morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Campsite

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Of Thursday 5/8. Miles 18.4. Title: VA Rocks! From campsite to Old Orchard Shelter.Another milestone today upon reaching the shelter, 500.1 miles from Springer Mt., GA. Another 44 miles and 25% behind us. Wow.I titled this journal "VA Rocks!". I don't mean rocks as being "cool". I mean rocks as in stones. Forty-fifty miles out of Damascus, seemed like the trail was mostly a stoney way. Every step (well, not quite) was covered with rocks and roots. I know, quit complaining.The last two days hiking passed through some noteable areas. First, Buzzard Rock and Whitetop mountain. I did this area on my 20 miler. From Buzzard Rock (5,100'), the views were spectacular. Arriving late in the long day, I got some sunset shots. Whitetop Mt., (the second highest peak in VA at 5,520') offered similar panoramas.A bit farther north is Mount Rogers, the highest VA peak at 5,729'. The trail doesn't go over it (thank goodness) but passes it by 1/2 mile. There is a trail to the summit but there are no views and I wasn't interested in another mile hike just to be there so I passed by. An area called "The High Country" or crest zone, follows. These are mountain top meadows which the Forest Service keeps open by grazing cattle (watch your step!) and controlled burning. Its truly beautiful.In addition to the cattle, there is a heard of free roaming ponies. People often treat them with a snack. They're not wild but they shouldn't be handled, so they say. There was a red mare right on the AT as I hiked. It moved towards me and I was ready with a six pack of crackers and was able to hand feed her one by one. I got a couple pictues of her. There was a black male (so I think) a couple hundred yards away who whinnied loudly as I hand fed his girl friend, I suppose. He didn't move, just ler his presence be known. This was a pretty cool experience. I also passed through Grayson Highlands State Park, a huge recreational area.For the end of the day, storm clouds moved in and for the last mile, I bounded down a rocky path to the shelter. It began sprinkling as soon as I got there. The shelter was packed. I put my tent up (in a hurry, Larry) and was warm and dry for the night. The rain let up enough before dark to cook. I met a group of 6 ladies who were out for a couple days. They packed in some little bottles of chardonay. I was offer some and graciosly accepted. It was a real treat.Rained for most of the night. I was warm and dry in my trusty tent and sleeping bag. More later.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday 5/9. Miles today 14.2. Title: Cheeseburger for lunch. From Old Orchard Shelter to Trimpi Shelter.Normal day with one exception. The trail crosses a few yards from a busy highway that led to a hostel, and Jerry's Restaurant and store, 2.5 mile away. Jerry's has a reputation for great burgers. Lunchtime was at hand so I hitched a ride to the restaurant for a delux burger and a tall glass or two of sweet tea. Needless to say how good it was.The older gentleman who picked me up had just lost his wife to a sudden illness 3 weeks previous. Sad. He was doing fine, he said, with local family and friends as his support His name is Curtis Hall. Then a lady gave a ride back to the trail. She has owned the restaurant before selling it to Jerry a year ago. She was a youth leader at her church.So I took a mid day two-hour lunch break. Got back on the trail to the Trimpi Shelter in good time. Another full shelter but room enough for me. It was still warm and sunny so I was able to hang and dry out my tent from packing it wet this morning.I'm two days ahead of plan with these long days on the trail. I plan on a half day off at the Relax Inn in Atkins on Sunday and a zero day or two a week later in Pearisburg.Virginia is almost 25% of the entire Appalacian Trail at roughly 535 miles, ending through the Shenandoah National Park. They say hikers get the "Virginia Blues" as it takes like well over 35 days, not counting zeros, to hike. More later.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Saturday 5/10. Miles hiked 17.7. Title: Looking forward to tomorrow. From Trimpi Shelter to Chatfield Shelter today.Not much going on today, chilly but a good day to walk. Hiked alone as usual. As I hiked north, I passed a number of hikers southbound for Damacus and the "Trail Days" festival next weekend. I'm hoping Trail Days will make the shelters less crowded as hikers get off the trail for the festival, and return after a few days off.There is another shelter called Partnership 10 miles north of Trimpi. There is a phone and highway very close and pizza orders to the shelter are popular. I passed by Partnership to do another 7 miles to Chatfield. This put me only 4.5 miles out from Adkins, VA and a half+ day off. After 4 days and nights on the trail, a motel (Relax Inn) and clean-up is top of mind. There will be a lot of hikers there enjoying a real bed and cold refreshment.More later.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Adkins (Relax Inn)
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday 5/11. miles 4.5. Title: Adkins VA. From Chatfield Shelter to Adkins (Relax Inn).Today was a short and pleasant down hill hike to the Relax Inn, a hugely popular hiker stop right off the trail. The trail ran through open pastures with magnificent views of farms and grazing cattle. As I approached Atkins, I ran into a number of folks from the local AT maintenance club. They were carrying all sorts of ground tools up the trail to trim away current ground growth that could potentially block the trail now and down the road as the growth increases with warmer temps. They said they were bringing mowers in later in the week. Some of the grasses were already higher than my knees. These folks of all adult ages are volunteers as are all the members of many clubs along the entire AT dedicated to keeping the trail passable.I'm at a local low end motel called the Relax Inn. There is a convenient store and family restaurant next door so every thing needed for an overnight right here. There are probably 15 rooms and many filled with hikers tonight.I arrived about 10:30 to overcast skies. An hour later, a thunder storm roared through for a short time. It was sunny for a couple hours but rainy and windy the rest of the day. More hikers came in having been on the trail as the earlier storm went through.The Weather Channel has constant coverage of the many tornadoes in the country the last couple days. As they show the US map, there is still a lot of severe weather over this part of VA and tomorrows forecast calls for a high of only 54*, rain, and wind. One does have to walk in the rain to get to Maine but I may just take a day off tomorrow to wait this one out. I had to do this back in Irwin, TN with freezing temps and snow in the mountains. Tuesday's forecast is much improved but the remainder of the week has moderate percentages of rain in the forecast. Will get back on the trail Tuesday and deal with the weather. In the meantime, I'm very happy to be here and relaxing at the Relax Inn.More later.
Date: 2008-05-12
To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Yesterday's forecast for today was right on with cold (high 54*, rain, and high winds. Most hikers from last night are taking a weather zero day and chillin'. I know I'll have to hike in rain at times but cold and high winds don't make a pleasant day on the trail. I woke up early and stuck my head out the door to the cold and rain. Went back to bed. I'll get an early start tomorrow for a planned 14 mile. I might do more depending as the following day is a planned 19 miles so I may incease the 14 a couple to balance out the days.I've been sitting at the "Barn" restaurant for a couple hours reading the paper and updating my journals after a great pancake breakfast. A hiking friend, Blaze, who I shared Chatfield shelter with yesterday, just came in for lunch. He's ready to hike after lunch. So he'll be venturing into the weather. He's a mover and averages 2.5 mph. He hopes to make the 14 miles to the next shelter by 6:00, certainly do-able for him. I don't do nearly that pace but do get 2 mph I think, sometimes better depending on the trail. Of course climbing lessens that average.I'll be getting an early start tomorrow and should do well with the rest from yesterday and today. Weather is better for the rest of the week.Have been able to get cell signals so up to date with journal entries. Marc, Mary, and Steve... Joey and Tricia... good to talk with you all yesterday. Back to some TNT channel movies and a nap. More later....Still havin' fun. Think I'll take a nap
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Relax Inn

To: campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday 5/13. Miles today 17.1. From Relax Inn to a great campsite. Title: The Perfect Setting.My tent is up. The night is now dark and a little cool. The moon is about 3/4 full and casting shadows from the trees. The stars are bright in a cloudless and empty sky. I'm sitting on a log and have a small fire burning. The campsite is next to a babbling mountain stream and foot bridge, and it is just the scene you would imagine for a campsite. I don't think it can get much better than this. I at least hope this night will repeat itself often. Wish you were all here to enjoy the night (and no rain in the forecast).I got an early start out of Adkins and within a half hour knew I had over dressed as it got sweaty and hot. Had to stop and remove long sleeve shirt and jacket and take off the zippered lower legs of my pants. Then, being unprepared for the immediate heat, I had to dig in my pack for a T-shirt. All this slowed my start but a lesson learned for preparedness.Hiking out of Atkins was like hiking in, with high grass and beautiful rolling pastures and farms and cattle grazing but no crops. The trail was mostly dry in spite of the rain and storms the past two days. Hikers told me the shelters were packed with hikers staying out of the elements the last two nights. I'm again glad I took the day off yesterday though it set me back a day but still ahead by a day and on plan.Todays hike was a planned 13.9 and tomorrows was a planned 19.1 with good chance of rain later in the day. So I bumped up today treck by 3.2 miles for 17.1 (to this beautiful spot) and therefore reducing tomorrow's goal to 15.9 to a place called Jenkins Shelter. Will again get an early start but this time with a short sleve shirt on, and a fleece top for just a short while I'm sure.Today's hike had its usual challenges but was at least minimal with the rocks I've complained about. Have three real short steeps and a long 3 mile gradual climb of 1,000' tomorrow. This is all in the first 5 miles and the rest of the day should move along with little difficulty. In fact, looking at the elevation map, the next 25 miles after tomorrow look pretty sweet. Should be to able get some good miles in moving to Pearisburg,VA if the weather isn't bad. With me tonight are Noel and Don from MA. Both are 67, great shape and section hiking to Pearisburg. They are sleeping under the stars (no tent) tonight. I'll have to try that some night..... uhhh, maybe not.Worthy of note, today's hike puts Springer Mountain, GA, the southern end of the AT, at 553.5 miles behind me (25% finished). I never think of what is left to do. I set short term goals, usually where I resupply.Also, today is day #43 of the hike, the start of my 7th week. Still enjoying the challenge. I listen to my ipod (thanks Andrew) to sometimes help the miles pass.Hope to sleep well tonight.More later.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: campsite

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday 5/14. Miles today 16.1. From campsite to Jenkins Shelter. Title: Harder than expected.I'm glad we knocked out those three extra miles yesterday vs. trying for a 19 miler today as we'd have never made it. Today's hike was much tougher than expected with seemily endless climbing and lots of large rock negotiating. I hiked with Don and Noel. Their plan is similar to mine the next couple days.Met some new hikers here at the shelter. Chris and Dave, about 50 yrs old, are hiking pals from Asheville, doing a section hike. Before dinner, I usually have a decaf. They had a shot of scotch. No, they didn't share. So I had, and enjoyed very much, my coffee. Then Peepers and Pixie, from Michigan, came in. Nice young couple. Then last was Chad from Columbus, trail name CC Rider. I know Chad from the Outdoor Source outfitter store in town, Kingsdale Center. I knew he had planned to thru-hike but hadn't seen him until today. He's hooking up with the store owner, Andy, later this week and going to Trails Days in Damascus over the weekend. There will be a ton of people at Trail Days.
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Thursday 5/15. Miles today: 14. From Jenkins Shelter to Helvey Mill Shelter. Title: Good Day.Good day on the trail. Seems back & forth on tough and not so tough. Short day at 14 miles but between a rock and a hard place on moving on, so settling in for tonight at 3:00. Sixteen or 17 miles per day seems like a good pace for me but a lot depends on the condition of the trail, and climbs/decents.More tomorrow, a 17 miler to campground and C-store as shelters are not always spaced apart to suit my hike. My food bag is almost empty (as planned) so pack weight is at a minimum as is always the case before resupply Have to do 16 tomorrow to get to Trent's camping. They have a campsite (no bunks) with shower, C-store with sandwiches, and some trail food to purchase, enough for a light couple days into Pearisburg. I will get an early start, hope to arrive by 5:00 and have time for setting up my tent and cleaning up.Had some trail magic today. After a road crossing, came across a camping area with picnic tables etc. and a large dirty white styrofoam cooler loaded with ice and Tropicana apple and orange juices, and vitamin water, labled for hikers to enjoy. It was placed by a local Methodist church that I think owned the camp site. I enjoyed an apple juice (got a forehead freeze) and took an OJ with me to enjoy later. I packed out the empty of course. Then, tonight in the shelter, Bag Lady came in. She thru-hiked last year. Anyway, she just hiked in from a local area parking lot in Bland, VA, she said she just wanted to hike! She brought in her Subway. She also brought in a bag of oatmeal cookies and a large bag of seedless (and cold) green grapes for anyone who might be in the shelter. God bless her, I devoured a huge stemful of fat, cold, and juicy grapes, the best grapes in the whole wide world tonight. Thanks very much Bag Lady.Crossed over I-77 today between Bland and Bastian,VA. I'v been to Bastian to play golf at Wolf Creek Golf course a few time on the way to annual trip to NC golfing. Anyway, a small bridge crosses the interstate for hikers and local traffic. It was nice and sunny and I must have stood there for 10-15 minutes waving at traffic. Got a lot of wave-backs and and a few good car honks and blasts from truckers. It seemed the more enthusiastically I waved, the more responses I got. I had fun.Then, after crossing this same bridge, I met 4 guys, day hikers. Three were from Ohio and one has a son in Hilliard (west of Columbus). We talked a bit about water up ahead, not much. One guy, trail name Pole Climber, promised to leave me a gallon jug of water at a road crossing ahead on the trail. Sure enough, there it was with my name on it a message that read "Go Bucks". Thanks Pole Climber, it was very refreshing and I left some behind for a couple guys I knew were behind me. Rained most of the night but stopped at first light, same thing happened last yesterday. Started sprinkling about 3:00, off and on, then constant after dark. OK with me. It isn't very cold at night so it is comfortable and warm in the shelter and sleeping bag.More later.
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Helvey Mill Shelter

To: Trent's C-store and Campground
Miles today: 16.3

Friday 5/16. Miles today 16.3. Title: Oh my achin' back! From Helvey Mill Shelter to Trent's C-store and Campground.Over the last few days, I've been dealing with a sore muscle in my back behind my left rib cage. It hasn't bothered me much but today was painful and sore, especially later in the day. I'm taking ibuprofin. I hope I can deal with it the next day-and-a-half (16 and an 8 milers) into Pearisburg where I can give it some serious rest during a couple planned zero days.Today, I hiked to VA highway 606 and then another .4 to Trent's Grocery (C-store) and campground, a place where hikers will sometimes spend the night tenting. There is a $7.00 fee and free shower and laundry. The store is OK but the camping area is an absolute dump with trash piled up and a dozen or so valueless campers parked and in need of a lot of repair. However, there is a bath house with a shower, toilet, and washer/dryer that works (but dirty). I'm not stepping foot in the shower (what's another day after 4 without) but will certainly use the other facilities. At least I will have clean clothes on and have a bathroom. This evening is like the last two: windy, sprinkling, completely overcast, and a bit cold as this weather front is taking its time passing through this area. I'm bundled up with cold weather clothing and will be comfortable and hopefully sleep well. Nearly dark and I'm the only hiker here. Will go to bed earlier than usual.There is a convenienly located picnic table near my tent but its too cold to use it. I actually boiled my water (and charged my phone and ipod) in the laundry room, nice and warm in there, out of the wind. I'm having Mt House freeze dried lasagna tonight. These freeze dried dinners are really quite good. Haven't had one yet I haven't very much enjoyed. For dessert, I had a Little Debbie lemon pie, just loaded with high fructose corn syrup and a shot of palm oil. I would seriously never eat this sort of thing off the trail but I need to replace the high amont of calories I burn daily. For breakfast tomorrow, a "b-a-n-a-n-a-s" (for Tricia), and a Little Debbie Honey Bun. Coffee from the C-store, yum, sounds good now. Will try to bum a ride back to the trail.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Trent's C-store and Campground

To: Docs Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday 5/17. Miles today 16.1. From Trent's Campground to Docs Knob Shelter. Title: Over 600 miles.Only a few sprinkles and a quiet night at the campground but packed up a wet tent. I got a ham and cheese hoagie sandwich for lunch there (packed itwith me) and a coffee, and bummed a ride the .4 mile back to the trail with a young man dressed in camoflage and driving a pick-up. He had a dead wild turkey in the bed. He had stopped at Trent's to register the kill. Hegot the bird like an hour earlier in an open field with 22 rifle with a bi-pod stand on the front to steady the aim. He said the bi-pod really helps with the kill shots, and then he gobbled! Not really. Nice kid. I thanked him for the ride and was walkin' again in a cool, damp morning. I discovered the reason for the back-ache yesterday. Seems a couple of shoulder straps has slipped loose a bit and the pack ended up lopsided and away from my shoulders. I saw my reflection in the store window and noticed the gap between the bag and shoulders. Took care of it with a minor adjustment.Well, I just couldn't wait until lunch time with this big sandwich riding in my pack. Stopped early and wolfed it down while I dried out my tent in the warm and comforting sun.Today's 16.1 miles put me over the 600 miles from Springer Mountain, GA mark. We're gainin' on it!Tomorrow's hike is only 8.2 into Pearisburg,VA and a planned day or two off
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Docs Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

Short hiking day today, 8.2 miles only, a very steep downhill off a mountain top into Pearisburg, VA. Stayed at the world's worst motel, won't bother with the gory detail, trust me, very bad.So just resting my back and a sore toe (from the downhill) and taking it easy with some libation and good food.Tuesday evening, I'm hooking up with a new friend, Dale from Western Ky., to hike together for 4-5 days toward Catawba, which is very close to Roanoke. We have an agressive schedule of 19-20 miles per day and I may have to back that off as some serious and steep climbs may make the day's plan a real challenge. Looking forward to some company on the trail with Dale. Five day forecast looks good. More later.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: few clouds

Wednesday 5/21. Miles today 19.1. Title: New Friend, Dale. From Pearisburg to Pine Swamp Shelter.Hooked up for a few days of hiking with a new friend, Dale. He's from Grand Rivers, KY, near Paducah. We had this hike planned since day one only wasn't sure when. As it worked out, our hike originated out of Pearisburg, an easy place for Dale to get to, and right on the trail. We had dinner last night (all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet) and planned an early start for 7:30. Hiking was tough again in these VA mountains with still a lot of large rocks and steep climbs. We put in a long day and stayed at Pine Swamp Shelter. This shelter was missing the roof from a fallen tree but there was still enough cover that allowed us both to be under a makeshift roof. Materials were close by for the future rebuild. Dale is my age and we are very compatible as hiking partners. He's an experienced hiker and in good shape. 19.1 miles is a very long day for us older folks. Tomorrow's hike plan is a mile less but has a very, very steep climb late in the day. More tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Thursday 5/22. Miles today 18.4. Title: Another rough hike. From Pine Swamp Shelter to Laurel Creek Shelter.Hiking days don't seem to be getting any easier. Beautiful scenery from the mountain tops but getting up there (and down) is no fun. Guess the positive side is stronger legs and every step is northbound.Another nice shelter tonight with a good flowing stream near by, and a privy. Met two lady hikers there, Red Sun, a thru-hiker my age, and Stitches (she snores), thru-hiked 8 years ago and just doing some sections now. So just a routine night with an early start in the morning planned. It gets light just before 6:00. Dale will be leaving the trail tomorrow.More tomorrow.