morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Roanoke, VA

To: Baily Gap Shelter
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 66My shuttler dropped me off at VA Route 635, where I had started my slackpack south on May 12th. It is a short distance from the road to the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. I sat down at the picnic table in front of the shelter. I didn¢t know if Rocky would show up. I made myself lunch while I waited. Around noon Sowega came by. He told me Rocky was quite some distance behind. We both hung around the shelter waited for her. She finally arrived several hours later in mid-afternoon. She looked a little under the weather. The Trail Days rest break hadn¢t been much of a rest apparently. I explained to Sowega and Rocky that the footbridge 1.4 miles ahead was washed out. I suggested we take the bypass on VA Route 635. Rocky is both a ¢purist¢ and stubborn. She wanted to ford the stream rather than take the road bypass. She had to take the challenge. When we reached the stream crossing, I saw that it was about 40 feet wide, and perhaps thigh deep. Sowega and Rocky both got across without any problem. I, however, slipped and got wet, but no real harm done. The three of us continued to Bailey Gap Shelter, another mile and a half ahead. When we got to the shelter Rocky was exhausted. It is quite understandable as she has hiked 16.2 miles from Rice Field Shelter, where she had spent last night. I got her water for her dinner as she was reluctant to move. Jake and Cola are also at this shelter tonight. I had not seen them for close to three weeks. Well, anyway, half of our Trail ¢family¢ is still together. Tomcat must be miles ahead. Who knows where The Blondes are tonight.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Baily Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 67The days are getting longer and the sun is coming up earlier. Rocky is finding it easier to get going in the morning and today we were on the Trail by 7:10 am. I am a morning person, and I am always anxious to get going in the mornings.Nine miles into the day¢s hike we took a break with Sowega at War Spur Shelter. He had told Rocky earlier that he would be going on ahead of us, as he wanted to get to Catawba by May 19th, two days from now. It appears he is having many worries, largely concerning his fianc©e. She sapparently been pressuring him to hurry up and finish his hike. Everyone on the Trail has some kind of pressures which can detract from the relatively care free and simple life we have on the Trail. I don¢t know if I will see him again. He has been a good friend. In the afternoon it got quite warm and we had a tough climb up White Rock. Rocky and I rested awhile on a rock overlook near the summit. A young couple was already sitting on an adjacent rock when we got there. Naturally, Rocky started talking with them, as she does with everyone she meets on the Trail. The young man is soon to leave his girl friend to become a Navy pilot. His girl friend is a recent college graduate in animal studies. Rocky is always free with advice. She wished the couple good luck in life and in their future marriage. That may be a bit presumptuous on Rocky¢s part, to say the least. To top it off a vulture landed on a nearby rock and nearly defecated on them. Them we were on our way.Later in the day, we encountered an older couple, ¢Chilly Willy¢ and her husband ¢Just Ray¢. Rocky had met them on April 23rd, when they came close to hypothermia enroute to Kincora Hostel. Rocky was involved in getting help for them. At the time I was enjoying the warmth at Mountain Harbour Hostel.We are now settled into Laurel Creek Shelter, after an otherwise eventless day. The days are already falling into a familiar routine, as Rocky and I continue our Trail partnership.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

DAY 68It has been another warm dry day on the Trail. We descended one ridge, crossed pastoral farmland and started a climb up the next ridge. As we walked across the farmland of the Sinking Creek Valley, we had to dodge the piles of cow manure. Rocky was mortified when she managed to get some manure on her leg. It added to the normal hiker aroma. Fortunately we came to a stream where she could wash her leg off.We crossed VA Route 630 and proceeded to start the 1300 foot climb up Sinking Creek Mountain. Shortly after we crossed the road we came to the Keffer Oak, one of the largest trees on the Trail. It is estimated to be 300 years old and is about 18 feet in circumference. It is truly a magnificent sight.About three miles later we came to the side trail to the Sarver Hollow Shelter. We needed water and had little choice but to take the half mile walk down to the shelter and its water source. Just beyond the water source are the ruins of two old cabins, with their stone fireplace chimneys still intact. Apparently Rocky is an admirer of such stone work. Perhaps that¢s why her trail name is ¢Rocky¢. She was awestruck and lingered longer than I wanted to on a hot day, when we still had six miles to go to our destination for tonight, Niday Shelter. I am the son of an Italian stone mason, but it was time to go.The afternoon¢s hike was a ridge walk along a tilted ledge whitch made walking difficult, especially for Rocky. She is still fighting the cold she picked up during Trail Days and has a sore toe. She wanted to stop to rest on one occasion and we nearly sat down on a hill of red ants. That could have been painful. This evening at the shelter site it was Old Home Week for Rocky. We met an interesting family of five from New Hampshire. Besides mom and dad, there are three children, all loving this experience. We also have met a man from Rocky¢s former home town of Concord, New Hampshire, named ¢Hot & Sweaty¢. No wonder he was hot and sweaty, as he is wearing long sleeves and gloves on a hot day in May.Tonight, as we lay in the shelter in our sleeping bags, we are being serenaded by whippoorwills, after a tough day. Rocky does not seem as strong as she was during our hike into Pearisburg last week. Perhaps she has less incentive to make miles now. And the cold doesn¢t help.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: VA Route 624

To: Mills Gap Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Miles today: 19.9

DAY 72Today was another southbound slackpack day. After Scott fed us breakfast, he drove us to the Mills Gap Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a lengthy drive from his home, and Scott would have to make a return drive to Daleville at US Route 220 to pick us up. He would also pick up The Blondes as the same location as they would be slackpacking northbound from VA Route 311. It has been another nice day for hiking.The Trail today more or less parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rocky loved the views and the wildflowers she saw along the way. When we came to the Bobletts Gap Shelter side trail, I wanted to walk down to the shelter to see what it was like today. I had stayed there one night in October 2001. That night I also met a SoBo thru hike named, surprisingly, ¢Swamp Fox¢. I told Rocky to go on ahead and I would catch up. No surprise. The Bobletts Gap Shelter is unchanged. To catch up with Rocky I had to run along the Trail. As a result I felt the sore spot on my right knee act up, that I first felt 11 days ago in Pearisburg. I don¢t think it¢s anything to worry about. Something always hurts on the Trail.Later in the afternoon, we ran across ¢Kitchen Sink¢, a girl from New Jersey. She aspires to be an opera singer. She is hiking alone, but is obviously on the look out for a male partner. Her ample breasts were prominently displayed by the sports bra she was wearing. Still later in the afternoon, after we passed Fullhardt Knob Shelter, we crossed paths with Captain Patagonia and Quinn. We hadn¢t seen them for many days. They are obviously romantically involved at this point in their hikes. Quinn was not feeling well and confided in Rocky. As always Rocky gave her some good advice that us males were not privy to.We descended into farm fields and then the Trail paralleled noisy Interstate 81, as we approached the end of today¢s hike at US Route 220. Scott was waiting for us at US Route 220. It looked like he had the singer Willie Nelson in his car. Instead it was a hiker by the name of ¢Grits¢, who bears a strong resemblance to Willie Nelson. Scott had hiked with Grits during their Year 2000 thru hikes. Scott had recognized him on the road and picked him up. Grits came back to Scott and Mandy¢s home with us. Back at the house, Rocky decided I needed a haircut. This is very true considering my last hair cut was 11 weeks ago, and I dislike long hair. Jukebox participated with Rocky in giving me more than I asked for. They not only cut my hair but trimmed my eyebrows and ear hairs. I did a lot of screaming as they were not gentle. It goes to show you: You get what you pay for!Still later tonight, about midnight or so, we had a wonderful dinner on Scott¢s deck. We have had grilled chicken and fish, and a little alcoholic beverages to go along with the food. As we ate there was a full moon. What a great setting this is for a final dinner with Scott and Mandy. They have been amazing to us. It will be hard to get back to a normal Trail routine tomorrow.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Mills Gap Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

DAY73This is the day that we finally had to say goodbye to Scott and Mandy. We have truly appreciated their hospitality during the past three days. I tried to give Scott a $60 contribution in return for all they have done for us during our stay. Scott wouldn¢t take anything, but we finally got him to accept $20 as a contribution to the ¢soda fund¢ for future hikers that they will take in.Mandy was our shuttler back to the Trail today, as Scott has to be back at work today, as it is Monday. Enroute we stopped in Daleville for resupply. I also went to the post office to mail home my 15 degree fiber fill sleeping bag, now that I have a much lighter 32 degree down bag. Because of the distance back to the Trail and our stops along the way, we didn¢t get started on today¢s hike until 12:20 pm.Five miles later we stopped at Cove Mountain Shelter for lunch. We had a light rain later, but nothing to even require pack covers or rain jackets. Then we continued on to our night stop at Bryant Ridge Shelter. This is an amazing shelter. It is quite large compared to others on the Trail. It has three levels. Rocky is admiring the post and beam construction. She tells me she has similar construction at her home in New Hampshire. At this shelter we have found Sowega again. Kitchen Sink is here also, but she hasn¢t tracked down a male partner yet. I went to get water for Rocky¢s dinner. I guess I am trying to spoil her as she is quite tired at the end of today¢s hike.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 74I guess the good hiking weather of the past four days had to change. Today started out overcast as we left our magnificent shelter. There were morning thunderstorms.We had lunch at the Cornelius Creek Shelter about five miles into today¢s hike. After we left the shelter the rain began in earnest. We climbed Apple Orchard Mountain, a bald, with its radar dome. We passed the Guillotine without stopping to even take a picture as the rain was so heavy. The Guillotine is an interesting geological feature. It is a boulder suspended between two rock wall formations. The Trail passes underneath the boulder. However, today, in the rain we didn¢t much care. I was wearing a cotton t-shirt and was getting chilled even though it was not particularly cold, but it was quite windy. We wanted to get under cover at Thunder Hill Shelter as soon as possible. We got to the shelter at around 3 pm. There was no one in the shelter at the time, so we got out of our wet clothes and got into our sleeping bags. We were soon fast asleep.Later this afternoon we awoke and ¢Morel¢ was in the shelter with us. Morel told us he is hiking at an accelerated pace to get away from Kitchen Sink, who apparently is after him as a male trail partner. We had a good laugh, as Morel wants no part of this relationship. After cooking our dinners and some conversation with Morel, we got back into our sleeping bags again for the night. It is dark and we are the only three in the shelter. We, along with our gear, are spread out in the shelter. (later entry) We were asleep when three Sobo night hikers arrived at the shelter. They are quite noisy. We made room for them in the shelter by rearranging ourselves and our gear to take up less space. However they continued to talk loudly and bang cooking gear as they prepared their evening meal. They acted like inconsiderate brats. Later, after they finished cooking, they came into the shelter and Rocky told me we should move again to make more room. I told her in an angry voice, ¢I¢m not moving another inch!¢ Rocky was taken aback by my angry tone, as she is a kind and gentle person when it comes to accommodating boorish behavior. I am at my limit of patience with these inconsiderate hikers, and I have no apologies. I dislike night hikers as a group. They typically come into a shelter late and after dark when other hikers are settled for the night. There is a reasonable expectation that a few hours after dark that no one else is coming into the shelter. Night hikers are rarely considerate of sleeping hikers when they come in. The next morning they want to sleep late and expect other hikers to make no noise while they sleep. Because they come in late and sleep late and leave late, they tend to repeat this pattern night after night. Night hikers seem to think they are special because they hike in the darkness. It seems so stupid to me, except in an emergency. You can see nothing around the Trail and there is a probability of injury with the poor visibility afforded by a head lamp.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: US Route 501 (Glasgow VA)

To: Little Irish Creek footbridge
Miles today: 14.9

DAY 76The six of us, Rocky, B-Money, Mouth, Wood Rose, Muleskinner and me, along with Bella, the dog, got a ride back to the Trail in a stake body pick up truck. It was a tight squeeze for all of us with our gear. Muleskinner and I had to stand and hold on for dear life. However, we got to the Trail at the north side of the James River in one piece.We started the long steady climb over nine miles to the top of Bluff Mountain. Near the top of the climb we saw the memorial to little Ottie Cline Powell. It brought tears to our eyes to think about it. Four year old Ottie wandered into the woods in October 1890 and got lost. He was never found alive. His remains were found the following spring. The marker is at the spot where his remains were found. How sad, how awful, to think about a little boy, terrified and lost. We continued on the Trail with tears in our eyes. The rest of today has been quite pleasant with good views. Rocky has perked up from the slump she was in for a few days. We descended to the footbridge at Little Irish Creek and made camp on the north side. There are quite a few other hikers here tonight, including Mouth. The footbridge provides a convenient place to hang bear bags from.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Little Irish Creek footbridge

To: North Fork of the Piney River
Miles today: 18.6

DAY 77By 7:30 am we were on the Trail. It has been another nice day. Mouth left the campsite after we did but he soon caught up with us. Rocky was loving all the new wild flowers she was seeing along the Trail. In mid morning, just before Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, we came upon the remnants of a community founded by freed slaves after the Civil War. The community existed until about the time of World War I. There were interpretative signs. We were particularly intrigued by the kiosk that described the making of ¢ash cake¢. Rocky says she has to try it. This was an interesting area to pass through for a history buff like myself. One of the signs said, ¢Observe as you walk. Be aware that history surrounds you. Keep your eyes and mind open to explore the secrets held by the land¢.When we came to the shelter itself, we encountered a group of girls who had spent the night there. Rocky enjoyed talking with them before we walked on. After about seven miles we came to US Forest Service Road 507. We were low on water and it was getting quite warm. A spring was reportedly half a mile away. We had little choice except to utilize this source, as the next water was three miles ahead. Mouth and I went to get water while Rocky stayed at the road with the packs. We found that the water flow was a trickle, as it is getting warmer and the springs are starting to dry up. After we loaded up on water, Mouth quickly pulled away from us. We then began a long climb of 2000 feet over Bald Knob and Cold Mountain. We walked on and on. At about 7:15 pm we decided to stop in the woods at the North Fork of the Piney River. This is a lonely and almost idyllic spot. Setting up of our tents and cooking dinner has gone by quickly. Evening chores are getting to be almost automatic. We have had time tonight to sit and reflect on our Trail experience and Trail partnership. I sat on a log by Rocky¢s tent while she sat in her tent. Rocky is able to cook, eat, and wash while sitting in her tent. About the only thing she can¢t from from her tent is to go to the bathroom. I told Rocky how much I have enjoyed her company and friendship for the past four weeks. I told her that I am troubled by how my feelings for her were evolving to something more than just friendship. She doesn¢t seem shocked or otherwise upset by my revelation. As I went back to my tent, she said, ¢Swamp Fox, if it makes you feel any better, I am feeling the same¢. It really hasn¢t made me feel any better and I went to bed still feeling troubled about the future of our Trail partnership.We are laying in our tents tonight, as darkness falls, listening to the owls hooting and the sound of the River. In some respects this is a perfect Trail evening.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: North Fork of the Piney River

To: Fish Hatchery Road (Dutch Haus B&B)
Miles today: 4.2

DAY 78Today was supposed to be a short day, ending at the Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast, near Montebello, Virginia. But first we had to walk to Fish Hatchery Road, then another mile and a half to the Fish Hatchery. At the Fish Hatchery we could call the B&B for a pick up. As we descended towards Fish Hatchery Road, we encountered a Boy Scout group coming up towards us. The column of boys seemed endless as we stood aside to let them pass. As I am currently a Boy Scout leader in a Philadelphia troop, I gave them the Scout Sign. However, I don¢t think any of the boys struggling up the slope cared.At the Fish Hatchery we called the owners of the B&B, Lois and Earl Arnold. Mrs. Arnold soon came to pick us up for the short ride to the B&B. We were served a great free lunch, as the free lunch is a service the Arnold¢s provide for all hikers, whether they stay at the B&B or not. There were no rooms available in the B&B, but the Arnold¢s also provide a hostel type facility. It is quite comfortable. Mouth is here as well. He arrived here yesterday, and is taking a Zero Day today.Mrs. Arnold did our laundry, and then we hung up our clothes on a clothes line to dry. Later, today,Mr. Arnold took us into Montebello for resupply at a small store. Not much was available but it should take us into Waynesboro, Virginia, in three days. For dinner tonight, Mr. Arnold took us to a community Memorial Day weekend dinner. There was unlimited food and desserts. I loved it. Rocky, however, did not come to the dinner, as she is watching her weight, which is hard to believe considering our daily expenditures of calories. We have met some other hikers at this B&B including ¢Ole Man¢ and his wife ¢NaviGator¢. Ole Man is in his second year of hiking the Trail. He was injured last year. He is a Marine veteran of Vietnam. He was badly injured by a mine during the War. His leg looks horribly mangled, but he has still managed to hike over 800 miles on the Trail so far.
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Fish Hatchery Road (Dutch Haus B&B)

To: Reeds Gap at VA Route 664
Miles today: 19.9

DAY 79Today we arranged a long slack pack with the Arnold¢s. We covered over 21 miles today, as we had to walk back to the Trail from the Hatchery, and start the 19.9 mile hike. It has been a long hot day with many climbs. First we went past Spy Rock on Main Top Mountain. Then we went over The Priest, and then we descended to the Tye River footbridge. Then we began the up and down climbs of Three Ridges.As we hiked along this morning, I became aware of three itchy pimples on my butt and upper leg. I thought they might be ticks. However, without a mirror, there was no way I could tell. I figured Rocky is a nurse and a man¢s butt is nothing new to her. So I asked her to check the pimples for ticks. She had me drop my boxer shorts. Then with her headlamp on she picked two ticks off of me, like a professional. She thought the episode was funny. I¢m not sure I do. Ticks have been a problem lately, and Rocky picked one of off her leg. We haven¢t seen any red rings, so we should be okay. As we descended from the Three Ridges we came upon Mouth, who was hiking today with ¢Spice Rack¢. They will be staying tonight at Maupin Field Shelter. They were the only thru hikers we saw all day, although this Memorial Day weekend has brought out many day hikers. We continued on after Maupin Field Shelter for another 1.7 miles to our agreed upon pickup point at Reeds Gap. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold picked us up and we went back to their B&B for a great dinner. It has been a long day and we are both pretty tired. Tomorrow we will be leaving this B&B. We will miss the great meals we have had here.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Reeds Gap at VA Route 664

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

DAY 80This morning, after breakfast, we were shuttled back to Reeds Gap by ¢Patches¢. He is a section hiker and has been at the B&B for several days. We appreciated the favor, and he would not take money for the shuttle.Today¢s hiking has been fairly easy as there have not been much in the way of climbs. Poison ivy has been a problem, but I think we have managed to avoid it so far. We loved the small trees we saw with white flowers that had a wonderful scent. Were they dogwoods?We had lunch at Cedar Cliffs and lingered for a long time in the sunshine. The view from Cedar Cliffs to the west over the Shenandoah Valley is spectacular. We sat, we talked, and finally it was time to move on. This afternoon¢s hike seemed endless. We have not been the most motivated hikers today. Eventually we reached the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter. There is another man here at the shelter. It does not appear that he is a hiker. I believe he is homeless and living in the shelter. He is kind of spooky. Later Rocky told me that when I went to get water, leaving her behind, this person rubbed her arm and really freaked her out. I will sleep with an eye open tonight. Shortly after we finished dinner the rain began, but we are dry in the shelter. Tomorrow it¢s a town day in Waynesboro.