morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Curley Maple Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Hostel
Miles today: 19.1

I had learned my lesson last week about too much foodweight. When I hit Erwin earlier in the week, I stillhad about 5 pounds of left over food. I deciced not tocarry too much and not to ever carry 5 days of foodagain. So after looking at the map I saw that I couldhike to the Greasy Creek Hostel and resupply and sincethe weather report was for more of that blasted rain,it seemed even more logical to spend the night thereas well. The day was to be a 19.1 mile day. I made itto about 17 miles before the rain appeared. And forthe last two miles it made it for being gone all day.I was drenched by the time I got to the hostel. It isrun by two very nice people. Their trailnames wereC.C. and Packrat. C.C. loved to cook. I got a greatdinner of chicken breast, baked potato, kale and acustom made salad. I also got a hot shower and my wetclothes washed. I was quite pleased with my decisionto stay here. Clay
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Greasy Creek Hostel

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

I got up at the hostel, bought a days worth of foodand got on the trail by about 9:00 a.m. It was cloudy allday long. I didn't have much energy at all. I had along climb today over Roan Mountain and I think it wasplaying on my mind. I summitted about 2:00 pm and hourlater than I had planned. After that the trail wasconsiderably easier. The view on roan mountain wasworthless, but at I continued on I climbed a couplebalds, that had much nicer views, even though there wasstill a lot of overcast clouds. And of course that meansrain, and it finally arrived again today for my last 2hours. And again by the time I arrived at mydestination I was drenched. Unfortunelty, tonight therewill be no wash and dry. Hoepfully my clothes willdrip dry enough for me to stand putting them on in themorning. The shelter tonight is an old converted barn.Dusty but large. The view of he valley is nice, I willattach a picture. Well it has been a long day. I amgoing to bed now.Clay
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 8.7

The night in the barn was uneventful. Sort of drafty,but I stayed warm enough in my bag. Now getting up inthe morning was a different story. Temps in the mid40's and a strong wind made it difficult to get out ofmy bag. My hiking clothes were not anywhere near dryenough, so I hiked in my long underwear and my rainpants. I ate a couple of pop tarts and hit he trail by9:00 a.m. My destination was first to get to Hwy 19, 8.7miles. The trip was shrouded in fog most of themorning. I went over a couple nice mountain tops thatlooked like there would be nice views but not today.My feet were wet so I developed a couple blisters onthe tops of my toes. By the time I got to the highwayI decided I needed to get my things dried before couldgo any further. I went to Mountain Harbor Hostel. thenicest hostel I have been in yet. I met 3 sectionhikers, Faded Blue, Snail Darter from Nashville andLucky Dog from Florida. They had finished a hikeheaded South. We went to dinner / lunch, then back tothe hostel to rest and clean up. Of course theforecast calls for more rain starting in the afternoontomorrow. I guess I will try to get in as many milesas I can and hopefully get to the shelter 18 milesdown the trail before the rain begins. We will see howthat goes. Clay
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Mountain Harbour II
Miles today: 0.0

My night in the loft was mostly restful. Since thebunk house is actually the converted upstairs portionof a barn, not everything is level and square. So a lotof the night I was sliding off my bed because thefloor was slanted. But I finally was able to fall asleep. The bunk house was full and we all got up in th morningto...RAIN. That waas discouraging, but we had awonderful home cooked meal to look forward to. TheHostel owners Terry and Mary Hill provide a completebreakfast. Eggs, bacon, orange juice, pancakes,biscuits, etc... It was definitley worth getting upfor. So after the filling breakfast and reviewingthe weather forecast I along with a few other hikers decidedthat 100% chance of rain high of 45 degrees and steady15 mile per hour wind was a near dangerouscombination. So it was back to the bunk house for a dayof reading, lounging, playing with the fire in thewood burning stove, resting and eating. By about11:00 a.m., other wet hikers came in off the trail. Weeventully got a group of us together to go to thelocal diner. That was an experience for sure. All I cansay is people are different everywhere! So other thanthe diner the day was uneventful. I hated to takeanother zero day, but I surely couldn't handle anothercold rainy day. I will make up hte miles later. I amstill on a good pace to make Maine long before theseason deadline.Clay
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Mountain Harbour II

To: Moreland Gap
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

I am getting lazy. It is easier to set up my bag in ashelter rather than set up my tent. We have a fullshelter tonight, most of the same guys that were atthe hostel. It is chilly tonight. Maybe a low of lower40s. Today the trail was very good. Few toe grabbersand ankle snappers. Made the mileage fairly easily.Parts of the trail still had muddy spots, so my bootsdid get wet again. Tommorrow is going to be goodweather again. It may be a short day. I have toresupply. Since I did a zero day already this week, Ireally want to make up some miles if I can, especiallyif the trail and weather remains fairly good as it wastoday. It is getting dark. Time for bed. Moretomorrow.Clay
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Moreland Gap

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I was happy to wake up to no rain this morning. It wasjust a bit chilly, but not too bad. I got off to agood start and made good time. By 11:00 am I arrived atthe road. I knew I had a couple of packages waitingfor me at a hostel just down the road. One was a fooddrop I had mailed t myself, and the other was a carepackage from my sister. When I walked the shortdistance to the hostel I found no one around. My planwas to jst get my packages and continue on. Now withno one there it looked like I may not make any moremiles for the day. I needed the food in order tocontinue. Luckily around 2:30 p.m. someone showed up thatcould locate and give me my packages. I quickly loadedand got back on the trail. I had over 10 more miles togo to my planned destination. The route for oneafternoon was a difficlt one. I travelled a steep descent downto a view of a waterfall then steepely out of thegorge. It was a very rocky terrain, that slowed me downconsiderably. With the combination of the 2 packages Ireceived I was overloaded again. That added to strain.By the time I arrived at the shelter it was 7:00 pm. Iwas dead tired. I ate a couple nutty bars tne just wentto bed.Clay
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: scattered clouds

My shelter mates had the plan to do a 21 mile day. Iwasn't sure I had it in me today. I comitted to a 13.6day at a minimum and then would decide when I get tothe shelter if I would continue. One of the fellowhikers I had been traveling with the past couple ofdays was a guy named "Ball Pahk" (notice the droppedR) he was from Maine. He had done the trail in 2002.He said the terrain we were to go over was called theTennessee Turnpike because the trail was easy intoDamascus. I arrived at the 13.8 mile shelter at 2:30 p.m.The fiist half of the day had been as ususal,difficult. However, the last couple hours had been mucheasier. Fewer ups and downs and less rocky terrain. Sowith that in mind and because the 13.8 sselter wasvery buggy I decided to go on. I did 21.2 miles. Mylongest so far. I was tired but glad I had made thedecision to go on. The ususal rain was in theforecast. In fact we had expected it all day, but itheld off until just after I arrived at the shelter at5:30 p.m. Tried to sleep, but even with ear plugs, rainon a tin roof can be very loud. More rain expectedtomorrow.Clay
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

I awoke early, knowing I had 18+ miles to do today,and rain was iminent. I got on the trail by 7:30 andmade it to a lunch spot shelter at 10:45. I did about8 miles by 10:45 AM. Then the front came through, coldand windy rain appeared. I put on my rain gear andcontinued on. The good terrain had continued so Istill made good time even in the rain. by 2:30 Iarrived in Damascus, Virginia. My fiist time in thisstate. The rain had stopped, but it was cloudy aadcold. I arranged to share a room with Mike from PA ata bed & breakfast. We got a good price compared toother B&B's in the area. It was nice. We had dinnerwith fellow hikers and got our laundry done. My feetwere tiied & sore from many miles and rain. I need tosee what I could do to resolve my feet problems in themorning.Clay
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Damascus, VA

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

Today was a zero day. Had a nice rest at the Bed &Breakfast last night. Today was spent doing the usualtown duties. I got my laundry done last night, sotoday I found a new place to stay since I did not havereservations for the bed & breakfast again. I went othe outfitter stores a couple times just to lookaround. I bought one new shirt for the trail, andretired the burnt orange one I had been using. Washingit no longer had any effect on the odor eminating fromit. I caught up on trail joural entries, my eating,and resting, as well. Damascus is a very nice littletown. Lots of homey bed & breakfasts, antique shops,and churchs. The town caters to hikers, as theApalachian Trail goes right through the middle of thetown. Also bicycling is very popular here. There is apopular biker trail called the Virgina Creeper trailtha passes through the town as well. It was an oldrailroad right of way so it is flat and even a littledown hill into town. On the weekend there are lots offamilies being shuttled up the trail so they can coastor pedal back into town. I bet the area is very popular aad pretty to visit inthe fall time. Overall is was a nice relaxing day.Clay
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Damascus, VA 

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

Saturday was more of the same for most of the day.Mike from PA and I slackpacked 6 miles today. Slackpacking is simplydoing a day hike with very little in your pack. Just alitle food and water. Mike had new boots and I had newinsoles in my boots. We wanted to do a short hike totest things out. It went well. We easily did 3 milesan hour or better with near empty packs.For the evening we had a little cookout at the hostel.Nice enjoyable day.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Mike and I planned another slackpack day today, but at9:00 AM. Just as we were to get on the shuttle van, thelighting and thunder came on strong, and we decided topass. We were going to do 18 miles, but instead he andI sat around and watched movies at the hostel. Itrained on & off all day. Sometimes we thought we madethe riggt decision, sometimes when he sun came out itlooked like we were dumb. But wet is wet and I didn'twant to be wet again. So another zero day.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Demascus, VA IV

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Finally a breakout from Damascus! I, Mike from PA,Turtle, and BallPahk made a plan to go North and hikeback into Damascus for trail days. So we got a shuttleabout 25 road miles to a spot on the trail and plannedto hike 63 or so miles in 4 days. Al went well for theday. Very boring hiking. No views all day. The onlyinteresting thing is after we had set up at theshelter, had a fire in the fireplace, and werebeginning to eat dinner, this young man walks into theshelter area. We could tell right away this guy wasnot a hiker. He had no pack, was carrying only acotton type coat. He wore jeans, tennis shoes and asweatshirt. On his belt was a fairly large fixed bladeknife. And he looked like he had been climbing dowchimneys. He was black from head to toe. His name wasDaniel Waters, from somewhere in South Carolina. Hewas quiet. We barely understood him when he asked ifhe could by a piece of bread. We all gave him avariety of candy bars, beef jerky and other snacks. Heretired to the loft of the shelter. We each tried toquiz him about where he was headed, did he need help,etc... Al his answers were vague. He mumbled most ofthe time. We each finally got the feeling that sincewe had given he food and were concered about him thathopefully he wouldn't attack us in the night. Isuppose he really was harmless. Just a guy doww on hisluck. He got up and left just before sunrise. We neversaw him aagain.Clay
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I finally realized I could not continue to ignore myfoot pain. It had now gradually gotten worse over thepast weeks. Early on my feet would hurt at the end ofthe day, but feel fine by morning time. Now it hadbegun to hurt in the morning times as well. Thebottoms of my feet hurt as well as my ankles. Ibelieve it was mostly due to my light weight hikingboots had just worn out. The sole of my boot was nolonger stiff and rigid, resulting in lots of movementof my ankle in the boot.So I told my traveling partners I was getting off atthe next road crossing to search out a new pair ofboots and that I would meet them in Damascus when theyarrived on Thursday. I got to the road crossing andfound a ride fairly easily First ride was from a guyfrom Texas. He was driving the country roads to find ahiking trail for him aad his big dog. I sat in theback seat of this little car and kept pushing this mutaway from me. He wanted to sit in my lap aad look outthe window. Luckily the ride wasn't very long. He tookme to an intersection. I got out thanked him and wentin the general store. I eventually arranged for rideback to Damascus by a local guy who happened to beshuttling other hikers back to the trailhead in thatdirection. The ride was about 30 minutes. He was anice old fellow who told me about the mountains andthe history. I enjoyed the visit.I got the the hostel I had stayed at earlier in theweek, The Hiker In. I explained why I was back and theowner, Suzanne Bullard told me to take her car and goto a town 63 miles away and shop for boots. I wassurprised but jumped at the chance. Driving a car after6 weeks off was different but I adapted quicklyenough. I hit a couple stores and found some newhearvier duty boots. I worry about the breaking in but Iknow I cannot continue with the boots I have. I returnto Damascus and a quiet evening.Clay
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Back to Damascus

To: Damascus, VA 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Another day in town. Stuck here waiting for trail daysto start tomorrow. I want to see some of the gearvendors and outfitters tha will be displaying. That isabout all I can wait for. There are various moviesand discussions going on I would attend if I hadn'talready spent so much time and money here. I plan onhitting the vendors booths Friday then getting back tothe trail.Clay
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Damascus, VA 

To: Damascus, VA 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Still another unproductive day in town. I did watchthe eating contest, and go to the free home cookedmeal feed provided by a local church. The eatingcontest was entertaining. 3 minutes to see who can eatthe most hot dogs. And another contest to see who caneat an entire sheet cake first. I will post some picsfor review. Nothing else of interest. I am gettingancy hanging around here!
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Demascus, VA VII

To: Demascus, VA VIII
Miles today: 10.2

Finally I escaped! I did the trade show first thingthis morning. I bought a summer sleeping bag and thatwas it. I mailed my bounce box, ate some lunch andarranged a shuttle back to oe trail. I got startedabout 1:45 and made it to Lost Mountain shelter. Inthe first 30 minutes of walking I came across thisyoung girl sitting on the side of the trail. She hadher head down and didn't see me until I was right upon her. I sort of startled her. As soon as she lookedup I could see she was distressed. She immedialteyasked me if I had seen a black & brown hound dog whileI had been walking. I said no but I had seen a dogmatching that description at the little outdoor cafe Iate at 45 minutes ago. In fact the mut tried to takemy sandwich. I told her it was about 6 miles back intown. She was surprised but happily got up, thanked meand started to walk down the trail to the parkingarea. I hope she found her dog. I continued on my waywith no other excitment. Part of the time the trail followed the VirginaCreeper bicycle trail and Laurel Creek. It was nicescenary and I think I would enjoy coming back here andpedaling that bike trail. I made it to my shelter about 5:00 met two othersection hikers already there, and two others arrivedlater. And even one thru hiker showed up also fed upwith Trail Days. He said that down at Tent City (thefree tenting area for the festival) there was a bandplaying until 4:30 in the morning! Man am I glad Ileft. My new boots will definitely go through a break inperiod, but I think in the long run I will be betteroff. I will let you know how it gogs.Clay
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Demascus, VA VIII

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Overnight it rained. I was very glad I was in ashelter. I hate tenting in the rain. And I was very very glad I was not still in Damascus. I couldenvision a thousaad people all tenting in the rain.Mud, loud band playing, lots of drunks aad stoners.Probably was a mini Wodstock. I waited until 7:45 AM for the rain to stop, thenstarted my day. I headed north and did not see anothernorthbound hiker all day. I was swallowed in fog allday. At times it was pretty thick. In one particularpart of the trail that goes through an open field thereare posts in the ground with the white blazes paintedon them. In this particular field the trail is barelynoticable on the ground so yoo must rely on the blazemarkers to follow the trail. The markers are about 40yards apart. Initially I had to stand at one andsearch the horizon to see the next one. It eventullybecame neccasary to walk away from the post I couldsee, but not so far away that I would loose sight ofit, then I would look hard to see the next blaze. Thewind was howling, and it had to have been about 45degrees before considering wind chill. If I were tohave lost the trail it would have been a longdangerous afternoon sitting on the ground out in theopen waiting for the fog to lift. I made it out of the open area after about 45 minutesof this search and walk procedure. The trail wasflowing with last nights rain water so much of my daywas trudging through or around puddles or smallstreams. Happily my new boots stayed dry. There hasbeen some break in areas, but none more than to beexpected. I am trying various lacing techniques to seewhich works best.Around 2:45 the fog finally lifted and just before thebest part of the day. I entered the Grayson Highlands.It is aa area of open land with many rockoutcroppings. The elevation is about 4400 feet sothere are not many trees or any size. It is really acontract from the forested area I have mainly beentraveling in. I think if I were goind to produce awestern movie, this would be the place I would choose.I just looks like the way the west was before settlersarrived. Ading to the view are the Grayson HIghland Ponies.These are wild horses that were placed here many yearsago to graze the grasses. They roam free and have nofear or interest in hikers. Unless they think you aregoing to feed them, then you will have themsurrounding you. It was nice to watch them and take afew pictures.After completing that section of today's trail I madeit to my shelter for the night. I thought I would haveit to myself tonight until about 7:00 pm when one thruhiker arrived. His name was Longhorn. From Delaware,but went to school at U.T.! He had also had his fill oftrail days and got a shuttle out of town. We brieflychatted but were both asleep by 9:00.Clay
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Wise Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Finally a good weather day! Longhorn got up early andhit the trail. He planned on a 30 mile day today. Mejust a little over half that, so again for the 3rd dayI travelled alone. I enjoy it. I get to think. Againtoday I had open field trail to do, but today it wasclear, just windy. More beautiful country. Due to my jumping off trail last week I had to do someskipping around. After I had one my 16.1 miles I got aride by road up to Partnership shelter which is whereI started from last Monday. If Longhorn does his 30miles today he will show up where I am right now. Hewill have done 30 I will have done 16.1! But now I have finally gotten back on track and willbe headed North exclusively now. Yipee!Clay
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Crawfish Valley
Miles today: 17.8

First time in my tent in 3 weeks. Really is nice. Lotsof space all to myself. Just takes a little time toset up and take down. Today was very nice weather, andnow two days in a row. The terrain was not too toughtoday. The rhodenedrun trees are begining to bloom.The flowers ar lavender. Also there are wild azaleausare blooming too. Most have been white blooms, butsome have been lavendar also. Many more fragrances areavident too. Honeysuckel aad other fragrences I am notfamilar with. And to the other extreem when I wentover Iron & Pine Mountains yesterday there are stilltrees that have yet to fully bloom out. And I read anentry in shelter journal at Thomas Knob Shelter onMount Rogers that they woke up o 1/2 inch of snow onthe ground there last week! Glad I missed that. I hopeto trasition to my summer sleeping bag in the nexttwo weeks. Less weight and should be more comfortable.My winter bag is just too hot and makes me roast allnight most nights. Guess I will turn in for the night.Clay
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Crawfish Valley

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

A restless night as my air matress sprung a leak.About every hour I had to blow it up again. But the daystarted off sunny if not a bit chilly down in th shadyvalley where I camped. I hit he trail about 7:10AM notreal sure as to my destination. According to the trailguide there are few places for water along thisstretch of trail so I will just make a point to keepan adequate supply on me at the end of the day as Itravel and determine where I will stop for the night.My first task for the day is to fix my air mattress.After a couple of hours into the days walk a came tothe North Fork of the Holston River. Really not muchof a river, more like a stream. It was shallow enoughand the flow was slow enough so I took my boots offand put on my rubber camp sandals, waded into the verycold water with my air mattress and found the leak. Apin hole size one on the underside. I marked it withtape, let the air out and got back on the trail. Therest of the day was quiet. I travelled alone againtoday. I know there is a large goup travelling infront of me, and not very many close behind me. Around 3:30 I reached Chestnut Ridge. The views werevery nice. I soon arrived at Chestnut Knob Shelter anddecided I was done for the day. There had been anumber of climbs today and I was tired. There were twoother hikers here, but they intended to move on. Sotoniggt I have the entire shelter to myself. I fixedmy mattress, cooked my dinner, hung my tent and sweatyclothes to dry, took some pics, went for water andeven took a nap. Now after I finish my journalling Iwill brush my teeth aad go to bed. I think I will getup in the night time and find a spot to lay on theground and look at the stars. The sky will be clear,and there is no artifical light around. Should be ahighpoint in my journey. I will report tomorrow.Godnight.Clay