morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Last night after the encounter with the mouse, I had a few mouse nightmares (at least I hope they were just nightmares). I was dreaming that a mouse or mice, were crawling on my hands in my sleeping bag. A couple of times I woke up and turned on my headlamp expecting to see an army of mice scurrying across the shelter floor. Of course there was nothing and I went peacefully back to sleep.Got out on the trail at a decent hour and the air was cool. It really felt good to be back on the trail after the time off the trail at Trail Days. I was hiking along thinking about how accustomed I've become to doing this day in and day out, and how I really enjoy it. Something new happened today which I have not encountered before. For quite a few miles this morning, I was amazed at this wave of small grasshoppers that kept rolling along in front of me on the trail. As I approached them on the trail they would try and escape by hopping in all directions. It was quite entertaining watching them scatter everywhere as I approached. This went on for miles.I was very energetic and was making good time this morning. I arrived at Clyde Smith shelter by 11am and decided to stop for lunch. Two section hikers, heading for Damascus, VA were just finishing their lunch. After about an hour, Huck arrived for a break. I kept him company for another half an hour and started out for the aftenoon hike which was quite different than what I experienced this morning. I had a big meal at the last shelter and felt quite sluggish as I started out. The rest of the hike in the afternoon was all climbing. Not just a gradual and steady uphill, but some serious straight up, rock stepping type of climbing. It was awfully hard and I just did not seem to have the necessary energy for the challenge. I struggled with it most of the afternoon and finally made it to the top which was a place called Roan High Bluff. The elevation here is 6150 ft. The frustrating part of it all was that the views were meager and an auto road wound it's way to the top. Tourists were strolling around having driven to the top in just a few minutes. I rested for a while and then hiked the last mile to Roan High Knob shelter. This shelter is a completely enclosed log cabin structure with 2 levels and can sleep up to 16. It also has the distinction of being the highest shelter (6285 ft.) on the entire trail. We're in the alpine zone and surrounded by evergreens. A nice place to stay after a long hard afternoon. Huck showed up about 1 hour later and we both agreed this was one of the toughest climbs experienced to date, on the trail.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove - Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 6.1

Today was an easy day. Just 6.1 miles to Dennis Cove, where we would be staying for the remainder of the day and night at the Kincora Hostel. The hike down to Dennis Cove was uneventful. We did encounter a couple who were hiking a section of the trail southbound and we stopped to say hello. They mentioned that they spent the night at Kincora and left this morning. They also said they sighted a bear a few minutes north. This got me excited and I was hoping we would see this bear too. I tried to keep focused on the landscape ahead and to the sides of the trail, but never saw the bear.When we came to Dennis Cove, there was a small 2 lane paved country road and we continued walking .2 miles to Kincora. Kincora (a definite Irish reference I need to research) was started and is run today by Bob and Pat Peoples, 2 very friendly and hospitable folks. Bob is responsible for trail maintenance of the section of the AT from Erwin, TN to Damascus, VA (approx. 125 miles), and after hiking most of these miles, I can say he has done an excellent job of trail building and maintenance. Kincora hostel is a log cabin structure attached to the People's main residence, and is a very comfortable place to get some rest and regroup. It's amazing that they "request" only a 4.00 donation. Most hikers contribute more to this fine hostel.We discovered that the couple we met on the trail (which I found out from Bob, are from Kent, CT) had left a bounty of food at the hostel. They had sent a food drop in the mail to the hostel, for their next leg of the trail and realized they sent too much, so they left it in the hiker box at the hostel. Anything in the hiker box at a hostel can be taken and used by other hikers. So Huck and I split up the goods and were able to save some money on our re-supply here. This is the kind of "give and take" you constantly encounter on the trail.Showers, laundry, re-supply and a town meal were all attended to by the end of the day and we are ready for an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Dennis Cove - Kincora Hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It is a good thing I don't write my journal as soon as I finish hiking for the day. Otherwise, today's entry would have needed some major editing and censoring by my wonderful wife and thru hike support person. Kidding aside, it was a very tough day and I am glad this is being written objectively in hind sight.The day really did not start out so bad. Aside from taking a few blue blazed trails and getting off the AT for a short time (I seem to be doing a lot of that lately) the walk was very nice. The trail followed a wide, fast running stream for a few miles. It also passed by Laurel Falls, a beautiful multiple cascading falls which was about 60-70 ft. high with a deep pool at the bottom.Not too long after that, the trail just kept climbing from 2100 ft. to 3700 ft. in 5 miles. There were a few climbs that were straight up and ridiculously steep. I felt a few times like I might have pulled a calf muscle if I wasn't careful. Eventually the trail leveled off and started down where it crossed US321. After crossing this road. I entered a picnic area and a public beach on the southern end of Lake Wautauga. Lake Wautauga is another man made lake formed after dam construction, similar to Fontana Lake.The trail continued on the left shore of the lake for a short while. It was strange seeing families sunbathing, swimming, and having picnics by the lake. It was also disconcerting seeing all the trash and general neglect in this area of the trail, something you rarely see in areas not frequented by the general public. I tried to hike through this area quickly and arrived at Wautauga Lake shelter where I found Huck sitting at the picnic table with his head down, napping. He woke up when I came in and stayed there as I had lunch.We had hiked about 11 miles at that point and wanted to hike another 6 to the next shelter. As we got going we were tired but hiked steadily. Most of the 6 miles was along the ridge and we could see Lake Wautauga below, the whole way. We eventually reached Wautauga Dam and then Iron Mountain Gap. The remaining 4.5 miles from this point to the shelter was more of the ridiculously steep climbs I encountered this morning, and at the end of the day it became one of those "death marches" to the shelter.By the time we got to the shelter, we were spent, and to add insult to injury, we had to walk down and climb back up a very steep .3 of mile (.6 miles total) to get water...AAARGH.Once dinner was eaten, and we cleaned up, I was once again my "easy" going self. Two thru hikers we met at Kincora (Ox and Nuclear) are also here with us tonight.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

One thing that seems to be true on this hike is that when the AT throws you a few curves and strikes you out one day, she then lobs one over the plate for a home run the next day. Today was a home run, big mileage day. I think it is the most I have yet hiked in one day. But unlike yesterday, the walking was quite nice and this is the reason the miles came easy today. The trail followed the ridge line and was mostly flat with few rocks. This continued on for most of the entire 22 miles. The majority of the trail was a soft dirt or layers of hemlock needles and was often flanked by grass, 1-2 feet tall on either side and clear of trees and exposed roots. The grass was nice but made me a little paranoid about checking for ticks at every rest stop. I was even more concerned about this today since I pulled one off my leg at the end of the day yesterday.After about 7 or 8 miles I eventually arrived at the first shelter, Iron Mountain Shelter in good time. I was followed by Ox and Nuclear and we dug into our food bags to find something to eat. Nuclear has seen about 9 bears so far since the start of his hike. He saw one yesyerday just before we got to the shelter, and showed me the picture he took (a closeup of a medium sized bear climbing a tree). He says he can hear and smell them just before he sees them. I'm almost ready to suggest he change his trail name to "Bear Magnet".After our short break, I started out again. The hiking was much the same, easy ridge walking for the next few hours. Later in the afternoon I reached a road, TN91, with a parking area. Ox and Nuclear soon caught up and we all stopped for a break and something to eat here.The hike from the road went through a farm field that still had a few old and abandoned buildings present. The view of this rolling field filled with wild flowers with the mountains on the horizon and Ox and Nuclear hiking ahead, made for a nice photo.We all reached Double Spring Shelter about 3:30. While we were eating a snack, it started raining and Huck showed up. We discussed the possibility of staying there for the night, but wanted to hike some more miles. Fortunately, the rain stopped and we continued the last six miles to Abingdon Gap Shelter. As I hiked this last leg, the sudden realization hit me that this was the Memorial Day weekend and the post office would probably be closed on Monday. Today was Sunday, which meant Huck and I would need to stay an extra day in Damascus so we could get our mail on Tuesday when the post office opened. At first this made me quite upset, but then I slowly turned it around and gave it a positive slant. Being off a whole day, wouldn't be so bad. We could rest, eat (real food), and clean our clothes and gear, and make up the miles later in VA.Ox, Nuclear, Huck and I are staying at Abingdon Gap Shelter tonight. We are joined by about 7 section hikers, but there is plenty of tent space here.A big mileage day on the AT!
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up, had breakfast and was on my way early today. I was looking forward to arriving in Damascus, VA again now for the second time. This time however, would be quieter and a bit more relaxed then last week when I was here for trail days.The hike to town was only ten miles and mostly down hill. At one point I knew I was getting close when I saw a man with no backpack or water, walking with his dog. About a half an hour later I stepped out of the woods and followed the trail to the Main St. of town. Just like Hot Springs NC, the trail goes right through Damascus, which is very convenient for hikers, because all their needs are close by.Damascus is a small and very friendly town that really caters to hikers and bikers. In addition to the Appalachian Trail, a major bicycle greenway trail, called the Virginia Creeper Trail, also passes through town. So the town is alive with hiking and bicycle enthusiasts. There are numerous oufitters catering to hikers and bikers, many bed and breakfast establishments, and a number of good places to eat. I am staying at another hostel which is a short walk from the trail. This hostel which is called "The Place", is run by the local Methodist Church and like other hostels we've stayed at, only requires a small donation. There is no one there to check you in. You simply pick an available bunk and drop your donation in a lock box. I took a shower and washed a few items of clothing by hand and spread some of my gear out in the sun to dry since some of it was damp from the morning dew before I packed it. My backpack is also starting to smell like my son's hockey equipment, so anyone who has played the sport or have kids that have, can relate to what I'm saying.The next order of business was to have a big buritto at the Baja Cafe. Footslogger, I said hello to Jared. He says hello and will email you. I met Nuclear and Ox there. Nuclear plans to meet his wife later in the day.Huck came in later, and ate lunch at the local Italian restaurant. We both relaxed for the rest of the day and had dinner later at the same Italian restaurant, which is called Sicily's. Not many other hikers are at The Place. Just Huck, myself and about 5 others.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much happening today. Spent some time updating my journal, making phone calls and sifting through my gear deciding what I haven't used that much and what can be sent home. A lot more hikers are coming into town today. By the end of the day, The Place was filling up quickly. Hikers that we know, Snake Charmer, Slick, and Backtrack are here.As with all town stops, I am getting anxious to start hiking again. Tomorrow we head back to the trail.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Campsite - Little Wilson Creek

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: clear sky

After a restful night's sleep, I was out early and moving at a brisk pace. I am amazed out here, how at the end of one day you can feel exhausted and then by the next morning feel totally rejuvenated. That wasn't the case in the beginning, but after 6 weeks of conditioning, my body has accepted and has risen to the challenge (hope that continues).I was feeling great this morning and hiking at about a 3 mile per hour pace, which was easier to maintain since the trail was level and mostly free of rocks. I passed quite a few section hikers and eventually reached the first shelter at the same time a young college age kid did. We talked awhile, and he said he and his dad were hiking a section for 3 days. Just as I was leaving, his dad caught up to him.I continued to hike on at a good pace and stopped for lunch near Hurricane Shelter. During this stretch, I saw 2 deer cross the trail and bound into the woods. When I first see a deer in the distance, I see the movement and for a second I think I'm seeing a dog or maybe a bear. But in a fraction of a second the mind makes a correction and properly identifies this moving object. There's no question once that white tail rises. As I was eating, Huck appeared. I was kind of surprised since I had left way before he did and had been moving fast today. I learned however that he was on a mission to go into a town called Troutdale to pick up a food drop at the post office and then stay the night at a church hostel. I was undecided if I was also going to do this, but by the end of the day I decided to go. We needed to hitch 2.5 miles from the road to go to Troutdale. We tried hitching for about a half an hour, and Huck said he wanted to start walking. Well there was no way I was going to walk another 2.5 miles unless it got me further north on the trail. So I told him I would continue on the trail 4 miles to the next shelter rather than go into town. He said he would try and catch up to me gradually and meet me possibly in Pearisburg, VA in a few days. I said I'd sign the shelter registers to keep him informed as to my location. So we'll be hiking separately for a few days, until he can catch up. He headed to Troutdale and I continued the last 4 miles to Trimpi Shelter. I am here tonight with 2 cousins, section hiking from Damascus, VA to Pearisburg, VA. Their trail names are Turtle and Cairo. We had some nice conversation at dinner, and they even shared some of their food with me!Long but good day on the AT.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: US11/VA683 - The Relax Inn
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was the my earliest start in the morning since I started my thru hike. I wanted to get out early so I could possibly go all the way to the road that was near Atkins, VA. and stay overnight there and re-supply. I had a quick breakfast (no coffee today), packed up, said goodbye to Turtle and Cairo and was on the trail by 7:30. The first shelter, Parnership Shelter, was about 10 miles north and I made it my first goal of the day to reach this shelter for lunch. Motivating me was the knowledge that I could order pizza here. The Mount Rogers Visitor Center is a short walk from Partnership Shelter, and you can make a call from the Center to order pizza and have it delivered there. The walking was fairly easy this morning. On the way I spotted another deer. I saw it start to cross the trail about 60 ft. ahead and stop. I was about to freeze but as my right foot was midway through stride, I kicked a rock, which startled the deer and off it went. About 3 miles from the shelter, I saw another hiker approaching from the north and vaguely recognized him as he came close. Sure enough, after we introduced ourselves, I found out this was "Baltimore Jack", a well known celebrity of sorts in the thru hiker circles, who attempts to thru hike the trail just about every year.I arrived at Partnership Shelter at about 11:15 and dropped my pack. This is a very nice 2 level shelter which can accommodate many hikers. It even has a hot water shower! I walked to the visitor center, picked up the phone, and ordered a medium pizza and 20 oz. soda. When I said that I'd like it delivered to the visitor center, the girl on the other end said "I'm sorry sir, we don't make deliveries until 4pm". When I heard that, my hopes for a great lunch at Partnership Shelter, were shattered! It was disappointing, but actually not so bad. I walked back to the shelter and dug through my food bag for lunch (not as good as pizza but OK), kicked off my boots, laid back in the grass, and had a relaxing 2 hour break. Finished up the day at US11/VA683 and booked a room in the Relax Inn. Not sure what I'll do for a re-supply tomorrow, but I'll worry about that when it comes.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: US11/VA683 - The Relax Inn

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

I took my time leaving for the trail today. I did get up early however (force of habit I guess), and walked to the nearby convenience store for a cup of coffee. I spent some time catching up on the news, updating my journal, and organizing and repacking my gear. I checked out of the motel by 11am, and made a final stop at the convenience store to round out my re-supply for the next few days. I was very thankful that the motel had a hiker box with enough food to allow me to take care of the bulk of my re-supply. Because of this I avoided hitching to Atkins for re-supply and also buying all of my food from the convenience store which was charging way to much.I followed the trail under I-81. I remember driving up the same highway to get to Cortland College in NY, many years back. The trail left the road and I walked for a while on the edge of some pastures. The smell of fresh cut hay was in the air, and other memories were invoked, of my brother, little sister, and myself building a fort made of baled hay on my grandmother's country property in Middletown, NY.The pleasant weather and varied but gentle terrain, made it a great day for hiking. Today was special too, because at about 6 miles into the hike, I reached a big milestone. At that point I had completed 541 miles, or 25 percent of the AT. Passing that point left me feelng that I was making progress and this goal will be attainable.As I continued hiking I reached the Holston River. I had planned to take a break here and maybe soak my feet in the river. When arrived, I saw other hikers there and a couple who had been there most of the day providing hikers with some trail magic. They had brought ice cold soda and a variety of cookies and donuts. What an unexpected and welcome surprise this was! Thank you Sandy and Shadowman.I reached Knot Maul Branch Shelter to complete my day. The only hiker there was a guy section hiking from Maryland to Georgia, whose trail name was Rocker. After I had dinner, 2 more thru hikers showed up. Headlamps were out and we all went to bed at the usual 8:30pm. I was awoken later by the sound of voices. I looked at my watch and it was after midnight. Apparently some hikers hiked through the night to get here. I shook my head at the thought of this, rolled over and went back to sleep.One quarter of the AT done!
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Jenny Knob Shelter 

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: light rain

Today we planned another long 20+ mile hike to get us a little closer to Pearisburg so it would be short hike there on Wed. The first goal of the day was to reach a road called VA606, where there was a general grocery store / deli less than one half a mile from the trail. If you haven't noticed, we are now planning our short term goals around how we can get a good meal.I got started a little later then Snake, Rider, and Tennis. The only one behind me today was Slick. The hike down to the road was just a little over 6 miles and did not take to long. We then walked .4 of a mile on the road to get to the store. We basically went a little wild there satisfying our hunger and food cravings. Sandwiches, coffee, ice cream, snack cakes, etc., you name it, we ate it.As we rolled out of this place and prepared to leave for the trail, someone had this crazy idea to hike all the way to Pearisburg, VA today, which in addition to the 6 miles we already did, would be another 24 for a total of 30. I thought that was way too ambitious but thought I would hike to the original destination and then see how I felt.So off we went. The initial 7 to 8 miles went by fast, since I was hiking with Snake and Rider, both fast hikers in their late 20's. We had some lively converstion which helped past the time, and we soon arrived at a small pond where we took a long break to eat, soak our feet and dry out some gear.After about an hour, we started hiking again and at that point Slick caught up to us. The hiking from this point on was tiring for me and Slick and I dropped back as Snake and Rider continued their fast pace. At about 6 miles away from our original destination, we re-grouped and pushed on. Just as we got going a thunderstorm hit pretty hard and dumped a cold rain on us for the next 30 minutes. I had chosen not to put my rain jacket on, thinking that I would probably be too hot in it as I hiked along. That was a mistake this time since the temperature had dropped quite a bit. I was now a bit chilled and stressed by the mine field of rocks we encountered on the last 3 miles to the shelter.As I hiked towards the shelter I had already made up my mind to end the day there and not continue to Pearisburg. We were now hiking in the dark with our headlamps and I was hoping there was some space left in the shelter. Oddly enough, when we arrived at the shelter, we found it empty (we later found out there was a hostel 2 miles north and we guessed everyone went there). I immediately stripped out of my wet clothes and put on dry clothes and rolled out my sleeping bag. Snake and Rider had something to eat and waited for Slick to show up. I could tell they were silently debating if they should continue the rest of the way to Pearisburg, but when Slick showed up, they decided to go. I wished them luck as they departed, and was happy to now be warm and dry in the shelter. Tennis, a thru hiker in his early 60's, who was also on this crazy quest, showed up about 45 minutes later. I convinced him to stay and made us both some tea and hot chocolate.