morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Little Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 25.4

Windy all night and coming across rocky ridges. Cold at 45 plus wind chill. Great weather and pleasant walking through some balds covered by blackberry bushes. Feet pretty good considering the miles. Cooked and ate at HogBack Ridge Shelter and then continued on for a few miles past the Gap. Found a nice camp in the woods on the old AT trail with Poseidon. Lots of new kinds of wildflowers again in farmers fields. Had lunch with the "Old Pros" at Flint Mtn. This is the old Ed Garvey group who have been so instrumental in building and maintaining the AT through this area. Great hiking with Poseidon--compatible miles and pace. Section hikers can't believe the miles we are doing, but the pace is good. Saw 3 red centipedes today. Hungry all the time now that the thru-hiker appetite is kicking in.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Sams Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained during the night and full clouds and mist during the AM. Clouds socked in the views at Big Bald. Border trees on balds, apple mostly, are in bloom. Cold and breezy again on balds. Poseidon is out of white gas so I am heating water for both. Stopped in at No Business Knob shelter for snack and met a bunch of thru-hikers. Three miles later realized I had left my guide and journal. Left pack with Poseidon and went back quick (ended up with these "bonus" miles to make a 30 mile day). Thunderstorm and hail started on the way down to Erwin. A bunch of the hikers were huddled under tarps, etc to shelter from the storm as we passed them on the trail. Picked up my re-supply box at Uncle Johnny's--2 rats/mice had chewed a big hole through the box--still inside and jumped out when I was holding/opening it. Store replaced food as best they could--pretty disgusting turn of events. Got very over-priced, dirty cabin and ordered take out pizza as the storm pounded away all night. The stuff that stories are made of--a tough day in many ways.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Erwin

To: Iron Mtn Gap
Miles today: 21.4

Camped in old apple orchard past Iron Mtn Gap. Steams very swollen leaving Erwin, an unbridged crossing on a log ended up with me stepping off into the creek--no damage done. Trails in the AM were 6-8 inches deep with running water. Tape won't stay on blisters in this wet--painful but no worse at days end. Thunderstorm in PM over Unaka Mtn. Saw a turkey and several day-glo orange salamanders. Had a relaxed breakfast at Curley Maple shelter after a couple hours of walking and dinner early at Cherry Gap shelter with Kelly and Gracie (a pit bull mix dog) who are from Austin TX. They are 30 days out from Springer today. The grey squirrels are the maniacs of the forest, dashing about like frantic crazed ones from spot to spot. Heavy food load and wet pack are a more difficult carry. Feet are a majot concern if it stays this wet. Even the wildflowers are battered looking after all this rain. The 20+ mile days are no problem, except for the blisters. Oh for a few dry days.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Iron Mtn Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Off in the fog at 6:30 AM and walked in fog most of the AM. The orange salamanders were out in force, more than a dozen seen. Stiff climb up Roan High Knob, sunny for the climb but clouding up big time. In the afternoon thunder and rain skirted us, closely at times. In to Overmountain shelter, an old barn converted to a large shelter and the rain, thunder, and lightning really started. Great views from the shelter of the valley and mountains, clouds and mist, wave after wave of rain and thunder. Kelly and Gracie came in to shelter near last light after scares with lightning on the balds. My appetite is ridiculous now, can't get or stay full. Fett are OK if I can keep them dry--which is a bog if. My shoes got ripped by a errant root coming down one of the climbs.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Laurel Fork Camp
Miles today: 22.0

Raining at Overmountain in the morning, cooked breakfast there rather than on the trail. Off at 7:00 AM. Very windy, rainy, cold, and cloudy on Roan Highlands. The long climbs didn't even warm us up--no views. Didn't see any of the cattle and horses (had the sense to stay in the barn in this weather). Sloppy and difficult on the descent. Hiked to first shelter and cooked and ate a second breakfast to warm up--that and gloves got the fingers working again. A grumpy transient posing as a thru-hiker "not hiking in the rain". Saw 2 deer today, big does. Cooked dinner at Mountaineer Shelter at 4:30. Kelly and Gracie got there as we were eating. She saw Junco nest with eggs trailside. Hiked on to Laurel Fork and camped by stream. Saw several very cool falls and cascades today. Laurel were blooming when we left Erwin, not yet ready higher up. Not raining in the afternoon and evening!!
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Laurel Fork Camp

To: Hampton
Miles today: 21.0

Off at 5:55 AM to get an early start so Poseidon can re-supply in Hampton this afternoon. Not quite light enough down in the valley to hike that early. Sky cleared during the night and the temp dropped to just above 30. Saw garter snake, brown vireo, junco nest from trailside with 4 brown speckled eggs, black snake, flaming pink azaleas, mountain laurel in bloom. Saw Laurel Falls, highest on the AT, steep descent to the falls, cool ledge trail by the river, super steep climb up to Pond Flats at 3800 ft. in perfect climbing temps. Two thru-hikers smoking cigs halfway up the climb--very strange. Beautiful day, cool, trails drying quickly, feet healing up even at 20+ miles a day. In to Hampton at 4:45 PM; Sutton Brown very helpful and genuine--an old general store. Shoes shot, self-inflating mattress shot, socks are expendable commodities. Pack is good. Getting the thru-hike stuff dialed in.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Hampton

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

Breakfast at motel, Sutton shuttled at 6:30, on trail at 6:45-very efficient overnight stop. Frost overnight but not cold by Lake Watuga. Took regular trail as high water had subsided from temp. re-route. Windy across dam. Immature grouse ran into trail right by Poseidon, almost attacked him--very strange behavior (another hiker, Red, later reported same thing). Saw another junco nest with 5 eggs-good camoflauge. Met tons of SOBO section hikers today. Very gentle and easy trail, easy miles. Orphaned bear cub reported near the Abington Shelter. Looking forward to a rest day in Damascus. Nice campsite, nice day, nice trail!!
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Got into Damascus, 18.5 miles, by 2:30 PM. Amazing how the prospect of food and rest make the miles fly by--that and the really nice trail and tread. Met a spaced out SOBO hiker with very light gear and BARE FEET!! Damascus is a nice trail town, good miles the last few days, the body is good, even the feet. The job of thru-hiking is well in hand. Bought Event dry bag for sleeping bag, a Neo-Air mattress, and extra socks. The strange thing is the socks don't wear out nearly as quickly with the liquid bandage on the toes. A haircut, good food and lots of ice cream completed the rest day.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Damascus

To: Spring past Buzzard Rock
Miles today: 21.0

Off from Apple Tree B & B at 8:15 AM stuffed with a great breakfast and a loaf of fruit and nut bread (a pound easy) for the day's sustenance. Walked out of town with Red until first climb. Hope he is doing well. Walked near the Virginia Creeper Trail, a multi-use (bikes, horses, hikers) rail to trail conversion, for part of the day. Saw a 6-7 foot black snake on one of the old trestle bridges--impressive. Saw several shed snake skins on trail, also a large downy woodpecker. More hooded monks robe flowers. Much dryer here, watch the water issues--got so used to streams every couple of miles. Nice views from Buzzard Rock and the balds as we near Mt. Rogers. Good to be back on the trail. Should have about 520 miles ofr first month. The spring where we camped was a real gusher ; near a road, lots of cars and gunshots to celebrate?? Memorial Day. Nard to avoid being near road access in Virginia. Met the Mt. Rogers ATC ridgerunner, another former thru-hiker (a SOBO who finished in Jan.!!)
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Spring past Buzzard Rock

To: Camp past Iron Mountain
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Off at 6:15 AM in the Mt. Rogers NRA. Met some SOBO scouts who were trying to remember all the thru-hiker names they met--quite a project. Over the Grayson Highlands with the very aggressive feral ponies. One just about ate part of Poseidon's pack. Big thunderheads but no rain. Skipped side trail to Mt. Rogers because of weather--didn't look like any views anyway. Very nice views thru Grayson, rocky trail was difficult in sections, cool Fat Mans Squeeze thru boulders. Probably met 300-400 day and weekend hikers today. Old Orchard shelter had 30-40 tents around it--crazy. Ate dinner at road past shelter and climbed Iron Mountain. Found a nice camp site off trail at 7;30PM. The hoards of holiday hikers were wild after so few last week.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Camp past Iron Mountain

To: Camp on Brushy Mountain
Miles today: 22.0

Off at 6:15 AM to Partnership Shelter for pizza delivered in the rain. Made the 20 miles by 4:30 and ate on the porch of the Mt Rogers NRA Visitor Center, dry and watching the rain. Walked on for a hour, shelter was crowded--didn't get a shower at the shelter, but the pizza was good. Met Bojangles, Fancypants, and Gozer the Destructor--all NOBO. We didn't time the camp thing very well--we waited until it was raining hard to set-up. Stopped when we finally got set up and ready for sleep. The Sublite Sil is a challenge in a rainy pitch. Since I am not using shelters, I will change out to different Tarptent model, the Rainbow that I used last year while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail. Lots of laurel and azalea blooms today; like the flowers of a prickly pear cactus-delicate and beautiful on a rough base plant. Tons of dead red millipedes dead on the trail today--wonder why--end of life cycle?? More serious thru-hikers met today- doing the miles to get to Maine. Yesterday met a NOBO hiker last located in Georgia-he had spent 3 days plus at Trail Days, 3 days working in Damascus, plus was hiking 10 miles per day less than me--no mention of the several hundred miles of yellow blazing he had to have done--oh well-knew this stuff happened.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Camp on Brushy Mountain

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

To I-81 by 11:00 AM for re-supply and Poseidon's Birthday celebration with his mom and grandmother. Saw a small doe today. The blackberry bushes, apple trees and other shrubs are all in bloom down low. went through dense laurel groves, like being in a dark jungle complete with bogs and floating walkways. Relax Inn near the trail looked awful; we went down the road to a Comfort Inn--shower, laundry, cleaned gear, and 7-8 days food. Forecast is for a week on Thunderstorms--can't wait. Some tiny insect in the leaf litter attacked without notice when I went potty--I have a dozen dime sized welts on my thigh and bottom. Virginia is very humid-like the first week in Georgia.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Atkins, VA

To: Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: broken clouds

Started at 7:45 AM after a good self serve breakfast at Comfort Inn. Lots of climbing today, 6000 ft plus. Saw a garter snake, turtle on trail, and flushed several grouse. Character of trail changed several times today--from dark, laurel steep creek areas with closed in feel, to steep, strenuous climbs up rocky trail, to gentle open grassy ridge lines with a pond and views of the ridge lines we will be walking tomorrow. Started in the rain this morning--met a section hike family that we had seen at Partnership Shelter-going to get off trail because of rain. Only rained a little while. Walked on "scenic easement" through armers fields by cows, thru boggy areas and on puncheon walks. Lost in thought this afternoon about the family at home--plan on going to visit for a few days at the 1/3 point of my thru-hike. After motel breakfast and right after lunch, we passed up the opportunity for trail magic burgers at a pavilion on a country road--take only what you need from the trail--and we didn't have a need. Too bad because Poseidon had been looking forward to trail magic burgers for a week!!
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Chestnut Knob

To: Camp past Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: moderate rain

Started at 6:30AM and made camp in the dusk at 8:45 PM. Light rain overnight, started to rain hard at breakfast on the trail at 8:30 or so. Saw a possum early (a face only a mother could love) and a deer. White laurel, pink laurel, and orange azalea all out but the rain knocks off the flowers. Rained very hard for 2 hours in the afternoon while climbing for 6 miles from Laurel Creek to USFS road 282--hard enough to soak everything. Two section hikers we met said we weren't thru-hiking the"right" way--too fast, too many miles, don't hike in the rain, socialize more, trail days, can't pass up trail magic. Guess they never heard of hike your own hike. Feet are raw again from so many miles in wet and sandy shoes and socks--the liquid bandage will come into use again. Need to rinse socks out on a regular basis. We had great views of fog/mist down below us in the valleys after the storms. Today was thru-hiking work and hard at that. Warm and dry in the tent now.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Camp past Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Off at 6:30 AM. Our camp last night fit 2 tents in the smallest possible view spot just off the trail-worked out fine--forgot to take a pic of what site selection looks like when you NEED a spot at dusk. Took a fall crossing a deadfall log from my sciatic nerve balance issues--distracted by that for part of the day. Saw a tiny copper colored snake and a 1-2 day old fawn "hiding" motionless a foot off the trail--absolutely amazing the instinct control. Saw a bunch of deer (6-7) today--Poseidon's eyes are good for spotting critters. Morning miles go by quick and easy-10 miles by 10:45. Very humid in PM. In to Trents grocery for a quick 100 calorie snack in the afternoon. Just missed a thunderstorm like yesterday but caught the trail water and muck aftermath. Rinsed sand out of socks at Kimberling Creek. Lots of thru-hiker tents at Wapiti, pleasant conversations at dinner, another T-storm started as I am writing this in the tent. Everything wet and mildew and body odor-oh well. The privy had enough spiders that it would give an arachnid-phobic nightmares for a week!!
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Camp at Trail Mile 630
Miles today: 21.0

This morning after leaving Wapiti, we waded through swollen creek crossings in dark laurel jungles. Tunnel of laurel blooms with petals on the trail like a living carpet was spectacular--too much water dripping from the forrest canopy to risk taking the camera out for a picture. Great views from power line cut of New River (one of only rivers in US which flows South to North) and from Angels Rest of valley and pastures and low clouds in valleys. Rain in early afternoon--no chance to dry out tent and bag from torrential rain and condensation spray last night--lightning and thunder crashing overhead so loud couldn't sleep during storm. Hiker came in to shelter where we were having lunch with MP3 player on broadcast--very rude. They started last week of March from Springer. Went in to Pearisburg in afternoon for Hardees and DQ Blizzard--calories very important. Black beatles running around on trail in afternoon in mating frenzy/orgy.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Camp at Trail Mile 630

To: Camp past Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: few clouds

Trail in the morning and after shelter in the evening was "rock torture" especially for my sciatic nerve and balance issues. No trail tread, just jumbled rocks seemingly without end at times. Hard work. Saw 2 deer split by trail spooked in opposite directions in early AM. Another large downy woodpecker flashed in front of us. Tons of ferns, fog, and ridges this AM. Boggy pond for water got my last dry socks. Everyone (tons of thru-hikers) on trail abuzz about the Hiker Feed at the Captain' s (zip line across Dismal Creek). We skipped to have dinner brought by Poseidon's family. Probably had 6000-7000 calories today--just enough. Will only have 3 zero days in 6 weeks this segment--that is pushing it.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Camp past Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Camp past Servers Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 19.0

Got started late this morning-thunder and lightning right above the tents started at 3:00 AM, still raining at 5:20AM--got up an hour later and off at 7:20--latest start of the trip. Rock torture of yesterday stopped almost immediately this morning. Saw 4 deer jus past the first road crossing and several more later in the day. Rinsed out socks and T-shirt and hung on pack to dry (hah-hah)--cut down on the stench. There are multiple colors of azalea (like Indian paintbrush in the West) orange, pink, yellow, red. Gypsy moth catepillers are decimating the tree canopy in some areas. Afternoon walk through pastures and rolling hills very nice. Talked to Areba, Waterboy, Transition, Bon-Bon--all thru-hikers doing decent miles. The Sarver Hollow Shelter is 300 vertical below trail, had dinner and came back up to camp on the broad ridge--except the ridge after the shelter narrowed to almost knife edge. We ended up with a very sloping campsite. Tomorrow is last full day of hiking with Poseidon as he is almost home to Roanaoke.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Camp past Servers Hollow Shelter

To: Stream at 693.8
Miles today: 23.8

Off at 6:10 AM. Slept well in spite of the sloping campsite. Mellow easy, pristine miles in the AM. First climb up to Audie Murphy Monument easy, well graded trails. Opposite of climb to Dragons Tooth in the PM--rocky, difficult, technical and slow. Iron bars bolted into vertical rock slabs on the descent. I need to go very slowly on these sections with my balance issues. Met Cassidy from California at camp. Gypsy moths haven't damaged forrest here. Saw 4 foot black snake and several lizards today--time to watch for rattlers and copperheads. Hot down in low elevations. I just can't get or carry enough food--always hungry.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Stream at 693.8

To: Camp past Hay Rock on Tinker Ridge
Miles today: 21.0

Off at 6:1t AM to VA 311 for breakfast courtesy of Poseidon's mom- 3 breakfast sandwiches and coffee and a sweet home-made coffee cake. Off from road with 2 days of food and borrowed Black Diamond Oneshot tent at 9:30 AM. McAfee's Knob no big deal. But Tinker Cliffs were awesome--my favorite stretch of trail to date. Trail out over and along cliff edge--great views. Saw 6 foot black snake on climb and a deer was on the trail after Tinker just ahead of me for about 5-10 minutes. Had dinner at Lamberts Shelter in afternoon with Weatherguy and Journey; minutes after leaving shelter saw big black bear just off trail--he took off and then stopped and looked back. Great views from Hay Rock of Carven Cove Resevoir. Some rocks on Tinker Ridge spray-painted with graffiti--what a disappointment. Oneshot tent is tiny inside compared to Rainbow, also more complicated to set up.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Camp past Hay Rock on Tinker Ridge

To: Camp at Harveys Knob
Miles today: 20.0

Off at 5:55 AM, down to Daleville for coffee and scones at Mill Mountain Coffee at 7:30. Strange to be in a coffee house with business people in suits on the way to work, me trying not to stink like a thru-hiker!! Saw a doe and young fawn start to run--fawn so young dropped to ground to hide as doe continued on flashing her white tail in alarm. Got in 12 miles by noon. Got water at Fullhardt Shelter rainwater cistern--last of its kind on the AT. Very humid and hot today, thunderheads built up fast in the early PM. Hard rain, but short. Section hikers coming SOBO panicked by the impending rain--trying for the shelter. Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks nice views. Passed the 1/3 mark of the AT today at less than 6 weeks. At 4:45 PM just grabbed a spot on a FS road to set-up the tent as the second thunderstorm of the day hit. Made it and threw everything inside and watched the rain come down.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Camp at Harveys Knob

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 6.0

Off at 6:00 AM to Bearwallow Gap. Stopped at Bobblets Shelter at 7:00 AM to get water and sign register. Shelter full and all asleep so no register. Valleys are completely clouded in after nights rain. Saw a doe at close range (10 feet) today--came around a bend in the trail and she took off like mad. Another big downy woodpecker tearing away at a downed log this AM. Black capped chickadee at Gap--Poseidon there with coffee and doughnuts. Off to visit the family in Arizona, back on trail on Tuesday
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: Petites Gap
Miles today: 25.5

Back on trail after flying home to see family for 5 days. Saw a tree that had been hit by lightning, splintered, smoldering and on fire. Saw 8 or 9 deer, including a spike buck. Poseidon is hiking on with me from his home in Virginia to do a thru-hike. Saw BoJangles several times; he was 55 yesterday. Saw a very pregnant doe from very close up--looking for a place to give birth?? Trying to do 25 miles per day--860 miles in 5 weeks--we will see. My "new" shoes failing in the same flex spot. Vegetatio here is lush and huge. Some ferns and wildflowers are 5-6 feet high. Feet sore today--a few days of not hiking and here we go.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Petites Gap

To: Spring past Rice mountain
Miles today: 24.5

The new goal of 25 miles per day is freaking me out a bit. Getting up really early and hiking latre puts lots of stress on the body and mind. Crossed James River footbridge today-lowest point of the AT so far and the longest hiker only footbridge on the AT. Dinner at Punchbowl Shelter and then on for a bit. A thunderstorm after tents set up for over an hour. So nice to have Rainbow tent again.A 7:30 PM camp is not quite enough time to complete all the camp chores. About a million percent humidity today. Soaked in sweat the entire day. Biting bugs out like crazy today. This will be a challenge.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Spring past Rice mountain

To: Main Top Mtn
Miles today: 25.0

Away at 6:00 AM and straight into breakfast trail magic at Pedlar Road. Cereal, coffee, OJ, pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon--oh so nice. Definitely worth the couple of hours--left a $10 donation. What nice folks. Passed up more trail magic later in the afternoon with Baltimore Jack at Hogcamp Gap. Saw Birdie and Bubbles there. Found 2 deer ticks on my chest this evening--one embedded in quite a ways-yuck-had to dig a small hole with sharp tweezers to get it out. Saw an Eastern Striped Snake, a box turle, and deer. Oceans of ferns today and a huge tree on top of a house sized rock. Better hiking day today but had to force the pace to hit 25. Nice camp on top of the mountain.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Main Top Mtn

To: Spring past BRP 9.6
Miles today: 24.0

Up and away at 5:30 AM. Breakfast at Priest Shelter after a long descent. Met Karjens and Katz, the two kids who started May 5 at a 20 mile pace and no zero days. Thats all the time they have for summer before grad school. Tough day of hiking. Long climbs, rocky, steep, humid, close vegetation--totally soaked most of the day. Trail magic by former thru-hiker, Slick, at road before a tough climb. They thought of everything-fresh fruit, soda, snickers, home-made cookies, sausage muffins on the grill-a tent to keep the rain off while we ate. Beautiful creeks the last few days, like Cripple Creek. Saw deer early, two black bears, and first ripe blackberries in PM. Stopped under big boulder in dry spot to make dinner--lucky that rain stopped by the time we were finished. Great views of the aftermath of rain in the valleys below--clouds and the late sun both below us. 99 miles in 4 days-ouch.