morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Hightop Hut

To: Ivy Creek Overlook
Miles today: 10.0

II. Trail Word for the Day:   Flip-flop a term used to signify a hiker that starts hiking in one direction then at some point decides to jump ahead and hike back in the opposite direction. Some hikers on the AT will start hiking northbound from Springer Mt. (Georgia) and usually at Harpers Ferry they may decide to go to Katahdin (Maine) and hike back down to Harpers Ferry, thus completing their thru-hike. This is a good way for someone to still get their hike completed if they are behind and their time is limited due to the oncoming winter. OLCIII. Report for Today: We satarted at 2,000 feet and went up to 3,000 feet. At 3,000¢ there is no sign of spring, it is still winter. At 2,000¢ the initial signs of spring are out: 2 types of small white flowers, one type of blue, and one type of red. Yellow dandelions are every where. We call them weeds in TX. We had lunch at Powell Gap. The temperature is in the 70s. We met a No Bo. He was a serious hiker averaging 3 miles per hour. We saw several areas where deer had bed down. I am not a big fan of anti-monkey butt powder. We took a water break at Pine Field Gap. There is a guest book where you can sign in and enter a comment. A hiker named Dave left an entry stating that his rash was so bad, he duct taped his cheeks together. We did a food inventory after dinner. We are in great shape for breakfast and dinner. The question is do we have enough snakes to make it to re-supply this Wednesday. Lumpy is holding up well. However, today he mentioned several times that he felt like he is on a ¢death march.¢As a side note, I have made a major discover that may come in handy for all of you in the future. I had zero bars. So, I started walking all over trying to get enough bars to make a call. I could get two bars standing next to an aluminum rain gutter.IV. Question of the Day: May readers have been kind enough to ask how the ¢Big Ugly¢ is doing. The Big Ugly is holding his own. I didn¢t mention this in previous entries because I didn¢t want to come across as whiny. Two toes over, Big Ugly has a little brother. Family pictures to follow. On the other foot, I have the biggest blister I have ever had; it is the size of a fifty cent piece. I borrowed a safety pin from Lumpy¢s first aide kit to drain it. This was the biggest safety pin I have ever seen. It is almost as big as one of the tent stakes. Big Ugly, his little brother and The Boil are not causing any problems. V. Person of the Day: Fred Skinner. He is a good friend; we have a lot in common. If he were here his trail name would be Duck Hunter. The most important thing he does is take church kids camping. Fred is the person who got me into Boot Camp (extreme exercise course). . Miss P & B for Tic
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Ivy Creek Overlook

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Note: The cell phone reception is horrible. So, tonight¢s entry is brief.II. Trail Word for the Day: 1. Trail Angel - someone who provides unexpected help or food to a hiker. III. Report for Today: We cooked breakfast at Loft Mountain Campground. This area was closed. We could get fresh water; and there was an outlet where I could charge my cell phone. We were hoping to re-supply our lunch rations, but this didn¢t happen. There was one soft drink machine that was empty. It is a good thing it is winter up here at 3,000 feet. Most of the trees are dead because of a gypsy moth infestation several years ago. I have never seen so much dead wood on the ground; and it is amazing they haven¢t had a fire here.The Dogwoods are blooming at 2,600¢. Black Rock Mountain had the most interesting rock formations I have ever seen. My guess is that it is molten lava.   I hope the pictures turned out. I think you will like them.Water is a problem in this area. Yesterday, it was 8 miles between water supplies. Tomorrow, it will be 13 miles between water supplies.Along the way today, we met a ¢trail angle¢ from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Conservancy who gave us beagles, dried fruit, and one breakfast bar which helped us with our lunch supply problem. This crisis has been solved for today.   At Black Rock Hut we met one married couple, one thru hiker and his dog Harley, and two college boys.God takes care of little children and fools.Miss P and B for Tic
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

I. Corrections or Additions to Previous Entries: After I called in last night, a ¢trail runner¢ arrived. His name is Tres (number 3 in Spanish), and he is a representative for a hiking equipment manufacturer. He jogged in, visited, had some water, and jogged off into the evening.II. Trail Word for the Day: Hiker¢s Rain ¢ it starts raining during the night, but has stopped by the time the hikers get up.III. Report for Today: The couple from VA, Hyde and Chris, were gone first. The next to leave was the Jolly Rancher and his wonder dog, Harley. Lumpy and I were next to depart; and last but not least was Batman and Robin, two So Bos. Today was surreal. We hiked in the clouds with 100 yard visibility for 10 miles. We stopped for lunch and it started to rain (thunder and lightening too). So, we hiked the last three miles up hill and in the rain.We made it to the shelter, others are here, we are going to eat and bed down for the night.V. Person of the Day:   Patricia Doyle Luna, the only person to be person of the day twice. I was going to wait until Georgia, but we passed Doyle Creek and Doyle Overlook. She is on my mind and I decided to tell her story now. Bruce 2 is perfect in so many ways, makes great decisions; but the best decision he made was to marry Trish. She is a Georgia Peach, born and raised in Waycross, GA and went to undergraduate school at the University of Georgia. She and I share a passion for bulldogs. The bulldog is the mascot for both University of Georgia and Sweeny High School. She went to Law School at the University of Texas, Austin, where she met B2. They had a long-distance relationship while he studied in Scotland for a year. When she finished Law School, she joined B2 in LA. They moved to Charlotte where they were married. They are both attorneys: he is a mediator and she is a litigator. This must make for interesting dinner conversation. They live in Atlanta, GA and are the proud parents of two darling little girls (Caitlin and Phoebe). Trish ¢ I hope you get well soon, Love Dad.Miss P & B for Tic
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Word of the Day - Blowdown: fallen trees from storms that block the trailDaily Report: Last night, a NOBO thru-hiker arrived at the shelter after 10:00 pm, and was first out around 0700 this am. I took some snaps of Batman and Robin before they headed South for the "all the you can" Chinese buffet and pancake house in Waynesboro. The hike today covered some mountain meadows again, and a short encounter with several communication towers on the ridge. We have encountered some significant blowdowns; having to walk around the trail and/or over/under the debris on several occasions. The weather was cool in the 50s, and I almost stepped on a baby frog hopping across the trail. We turned in our SNP backpacker pass at the south kiosk location.   It was sunny almost all day, with just a brief heavy rain around three. By then, we were at the park entrance, where we were waiting for Jeff, a former roommate of Lumpy's son to meet his. He took us their house for the night, where we met Jeff's wife Jane and the their children. We did the laundry detail, went out for pizza and getting ready to crash for the night.Person(s) of the Day - Jeff Greenough for being our trail angel. Jeff is a professional photographer, does great work and if you're looking for a great photographer, look him up - I'd highly recommend him. Of of course, the lovely, entertaining, Jane can not be overlooked. Espepcially, after feeding us, washing clothes, getting us a bed for the night, etc.   Many, many thanks      Tic
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Rockfish Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

III. Today was a total zero day. We got up and Jeff fixed oatmeal pancakes, with real Va maple syrup, eggs and cafe latte - it doesn't get much better than this. We then went to Rockfish Gap Outfitter for some trail re-supplies, and finished up at the Waynesboro Wal-Mart. While there, I was able to get my glasses repaired: temple replaced, screws replaced, and a thorough cleaning. I offered twice to pay for service; but they refused. A great place for hikers!! To fully appreciate our zero day, part of the afternoon was spent at one of the many local wineries. Let me tell you, this hiking is tough stuff. While there, the store salesman forced Lumpy to become a wine club member. I'm glad Texas does not recognize these out-of-state profiteers.From the hiking perspective, we have lost some weight: Lumpy is down 16 lbs and I'm about 10. I have another bad toe on the right foot now. I've named this one "Tres". I sure hope I don't have to name many more body parts. Also, I'm finally beginning to feel like a thru-hiker. We've been on the trail nearly 3 weeks and hiked over 150 miles. It was kind of embarrasing to state earlier that we were thru-hikers and the Q/As went like this Q: How long have you been on the trail? A: Three days.   OR   Q: How many miles have you hiked? A: 42. In retrospect, we have met many people on the trail who have dreamed of hiking the AT. Many are day hikers or section hikers. One couple that stands out is an Asian-American pair we met at one of the campsites. They were very intereswted in our trek and our gear. The wife said she had dreamed of hiking the AT for 40 years (or since she was 40). She said she couldn't now, that she was 71. Kind of sad ....Some new photos have been uploaded and I've mailed Ms P&B another sd card of images wwhich should be available in a week or two.Tomorrow will be a down day for reporting/updates.V. Person of the Day: Sally Looke. sister-in-law and runt of the litter. She is the primary care provider for Opal and I know there is a special place in heaven for these people who care so much for others. Sally also has a recent dental visit and had to put down one of the "cousins": big dog Jet. Hang in there Sally
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Rockfish Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Nero Journal Entry todayI Addition to previous entryHow could I forget thanking Jane? She does everything so effortlessly. She is perfectly well organized: homeschools the three older children, all take turns watching toddler Asher, entertains us, feed us homemade spagetti and ciabatti (sp?) bread for our hiking carbo-loading needs, beautiful salad, and even served my new most favorite beer. Oh, and credits for photos of recent posting to Jeff. These are "e-mail quality" and not indicative of the work Jeff normally produces.Thanks again to all the Greenoughs!!!! T&L
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

II. Trail Word for the Day: Switch Back - A turn that takes the hiker 180 degrees in the opposite direction. This trail construction technique is primarily used south of New England on the AT.III. Report for Today: We have transitioned from one area to another, and there are noticeable differences. Shenandoah National Park had Skyline Drive running through it and was maintained by Potomac ATC Club. We are now in the George Washington Forest with the Blue Ridge Parkway running through it, and it is maintained by the Old Dominion ATC Club. The Shenandoah National Park maps were more detailed and better marked especially the springs. The George Washington Forest trails are very well maintained with switch backs at 7% grade which is great for hiking. We have seen two shelters which were very, very nice. On Thursday we left Rock Fish Gap. We passed Paul C. Wolfe Shelter which was beautiful. It was a large shelter, and there was a large water area which would sustain trout.   We opened our back packs before crossing the deep, fast running stream. If we fell in, we wouldn¢t go down stream with our packs. The content would fall out and we would be able to get out of the water. There was a memorial bench honoring a hiker who died in a hiking accident in CA. We spent the night on Hump Back Mtn in a tent. We climbed 2,000 feet which was really only a 1,000 feet because the other 1,000 was up-and-down, up-and-down. We got up this morning and hiked 10 miles to Maupen Field Shelter. One section was very rocky and one misstep on the rocks would have ended in a compound fracture and no more hiking. We were the first ones in the shelter at Maupen. It filled up in short order. As many that can squeeze in, squeeze in. At one shelter it was meant for 6 people and 16 slept in the shelter. Tonight we met a couple Pam Pound and Garageman from Alaska. We also met Gold Post and Blue Grass. There are 3 to 4 others we haven¢t met yet. V. Person of the Day: Truckie. I met Truckie in scouts several years ago. We were advisers on a trek in the Philmont Scout Reservation in NM. I told Truckie the trails were great. On one day we left the trail to assault Mt Baldy, 14,000 feet (not typo). Truckie accused me of lying about the 7% grade and still calls my Lying Luna. However, this isn¢t what really upset him. I took a mint cake up to the top. Mint cakes are British delicacies and are pure sugar. I opened it on the summit and the scouts ate all of it before Truckie could get a piece. He holds a grudge to this day.For Truckie, one more power surge,Miss P & B for Tic
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Crabtree Farm Td
Miles today: 14.6

Second text message on 4/27 am said they spent night at Crabtree Farm Rd. The cell phone coverage is really bad.Tic sent a text message from 2 miles south of The Priest Shelter around 100 pm to let everyone know they are OK. Miss P and B for Tic
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Crabtree Farm Td

To: Greasy Spring Rd
Miles today: 9.8

Cell phone coverage is so bad; Tic is updating us via cell phone text messages. Text Messages of the Day:        message 1 (4:30 pm): ¢Aok main top mtn sobo tic.¢        message 2 (4:31 pm): ¢Aok s of n fork piney river tic.¢Translated ¢ They left the area just south of Crabtree Farm Rd this morning, climbed Main Top Mountain, and set up camp just south of the North Fork of Piney River. If they went to the top and didn¢t pass by at a lower elevation, Main Top Mountain is a first for Tic and Lumpy. It is the highest point they have climbed since they started their trek: Elevation Main Top Mountain - 4,040 feet, Elevation at Keys Gap West VA on April 2 ¢ 935 feet. Miss P & B for Tic
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Gresasy Spring Rd

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Mileage is over two days. Text msg 1 - 1:27 pm: Aok at long mtn wayside will camp at brown mtn creek shelter.Text msg 2 ¢ 1:41 pm: Aok now at rice mtn will camp at next shelter.Translated: Tic didn¢t call in a final destination yesterday. They passed Long Mountain Wayside and camped at Brown Mountain Creek. Today, they passed Rice Mtn and will camp at Punchbowl Shelter.He managed to leave a voice mail saying AT&T coverage through the rest of the state of VA is horrible. Miss P & B for Tic
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: John Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Brief Phone Call Thursday morning: This is the worst coverage I have had since the invention and my use of cell phones. I will be sending one text message a day for a while because I am running out of cell phone juice. When I get to a town with internet coverage sometime next week, I will give everyone a detailed update on our adventures. We will be camping at John Hollow Shelter tonight.Very clearly yours from the top of Punchbowel Mountain,TicPS Tic has approved a project for all readers who would like to participate. On these down days, we will share ¢how we met tic¢ stories. I will go first tomorrow. If you would like to share how you met Tic, Lumpy, or both of them, send your story to ticandlumpy@comcast.net. Tic does not want to see them before posting. The journal web site does monitor the inputs, so we have to keep them in the ¢family¢ rating. It is Tic¢s journal, and he will have the last say by telling his side of how you met, ¢later.¢Miss P & B
Date: 2009-05-03
From: John Hollow Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

Report #1: Lumpy called. He will be off the trail for 5 days for a medication adjustment. Friday was a zero day. We were ahead of schedule and meeting Jane, Jeff and the four kids for a scheduled food re-supply. We hiked 2 miles to the parking lot on VA Rt 502. We were early. Several other hikers joined us. Thru hiker Chilimac needed a ride to Waynesboro, VA and Jeff and Jane and the kids were happy to provide the ride.   Two others were out of food. All of us were thrilled when Jeff and Jane arrived with two pizzas, Pepsi, and beer. They are true angles. We took the four kids out for a 1 12 hour hike, even the 2-year old joined in the fun. We have a new trail name, ¢The Two Old Guys with the Big Back Packs. ¢ We have only met one hiker our age. The others are all recently graduated or between jobs in their 20s. We met one young lady named Downhill. She is 18, 115 lbs, pack weighs 26 lbs. She left in Feb and is one of the top 40 t0 50 heading north. She hiked in one foot of snow and no boots. Another young lady Lightening lost her atm card and wallet somewhere. She had $20 and bought all the junk food out of a gas station vending machine. We offered her food; but she declined saying she likes the challenge. Tic gave up the following items to lighten his load: tent (5 lbs), coffee maker, thermal bag to keep food from freezing. He is spending tonight at Thunder Hill Shelter. Will hike shelter to shelter until I meet him this Friday. Report #2: Tic called. I am at Thunder Hill Shelter missing my tent. He mumbled something about Lumpy being a professional meteorologist with training from Texas A & M and dropped off. It has been raining sinc 7 pm last night. I was hinging my things to dry in the hut when a man appeard out of no where. He said he knew where to get sausage, ham and eggs ¢¦..The connection was horrible. He dropped off a second time. Miss P & B for Lumpy and Tic
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: moderate rain

Voice Mail from Cove Mountain. I spent last night at Bryant Ridge Shelter. It is the Taj Mahal of shelters being three stories tall and sleeping 40. Yesterday was clear until 2 pm and then the clouds rolled in again. I climbed a mountain and the visibility was zero with the wind howling. I heard a sound like a drone on a flight line and it was FAA radar. I saw a rock cliff two stories tall with a 2 ton bolder sitting on top of it. It should make for an interesting photo. I will be in town on Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. It is nasty with zero visibility. I am planning on staying at Bobblets Gap Shelter tonight. Miss P & B for Tic
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

II. Trail Word for the Day: Cairn An obviously manmade pile of rocks erected as a trail marker. Chiefly used above timberline. Should be close enough to see the next one in heavy fog, and high enough to see above fallen snow. (OLC)III. Report for Today: I spent the night at Bobblets Gap Shelter as planned and will spend tonight at Fullhardt Knob Shelter. I am calling from Wilson Creek Shelter on my break. I will be in town tomorrow and will fill all of you in on our missed adventures. Today it is overcast, raining, and the sun comes out for 2 ¢ 3 minutes.I have seen a lot of wildlife lately: box turtle, the ugliest frog I have ever seen, and a newt. The Newt was 2 -3¢ long, burnt orange, with iridescent orange circles and little black wings. I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway and stepped into the forest to find a gross. It sat perfectly still and I went as close as 5¢. On one of my breaks, I heard a loud noise and slow moving animal. I can definitely say it was not a deer. I didn¢t wait to see if it was a beer. I started ringing my bear bell.   IV. Question of the Day: Question of from me ¢ does anyone remember the words to the scout song about ¢ants hiking in the rain?¢V. Person of the Day: Roy Backen worked with my Dad at the plant since WW II and we were neighbors in Old Ocean since the 50s. He was very active in scouts helping my Dad as an adult scout leader. His wife Ruby was my first ¢den¢ mother. My first memory of scouting was Camp Karankawa and scuba diving lessons. It was Roy¢s turn to get in the water. Either his tank was empty or turned off and no one realized it. He jumped in and came up the first time waving, he came up the second time frantic, he came up the third time with eyes big as saucers and that is when we realized he was in trouble and fished him out of the water. I was processing my Dad¢s estate and one insurance company refused to pay in spite of the death certificate and many documents showing that I was the executor of the estate. Roy helped by signing a statement that my sister and me were the only heirs to the estate. Roy took exception to my description of him in the paperwork as ¢the neighbor.¢ He corrected me by telling me my Dad was ¢his friend.¢ He is 90+ years old, never moved around quickly, doesn¢t hear well, but does check the internet frequently. I hope my sister can direct him toward the journal.   From the wet scout who can¢t remember the words to ¢ants hiking in the rain,¢Tic
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Daleville, VA

To: just south of Tinker Cliffs
Miles today: 13.4

II. Trail Word for the Day:        Section hiker is a person who is attempting to become a 2,000-Miler by         doing a series of section hikes over a period of time. (OLC)        Thru-hiker is traditionally a person who is attempting to become a 2,000-        Miler in a single, continuous journey leaving from one terminus of the Trail,         and backpacking to the other terminus. (OLC)III. Report for Today: I stayed in Daleville last night and this was the first town where the AT (owned by the National Park Service) passes right thru town.   It crossed US Highway, went under the interstate and popped out at the Howard Johnson where I spent the night. After yesterdays report, I went to the outfitter for the ¢bounce box¢ and called Lumpy to confirm we would be meeting on Friday. I was surprised to find out that he wouldn¢t make it. He couldn¢t get all of his medical commitments taken care of in the short period of time. I had to get into plans ¢c, d, and e.¢ At the Outfitter I bought new gear shedding the winter items for summer items (pictures to follow). At the hotel I gave myself a full body check. Big Ugly, Little Brother and Tres are all doing well. The little toe on the left foot is joining the family it¢s name is Little Joe after the character on the Poderosa. Little Joe is too ugly for photos. The big toe on the right foot is fighting for a name. It doesn¢t deserve one yet. I had a tic on my left calf (a wood tic). I am watching for the bulls eye that accompanies lyme disease; and Miss P & B told me if I have flu type symptoms in the next 60 days I have to see a doctor for antibiotics to treat Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever which is now very active on the East Coast (she has first hand experience with it). I discovered I have more hair on my neck than I have on my head. This morning I loaded my pack and early. I don¢t know how much my pack weights and I don¢t want to know how much my pack weights. It feels like it is over 50 lbs. Today, I did a log of rock scrambling. I came upon a beautiful rock out cropping that had been destroyed by graffiti (gang oriented). I passed Tinker Cliffs and the view was beautiful, but not a place to be if you have vertigo.         V. Person of the Day: Shutterbug for giving me the words to ¢the ants go marching. Thank you. I had two or three stanzas. I did not remember there were 10 verses.