morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

It was a comfortable night. I get up and start getting ready to leave. Flick gave me some water last night but I am super low so I drink it and go. First goal is water about a mile and a half down the mountain but just off the trail. Get the water, then up Garden Mountain, then along a rolling rocky ridge for miles. It wears you out, then you finally get to go way down a hot, dry section. Finally I reach a creek which seems like an oasis. There are tall mature rhododendrum trees shading a nice creek with small waterfalls. It's pleasant and cool so I take a break and reload on water. Next stop if the Jenkins Shelter where I run into Flick and Grey Wolf. We are all beat from the trail and the heat. The next section is along a reroute because a small brige is out. This relo causes you to walk along a gravel road for quite some time before reaching the point where it re-enters the forest. There I find a cooler loaded with drinks. Just what I needed! I am very thirsty. After quenching my thirst I sind a tent site nearby. Grey Wolf, Ranger, Flick and Widow Maker are also tenting here. After dinner we have a campfire. I'm in my tent doing my journal. I can hear the creek and some wind high up on the ridges. The campsite is calm and protected. It is supposed to rain tonight. I am hoping it doesn't wake me.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Campsite

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

No rain last night. I think it's early but everyone but GreyWolf and Flick have left. I walk out with Flick over nice switchbacks and gentle rolling ridges. We talk to two southbounders who tell me there's a note from Pegasus and Caboose and CB at the next shelter. We continue at a nice pace quickly reaching the Helvey's Mill Shelter where I see a note on the shelter sign from my buddies saying they are waiting at the shelter. I turn in on the shelter trail and reach a tent site with CB and Caboose's tents. I find CB, Caboose, Pegasus and Golden Boy waiting at the shelter. We have a very nice warm reunion with hugs all around. It is sweet to be back together again. After awhile we get hiking again. The wind increases and we hike on northward. It starts raining so I stop and put on my pack cover and rain jacket. It rains for many hours as we embraced the wetness and splashed onward. The trail was having fun with us today. We went up and over then up and over so many times I can't remember. Wet and tired, we arrived at the Jenny Knob Shelter where Flick and Golden Boy were settling in. It's raining still late in the evening and I must dry my clothes tonight. This is a good night. Tomorrow is my birthday so we might get side tracked. We'll see. I'm going to visit my sweet dreams now.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

It's my birthday! I wake to Pegasus awake and about 6 inches away from me in his bag. I get a happy birthday from him and then from Caboose, CB, Golden Boy and Flick. I am not worthy. Last year I remember walking with the Juke Box Girls and also being surprised with a nice Happy Birthday song from them. Last year I walked into Pearisburg on my birthday and we had a party at the sports bar. This year I will be one day behind and celebrate in the woods at a shelter. We are slow, it is raining and no one is in a hurry. About mid morning we get going and get packed up. Golden Boy and Flick head out first then the rest of us hike out together. The hike is nice and the group lets me set the pace so I am very comfortable. A while down the trail I slip on a wet rock and take a great big fall, landing safely next to a big rock. Luckily I did not break my glasses or my face this time. I carefully get up and take the rain cover off my pack. We are getting close to a road where you can walk 1/2 mile to Trent's Grocery. The plan is to celebrate my birthday there with beers. I am motivated to get to the road and start hiking with purpose. I hear voices ahead by the suspension bridge at the road and think, how nice, a family is out enjoying the outdoors. I turn the corner and look up at the suspension bridge and see my wife Lynne and my grandson Zane there. Beth "Taken" is also there on the bridge. "SURPRISE - HAPPY BIRTHDAY" They got me and I am so happy! I didn't have a clue about this visit and I find out that everyone knew what was going on and they were playing me. They planned on getting me at the bridge at 1pm and that is exactly when we arrived. I had been racing to catch everyone the past few days and they had been racing ahead, planning on meeting Lynne in Pearisburg, then come back and find me with the car. But since I called Lynne and asked her to call Caboose to try to locate them, they changed their plans to wait for me then all meet Lynne at the bridge together. I am so lucky and so happy. We drive to Trent's Grocery and have lunch, beers and a big birthday cake. Lynne drove half the group in to Pearisburg then returned for the second half. We get rooms at the Holiday Motor Court then go to the Mexican restaurant for dinner. (The sports bar at the Holiday is now Mexican.) My dessert is smashed in my face by the waiter and I have whipped cream all in my beard while everyone sings, laughs and takes pictures. Even the kitchen help came out to sing and take pictures. The day has been wonderful and I send many thanks to everyone. I love you all!!
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Lynne drives a carload out to the suspension bridge to slackpack back in, but I will zero today in Pearisburg with my family and watch the NFL draft. We get pizzas and Greek salad and eat on the upper deck picnic area at the hotel. It is a beautiful day but I am sure the slackpackers are hot! We do the laundry, go to the grocery and then take the Goats out to the Holy Family Hostel to pick up their stuff, as they decide to move to the hotel. The Hostel is free, beautiful with a million dollar view, but the no alcohol policy seems to limit the number of occupants. It also is quite a hike from the trail. We drive down to the trail and pick up CB and Caboose who are exhausted after their long slackpack. Flick and Golden Boy slacked a shorter section as Flick's mother and sister had arrived at the hotel for a visit with him. We run into Johnnymud walking up the hill into town, he is staying at the hostel, so we drive him out there. There must be 20 hikers at the Holiday Motor Court and we go with a large group to the Lucky Star AYCE for dinner. After dinner Flick set up a barber shop as Flick's mother has brought clippers. CB gets a buzz, Flick gets a mullet, and Pegasus gets a beard trim, leaving a 70's style bushy moustache. A happy day!
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Pearisburg

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Our time together is precious, but we must part again soon. I am very thankful for our sweet reunion. Lynne and Beth (and Zane) must go now so we say good bye. It is a happy parting because we had such a good time together. Surprises are so wonderful when it's just what you've been wishing for. The rest of the day is needed to finish our chores and get ready to hike. After we have everything worked out we get a late lunch and then get a ride from Flick's mother to the trailhead. The first part of the trail out of Pearisburg is not up to Virginia's high standards but we make the best of it as we hike out of town. After a few small climbs, then mostly steeper trail we hike up to the Rice Field Shelter. The openness and vistas are stunning. What a dramatic change in a short distance. Thank you Virginia this is more like it. Pegasus, Caboose, CB, Flick and I have the shelter and immediate universe to ourselves. Pegasus gets another beautiful fire started. We watch the sun set from the summit of Rice Fields and then return to the shelter for dinner and campfire entertainment. It is a nice night with a fat moon. The campfire goes late. The conversation is about hiking early, breaking in the heat of the day, then hiking later. The reason for this plan is to avoid the hottest part of the day because it is forecasted to be 89 tommorrow. We really didn't reach an agreement so I don't know what will happen tommorrow.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: few clouds

Last night we weren't talking about today's plan and weather. It's tomorrow that is supposed to be the hot day. We get a good start from the shelter walking acros the grassy open meadows stopping at Symm's Gap Meadow for a break. The miles don't come easy today. They seem longer than usual but the day is nice and we hike at a good pace. At one point I am moving fast and trip over a small stump sending myself crashing down then tumbling off trail landing on my back, unable to get up. Pegasus runs down the trail and helps me get out of my pack and then up on my feet. My left forearm and wrist feels like it's broken. I am in pain for a few minutes then get back under control. After a while I realize it's not broken because I can move it around. A short time later I am up hiking and the incident is behind me. We arrive at Pine Swamp Shelter and decide to hike on. A large tree blew down and landed on the shelter. The roof is in need of major repairs. Whoever was in the upper bunk on the left side was lucky to survive (if anyone was there when it blew down). We hike out to the creek and discover a notice that the bridge is out and we should take the detour along the road. The trail continues up about 1200 feet to the Bailey Gap Shelter. We arrive and decide to stay. It seems like a good call. There are some bugs out but they leave as soon as it gets dark. The breeze fills in and the sun goes down as the big moon rises. The stars are out but have to compete with the moon tonight. Dinners are cooked and consumed. A water run is made and we are all re-hydrated. Everyone is tired tonight. It's 9:30 PM, a fire is going and everyone is in their bags. Pegasus packed up some beer and gives them out to Flick, CB and myself. Golden Boy is with us tonight. He's on a mission to take Big Gulp's cell phone back to him. He has to hike at least 10 miles before they get to met up with them tomorrow. We plan on getting up early tomorrow morning (it's the hot day). We also plan on taking our long hot break at War Spur Shelter. It's Caboose, CB, Pegasus, Flick, Golden Boy and me at the Bailey Gap Shelter. I am the only one sitting at the picnic table by the fire finishing my journal entry. So I better get into the shelter and in my bag. The plan now is to make it to Daleville by next Saturday. Caboose will get off trail there. We will zero with CB's family then come back on trail. Pegasus will then hike a few more days and also go off trail. CB plans on coming back on trail for a few days then going off for a week to be with family.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

We all rise and are hiking by 7:00 AM. We hike for a while together then split up with Pegasus and Flick in the lead, the rest of us are spread out along the trail. Golden Boy has taken off earlier and is way ahead. We have a nice climb up to Wind Rock where we re-connect. There's a large group of Virginia Tech students camping at Wind Rock. They are out trying to work things out and have some fun. We talk and offer our condolences. They advise that they were given a choice of ending their year or taking finals if it would benefit their grades. Many students went home and hopefully when they return the campus will be healed. They all seemed to be doing well and wondering how it will be when they return to campus. They are packing up and offer some left over beers. We gladly take what we can carry and wish them well. After a nice break at the rocks which look out into a beautiful cove we press on to War Spur Shelter. Before we get there we stop at a nice spring which is bubbling fresh clear cold water. We fill up and enjoy a refreshing drink of perfect sweet water. The day is indeed getting hot so when we arrive at War Spur we take off our shoes and cool off in a shady creek. The beers go into the cold creek and the long break begins. We change and nap as the temperature climbs into the 90's. I wash up with creek water and leave my hiking clothes out in the sun to dry. This turns out to be a mega-long break. It's just too hot to do the next section in this heat. We don't think about leaving until after 5PM. The next section goes along easily then rises up steeply to Kelley's Knob where there's a nice camp ground and big rocks forming a cliff with great views. The sun has set and a breeze is filling in. The air has cooled down and we are finally comforable. We leave the cliffs and it turns dark. Head lamps go on and the trail goes down. It's only about a mile to the Laurel Creek Shelter. The dark makes the trail seem longer than a mile. I lead out and don't see any sign of the shelter until finally I see a faint light which might be a small camp fire. As I get closer it turns out to be a nice fire Golden Boy has started to welcome us in. He has also waited out the heat and is a welcome sight after a long hot day. The fire isn't needed for heat but it comforts and entertains us as we go about getting water and cooking our dinners. I am hungry and my mushroom pasta and barbequed chicken tastes wonderful. We are all happy and tired, the sleeping hour arrives and there is little talk. We have sleep breathing then silence. I am thankful for a wonderful day in Trail World.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Niday Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

A schedule has been worked out to get Caboose to Daleville where her visit to Trail World will end. She seems to be having a hard time with this reality today. It is raining when I wake and I should really get going but I am not in a hurry to walk in more rain. The group leaves separately, there's anxiousness and maybe some tension. I am left alone with Golden Boy. We enjoy some coffee and a nice talk. After getting water we are off. Golden Boy takes off quickly and I am alone with the rain. The dominate theme today is rain. Light rain, hard rain, cold rain, rain blowing sideways, then the small relief the leeward side of the mountain provides. It is a beautiful day if you are a rain lover. I put my head down and take short steps onward in the wet world. It seems like you can watch the green becoming greener. The ferns are unfurled. We might have some shade if the sun ever comes out again. At a creek there is a sign indication the next shelter is a mile away. The trail goes up for most of the mile then I reach the shelter sign. CB has left his poles at the sign so I know they are here. We planned on camping at Dragon's Tooth but that would be a long shot in this rain. I walk up on the shelter and find everyone dry and in their sleeping bags. They get to watch one cold, wet, tired, hungry hiker try to get into warm dry clothes. At first I don't want to appear wimpy but then I don't care. I just need to get out of wet and into dry. I survive and get into my bag. Caboose makes me a nice hot chocolate and it warms my core. We are all warm now. A large dog arrives and it is wet and not welcome. Eventually it leaves. Later after catching up on my journal two wet hikers arrive and we turn a shelter for six into one with nine plus all their wet gear. The place reeks but we all have a place to rest and be sheltered. This place should become interesting when it gets dinner time. There is no fire tonight, everything is soaked.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba 311
Miles today: 12.6

It is raining this morning. It rained through the night. I get up to a light rain or maybe it's just water dripping off the new leaves. Also it feels like I am in a cloud with small droplets of water or mist hanging in the air. I am determined to get a fire going even though everything has been in the rain for days. I find some small twigs and leaves still dry under the shelter and start a small fire building up to wet twigs, then wet branches, and finally wet logs. I finally have a drying and warming fire with many hot coals. I dry my socks, pants, shirt, bandana, pack towel, and carefully dry my boots. It takes a while but it is nice to know I now have dry clothes to hike in. The others get up and start hiking. I leave last again knowing we don't have a big day planned. The walk takes me back out the shelter trail which is either 1/3 or 1/2 mile long, according to the altered shelter sign. The shelter is the only one I remember seeing that has two shelter signs. It's that far back to the A/T. Then it's a right turn and I am heading north up some switchbacks then up the ridge. The ridge winds up and down some interesting rock formations. Along the way I run into Swiss Miss the chocolate bandito, YO!, who hiked last year and is heading south to Damascus for trail days. We are in a cloud and she becomes cold as we talk so I suggest we should keep going to stay warm. After saying goodbye and asking her to relay a greeting to some northbounders behind I head on. Eventually I arrive at Dragon's Tooth. It is interesting but there is no view since I am in the clouds. The hike down is challenging through many steep rock sections. As I clear the difficult section I can now move with purpose. Along the way there are many beautiful wild flowers. Eventually I reach the road to the grocery store and find everyone waiting. It's good to see them, I thought they might keep going to the Homeplace. We walk the short distance to the store and I get lunch and a drink. I was going to re-supply for the trek to Daleville but we are now going just to the Homeplace then to CB's family to zero and rest. The weather is supposed to be wet so we can come back after the rain and not miss the views from McAfee's Knob and Tinker Cliff. When I arrive at the parking lot I see Wirenut and his wife with CB and Caboose. Wirenut is meeting his wife for a few days and offers to drive us to the Homeplace. His wife makes two trips taking Caboose and CB then Golden Boy, Flick and I. She returns one more time to pick up Wirenut. Thank you so much. We arrive and wait for a table for six. We clean house and leave uncomfortably full. CB's sister and husband pick us up and take us to their home. We are all going to zero tomorrow. The usual chores occur. I recharge all my batteries, do laundry, get showered, and enjoy the evening then it's light's off as we get some quality rest.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Catawba 311

To: Roanoke, VA
Miles today: 0.0

It's a zero at CB's. I will head out tomorrow towards Daleville. I am hoping it will be a beautiful day. I plan on walking with Flick and Golden Boy for as long as possible. Golden Boy is meeting a friend for a few days and talking about going up 50 miles and hiking back south to his friend's vehicle. He will then rejoin us up trail, or maybe not. Pegasus and Caboose plan on going home. CB plans on spending some time with his family then heading back out. A new group will probably form or maybe I will be independant for awhile. I am hopeful and excited about a new tribe. I will miss Caboose and Pegasus, we have walked many miles together and have had a good time. I wish them both happiness and success in all they choose to do. See you at Katahdin! We will hopefully keep in touch. CB, I hope to see you up trail. Trail World is changing and so am I. I want to take this time to thank everyone for keeping up with my journey and for the guestbook entries which I enjoy so much. I'm not sure if I will go to Trail Days. So I am hoping that those that are ahead and taking time off could end up in my journey northward.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Daleville VA

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

This will be the beginning of a new era, chapter 3 in my hike. #1 was hiking with Taken, #2 with CB, Caboose and Pegasus, and now #3, the APCCB era, after Pegasus, Caboose and CB. Flick and I get ready to hike. First we go to the grocery store, then the outfitter, then lunch, and finally back on the trail. We get a late start but plan on doing 11.2 miles. The climb out of town is not too bad, The switchbacks help in this section, then the trail rolls over ridges and small gaps but mainly a nice walk. We stop at the Fullhardt Knob Shelter and get water from the rain gathering sistern. The water is brownish yellow, but after treating with Steripen it was sweet. I dumped the city water I had brought from Daleville. All city water tastes like chemicals. The springs and mountain creeks we drink from are all sweet and delicious. Nothing is better, especially after a big Mexican dinner with mas cervesas. Comprende? Last night's dinner is talking to me during the entire hike today. We made very good time and arrive at the Wilson Creek Shelter, where we find many hikers here tonight. There is much activity. The shelter appears full and there are already many tents set up in the area. The picnic table is full of hungry hikers busy preparing their dinners. There are many conversations. It's like a city of hikers. I realize that I am not used to so many people. We set up our camp quickly and eat dinner. I hang my bearbag and go for water down a steep hill, which is graded nicely by some fine switchbacks. The water is falling down over a rock and making a nice sound as it hits the bottom and flows by. It is a great spot to sit and wait for the water treatment to end. Flick and I talk about much and time passes pleasantly. We hike back up the switchbacks with the guidance of our headlamps as it is dark. The sky is changing now that we have leaves. The night sky is affected and the view of the stars is not as open as in the winter. We hike back to a campfire and sit talking to Golden Boy by it. We are the last to say goodnight, each going back to our own tents. I sit here tonight alone writing this journal. The day was another perfect weather day. Everything was perfect today except I miss my friends. I must go on, but I will not forget.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

This morning I am up and organized early so I start off as some others are just getting up. The weather is perfect. Cool with a nice breeze. I hike by myself and enjoy spending time with myself. I know I need to work on this skill too. The trail is smooth and the vistas, when they open up, are spectacular. I had a small detour after missing a change in trail direction but recover and hike on. I reach Jennings Creek and enjoy a swim in the river. It's cold but makes my knee feel better. After cooling off I finish the day shirtless and hike up to the Bryant Ridge Shelter. This is a beautiful shelter with multiple levels. A fire is built and we sit around it either writing our journals or just enjoying being out here.