morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

woke up today at six thirty so I could get ready to leave town. An older woman who hiked the A.T. two years earlier offered us a ride back to the trail head. By eight o'clock we were on the road. After getting some stove fuel and thanking Red Hat for the ride, we started hiking.After twenty miles and some ups and downs we made it to Pine Swamp Shelter. The air was thick with humidity and gypsy moth droppings so everyone was making supper inside the shelter to avoid unwanted catapillar flavoring. Earlier in the season a tree had fallen on the shelter and partially caved in the shelter's roof. Even though the shelter was not structurally sound, two hikers opted to sleep inside while the rest of us tented. After everyone had eaten, a few of the guys started a fire in the shelter's fireplace. Everything was fine until one of them noticed that there was a stove fuel canister in the fire. Everyone ran out of the shelter until we realized that we would just be waiting for an explosion with flying metal. We immediately ran back in doused the fire and knocked the canister clear before it had a chance to really heat up. I think I'll wait for the fourth of July for fire works and skip exploding fuel canisters! Sleep well love and tell my little ones I love them with all my heart. Me
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left Pine Swamp Shelter at eight, shortly after, while crossing asmall stream, I lost my footing on a wet rock and took a good spill. Irecovered quickly but bashed my knee pretty good. Of course it was thesame knee that I had injured earlier in the trip. I had been wearing aknee brace right up until last week and now I may need it again.About two miles out there was a river crossing where the bridge had been washed away. Tennesse Jed was also attempting to cross and we both decided that we could hop rock to rock, hopefully saving us some time and effort. We found a great spot but we needed to get about ten feet out before thefirst rock. Tennesse grabbed a tree branch just above his head and wenthand over hand until he reached the first rock. Once I handed him hishiking poles he was able to gain his balance and move to the next rock. I went next but had to go much further out due to my height, or lackthere of. The only problem, besidesmy back pack weighing me down, was the lack of available rocks to landon. The further out I went, the closermy feet were to the water. I finally managed to stretch farenough to get one foot on a rock and pull myself over. The whole balancing act was pretty comical. After slowly working our way across, we crossed a small dirt road and headed back into the woods. After acsending for an hour or so, the trail hugged the mountain side and crossed over some rocky terrain. The hiking wasn't bad despite the constant droppings of gypsy mothrefuse. These little guys do a serious amount of leaf eating. While taking a short break someone noticed a few posted flyers announcing a cookout about three miles from our destination. We decided that we could handle the extra miles especially if it involved food. After hiking twenty miles we were rewarded with a tremendousamount of food. About two miles from the shelter a local group ofhigh school kids and their parents prepared a large amount of food forRain to Barn Gordan and family, Rain Check, Tennesse Jed, Buffalo Bobby, Almost Lucky, Bottle Cap, Finnagan, and me.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After eating some leftovers from yesterdays cookout, we left our humble abode for the night (the barn) and headed back to the trail head. The Day's dog followed us up the trail for almost five miles before deciding it should turn around. We had one steep climb and some great ridge walking. It was tough on the feet but had nice views. Around three o'clock I pulled into Niday Shelter for an easy ten miles and some much needed rest. Buffalo Bobby, Way, Tennessee Jed, Binjali and Almost are all here with me- resting up.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: North Mtn. Trail 

To: Catawba
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: haze

Six miles to Catawba for a feast. Everyone started rolling in after lunch and lounged around until the BBQ opened at the Home Place. Almost Lucky's friend is meeting us here and will be giving us a ride to Blacksburg after we are done feasting. Tomorrow I'll be meeting up with my buddy Josh and we will be hiking for five days through some great cliffs. I haven't seen Josh since last summer so it will great to see him and to catch up. I will also be in Blacksburg where my brother John went for his Graduate studies and, more recently, the Virginia Tech. assault occurred. I spoke to one hiker from Blacksburg and he said many people are still grieving and having a very difficult time since the shooting. Hopefully time will heal their grief and sorrow.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Catawba

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Stayed at the Holiday Inn last night and caught up on some sleep. My ride to Backsburg with his friend was interesting to say the least. I thanked Lauren for the lift and wiped the sweat from my brow. If she was hiking her trail name would be "Speed Racer". I did the usual in-town tasks, laundry, phone calls, food, post office and shave. After a good cup of Starbucks coffee I'm just hanging out waiting for Josh to show up. We will probably get some lunch, get more trailfood and then go to the local outfitters. My L.L. Bean rain jacket has been a disaster. The past two heavy rain storms I've been in have proven too much for this supposedly waterproof jacket. In all honesty, I have been very dissappointed with the few L.L.Bean items I've used on the trail. I will definitely be contacting them about the quality of their gear.I'm hoping Josh and I will be on the trail at a reasonable hour so we can make a few miles before night fall.Congratulations Lisa Homar!!!You are officially retired!!!
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Catawba, VA

To: McAfee's Knob
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

We made back to Catawba and the trail around five o'clock. As we pulled into the parking lot we saw June Bug and Fire Hazard coming out of the woods. Since they were heading to the Home Place Restaurant Josh's Dad gave them a ride after we packed and said our thanks and goodbyes. Almost Lucky took off in front of us and we didn't see him again. Josh and I walked about five miles to the top of McAfee's Knob and we decided to camp out on the ledges. It was a great night to sleep out. The wind was blowing enough to keep the mosquitos away and the moon was a little past full as it moved overhead through the night. It was a great way for two old climbers to end their first day of hiking.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: McAfee's Knob

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: heavy intensity rain

After a great night sleeping out we were up at six thirty and moving by seven forty. We were making great time on relatively easy trails. At one section, we walked through a maze of giant sized boulders that had tremendous potential for climbing. Of course, Josh and I were drooling as we scoped out numerous boulder problems (climbing routes). Later in the day we walked to Tinker Cliffs and continued on across the ridge line with many ups and downs. Josh was doing great and the miles were going by fairly easy, until we hit a seriously rocky outcropping. We had hiked almost fifteen miles but decided that we would go for it, and attempt twenty miles, by doing an additional five miles out of town. After reaching the town of Daleville we downed some Gatorade, pizza and grabbed some food for the next few days. Once we had what we needed we took off and climbed up to Fullhardt Knob Shelter. The only other person at the shelter was Alpine Strider, (a female thru hiker from Germany). Our total miles for the day were twenty one point one miles.   Hi Olivia and Anna Lockett!!! Tell your Mom and Dad I said hi and hope to see you soon, maybe in N.H.?Uncle MikeHi honey, I'll see you real soon!!!!!!
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Bobblet's Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

Left Fullhardt Knob Shelter with the intention of a shorter day. We woke up to some ominous looking clouds and it wasn't long before it started pouring. The rain kept us cool which was a nice change from the humid heat we've been getting.   Our wet boots and soggy clothes slowed us down some but the hiking wasn't bad. (Josh developed some pretty good sized blisters too.) We took a good break at the first shelter and then moved on aiming for our destination, Bobblets Shelter thirteen and a half miles for the day. During our rainy afternoon hike we ran into Byte Code and Church Mouse who were slack packing Southward. I can never figure out what these guys are doing. One day they hike thirty miles, then they take a rest day, then they hike South, then North again. I'm confused just writing about their strategies. Byte Code always asks if I want to hike with them, but he and I both know that I could never keep up! Besides, I only hike in one direction and that is North. We also ran into Skip (a college professor who teaches film production). Skip's voice will be premiering tomorrow on prime time television as "Skip the Racoon" on a short claymation program called Creature Comforts. From what Skip has told us, his good friend, the creator of Wallace and Groumet, thought Skip's voice would make a great character. Once we made it to the shelter, got out of our wet clothes and had something warm to drink, we met some newer thru hikers, Sleeping Beauty and Gimpy. We were all happy to be out of the rain and although Josh had set up his tent and considered sleeping out, he was quickly convinced otherwise when the rain showed no signs of letting up. After we introduced ourselves we found out that Sleeping Beauty was going to be getting married while on the trail. We all congratulated her and asked when about the big day. My dentures (that I don't have) almost fell out, when she said it was tomorrow. We were all a little shocked but also thought, what a cool gal. She admitted that she was nervous and she asked us for a little advice. I wasn't sure if she knew what she was getting herself into by asking four married guys for advice. We were again taken aback but because she was such a genuine person we all did our best to share what makes marriages work. I really hope what we told her helps and we all agreed that if she had to work harder than he was then she should dump him.After some good laughs and Skip exposing his old crusty underwear in the direction of Sleeping Beauty (about as close as she would be getting to a bachlorette party) we fell asleep to the pounding rain on the shelter roof.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Bobblet's Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

After a very rainy night we awoke to more overcast skies but with the potential for clearer weather. The temperature had dropped significantly which meant a high pressure system was hopefully pushing the low storm system away from us. After we started hiking the weather slowly improved and did eventually clear up. Again the hiking was not difficult but I was concerned about Josh's feet. He had been in a lot of pain yesterday and we both felt he should take it easy and take some longer breaks throughout the day.We took an early lunch break at eleven o'clock and tried to dry out some of our wet gear. After lunch, we saw a bunch of deer in the woods. It was a little strange seeing so many concentrated in one area. I tried to get a picture of a young buck but it came out a little dark. We hiked for awhile longer and soon came across a good sized stream which we had to go for a swim in. The water was not bad so we hung out more of our wet clothes and sat soakng our feet and cooling off. Alpine Strider showed up and immediately started soaking her feet and once again Byte Code and Church Mouse came charging out of the woods from who knows where. We told them they should go for a soak which they promptly did. Our original plan was to hike fifteen miles to Bryant Ridge Shelter but Josh, although tired, was feeling good and wanted to push on. Bryant Ridge Shelter was an incredible post and beam, multi-level shelter. I unfortunately didn't get a picture of it. We ate supper there and saw Tennessee Jed who I hadn't seen in a few days. Byte Code showed up and Church Mouse showed up later with a bunch of gatorades for everyone (thanks again Church Mouse). We talked for awhile and caught up on where are other hiking buddies were. When we were finished eating we packed up and headed out for five more miles to the next shelter. Although we hiked up hill the entire time, the hike was not bad. It was much cooler later in the day making it easier. We made it to Cornelius Creek shelter by eight thirty set up and got a small camp fire going to knock down the biting insects a bit. Alpine Strider also made it to the Shelter after a very long day.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matt's Creek 
Miles today: 17.0

After doing over fifty miles in three and half days, Josh's feet were starting to give out. Josh, remarkably, was able to hike a total of sixty miles with me but he needed to get back to his family and recouperate. Before hiking out to the Blue Ridge Parkway where his father would pick him up, we took a slight detour to check out a two hundred cascading waterfall. Although it was a little out of the way I was happy we went. Afterwards, we ate lunch by the parkway and waited for his dad to show. A little after 1pm, Josh's dad showed bearing gifts of Chocolate cake (Josh's dad just had his birthday) and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream packed in dry ice! Josh's dad has done quite a bit of hiking himself so he knew exactly what kinds of food we would be craving.By two o'clock we all had to get moving so we said our goodbyes and headed out. Josh drove away heading North back to D.C.. I also headed North on foot heading for the next shelter... and eventually Maine. Although the time went quick and I was worried about Josh's feet we both had a great time hiking together and catching up. Thanks Josh!Closer and closer with each step. Love you!
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Thunder Hill Campsite

To: Glasgow
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My intentions were to hike to Matts Creek Shelter but as I hiked down from a high point looking for water there was Byte Code, Church Mouse and Tennessee Jed sitting around a camp fire settled in for the night. They suggested I crash here for the night. I gladly set up my tent and ate some supper. Around nine o'clock while I was catching up on my journal the wind picked up and it started to rain again. We all want to get up early tomrrow so we can get to Glascow to resupply but we'll see how motivated we are with the rain. Let's hope my tent holds up!
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Glasgow

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Although it rained most of the night by morning the sky was clear and temps were much cooler.Everyone was up by six and ready to go by six thirty. I left with Church Mouse- who I hadn't had a chance to hike with yet mostly because he hikes so fast. He slowed his pace a little so I could keep up and so we could actually carry on a conversation. We made great time and covered seven miles by nine o'clock. As we descended from the ridge we could see the James River and the longest foot bridge on the entire A.T. A former thru hiker who passed away from cancer in 2000 was responsible for having the bridge constructed. I remember Bill (Sprained Rice) telling me about the bridge and the immense amount of bureaucratic red tape his friend went through in order to have the bridge built. Unfortunately, his friend died before the bridge was completed. This bridge will see many hikers cross its span for years to come. After crossing the bridge and meeting up with Byte Code and Tennessee Jed, we hitched a ride into Glasgow and had a great breakfast at the Tired Feet Diner. Afterwards, we resupplied at the grocery store, made phone calls and headed back for the trail. It was a good thing that we had eaten so much because we were faced with two climbs that gained two thousand feet. After dozens of switch backs and a few false peaks we were looking down at the James River. At the top of Bluff Mt. was a small memorial for a four year old boy named Ottie Cline Powell. After wandering away from school, he somehow made his way to the top of Bluff Mt. His body was found not more than twenty feet away from the summit. Seeing his memorial, as you can imagine, was very difficult for me. My son Matthew is four and I can't imagine how this little guy even climbed this far, and how frightened he must have been. More than ever I wanted to be in Harpers Ferry where I will see Carissa, Matthew and Emelia. We hiked eighteen miles to Punchbowl Shelter and plan on hiking twenty six tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Seely- Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: light rain

Again I was up at six and out by six thirty. Last night a few hikers rolled in late, Way (a North bounder) and two South bounders, Clive and Booger. I was a little tired due to yesterdays climbs, the heat and overall lack of sleep. Through out the night, some kind of animal was moving around the perimeter of our camp and screeching. I slept but not well. Once I got moving I felt pretty good and I covered ten miles by noon. I stopped at Brown Mt. Creek Shelter for a break with Tennessee Jed, Byte Code and Church Mouse. We weren't sure what we wanted to do for miles so we all came up with different plans. I decided that I would keep going and try for Seeley Woodworth Shelter (twenty six miles). Although I was tired, and it was the hottest part of the day, I wanted to put some miles behind me. Yet after climbing Bald Mt. I was spent. I took a long break and almost feel asleep. I ate a little and then pushed on to the top of Cold Mt. As I walked through the open fields at the top of Cold Mt. I realized that like the character in the story, I am also walking home. I have been through many types of weather and have met many types of people.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Seely- Woodworth Shelter

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

I made it to Seeley Shelter last night around nine thirty, set up my tent and knocked out immediately. Before I went to sleep, I noticed a few eyes lurking in the woods. When I flashed my head lamp at them, I saw two small fox checking things out. They could have made all the noise they wanted to and would not have bothered me one bit. I slept late knowing that I was going to be taking it easy today. Around eight I got up ate a small breakfast and hiked out to the fish hatchery with two other thru hikers, General Tsao (from Maine) and Stone Wall (from Tennessee). We called the folks from a local hostel (the Dutch Haus) and Earl (the owner) came and picked us up. Lunch was free, two burgers, backed beans, potato salad and chocolate cake with some ice tea. With my belly full, I caught up on my journal and rested through the hottest part of the day. The temp. is supposed to go up into the ninties, so I figured I'd wait until later in the day before heading back out. Depending on how I feel, I will probably just hike to the Priest Shelter or if I'm feeling up to it I may go further. Tomorrow has a big climb and then another long day into Waynesboro.Twenty miles a day hiking stratagy. Get up early, between five and six and do ten or more miles before noon. Rest for two hours, until it starts to cool down. Then hike five miles, stop to eat dinner and then hike the last five to the shelter or camp site. If I can pull this off I will be in Harpers Ferry on the eighteenth as planned.All my love!!! I'll be there!!!
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Priest Shelter

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

I opted to stop at Priest Shelter last night for two reasons. The first was the enormous nimbus clouds forming overhead that threw lightening bolts and dropped torents of rain upon weary hikers. The second was that I was one of those weary hikers. I managed to make it to the shelter and set up my tent before the skies opened up on us. After the storm I was able to cook and then turn in for the night. I was up and out of camp by six thirty for an early start. I needed to first descend from the top of the Priest to the Tye River and then climb up again over Three Ridges. After reaching the Tye River, I took a break to rest the old knees and jump in the river for a quick swim (it also help knock some the stench off me). Alpine Strider showed up and we leaped frogged off and on throughout the day. After taking a break for lunch and refueling for the Three Ridges I started my ascent. About halfway up I saw my second Rattle Snake! This one was coiled up and gave me fair warning as I approached. I gave it some room and then moved on. Around three o'clock I topped out and started down to Maupin Shelter. When I arrived Alpine Strider was there eating soup and we discussed the possibility of staying at Rusty's Hard Time Hollow (a hostel about three miles off the trail). Although I was tired I knew if I didn't check out this place I would regret it later on. So off I went, up an old logging path, then down the Blue Ridge Parkway and finally to Rusty's driveway which was littered with dozens of very comical signs. Rusty's Place is hard to describe, you really have to see it to believe it. As I walked on to his property I was overwhelmed by the combination of signs everywhere, small out buildings, various farm animals and scattered soda and beer cans crushed and scattered about the driveway. Rusty was up on his roof working on some stone work around his chimmney. Another hiker, named Pirate, came out and showed me around. Since Rusty did nothave a refridgerator until recently he kept everything cool by placing it in a spring house. Eventully, Rusty came down off the roof and I introduced myself. He was a real character with tons of trail stories. Alpine Strider showed up and we had hot dogs and ice cream for dessert. Later on General T. and Stonewall rolled in and we hung around listening to Rusty weave some yarns of days gone by. Tomorrow I will aim for Waynesboro.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

After I cooked up a big breakfast for everyone, (scrambled eggs, home fries, pancakes and strong coffee) Rusty dropped us off at the trail head. I some got ahead of everyone and hiked like I was on a mission. If I was going to make it to Waynesboro I had to get moving. I stopped twice during the day, once to eat a quick lunch then to refill my water. I made it to Rock Fish Gap by quarter past eight, traveling a total of twenty plus miles. I was lucky enough to catch a ride to town with a former thru-hiker that was living in town and working at the outfitters.I managed to find Byte Code ad Church Mouse who were kind enough to put me up for the night. After getting a bite to eat and taking a shower I crashed hard.Note: This will be my last journal entry until I am in Harpers Ferry, WV. Carissa and our kids will be meeting me there on June 21st. Due to time restraints I'm trying to travel as light as possible for the large amount of miles I will be covering daily. My goal is to do at least twenty mile days if not more. If any you out there can remember back to the days of long distance runners like Bill Rodgers and Jim Fixx you'll remember the saying "Feet please don't fail me now" As long as my dogs hold up, so will I.