morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: light rain

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has signed the guestbook. It's nice to read messages from folks back home and friends from the trail, even Daniel Boone and Lewis and Clark. Sorry I haven't been able to respond to everyone, but I usually have just enough time to get my journal updated. It was a good decision staying at Old Orchard shelter last night. Thanks to Lion King, a past thru hiker who is presenting a video account of his hike at Trail Days, for convincing me to stay at Old Orchard. He said that 24 miles was easily done today given the terrain and he was right. I got off to an early start at 7:30. Early for me anyway. Most of the older guys are gone before 7. Another warm day. Knock on wood, I think maybe the cold weather is gone for good. At least until the White Mountains. I am going to hold on to my cold weather clothes for another week or so, just in case. I stopped at the Trimpi Shelter for lunch and finally met Cyclehiker and got his story. He road his road bike from Indiana to Georgia and is carrying it on his pack(all 18 pounds of bike) to Katahdin and then riding it home. The obvious question is why. His response was, it's never been done. I have heard of a past thru hiker carrying a tuba also. I'm ok with just the normal backpacking gear. If I had to carry something extra, maybe it would be my driver and some golf balls. I could hit one off every peak over 6000', since the ball carries farther at elevation. The shelters in VA have been the nicest so far. The Trimpi Shelter sleeps about 12 with lofts on each side and a stone fireplace in the middle. The afternoon hike was fairly easy with a few climbs towards the end. I got caught in two brief showers this afternoon. I put my rain jacket on for the first one, but got so hot I didn't bother with it for the second. It was so warm and the rain so light that I dried out by the time I got to Partnership Shelter, my destination for the night. My reason for pushing the big miles today was the fact that you can order pizza for delivery to this shelter. Yes, you read correctly. I had been hearing about this since Damascus and as I have mentioned before, after a few days in the woods you will do just about anything for civilized food. The shelter is about a tenth of a mile from the Mt. Rogers National HQ, where they have a phone to place orders. I got a large pizza and a two liter of Mountain Dew. It was a nice finish to a big mileage day. The shelter was rocking when I got there around 4:30. A bunch of hikers had been there for several hours, some with adult beverages. I am catching up with new hikers including Troll, Anchor and their 10 year old son Oblivious, Poet, Serenity, Cupa Joe, Tex, Silent Bob and a few others. This is the nicest shelter I have stayed in yet, with two floors and I forgot to mention the best part, a solar shower. It felt great. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Partnership Shelter

To: The Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Another tough night sleeping in the shelter. I was exhausted, but didn't sleep well, because an unnamed hiker snored all night long. A few people got up in the middle of the night and went outside and cowboy camped(slept under the stars) it was so bad. Today was an easy day into Atkins. I hiked with Fireball, a young guy about 19 with an overabundance of energy. He was running through the fields and rolling around in the toll grass like a big kid. After checking into the motel, I went over to Dairy Queen for lunch and had a burger and fries. I then had one of the best desserts ever, a Blizzard with Oreo cookies and Heath Bar mixed. It was so good, I had another after dinner. It was nice to read the paper and catch up. The Sox are holding their own without Schilling and Wells. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: The Relax Inn

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 11.8

Tamara came in last night. She will be here through the weekend. Today we hiked the next section of the AT north. It was a nice hike with varied terrain including both woods and pasture hiking. Darrell, the owner of the Relax Inn, shuttled us to the AT crossing at VA42, where we left the rental car. It cost $30, but allowed me to continue my goal of only hiking north with all my gear. The next two days are zeros for me and we are heading back to Damascus for Trail Days. My feet need the rest anyway. koko.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Abingdon, VA

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 0.0

We went down to Damascus on both Friday and Saturday for Trail Days. It was a different place than it had been just a week earlier. Cars and traffic all over town. I guess that's what happens when approximately 30,000 people come to a town of 1,000. The hiker parade on Saturday was wild. It's basically a big water fight between the hikers and the town. I wish I had known that ahead of time...I would have been prepared. Most hikers and townies had supersoakers, water balloons and buckets of water. It was all in good fun, with no incidents and it poured the entire time. It was nice to see some familiar faces from earlier in my hike: Mr. Fusion, Okie, Strider, Morel, LB, Peanut, Spoonman, Stats and Mudpumpkin, Crazy Horse and Sweet Sixteen. On Saturday, we drove up to Grayson Highlands and I showed her the wild ponies. We ate at the Huddle House three times over the weekend. Twice for breakfast and once for dinner. It's a poor man's Friendly's in the south. Cheap, quick and greasy. Maybe that's what I should do when I get back, open a Huddle House franchise. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Abingdon, VA

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: moderate rain

Mile 567.7Tamara dropped me off back at the trail around noon. We brought the trail magic that I had bought up to the trail. A twelve pack each of Coke and Mountain Dew on ice. Exactly what I would like to see after a day on the trail. The trail was very quiet today. Most everyone is starting back on the trail today or tomorrow(after Trail Days) in Atkins, 12 miles south. I met only four people during the day, all section hikers heading south. Today was a big climb to Chesnut Knob Shelter through both woods and open fields followed by several miles of hiking just below a ridgeline with no views. I wonder why the trail didn't take us along the top. When I could see, there were nice views off to the west. Because of my late start and the length of my hike, I was on the trail in the dark with my headlamp and didn't reach Jenkins shelter until around 9:30. Jaybird was the only person in the shelter. Birdhouse Bob and Grits were both tenting. Jaybird is from the Nashville area and is out section hiking from Hot Springs to Pearisburg. He is planning to complete the trail in 15-20 years. What a goal. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Mile 581.5I slept in after getting to the shelter late. There was a sign on the shelter wall about trail magic breakfasts on Mondays and Thursdays at the local Methodist Church. At a road crossing about five miles from the shelter, a church member picked me up and drove me down to their church for a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and orange juice. They even packed me a bologna sandwich and cookies for lunch. A big thank you to those folks. The trail magic really helps keep the spirits up. It was a nice day hiking today, warm and sunny and fairly easy terrain. Cameron(my brother) met me today at the shelter around five. He will be hiking with me for the next two weeks. It will be nice having him out here. Also staying here tonight are Jaybird and Birdhouse Bob, a retired butcher from the Cincinnati area. Someone left quite a bit of firewood, so a started a fire tonight. It's cool this evening. Cam and I are planning to hike 16 miles tomorrow to a road crossing where there is a store/restaurant. I can smell the cheeseburgers from here. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 18.2

Mile 599.7Today was the first day on the trail with Cam. He got up early and started a fire. He had trouble sleeping on the wood floor in the shelter. It's tough, even with a sleeping pad. We were on the trail around 8:30. This morning's hike was nice and easy along a rolling ridgeline with some nice views west. We made great time and hiked 9.8 miles to Jenny Knob Shelter in three hours. We stopped at Trent's grocery(a half mile off the trail) this afternoon for burgers and fries. They don't get old and neither do the Cokes. Cam had his first sweet tea. Something you must try when you come to the south. After the burgers, we decided to hike a few more miles and ended up at Dismal Creek Falls to filter water. This is a beautiful spot, so we decided to camp here tonight. We found two tent sites with a fire pit and views of the falls. It doesn't get much better than this. It is like a scene from one of those old Busch beer commercials. In fact, a thru hiker from New Jersey(I didn't get his name) gave us one Busch Light beer to share. It was great. We've got the fire going and it's very relaxing. It was nice hiking with Cam today. Other than a little back soreness and some tenderness from his hip belt, he says he feels fine. Eighteen miles is a big first day. Today completes seven weeks on the trail for me. Fifteen straight 100 mile weeks will get me to Katahdin around September 1, which is my goal, but if I don't get there until later, no big deal. We are going to shoot for Pearisburg tomorrow. It's 22 miles, so we'll see what happens. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Mile 613.9I slept great in the tent. I need to start sleeping in it more. The shelters are easier, but just not as comfortable. Cam, or Fresh Legs as he is being called by Jaybird slept better also. We hit the trail around 9. The trail this morning was as easy as it's been yet, six miles of almost no elevation change. Fresh Legs had to stop several times to tend to blisters, which everyone gets at first. We stopped at Wapiti Shelter for lunch, which I later found out is where two murders took place in the 1980's. I won't go into the details. I startled a deer as I walked up to the shelter. It began to run and then stopped and stared at me. I got a good picture. Just after the shelter, the trail started an aggressive climb of almost 1200 feet in just under 2.5 miles. Fresh Legs struggled a bit, but it's only his second day out after a big first day. It takes a couple of weeks to get your legs conditioned for climbing and decending. It was another nice weather day, warm with sun and clouds but no rain. We decided to stay at Doc's Knob Shelter tonight, leaving us a nice easy 7.8 mile hike into Pearisburg tomorrow. I can't wait to try a thickburger I keep hearing advertised at Hardee's. Tonight, we met a new hiker named Garcia, because he looks like Jerry Garcia. It was his first day on the trail. He section hiked the AT ten years ago over a 22 month period. He is heading south to Springer Mtn and then he is planning to start south from Katahdin. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

Fresh Legs and I made it to Pearisburg this morning around 11. We ate an early lunch at Hardee's. I had two of their Frisco thickburgers, which I highly recommend. We were then walking to the hostel in town, which was almost two miles away when we got a hitch from a woman and her son. The hostel is set up on a hill with a nice big lawn, deck and bunks with cushioned mattresses. I took a quick shower and then rode an old bike down here to the library. The front tire was flat and the brakes are shot, which made for an interesting ride down the hill. I was able to fill the tire with air and here I am at the Pearisburg library. Tonight, we are planning to do some laundry and shopping at the Walmart supercenter, always an adventure. There is a sports bar in town where we are going for dinner. I've got to check up on the Sox. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

It was a cool night sleeping in the shelter, around 40. We were on the trail around 8:45 for what turned out to be an adventurous day. Today might have been the best hiking weather yet, blue skies and mid 60's with a slight breeze. The adventure began after lunch. Fresh Legs and I came upon a sign informing us that the bridge over Stony Creek had washed away last year during a hurricane. Directions were given to a blue blaze(alternate route) trail along the road to avoid fording the river. We decided to continue on the white blazed AT to the washout and take our chances. That's part of the adventure. When we got to the washout, the river was moving at a good clip and got about three feet deep in the middle, mid thigh height. The water was cool, but refreshing. We both made it across and were greeted on the other side by Snowman, Sparkplug, Hairball and Snowbunny with two sodas and a beer they had taken for us from a trail magic stop on the blue blaze reroute. They took a few good pictures of us crossing that a hope to get copies of. Fresh Legs had to wear his hiking shoes in the river since his camp shoes are flip flops. After the river fording experience, we decided to shorten our day to 16.2 miles instead of 21. This gave Fresh Legs a chance to dry his shoes by the fire at the shelter. Not a good idea, as they proceeded to melt some due to the tremendous heat emanating from Hairball's bonfire. The shoes are fine, just distorted a bit. The plan is for 21 miles tomorrow. It's supposed to be another great day. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Mile 666.2Fresh Legs and I got an early start today, just after 7:30. Today was a tough, long hike. Early in the day, we were dealing with rocks, which I am told compare with the brutal ones up in PA. Not only do they beat up your feet, they slow you down. The day also included two big climbs: 1800 and 1100 feet. The last climb being at the end of the day. Fresh Legs was a trooper and hiked his first 20+ miler in week one, something most thru hikers don't do. With tomorrow's 15.9 mile day, we will hit 100.7 miles in his first week. It was another nice hiking day, mid 60's with a breeze. The clouds came out in the afternoon and it rained lightly a couple of times. We passed the Keffer Oak this afternoon, one of the largest oak trees in the southeast. It is 18 feet around and estimated to be over 300 years old. The Sarver Hollow Shelter is very nice with a covered picnic table and an abundance of hooks and nails to hang gear, an important amenity overlooked in most shelters. The water source is a spring just down the hill next to an old, run down cabin where a couple of hunters are staying. I hope we don't see them tomorrow. Tonight's shelter inhabitants are Hot Flash, Cyclehiker, Skylark, Snowman and Sparkplug, Hairball and Snowbunny, Fresh Legs and I. We wanted to tent, but it looks like rain and there are no level sites close by anyway. The shelter is a quarter mile down a steep switch back from the AT, which should make for a fun climb tomorrow morning. I saw two more deer this afternoon. We had trail magic at a dirt road crossing today from a guy named Super Dave. He left a cooler with cold sodas. Always nice, thanks Dave. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Mile 682.1I slept in this morning and was the last one out of the shelter at 9:30. It was nice to relax and take my time. The toughest climb of the day was the hike up to the AT from the shelter. The early hike was a nice ridge walk with views to the east. At the first shelter, the early risers had some trail magic including soda and cookies. I missed that one, but did encounter a trail magic cooler a mile or two later containing soda and beer. I packed out a Coke and a Coors Light for tonight at the shelter. A nice reward at the end of the day. Thanks to the anonymous donor. The sun was in and out all day with a nice breeze. The skies threatened, but it didn't start raining until about 8pm. Today we hiked past a side trail to the Audie Murphy Memorial. We passed up on going to it and I'm sorry I did. I didn't know who he was until I just read his bio here at the shelter. He was the most decorated soldier in WWII and later a B movie actor who died in a plane crash near the memorial. Lots of folks in the shelter or tenting tonight including many of the regulars plus TriGuy, Goodfella, Bravo, Ox and Che and the other Peanut. Tomorrow is a short 6+ miles to the Catawba Grocery for a late breakfast/early lunch and a small food resupply and then on to probably 17 miles. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Fresh Legs and I were on the trail around 8. It's been taking him awhile to prepare his poor feet. He's got them covered in moleskin, Band-Aids and duct tape. Another week or so and the blisters should start to callous. This morning's hike included an 1100 foot climb to Dragon's Tooth, a large rock that looks like a very large, sharp tooth. There were some nice views from the rock formations. The morning weather was cool with a nice breeze. I wore my wind jacket all day. After Dragon's Tooth, we decended to a road crossing and went about a half mile off the trail to the Catawba Grocery, our first taste of civilization since Pearisburg. It was great. I had my usual cheesburger plus a couple slices of Fresh Legs' pizza. I also ate a bunch of junk food and resupplied for the one day to Daleville. I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bed tomorrow and taking a hot shower. While we were at the store, it began to rain and continued for a good portion of the afternoon hike. This was the first hard rain I can recall in a while. It was actually nice, until the wind picked up. We hiked through a couple of cow pastures, one of which Bravo and I had to bang our trekking poles together to get the cows to move off the trail. Near the end of today's hike, we summitted McAfee Knob, which is the most impressive vista I have encountered yet. There was a rock overhang and ledge with a 270 degree view of the valley below and mountains beyond. Unfortunately, my camera battery charge ran out just as I was going to take some pictures. Luckily, Fresh Legs had his. It was a beautiful spot and we would have stayed longer if it wasn't so windy and cold. It feels more like March than late May today. Tonight in the shelter it's just me, Fresh Legs and Eagle Foot, a student from Florida who we met today. On to Daleville tomorrow. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Howard Johnson's - Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

It was tough to get going today, due to the cool temperature and our wet clothes. We got on the trail around eight hoping to get to Daleville by mid afternoon. Today's hike included a summit and ridge walk along Tinker Cliffs. I know I said McAfee Knob was the most impressive vista, but these views were just as amazing and the trail takes you along the cliffs for about a half a mile. The weather was beautiful this morning, clear blue skies which allowed us to see great distances. After the cliffs, Fresh Legs and I were focused on getting to town, finding a motel and eating. The remainder of today's hike included many ups and downs and crossed several powerlines. The trail enters Daleville and intersects with a busy road. It's very convenient for hikers with several restaurants and motels within walking distance. There is also a nice outfitter and Kroger supermarket within a quarter mile. We ran errands this afternoon. I picked up a package from Tamara at the PO, including homemade cookies and brownies. Delicious. Thank you! We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant with Bravo, Naked Sun, TriGuy and Hareball. After dinner, we went back to the room and just relaxed. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Howard Johnson's - Daleville, VA

To: HoJo's(again)
Miles today: 0.0

It was nice to sleep in a bed and watch Sportscenter. I probably slept less, because I was channel surfing all night. It's funny, I don't miss TV, but when I have access to one, it's pretty addictive. We ate the continental breakfast at the motel, which included Krispy Kremes. Very nice. Late this morning, we decided to take a zero day. Old Fresh Legs' feet needed a break and there is no rush since he is being picked up in six days, only 77 miles up the trail. We both laid out by the pool this afternoon and I was out for a good hour or two. Several hikers who have been behind me since Damascus caught up today: Hopeful and Redwing, Patch, LB, Peanut, Jersey Fresh, South Shore and Ribeye. It was good to see some familiar faces. We hung out again at the motel after dinner with some of the hikers. Nice and relaxed. Back on the trail tomorrow. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: HoJo's(again)

To: tent north of Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mile 733We slept in again at the motel and had the continental breakfast. Those Krispy Kremes never get old. We packed up our gear and hit the trail at 10:15. Both our packs were much heavier after resupplying yesterday at Kroger. I was carrying extra food, because of my increased appetite. Today's hike was relatively easy with mostly graded climbs. There were more hikers on the trail today. The most I have seen in over 200 miles. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway three times today. Over the next week, the AT crosses the parkway several times. Fresh Legs and I planned on tenting at Bobblets Gap Shelter, but when we got down there, there were no areas to pitch tents. We just filtered water from the stream and hiked another half a mile up the trail until we found a campsite. It is close to the parkway. Koko.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: tent north of Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

After sleeping in, Fresh Legs and I didn't get on the trail until 9:30. It was very comfortable sleeping last night, warmer than it has been. It sprinkled while we were breaking down camp, but that was the only precipitation all day. The morning hike was easier than this afternoon when we climbed 1100 feet in under two miles and then 2200 feet in four. We did stop half way through the day at a swimming hole to cool off. The water in the mountain stream was cold, but I decided to jump in anyway. It was refreshing and kept me cool during the first afternoon climb. While we were at the stream, Fresh Legs accidentally broke my ceramic water filter while he was cleaning it. This left us with only his to use, which is slow and difficult to pump. I think I need rotator cuff surgery after just one use. We are trying to get a hold of Dell, the guy that shuttled him to the trail, to see if he can pick up one from the outfitter and bring it to one of the road crossings in the next few days. At the shelter tonight are Hairball and Snowbunny, the Garland 5, a family hiking the AT, and Rawhide and Bubbletoes. As I write this entry, I can hear some animal outside, not too far from the tent. I hung our food bags tonight, so there is nothing of interest in my tent. No rush again tomorrow, probably 17 miles to Matts Creek Shelter. Koko.