morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-28
From: HURRICANE MTN SHELTER

To: DICKEY GAP
Miles today: 5.2

Today Miles: 5.2Total Miles: 508.7It was very cold waking up this morning. You could see your breath! Oh no, cold hands again! But the sun comes up right into the shelter and it was beautiful to be able to lie in your sleeping bag and and watch the sunrise. I had changed out to my summer bag 32 degree bag and so far I have been hot in the night, so I think I have to wear less cloths. I was up and out first but was soon passed by my friends. I only had 5 miles to hike before 1:00 PM, so I was really taking my time. I walked the 5 miles to Dickie Gap and waited a long time to get picked up. There seemed to be a mix up and I did not have cell reception. It is hard to just have to wait in a spot and hope that someone will pick you up. The weather changed for the worse and I did not have enough cloths on. Calamity and her family (sister, brother-in-law, and nephew) drove by and she gave me another jacket. And made some phone calls for me. At last my friend Mary Anne rescued me and, I went into Marion for the night, got resupplied, had a great Mexican dinner, and a hot shower.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: DICKEY GAP

To: PARTNERSHIP SHELTER
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today Miles:14.5Total Miles: 523.2What a difference a day makes. It was sunny and beautiful. I enjoyed today¢s walk and never saw another hiker until I was .5 miles away from the shelter, when I meet a south bound section hiker.I was just talking about hiking over 500 miles and never seeing one deer. Well today made up for that. I saw a total of 8 deer today. First, I saw three and I was so excited and then two more, and later two more, and near the end of the day one bounded right across the trail in front of me. Maybe it was because I was alone and there was no one else in front of me for miles.I did met a couple from a Scandinavian today who were going fishing. I stopped and talked to them and they asked me if I cross county skied? I said yes why, and he said I can tell by the way you hold your poles. He said I did it the right way! That made me happy, but then he said my poles were too short so I lengthened them and it felt awkward at first but seems to work better.I was walking along and saw something moving in the woods. It turned out to be a lot of cows and their calves. They were so cute and were all over the path. One group of three were sleeping right on the path so I was trying not to scare them, but they ran from me in the end. I got to Partnership Shelter about 3:30 PM which I thought was pretty good for 14 miles and it is the nicest shelter so far. It has a HOT enclosed shower, a sink with hot and cold running water that you do not need to treat! There are two levels and a phone you can use for local calls. Loner, Larry, and Brew were here when I got to the shelter. I had not met Brew before and Larry I met at Wise Shelter. Two (father and son) south bounders who started in PA came in. Then Waffel arrived. He is this 18 year old kid who I almost poled the other morning going into Damascus. He was sleeping next to the trail.Calamity hiked in about 5:30 PM and I was glad to see her. She had hiked 23 miles! Calamity, Waffel, and I ordered two pizzas and sat down at the gate to wait for them. It was nice to sit and talk and get to know him a little.The pizza was great and we all sat around talking about people we have met and the places we have been because the southbounders have also met the ones who are ahead and they could tell us about what is before us up the trail. It was a fun night and it is quite and warm and we are all clean and well fed!
Date: 2007-04-30
From: PARTNERSHIP SHELTER

To: DAVIS PATH SHELTER
Miles today: 14.3

Today Miles: 14.3Total Miles: 537.5We went to the Mount Rogers Vistors Center around 8:00 AM and walked around for awhile, then headed out. We all hated to leave that wonderful shelter!It was a lot of up and very rocky this morning. Waffle, Brew, Larry, Calamity, and I stopped for lunch at Chatfield Shelter. It was a beautiful sunny day and the shelter had a fast running stream right in front of it so it made for a pleasent lunch. I was a hit as I shared my chocolate I had been given in Marion, with all of them. The trail is a place where age does not matter. Waffle is 18 and I am 58 and we talk as if we are peers because we have shared the same experiences and walked the same miles.We walked under this high voltage power line today. It was humming so loudly, we could hear it for miles! We ran under as fast as we could as you could practically feel the voltage in the air going through your body. There were homes close to this power station. I know that I would not want to live close to it.We walked through a lot of fields today and had a lot of switch backs and crossed over a lot of stiles. The stiles slow me down because of my short legs. Yesterday I had to kneel on the first step to get up it. We got to Atkins around 3:00 PM and went to the resturant with the same group we had lunch with. I had the best cheesburger I have had in a long time. I also had decided in the night before I was craving chocolate milk and so got that from the gas station. We use to talk about gear and now we talk about food.This shelter does not have any water so we bought some drinks and water at the store and had to carry them 2.5 miles to the shelter. I have been carrying three days of food for three days and have not eaten much of it, as we have gotten our food at other places.The boys we were with went on to camp at the next water source so here, at the shelter tonight, is Willie (an older guy who hikes about 3 miles each day?), Calamity, Loner (who had told us about no water at this shelter but then he forgot so we shared our water with him), and Oh My and Stump who are section hiking a few hundred miles.After last night's shelter, this seems pretty poor as the floor has big gaps and it is very old. But it is a beautiful calm night so I hope to get a good night's sleep.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: DAVIS PATH SHELTER

To: POOR VALLEY
Miles today: 15.6

Today's miles 15.6Total Miles: 553.1Calamity Jane, Loner, and I got off to an early start. Today I felt like I was back in Georgia as it was up and up and very hot. I was covered in sweat and salt. We had a milestone today as we passed the 1/4 mark of the trail today at Reed Creek. We celebrated by taking a break and visiting with fellow thru hikers who had spent the night here. Owl and his girlfriend, who has joined him for a while, were sitting cooking in a field before one of the huge ups because they didn't want to carry the water up the mountain.This was the day of the styles. We had to climb over about 10 of them with two only about 100 ft. apart. We hiked again with the cows. These were bigger cows and many of them were on the trail that we had to ask them to move off and they finally complied. Calamity and I finally reached Knot Maul Shelter where we ate and got water we were both dry after having to drink more water on the hot day and I think we were pretty dehydrated at this point. We then walked on to where we were getting picked up for more slack packing. The last three miles or so were much more pleasant as we walked along a stream in some old woods on almost level ground. Mary Anne was there with Flint, who we thought would have caught up to us by now. Apparently, Hobo, has hurt his ankle and they are both at the hotel waiting for us. Calamity was very glad to see the boys as she had hiked with them for a long time until she got ahead of them. We all went to dinner and told stories about people and events of the trail. It was a very pleasant evening. It is always nice when you can be clean and full in the same night.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: POOR VALLEY

To: VA 615
Miles today: 19.2

From:Poor ValleyTo: 615Today's Miles: 19.2Total Miles: 572.3Hobo, Flint, Calamity, and I set off to climb Chestnut Knob on our slack packing day. On the elevation map, it looked as if it was going to be a long hard climb but it turned out to be very pleasant. We walked up and then across some balds to the Chestnut Knob Shelter. This shelter also has no water but it is totally enclosed. It even has a door and, a picnic table inside. We stopped for a break and I met Beach Bum (2) from Maine and Chill Out. The next part of the walk was hot and rocky as we were up on the ridge of the mountain. Hobo fell, rolling his already bad ankle. I fear that may be it for him for awhile.Luckily, we were being met at the 10 mile mark, so Hobo could get off. We were all glad to see Mary Anne's car with her stash of goodies. There was a young girl there, G-Smurf, who had decided to quit right there and Mary Anne was able to take her back to the hotel to wait for her ride. Also Beach Bum (2) came down the hill looking pretty bad, as he had had no water for the last 6 miles, his filter had broken. Flint, Calamity, and I went on, but in about an hour the thunder started. We all hiked very fast (almost running) to the next shelter with the lightening crackling all around us. Brew, Larry, Waffle, and Bonnie Caroline were there trying to keep dry. We stayed for 20 or so minutes and then moved on as the rain had lightened somewhat. I met Dripdry and her dog walking southbound and she said I needed to thank Mary Anne, as she had taken her, her dog, and some other hikers and dogs somewhere as the taxi people would not allow dogs in their cars. She also said she was getting off the trail. So that was sad and it made two today!The last part of today's hike was level or slightly down hill. We kind of just rolled into 615 to get picked up. I was glad to sit down after 19 miles, even if it was slack packing.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: VA 615

To: VA 611
Miles today: 15.9

From:VA 615To: VA 611Today Miles: 15.9Total Miles: 588.2We were not going to slack pack today, but after listening to the weather channel, we decided to get another day in without having to stay in a shelter. Besides staying in Erwin during the snow storm, this was the best decision we could have made. The day started out misty and cool, and the trail was giving us gentle ups and downs. Then around 10:00 it started to drizzle, then rain, and the temperature started to drop. In the middle of the downpour, I could barely see Calamity in front of me. She looked like a ghost walking with her gray pack cover on her backpack. Then I looked up and saw a figure standing next to her completely covered in white! It turned out to be Tyvek. He is walking south using only Tyvek for gear. Clothes, backpack, sleeping bag etc. all made from Tyvek. He is also barefoot! My feet hurt every day in socks and boots, I can't imagine walking without them. He is walking this way to bring home the fact that the US troops do not have the proper gear. I think it is a good cause, but I don't believe I could do it!We stopped at the Helveys Mill Shelter had had a bite to eat. Pack Rat and Lucky were there staying out of the rain. Calamity and I put a dry shirt on and headed out again. We were suppose to walk 19 miles but we called Mary Anne to pick us up early as we were soaked to the skin even though we had rain jackets and rain pants on! It was a long, cold, and wet walk today and it was wonderful to come back to a hot shower!
Date: 2007-05-04
From: VA 611

To: VA 606
Miles today: 9.6

From: VA 611To: VA 606Today Miles: 9.6Total Miles: 597.8After yesterday, Flint, Calamity, and I decided we would do a short day. It was still misty and cool, but it did not rain and the walk went quickly. At the end of the miles, we crossed the longest suspension bridge on the trail, the Kimberling Creek Bridge. It swung as you walked on it and made you feel like you were flying over the water not walking on a bridge. Mary Anne then drove Hobo to my house to stay for a few days, to rest his ankle, and see if he can get back on the trail when we meet him.Flint, Calamity, and I went to eat dinner then, Calamity' sister, Kim, and nephew, Austin, arrived and we went to eat again!Chase, Calamity's husband arrived around 7:00 to take over as our caretaker! Back on the trail with full pack tomorrow!
Date: 2007-05-05
From: VA 606

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: moderate rain

From: VA 606To: Doc's Knob ShelterToday's Miles: 15.3Total Miles: 613.9Flint and I got dropped off by Calamity and Chase around 10:00 and started up the trail. On the drive to the drop off, we had to stop for cows in the road. There were about 10 cows and a few guys trying to herd them down the road(cows on the trail and now cows on the road!).After slack packing a few days, I was actually glad to have my pack on again. The morning was a wonderful walk. I did this part of the Trail a few years back with a teacher friend of mine, Sandy. We hiked to a camp site about .5 miles short of Wapiti Shelter, because we were too tired to go any further. What a difference 600 miles make! Today I hiked over 15 miles and got to the Doc's Knob Shelter. Flint found a bird's egg he thought might have been a hawk or grouse egg. And then he found an arrow head. I guess it was his day.It rained for about an hour, today but other than that it was just a cool cloudy, foggy, day, but not bad for hiking. I did a Laurel and Hardy slip on a banana as I crossed a foot bridge. My two feet flew up in the air and I landed on my back. Good thing I had a 30 lbs cushion on my back and I was fine. We had lunch at the Wapiti Shelter and the brothers, Lucky and Pack Rat, and Stealth Blue showed up.The second half of the trail was harder and the last 4 miles was almost all rocks. It seemed to take me for ever to get to the shelter.Here tonight are Saul (a southbound section hiker), Wetsocks (met him for the first time), Stealth, Pack Rat, Lucky, Waffle, Yardsale, and Flint and myself. It is a very full shelter as we are inches apart. I am the only female again. Pearisburg tomorrow, and to visit my teacher friend, Hollie. I am really looking forward to that!
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

From: Doc's Knob ShelterTo: Pearisburg, VAToday's Miles: 10.9Total Miles: 622.6Flint and I left the shelter and it was a nice walk along the ridge with great views of the New River and Pearisburg, VA from Angel's Rest. It was a long walk down and my feet were killing me by the bottom.Flint and I first went to Dairy Queen as I have been dreaming of a Blizzard forever. We both had cheeseburgers, French fries, drinks, and ice cream and felt much better. Flint set off for the hostel and I did a few small hills to the beginning of Senator Shumate Bridge over the New River. I called my friend, Hollie, and she told me another teacher friend, Jennifer, was picking me up so I sat down in the parking lot and waited. Hollie had arranged for a potluck with some of the eighth grade teachers I have taught with. It was so nice to see them and we all had a wonderful meal and good conversation. They were very involved with the VT shootings as some of the students who attend Blacksburg Middle lost their parents. Again I was glad to be hiking It was so nice to see people that know me as a different person from the trail and it felt strange to be called Donna So thanks so much Hollie, Jennifer, Suzan, Sandy, Reba, Kendra, Rupert, and Stan. You were all great and I was well supplied for the next week!
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

From: Pearisburg, VATo: Pine Swamp Branch ShelterToday's Miles: 18.5Total Miles: 641.1Hollie dropped me off about 7:00 AM, she went to school and I headed off across the Senator Shumate Bridge. Hollie, who has lived in Narrows and crossed this bridge a million times, did not know the real name of the bridge! It was a mixup as to where she would pick me up as she could not find that bridge! After the bridge, I had to walk on the road for awhile and then up into the woods which was full of poison ivy. I tried to avoid it, but I am not sure. I have already have had one case on my arm. I guess I'll know in the next few days. Someone was camped out right on the trail which, I later found out it was Bowlegged, as he and his dog are staying with me in the shelter tonight. The first part of today was very hard as it went up forever and was extremely rocky. The middle of the day was "a walk in the woods" type trail and then from lunch on it was rocky again.I had a snack at Rice Field Shelter which you had to climb over a style to get to, but it appeared to be a good shelter. Terrapin Flyer, Granite, and Mystery Chicken were just leaving. It was the first time I have met Mystery Chicken and he was all dressed up in a suit.It was a long day for me as I did over 18 miles and the ¢signage¢ was incorrect, so you would see 5.2 miles to the shelter and then walk for 3 hours and then see a sign that said 2.5 to the shelter! It made the day seem even longer. I did not get to the shelter until 6:30 PM which makes for a quick night by the time you get water, put out all your stuff, get changed and eat it is dark and time for bed. This shelter has a tree that fell on top of it so it is a little squished but usable for a few people. There were a lot of people here when I arrived, but they all moved on except Bowlegged and his dog (they are in the shelter with me), Fish, from Blacksburg (section hiker) (I might have taught him in middle school years ago), and Snake Bait ( he got bit by a snake one time on a hike) and High Five (two more section hikers).I am really tired tonight and it is cold again!
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Warsaw Shelter
Miles today: 12.9

From: Pine Swamp ShelterTo: Warsaw ShelterToday's Miles: 12.9Total Miles:653.8I started out today around 8:30 with the sun shinning and very cool temperatures. I got down to the road and saw the sign that the said the bridge was out up the trail and I could go on and ford or road walk. So I chose to go road walking for 1.5 miles. A car went by me and swerved and backfired at me so I was really glad to get back on the trail and up into the woods.I had a break at Bailey Gap Shelter (Hollie, there is actually one here) with Fish or Jason, the young man from Blacksburg. There was a lot or rock walking today. Your time slows down to a turtle crawl when there are a lot of rocks. There was not a lot of up or down but just rock walking and these went on for miles.I saw three deer today as I walked near the Mountain Lake Trail System. There were wonderful views at Wind Rock and I had lunch with Snake Bait and Hi Five.I arrived at the Warsaw Shelter and there were about 15 girls from a private girls¢ school who are out to walk 60 miles from one shelter to the next. They had the biggest packs and sleeping bags I have ever seen. All the girls were to to sleep under one huge tarp tent. McQueen and I sat there until Snake Bait (who was bitten by a copperhead a few years ago) and Hi Five arrived. We all decided it would be better for us to move on a little and camp, as the girls were all having a very good time. We went a found a few spots and then Flint also arrived and said that if we just went a little further there was a great camp site. I was very glad to see him and he helped me move my stuff. It ended up being McQueen, Dorothy and Toto (who I have not seen in awhile), Ross, Snake Bait, Hi Five, Flint, and me camping together. It was a good camp site and it felt strange but comfy to set up my tent. I had not used it in a long time but anticipate that will change as the bugs come out,
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Warsaw Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

From: War Spur ShelterTo: Sarver Hollow ShelterToday Miles: 12.2Total Miles: 666.0It rained last night so everything was wet this morning. We all packed out around 8:00 AM and hiked out. It was a good morning until we hit John's Creek and then we started up and up! We went from 2000 ft. to 3800 ft in a short time. There was one place that was called Rocky Gap where a big tree had fallen and you could not even see the trail. It was a very difficult climb for me and took me about 10 min. to climb 50 ft or so. I was glad Flint was with me as he stayed below and I climbed over the debris. Right after that was trail magic with soda and candy bars. Thanks, Super Dave, from Blacksburg!We had lunch at Laurel Creek Shelter with Larry, Brew, Yard Sale, and Waffle. About 8 or 9 of us had stopped for water at a nice clear stream as the last water was in the middle of a livestock field. We then walked on to the Keffer Oak, a large white oak that has a circumference of 18 plus feet. It is supposed to be more than 300 years old. It was a sight to see and we all spent some time there taking pictures.The ups after that were hard and even though it was only a 13 mile day I didn't get to the Sarver Shelter until 5:00 PM. Most of this large group decided to go on and I told Flint to go with all these young people but he stayed with me. He is so wonderful. My feet hurt and I just wanted to rest. The shelter was .3 miles almost straight down and the water source was even further but the shelter was new and very well built with a large porch and picnic table on it. Flint and I walked down to the water source and there was an old log cabin still in tack and another very large one with three fireplaces but it was pretty much in ruin. Flint loved it and did a little exploring. We saw the largest toad I have ever seen! I was sorry that I did not have my camera. It was a very relaxing evening with just the two of us there. We hung our tents to dry and got settled in. People kept arriving for water and then leaving. Brew and Larry said they would have stayed if their packs were not at the top. Sandwich came by as did Granit all complaining about the downhill but admiring the shelter. Around 8:00 PM Mountain Mike came in and we all settled in and went to bed.