muffins. It was all perfect. As I slowly got packed I also would periodically try and send emails home to try and coordinate my next stops. I also tried to give Esra the photos I put on a CD by emailing them but that didn't work so I'm mailing the CD home with my old maps and she can get the pictures then or when I mail my memory card home in Pearisburg. I wasn't hungry due to the breakfast I had no problem devoring biscuits with gravy, eggs, bacon, jelly and butter. Now I was packed and got some oatmeal raisin cookies for the road. It was really nice of CJ and his parents to host us and we all felt incredibly comfortable. They were all very accomodating and we had all we needed in our zero day. CJ's mom never stopped cooking for us and I know my stomach appreciated it. Also the annoying cut on my foot healed as well so my feet are also ready to go. We headed out to Damascus with CJ's mom and said goodbye to his dad who wished us well. I called Steripen on the way and am getting a new one mailed to Pearisburg. When we got to Damascus I got my box of food and chargers and got what I needed and mailed the rest to Pearisburg and mailed my maps and photos home. I bought a camera case that attaches to my hip belt so I can whip out my camera whenever. I weighed my pack in at 41 lbs. Exactly what it weighed at Amicolola. It felt heavier as well, but I had a lot of food, full hot sauce, full fuel, full water, a lot of firestarters, and now a new camera case. I headed out around 3:30 and said goodbye to Kaye (CJ's mom) and started walking through Damascus towards the trail. Some guy stopped me and told me I was going the wrong way but I guess he was just joking. I passed Dynamite as soon as the trail started who was stopped and eating some Mentos which he got from the guy who told me I was going the wrong way. The trail was pretty nice and the weather was great so it was an easy 9 mi to the shelter. It was a good looking shelter and Willie boy, Shep, and Matt were already there. CJ and Dynamite showed up shortly thereafter. Dinner was a mountain house meal wit hot sauce and dessert was a king sized snickers and Reeses bars. Everyone except Shep and Willie boy were sleeping out under the stars. I had my tent set up though because it had to dry from the Laurel fork night which was several days before. It was nice weather out so I wasn't worried about sleeping exposed. It is a first but quite nice. There is a tree above me blocking the stars but I still have a good view.
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Saunders Shelter (3100')

To: Somewhere before Grayson Highlands (~5000')
Miles today: 20.4

I got a late start out of the shelter due to sleeping in. I had 2 pop tarts and was out around 9:30. The first section was nice with lots of stream crossings and I stopped for lunch at the first shelter and saw everyone from last night there. On the grill in the fire pit were four dead mice and they all had their eyes open and looked really creepy. Instead of eating them I just went with granola and peanut butter. The hiking continued to be very nice and I ran into Dartman from Iron Mtn Shelter who showed me what a ramp was. They are these plants with two leaves that pop up from the ground and they have a bulb and some roots. You can cut off the roots and eat the rest or mix it into your food and it tastes somewhere between an onion and garlic. I had heard of them before but never seen or eaten one and now I know what to look for. CJ showed up and said he was going to take it slow for a while and hike on his own. Maybe we'll see him later on because he'll probably only be a day or two behind. The weather was great the rest of the day and we were at high elevation so there were some good views. I went up the Mt. Rogers side trail which leads to the Virginia highpoint. This is my second state high point so far (Clingmans was TN's high point). There weren't any views but it was very quiet and peaceful at the top with the sun coming through the pines and some birds chirping. There was a bird up at the top about as high up as the high point marker so it seemed like he was hiking it too. After coming down I went to the next shelter which was less than a 1/2 mi away and got water. Since it was so nice out Dynamite and I were going to Cowboy camp near the highlands and hopefully catch a sunset and some stars. We hiked another 2 mi about and Shep had continued onto the next shelter. We picked a good spot with a view and we're probably still around 5000' because we didn't loose that much elevation from the Mt. Rogers trail. Out tents were set up just in case it got too windy or rain started and sure enough some big clouds rolled in right before sunset. Its not raining but very foggy like we're inside a cloud and condensation would probably build on our sleeping bags and get them wet. I cooked a lipton butter and herb flavored noodle dish and added a a family sized 12 oz tuna pack and some hot sauce. It was pretty good, a lot better than I expected because I was going for volume as opposed to taste. I also ate a king sized snickers and Reeses bar and some hersheys special dark with rasberry and macadamia. Very delicious. Dynamite and I chatted a bit about the trip. So far we've been hiking at the same pace for a while and after talking it seems we have similar goals: hike somewhat fast now to allow yourself enough time later to take it slow if you want. We'll see what actually happens.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Campsite near VA615, Laurel Creek (2460')

To: Campsite past VA606 crossing
Miles today: 26.0

So it hailed this morning. Hail or sleet, whatever its called when bits of ice fall from the sky. I slept in a bit which is easy to do when you're tenting. When I finally got up solely because I had to use the bathroom (usually the driving force behind me getting out of my sleeping bag) I noticed the little pellets falling all around me. I got back in my tent and finished packing up and eating (4 pop tarts of course) and I didn't get going until around 10 AM. A little disappointing and definitely one of my later starts but I was moving along pretty well. It hailed some more but I don't mind it as much as the rain because it doesn't stick to you, it just rolls off but it is usually accompanied by cold wind. I was in my rain gear most of the day to protect me from the wind. There was a long stretch of road walking early on which annoys me. There are usually woods right next to the road so why not put the trail there and only cross roads when necessary. I reached the second shelter a little after 4 which was where Shepherd and CJ were probably going to stay. I still felt pretty good and kept going towards the 606 road crossing where there was resupply. I made it there after a little hail andd road walked a half mile to a convenience store/gas station. I was able to get another days worth of food and a double cheeseburger, corn dog, french fries, and a pint of ice cream. I could've tented, showered and done laundry for $6 but decided to stay on the trail. It was a nice rest and I was out around 8 PM as it was getting darker out. I ended up walking further up the trail then expected to find a flat area to tent and it was dark when I arrived. I didn't have to cook or anything so it wasn't a big deal. My tent was wet from the rain and hail last night but it dried out quickly. I ate 2 snickers and half a hershey's special dark bar and called it a night. Im probably around the 600 mi mark (the 606 crossing was 599.7 according to my book) which is cool and each 100 miles seems to go quicker. I had thought warmer weather was here to stay but today proved otherwise. Hopefully the cold killed a bunch of mosquitos and other bugs that have been out the past couple days. The seasons are changing though. The trees are budding a little and wild flowers are out alongside the trail. Not much wildlife today, probably due to the weather although I got a good look at a grouse that flew away from me (they never fly towards you I suppose). This morning I could hear the grouses (plural grouse?) beating on the ground several different times probably trying to wake me up. Hopefully more wildlife than one grouse tomorrow, no offense to the grouse.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Pearisburg, VA (1620')

To: Stony Creek (2450')
Miles today: 21.7

I woke up and started organizing to leave. I wasn't in a hurry because I figured at most I would be going 18 mi today. I figured out what food I needed and went to the Food Lion then mailed some stuff at the Post office and did laundry. I called my advisor at Tech and the readmission thing won't be a big deal I just have to wait until July to register and she reassured me that I would get the classes I needed. I also ran into Dropkick who I hand't seen since Atkins and he was heading out the next day so I might run into him later on. I ate a meatball sub at a pizza sub place while I was waiting on laundry and there were a bunch of cops in there, one whome looked just like Farva from Super Troopers. He was eating a bunch of cheesy nachos and I couldn't help thinking about the scene in the fast food restaurant where he flips out. I went back to the motel, checked out, and printed the readmission form for school. I started the mile walk to the trail at around 1:30 and had no luck hitting a ride. My pack felt really heavy and I'm sure I'm carrying way too much food but whatever. I didn't really know where I was going to sleep. I ran into some hikers at a campsite and considered staying there for the water source but it was only 4:30 and I wanted to put in some miles today. They had all seen the cow as well. One thought it was dehydrated another thought it had rabies and that whoever got to it would probably just shoot it. I kept hiking and the area between my shin and the top of my foot started itching a lot. I saw some deer and when I got to the 18 mi shelter it was destroyed as in it had no roof. Strides and Spruce had obviously hiked to the next one and it was about 4 mi to go. It was getting dark and I had never tried night hiking before so I figured now would be a good time. I ate a snickers and kept going. It was a clear night but trees were blocking the moon so went by headlamp. I didn't like night hiking that much but it might be because I felt rushed. I reached a large stream and couldn't see anymore blazes or a way across. At this point, I was only 1.5 from the shelter but because I wasn't going to cross in the dark I just tented and luckily there were spots right there. I ate a chicken teriyaki mountain house meal and some snickers and called it a night. My food bag is so heavy that it broke my rope when I tried to hang it up. Also my tent was soaked and didn't have enough time to dry so I actually used my pack towel for probably the second time this trip. I had meant to send it home in Pearisburg but I'm glad I didn't. I probably will send it home still. Its supposed to be cold tonight.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Stony Creek (2450')

To: Keffer Oak (2240')
Miles today: 19.8

When I woke up my water was frozen and untreated because my steripen wasn't working. This really pissed me off because its brand new and I only used it to treat water at the campsite early yesterday. I packed up and there was frost on my tent which numbed my hands nicely as I was putting it away. I ate 2 pop tarts and headed out. I didn't really head anywhere because I spent about 20 min trying to find where the trail crossed the stream only to eventually just cross it with my bare feet. The water was freezing cold and when I got across there was a sign saying the bridge had been out since 2004. Why this wasn't in my book I don't know. When I got to the next shelter I tried to get water but my steripen still wasn't working. I had some in my camelbak so I was good for a little while and I figured I could always use Aqua Mira if I had to or just drink it untreated. There was a nice ridge that I walked along for a while and it was real nice out. I passed a hiker going south who I had seen just outside of Pearisburg scouting out the trail. He mentioned he had seen some hikers who fit the description of Strides, Spruce, and Southside so I tried to catch them at the next shelter for lunch and possibly use their water filter. I didn't see them but there was a nice stream and my steripen started working (the cold must affect it) and I ate lunch. I had tuna wrapped in a tortilla but no mayo so it wasn't as good as I had hoped. I also ate a bunch of peanut butter wrapped in a tortilla which was much better. There was another ridge I went up with a nice view at Kelly Knob. I ran into a section hiker named Elf and then caught up to Strides, Spruce, and Southside at the next shelter. My leg was hurting again real bad and they were hiking to the Keffer Oak to tent which was a perfect mileage for me considering my leg. I walked across some farm land before arriving at the campsite. It wasn't much of a campsite but there was enough flat space to make it work. I made a fire which caught a lot of leaves around it on fire and could've burned the forest down but I had it under control the whole time (not really). I made another mountain house meal and added a spam single to it which was a nice touch and ate a bunch of candy bars. I had set my tent up to dry and then I took it down because it was clear enough out that I didn't need it. I checked out the Keffer Oak (we camped just before it because the field it was next to had a lot of cow pies everywhere). It was an impressive tree and my book says it is over 300 years old. If the forest were full of old big trees like that it would be a lot different hike and I would feel very small out in the forest. My spot I picked to sleep on isn't that flat and my sleeping pad keeps sliding down hill on the Tyvek sheet. The past couple nights on the trail I have been alone and tenting which I like but it was nice to have some company.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Pickle Branch Shelter (1845')

To: Catawba Mtn. Shelter (2145')
Miles today: 14.6

When I woke up this morning Spruce and Southside where already gone. I took my time a little bit as there was plenty of time before the 4PM all you can eat. I was out by 8 and took some Ibuprofen for my leg just to see if it would help. I also wore my thicker socks to help with my toes. The first section had a nice ridge walk with good views and it was cool out.The trees are starting to bud and there is a light green color to the areas that have the budding trees. Its cool to look at from far away. There are also some trees that bloom small white flowers and some gangly trees that have bloomed lots of small purple flowers. Those are my favorite. The tree looks like its almoust ready to die but its got all these beautiful little flowers coming out of it. I crossed over some land and at one point there were a bunch of cows over the trail. They all ran away as I approached but then two started following me as though I pissed them off. They eventually stopped but as I passed the group of cows again the young ones started trotting behind me. One followed me for a while and I felt bad because it got really separated from the group. I ran into some hikers on top of a lookout a couple miles from the Catawba road crossing. One went by the Refridgerator and they all reassured me that the Homeplace was a good choice for dinner. I tried hitching into Catawba and ended up walking almoust all the way there before a truck stopped and dropped me off at Homeplace. They weren't open for another 3 hours and it looked like a really nice place. I walked to the general store and met Strides Spruce and Southside there. I got a hot dog and Arizona Green Tea and we all just relaxed on the porch until it was time to eat. The homeplace is a converted farmhouse and is a lot bigger and nicer on the inside then I expected. It was an all you can eat where they just brought all the food to you so I never had to get up. There was fried chicken, roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, mac & cheese, green beans, some other beans, biscuits and cobbler with ice cream for dessert. I was stuffed and needed some time to digest. We got there just before 4 when they open and didn't leave until 6. The food was great and we hitched back to the trail and hiked 2 mi to a shelter. I considered and had talked about going another 2.4 over McAfee's Knob tonight but I swallowed my words I'm way too stuffed from dinner to try that and in the 2 mi walk I didn't dare try and tighten my waist strap in fear it might force something up. I was burping coleslaw on the walk up so stopping I think was a good call. I did eventually eat two candy bars with honey peanut butter and some of Southside's fig newtons once I knew I wasn't moving anywhere. Tomorrow is around 18 into Daleville and I'm going to have to find a way to mail my bounce box because the post office will be closed.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Catawba Mtn. Shelter (2145')

To: Motel in Daleville, VA (1300')
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

I did not sleep well at all last night. I kept waking up to use the bathroom and sliding around on my groundsheet. It was before 5 AM when I woke up the last time and it was warm enough out that I just decided to start hiking. It was around 5:30 when I started and I was up on McAfee's Knob a little before 6 AM just as some sunlight was starting to show up. I was up on McAfee's Knob by myself watching the sun light up the sky for over an hour. It was very nice out and almoust dark when I first arrived. I set up a tripod with my hiking poles and a stick and then started taking pictures. Eventually a couple kids who slept nearby the Knob woke up and Strides, Southside, and Spruce showed up as well. It was a beautiful view and lived up to the hype. I stayed on top until the sun was way up in the sky and I felt like I got to see a couple different views from McAfee's; nightime, sunrise, morning and everything in between. Tinker Cliffs was a few miles away and had good views looking back at McAfee's and the ridge you walk along between the two. The rest of the walk was nice and gradual. We saw a big black snake after the Tinker Cliffs which looked like the whole version of the half snake I saw before the NOC. I got into Daleville around 1 PM with Spruce and Strides had already checked into the room. I showered, did laundry, and watched the Caps win game 5, and the Wizards loose game 1 of the playoffs. I wen to resupply and also bought Gaitors at the outfitters. My feet hurt a little today and my leg was feeling better. Since its been warmer out my feet sweat and then dirt gets in my boots which hurts my feet and makes my toes hurt. The gaitors should help with this. The motel said it would be able to mail out my bounce box which is a huge help since tomorrow is Sunday. We all ate at a Mexican place which was alright (nothing compared to Homeplace) and then I got some ice cream. I just went back to the room and am hanging out watching TV and drinking beer. Town days are sometimes stressful. There is a lot you need to do between resupply, mailing things, communicating with home, checking internet, and eating when all you want to do is relax and rest on your town day. I tried getting in touch with Deborah and Pat because I realized I'm only a week away from Waynesboro, but I had no such luck.