morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

No pictures today. Was really only interested in getting the miles done. The trail was quite realistic. 2 ups of 800 feet. Turned out to be our longest day--19.8 miles. Feet are sore. We pushed for the miles so we could order pizza. Ordered a large. Ate four pieces--got stuffed.While walking, it hit me. I don't have a things-to-do list. Walking the trail has kept me focused for the past two years. Come September that will be complete. So I'll be working on that. One of the To Do's is: Denise and I will tour the Great Wall of China. I will complete my goals over the next few weeks.The idea come when listening to a converstaion. One person said, "He knew someone who was making his 3rd trip on the AT." Magic Horse said he would never do that. He had other things to do. I guess it's time to get my new things-to-do started.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Got an early start. 11.6 miles to re-supply. First half was up and down. Last six miles was quite flat. Huge difference in the foilage. We are lower and the grass is high, the trees are filling in. We crossed 6 roads on our walk today. Feels like we are back in civilization. Took two pictures: 1)Vista with I-81 in the background; 2)High power lines.Bought too much food. Pack is too heavy. Need to eat alot. Ate pizza and soda. Ate breakfast early. Need good mileage tomorrow. Met a barefoot walker. He only uses TYVEK for his pack. It takes all kinds.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Atkins, VA

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 17.3

Re-supplied and ready for our long week--87.1 miles. My pack is HEAVY. 2 pounds of food a day (X) 6 days = 12 more pounds. Feels like 20. Short day yesterday feeling fresh.Walking past homes and pastures with cows and calves. Highest mountain was 3500 feet. Still had to climb 900 feet in one mile. Beautiful, sunny day. Two pictures today. Another 6 foot long black snake. And Dave and I at VA 610--25% of the trail complete. YEA!!Thinking of changing our walking schedule, we ate supper from 2:30--4:00, then walked three more miles. Hemlock found a beautiful place to camp just 200 feet from where Sheephead and I were going to camp. Flowing stream with trout. You can hear the rapids in the distance. Hemlock is another fine young man. We have met so many on the trail. There is hope for the future.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Lick Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept Well. Nice walking up to the rapids. The walk was up: 2,000 feet in four miles. Then it was ridge running: big rocks for ten miles. Then down to the shelter. Not the most fun day I have had.   Took two pictures: 1) one to the osuth Burkes Garden--the initial choice for the Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estates. The nickname of this view is God's Thumbprint. 2) Farms to the north   Was really happy to get to Jenkins Shelter. Feet are sore. I am tired.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: In The Woods
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We have been walking for 8 days. Least mileage was 11.6, 122 since our last break a total of 157.4 till our next one. Whoever is scheduling is going to have a serious talking to. I am learning about this walking stuff--just slowly.Much easier day today. No boulders. No huge UPS OR DOWNS. Some ridge running. Just a little tired. I take it back. More than just a little tired. Beautiful day. Warm, not hot, sunny. No pictures.Getting rid of winter gear on Monday. Should really lighten my pack. Not much to write about. Trees are full of leaves. Less of a view.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: In The Woods

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 15.0

I get the closed in feeling. Everything is greening up. Our path is becoming more and more tunnel like. Little to see. Alone with your thoughts. Walked across a long suspension bridge. Picture of Dave and I; plus the stream that went beneath it.Spent the afternoon and evening at Dismal Creek Falls. The sound of the rapids is awesome. Drew drinking water. Washed socks. Had a nice conversation with a couple of guys who drank Budwieser. Dave got one. You can jump about 12 feet to the water below. I just thought it was too cold.Met--I should say--was passed by a walker named Gopher. He started April 14th. Name should be Speedy as he did 34 miles in one day. We are looking at being 1/3 complete--726 miles--on May 22nd. That is 3 days less than 2 months. So I think we are making good time.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: few clouds

Sleeping next to the falls, left my socks and change of clothes (which I washed out yesterday) still damp. I'll dry my socks from my pack as I walk. Happy Mother's Day. There were few weekend walkers. No one passed us. We passed one set of three. One of which had a handicap--bad eye sight.Today there were three distinct types of walks. Six miles of city park trail walking. One mile of 1200 foot incline. The rest was jumping over on, or around big rocks. My feet gave me a great big thank you when we stopped. Took one picture--vista.The group of three is Tom (blind) with brother, Tenderfoot, and friend David. This is the second section that they are walking.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Holiday Motor Lodge
Miles today: 8.2

Just wanted to get to town. On the trail by 7:00AM. Had a couple of good camera shots. It is really so seldom that the huge views present themselves. Power lines presented a couple of fine shots. Angel's Rest on Pearis Mountain gave another opportunity.Eleven days on the trail are too many in a row. Be great to have tomorrow off. Ate "all-you-can-eat" Pizza Hut for lunch. Showered--felt great. Bought groceries. Dave's doing laundry. Getting rest. Want to walk 18.5 miles per day for the next 5 days.Call family tonight.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Holiday Motor Lodge, Pearisburg

To: Holiday Motor Lodge, Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0

It's good for the body to have the day off. Do get bored. Ended up walking 4-5 miles looking for plastic slip on shoes--Crocks (sp) Kroks (sp)? ended up buying a hot pink pair--only ones that were big enough. With the winter clothes on the way home, I believe I've gotten rid of at least 5 pounds.Cold front; and the good possibility of rain, will be here a noon tomorrow. Plan to be well on the way with an early start. Planning on 18+ miles per day for the week. Wondering how the old body will hold up.Spent a couple of hours at the library. Really appreciate Denise's work of getting my journal on line. Read a finance magazine. Try little B-Ball watching tonight. Early to bed, early to rise.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We are trying for 92 miles in 5 days. Glad to get out of town. Passed a noisy factory. Heard it for at least the first 8 miles. Took no pictures until the shelter. Was threatening to rain most of the day. Finally showered for the last 2-3 hours.There was limited water. I saw a blue blaze and thought it was for H2O. Walked a mile out--there was no H20. So I wasted an hour and lots of leg energy. We walked 19 official miles. With the walk to the AT and my error I walked 22 miles.The picture I took was of drying socks in front of the fireplace. The shelter is damaged, a tree fell on the roof.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Pine Swamp Branch

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

30% of trail is completed. We ended up doing 12.7 miles. I got disoriented and took an old trail. Walked almost four miles. Messed up our goal of finishing in 5 days. We'll see. It was a beautiful day for walking--60+ degrees and sunny. Did see a deer.Two big climbs tomorrow. We had nothing but rocks to walk on today really slows you down. Waded our first stream. Bridge is being re-built. Fast water up to our knees--temps in the 30's.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Going for 18.2 miles. We did it without too much of a problem. We had two good ups today: two 1200 foot climbs. I got to hug a tree today. Couldn't get my arms around it even with my walking poles. It's the second biggest oak tree on the AT: 18 feet 3 inches in circumference. Have you hugged a tree today? It's official, I'm now a tree hugger.Got to walk about four miles of pasture. So pleasant to see the sky. Passed the Continental Divide today. One side to the Atlantic the other drained by the Mississippi. Another nice vista picture. I just know they will end up looking so much the same. I believe we can move our mileage up to 18 per day. We have done it 2 of the last 3 days. We'll see how the legs hold up tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Niday Shelter

To: Unknown
Miles today: 17.5

Just after leaving the shelter we came across a beautiful, in bloom, laurel bush. I took a couple pictures. The trees, bushes and flowers all seem to be ready or are already abloom. Just gorgeous.Had a big up to get to an Audie Murphy Monument. He died in an airplane crash in 1971. It is taken care of by the American Legion. Several flags surround this WWII hero's memorial. Beautiful day. Ate a snack there. Picture of course.The trail took us south to the Dragon's Tooth. Difficult climb to the top. Big up. Had to scale quite a few rocks. Avesome views from the top. The trail down was even more difficult. We had to climb using hands and feet--sticks were useless. In two different places bars were driven into the rocks to aid in the descent. I thought the extreme difficulty of the trail would keep everyone away. I was wrong; met, at least, 15 day hikers.Took pictue of an in bloom rhodoendrun. Color was fantastic. More pictures today than any other day: vistas and an unknown flower. Got a hot spot ont he back of my heels--both feet. Duct tape tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Unknown

To: Unknown
Miles today: 19.4

5.4 miles to Cloverdale. Will have done 92 miles in 5 1/2 days. Taking 24 hours off and then have 94.8 miles in the next 5 1/2 days. That will put us at mile 725.5 on the evening of the 22nd. That is 1/3 (33%) of the trail complete. It is beginning to seem real.Two big ups today. Excellent pictures. Very clear day. Tinker cliffs was one of those big ups. Could sit on the top of the cliffs and see forever. Many day hiker were out today. Saw no other Hikers. Most of the young ones are at Trail Days in Damascus. So many walk to see Tinker Cliffs that the trail is double wide.TINKER: what or who is a tinker? Someone who just tinkers about? Someone who doesn't give a tinker's damn? Tired. If we keep this pace we will do over 100 miles per week.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Unknown

To: Cloverdale/Daleville
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up early. Grabbed a snack and started to walk before 7am. Exited the trail within two blocks of the hotel. Great to get cleaned up.   Groceries. Three letters, YEAH!! Sent a roll of film, journal and letter home. Got done with my chores early. Will be nice to just relax this evening and tomorrow morning. Always exciting to talk to the family.   Watched a play off game: Detroit VS Cleveland. I certainly am not excited about the whole series. Wonder how the numbers will stack up VS other year's viewers.   Planning on doing another 100 miles this coming 7 days. Time to make some real distance. Dave and I will see how the feet and legs hold up.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Cloverdale/Daleville

To: Wilson Creek
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

   Major distance milestone today. One third of the trail is complete: 725.5 miles of the 2,174. Feels GOOD! As we walked away from Dalesville I heard planes, trains, and automobiles for at least seven miles. As I sit at the shelter all that I hear is the occasional bird chirp within silence. Silence is much more pleasant than civilization.   Took one picture today: one garter snake and 1/2 of a lizard. Life goes on. The walkway was very well maintained. Nice to see and use a good trail. No vistas. No views. Just a nice short walk after a day off.   Thinking of 20.6 miles tomorrow. Will see if the trail and our legs allow it. Must be concerned about water sources through this part of Virginia: Hotter weather and fewer springs.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Wilson Creek

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

   Tri-level shelter. Sleeps up to 20. Took a picture. We walked 20.6 miles to get there. Dave and my longest day so far. We had three climbs. Legs are a bit tired.   We are walking and crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had some good views. Didn't take any pictures. The mountain tops were fogged in.   The feet were really geting sore. We stopped for a break four miles before the finish. Took my shoes and socks off. Soaked my feet. Felt great.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring
Miles today: 17.2

Took two pictures: Purple-petaled flower and a pink rhododendren. They seem to be hitting their peak; quite lovely. Was able to look at several vistas. There is a heavy smog, fog, or smoke in the air, so the pictures probably would not have been good.   Started the walk today with 2200 foot climb over 4.4 miles. What an UP!45 minutes continuous up then a saddle. Then, 45 more minutes countinuous up, then a saddle. Then, one final 20 minute up. Did it all with no stops at our 2 mph. It is surprising in how good of shape my body has gotten.   Had two more UPS: 800 feet over 1.4 miles; and 700 feet over 1.2 miles. People said the terrain was so much easier in Virginia. Got me.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Marble Spring

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

    I do not like to do climbs. I hate it when it is at the end of the day. 1900 feet followed by 860 feet. Dave and I are really tired. 18.2 miles today.      When camping last night we were visited by several deer. I was sleeping in my tent without the rain cover. Doe and fawn were nibbling on grass not 10 yards from my tent. They obviously did not see me inside my cocoon. Then as Dave and I were leaving a yearling came within 20 feet. Tried to get a picture. Hope it turns out.   Quickest 5.5 miles of the trail (2.5 mph). We did it in 2 hours and 5 minutes. Crossed the James River. Took three pictures. It is the longest foot bridge on the AT. Took a picture of the bridge on the James River from Rocky Row Trail after we had walked 2 hours and 45 minutes. Surprising how high we had gotten. Just as we started up Bluff Mountain, Dave jumped back. A rattle snake was sun bathing on the trail. First wild rattler I ever remember seeing. We gave it a very wide berth. Wonderful day. Just tired.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: USFS 48 Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

   I slept through a commotion. The other hikers were awaken by an unknown beast, growling in the night. Pans were banged to scare it away. I slept. . .   Had quite a climb today--especially this late in our walk week: 2650 feet followed by 860 feet. Good news at the camp site--Trial Magic, X-2. Two couples had set up. One walked in 2000 the other finished in 2006. Caveman and Rainbow Bright--Mountain Dew.   We passed a good twenty people working on the trail--Pedlar Lake Road. Thousands of people donate their time, energy, money, etc. to make this walk possible for me and thousands more. This walk has made me realize just how many good people are out there.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: USFS 48 Hog Camp Gap

To: Dutch Haus
Miles today: 10.0

   The Dutch Haus is two miles off the trail with no real re-supply store--but it's a great B&B.    Up early to get to Montabello. Thank goodness for an easy trail. Made about 2.5 mph and we were both tired. A twelve, an eighteen and a nine to get to Waynesborro, VA. That will get Dave and I to the Shenandoah National Park and what is supposed to be easy walking. We will be going for "5" 20 mile days. That will give us at least 3 weeks in a row of over 100 miles. Really nice to be moving so well.   We stopped for a snack and bit of rest at North Fork of Ping River. Looked and saw a huge tree growing on top of a huge boulder. Thought for sure it was an illusion, but it was not. Roots latticed over the side of the boulder, at least 10 feet from tree base to ground. What living things will do to hold onto life; it is a wonder.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Dutch Haus

To: Harpers Creek
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

   Happy Memorial Day. Getting my pack together and my camera was missing. The only place it could be was in the car that gave us a lift. The owners, Earl and Lois Arnold knew him and gave him a call. He found it as he was going to work. He works for the AT. Got a ride to the AT with him, Mike Pierson, and my camera.   Difficult to take vista pictures--very foggy. Got two: one of farm land and other a rapids. Ended up with my feet in the water for a good half hour. Had plenty of time to get 12 miles. Harpers Creek Shelter by 4pm.    Had a great breakfast; 5 huge pancakes with strawberries and syrup, coffee, fruit juice, and a three egg omelet. I certainly have gotten my appetite back. No problem doing my 4000 calories. Weighed myself. Came in at 187--15 lbs below my starting weight. Feel comfortable with that weight loss.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Harpers Creek

To: (Near) Bear Spring
Miles today: 18.2

I thought it might be an easy day; one 2000 foot climb then coast in. It's hard to coast constantly avoiding rocks, and there was 18.2 miles of rocks. Just want to get to Waynesboro, VA for a day off. Body needs it. Even taking a day off, we will still average +100 miles per week.   The next part of VA is Shenandoah. Supposed to be easy. Will try for 20 miles a day for six days and then all that is left is 47 miles of Northern Virginia. Then 6.5 miles of W. Virginia. Now that's how to complete states.   Took one picture. Foggy vistas: mountains to farmland. Today was just hard work. Really need the rest.    Camping 8.8 miles from Waynesboro. Should be there by noon.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: (Near) Bear Spring

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

  Slept great. Had an upset stomache. Fell asleep at 7pm. Tuesday. Awake at 5:30. Unfortunately food went right through. Glad it was a short day. Only had 8.8 miles to get to Waynesboro exit. Older gentelman, about Dave's age, just started his walk. He turned around and drove us straight to our hotel. We were showered and eating lunch by noon. Felt better in the afternoon. Did laundry.   Getting rested for our next haul. Looking to do 20 mile days through the Shenandoah National Park. On the 1st I will be 1.6 miles short of 40% complete. It's getting to be real.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Waynesboro, PA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

   Ended up watching the play-off game last night. Triple overtime. LaBron scored 27 of the 28 points--and they won. Kept me awake until after midnight. Boy! was I dragging on the walk. And it was HOT!   The Shenandoah Trail appears to be well kept. Still has good ups and downs, just not as high. Talked to one south bounder. He saw many animals, including 8 bear. He said there has never been a reported bear attack in the history of Shenandoah National Park. Hope to see one, or more (bears that is, not attacks).   The views from the mountains have been poor. The haze just does not go away. Had Dave take a portrait picture with the haze in the background. The other picture I took was of a doe that had walked very close.   Temps in the 80's. Drank all our water. The springs are running low and slow. Actually hoping for rain. Tired. Hope to sleep well. Slept Great!
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Slavedriver Sheephead talked me into a 21.4 mile day. Glad to get it done. It's hot in Virginia. Drinking lots of water. The humidity is so high the views are limited. Can't see past the first series of mountains. Today was just a walking day.    Thought for sure that the trails would be packed with weekend hikers. I should stop making predictions. Saw zero through hikers and hardly any weekenders. One of those day hikers, Purple, left a cooler full of drinks at a road crossing, one mile from Hightop Hut. Cold Gator Aide tasted wonderfull. I took a picture of that Trail Angel, real name Keith.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

   Hoping to see a bear. I saw 2 deer. Dave saw the bear. Woke to rain. Kept me in bed an extra hour, trying to decide if we would walk or not. Just a good drizzle. No reason not to. Decided to walk to the next shelter.   The rain motivated our pace. We ended up walking the 12.4 miles at 2.6 MPH. Certainly our fastest. The rain and fog kept the visibility real short. Just put my head down and got the miles done. Got to the shelter at 1:30pm. Tried to dry out and got some sleep.    Walking in the rain is a pain.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Pinnacles Picnic Grounds
Miles today: 20.3

Was worried about the rain. Didn't need to, the last had come around 4am. It was a good thing, the day of rain yesterday. We were worried that the springs could stop running. Will not have that worry for a while.   A park warden stopped and talked with us. He also was checking to insure we had filled out our park entry pass. Of course, I did. And tied to my pack like it was supposed to be. He told Dave that 10% fewer people are hiking the trail this year. We had been noticing a real lack of through hikers. It has bee 900 miles, so I guess most that will quit--other than for injury--have already quit.   Saw my first "fairy" today. She was 3 & 3/4 years old, walking up the trail with her parents--heavy British accent. She was so excited. I think she was speaking to Mom & Dad about here birthday party where all the guests would come as fairies. So she asked me if I had seen any fairies today, I told her; "Only one."   Stopped near Stoney Man Summit. Still heavy fog, but quite lovely. Took a picture of me with fog in background. Picnic Ground had running water--what a treat. Washed. Ate. Walked 100 yards and camped.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Pinnacles Picnic Grounds

To: Gravel Springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.6

  Last full day in Shenandoah National Park. This park is made for the casual hiker. The views are just excellent. Took several vista pictures. They are not spectacular; more serene.    Walked past many camps--I should say RV campgrounds. Saw no other through-hikers, again, today. Dave has seen several black bear. I finally got to see mine. It did not see me. I was able to get a camera on its black hide just before it disappeared. Was just 50 yards from the sleeping hut for the evening. There is at least one good reason to hang our food.   A young 2 prong buck paused for a picture. They are not scared in the least.   Was too focused on getting the miles done. Just put my head down and walked as fast as I could. Met hikers and didn't even attempt to talk. It's not bad to do the 20 miles. I just mustn't worry about getting it done by 5pm. Just get done when it gets done. Was a lovely day--70's and breezy!
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Gravel Springs Shelter

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

   Decided on a more leisurely pace today. Didn't really push, but still ended up at Denton Shelter at 3.45pm. Did start walking at 6:30am. There was a huge difference in the trail once we left Shenandoah National Park. Trail was rockier, narrower, and somewhat over grown. Back to reality. It was a gorgeous day. Dense fog in the morning. Saw the sun by 9am. All burned off by noon. Under tree canopy all day. Chased a yearling deer down the trail.   The shelter has a solar heated shower--fixed yesterday. Used my bandana to wash. Still feels good. Nice to relax. Beautiful day.