morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

A little more about yesterday. The climb up towards Sarner was a beast. When we got to the ridge, there were all these funky stacked up rock piles. It was getting dark and the forest had a spooky tone. There was a 1/4 mile hike descent down a switchback trail to the Sarner Hollow Shelter. Water was a srping in an old, decrepit store cistern, right next to an old abandoned cabin. Perfectly creepy for the day's 666 theme. The shelter itself was awesome. New, big, clean, with a covered porch and a picnic table. After Montana stormed out, I gave Locomotive Joe my new MP3 player. His favorite artist is Janis Joplin, and Cari had the foresight to load Janis's greatest hits for me. Funny how things work out. I took a seat by the firepit, read the shelter register, and leaned back to view the sky. The background was a perfect shade of midnight blue black. The stars twinkled and shones, oops, these are stalactites. The actual stars are a sight to behold with no real light pollution here in the wilderness. You can see so many. Before we left the shelter, we took some black duct tape and christened it with its proper house number. Today itself was pretty uneventful. I hiked solo most of the day, taking it pretty easy. Took some decent break,s and strode into Pickle Branch around 7:00. Gave me time to wash up in the stream. Found a great tent spot. Locomotive, Porkchop, and I are all tenting. We had a great little thru hiker fire. We're planning an early departure/early assault on the Homeplace Restaurant. All you can eat, family style!The shelter register is full of people headed there. We even had day hikers stop us and tell us not to miss it. So, I'll mostly likely be too tired and full to write tomorrow, haha. It's still 13 miles away, should roll in around noon, and graze all day. Simple pleasures. Oh duh, we (Porkchop, Jackson, and I) stopped by the Audey Murphy Memorial. It's the only think on this godforsaken ridge. Paid our respects to WWII's most decorated war hero and added a stone to cairns. Peace, Love, Understanding (what's so funny about?)
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Tent site

To: Tent site
Miles today: 18.5

Perched on a ridge, tent almost right on the AT. So much for two short easy days. Actually, today was a real good day. I feel so much better than yesterday. Funny what a good home cooked meal and lots of lemonade can do to a hiker. I'm rehydrated and hiked strong today. I took my time breaking camp today, 9:00, and headed the 1.3 miles up the road to the trail head. I stopped around 10:30 for 2nd breakfast (is ramen a good breakfast food?). Made the climb up to McAfee Knob, a popular spot, and found the crew sprawled out on the big rock ledge there. I caught up with Ollie, who's doing some sectioning. Nice guy, we hiked and chatted together for about 45 minutes. I got to the top of Tinker Cliffs, these really cool rock ledges on the side of the mountain ridge.We all 'goed' up there for a bit and took in the sights. We could see McAfee off in the distance (5 mile hike). It's awesome to look at the terrain you've just walked over. Fills me with pride, actually. Pressed on to Lambers Meadow Shelter where I cooked dinner, teriyaki Lipton with the requisite tuna packet. Stretch and Pokey were shooting for Troutville. They took off. Most everyone was happy with the 10 miles they did, so we're planning to stop there. Met a couple young guy, Huic (sp?) and Steve, from Carol Stream and Wheaton, IL of all places!! (maybe 20-30 min from my old home in Schaumburg). As I was finishing dinner, Locomotive took off to make some miles into town. Jonah and I followed once we finished dinner. We found Loco about a mile and a half further up, tarp up and hanging out on yet another rock cliff. Jonah and I joined him for a while, then resumed hiking. Up and down, up and down. Around dusk we found this trailside spot big enough for both of us to camp. It's nice, we're only about 3 miles from town. I like hitting town early, doing chores, then having time to relax and enjoy the evening. Doesn't make sense to me to get in late, then you almost need two nights stay at the motel. Anyways, today was great, cool, overcast, nice breeze, awesome vistas, and excellent company. Loving this trail life! Peace.
Date: 2006-06-20
To: Hojo's - Daleville, VA
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hojo's yeah!! And it's right on the trail. Jonah and I checked in at 9:00. By now, it's 2:00 and I've cleaned, bathed, laundered, outfitted, and groceried. Beautiful blue sky, soft breeze, and sitting outside near the pool. Weird, it's always nice weather in town. Porkchop is brushing Jackson out, Locomotive is in the pool area. P. Mash (professor), Ollie, 46er, Storyteller, are also here. Margaritas for dinner tonight.Aunt Nancy asked a couple good questions the other day. Navigation and trail condition. The AT is very simple to navigate. The trail is marked by white blazes. A blaze is a 2" by 6" rectangle. Blue blazes are side trails to water and/or shelters. Other major trails have been marked by yellow blazes. Not to be confused with "Yellow blazing" which is a hiker term for hitchhiking (around sections, or to concerts, etc.). White blazes are all along the AT in both north and south. A single blaze marks the trail, a double blaze, stacked one atop the other signals a change in direction. Sometimes the top blaze is offset right or left to help you know which way to go. In confusing cases, there may be arrows or signs posted. I've found blazes on trees, posts, stikes, rocks, building, interstate sign posts, a railroad tie, bridges, telephone poles, and a few other objects. I can't recall right now. This last week I've been at elevations from 1200' to 4100'. Some steep ascents and descents, some ridge running, rock climbing, fence climbing, lots of gentler ups and down, and forded a stream. The trail itself has been from a single foot path to old logging roads, to concrete and asphalt (in only a few spots). I've walked on dirt, through pastures and forests, over pine needle carpet, rocks, roots, stones, stumps, log crossings, knee and waist high plants and weekd, over and under tree blowdowns. Ricks range in size from sand and pebbles to slate pieces (slippery) to stone formations that erupted from the ground a gazillion years ago and are bigger than your neighborhood. That's just the last ninety miles. That wraps up today's AT lesson. Peace.I thought I was done for the day, but we just got some trail magic over at the mexican joint. As I was leaving, I saw they carried my favorite tequila. I sat and ordered a shot. While waiting, I struck up a conversation with the couple at the end of the bar. (I'm wearing my customized town shirt that proudly states, "YES, I walked here from Georgia." We chatted a bit about the trails, and that we're at 715 miles. He says, "Would you do another shot?" Hell yeah! Then he ordered up a round for me, him, Cudizzle, Stretch, Straw, and Jonah. Thanks Derek! You are the shining ray of light in this town. I say we rename it 'Derekville!' Happy Tuesday everyone! Cheers!
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

I am no longer a Waffle House virgin! For years, I've driven through the south, finding thei Gold and Black letterhead signs at every interstate intersection and town. I'll be visiting more often from now on. My pecan waffle was excellent the hash browns were dirine. I'm glad that Porkchop, Locomotive, and myself braved the 3/4 mile road walk during rush hour traffic to feast there. When we got back to the room, there was one final errand, post office. Locomotive took our extra soda pops to leave on the trail as magic and Porkchop and I visited the HoJo office for packing tape. Linda, the cool desk clerk, asked if we were planning to walk to the post office. We walk everywhere was our reply. She advised it was about a mile and a half, then for a couple bucks for gas, offered to let us use her car. Cha=Ching! More magic. We had three decent sized boxes. Good magic as it turns out, since the roadwalk to the post office was long hilly. So, two shining beacons of friendliness in this cold, impersonal, decidedly unfriendly and expensive town. Godd riddance. Planned a short hike on the longest day of the year. I stopped for lunch halfway at Fullhardt Knob Shelter, no I'm not making that name up. A bunch of us planned to stop for the day/night at Wilson Creek Shelter. I expected the party crew to get here, which would have resulted in over 20 people at this spot. The crew didn't make it. Oh well. We had a great time and a great fire. Guess who walked in though? My old pal Zamboni! I knew from the shelter's register he was only a few days ahead of me. That's what zeros do, level things out sometimes. Unfortunately, he's heading off trail at Waynesboro. Fortunately, he's ready and happy to do so. Sometimes, walking in the woods, everything snaps into place for ya. That hasn't happened for me yet, and most likely won't (?). I really Katahdin. I want all else that comes with trai life, but I won't rest until I'm screaming with joy, standing on top of that northern terminus sign.Anyway, nice low key summer soltice party last night, no pagan rituals or animal sacrifice involved. Porkchop, Jackson, and I are going to run together for the next while we did a food drop to Glasgow, which I'll hitch in for and do some resupply, which he watches our gear and the dog. But we realized last night that our timing is a bit off. We'll be close to the road Saturday afternoon. So it's either plaze a couple 25's out to gain Saturday am, or find some nice chill spots to take it easy and stretch this leg out an extra day. Hmmm, what to do?
Date: 2006-06-22
To: Jennings Creek - tent
Miles today: 15.8

Ok, what to do's been solved. This section will now be referred to as my "summer vacations, summer vacation/" So nice and easy is the way it's going to be. Everyone was headed for a swim spot up at VA614. We met local area hiker Wrongway yesterday. He filled us in on AT lore, secret water spots, and fun stuff to do. I'm in no hurry, so I took a nice easy, slow start. Got to Bobblets Gap Shelter, found Porkchop and Evan drinking some bottled water. Nice! I grabbed one and sucked it down. I really need to stay hydrated. Last Sunday was a bad scene. I headed down to the shelter .2 miles away, to cook lunch and read the register. Those guys pressed on, planning to cook further up the trail. An hour later, when I got back up to the trail, tada, magic! The box of bottled water had been replaced by a blue cooler. Slowly I lifted the lid, yes! Ice, pop, and beer. I had a Little Debbie Oatmeal thingy, and enjoyed a copy of iced down Buds. Nothing like a little Bud in the woods.Moved on up the trail, a bit slower than pre-lunch time. Not a bad walk, a few hills, lots of ridge running. Crossed paths with my hiker pals and we moved towards 614. I was one of the last in, to find a great spot to cool off, and newly married couple that was looking for a way to get rid of their excess food. They were camping and celebrating their nuptials. They even drove us to town for beer. I enjoyed the camraderie and a few more cold ones. Around dark, I pitched my tent by the road/river. Left the fly off, to better enjoy the night sky. You could see stars twinkling against the dark blue background through the pine trees. I woke around 4:00 and found the night sky flashing. I popped the fly on for safety and went back to sleep. It never wound up raining though. Magic.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

First off, thanks again to Shane and Kate for letting us crash their wedding reception. That was too cool. Thanks to Cat for her burger, once it was learned that some of us hadn't eaten. Those hikers who had, shared their second rounds. Goes to show how kind, thoughtful, caring, and generous hikers are. Not much to report today, generally taking it easy. Hung out at the magnificent Bryant Ridge shelter. Three levels, room for 20, solidly constructed. Would have been a great place to spend more time, had it been earlier in the day. Walked on up to Thunder Hill, appropriately named, as it's around 4000', and it thundered like mad (last night). Got in around 7:00, pitched my tent, etc. Hung out at the picnice table with 46er, Porkchop, Jackson, Evan, Ollie, and Locomotive. Thunder was brewing, so I hit my tent around 8:50.Ten minutes later, the storm started in earnest. I planned to write last night, but chose instead to lie on my back in my tent and watch the lightning storm through the tent fly. You know the trick, watch the ligntning, then count until the thunder to determine how far away the storm is. Well, the lightning and thunder were happening simultaneously overhead. Amazing storm. Apparently, three hikers shoed up late at the shelter. No packs, no gear, running for their lives!! They'd been at this shelter earlier, and when the storm hit, they got scared, ditched their packs, and ran like hell to get here for cover. As Storyteller was relaying this to me, I asked "not thru hikers?" Of course not! We don't pansy out that quick!
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: moderate rain

Left the aptly named "Thunder Hill" shelter after everyone else had. Loose plan was to hole up by the river and wait for Monday's post office pickup. The last couple of days, the AT has run close to and across the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was alongside one of these sections that I met a couple doing trail maintenance. She was digging waterbreaks and he was trimming 'weeds.' So advised I was walking on "original" trail. I told him it looked like I was walking trough someone's garden. I walked through Petites Gap and over Highcock Knob...who's coming up with these names??Matts Creek Shgelter caught me up to 46er and Storyteller, Porkchop, and Jackson. There were a few boy scouts there too. I still had daylight, and was headed for the river. Alas, no campsites by the river, nor other hikers. As I was contemplating, a guy rolled up in a pickup, asked if I needed a ride, sweet! He and his wife thru'd five years ago. I was dripping with sweat from head to toe, and chose to ride in the back. I got some resupply, 2 beers, and six pack of Pepsi. I was moving out to the curb when Todd pulled in and offered me a ride. He went into the store while I loaded my pack. He grabbed me a beer from the bed and we headed out. I was dried off from the blast into town, that felt so good. We got to talking, and when he leared I had walked all the way from Georgia, he unscred the wine he had just purchased and we shared a celebratory swig or two, and a good laugh. So two quick and easy rides. Hope Monday goes as well. Got back to the bridge and found Locomotive. He had hitched into Glasgow, my ride was to Big Island. Loco had been jumping off the walk bridge into the river with soem locals. Since I'd been gone an hour, and no Porkchop, Loclo and I drank the beer. Then packed up and headed to Johns Hollow Shelter. It's 1.7 miles north of the road, but it wasn't a bad walk. I must've walked 3.4 miles Pearisburg, Loco and I found Chat and MacGuyver here. Had some good coversations well past hiker midnight.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Shelter Zero! Good hard rain last night, got myself wet again. Climbed out of my tent around nine. Found no one here. Rinsed off, and hung a clothesline. Everything was on the line, the sun began to peek from behind the clouds, and then, of course, rain. I moved myself to the shelter, got my books and MP3 player. I was jamming to Poi Dog and watching the rain when Porkchop and Jackson showed around 11am. Last night, rain washed away my Pepsi cans. I went on a search and rescue mission and retrieved a couple of them from 100 yards downstream. So I pretty much sat in the shelter for the whole day, talking, napping, eating. Guess who showed up? Librarian and her mom, wow. She's been leaving me messages to "catch up" and here she strolls in for the day. Jackson wasn't sure how to behave on a no walk day! Even though it rained a lot of the day, most of my stuff got pretty dry. Another great day on the AT. This shelter is pretty solid, and there is a real nice stream close by. Good to see friends, old and new. Peace.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: tent site

To: tent site
Miles today: 13.2

Rained hard again last night. Seems that we're making up for a week without rain. The creeks, steams, and James River are all real high. There's flash flood warnings today. It's rained a bit more already. It's 11:15 and I'm trying to dry my tent while I pack my food. Got into Glasgow and back without a problem. Ollie was driving by in a cab. They turned around, picked me up, and took me to town. No problem at the post office and Grocery Express filled my needs (sort of). I thumbed us a ride back to the trailhead with Leo. Thanks dude! He went out of his way to drive us out.Left camp at 7:00, walked 1.7 miles out, errands, rewalk (for the third time!) The sun is shining nicely now. Next shelter is 9ish miles and there's a 2000' climb somewhere in the next 3 miles. Let's see where this resumes. Well, I hung around the campsite until 12:30. Most everything dried out. I got to PUnchbowl Shelter around 5:00. Librarian and her mom were pressing on, Ollie and Toothfairy were staying the night. I ate quickly and pressed on. Around 8:30, Librarian secured some good tent spots for us. My feet were killing me, got there just in time. Good night.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: moderate rain

Everything I have is wet. Soaking wet, to the bone wet. I've tented in some nasty storms lately. Last night was no exception. I packed up my wet tent and mde it to Brown Mountain Creek Shelter around 11:30. Wasn't sure what to do, snacked, cooked a dinner, then rolled out my matress around 1:30. The rain was not going to let us. All the creeks, streams, and rivers are way full. There were some hairy water crossings hre. As I was rolling out my bed, Toothfairy showed up. I'd met her briefly a couple of times the day before. We got to talking, she lived in my hometown of Belvidere, IL. She knew the streets, some of my old neighbors, and a lady I went to high school with. Small World. Ollie showed, then Stretch and Straw. Everyone got dry and ate. Conquered showed up, as did Jonah. Jonah spent four days at the wedding party spot. Toothfairy is the same Beth that Locomotive Joe was riding to Colonial Williamsburg.It felt great to get into my only dry clothes, longjohns, and socks. I managed to lose a sock somewhere on the trail, so I'm down to 2.5 pairs. I curled up and napped for a couple hours over the afternoon. I knopw I just took a zero, but this is different. I did not want to walk anymore in the rain. I needed to be dry. It worked, I feel a whole bunch better, and met some new people in the process. Stretch, Straw, and I are going to bust out a caouple of 25s to make to Waynesboro on Friday.
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Spy Rock Tent

To: Spy Rock Tent
Miles today: 18.6

I've had this on my mind for a while now. I'm writing a day early. Who knows what 25 miles will bring? Probably no time for writing, if by chance, I'll provide highlights. Anyways, The Hiker. The Hiker is 43 years of age, 6' tall. In February, fulled clothed, the doc's office weighed the Hiker at 192 lbs. The other day in Daleville, with 10oz of clothes on, The Hiker weighed 165 lbs. A lot of other hikers has lost lots of weight too. The HIker's body has become a walking machine. Upper body mass is gone, lower body is hard as nails. This Hiker, and others all agree, that we need more protein in our diets. Just because the Hiker does not mention pain, it does not mean he feels non. This Hiker, along with all the other hikers, is in a constant state of some sort of pain. The Hiker has been wearing his right knee brace again. The ankle he twisted at Overlook Mountain has never fully recovered. The left knee was hyperextended in a fall last week. Bruises, abrasions, bites, and cuts cover the Hiker's body. The Hiker rarely uses Ibuprofen, and has not yet used any form of bug protection. I generally walk without Ibuprofen, so I feel the pain and know what hurts, what's new, old, and in between. Every new twinge is cause for study. My legs and feet hurt at night. I try to elevate them as best as possible while sleeping. I changed insoles in Daleville and that seems to help a bit with the feet. Enough about the HIker for now. Highlights of his day included breaking the 800 mile mark. Not walking in rain. Finding a great spot to tent at Spy Rock. Hiking my own hike.
Date: 2006-06-29
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

"Order in the court! Order I say!" "But your Honor, he's been found blue blazing." I had the whole courtroom scene playing out in front of me. I admist it, I took a blue blaze 'shortcut' today. I hit the Mau-Har trail, and found Mash sitting there. A few days ago, he mentioned this side trail, and I'd been thinking about taking it. Shorter, but more difficult than the white blazed trail I figured it would cut 3.5 miles and almost two hours time from my hike. I wanted to get to Rusty's Hard Time Hollow and shuttle into town to get my post office package. So, we took off on the side trail. For a while I heard Mash cllick clacking in front of me. I hadn't taken a proper break when I ran across him, so I slowed down and ate. Anyways, somewhere in and around there or the waterfall, I got turned around. Cuse when the aforementioned drama was playing in my head, I looked up and realized I was right back where I started. An hour and a half of walking, and right back where I started. Damn. So I pushed on up to Harpers Creek Shelter. This is the long way, but I guess it's my way. No more blue blazing for me. Som I'm here with Steve, Ollie, Seed, and his dog Murphy, and across the river a dozen 'Discovery Group' boys, and down the trail here a group of 'Adventure" Girls. Peace.
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Waynesboro - Quality Inn

To: Waynesboro - Quality Inn
Miles today: 5.0

When I woke around 6:00, I found Ollie and Gene. I had to book out the five miles to get to a hitch spot to hit Waynesboro post office. Left camp around 7:00, and got to mile one on the BRP right around nine. Gene beat me by a few minutes, and had called a local "trail angel" that came out and gave us a six mile ride to the post office. Sweet. At the post office, I met Porkchop and Evan. Jonah had caught Porkchop and told him of my drop ship to Terrapin station. Good timing. We did another joint maildrip from the local pack and ship. The we found ourselves at the library. Saw Zamboni and met Pro from Dover (who's currently strumming his backpaer guitar!) Anyways, normal town stuff, mexican food included. Virginia Blues anyone? I guess I caught them. If you dwell on having or not having a feeling, do you have it or not?Anyways, lots of people have been dropping, whether money, body, mind, or a combination of all those things. Virginia is the longest state, 540+ miles, lots of up and down. I found myself asking, who really gives a f*&% if I made another 2000' climb in Virginia? Does it make me fit in? Weill it get me a job out there? Hell, no. It only matters to me. So I set my sights on Waynesboro and get my shit done. I'm staying the Quality Inn, splitting a room with Ollie. I've resolved to hang out the Shenandoahs and the last bit of VA and get on with it. I talked to Car, she told me about a Bob Schneider show in Annapolis, that might be my next zero! I heard my buddy Diesel is right behind me too. So, blues or not, I'm moving on.....Ciao.P.S. I'm gonna miss Zamboni, great guy...be well my friend!