morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: 19E-Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 8.7

Well, the days seem to get shorter and shorter. The rain let up after an hour or so last night, but started back up this morning as I was getting ready to leave. So, I waited,and finally at 10:30 a big group of us took off. It was still drizzling and well, the weather got worse. I was hiking today with LoneStar-she lives just a few miles from me in Houston! She's also a nurse and she is a bit older than me-what a change from all the kids that have been half my age!Anyway, the trail today was pretty good for most of the way. The problem was the rain and the clouds. After leaving the shelter the Trail went up and over several boulders. I'm sure there are gorgeous views when you aren't up in the clouds! At times the rain was blowing straight at me, or the wind was practically blowing me sideways off the trail. At the second bald I had to go through a gate. It was very foggy (cloudy) and suddenly the mist cleared in front of me and there on the path just a few feet away were a bunch of long horn cattle! What a surprise-one of them stared at me for a little while and I just stared back until they all finally walked off. As I got down off the balds the weather started to clear up a tiny bit-there were actually some really dramatic views of bits of clouds wisping in and out of the hills. I was reluctant to take my camera out in the rain-I've seen several people's cameras stop working because they got wet but, I did take one picture-I hope it comes out. The rest of the Trail was all downhill-gentle slope mostly with views of an idyllic town sitting in the foothills-very picturesque. We were told there was a hostel/B&B at the road crossing and so, because of the weather I bailed off the trail. Besides, my feet hurt so bad I'm not sure what I am going to do about the pain. Actually, I do know what I am going to do for now-I'm taking a few zero days. I'll get a rental car in the morning and drive to my house in Asheville and try to recover. Maybe get another pair of shoes-try some trail runners and somehow try to lighten up my pack. Or, decide if I'm going to continue or not.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Asheville, NC

To: Asheville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Another wonderful day of R&R in Asheville! I went to dinner at a very nice restaurant with a friend, and as I was tired of looking grungy all the time, I went out and bought a very pretty skirt and blouse. I got some make-up and got all dressed up for dinner-it felt great. Earlier in the day I did find a sil nylon poncho online which I ordered and a waterproof digital camera. Both of which will be delivered to the Kincora Hostel.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Asheville, NC

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early this morning and (reluctantly) drove back to the trail. It was interesting to drive on I-26 and cross Sam's Gap where the AT crosses the highway. I didn't see any hikers. I also drove past Erwin. Roy and Knock Knock are here at Kincora. Roy has been sick and will probably spend another night here. Knock Knock just left and the 3 Aussies left earlier. Wild Bill is still here nursing sore foot problems-but ready to leave. I slack packed the 9 miles north of here and I'm glad I did. There were some hellatious stone stairs to climb! I saw a really neat thing while eating lunch. I saw several yellow violets and there was a fern growing nearby that had a yellow spot on its tip-same color as the violet. Curiosity made me get closer to see what was yellow on the fern-it was a spider. A big, fat, yellow spider who had caught a big horsefly. I took some pictures-we'll see if they come out. I also saw a big water snake when I was down near the river. The waterfall was gorgeous. True to Tennessee there were some straight up and downs with lots of rocks! So, what about my new boots? I don't like the Superfeet. They just plain hurt my feet so, I will try the boots with just the regular inserts and then re-evaluate what I think about them. But, my knee was really hurting me today so, instead of slackpacking the 24 miles tomorrow I will just chill out at the Kincora Hostel for the next 2 days, help with the trail work on Tuesday and head to Damascus on Wednesday. At this point in time I think it is unlikely that I will finish the trail, and should I, I can come back here to make up the 24 miles I'm skipping. I hate the thought of leaving the trail but its not worth abusing my body for it.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Kincora Hiker Hostel

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Total veg out day. I did absolutely nothing, read a book, slept on the couch. Bob and Pat Peoples (the hostel owners) made a Beltane Feast for dinner. Coca-leeky (?) soup, corned beef (no, I didn't eat that), onion pie (which was delicious) and trifle for dessert. Tomorrow morning Bob is going to collect the mornings dew to sprinkle on us hikers to give us a year of health! This is a Celtic tradition. I am going to get up at 05:30 am to go help him collect the dew! Then I am going to slackpack 12 miles-I can't handle this sitting around doing nothing for too long. Tuesday will be slackpacking and trail work. Lonestar called me earlier. She wants to come back and slackpack a bit so, she will be here tomorrow morning! There are a gazillion people here-its a great crowd. We played a game of Monopoly earlier and one guy is playing the guitar.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Kincora Hiker Hostel

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up at 05:00 to help Bob collect the morning dew to sprinkle on the hikers. Only problem was there was almost no dew to be had! What he normally does is use a spatula to scrape the dew onto a pan and then pour it into a salt shaker. There was nothing to scrape up-the broader leaves of the violets in the field were wet so I mopped them up with a wash rag. It was all we could do to get the rag damp. So everyone just got to pat their faces with the damp wash rag! I didn't get much sleep last night. The group was very noisy and up until after midnight. Sound travels through this hostel-I'm pretty tired now- I hope everyone goes to bed earlier tonight. I did my 13.6 mile slackpack. It took me just over 5 hours to hike it. Very easy trail, a few nice views, nothing special except I met a guy out for a day hike-Mountain Squid. He had hiked in 2004 though he only made it to NJ at that time. It was nice talking to him. When I stopped at the Moreland Gap Shelter for my lunch, I saw Transcriber had written an entry earlier this morning and that she was headed for Kincora. It was nice to see her here and when I got back, Lonestar's stuff was here-she's out slackpacking right now. My new camera came today so I will send my other one home. I got a waterproof one. I hope my poncho gets here tomorrow so I can head towards Damascus on Wednesday. Oh, the new shoes were ok today. I wore them without the Superfeet insoles (heretofore called stupidfeet) and it works better. I'll see what I think when I get to Damascus.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Kincora Hiker Hostel

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I am now officially at 418.2 miles! I made up the 10.2 miles south of here today. It was a very pretty hike. (There were) several meadows to walk through, old roads. I always like to imagine what the old roads were for-I'm sure most of them were just old logging roads but its fun to make up stories (romantic of course!) about Civil War era homesteads out in the boonies-or even earlier times when it was mostly Indians living here. Anyway, the area had alot of covering trees and wild roses growing everywhere which were loaded with clusters of buds. They will be beautiful when they bloom. I spent part of my day thinking what it would be like to be back at home in Houston and the thought is unbearable-to put it lightly. I am just not ready to get out of the woods and go indoors to the same old-same old. I'm not sure how my feet will do but..... I don't like my new boots. They are getting mailed home and I'll wear my old boots to Damascus and look for another pair of boots there. During the hike today I got to the area where they are building the new shelter-Mountain Falls Shelter-and I spent about 2 hours working on the shelter. We were doing the "footing". Post holes were dug and big logs placed in the holes to support the sleeping platform. My job was to help "tamp" down the dirt around the poles. I had a metal pole about 6 feet long, one end is flattened out and you just sort of stamp down the dirt with the pole-which weighs about 20#. Not easy to keep doing up and down, up and down. I'm sure my biceps will complain tomorrow. Well, I guess I have to hike out of here tomorrow-3 days and 2 nights to Damascus. My 4th state.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Kincora Hiker Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

I said my goodbyes to Bob and Pat Peoples this morning. Packed my bags and moved on-wearing my old boots! And I did 15 1/2 miles with no problem! My knees are ok, my shoulder hurt just a little, but my feet were great! It may have only been the Stupidfeet insoles but I'm glad to be back on the trail. I will still look at new boots in Damascus but not sure I'll get any. The hike today was very nice. Down along Watuga Lake, to the dam and then there was about a 2000 foot climb up to the ridge line that I followed the rest of the day. There were views of the Lake almost the whole day and when I finally got past the Lake there were just picturesque little farms/towns down below. The weather was great-50's-60's, mostly blue skies and a few puffy clouds. Lots of new things blooming. I finally saw some of the many apples in bloom today. Lots of wild geranium and many other things that I don't know what they are! Also poison ivy everywhere. I'll be very surprised if I don't get it around my ankles. I have heard a few people say they have seen ticks out, someone saw a 6 foot black snake on the trail today! There are only about 8 people here at the shelter-its very pleasant. I'm in my tent only 'cuz its been along time since I used it.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abington Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

I have happy feet! I did 16 miles today and not one toe complained all day! My knees feel better and my shoulder didn't bother me. I am so happy! Its hard to remember what all I saw and did on these longer days. It was a pretty easy hike. The trail is much easier, none of those long steep ups or downs. Mostly a ridge walk although the trail is on the west side of the ridge but, occasionally there are views on both sides-all with pretty little hamlets/farms etc. After crossing TN 91, the trail went up a dirt/farm road and through some very pretty meadows full of buttercups, dandelions and daisies. There were several old farm buildings, one had a tractor in it. I really like the meadows. I guess there is more "view" but there is also a feeling of security in the woods! I sat down for a short break in the meadow. Oh! I also passed Pacemaker and Buckaroo just before the meadow. What a wonderful surprise. They are heading SOBO (southbound) to Hot Springs and will go back to a NOBO hike. It was so nice seeing them. The last time I saw them was the last day in the Smokies. It just really makes my day happier when I come across old friends! At one of the road crossings, I was able to get a good cell on my phone so I spoke to Marc (DH) and both sons. I was also able to get in touch with my friend and colleague Linda who will pick me up when I get to Damascus tomorrow. Hmmmm hot shower, real food, soft bed......... At the shelter tonight again is just 7 people-Lonestar, Transcriber, Giggles and her friend, Paul and another guy-I don't know his name. It thundered really loud just after I got my tent set up, but the skies have cleared up and I hope it stays dry overnight. Ten miles to Damascus...................
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Linda dropped me off in Damascus this morning and I was on my way by 10 a.m. There was a big climb out of Damascus (always up) but there were very nice switchbacks up and down all the mountains. I met several new hikers today-Old Drum, Catskill Eagle, Bullwinkle, Mom and Wind Talker. There was alot of poison ivy with its tentacles reaching out from the trees. Reminds me of "The Little Shop of Horrors". There were some shrubs blooming which had a very heavy spicy scent that I thought was wonderful. It permeated the air everywhere. There were chestnut trees blooming and I saw a few rhododendrons. The mountain laurel was just about to open. The trail should be really pretty soon. At one point the trail came out onto an old railroad bed. The tracks are gone and its a nice gravel road. This part is along the Virginia Creeper Trail and is a park in the MT. Rogers National Recreation Area. So, its mixed use trail. Lots of bike riders and I saw horseshoe tracks but no horses. The trail goes along a river and people were out fly fishing. Then it crosses this long bridge which when I looked down is an old wooden trestle bridge from the railroad. I couldn't get pictures of that part but you could see the old railroad bed under the new flooring. It always feels strange to be out in the 'public" like that-where they are not as used to us hikers. So, I was glad to get away from there. Shortly after the bridge you leave civilization and climb back up into the woods. The shelter here is very nice and there was room but I thought I'd tent. The day after tomorrow will put me in the Grayson Highlands and the wild ponies-can't wait!
Date: 2006-05-09
From: VA 600/Elk Garden

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent a wonderful day off yesterday with Linda and Tom but headed back onto the trail this morning. I started back at Elk Garden at 10:00 a.m., the weather this morning was "partly cloudy" but that means up in the mountains-at 5000 ft.- you are either in a cloud or between 2 clouds. It was really kind of neat. I was hiking up to the Thomas Knob Shelter and off to my right was a cloud which seemed to follow me up the mountain side. It reminded me of Star Trek, at the edge of the Universe-a void, a solid insubstantial "miasma" of nothingness. Eventually the cloud engulfed me and I could feel its cold tentacles wrap around me. I was left in a small island of reality-while everything around me melted into the mist. All I could see while in Grayson Highlands was as far as the next white blaze, and fortunately they were placed very close. Anyway, I met a guy from the Forest Service up at Thomas Knob Shelter, Ed, he was very nice. I saw plenty of wild ponies soon after that but no babies. Some of today's hikers saw quite a few baby ponies. The ponies trot right up to you looking for food as soon they see you coming. One tried to get at my fanny pack. There were several miles of boulder fields to cross-this slows me down alot and really hurts the feet/ knees so, since I got a late start this morning my feet decided to call it quits when I got to the Wise Shelter. It's only 6 miles to where I had planned but......it will have to be added onto tomorrow's hike so I can get to the Partnership Shelter the following day. That's where you can order pizza and I'm told it has a shower.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Wise Shelter

To: TRIMPI Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The ponies last night stampeded through the shelter area (there were 4-6 of them) and they knocked down a guide line on a tent. Then I got up to go pee in the middle of the night and nearby heard heavy stomping and snorting. It was really kind of neat. Then later, they started whinnying and stomping around again! This morning the sky seemed sort of threatening but the sun finally won out and cleared up most of the clouds. I passed the 500 mile mark this morning and did a little jig! The trail went over more balds today to the "scales". It was very desolate, reminded me a bit of Texas-tall (dead) grass, short stubby trees, wind whipping through the area and a few lonely crows flying around. The "scales" is just a campground now, but used to be the location of livestock scales where people weighed their livestock at the end of the summer after they had grazed on the balds. I made the 20 miles-my longest day yet. I did 19 something miles before but that was a slack pack. It did finally start raining soon after I got to this shelter. I'm glad I'm "indoors". We have a fire going, thanks to Kegger. Lucky Dine and Sue are here, as well as Giggles and Ed (easily distracted), Merlin and a couple of others.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: TRIMPI Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter (staying at Relax Inn)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

The sky was very threatening again this morning, although the sun would peek out time and again. The hike was rather boring-no views to be seen. The trees have all leafed out so you can't see through them. We were never really high on a ridge, the trail is much easier here in Virginia, no climbs straight up or down, its all gentle switchbacks. I did pass 3 SOBO hikers, 2 humans and one turtle. The turtle was in the middle of the trail so, I picked it up and placed it off to the side. When I got to the shelter several other people said they also put him off to the side! About 2 miles short of the Partnership shelter the sky finally decided to open up and rain. It started as just a very light drizzle, I almost didn't put on my rain gear but I decided I better. Good thing too 'coz just as I got it all on, it turned into a torrential downpour! Tom, Linda's husband in Bristol, had given me one of those emergency ponchos-it sure came in handy and kept me pretty dry. I got to the Partnership Shelter just as a group was putting in their pizza order. So, I added mine but the 30 minute delivery time stretched into 2 hours, the temperature was dropping, so Single Malt and I decided to call a cab and go into town. Partnership Shelter is the 5 star shelter on the AT. Its located at the headquarters location of The Mount Rodgers Recreation Area so its just off the parking lot. It has a solar powered hot shower, running water, 2 floors and the local pizza place delivers to the shelter. So, I'm in town, clothes are washed and dried and I made a store run. We even got some trail magic. The couple that run this motel (the Relax Inn) are Indian. She (the owner) gave us a ride to town to do our shopping and we were talking about dinner in the car and the motel owner said she was cooking (Indian food) and she would be glad to feed us! It didn't take long for us to say "yes!" so they brought our dinner to our room! How much better can it get? Tomorrow I will slack pack the 11 miles from the Partnership to here and Saturday will continue my hike north.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Partnership Shelter (staying at Relax Inn)

To: Atkins, Va. (staying at Relax Inn)
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent last night at the Relax Inn-it's right on the trail-with Single Malt. She and I did a slackpack today from Partnership Shelter back to the motel. Weather was chilly and overcast. The trail is really getting a bit boring here in VA. We don't get any views anymore as the trees have leafed out (I think I have complained about that already) but today we went through some grassy pastures. That was pretty. Saw some quaint picturesque farms and cows and walked by the "Settlers Museum" but we didn't have time to explore it as we were in a rush to get back to the motel so we could get to the post office before it closed. I did meet Bluebird today-I've heard about her so it was nice to finally meet her. She and a few others had gotten a ride from Damascus further up north and are now hiking back to Damascus for Trail Days-which I have decided to skip. I wore my new boots today and the jury is still out on them. They are very comfortable but maybe a teeny-tiny too small, but the 1/2 size larger is too big. I will wear different socks with them tomorrow. They do feel like I have on a really comfy pair of sneakers-which is great. I bounced my old boots up ahead to my next mail drop in Pearisburg. I hope they don't get moldy in the mail as they were wet! The temps tonight are supposed to drop into the mid 30's! It will be nice to get another really good nights sleep here and then pack out tomorrow. But I have 6 days worth of food which makes for a very heavy pack! I have finally figured out how to make my little bitty MP3/FM radio work as a voice recorder. For something as tiny as it is, it sure is versatile. Now as I'm hiking and think of things I want to write about, I can record it and then write it up later!
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Atkins, Va. (staying at Relax Inn)

To: Campsite near Knot Mound Shelter
Miles today: 14.1

Today ranks up there as one of the best days yet! The weather is perfect, cobalt blue skies with a few puffy cotton ball clouds. Temps were in the 60's and the scenery was spectacular. Single Malt and I left the motel about 08:00. The trail did a road walk for about a 1/4 mile from the motel and then under I-81. Then it was up into some,I assume hayfields, all tall grass, You couldn't see where the trail went the grass was so tall. There were buttercups and dandelions dotting the field and robins flying around or sitting on the posts that mark the trail. I had to cross some cattle grates and climb about a dozen stiles today. The trail went back into the woods with a few short climbs. The dappled sunshine was sprinkled on the ground. There were lots of rhododendrons bursting into bloom along with occasional flame azalea with its bright orange blossoms. They are spectacular. Oh! I forgot to mention yesterdy-there were Lily of the Valley blooming all through the woods. They are probably my favorite flower, the scent is so heavenly! The trail went through some private property-again grazing land with a few cows and many cow patties. Single Malt sat down to paint a water color picture of it. There were red and black birds calling out at us-"geek geek" as they flew about and landed in the tall grass. The mountains looked like rippling waves from these fields. I then went back into some woods where the May apples grew 3-4 feet tall. There were jack-in- the-pulpits blooming. The black and yellow swallow tail butterflies always fly out and precede me down the trail. The forest smells so good, sometimes its the earthy musty odors or pine scents. Today there were also many apple trees in bloom that had a wonderful light sweet smell. The edges of the trail are lined with just dead leaves and as you walk you hear the rustling noise-its hundreds of tiny grasshoppers that start to jump around as you get near. There were many road crossings today and the problem with that is that you can hear the car noises wherever you are. There were also many water crossings. The last one was very muddy. I put one of my hiking poles down and it sank 6" into the mud-glad I didn't put my foot there! We are camped about 1/2 mile from Knot Mound Shelter. The shelter was kinda yucky so, I moved on down to the stream where there is a nice little campsite. It's just Single Malt and myself. I have my bear bag hung, quite successfully if I may say! It only took me 3 tries to get the rope over the branch! And, I'm really thrilled with the way my little voice recorder works. I can remember today's trail to write about it!