morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Braemar Castle

To: US Rd 321
Miles today: 8.9

We got up early, ate pancakes for breakfast and were picked up by Bob Peoples to slack pack back to Kincora. It is a much easier hike over Pond Mtn going from north to south. There are a couple of inches of Snow on Pond Mtn but the going was not too hard as the trail was pretty much snow free.We did not see the new bear cub on top of Pond Mtn that Bob told us about, nor did we see the beaver in the ponds along Laurel Fork. We stopped at Laurel Fork Falls for lunch with Peacock and Peak Axe.We then hiked to Kincora and got a ride back to the Castle. There were 26 hikers at Kincora last night, and only 16 beds. Lots of folks were sleeping on the floor so we know we made the right decision to move to the Castle.We mailed our box forward to Pearsiburg. We ate dinner at the Castle with Trunk and Lance.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: US Rd 321

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Said good bye to the "Castle" about 8:15 and headed up to Watauga Lake with Bob Peoples. In the truck were Burple and Toots who are staying at Kincora. It was good to see them again. They are a two of the faster hikers on the trail, but they took a few days off to visit friends. Never-the-less, it was no surprise to see them. Thanks to Sutton at the Castle for a great place to stay. Hopefully you will find the old growth trees you a trying to locate.The water level on Watauga Lake is down much lower than previous years as the drought continues to have a big influence in the south. People keep telling us (and it is true) that we should not whine about the rain and snow as the locals are really concerned. As we continue to see springs with low or no water, we get concerned as well.Jack Frost, Daddy-O, Peacock and Trunk are heading north with us or us with them. Wrong Way and dog Erwin are doing the slack pack south.We enjoyed the cool, sunny weather hiking around the lake, but it warmed up as we headed up Iron Mtn. We stopped for lunch at Vandervente Shelter and we watched Buzzards soaring along the hillside. We could see a few boats on the lake. We then hiked on to Iron Mtn shelter where we are tenting for the night. This is a dry shelter so we packed water up from the small spring located about 1/4 mile from the shelter. Limestone had to clean out the spring and re-install the pipe so we could get water. Here at the shelter are Jack Frost, Peacock and Daddy-O. Jack Frost is in a tent but Peacock and Daddy-O are hanging in the trees--hamocks!We called the Montgomery House and have a reservation for our stay in Damascus. We have the room with the soaking tub--lots of cheering from Mrs. Limestone.
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abington Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

We got up to a pretty sunrise, birds singing and a woodpecker tapping on a tree. We enjoyed another sunny day and cool weather-perfect for hiking. The first water source at Grindstaff Monument was dry, but we had enough water to reach the next source, 6.7 miles away just before we crossed State Rd 91. We stopped for lunch at the water source even though it was only 11:30 am because Limestone remembered the water source at the next shelter requires a lunch or two to get to and from the steep long hike down the canyon source.After lunch, we met a group of 5 and then 2 hikers heading south to Watauga Lake.Along the way, we walked thru many miles of Forest Service controlled burning. It was a good thing we were not planning on camping anywhere along this section as there is black ash all along the way. It did not smell too good either.We stopped at Abington Gap Shelter with Jack Frost-all tenting. We all plan to go to Damascus tomorrow. The trip to the water source is a large lunch away. It's about 1/3 mile and 120 verticle feet, it is a very steep trail.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Abington Shelter

To: Damascus, Montgomery B&B
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another very nice day for hiking-cool and sunny. We trekked into Damascus on a very nice downhill (mostly) trail. We checking in to the Mongomery House and took a shower. On the front porch of the Montgomery House are a set of scales so we took out our food, water and fuel and weighed our packs, 18 and 28 pounds which is pretty much the starting weight after you add a few pounds for boots and clothes we were wearing. We have both lost a few pounds. Limestone headed to the library to update the TJ and Mrs Limestone to the laundry to get our clothes washed. We then talked to Beans, Recycle, Peak Axe and Vagabond who completed the WD-40 challenge. This is a one day 40 miles hike from Watauga Lake to Damascus. They are a bit tired and sore, but no worse for wear and tear. They were a bit late getting started because they went to a concert the night before...bottom line, way to go guys.....Talking to others, Piece of Work and Tough Little Cookie are getting off the trail as TLC broke a bone in her foot. View Finder is getting off the trail due to sore feet (she thinks plantar fascittis) and Avalanche is getting off the trail because his condo has been abandoned and he needs to take care of business. We wish them well, and understand how hard it is to make this decision.We (Limestone, Mrs Limestone and Jack Frost) went to dinner with Susie and Gaines and their neighbor Mark; and then, got a tour of Susie and Gaines' other house. It's a great house that they have been doing a lot of work to update and it is really looking great. Gaines has a new hobby, moving rocks.....we can relate.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Damascus, Montgomery B&B

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We are taking two zero days in Damascus to catch up and rest. Friday night we went to dinner with Susie and Gaines. Saturday we finished updating the TJ and did our shopping at the Mt Rogers Outfitter Store. We did not buy too mush, fuel for the stove, a stuff sack, foot powder, soap and moles skin--this is really exciting stuff. We ate a late lunch/early dinner at Sicily's where we used the computer to take care of our mail. We then went to Subway for a snack sandwich. Sicily's is a great restaurant and Limestone has been there several times.Sunday we went to the grocery store for resupply and got some salads/sandwiches to snack on. We stopped at the Pizza Plus for the all you can eat buffet and filled up as best we could. It was a tough deal for Limestone to leave the desert line.While at the Montgomery House, we met section hikers Snack and Hammer from Florida and thru hiker Jack Frost and enjoyed their company. Jack Frost left early so we might not see him for awhile.Susie makes the greatest breakfasts and we enjoyed our short stay. Many thanks.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

After breakfast, we dropped our bounce box off at the Post Office-18 lbs 11 oz. and put our packs on the scales=Mrs Limestone is at 28# and Limestone is at 44#. This includes food for 5 days, fuel for 10 days and 4 soda bottles of water. This is one of our heavier pack sections.We hiked out of town about 9:30 am and were on the trail about 10 am. We met Possum, Poor Boy, Half Time, Grins and 2 section hikers around lunch when we reached Lost Mtn Shelter, we met Fog Horn, Waldo, Applicator, Beans and Miles.Tomorrow, we will be in the Grayson Highlands, home of the ferel ponies..It should be fun for several days.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

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

We enjoyed a good nights sleep in our tent beside the full, snoring shleter. We slept until 7AM and were the last people to start hiking. While the morning was clear and we could see White Top, it soon clouded up and by the time we reached Buzzard Rock, it was cloudy and windy. We met Nector Woods and Flying House of Steve along the trail. Nector and Flying started at Harpers Ferry March 6 and are doing a flip thru hike.There were several section hikers on the trail as we crossed over to Elk Garden.We saw 11 ponies along the way to Thomas Knob and 3 more just before the shelter. We met Hippie Long Stockings and Thomas Foote at the shelter and had a fun conversation about hiking and other hikers we both know.Here at the shelter are Grins, Respect, Flower Child and 2 others.T-Rod, Dirty Harry and Bow passed the shelter on the way to Wise Shelter.
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

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

Last night was foggy, a bit of rain, a few mice and a few ponies, but we slept reasonably well in the shelter--no snoring.Twenty minutes-time required for Respect's mouse trap to catch a mouse. Cheese is the bait of choice.We took our time getting on the trail as we were waiting for the fog to lift. About 9:30 am we got tired of waiting and got on the trail. We met Hippie Long Stockings and One Foote in about an hour.We saw a lot of ponies (lost count) and took pictures of several along with several new folds. We saw our last ponies on the way over Stone Mtn.The fog finally departed about 10:30 and we enjoyed a partly cloudy and then very sunny clear afternoon.We are tenting at Old Orchard and are fortunate to have Grey Ghost and Jinx here with us. It was a great conversation at dinner catching up on the trail happenings.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Grey Ghost and Jinx left camp just as we were getting up, about 7am.We hiked over to Hurricane Ridge Shelter for a snack and then on to Corner Creek for lunch. We got to Trimpi Shelter early about 4:30 and stopped for the night. We talked with MeTo and Hap Scotch while we cooked dinner. Hop Scotch has 400 miles to go to completely section hike the AT.We went to bed about 9 pm and its getting windy, hope it doesn't rain too hard.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Trimpi Shelter

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

Got the usual 8:30 am start and hiked to Partnership Shelter for a pizza delivery lunch. Not one other hiker did we see all morning.We saw 2 white tail deer and 6 black angus cows in the first pasture. During lunch, a hummingbird was very interested and pestering Limestone due to his red bandana head piece.The weather forecast is for thundershowers/rain tonight and tomorrow.The hike from Partnership to Chatfield Shelter included 3 miles thru a broadcast burn. In much of the area, both sides of the trail were black and here at the shelter, the hillside across the creek is all black.There was a frog and crawfish in the spring box where we got water.We have the shelter to ourselves, no one is here but us and and mice.Tomorrow, Relax Inn and hot showers.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a short hike into Relas Inn. Although the weather forecast called for 70% showers, we enjoyed a warm sunshine hike. We stopped for the Settler's Museum tour and enjoyed ourselves looking at some of the really old structures-houses, barns, school, shop, grainery, etc. and learning about the settlement of the area. It was great fun.We stayed at the Relax Inn which continues to be the only place to get a shower, room and wash clothes. Thanks to our Brownie troop, our food box was here waiting when we arrived--many thanks.We ate dinner at the Barn and ordered the shrimp and steack special which was great, just what we needed.After dinner, we stopped at the Shell Station store to pick up a few items and get a couple pints of ice cream.
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Relax Inn

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

We went to breakfast at the Barn where we met Ram Bunny and Aqua. They are previous thru hikers and are thinking about a hiker hostel. After breakfast, we picked up a few donuts for the trail at the Shell Station and checked out of our room. The day started out nice weather and we stopped first at Davis Path to lighten our packs by eating a few donuts. The weather was still nice when we stopped at Crawfish Valley for lunch. But then, the weather turned rainy, thunder and lightening at State Rd 42 so we ducked into a picnic shelter for cookies and chips. After the lightening passed, we hiked in the rain to Knob Maul Branch Shelter where we decided to stay for the night.Thru hikers Stephany and John are here. Two section hikers from VA are also here. A couple notes for others, the Arco Station and 54 Roses Restaurant are closed.Today, we are 25% done having crossed the 544 mile point.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: moderate rain

When we got up it was still raining so we packed up, put on rain gear and started walking in a generally northward direction. The trail is wet and muddy. We stopped at the pond for water out of the water tank and then hiked to Chestnut Knob Shelter for an early dinner. It let up raining so we continued hiking to Jenkins Shelter where we are tenting for the night. It was hard to see too much in the rain, fog and wind, but we did see a deer.Today is our longest day, 19.1 miles and there were plenty of elevation changes.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up to snow falling on our tent. It is relly cold and windy and we are glad that we did not send home our winter gear when it started to get warmer. We had a very late start, 10:15, which was off-set by a relatively easy day of hiking. It did stay cold and windy all day.No wildlife to report, even the birds were silent as they wait out this storm to pass.There was trail magic at Laurel Creek, many thanks.There is no one else here at the shelter, just us and the mice.We are making plans to take a few days off at Pearisburg to help Aunt Vi.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Trents
Miles today: 16.3

After a very cold night, we got on the trail about 9:30am. It was a sunny but cold day. The trail is basically a roller coaster of ups and downs. We counted the switch backs down to the water--only 6, but its a long down hill trip.We stopped at Jenny Knob Shelter for lunch and water-it was 9 miles of non stop hiking. We met Hot Cheese and Birdbath at the shelter. They are the only thru hikers we have seen for 3 days. While this is a bit unusual, we seem to be between two larger groups of hikers.We all stopped at Trents for dinner and Birdbath and Hot Cheese continued hiking, but we opted to tent so we could take a shower and wash clothes.Trents does not offer much. A mowed camping area amongst a bunch of camping trailers in storage. A laundry room with one washer dryer and one bathroom with concrete shower. All of these things need some basic expertise to operate. The stool lacks an automatic tank refill, rather, one must turn on/off a water hose to fill the tank. The dryer on/off switch has been repaired so you must carefully hold the plastic parts avoiding the metal connectors to turn the dryer on.Tomorrow, we will hike to Doc's Knob shelter which is going to be a bit of work as there is a lot of elevation gain at the end of the day.Limestone was talking with one of the locals and found out it was only 23 degrees in the valley so it was much colder up were we were camped a couple nights ago in the snow. It is suppose to warm up over the next couple days which is good news.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Trents

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Mrs Limestone's birthday. The tent was really wet from all the dew in the grass field where we are camping. Actually we were adjacent to a bunch of camping trailers probably used as/for a hunting camp.We ate breakfast (buiscut of chicken or sausage and egg, a few donuts and coffee) and headed up the trail about 9 am. It was nice and sunny so we took a detour to the Falls of Dismal where we took a few pictures.After returning to the AT, we hiked to the pond where we ate lunch. We took pictures of butterflies and newts. There were tadepoles and fish in the pond as well.Toots and Burple appeared doing a slack pack from Trents to Pearisburg (24.3 miles) and it was good to see them again. We wished them the best of luck and hope to see them again. They are such fast hikers, it may be some time before we see them again.We stopped at Wapiti Shelter where we found Birdbath and Hot Cheese who were just getting up after a mid day nap.We then hiked over Sugar Run Mtn to Doc's Knob shelter were we are the only hikers.Tomorrow is Pearisburg.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We took our time getting going as it is a short day to Pearisburg. Birdbath and Hot Cheese came by the shelter about breakfast time and we leap frogged each other all the way to town.Limestone found the hike down Angel's Rest much easier when neither his feet or knees were giving him trouble.We picked up our rental car at the road and made a trip to the Post Office and hostel with Birdbath and Hot Cheese.We then checked into our motel and got organized for our trip to Wisconsin.We will be doing a week of zero days as we drive back and forth and take care of some personal business for Limestone's elderly Aunt.
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After several zero days to help Limestone's Aunt, we are back in Pearisburg. We are making phone calls, updating TJ, buying stuff and generally getting set to start hiking again tomorrow. Many thanks to everyone who has signed our journal, and we are sorry we have not responded. It has been a very busy time for us....Much rain, thunder and lightening, but tomorrow is forecast to be a better day.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Pearisburg

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

Today we started hiking again. It felt good to be back after 6 zero days as we spent time with Limestone's Aunt Vi taking care of some of her personal business. We spent the morning making last minute phone calls, paying Aunt Vi's bills, and getting things organized. We then packed up a big box to send home (28 lbs), a bounce box to send forward with our town gear and proceeded to the Post Office to get everything in the mail. We made a few edits to TJ and checked out of the motel.We stopped at a gas station to fill up the rental car and then took the rental car back, but not before stopping at Hardees to fill up our bellies.After a brief climb to Rice Shelter, we settled in for the night. Water is a long distance down the hill, but the beautiful setting at Rice Field makes this shelter stop worthwhile.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night it rained and hailed a bit so we were glad to have a spot in the shelter. We got up about 7 am, ate a cold breakfast of bagels and cream cheese and were hiking about 8:30am.The morning was a bit cool from the brisk wind as we hiked along the ridge. Symms Meadow was really pretty with the blooming trees and dark green foliage in the meadows.We stopped for lunch at Dickinson Gap before climbing over Peters Mountain.We walked around the washed out bridge on Stoy Creek after hearing the ford was cold and deep water with a slippery round rock stream bed.We also saw a snag tree that a bear had torn up looking for food, it is pretty impressive what a bear can do.We are tenting and the shelter is full even after several hikers have continued north. Water is a problem at this shelter, as there is not any source really close.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

It started raining just as we got up and then stopped after we broke camp. The wind was cold and blew all day. When we crossed over Wind Rock, it was so foggy that we could not see anything. Also, the temperature kept dropping. Wind Rock is appropriately named, the wind was pretty strong there.We stopped at War Sulphur Shelter to get out of the rain and we took a really long lunch. It had stopped raining when we left the shelter. There was trail magic along the way to Kelly' Knob--thank you very much.We stopped on top of Kelly's Knob to call our mothers and wish them a happy mothers day. Cell coverage did not exist soon afterward.By the time we reached Laurel Creek, it was raining really hard.The shelter was full so we set up our tent which we had to move because we missed seeing a dead, leaning tree above our tent. Normally, this might not be a problem, but strong storm with high winds are predicted for tonight.We were pretty tired so we substituted a cold lunch for dinner which was topped off with a cold beer from the trail magic.There are four tents set up here, counting ours.The weather forecast of high winds and heavy rain for tomorrow may change our travel plans, tomorrow we will see.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: NIday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night and we got a late start this morning. We did not get up until 8:30 am and did not start hiking until 10:30. But, the pancakes for breakfast were really good.After a few miles of hiking, the rain let up so we got to take our rain gear off--one of the little pleasures of life, not wearing raingear when hiking.Today, we crossed State Route 42 which is the location where Limestone came off the trail with sore feet in 2005 and ended his thru hike attempt. This is a real milestone and except for a new blister, he is in pretty good shape.Once we reached the top of Sinking Creek Mountain, we were walking along an exposed ridge line for much of the day and it was really cold in the strong winds. We found a spot out of the wind for our lunch stop, but it was still pretty cold so we did not waste too much time eating so we could get out of the wind.After lunch, we ridge got really rocky and we were glad the rain had let up so the rocks were not too slippery.We are tenting at Niday Shelter with Super Chunk, Hot Wheels and Shutter Bug. Everyone else has pushed on to the next shelter.
Date: 2008-05-13
From: NIday Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

We woke up to a sunny, warm day. A real change from yesterday and last night when it was cold, windy and rainy.Hot Wheels and Shutter Bug left before us and Super Chunk after us and we were the only ones at the shelter last night. Limestone made pancakes for breakfast today, 2 dyas in a row and they are much better than hot cereal.We found trail magic at the road, thanks Barnabus. Everyone loves cookies.We climbed up to the Audie Murphy Monument (most decorated US Soldier of WWII) and ate lunch. The monument is a granite engraved block of stone.Along the way, we found cell coverage so we called Bill Stetson who is going to pick us up in Daleville. We are a day behind our plan, but have extra food so it is not a big deal.We saw a lizard on a log, our first rododendrun flower, and a pond full of tadepoles (the bottom of the pond was black with tadpoles). Spring is finally progressing up the mountain side from the valley below. Many of the trees are getting or have their leaves and early blooming flowers are gone. The mountains have changed from a brown to a greenish cast.Tomorrow is a big day, Dragon's Tooth in the AM and McAfee Knob in the PM, plus 17 miles or so.