morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Hogback ridge shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

This was a very long and hard trek today. A LOT of BIG updowns.Big Stamp today had some marvelous views. Took a few pictures. It was funny; I was on Big Stamp and looked over to Big Bald and saw Deja. She looked like a lone ant on top of a big anthill. Shouted at each other for a bit and then went to the Big Bald Shelter for lunch. When I got to Spivey Gap with US31 running through, there were 3 guys with the US Forestry Service sitting at the trailhead. Well, I moseyed on over to them and got the formalities out of the way and came to find out thery were gonna have a controlled burn a little ways up and off the trail. Allinall, I have to take a tetour and go up a gravel road to hook back up with the AT. Not very happy since by the map, it looke like an extral half mile or so of walking. In the ened, I finally made it here, but in a very sore and tired state. Then it got a little creepy when we thought we heard footsteps out in the dark. Very creepy. Time to sleep.Going to Erwin and gonna take a zero on Sunday, Go to church and buy me some new shorts but in size medium instead of large because my large pants are ablut to fall off me. It sounds like a planTime to sack upMelloPeace out.
Date: 2004-03-27
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

A very nice short hike today, but am still hurting from the day before. A few short ups, but lots of downhill and that is when my shin splints really let me know they are there. Maybe they will recover since today is short and tomorrow is zero. Got to the road and found Deja and Captain Hook waiting. Decided to head on across the bridge and try to hitch on into Erwin. As it turns out, very few vehicles travel this road at 8:30 in the morning on Saturday. In the end, we had walked halfway to Erwin before somebody picked us up. It was somebody who liked to hit the gas hard and go and slow down really hard on the reds. So we were getting jostled around in the back of that pickup. We quickly made it into Earwin and were dropped off at the Post office. Since it didn't open until 10am, we just moseyed on over to Miss Janet's Hostel. She wasn't there, but other hikers said to just make ourselves at home and wait for breakfast because she was out gettting groceries at the moment. She came in a little later and she is a really sweet lady. She said that she would cook a little extra for us hikers that had come in. That just about made my whole day. I gorged myself on French toast, eggs, bacon sausage patties and lots of milk. I don't know what it was but I drank about a gallon of milk.Miss Janet is the best. Big smile. She would just about go out of her way to help somebody. Her place is another old house. Not huge, but more than enough for here and her 3 daughters. She had about 10 bunks total and 2 of them were double beds. The real treat is there were real mattresses on all the beds. Overall a 5star hostel.Excellent place--Highly recommended.MelloPeace out
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Erwin, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

taking a zero today. Went to a methodist church; the people were nice and didn't shy away from us. Seeker, me and another hiker enjoyed the service.Oh well, a great day to zero with sunshine and blue skies. It was ggrreattt. Well, time to sack up.MelloPeace out!
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Erwin, TN

To:  Curly Maple Gap shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Got out late today about 6pm. Walked an hour in the dark. Miss Janet was gone all day and then her vehicle broke down. Finally found a ride to take me to the trail and then before I know it, the truck left with my sticks in the back. Luckily, Miss Janet was there and brought them back to me. Meanwhile, I was sitting at the trailhead and had a little reunion with Biscuit, slim and another hiker whose name I cannot recall. When Miss Janet returned, I promptly hauled butt to Curly Maple Gap shelter, Eventually got there about 8pm. the best surprise I had was hearing Moonpie happily yelling out my name. She was very glad to see me since we were the only hikers at this shelter. We had not seen each other in a while so we sat there and talked for a long while.Finally sacked up for the night.MelloPeace out
Date: 2004-03-30
From:  Curly Maple Gap shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

It rained a good part of the day and I was miserable. Went over more than one big hill today. Did see a little sun toward the later half of the day. That was great. Gave me a chance to lose the rain jacket and dry out some, but the temp was dropping so I got a little chilly a little later on. finally go to the shelter just before dark. That was perfect timing. Moonpie, Swiss Miss, Echo, Red dog and Tom, friend of his were there. Echo is somebody new to me. I had not seen Swiss Miss since after NOC. Good to see everybody.Long hard hike. Hope I will be good for tomorrow. Big ole Roan mountain with its 2500 ft in less than 3 miles. It is gonna be a killer.Well, time to sleep and get ready for tomorrow.MelloPeace out
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light snow

This is the shortes full day of hiking in a loooonnnngg time, but for a good reason. When I got up this morning, there was 3 inches of snow on the ground. Talking about an already hard day, now getting harder. I thought I would camp out somewhere past Overmountain shelter, but it took me until after 5pm to get there. The snow really slows me down and also I went over some balds with some excellent view. but yet again, the clouds made it where I could see no more than 50 yards or less. this is getting repetitive; Blood Mt, Tray MT, and a whole slew of oters along with these; all the views ruined. clingmans dome was another cloud covered mountain. I WANT TO SEE SOME AWESOME VIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!Found Wildcat today at Overmountain along with somebody I haven't met, Northern Harrier. It is good to meet new hikers. Sunshine came in after a 20+ day from some shelter.Met him at Miss Janet's before I left. Moonpie, Swiss Miss, and Echo are also here.We are taking bets on how many inches of snow will be on the ground in the morning. It has been snowing today since noon. We are figuring on a foot or more so that'll determing where we all go tomorrow. We all just might go into Elk Park tomorrow. Me?well i am still thinking on it. I am not very good at finding a path over fresh snow, so we will see.   Time to sack up,MelloPeace out
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: US 19E
Miles today: 8.7

Did only 8.7 miles today and boy was it hard. Went from Overmountain Shelter to US19E. Come to find out, another several inches of snow fell during the night. The total ended up at about 8 inches of snow that had actually fallen. In reality, it was anywhere from ankle deep to thigh deep snow in the deepest drifts. We went over Little Hump and Hump Mt. today and they're both balds at 5400 and 5500 ft with the winds at 40mph gusting to 60mph. Needless to say, it was miserable up there. I had ice forming on my chin, sideburns, eyebrows, and eyelashes. When we finally got off the balds, I was able to wipe away all the ice. it was pretty thick. One time on Hump Mt, Moopie stepped into a drift and fell into it all the way to her hips. We had a good ole time getting over the balds. It could have been better, but the blowing snow pelting us in the face isn't appealing. It took us 3hrs to hike 3 miles to the top of Hump MT. That was some really slow going. Got down to the road and decided to shack up with a couple of cohorts.   A very nice place called Mountain Harbour Bed and Breakfast made affordable by splitting the cost with Northern Harrier. I will get going early tomorrow. Finally got to sit down and watch some basketball. Rutgers and Michigan in NIT play and might watch some of the UConn and Duke game. That ought to be a very good game. It is good to sit around WARM.Time to hit the sack.MelloPeace Out
Date: 2004-04-02
From: US 19E

To: Dennis Cove-Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 22.5

Went from US19E to Dennis Cove . That is the longes day yet with decent time from 9:30AM to 7:30 pm. Just over 2mph. In the conditions, it was pretty good. It was cold, windy, and still had a lot of snow to walk through for the third straight day. there were a few views today, but, of course, all we could see were clouds. Today, i was hiking with Swiss Miss, Wildcat and Northern Harrier. It was a relatively easy day until the last 6.6 miles with a long uphill . We all met up at Moreland Shelter and struck out together at about 4:30 pm. It took us a little bit to navigate the snow, but we made it all right. Finally got to the road and walked on over to the Kincora Hostel. very nice setup with some really good people. Bot and Pat Peoples were the owners. Ran into the Wicked Losbsta, Flash, Early Bird. These are new hikers to me. Caught up with Deja, Moonpie, Red Dog. Good to see them again. Ordered pizzas tonight. I go me a large pepperoni. Ate almost all of it. Left 3 pieces for breakfast. YYUUUMMMM! YYUUUUUMMMM!!!Well, time to sack up.Mello Peace out
Date: 2004-04-03
From: US 321Hampton, TN

To: dennis cove
Miles today: 8.9

Slack packed today from US 321 to Dennis Cove at Kincora Hostel. An easy slack, except for going up and walking in snow for yet another day. It seems like I slipped a whole lot more on the slush and snow up there. Maybe its because I was 200 lbs instead of the usual 245 to 250. Went by Laurel Falls today. Very nice waterfall, about 40 yds tall and 30 yds wide. Soooo majestic. Gonna stay at Kincora yet another night. I kinda like the place but its time to get going tomorrow. Gonna go to town tonight AYCE ya know- chinese buffet and the place was really good. Very stuffed afterwards. Probably could have sat another hr and started another plate. the Hiker's apetite has really kicked in. Well, time to sack up. Get a few hrs of sleep and get up early and head out.MelloPeace out
Date: 2004-04-04
From: us321

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Did 23.2 miles today from US 321 to Double Springs Shelter. I felt really good toady. Don't know what it was, but I pushed fast and hard all day long. It was really amazing. Didn't get sore or anything the whole day. It was GREAT! Maybe I finally broke through and found what I needed. The big miles are gonna roll now and the terrain is just gonna get easier until the Whites in Vermont or NH. Then it will turn back into the steep up-downs again. Walked in the snow for yet another day AGAIN. Won't it ever go away. I'm really getting tired of it now and its more like ice than anything else. A very bold racoon just about jumped into my sleeping bag tonight after my SNICKERS bars. It just about dumbfounded me to find these two beady eyes right next to my head when I woke up. I reacted pretty fast from there on, I just about knocked that sucker up against the opposite wall of the shelter and it didn't waste any time getting on out of the shelter and around the corner. That was very scary for a second there. It seemed for about 10 seconds after I woke up that I couldn't move. Troying to figure out what exactly it was. That coon came back a second time and was about to jump up on the sleeping pallet in the shelter when I scared it off again. That thing was determined, but I wasn't gonna let it have MY snickers bars without a fight. It was gonna be either me or him and that was that. That was a long night, but eventually, I went back to sleep. That coon was crazy.MelloPeace out
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

the trip today was ver cold in addition to the fact that I was very tired from the coon ordeal. Man, this is really good even after a 23+ miler yesterday. Great doing these kind of miles consistently, AWESOME. Gonna take it slow tonight and get out of town later tommorrow.Damascus is a great town for hikers. Nice people. Nice town. Small, Compact. The only thing that I found odd was that there were no AYCE. I had an AYCE breakfast, but that is only because I asked the lady at the little buffet at Food City. Not bad. Never really had anything like this before while still in a grocery store. Damascus is great.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Damascus

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

did only 10 mi to the first shelter for a short day. Moonpie, Sunshine, Captain Hook and I all packed in stuff to have a little cook-out of marshmallows and hotdogs. We were up til something like 11 o'clock. Latest I had been up in a very long time, or at lest it seems to have been a very long time. Had a good time hagin with them talking, telling stories, staring into the fire. Great time!MelloPeace, out.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a tough day today doing 19 miles and not finishing it until just before dark. We went up to Mt. Rogers and some other mountain which were the big ones today and a couple of other smaller ones. I was quite tired in the end.   Got into a bit of a snowball fight up on buzzard rock. It was funny seeing sunshine peek over a rock and then a second later see a white ball come at me. We later ambushed Captain Hook when he came up. Moonpie was the bait while Sunshine and I waited behind some rocks. Fun day. Had some really awesome views as we went over some balds and grassy areas on the sides of the mountains and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, Beautiful day.Well, time to sack up MelloPeace, out
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Va 605
Miles today: 14.0

Went from Thomas Knob Shelter to VA 605 which was about 14 miles. Had a fun day today. Nothing strenuous, but all fun. Played with the ponies in the Grayson Highlands. Very tame and they're supposed to be wild ponies. We fed them apples and even put the apples in our mouths and took pictures while the ponies were eating those apples. It was hilarious. Sunshine, Moonpie and Captain Hook and I all had a blast. Moonpie is leaving us today for a wedding in which she is a bridesmaid. We are sad she is leaving, but she is going to a joyous event. Best of wishes to the couple getting married and I hope to see Moonpie soon. I hitched into Troutdale with Moonpie so I could get my maildrop. I got to meet the people picking her up. They drove me around Troutdale some and I decided to stay at the hostel and am glad I did.   Met some section hikers there waiting on a ride and had a lot of fun with them. They brought me dinner and we played some spades and another game that was very fun. Their names are Stephanie, Grace, Greg, Todd, Katy, Gabriel, Jeremy, and Annette. They all attended a little Bible College in Michigan. Great people and thank you very much for the Cheeseburger. You don't know how much I appreciated that. Peace of the Lord be with you all.Well time to sack up, I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.Mello,Peace, out.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Va 605

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

Got going late today. Decided to go and buy some breakfst at the Troutdale General Store and Diner. I was getting ready to leave and I ran into a father and his daughter that I had met yesterday while hiking. Well, they sat down and ordered breakfast talking all the while. They offered to take me back to the trailhead. So I said yeah and ran back up to the hostel, or at least part of the way when I noticed Wildcat and his wife drive by going to the trailhead to drop off some trail majic. The stopped and picked me up and took me to the hostel. He is off the trail for the moment to visit his friends in the area. While he's taking me to the hostel, he let me in on the fact that Deja is coming after me. It seems that I left her name out on a certain list back at the shelter before Mt. Rogers. Wildcat told me she ain't too happy and she's coming for me. This now gives me a real incentive to do some big miles because she is only about 6 miles behind me. Well, I thanked Wildcat for the info and quickly pull my stuff together and get down to the diner. Well, I got my ride out to the trailhead and thanks a bunch to the people who gave me a ride. If you read this, please write in my guestbook so I can give you full credit.Well, I got to the trail and I feel really energized. I did over 12 miles in 4 hrs to arrive at Trimpi Shelter. That's the best I have ever done clocking in over 3 miles per hr. I was flying , or at least I thought I was because Early bird caught me there at about 2:30 pm and for him which was just about 20 miles for him. Hearing about that just about made me go flat and then hearing him say that Deja was only an hr or two behind him was even worse. So I quickly got my stuff together and got moving. I doubt she will do 30 miles to catch up with me at Partnership Shelter. Come to find out, I had caught up with Haiku. He is a guy I had met early on during and before the Smokies. So we had a little reunion. It was good to see Haiku again. I had been reading his entries for a while now.Well time to sack up. Need some sleep after such a long day. I have got quite a few more miles to go tomorrow if I want to stay ahead of Deja. My feet are sooo sore.Mello Peace, out.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Reed Creek
Miles today: 17.0

Went from Partnership Shelter to Reed Creek; not a bad hike since I did 24 miles yesterday.   My feet were still a little sore this morning. Made for some tough walking early on, but it got better. got to eat good for lunch because we crossed I81 and VA 11 3 times and there was a nice litte restaurant to the right and a Dairy Queen on the left. The restaurant was called the "Old Barn" and it had a very good 1/2 pound cheeseburger and then I went over to DQ and got a banana split. All this was definitely delicious---but it made for some hard hiking to the shelter 2 miles out; I could feel the food sloshing about. Made for an uncomfortable hike.   Eventually got there and took a rest before I finished up at the campsite about 3 miles past the shelter. Gonna sleep in my hammock tonight. Yippee! Looks like its gonna rain. Hope its not raining when I get up because breaking camp in the rain is no fun. Well, time to sack upMello Peace, out.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Reed Creek

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Easter Sunday-did about 17 miles today in the rain. It wasn't raining when I woke up and got ready to go but about 10 or 11 it was already sprinkling--made for a miserable day along with two long climbs. One about 2 miles and the other a solid 4.5 miles. Made for a tough day only doing about 2mph this afternoon. some slow going. Temp is dropping and when I got to the shelter, it was 48 degrees on the inside. So it was probably in the low 40's outside. Walking in the cold rain, with only shorts and t-shirt didn't make it any warmer. felt good to put some dry clothes. Miserable day. Oh and yet another bald with supposedly fantastic views that were cloud covered . Fooey.Well, time to sack upMelloPeace, out.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

Rained all morning and most of the afternoon. It was miserable--againI got to the shelter and ate lunch and just didn't have the motivation to move on. If I had moved on, I would have had to set up camp somewhere and that further deterred me. So, I sat there all afternoon and kept myself dry and warm. I'll go on into town tomorrow and stay at Helvey's Mill Shelter. Finally met Fireball today. he came in about 6pm this afternoon. I have been trailing him the whole trip and all of a sudden he's behind me. Must have taken a couple of zero's somewhere. Sunshine went to check out a couple of schools. Well, it was nice to finally meet fireball, but its time to hit the sack.MelloPeace, out.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA-Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

Had a rough and cold day today. I had to ford many creeks today that were swelled considerably from all the rain. It wasn't fun. After about the third time , my feet were numb and I was doing barefoot. Didn't want to get my boots soaked through and through. Got done whith it all and I think I forded that same creek about 9 times boy was it cold. Got to thinking about the other hikers and I hope Swiss Miss and Deja don't have too hard of a time . Swiss Miss will have it the hardest of all because she is the same size as Lauren and she kinda reminds me of her except that Swiss Miss eats a whole lot more; ya know the hikers apetite. Oh well, Finally got to road for Bland and started walking toward town trying to get a hitch. Well, I didn;t, I walked the whole 2.8 into town. Not very fun. Had at least 20 vehicles pass me by. Really ticked me off. No mater, got a hitch back out though. I was throwing my pack on at the foodstore and an older man asked me if I needed a ride. Very nice of Ken and he looked to be in his sixties. He put it that "it don't hurt to be generous once in a while". he dropped me off at the trailhead. We said our goodbyes and off I was agoing after a in and out deal at Bland. Hiked a quick 2 miles and found Early Bird sitting at the Shelter. Hadn't seen him since just after Troutdale. Thought Deja was gonna come in but i guess she stayed at the last shelter with Tell It like It Is. Funny name but sometimes she does just that. Bedtimemello Peace, out.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Bland, VA-Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Wapite Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

This 24 miles hurt bad. My feet are just about raw right now. They have been like this for the last half of the 24 miles and some of yesterday, too. At least I am gonna take a zero tomorrow and let myself rest. I need it because the last zero or even a near zero was back at Erwin. I haven't done anything less than 10 miles since coming into Erwin and that was 6.6 miles. that seems like its been a while. It was another dreary day until very late in the afternoon when the sun showed up. Nice to see it again. It's been quite a few days since that time. It snowed yet again until about 2pm today. I didn't really mind the snow because it allowed me to stay dry other than tromping through all the puddles of water.   Because of that my feet are still soaked. I'm ssoooo exhausted tonight, I didn't really talk around much. Pulled dry stuff out to sleep in. Time to hit the sackMello, peace, out.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Wapite Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Went from Wapiti Shelter to Pearisburg. Relatively easy 16 miles except for a few uphills. Had several good views today and it was crystal clear. Excellent day. Bright sun and cool breeze. Couldn't have been better. Had a nice lazy day going into thown with no rush. shaked up with Early Bird (Tim Mowrey) at the Rendsvous Motel. Split the price so it wasn't too expensive. We just sat there and watched TV all night except when we went to a chines buffet and ate them out of houts and home.   We had at least 10 plates betweeen the tow of us. Well time to sack up, very tired.Mello,Peace out
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Took a zero today in Pearisburg. Just ate, drank and vegetated good majority of the day. Deja Vu came in today. Good to see her. Haiku also stayed another day in town to hang out with us. Had already taken one zero day. He said he didn't want to be out in a hiker's void. It can get kinda lonely out here. I went to the library today. Updated my pictures and did some e-mailing. Hope everybody out there is doing great. Oh, Well enough writing for today. I'm gonna read a book. Mello,Peace, Out.