morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

When I got up at 6:30 there were people sleeping everywhere. Baltimore Jack was planning the day's activities. Jo Jo Hiker and I left at 7:30, thanking Bob as we left. I felt somewhat guilty for not staying to work, but I'm not sure how helpful I'd be with my "frozen" shoulder anyway. Jo Jo Hiker and I hiked together for a couple of hours. The Laurel Fork gorge was beautiful--carved deep in the hills by the Laurel Fork river, beginning with a large waterfall. The trail ran between the river and the steep rock face. I was grateful Jo Jo Hiker was there when I had to climb up and over a rock that sloped down to the river. I had to take my pack off, climb over and then Jo Jo handed me my pack. The trail crossed the river over bridges several times then began a long steep ascent up--about 2000 ft. on the elevation map. The trail was steep and sandy with sharp drop-offs, a bit worrisome at times. I ate lunch on top where it was level then began the somewhat more gradual descent by switchbacks. I could hear rain approaching so I put on my rain jacket and pack cover after tucking my camera, watch and Little Leia into my pack to keep them dry. It was a gentle summer rain, a "cool me down" shower. After crossing the road I saw Watauga Lake and was hailed by a family picnicing there. The father and son had hiked the AT last year and they'd returned for Trail Days. They're from Maine, about 30 miles from my home!I arrived at the shelter about 2:30, finding two young weekend hikers there. Before supper Santa and Eric arrived--nice to see them. Four other thru-hiker came by but moved on because the shelter was full, then four others arrived and tented or hammocked nearby. It's been raining off and on, feels peaceful.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

A very pleasant day of hiking. I left the shelter before 7:30 as everyone else was just getting up. The trail ran near Watauga Lake for a while. I passed an unofficial campsite where Up and Down and Shiva had spent the night. The AT crossed the dam then started going up, up, up to a narrow ridgeline. So most of the day was a journey along the ridgeline that gradually increased in elevation as the day progressed. It was warm and humid with infrequent water sources along the ridge. I met up with Up and Down and Stickman and Kristen at the shelter where we had lunch and enjoyed one of the few clear views. Then on along the ridgeline. I ran into two young women carrying a cat that had adopted them at the Iron Mountain Shelter. They hoped to carry it to Wautauga Lake in search of its owners.Walking along the ridgeline trail I saw a pile of very large dark scat. I wondered briefly what animal could make one that big, then tucked it into my unconscious mind. A bit later I began to recite the children's verse/story "Goin' on a bear hunt. Goin' on a bear hunt. I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid..." Later at the shelter several people said they'd seen a bear; one saw a mama bear and a cub.I arrived at the Iron Mountain Shelter just before 4:00 as the thunder began to rumble. Some folks decided to continue on but Eric, Burny, Gabby and others stayed. Sgt. Rock, One Leg Wonder, and two of his children arrived. It began raining at 6:30 so here we all are chatting happily around the picnic table under the shelter's roof. By bed time there were 10 or 11 hikers at the site. Nice!
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abington Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

So, is today's weather: a) in the couds, b) fog, c) drizzle and rain, d) drippings from the trees, e) all of the above? Yes folks, it's E. The first half of the day was close fog. I could only see 20 feet or so to the sides and ahead. The brilliant greens of early spring were softened by the grey fog that gradually lifted as the day went on. I met up with several others for lunch at the Double Springs Shelter. The hiking today was comparatively easy--lots of downhills and easy fairly strolls with a handful of not very high uphills. There were a handful of gentle rains so I kept putting my rain jacket on and off. My boots got quite wet from all the wet plants they brushed against but thankfully my feet stayed dry. I arrived at the Abington Gap shelter before 4:30 so I seem to be averaging close to 2 miles per hour, which feels good. There were six of us here by supper time, then several others arrived later: Fugitive, Chris, Gabby, Augie, Burny, Pokey, and a southbound section hiker named Bear Killer. Hmm, I'm forgetting somebody. Others passed by, continuing on towards Damascus. It's raining off and on, thunder grumbling in the distance. A short 10 miles to Damascus tomorrow!
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Abington Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A delightful, mostly downhill stroll into Damascus this morning. I walked the first couple of hours with Chris, engaging in pleasant conversation about our lives. He "left me in the dust" on an uphill. I stopped to take a snack break and was joined by Jordan and we continued on into town, again chatting pleasantly together. So the time flew and we arrived in town just before 11:00. I stopped at Mount Rogers Outfitters to pick up my mail drops. THANKS MOM FOR THE PEANUT BRITTLE--IT'S TERRIFIC!!! Then on to The Place, the hostel run by the Methodist Church, bless them. Took a GLORIOUS shower, then straight to the laundromat where I joined several others as my clothes got clean and I ate fried chicken and home fries with orange juice! And then the best of all, I used the pay phone to call home. So I'm a very happy camper today! Tomorrow's a zero day to let the legs rest up, then onward and upward.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A little civilization once in a while is great. I am especially appreciative of CLEAN--body and clothing. A delightful afternoon. Did I mention that I bought a hiking skirt at Mt. Roger's Outfitters? I love it!!! I was walking down the street when a voice called out "Annie." I turned around and low and behold there's Timex with husband Myron. I joined them for a bite of pizza and visited with them later. They're taking a zero today as well. Timex's son Chris arrived today and will be hiking with her for a bit while Myron takes it easy. I had a delightful supper last evening at the Damascus Old Mill restaurant with Chris (a hiker) and Jo Jo Hiker who ran into me at the outfitter and invited me to join them for supper. Yumm, crab cakes, baked potato, salad, and real brewed decaf along with great company. Kristin and Stickman were at the table next to us. Then back to the hostel to bed. I'm doing chores today, getting food, organizing mail drops, etc. And of course visiting with fellow hikers up and down the street while trying not to lose too much of my money, which is so easy to do in these trail towns. Early tomorrow morning it's back on the trail again!
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on the trail again! The day started great with sunny skies and a local boy scout troop serving breakfast to hikers. Thanks, scouts! Timex, her son Chris and I followed the white blazes out of Damascus at 7:15, accompanied by Myron, to where the trail enetered the woods again. We started the usual ascent from town. It felt so good to be in the woods. Near the top of the first mountan there were rhododendrons in bloom! I had thought that perhaps I might not get to see these huge wild beauties in bloom, but there were the first ones with their large pink clusters of blossoms. I arrived at the first shelter for lunch; Timex and Chris arrived half an hour later. They decided to continue on to the next shelter with me, which was great. The highlight of the day for me was an afternoon swim in Laurel Creek where the AT joined the Virginia Creeper trail for a bit. It was a warm day in the low 80's, so when I could see the trail descending towards the creek I began to fantasize about a cool swim. The Virginia Creeper trail is a former railroad route that's been converted for recreational use. There were many people on mountain bikes today since it's the weekend. I walked down the AT to the Virginia Creeper trail where it crossed over the creek on an old railroad bridge. It didn't take long for me to step into the swifly running creek and lie down to let the cool water soothe me. A family of cyclists ventured to wade into the water. Timex and Chris arrived a bit later and joined me for a shallow swim. It felt so good to feel my whole body cooling down. We were sitting on a large flat rock when Chris called out--his father, Myron, was riding over the bridge on his mountain bike! He joined us for a while and then escorted us as we walked along the Virginia Creeper trail, across a long, very high bridge to the AT trailhead. We said goodbye to Myron again and hiked the last two miles to the Lost Mountain Shelter--a pleasant, modern log cabin style shelter with (Alleluia!) a privy! It's great to be back in the land of privys after their absence in Tennessee. I wa beginning to feel like a cat scratching in the ground. So we've had supper, someone's starting a campfire, the dozen or so people here are chatting quietly. Life is good!
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

The day started in the reverse of the usual weather pattern. I was just about ready to go at 7:30 when there were several loud claps of thunder, a flash of lightening, rapidly followed by a downpour. The tenters dashed for the shelter, except for Timex who waited it out in her tent. The deluge only lasted half an hour or so and we were on our way just after 8:30. I stopped for a quick lunch on Buzzard Rock with Lorax and Crash with his dog Cadbury. The low lying clouds were blowing across the mountain obscuring the view and creating a light rain. Timex and Chris arrived as I was finishing and we continued on together. The sun gradually came through the clouds so that by the time we got to Whitecap Mtn. we could see a partial view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. We continued on, stopping for a break at the road to Elk Park. I'd developed a couple of small blisters and everyone, including Zammy and a section hiker, helped out. We continued the rest of our hike, gratefully seeing the shelter off in the distance across the field at 5:00. We've hiked up to 5500 ft. so it feels and looks like Maine--fir and mountain ash trees, rocky trails, and cool temperatures. Ah, yes. And ferel ponies in the field! They walk right up to you and let you pet them. The foals are so sweet. There's a loft in the shelter where Timex and I are sleeping tonight. Hikers are still arriving at 8:00 pm.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

What an exquisite day! The powers that be seemed to be telling me to SLOW DOWN! Even though I was awake by 6:30, my morning chores (including caring for my two new blisters) seemed to take forever and I didn't leave the shelter, surrounded by fog/cloud, until 8:20. I chatted with Kip on the way out who teaches religion/philosophy at a Virginia college and was doing an experiential course with a group of students on spiritual journeys. We passed a small herd of ponies in the fog, gentle creatues that approach you curiously. Kip turned off at his campsite and I proceeded on perhaps one of the simultaneously most beautiful and difficult hikes. There was a very strong wind blowing, perhaps 40 mph, and the trail was uneven and quite rocky. The wind was so strong it would blow me off course and I had to carefuly place my feet. This was offset by the incredible beauty of the highlands--wide open vistas of craggy rocks and fields. The day gradually cleared revealing mountains in the distance. I was captivated by the beauty of this place and surprised to see that I'd traveled 3.8 miles in two hours since the hiking had been so tough. The trail entered the Grayson Highlands State Park where it moved through the fields, then down into the woods again. I joined Timex, Chris, Fancy Free, and T-Bott for lunch at the Wise Shelter, then we continued on through the woods, then up to another pasture with beautiful views that descended to the Scales, a campsite for horseowners. The trail returned to the woods, going uphill. Then a long downhill over many rocks. My feet and knees were quite tired when we arrived at the shelter at 4:00 pm, just in time to listen to NPR on my radio as I set up my tent and rested for a bit before supper. Stickman and Kristen arrived, as did Gabby, Pokey, and Burny. Timex and Chris are tenting a short distance from my tent. There are three section hikers here and a group of boys a distance away who are part of a wilderness school. The thunder rumbles in the distance, as usual.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

An "easy" 14 miles today, especially compared to yesterday's rocky road. We had a hard, steady rain last night with distant thunder and lightening, but it stopped long before dawn. My tent stayed completely dry on the inside; I loved the cozy feeling of the rain tapping on my tent.   The trail was gentle today, meandering through woodlands including a beautiful hemlock grove surrounding Comers Falls where I stayed an hour for lunch. Earlier in the morning I stopped by the brand new Hurricaine Shelter for a snack with Pokey, Stickman and Kristen. The workers just finished it yesterday. It was quite attractive, with the picnic table under the roof. Timex and Chris headed for the Hurricaine Campground today, so I moved on by myself. I encoutered a fellow named Dave several times; I also saw him twice on the trail yesterday, trailing running up on Mt. Rogers/Grayson Highlands. He thru-hiked in 1990 and is helping a thru-hiking friend slack pack through this area.   At Va 16 he was giving hikers cold drinks--I got lemonade. Thanks, Dave! After a pleasant afternoon hike I arrived at the Trimpi Shelter at 4:00, hung my tent to dry and did my other chores listening to NPR. Pokey, Gabby, and Burny arrived around 6:00 as I was finishing supper. Dr. Space Monkey 5000 and Dave (another Dave) arrived a while later. Another pleasant evening at the shelter.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Another early morning thunderstorm. When the thunder and lightening began at 5:00 am followed by the sound of rain on my tent I decided to try for a dry tent and made several runs to the nearby stone shelter carrying my stuff. By the third run with my tent it was raining qutie hard--so much for that idea! I went back to sleep in the shelter for a bit. By 7:00 the rain had ended, leaving only the dripping trees. I left just before 8:00, walking into the morning fog/clouds. I approached a pasture wtih clouds hanging above it. I began to sing:All around me peaceful.All above me peaceful.All below me peaceful.All within me peaceful.I walked past a small herd of cows who seemed to reflect their peacefulness back to me. It was a lovely gentle 10 mile morning hike. I was pleasantly surprised to encounter Timex's son Chris who was trail running the 17 miles from Hurricaine Campground to mt. Rogers Headquarters since Timex had decided to drive there with Myron. I arrived at the Partnership Shelter, next to Mt. Rogers Headquarters, just before 1:00 pm, and gratefully indulged in a shower and hung out my tent to dry. Dr. Space Monkey 5000 and I ordered pizza, the shleter's other famous trademark (the first being the shower). It's been a quiet afternoon, chatting with trail friends, writing post cards home. We all ordered supper from the pizza place--my stuffed shells were great. Many of us ate on the porch of the Headquarters as the rain poured down outside. We had two more heavy rains this afternoon and this evening. I'm so grateful to be under a roof watching the rain fall peacefully from the sky. Oh the joy of going to bed clean!
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, the Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

It rained very heavily during the night, accompanied as usual by thunder and lightening that shook the shelter and lit up the loft where we were sleeping. But it had all passed by 6:00 when people started getting up. I was on my way just before 8:00. It was another enjoyable hike through the woods today with blossoming Rhododendron, flowering azaleas and mountain laurel, and beautiful ferns under the decidous trees. I encountered hiking friends along the way. There was one spot where there was a beautiful clear view of the farmland in the valley with the next range of mountains behind it. I think it was the first time in a couple of weeks that the air was completely clear with no hazziness or clouds. Then the trail began its descent towards Atkins through the woods. A small stream near the top gradually increased in size and tumbled forcefully down the hill swollen with last night's rains, making it challenging to rock hop over the water. Timex and I continued hiking together after a group of us had lunch at the next shelter. We arrived about 2:30 and spent the afternoon doing the usual chores: shower, laundry, post office, buying food to resupply, dinner and Dairy Queen for dessert (to feed the endless hiker appetite), phone calls home to loved ones. Burny has joined us in our room, so it's a threesome. Back on the trail tomorrow!
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Atkins, the Relax Inn

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

It was a long, tiring 14 miles today. Timex and I were trying to figure ut why it was such a tough hike. Contributing factors might include:1) rain--pretty heavy until about noon2) muddy trails, ralated to #13) those damn stiles--ladder-like contraptions hikers climb up and over barbed wire fences. There must have been a dozen or so today that became quite annoying by mid-afternoon4) all those ups and down--the elevation map certainly did not do justice to the climbs and descents5) carrying a heavy pack with 7 days' worth of foodNonetheless there were moments of great beauty today, most especially when we emerged into a valley of farmland and could look back up at the miles of wooded ridgeline where we'd been walking. Before that we crossed the Holston River that was almost as high as the concrete bridge with yellow irises lining the river near an old grain mill. We arrived at the shelter just before 6:00, greeted by half a dozen section hikers. It was unusual to not see any familiar thru-hiking faces till we realized it's Memorial Day weekend. Other thru-hikers arrived a bit later--Impulse, Rooney, Gabby and Pokey. Burny was visiting with her parents for the weekend and will rejoin us later. I'm grateful to be in my little tent, my traveling home, again.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A beautiful, sunny day.   And we haven't heard any thunder in two days! We woke late since it was such a tough day yesterday. By 8:45 Timex was still getting ready so I headed out. Down to Lynn Camp Creek, swollen by all the rain, then up and over Lynn Camp Mtn. for the first aerobic workout of the day! Pokey reminded me to "Enjoy the up," a great piece of advice. I met up with Pokey, Gabby, Impulse, and a couple of section hikers at VA 625 for a snack and "foot break." Then a steady uphill of 2000 ft. to Chestnut Ridge. Pokey and I walked out into the open field and spyed Gabby resting next to the small pond with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. We decided to stay a while, with other hikers joining us as we soaked up the sun and imagined shapes in the clouds. (Pokey told me that Timex got off the trail at the road, saying her knee hurt and she thought she needed an xray.) I stayed an hour and a half then headed up the hill for the last mile to the shelter. The views were spectacular (Glorious!) of the surrounding mountains with Mt. Rogers in the distance. I wa surprised to find the shelter, a renovated forest service building made of stone, in the open field with beautiful views of both sides of the ridges. I just kept saying Wow! I'd only been there five minutes or so when a dayhiker with a dog appeared on the trail from the north. And then I looked again and realized it was my friend Lois who I'd met two years ago in Shenandoah National Park when she was thru-hiking (trail name: Greyson). She and Jane, with their two dogs, had hiked up here hoping to find me!!! Lois had ben reading my trailjournal and guessed this was about where I'd be. Incredible! We had a great visit for a couple of hours. It was so great to see them again. Thanks Lois and Jane for coming to visit!! I've eaten my scallopped potatoes and am looking forward to watching the sun set over the valley ("God's Thumbprint"); the other hikers are already gathering for the show--hiker TV. Life is good! I asked Gabby today if I could hike with their small group; he responded tenderly by putting his arm around my shoulder and saying "yes, of course." So I feel a great sense of happiness and contentment knowing I'll be hiking with three wonderful people who match my hiking pace. Yea!
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

The elevation map didn't adequately describe the rocky ups and downs of Chestnut Ridge. We had heard there was an 80% chance of rain today, and sure enough there was a brief rain just after I left the shelter, but it soon quit. Gabby, Pokey, and I hiked with a father and son (Papa Smurf and Goat) along the ridge; we met them two shelters ago. AT the road we said goodbye to them after they gave us some of their extra trail food (Thanks!) Then back on the trail where it soon began to rain hard. It was a soggy hike to the shelter. Gabby set up his tarp over the picnic table and I strung up a clothesline for wet clothes. More hikers keep showing up. It should be a cozy night!