morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Mountaineer Falls Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 15.6

We got up around seven just as the pouring rain was ending. Got on the trail by 8:40 and hiked the nine miles to the next shelter pretty quickly. During that time we hit the 400 mile mark and took a few pictures! On the way it started to sleet and during lunch it turned to snow. We completed the last 6.5 miles pretty quickly and got to Kincora Hostel. Our plan was to get out of the snow and get into town to see the NCAA men's Basketball final. The man who owned the hostel said he would only be doing a quick trip to town because of the weather. So when we went down he took us to a hotel. It was perfect because we had the cable tv and a lone star steak restaurant next door. We ate and then relaxed picking up a few things at the nearby grocer. Dinner was particularly interesting because the waitress was fascinated with us. It started when we had to ask her what town we were in (we had just been dropped off). She was shocked that we had walked there and talked to us all night. We watched the great game and got to see Episcopal Academy Grad Wayne Ellington honered as the most outstanding player in the tournament. All in all a great night.New species: 1 Wood ThrushTN totals: 38 Trip total: 57
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Mile past Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up late after a great nights sleep in our queen size hotel beds with sheets. Went to the free buffet breakfast in the conference room and then tried to find a ride back to the trail. It wasn't easy but eventually a man named Sutton Brown took us up at 11:30 am because he didn't want us to miss the check out at the hotel. It had snowed through the night and there was as much as 6 inches high in the mountains. We started the day hiking down into this beautiful gorge with shear cliffs and a cool bridge. We came to a large waterfall and walked on little paths hugging the cliffside for quite awhile. After that we had a big climb that took us over a mountain into colder weather and deeper snow. It took us until 4pm to get to Watauga lake where we caught up with Squeak and WD-40. We walked partway around the lake as a group, passing the shelter and found a campsite right along the water. Cooked dinners and made a big fire to fight off the cold wind coming off the lake.Forgot to look for Red Headed wp supposedly nesting at Watauga Shelter.TN birds: 6 New species: 4 (Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, Savannah Sparrow, Common Loon)TN totals: 44 Trip totals: 61
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Mile past Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

One month on the trail today! Started the day by reigniting a large fire that we had with Squeak and WD-40 the night before. It was cold so that was a great decision. Ate a pop tart breakfast (hung around the fire for way too long) and then headed out around 8 am. After crossing the Watauga Dam the day got tough as we went up quite a ways on a snowy trail slipping and sliding around. Got to Vandeventer Shelter around 10:40 and had a nice break in the sun with a great view of Watauga lake from above. Then went on to Iron Mountain Shelter for lunch where we spent about an hour talking to Whitey who was calling it quits for the day to rest a shin splint. The afternoon was relatively uneventful but we did manage to get service and call Granite Gear and Mountain Hardware. Both calls were to report problems with Lil' Wayne's Gear and find out our options. My Granite Gear pack has unfortunately torn and the frame has bent but the company was very apologetic and happy to send me a new one in five days for no charge. As for Mountain Hardware they were great about offering to replace the rain pants I got in Neels Gap because the inner lining has already torn. All in all the calls were a success. Towards the end of the day we went through some nice fields where Birdman could get some new birds and then we continued on to Double Spring Shelter where we met a thru named Downhill from Arlington Texas. We spent a cold night there made warmer by a dog named Aya who was there with a couple that were through hiking. The dog slept right between Birdman and I and seemed just as glad to get the warmth.
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

We were sorry to have to get up and disturb the dog that slept between us but also eager to get to town. Left around 7:15 and hiked for three miles before running into some trail magic in the form of a cooler of soft drinks just short of a road crossing. Hiked on for two more hours to reach Queens Knob Shelter where we had a mid morning snack. Ate lunch at Abingdon Gap Shelter before a quick smooth downhill 10.5 miles to Damascus where our only stop was to take some pictures at the state border of Tennessee and Virginia. When we got to town we checked into the Mt. Roger's Hostel and then started asking around the B&Bs to see where we would stay the next night as we plan to zero tommorrow. We settled on Augusta's Appalachian Inn. Had dinner at Dot's Inn with a bunch of other thrus. Talked to a bunch of hikers at one of the other hostels before heading back to Mt. Rogers to hit the hay early.TN birds: 2 New species: 4 (Hermit Thrush, Broad-winged Hawk, Tree Swallow, Osprey)Trip List: 63 VA list: 30 (on the first day!)TN birds: Junco, Downey Woodpecker, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Eastern Screech Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Common Raven, Tufted Titmouse, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Warbler, American Robin, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, Towhee, Phoebe, Black-throated green Warbler, Morning Dove, Common Grackle, White-throated Sparrow, Purple Finch, Turkey Vulture, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Brown-headed Cowbird, Chipping Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Wood Thrush, Kildeer, Rock Pigeon, Savannah Sparrow, Mallard, Canada Goose, Common Loon, Hermit Thrush, Broad-winged Hawk (46 species)
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We moved from the Mt. Rogers hostel to Augusta's Appalachian Inn today. First though, we had a blueberry pancake and biscuits with gravy breakfast at Cowboy's. Then it started to rain so we had to get our stuff moved quickly. After getting settled in we got our laundary done for us and used there internet. We also watched a little tv before heading over to the outfitters to make some changes. Free of charge I exchanged my torn rain pants for new ones. We also bought a new stove that uses canisters rather than white gas. The reason being that are old stove was a pain to set up and light and had difficulty simmering. Birdman also picked up a water sack for holding more water when in camp. After all that we went to lunch at dairy king and got delicious milkshakes. We spent the afternoon watching the masters in the Inn and catching up with Squeak, WD-40 and Little Tree who had all just rolled into town. They were staying over at the famous hostel, called "The Place". We later went to Quincey's for a pizza dinner with Downhill, Wizard, and Cabot. Talked to Whitey for the ast time as he is getting off the trail to go over to the PCT. Had a great night hanging out at The Place.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up a little before the scheduled time for our delicious home cooked breakfast at the Inn. After that we reluctantly started packing to head out. On our way out we ran into Spaceship and Intents at Cowboys having Breakfast. They were planning to take two zeros so we may not see them again. We gave lex a good tummy rub, stopped into subway to get lunch for the trail, and then got going. As usual it was up significantly out of town and the 15.8 miles we did thoroughly tired us out. Most of the day was spent running parallell to the Virginia Creeper Trail which follows a river on an old railroad bed. We were very jeolous of all the carefree bikers and even offered to trade our pack for their bikes a few times. Got to the shelter around 6pm and tented nearby eating dinner with Stink, Cabot, Wizard, Downhill, The Boss, Spammy, and Hunter Who were all staying there.VA birds: 9 VA list: 39 Trip list: 63
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Absolutely beautiful weather all day today. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was warm. In the morning we hiked up and over the bald shoulder of Whitetop Mt. We got great views in every direction and then began our assent of Mt. Rogers which is the highest peak in all Virginia. On the way up we ran into wild ponies that live on the mountain. One of the ponies even came right up to us and licked our hands! Clearly looking for a snack. In the afternoon we went into Grayson Highlands State Park which has beautiful Bald Mountaintops with rocky crags. When hiking along one of these crags the trail took a turn and seemed to head right towards a rock wall. It wasn't until we got close that we realized there was a cave and the trail went into it! We squeezed through a very narrow passage and ended up coming out on the trail again after 20 yards. It was without a doubt the coolest section of trail so far. Got to the shelter around 5:45 and were joined by Hunter, Downhill, Cabot, Wizard, Spammy, The Boss, and Earl (his dog).
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

After a delicious Cream of Wheat breakfast we headed out early and after only 3.5 miles we hit the 500 mile mark! It is very close to one quarter of te way which is very exciting. We ate lunch at a new shelter at Hurricane Mountain and then set off for another 9 miles to Trrimpi Shelter. We were taking a break soaking our feet in a big stream when we noticed a very cool tree that was growing on top of a rock in the center of the stream with no visible roots! Hunter came up and joined us in our break and while sitting there he convinced us to try hitching into a town called Troutdale to get a restaurant meal. We weren't sure we would be able to but were willing to give it a shot and sure enough we get to the road and it looked terribly slow. After a ninute thoough a car appealed and miraculously stopped the moment it saw our thumbs. It was a van full of kids going on a hiking trip. They took us to Troutdale where we ate a delicious dinner that included sweet potato fries and banana splits (among other things). We were given a free ride back to the trail by a man who worked at the little restaurant. We sped through the last 4 miles of the day and were delighted to find that Trimpi wasn't full and had an indoor fireplace. We had a great night sharing the fire with Hunter, Cabot, The Boss, Spammy, Wizard, Squeak, and WD-40.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: I-81 Rural Retreat, VA
Miles today: 22.2

It rained all day to day but it didn't make it terrible. We spent the morning hiking 10 miles without stop to get to the Partnership Shelter and Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters. Partnership is a large shelter with hot showers and is famed because you can have pizza delivered to the location. Birdman did just that while I ate the dinner that we skipped the night before. The second half of the day was largely uneventful. It was nice to walk through a bunch of farms in a flat valley. What was not as fun was to slip on the flat but muddy trail and fall straight on to my backside. Got to the road in one piece though and were glad to find that the Relax Inn was right next to the trail. Ordered Pizza Plus for Dinner and slept well.VA birds: 4 New species: 1 (Black & Whaite Warbler)VA list: 43 Trip list: 66
Date: 2009-04-15
From: I-81 Rural Retreat, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up a little late at the hotel and took our time getting ready. Had to call my aunt sophie to arrange our next zero day and had to switch out my old pack for the new one that Granite Gear sent me. Ate cinnabons from pizza plus that we ordered last night. Made a quick stop at the Shell gas station on the way out and then hit the trail. The day went slow as my pack weighed 15 more pounds than when I got in and there were plenty of birds to distract Birdman. Went through lots of cow pastures trying not to kill ourselves on the steep fence ladders that. Allow you to get in and out of the fields. It misted a little and was overcast all day but no real rain. The day seemed to take forever with a big up over brushy Mt. At the end but it wasn't that far in actuality. Got to the shelter to find Hunter, Wizard, and Cabot already there. Had a good time chatting with them before are usual early bedtime.Best day yet for birds! New species: 4 (Redwing Blackbird, Catbird, Field sparrow, Brown Thrasher)VA list: 52 Trip list: 70
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Started at a typical 8 am and walked through a pretty valley and then up a big 2000 foot incline. It was during this time that we kept hearing turkey calls and ran into three different hunters. We realized that they were the ones making the turkey noise as that is the season here in Virginia. I was thankful that Birdman had not pulled out the ipod and played a turkey noise himself to try and bring the "birds" in. The hunters did assure us that they only shoot on sight but I don't think will take our chances! The weather was great today and we had a beautiful view from Chesnut Branch Shelter which is on a grassy mountain top. We had lunch there with Hunter, Wizard, and Cabot. The afternoon was spent walking along a rocky ridge that had outcroppings with more great views of a broad valley. Got to the shelter around 5:40 and were joined by everyone from lunch. With the warm weather also came our first bugs on the trip and therefore we elected to sleep in the tent. We also saw our first White Tail Deer walking close by during dinner.New species: 1 (Blue-grey Gnatctcher) VA: birds: 2VA list: 54 Trip List: 71
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: 5 miles past Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 19.0

A day filled with more ridgerunning the morning started cold but got hot fast! In the morning we wound around the side of a ridge using nice relatively flat old logging roads. After 10 miles we came down to a big road crossing where I-77 met VA 52. We walked along a third road that went over the interstate. It was unbearably hot in the rocky man made gap but it gave Birdman the opportunity to spot some cliff swallows. Had lunch by a little creek below the interstate and then headed back up to another ridge for the afternoon. Talked to Hunter briefly but decided we were not up for a full 12 miles to Jeny Knob Shelter. So around 6pm we stopped on a nice knob on the ridge where there was a flat spot for a tent. We had to be a little frugal with the water we had but got to see both sunset and sunrise.New Species: 2 (Louisiana Waterthrush, Cliff Swallow) VA birds: 3VA list: 57 Trip list: 73
Date: 2009-04-18
From: 5 miles past Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter 
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Set off by 7:15 with a quick cold breakfast. Hit Jeny Knob Shelter by 9 am just catching Hunter on the way out. Took a good break and made a second...hot breakfast. The leg pain that I started feeling on my lower left shin two days ago was pretty bad today. Curiously enough Birdman started feeling pain in the same spot today. Went down to another decent road crossing today and on the way down we saw a big snake and two huge snapping turtles! At the road crossing there was a river crossed by a suspension bridge. This bridge was just a little over the 600 mile mark and was where we took our picture for that milestone. We decided that we wanted to have a real lunch so wew hitched a ride in the back of a truck to Trent's Grocery and gas. Had a good lunch there but were not lucky enough to catch a ride back to the trail. It was clear and hot again today and we were lucky that we had easy hiking in the afternoon. The trail went very gradually up a wide creek valley at the end of which was our shelter for the night. We followed and crossed the creek a bunch of times and took the opportunities to cool off and soak our sore legs. The 9 miles were rather easy and we got to the shelter around 6pm. We found that Hunter and a group of 5 VA Tech grad students were already there. Had a great time talking to them and sharing food around ther fire. Also were delighted when Wizard, Cabot, Squeak, and WD-40 rolled in a little later. Shared more stories, food, and drinks before going to bed by 10 pm.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Wapiti Shelter 

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up very early to ensure that we would get to Pearisburg in time to see the Flyers game at 3pm. We had heard that it would be on NBC so we were on the trail by 6:15. Had a pretty tough up to the top of a ridge where the sunrise was great.the ridge was very rocky but we still managed to cover the 9.9 miles to Doc's Knob Shelter in a little over 3 hours. Ate a quick lunch and pressed on, walking another smoother ridge for 5 miles before going down steeply to town. The big down was no help to our legs and we both ended up with a lot of swelling by the time we reached town. On a brighter note it was only 2pm and we got a hold of the man from the B&B who came and picked us up, got us wendy's and took us home in time to shower before the game started. Got to watch a great game in which the good guys won 6 to 3 on a big screen TV. After that we ordered dinner from an italian place and watched a movie before bed.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Pop decided that the leg hurt enough to need a day off so we gave up one of our four days ahead of schedule to take a zero. We also decided to stay at the nice B&B that was rather expensive. Ate a good omelette breakfast and then relaxed in the room. I watched a little tv and Birdman incredibly decided to "go for a stroll" looking for birds. He came back after awhile and the man who owned the B&B drove us to the post office to pick up our mail drop. Came back and I spent the day reading as many sources of news as possible while he walked around and got to know the owners. Were able to record some thoughts about upcoming earthday on the phone for the episcopal community to listen to at chapel. Had lunch and dinner at the same little Mexican Place nearby and went to bed early and rested.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Peter Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 16.7

Headed out of town today but not before having another great breakfast of Belgian Waffles and seeing the sign rise over an undercast sky. Read the paper and then packed up. We were driven back to the trail head and started off by crossing a big bridge along a road. Most of the morning was spent hiking around the outskirts of a big factory that makes cigarette filters. Not surprisingly they had unfriendly signs that said no trespassing on every tree along the trail. In the low valley spring was bringing the leaves out for the first time on our trip. Very exciting but all signs of life dissappeared as we went up to another ridge. We had lunch with a friend named Lightning at the first shelter. We then hiked most of the afternoon with her. We elected to not go all the way to the second shelter because we wabted to stay up on the ridge where we knew we would have service to check the flyers. Unfortunately they lost but we had a good tortellini dinner before turning in.VA birds: 1 VA list: 58
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Peter Mountain Campsite

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Well you wouldn't believe it but shortly after we woke up to a cold morning it began to snow! We gobbled down our granola and instant breakfast even as the snow accumulated. The wind was cold so we set off as fast as possible. We went down to the shelter and found Downhill (another thru) still in her sleeping bag. Talked to her and snacked before setting off into the snow and sleet mix. Before reaching the next shelter we crossed a very impressive footbridge built this year. It looked like you could have driven a tank across it. We ate lunch at the second shelter with Lightning again. The snow was still falling and it was rather cold. The first half of the afternoon was rather slow going as the snow covered rocky trail was difficult to navigate. But later on the sun came out and we ridgeran and then went down to the last shelter of the day. Lightning was just leaving at 4pm when we got there but we were later joined by Downhill, Stink, Spammy, The Boss, Tex, and Sarah. Had a nice fire and slept in the shelter.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Woke to a sunny windy day at 6:30AM and hit the trail at 7:45AM. Bird migration seems to have kicked in big time. I add 5 new species to my total list of 75 species just this morning. We had a good day with some nice views. Ate lunch in a beautiful meadow near Va 42 then headed up to a ridge top and into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The ridge we were hiking is the final place were water flowing off the west side of the ridge heads to the Mississippi River and the Gulph of Mexico. From now till the middle of PA we will be in the Chesapeake watershed. Spend the night at Niday shelter with Lightning, Stink and Downhill.VA species: 4 New Species: 4 (Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Great-crested Flycatcher)VA list: 61 Trip list: 77
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Niday Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

Since we had only 10 miles to day we got up late (for us) at around 7:30 and left at 9:00AM. It ended up being a very hot day (probably in the 80's) and the 10 miles we tougher than we anticipated. We hit a stream towards the end of the day and decided to take a dip (our first swim of the trip). Although the stream was very cold it was refreshing and made the last mile uphill to the shelter much more bearable. Lil Wayne is not feeling well and may be comming down with a bug. My left shin is still painful and swollen at the end of each day but seems to be slowly improving. Up hills and flat trial is fine, it is the steepdown hills that are painful.VA species: 2 New Species: 2 (Whiporwill, Scarlet Tananger)VA list: 64 Trip list: 79