morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Chesnut Knob Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Campsite
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Overcase, warm, steamy, partly sunny day.We got out of the shelter late. With the shelter so crowded, it was impssible to organize to leave at a decent hour. Once out, we ran a rocky ridgeline for about 5 miles. The ridge looked down into a huge bowl, surrounded by mountains on all four sides. This had been the original planned site of Biltmore, the Vanderbilts huge country estate. But the locals wouldn't seel to the Vanderbilts, so Biltmore ended up near Asheville NC instead. Still, it was a beautiful view. We ran into trail magic a couple times. At noon there were cookies in a box left along the trail. Later that afternoon there was a cooler full of gatorade by a campsite. A local church group had left them for hikers, and it was much appreciated. During the hike, we mest some boy scouts from Princeton, WV, who know my cousin Jacob. I passed my hello along to Jacob but did not linger. At this point, my pulled muscle has basically healed, and I am no longer wearing my leg brace. It seems the muscle ralaxant and the anti-inflamatory medication has done the job, which is reassuring. A few days ago it was hurting so bad I had pretty much resigned myself to getting off the trail for a week or more. Glad that is not the case.The plan is to go to Bland tomorrow and resupply.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Laurel Creek Campsite

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Clear, after another massive rainstorm last night. We got up at 6:30, and off at 7:30. Today is a short hike, and we went fast, very fast. By 10:30 we had reached the highway, and within 2 minutes a car had stopped, picked us up, and was taking us to the nearest motel, which was 3 miles off. At the hotel we got a ride from Bubba to Wytheville to do laundry and go to the Walmart. For $15, Bubba took us in his '83 Chevy truck 20 miles along the back roads to the laundry, where he waited until we were done. Back to the motel, had a big salad for supper, and hung out with Moonlight, Goodwill, Matt, and Odin. Odin is getting off the trail to go back to his girlfriend, and will get a ride with Bubba to the bus station in the morning.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Bland, VA

To: VA Highway 606
Miles today: 18.6

Today was a clear, warm, perfect day for hiking. Bubba gave us a ride to the trailhead for $5, but also offered to take us to a church that was advertising a free hiker breakfast. We never did find the church (Bubba it seems isn't too much on churches), but we got a nice 45 minute ride around the countryside in a deathtrap of a truck. The countryside was beautiful, but I was relieved to be out of the truck and walking again.Today we just piled on the miles. We went at a steady pace. About half-way through the day the local hiking club that maintains the trail changed (the trail is maintained by volunteers, with about 20 organized clubs assuming responsibilty for sections). Anyhow, the Roanoake trail club assumed responsiblity for the new section, and they did an absolutely terrible job of getting the topography correct on the official maps. This doesn't sound like much, but when you're hiking and you come across a 1,000 ft incline that the official map tells you does not exist, it releases significant pent-up anger. I spent signnificant portions of my day thinking of truly cruel punishments.We crossed a great suspension bridge, got to the highway, and walked a half hour to a gast station/restraunt that turned out to have closed early. We camped out behind the gas station, and got to bed early. The gas station had a shower behind it, which was the dirtiest shower I've ever used, but the water was clean and it was good to wash off.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: VA Highway 606

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: mist

Today was sunny, war, and clear, with no breeze. Summer's coming.Had a quick breakfast at Trent's Gas Station/Grocery Store. There was a very thick fog that morning, and Moonlight and I needed to dry our tents and sleeping bags out, so we took our time packing up. Didn't get off until after 10:00, and then had to walk more than 1/2 mile to get back on the trail.The morning was an easy walk, but it went slow. Not sure why; it was just one of those days. After a couple hours we started following the Dismal Creek, which was a large creek that was running full because of the rains. Moonlight and I took our boots off and just stood in the cold water for about 20 minutes -- true pleasure comes in just such small events.It was 2:00 before we got to the next shelter, which was only 8 miles out. Still, 8 miles in four hours is not bad. Relaxed, talked to a few other hikers, and headed out a little before 3:00. Unfortunately, there was a huge up, one that took my breath away. It seems like I should be getting used to these ups, but a mountain that is 1,200 feet up still wipes me out. At the top of the mountain we ran the ridge for a while, hopping from rock to rock to rock. Not hard, but it wears the feet out. It was getting late, but we had a destination -- the Woods Hole Hostel.Wood's Hole Hostel is a 19th Century chesnut log cabin, originally built by settlers a hundred and fifty years ago. I was largely abandoned when, in 1940, it was rediscovered by a young graduate student writing a master's thesis on the grazing patterns of the local elk population. Some time later this fella bought the place when it became available, and then in the 1980s turned it into a hiker hostel. The hostel is now run by his granddaughter and her fiance, Neville and Michael, and they offer an extraordinary experience. It's over a half mile off the trail, but well worth the experience. We got to Wood's Hole around 6:30, and sat down to a full dinner at 7:30, having showered and set up my sleeping bag in the bunkhouse. Hamburgers, home-made buns, fresh salad, ice cream....it was all good. Slept very well that night, very well indeed.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Sunny and warm in the morning, but afternoon showers got everything wet.We had a big breakfast at the hostel, eating eggs, pancakes, sausage, and orange juice and coffee. Very civilized. It was Moonlight's idea to ask the hostel proprietor Michael if he would ferry our backpacks to the town of Pearisburg. He agreed and told us where he would leave our packs, and we left at 9:15, slackpacking for the first time, carrying only water and an afternoon snack. The day went fast, with little of note other than a bunch of deer and a 6 1/2 ft. blacksnake that didn't feel like sharing the trail. We got into Pearisburg at 2:30 having done over 10 miles in a short day. I poked my head into a local insurance company to ask directions, and the gentleman offered to give moonlight and I a ride to get our packs, then to take us to the local hostel behind the Catholic Church. What a great fella! We were able to go to the library and get a half-hour on the computer -- not enough to post my journal entries, but enough to answer e-mails.We had dinner with Kel, a woman from Austin TX who is hiking with her dog. We ate at a totally forgettable Chinese all you can eat. Not particularly worth mentioning.There are some strange kids at the hostel that I am not looking forward to dealing with tonight.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

Massive ranistorm came in soon after noon.Just once comment about the group at the hostel last night. I am convinced, and I believe the Supreme Court (including Justice Ginsburg) would back me up on this, that capital punishment should be reinstated for twenty-something people who lack the mental and emotional maturity of a junior high school juvenile deliquent. Oh, computer boy from Troutdale jouned the group last night.Departing Pearisburg as soon as we spent another half hour in the library, we immediately came into contact with a huge mountain. The rain began in the early afternoon, and it didn't stop. A heavy fog set in. This was one of those deeply penetrating rains that wasn't going to stop anytime soon, so we halted when we made it to the first shelter, less than seven miles out. We were joined by Cosimo from Boston and Classic Rock from Tennessee. Pleasant company, good conversation, but everying that everyone had was damp. The rain did not stop all night.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

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

A clear, warm day, almost bordering on summertime hot.Given that we went to sleep so ealry last night, Moonlight and I were up early, at 6:00, and out by 6:30. But everything is damp. There's nothing like the experience of putting on damp clothes in the morning, clothes that haven't been washed in a week. The rain has gotten into my pack, my boots, my sleeping bag... just everything. But the sun is up and it's time to move on.We made great time in the a.m. doing nine miles by 11:30. We got to an outcropping called Wind Rock, a promintory that stands out on top of a mountain. Great views. In midafternoon we were close to the 2nd shelter when we walked into a group of 6 Chinese women who were confused and lost. They were looking for a side trail to a promintory where they could get great views of the valley. But they'd overshot their target and gone a mile too far. We helped get them back on track and wished them well, but we were almost out of water and didn't have much to offer other than encouragement. However, they would be home that evening so they wern't in any danger.At the Laurel Creek shelter, we decided to keep on going to the next shelter. This wopuld make for a 21 mile day. At first it seemed like a good decision, walking through meadows with great scenery. But, as always, there is a huge mountain to climb, and this one came at the tail end of our longest day yet. I wasn't sure I could get up, and it took all my energy not to simply lay down on the trail and quit moving. But once on the top, we quickly recovered and moved rapidly toward the shelter. It was a bit disappointing that we had to get off the trail and go down the mountain 300 feet to get to the shelter, but water was there and were were completely out by that point. The shelter itself was nice, modern, and spacious. At the shelter was McGuyvor (a NASA scientist from Huntsville AL) and his dog Oakie, and a father and son team on a three-day hike named Mingo and Mango from Colorado.   It was a long day, and turns out we pushed too far. We were too tired to sleep, and too tired to eat -- neither of which are good signs. Oh well, at least it's not raining.
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Cloudy and overcast morning, with light rain early. Clearing in the afternoon. We were up late, still tired from the previous day. Didn't get off until about 8:20, with a 300 ft climb just to get to the beginning of the trail. The trail this morming consisted of jumping from boulder to bolder, which is tough on old bones. That notwithstanding, we got to the next shelter at 11:30. I should point out the importance of the shelter system. The shelters are spaced out every 5 to 10 miles, and generally are 3 sided affairs with an elevated floor to provide some protection from the elements (but not the mice). Almost all shelters have access to water within a few hundred yards, and rarely more than a half mile. Water is the driver, as a hiker can drink and sweat out a half dozen quarts of water in a day. Moonlight and I have been trying to make a point of eating lunch at shelters, and sleeping in or tenting near shelters when we can. That way, we can drink a lot of water in the evening, and then drink a quart of water before starting the day's walk. If it weren't for the shelters, very few people could walk the AT.The afternoon went slow. Not hard, but very tiring. I'm getting cranky and feeling ill, signes that we've been pushed too hard, too fast. Both Moonlight and I are physically spent, and it's beginning to dawn on me that this hike may be too much for me. On top of a mountain this afternoon we visited the Audie Murphy Memorial. Audie Murphy was the 120 pount, 16 year old who quit high school to join the army in WWII. He went on to become the most highly decorated soldier of WWII, fighting in North Aftica, Italy, and France and winning the Medal of Honor, three Purple Hearts, and a score of other decorations. After the war he starred in movies, mostly westerns, and then become an active supporter of the Drug Enforcement Agency. When flying into Roanoke VA for a DEA event, the plane plowed into a mountain about 20 miles north of Roanoke, killing all on board. The local VFW put up a memorial where the plane went down. The memorial was surrounded by small gifts left nearby, and small rock piles. It was very touching.Another long difficult up in the late afternoon, followed by a half-mile hike to the shelter and water. We had the shelter to ourselves. The end of a long day.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 12.4

Clear, warm morning, highs in the upper 80s.Last night was a nasty night where I was attacked all night by small bugs. My arms and neck are badly bitten and I itch terribly. With the bugs and the lack of sleep, we were up early and out by 6:30. We quickly went up, reaching the Dragon's Tooth around noon. The morning was a hike along a precipice, with sharp-edged rocks on either side. Most of the time, we were jumping from rock to rock. Difficult, but not impossible.We went through a huge meadow and walked among poneys for a while. There were a couple houses that were absolutely beautiful, and the valley before Catawba was fabulous. Seemed like a great place for a vacation home. Following the meadow, there was another mountain. It wasn't too big, but as tired as I've become, it almost broke me. It's clear that I've got to take a couple days off to try and recover. We finally got to Catawba, a very small village with a post office and a old-style general store. I was able to get to the post office in time to pick up a repair kit that my pack manufacturer had sent me. Moonlight was also to have gotten a package at the post office, but his sleeping pad manufacturer sent the replacement pad via UPS, and the post office does not accept UPS deliveries (they don't do favors for the competition, for obvious reasons). We ended up staying the night on the floor of a small room behind the general store. No shower, no water, but it is clean and has electricity. In the room was McGuyvor and his dog, Classic Rock, Cosimo, and a new guy that just walked in, Fishstick. Stayed up late talking, and I made arrangements to get a ride to the town of Daleville tomorrow. I need to sleep in a real bed and hope to recover a bit. I'm worried about how the head and exhaustion affected me today. In the afternoon I couldn't hold water down, which seems to be a sign of heat exhaustion. My hope is a couple days off will cure this.The folks at the Catawba general store were fabulous, and we had a good pizza and drank a lot of coke. Catawba is famous for having perhaps the best restraunt on the entire AT, the Homeplace. The Homeplace serves meals family style, with fried chicken, roast beef, and bar-b-que. But they are only open Thursday through Sunday, and coming into town on Monday we obviously missed it. Oh well, tomorrow a real meal and a bed.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Catawba

To: Daleville/Troutdale
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Could move no further, have gotten a ride to Daleville, 20 miles up the road, from a trail angel named Homer, who thru-hiked with his wife and young son and daughter a few years ago. I have previously hiked most of this section before, including Macafees Knob and the Tinker Cliffs. But will have to return at a later date to actually hike this section.Taking a couple days off to rest and recover. Sleeping late, eating, playing with the motel computer, eating, watching tv, and eating. Did I mention eating?
Date: 2009-06-10
To: Troutdale/Daleville VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I had decided to quit the trail, as physically and mentally I am completely exhausted. The rain, the constant physical exertion, and the whole nomadic thing has really gotten to me. Hikers talk about VA being a long green tunnel, and I've found that to be the case, but it's also a long green, wet, rocky tunnel. After a day of rest, however, I've decided to give it one more try, a serious effort to keep the whole thing in perspective. Will see how things work out.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Daleville, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I seem to have been doing a lot of whinning of late; for that I apologize. Yes, I've been beaten down a bit, but that happens to everyone. The fact is that this has been a wonderful experience, and even the unfortunate parts have been interesting and enlightening. My plan is to leave Daleville tomorrow morning, and see how I feel. I expect to keep on going unless I my physical condition does not permit me to do so. Wit a couple days rest, I am still sore and tired, but generally feeling much better. It's amazing what an all you can eat breakfast bar can do for one's morale.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 20.2

Off on the trail again this morning. Moonlight and I made the decision to hike with only daypacks, less than half the weight of our normal packs. We only carry food, lots of water, rain gear, and basic necessities, and we've paid the local outfitter to taxi our tents, sleeping bag and pad, most of our clothes, and extra clothes and other materials to our agreed destination. We're both still worn out and this is the easiest way to keep going without breaking down. Some hikers frown upon the parctice of "slackpacking", but I've concluded that there is no rule in the offical Appalachian Trail Rulebook that says you have to be miserable and have to do more than you are physically able to do. Slackpacking was a very good decision. This morning, at breakfast at the Comfort Inn in Troutdale, we talked to another hiker named Wingard. Wingard is a retired Marine from Alabama who had broken his foot early in his hike, and now, after getting back on, has his wife driving support for him. Wife Doris agreed to take us to the trailhead after dropping Winguard off (there wasn't enought room in the car for all of us. Anyhow, she dropped us off and we were on the trail by 7:30 a.m. I'm hoping for a distinct improvement in mental attitude, or I intend to get ofrf the trail at the next major city. I'm feeling better, the the mental part is still not where it should be, in part I suppose because of the constant rain. Moonlight and I caught up with Wingard after a couple miles, and the three of us started hiking at the same pace. Good decision. The addition of Wingard changes the chemistry of our hike. Moonlight has heard all my storied a holf-dozen times in the last ten weeks, and vice versa. Now we get to repeat our same stories to a new audience, and we get to hear Wingard's reminiscences about the Marinces, Vietnam, and life in Tuscalosa AL. The day moved quickly and by 7:00 we had completed 20 miles. The road crossing was where we were to get our full packs, and where Doris was to pick up Wingard. We got there, and there was Doris. She had a cold beer for each of us. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but it was outstanding. Doris seemed to be happy that her husband had hiked with others, becuase it can be a bit dangerous at times, and hiking alone is probably not the safest option. Anyhow, Wingard agreed that we could hike together tomorrow, again carrying light bags. Great idea to which we readily agreed. They they drove off to a motel while Moonligth and I waited for our packs, which arrived on time as promised. The driver also brought us each a coke, and refused payment. So "trail magic" twice that evening. Outstanding!After we got our gear, we moved about 30 yards into the woods and camped. It was wet, hot, and very buggy, but I'd knocked off a 20 mile day.Not
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Early morning light rain, with no breeze. Very muggy. Cleared up later in the afternoon.Wingard and Doris arrived by 8:00 a.m., Doris took most of Moonlight and my gear, and we were off by 8:20. We moved slowly -- the weather seemed to demand it. Lots of ups that took a lot out of me. I'm still thinking of quitting, but continue to hang in there at least for the time being. I wish there was somthing interesting to comment about the day, but the truth is that we just trudged along, mostly out of breath, grunting and making barely comprehensible conversation as we went uphill again and again and again. At the end of the 15 mile day, we were near a shelter that is directly adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. A quick quarter mile walk and there was the parkway,and there was Doris, with a beer for each of us as we gathered her husband for the night. Again, we agreed to hike together tomorrow. Frankly, this is my salvation, as a 35-40 lb pack has become a nightmare. At the shelter, there were a group of boy scouts from New Bern NC getting their merit badge in backpacking. There were also a group of three female thru-hikers who came in late. Mossy Brown and Haiku are from Harrisburg PA, and a third hiker whose name I don't remember is getting ready to go finish her RN degree. You may remember that near the Tennesse-VA border, there was an orphaned bear cub that had been following hikers. One of the ladies had pictures of the bear as it was eating powdered milk, and curling up to sleep on a backpack. She and the other hikers weren't able to keep the bear there until forest service personnel could reach it, however, and no one knows what happened to it. It was so small, however, and too young to be able to eat solid food, so its prospects were not good. The pictures, however, were adoreable. The ladies also brought recently-snapped photos of a 5 ft rattlesnake, coiled in the center of the path. They had met a few hundred yards before the shelter. Sleeping in the shelter was a mistake. It was bug-ridden, and a mouse kept scurrying around looking for food. A lousy night's sleep was had by all.