morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

I was up early after not sleeping very well last night. You would think I would be out like a light all night after hiking almost 22 miles. I started hiking after breakfast and it immediately started to rain. And it rained. The temperature was dropping throughout the day. My lunch break was short as I was wet and cold and had to keep moving to stay warm. I pushed hard to get to Damascus where I could get out of my wet clothes. I was feeling a little bummed since it was Easter and I was alone, cold, and wet. No sunrise service, no friendly faces, no family dinner, and no Easter eggs. I arrived in Damascus at about 4PM which was a fast time for over 18 miles. As I was wandering around town looking for the hostel I heard a familiar voice yell "hey Lwop". It was Slips calling me from the Side Track Cafe. I turned around and went to the door where I was invited in to have an Easter feast compliments of the owner of the cafe. Inside were about ten of my extended hiker family including Stumpknocker and Jan LiteShoe. I hurried over to the hostel (The Place) and changed into a dry shirt and almost ran back. I enjoyed the company of friends and good food and cup after cup of hot coffee. This was trail magic at its best. Just when things seem bad, someone comes along and provides just what you need to lift your spirits. Not to mention that food, and in this case really good food, is something a thru-hiker always needs. After dinner I headed back to The Place - a hostel sponsored by the local Methodist Church. I tried to organize my wet gear and then spent time chatting with other hikers. Slips found a deck of cards and Biscuit and Slim donated their raisins and almonds to use as chips. Raisins were $1 and almonds were $2. Duces wild five card draw until well after midnight. We were playing for fun and we certainly had a whole lot of it. I cleand up and took all their gorp. I just couldn't lose. I would have felt bad if we were playing for real money. It is a privledge to associate with such a nice group of people as I've met on the trail and in these towns. Even Stumpknocker and Jan Liteshoe have their redeeming qualities if you can keep them away from the computer. I have been inside and dry for hours but still feel chilled from being soaked all day. It is time to cuddle with my sleeping bag and bring my body temp back above freezing. Good night. Hope you all had as nice an Easter as I did.Lwop
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

After playing cards last night till 1AM I was only able to sleep until 4AM. My back was a little sore and I just could not get comfortable. For some reason I often have problems after hiking in bad weather. I think I must change my posture as I hike in the rain. I will have to keep myself more relaxed in foul weather. Anyway, I got up at about 4AM and caught up on my email. A few hours later I headed over to the Side Track Cafe for their hiker famous pancake breakfast. If you set a new record for the number of pancakes eaten the breakfast is free. They were so big that I couldn't finish two of them. Slip decided to give the record of nine pancakes a try. He had bets that he could not make it to six. I headed over to the Post Office to pick up my mail while he "enjoyed" his meal. At the PO I was pleasantly surprised as the clerk brought me five packages and a card. Friends and family had sent me some wonderful things - including my favorite homemade cookies (oatmeal w/ raisins, hot chocolate packets, STARBUCKS COFFEE, Snickers easter eggs, cards, and other nice things. I shared much with my hiker friends but it wasn't easy to part with any of those delicous cookies. I stopped back at the cafe and Slips was working hard on pancake number five. He wasn't looking too good. I offered him a cookie and for some reason he turned down my offer. He didn't finish number five. Judging by the look on his face, I think that was the wise thing to do. I headed over to the Apple Tree B&B and booked a room for two nights. My wife is driving up to spend some time with me and I think this calls for something a little nicer than a hiker hostel. She should arrive early tomorrow morning after driving some 14 or so hours. We'll see if she recognizes me after she gets here. After getting settled in the room I headed over to do laundry and had a big fried chicken lunch. Less than two hours later I had dinner with about ten other hikers. Hiker season is in full swing and there must be about thirty of us in town. Many are slack packing and getting shuttles back to town. They can hike and still be back to enjoy the comforts of town and not have to carry a backpack. After dinner I went back to the B&B and relaxed a while. And now I'm going to catch up on my sleep. I am soooo tired. Good night, Lwop
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Got up and enjoyed another wonderful shower. I headed down to have breakfaat and while I was on my first cup of coffee Bonnie (my wife and journal transcriber extrodonaire) arrived. She left Florida early on Monday and stayed overnight near Charlotte. She joined us for a delicious breakfast. We spent much of the day hanging out with my hiker friends and doing a little shopping. We then moved our belongings to the English room at the Apple Tree B&B - this being much larger and nicer than the one I stayed in the night before. Since we have not seen each other for about seven weeks, I plan to take almost a week off the trail to spend some time with her. I will resume my hike and continue northward...Lwop
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Opened the blinds this morning and it was snowing. I quickly closed them and opened them again. Darn, it was still snowing. I like snow about as much as green eggs and ham. Well, at least I don't plan to hike in it today. We ate breakfast and headed over to The Place to say goodbye to my hiking buddies. They will all be about five days ahead of me when I return to the trail and I may never catch up to them again. We then headed to the local market and picked up a case of Pepsi to drop off at a couple of the trail/road crossings. We drove to Shady Valley and put 12 at the Tn91 crossing and then 12 at the 421 crossing. When I passed these crossings I would have done anything for a cold Pepsi. So I know they will be appreciated by those who happen to come along. I left a note asking that the empties be packed out and I'm sure they will be. Both of these road crossings are at a fairly high elevation and both were covered in a blanket of about 2 inches of snow. It looked like a winter wonderland - only since I did not have to hike in it. We then headed to Mountain City TN where we will stay with family for the next few days. It is a beautiful area and I consider it my home away from home.Lwop
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The rain and snow have left and it is a beautiful day. I decided to do some hiking with Bonnie today. We picked up some goodies and Pepsi's and drove the hour or so to Carvers Gap. We hiked over Round Bald but the wind was blowing so hard it wasn't much fun being that exposed. We hiked back and then headed up to the Roan High Knob Shelter. It was beautiful hiking in 2 - 3 inches of snow. As we gained elevation we started to get drenched by cold water dripping from the trees as the snow was melting. We got to the shelter and left some drinks and signed the register. On the return trip I met a couple of Thru-hikers and offered them some goodies back at the car. Their trial names were Silver Girl and Flying Brian. Yes, the Flying Brian who hiked the triple crown in one year. We chatted for a while and they headed on up Round Bald. It has been fun providing a little trail magic these last few days. It really puts a big smile on a thru-hikers face. I have received so many nice things in my mail drops - candy, cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, etc. I know how much this type of kindness is appreciated. And you can't imagine how good a real bed with real pillows is appreciated by me now. And that's where I'm heading right now. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Headed over to Damascus to see if I could intercept Pez. I found out that he had just left for the trail about an hour earlier. Bonnie and I decided to take a short hike on the Creeper Trail and covered about five miles of it. After that we drove to Summit Cut where the AT crosses US58 and hiked into Lost Mountain Shelter. I stashed some cold drinks at the spring and left a note in the register telling Pez I will be back on the trail in a couple of days. We then headed back to Mt City. So on my day off from hiking the trail I hiked about eight miles. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors and without a pack it just felt great. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Damascus

To: Us58 Summit Cut
Miles today: 16.9

I decided to get some trail miles in today so I would have a day to spend with Bonnie when I get to Atkins. I had her drop me off in Damascus at 7AM and arranged for her to pick me up at US58 Summit Cut at about 2PM. The plan was for her to hike in to Lost Mountain Shelter and I would meet her there. I was hiking with new light weight trail shoes and only a day pack so it felt like I was flyng up the trail. A few miles in I ran into Kinlock. I had last seen him back in Hiawassee the first week of my hike. We spent most of the day hiking together and catching up on the trail, each others hike. It was one of those spectacular spring days witn the sun shining and lots of birds singing. At the low elevations there are buds and small leaves on some of the plants. The AT joins the Creeper Trail for a short stretch and than turns left up to Lost Mountain. Just as I got to the summit I met Bonnie and we headed a short distance to the shelter. Hiking alone in the woods is a new experience for her but she seemed to have enjoyed the hike. After picking up the drinks I had stashed yesterday and sharing them with Kinlock and Dr Everlast we headed back to Summit Cut. That was when our day took a major downturn. When we got to the car Bonnie noticed that sameone had broken in and taken her pocketbook. Drivers license, credit cards, cell phone, the media cards with the photos from the last two weeks of my hike, cash, check book,her driving eye glasses - all gone. And as we drove away we noticed the car making a grinding noise it had never made before. I could not find the cause of the noise so I'll have to get it checked out on Monday. We headed to Damascus and stopped at the Mount Rogers Outfitter for help. They got the number and provided a phone for us to contact the Sheriffs office. After filing a report we headed back to Mt City and spent hours freezing credit cards and bank accounts and shutting off the phone. This is not a good trail experience and should serve as a reminder for hikers who want to visit this part of the country. The car was at that location for only about an hour. Someone must have been there watching her leave and head up the trail. Fortunately this is only an inconvenience and everything can be replaced and repaired. It will also cause a delay in my plan to return to the trail. The loss of the two 256Mb photo cards is a tough loss and the cash will dent our budget a bit. But what can you do. There are people and then there are scum and you are likely to run into both now and then. I am really starting to miss the trail...Goodnight, Lwop
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Us58 Summit Cut

To: Us58 Summit Cut
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the day replacing what was stolen along with my wifes pocketbook. We bought one of those throwaway cell that you prepay for usage so Bonnie will have a phone for the long drive home. We had to drive an hour and half to get her a new pair of glasses. And I spent hours on the phone closing bank accounts and doing other non hike type things. I did get some last minute supplies and my pack is ready for an early departure tomorrow morning. A week is too long to be off the trail. Even Bearbag Hanger is ahead of me now. I will be on the trail surrounded by strangers as all my friends are way up ahead. But I am excited nonetheless to be getting back. I have 1697.4 more delicious miles of trail to enjoy and it starts again tomorrow morning. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Us58 Summit Cut

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up at about 5AM and took advantage of the shower before heading to the trail. The six days spent with family in Mountain City provided a nice rest. My cousin Gail is an excellent cook and I'm sure I replaced some of the reserves I'll be needing during this hike. Thanks Gail and Jim for your hospitality. Bonnie and I were off to the trailhead via McDonalds at a little after 6AM. At 7:20 I started the long (as in four miles) climb up Whitetop Mountain. The beautiful weather we had all week was not about to tolerate me hiking, so deep dark clouds moved in at about 7:20. Funny coincidence. It was not going to dampen my spirits as I was getting antsy to get hiking again. All my hiking friends are days ahead of me and I know the Virginia Highlands are fantastic. If anyone is looking to do a great section hike, this is the place to do it. Just don't leave anything of value in your auto as some of the locals supplement their income by preying on unsuspecting hikers. And, as one of the local law enforcement officiers told me, they have four officiers to patrol 600 square miles. Maybe when they lose enough tourist dollars they may decide to do something about that. But I'm getting off topic...Much of Whitetop Mountain is bald so you benefit by fantastic views. Buzzard Rocks are a must visit in spite of their name. After Whitetop you climb Mount Rogers. You don't reach the summit (no views there) but you do get some great views around Thomas Knob Shelter. Shortly before I arrived there I got to see a bear running on the trail. I was very pleased to see it was running away from where I was. It is amazing how fast they can move. After Mt Rogers you pass through Fat Man Squeeze. After all the good food I had this past week I was afraid I wouldn't fit through the natural rock tunnel. I fit even without taking off my pack. Through out this area we had been spotting wild ponies. They really are quite tame but the are considered to be wild. They are just used to people and are not above Yogiing for handouts. One had his head inside one of the food bags here at Wise Shelter. I also got to see two rather large deer up close. After the Squeeze I entered Grayson Highlands State Park. The terraine looked like something you would expect to see out west - maybe Colorado or Montana. Very different and quite spectacular. At this point I had made up my mind that I was going to hike to Old Orchard Shelter - a total for the day of over 22 miles. But then the rains came. I changed plans and set up camp at Wise Shelter. There are nine of us here including one sleeping under the shelter and one sleeping on the table. It was nice to stop hiking at 4PM and have some leisure time. A chance to catch up on my journal and maybe write some thank you notes for the people who sent me at Damascus. As I said before, it feels good to be hiking again. And it is going to feel great to get into my sleeping bag. So, goodnight.Lwop
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Some of the hikers in the shelter were up before dawn packing up and hitting the trail. I am not as obsessed with "making my miles" so I waited until the sun came up and then prepared a nice hot breakfast and fresh coffee. I still was able to hit the trail before 8AM. The going was slow as there was so much beauty to take in. Much of the trail this morning was on land with no trees - kept clear because it is grazed by the "wild" ponies. These ponies were actually bred to be able to withstand the harsh winter conditions common to the Virginia highlands. The lack of trees opens up vista's not commonly found on the AT. The view from Stone Mountain was especially nice as the valleys were socked in with fog. This gives the impression of mountains floating on clouds. I stopped at Old Orchard Shelter to get water and have a short break. The shelter itself is unimpressive but the surrounding area is very nice. The remainder of trail was pretty much through woods. I happened upon a large group of trail maintainers with chain saws and picks. They were working in the area where the new shelter will be built soon. I thanked them for their hard work and they thanked me for hiking the trail they work so hard to maintain. After a short break at Dickey Gap to cool down my feet I hiked the final four miles to the Trimpi Shelter. I remembered this shelter from my last hike and wanted to stay here. It has a nice fireplace inside but we are not using it tonight as it is warm enough without one. In for the night are Skyline and Sundance (a married couple), Pilpro, Scuba, and Nick from England. During Dinner I congratulated everyone for passing the 500 mile mark today. At this point I have completed 512.9 miles of the trail and I have 1661.2 miles to go. It is passing by too quickly. I am doing well and feel I am maintaining my weight and conditioning. My feet are a bit sore tonight as most of the twenty miles I hiked today was very rocky. Walking on rocks with a full pack for that distance in warm weather takes its toll on your poor feet. If I dipped them in the stream I am sure it would produce some steam. Tomorrow I will stop at Partnership Shelter but will probably continue on. That is the shelter with a shower and where you can call and have a pizza delivered. I may skip both and spend the night right outside Atkins. I will probably get a room there on Friday and will get some good food and a much needed shower. Today was another perfect hiking day with sunny skies all morning and thin afternoon clouds. Birds were singing all day and many of the wildflowers were in full bloom. It is now 9:30 and I am listening to a chorus of frogs chirping - all looking to get lucky. Me, I'm content to just go to sleep. Its been a long day. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I always seem to be amoung the last to get moving. I sit back and laugh at everyone rushing through their hike. If you are having fun why would you be in a rush to have it be over? And if you are not having fun, why are you even out here? Anyway, after my usual breakfast and cup of coffee I hit the trail shortly after 8AM. I ran into Rumbler and Footloose who had gotten an erly start from an earlier shelter. I got a close up view of two deer who were not overly concerned about my presence and then came across a 5 foot black snake. The black snake wiggled its tail in the dry leaves and made a sound which very closely mimicked the sound of a rattle snake. I am sure this is done to scare away preditors. I was not scared but decided not to eat the snake anyway. I was close to Partnership Shelter and I knew I could get some pizza there and pizza does taste better than snake (imho). At Partnership I enjoyed a short but refreshing shower - three days of grime and caked on salt from hiking - I must have lost two pounds just taking that shower. After getting out of the shower I was able to Yogi a couple of slices of pizza and some cheese breadsticks. I also drank three cans of Pepsi and bought another to carry to the shelter with me. I made a few phone calls and also reported the pocketbook incident to the Ranger on duty at the Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters. After downing a snickers I headed back on the trail to finish off another seven miles. It was a bit of a struggle with some steep climbs and fairly warm temperatures. I was soaked with sweat and was quickly replacing the caked on salt that I had just washed away. My feet were very sore all day today. Viginia is very rocky and those rocks do inflict their share of pain. Even with about a quarter inch callous on my heels, they were sore. Everyone at this shelter was complaining about the same thing and were all soaking feet in the cold cold stream. The cold certainly did numb the pain. I did get to see a couple of meteors this evening and would like to stay up and watch for more. But the eyes are getting heavy and the sound of snoring is lulling me to sleep. Goodnight and thanks for reading my journal,Lwop
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Atkins, Va.
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

I was up early because I was looking forward to meeting Bonnie in Atkins and I had a room reserved at the Relax Inn. Looking forward to a nice hot shower. I will be resupplying in Marion VA and will get enough to get me to Pearisburg. I ran into Bearbag Hanger at the motel and noticed how much weight he has lost. I spent most of the day getting gear and food organized and eating. Bonnie is heading back to FL in the morning and I will hit the trail early so I can try to make it to Chestnut Knob Shelter in time for the sunset. Off to bed early. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Atkins, Va.

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

Anyone who says the trail is easy in Virginia should come out here and walk what I did today. I would love to know how many feet I climbed today. The trail would go up and down the ridgeline in what seemed like a never endng series of PUDS. Fortunately, there were enough great views throughout the day to fully compensate for the effort.I kissed Bonnie goodbye just before 6AM and then headed over for a big breakfast before hitting the trail. Bearbag and I took off shortly after 7AM and immediately started to climb. We stopped at the first shelter for a short break and I noticed that Pez had been there three days ago. Looks like it will be tough to catch up to him. After the short break I started to stretch my legs a bit and lost BBH along the way. It is a very warm day and I was soaked from the exertion of climbing. Some of the trail brought us through pastures and afforded us with beautiful views. A group of thru-hikers stopped at the bridge over the North Fork of the Holston River. I took off my boots and soaked my feet in the cold water while I ate my lunch. It was a nice place to chill out for a while. After a short stop at the next shelter I loaded up with water and continued on. The heat was taking its toll as I was feeling baked in the bright sun. I cooled off at the Lick Creek by dipping my bandana and rinsing myself off with it. After hiking almost twenty miles I then started the hard climb up to Chestnut Ridge. The climb was over two thousand feet and it was a struggle the whole way. I arrived soaked with sweat just in time to view a beautiful sunset. I was tempted to skip dinner but forced myself to muster the energy to prepare a meal. As was the case during my 2002 hike, dealing with the heat is my biggest battle. And I haven't seen the worst by far. Tomorrow is going to be another long day. I better get some rest. Goodnight,Lwop