morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

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

Once again we woke up a little late, but were actually delayed by the guys from Greensboro, NC making us pancakes. THANK YOU! THANKYOU! THANK YOU! Found out that Patches had stayed here and the rest had moved on.Patches saw the cat, named Peanut by the way, catch a mouse last night. I think all shelters should have cats for this very reason.Finally hiking around noon, none of us could get motivated. And, to top it all off, we only saw one pony in Grayson Highlands State Park. We did get a juice and a banana thanks to Bugs and the cooler of trail magic left on top of the hill. Thanks, Bugs!We stopped at the Wise shelter for lunch and a game of Spades. Dirt and I taught Novocain and Nightrider how to play yesterday, and we warned them that it can be addictive.Hiking again by 4p.m.-ish and we made the Old Orchard shelter around 6:45p.m. Along the way, one of my trekking poles lost its wrist strap and I am still having a hard time fixing it.They decided to push on to Hurricane Shelter, but I decided to stay here. I felt great and could have easily done the extra 4 miles but I would have slowed them up. My headlamp is fine for around camp but terrible for night hiking. They tend to move a little faster than me, so I didn¢t want them to have to wait. I¢ll just get up and moving early tomorrow and do the 24 miles to Partnership shelter instead of the 19 they¢ll be doing to there.It¢s been a great experience so far and just seems to get better. Almost forgot to mention we ran into Hatteras and Rest Stop today. They are past thru-hikers just out reminiscing in Grayson.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: broken clouds

Great hiking day! Took an alternate route on VA road 741 from Fox Creek to Comer Falls. Found an old graveyard in an old pasture. The falls were ok. Made the shelter and everyone was already ordering pizza. If all shelters were like this, we¢d never get to Maine!
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Groseclose, VA
Miles today: 11.6

Hiking by 9:30 after a look around the Mount Rogers Information Center. With severe thunderstorms on the horizon and some sorting out to do, I opted for a room at the Relax Inn. Had a burger at the Barn Restaurant, pretty good one at that. Wasn¢t able to do laundry, the motel was using all the washers and dryers! Gonna try to catch up with the gang tomorrow. No zero days from here to Waynesboro, unless it's for injury or illness or family. Getting close to the 25% mark.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Groseclose, VA

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 2.7

Sometimes motivation is hard to come by out here. Especially when the weather is dreary and you find out your ¢group¢ is getting off the trail for a couple of days. This could be a good thing as I really need to hike my hike and not someone else¢s. Only they said they¢ll get back on in Bland, not Atkins, putting them right back on my pace. But, they¢ll miss Burkes Garden except for Dirt. He is getting on where he left off. On to Chestnut Knob tomorrow.
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

I really got mad at myself today! I did the first 3.5 miles from the shelter to Crawfish Valley in just over an hour. Then, after getting water, flew 3 miles up the trail, in the wrong direction! I ran into Lone Wolf (not The Lone Wolf though) and he finally convinced me I was heading south on the trail. So, I really did 17.8 miles today, but only get to count 11.8. How stupid!Finally saw my first deer on the trail today. Also took a picture of a salamander. Not sure if that is what it is or not¢may be an alien. I made the shelter around 4:30 p.m., and was going to push on but decided to dry my sleeping bag out here rather than sleep in it wet tonight. Good choice since it is supposed to be in the mid 30s tonight. So, on to Burkes Garden and Jenkins Shelter, then a quick in and out in Bland on Saturday. Passed the 25% mark today¢where were the balloons and confetti?
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkin's Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Burkes Garden A.K.A. ¢Gods Thumbprint¢Burkes Garden was definitely the highlight view of the day. After walking through acres of blackberry bushes on Chestnut Knob, the first thing in view is the shelter. On heading to the shelter, though, an opening in the trees to the north draws attention, and I don¢t know what to do first. Finally, I quickly drop my pack in the shelter, grab my camera and head back out the door.The best way to describe the valley is a pastoral ant farm. From 2500 feet above, everything is still. Patches of green, fertile farmland and pasture, dotted with silos, houses, ponds and cattle--a microcosm of rural America. An occasional truck can be seen moving along the road. How did it get there? There is no visible road leading in from any direction as the valley is surrounded on all sides by mountains.Walking along the eastern rim, my impression doesn¢t change, only the clarity of once faint details. Now I see a stream cutting down from just below my feet, and an airfield, probably for crop dusters. Barns and other building look like doghouses from this high.Unobstructed views are few and far between. When I do find a sharp rock outcropping and climb to the top, the clouds take on the role of a passive tour guide. Like going to a new city and finding a local to follow around, the clouds highlight areas once cast in shadow. The distant farms remain a backdrop, though, being around 20 miles away.Finally, the trail drops down to a road, Aha! I¢ve found their secret entrance! But the price for the discovery is to not gaze into the valley again. The trail drops away and to the east, back into more familiar surroundings.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Jenkin's Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

¢Bonus¢ miles suck! And, I¢ve been getting too many lately. I made the road crossing at I-77 easy, but then walked into Bastion, VA when I thought I was going to Bland. Then all the way back up and then across I-77 and down the road ¢til I realized it was still wrong!There was only one other way to go and off I went. It was a hard hitch until some guys in a Jeep pull up and Sandman is in the back! So, a quick in and out and I got a ride back to the trail by Del Schechterly. Thanks, Del!Nearly 6 extra miles, but made the shelter by 5:30 p.m. I bought hot dogs, chili and buns to surprise everyone. It worked. So, we built a fire and had great hot dogs! My biggest problem right now is dehydration. Two days in a row now. There¢s not a log of water around the trail in this section, so I¢ve got to start carrying more. I might try 24.1 tomorrow. We¢ll see. My ankles have been bothering me for the last few days. I think I need new insoles.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Jenkin's Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Good hiking weather. Good views, but foot is hurting.Well, ankle (right) won today and I was stopped at the shelter by 1:30 p.m. Not sure if it¢s the insoles, over-use injury or what. I will be in Pearisburg by Tuesday, no matter what. After that, I¢ll see. There's an outfitter in Pearisburg so I¢ll get my insoles, maybe new boots. This really sucks! Good day, otherwise.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Wapiti Shleter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

Wow! My foot is really killing me. I left the shelter around 9:30 a.m. and didn¢t make the next shelter until 3:00 p.m. 5.5 hours for 8.4 miles is not my personal best. I stopped once to try taping it up and had to tear it off. Thunderstorms rolling through tonight. I hope the hammock stays dry.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The good news is, I stayed dry last night. I woke up to a cool, cloudy morning. Floyd, the SOBO, was still at the shelter but out by 8:15. I was on my way by 8:45. With my foot still hurting, I limped all the way to Pearisburg by 12:30-ish.I stopped by the Rendezvous Motel, mainly to see if they were taking hikers there. The owner/manager gave me a ride to Pizza Hut and pointed me in the direction of the hospital. After having lunch, I hobbled over to the post office to get my bounce ¢box¢. Not only is the map of town in the ¢Companion¢ not to scale, it¢s also inaccurate.I looked around for the laundromat but to no avail. So then I began my journey out to the hostel. It is really out there, from downtown, that is. The only place it is close to is Wal-Mart and that¢s about it. The library is close to nothing, but the Rendezvous is only close to the trail.Once at the hostel, I peeled my boot and sock off my right foot. Finally a little swelling. That almost, almost, assures me it¢s a stress fracture in the top of my foot. So now, what to do? While pondering my dilemma, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of things and get my pics loaded on to CDs.Two things I picked up are going back. First is the fleece blanket to replace my sleeping bag. It¢s still a little heavy and it¢s white, so it¢ll show dirt quickly. Second is an ankle brace. It¢s not going to work the way I want it to. I did find some Spanco insoles there that will work at least for a little while. There was a mishap with my pictures so we had to send them again. For the trouble, the guy only charged me for one disk.Back at the hostel, Goliath, Fast Track and I watched ¢Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory¢ and then off to bed. They are hiking out in the morning. I, on the other hand, think I¢ve decided to rest my foot for a couple of days to see if that is enough to let me start hiking again. I certainly hope so. Oh, now at roughly 28.6% complete.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Pearisburg, va

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

Well, the foot still hurts but I'm hiking out tommorrow. Stress fractures seldom go away quickly. I thought staying off it would work. Well, not hiking at least. It¢s hard to stay off a foot for any amount of time. The next 3 weeks will tell if the trip will continue. Meeting dad on the 21st to hike the Shenandoahs, we'll see I guess! Sorry for the quick/short updates. There's a lot more to get on here but hard to do in just one hour. So, Mom will actually get entries put in when she gets them in the mail. Heading for just the first shelter tonight and then who knows after that, somewhere north of here.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

First day after letting my ankle rest. Not too bad, but still sore. I didn¢t leave town until about 2:45 p.m . The hike was less than spectacular: basically just a perimeter tour of a big factory. Made the shelter before 7p and the fog was rolling in. Set up camp and in bed by 8p. Might zero here tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to wet everything! The fog soaked through my sleeping bag. After the fog lifted, I hung my sleeping bag up and it dripped for 30 minutes straight. Turned out to be a nice day, though, and I zeroed and soaked up the sun a bit.Boulder showed up and we talked for a while then rambled around camp doing our own things. Around dark, I got a decent fire going to cut the chill in the air. Off to bed around 9:30 after some Virginia Tech students showed up and set up camp near the shelter. Tomorrow will give a good idea if my hike is over or not. Cross my fingers and say a prayer.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Foot felt pretty good until the rock today. Left the shelter about 1045a, stopped for water, then on up the trail. Made the shelter shortly after 5p. Walk-a-bout, Caboose, and I played spades after dinner until 930p. Trying to make Catawba, VA by Sunday. Normally, that wouldn¢t be a problem, only 53.4 miles, but we¢ll see.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Campsite, VA

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiking by 830a. The day got cooler and I was hiking in my fleece from VA601 to Va42. Stopped at Laurel Creek for lunch, then a quick 2.4 miles to VA42. Easiest hitch yet! Second car picked me up and made the 8+ miles to Newport, VA in no time for a short resupply. On the way back out, just before 6p, the very first car picked me up. Thank you Mrs. Jane Johnson! We had a nice chat and in addition to finding out she works for VA Tech, she has family in Hampton, on Big Bethel Rd and Patrician Dr., no less! What a small world.Made the shelter a little after 8p and only two weekenders here. Thinking I was the only one crazy enough to hike .4 miles straight down to the shelter, I was surprised when 6 more showed up right behind me. We talked about the strange rock piles up on the ridge and the old house back before VA42. Everyone¢s convinced the house was ¢Blair Witchy¢, especially with all the black handprints, and that the rock piles are zombie nests.Foot is a little sore today, but I still should make Catawba by Sunday. I won¢t make Waynesboro by the 21st though, so I need to figure out a place to meet dad.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Tinker Cliffs
Miles today: 37.8

I took my time breaking camp this morning. Ended up meeting Chaser and In Between: ¢98 hikers out for a day hike. They gave me a ride into town and dropped me back off at the trail head¢thanks guys! I spent about an hour on McAfee Knob and then headed down to the shelter.I don¢t think I¢ve ever seen so many Boy Scouts in one place, ever. The were all tenting so there was room, but the thought of staying around 20+ kinds wasn¢t appealing. So, I headed down the trail a half mile or so to set up camp. Then, once ready to make dinner, my back-up lighter broke (my primary lighter ran out of fuel two days ago). So I decided to do a little night hiking solo.The moon was behind the clouds most of the time and I had to use my headlamp. All was going well until I lost the trail and headed down an old road a 14 mile before I decided it was the wrong way and turned around. Just before Tinker Cliffs, I found a decent spot to set up camp and I crawled into my hammock just as the moon broke out of the clouds.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Tinker Cliffs

To: Troutville, VA
Miles today: 10.5

The view from Tinker Cliffs this morning was great! Fog filled the valleys and the rain had stopped. Stopped at the shelter for a break and put my rain gear away. Once hiking again, I noticed dark clouds forming and turned on my radio to get a weather update. Sure enough, the whole area was under a severe thunderstorm warning. Not 10 minutes after putting the rain gear back on, the bottom fell out. It rained, hailed and thundered for the next three hours. By the time it stopped, I was soaked inside and out. I was convinced I would never make it to town, but I finally did around 4:30. Got checked in, showered and dried out, then headed to dinner. Didn¢t see any other hikers in town, but there were one or two that I knew were here¢just relaxing, I guess.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Troutville, Va
Miles today: 0.0

Hey all! I'm in Troutville; got here yesterday and taking a zero. My foot is still sore but I plan on pushing onward. I talked to dad and he is planning on coming out on the 22nd/23rd(of May). Thinking about going to Trail Days now that he's not coming out the weekend. Mom said she'd get the updates I sent here put in in the next couple of days and that will get the journal through to Pearisburg. Been hiking with some great folks lately. Caboose and Walk-a-bout, Holly, D-Rock and I night hiked a couple a days ago across Wind Rock. Caboose and Walk-a-bout are great card players. We even waited out the rain a few days ago and played Euchre(sp?) in the shelter. Met In Between and Chaser (class of `98) at the Sarver Hollow Shelter a couple of days ago. They gave me a ride into Catawba and back to the trail. Thank ya'll!!!!
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Troutville, VA

To: Fulhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hit the outfitter first thing. Somehow I had broken a tip on one of my trekking poles. Seemed a little steep for new tips, but what was I going to do? He also traded out my one-liter Platypus bladder that was leaking.It was a fairly easy hike and I was set up by 4p. The water source is a cistern that collects rainwater from the roof. We thought it was dry so Conductor walked down the trail to a spring that wasn¢t there. Once he came back, I took another trail down the side of the mountain to try and find water. After going about a 14 mile, I hear my name being yelled from the top. They got water.Once back to the top, I found that we had not turned the handle on the cistern properly. This was pointed out to us by a day-hiker who looked awfully familiar. Turned out to be Scarecrow that I met last year at Cherry Gap shelter. He stayed and talked with us for a couple of hours and convinced me to go to Trail Days. So, I¢m going to meet him at the road crossing at Buchanan on Friday night and he¢ll drop me back off by Sunday afternoon.Dad¢s probably not meeting me until the following week now, a conflict with vacation schedules. That should give me some time to figure out if I am staying on the trail or not.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Fulhardt Knob Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Amazing how the trail can go up, over and down three whole mountains in such a short distance. Not a hard hike, just amazing. Walk-a-bout and Caboose showed up and are meeting their ride to Trail Days at the same road crossing I am. Shortly thereafter, Parkay showed up and ditto on the schedule. Only wildlife today was a deer bounding off the trail into the woods. And, maybe us when we stared playing cards. Another short one tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Boblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Easy walk again today and first encounter with the Blue Ridge Parkway. At first I wasn¢t thrilled with all the crossings, but once there, the views are a nice change from the ¢green tunnel¢ we¢re hiking, now that it¢s full-on spring. Another easy day tomorrow, then, Trail Days!
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Boblets Gap Shelter

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 3.2

Long day waiting at the shelter. Scarecrow wasn¢t meeting me until 9p, so I built a fire, mostly to waste time. Finally left the shelter around 4p and was at the road crossing by 530p. Shortly after arriving, Scarecrow showed up early and we were on the road to his parents¢ house in Christiansburg. Great people! I had a shower as soon as I got there and they did my laundry. It came out smelling like a hiker had never worn it! Dinner was excellent, with homemade bread. After dinner, Scarecrow and I went to pick up Short and Sweet Cheeks, two other ¢05¢ers.Once we got back, we all sat up talking and eating dessert until wee hours of the morning. Off to bed for a couple of hours sleep, early day tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Trail Days

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

It¢s great to see people you haven¢t seen in a long time! I can see how Trail Days will mean even more in future years. Getting together with people you share a struggle with; and the triumphs. I¢ll keep this short except to say Baloo was there and might be moving to Boulder in the fall for N.O.L.S. Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Trail Days

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We made our rounds, said our goodbyes and were on the road by 11a. When we got back to Scarecrow¢s parents¢ house, lunch was waiting on us. We rehashed the events of Trail Days and talked about the trail, then said our farewells and headed back to the trail.It had been a big weekend, so the hike up to the shelter seemed like it took forever. Thinking I was going to be the only one there, I built a fire, to ward off things that go bump in the night, but, right at dark, Shenanigans showed up. I filled him in on Trail Days since he didn¢t go and we talked well into the night. Big miles tomorrow. Vacation is over!
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Long day today. I kept pushing to make the road crossing early so I¢d have time to make it back to the trail and make the shelter before dark. Took a while to get a hitch, but made it to the store and phone by 5:30. I talked to dad and he¢s coming out Memorial Day for a few days. Mom and Dave might meet me in Harper¢s Ferry. The boots are about to fall apart, but I won¢t be able to pick up my new ones until Tuesday. We¢ll see how tomorrow goes.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

I should have eaten dinner last night. The very first climb today did me in from no energy. It took me all day (10a-5p) to get to the shelter. But I¢m glad I¢m staying here. I don¢t write a lot about shelter locations, but this one is worth mentioning. It¢s situated next to a small pond that is teeming with life. Fish, salamanders, frogs, and even a bat or two seem to call this pond home. I¢m currently being serenaded by bullfrogs and peepers. Nice place!My feet are screaming for new boots! I¢m even getting blisters, which I haven¢t had since one small one on Hawk Mountain. Tuesday can¢t get here quick enough! On a good note, I was able to hike without my knee braces today. We¢ll see how I feel tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Got a late start today. Sat around the shelter and cleaned/rebuilt my water filter and it works much better. Hiking by 1015a sans knee braces. Knees feel good, but I keep thinking my boots are going to fall apart any second. I might try duct taping them tomorrow. My pack was feeling heavy today so I took lots of on-trail breaks. On my last one, two people came down the trail, knew my name and asked if I wanted a sandwich. Turns out they are hikers from 1987, Flash and Hot Flash, and they had run into Bad A** Turtle and she had told them my name. So we sat around talking while I ate and ate and ate. Turkey sandwich, chips, soda, fudge, birthday cake and apple pie! I was full¢doesn¢t happen very often out here. Thanks guys!It kept trying to rain but never did and I said thank you, we said our good-byes and I was hiking again by 330p. With all those calories, I made the last 2 miles fly and was at the shelter just after 4p. By the time I filled up my water bladder and checked the register, it was almost 5p and I decided to save the big climb for in the morning.Now the goal is to crank it up the next 3 days and be in Waynesboro on Monday morning. That¢ll be roughly 17 miles a day. Doable physically¢just hope the boots cooperate.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Duct tape is possibly the best invention on the planet. I wrapped my boot with it and it held, even in the rain. The boots aren¢t 100%, but at least I don¢t feel like they¢re going to fall off my feet any second.Would have gone further today but got a late start and went into Buena Vista for a short resupply. I could have made it without it, but I think part of my problem has been not enough calories.So now I need to do two 18-mile days and then a short 5 on Monday. Would be easy if I could keep getting signal from this radio station I¢ve been listening to the last few days. They¢re doing special programming for the holiday weekend and it rocks! All in all a good day on the A.T.
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Lazy day. Went into Montebello for lunch at the B&B with Steech. Food was great but ate too much. Didn't feel like hiking afterwards. Hung out at Spy Rock for like 2 hours. Bunch of groups at the shelter tonight. The boy scous tried to come in to the shelter to play cards right at dark, when everyone was heading for bed. Luckily, the scoutmaster changed their minds.