morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-28
From: North of Thunder Ridge

To: punchbowl (entry two on the day!)
Miles today: 23.0

04/28/2011Entry two of the day-Year Eight22.50 miles (wanted to hike thirty- just a little ambitious)I am looking back at Highcock Knob, Thunder Ridge, and Apple Orchard Mountain.I can see how the Parkway is ¢carved¢ out of the mountains and can quickly identify pine trees such as fraser firs and douglas.Those were some big suckers to climb for sure!!Of course, what goes down, must come up, amen?I am coming up on the James River-the lowest point thus far on the Appalachian Trail.Once I cross the James River Foot Bridge, it will be a whole new ball game as I will ascend three thousand plus feet up Rocky Row and onto Punchbowl.Nothing like that half lunch back at Highcock of beef jerky and crackers.I was so discouraged last night as I was trying to pick up my heavy pack during the down pour; and I was standing on the strap!! What a knucklehead!Saw my second small bird nest since Tuesday afternoon.I made it down to Matts Creek Shelter and had to fjord the river. My first river fjord!!The James River is humongous. From here, it appears that the water is pretty muddy so I will not be drinking out of that big ole river! I change into a short sleeve t-shirt as it is warming up.The flat section of this part of the trail is great to make up lost time.I am like an airplane circling a city ready to land.Met Eli. He is on a tough up going south but still lets me have the right of way.You really should have let me stop and let you go Eli!! He is from Florida and has hiked from here southbound.I hear a train running alongside the James River.The open parts in this section remind me of the A.T. just north of Standing Indian!! one of my absolute favorites!!to be continued on entry three
Date: 2011-04-29
From: punch bowl

To: Buena Vista then Front Royal
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got to Punchbowl around ten pm. last night.I chuckle to myself because I actually thought that I could push hard over these very strenuous ups and make it to Pedlar and the Lynchburg Resevoir.It is a good thing that I stopped at Punchbowl because I would have hiked until well after 1:00 am in order to get to Pedlar.In addition, Backflip needed first aid stuff for some pretty tough blisters.He and Patches offered to move over for me in the shelter and I told them that I was toatlly stoked about sleeping next to the pond and all of the frogs calling.I gave Backflip my first aid stuff and then I begged for food from him and Patches.They hooked me up with Little Debbies and pop tarts.I made up the last of my gatorade powder and set up camp by the lake.the only real issue is that my sleeping bag is one hundred percent soaked from the intense rain and heavy winds the night before.However, my liner is not wet.Thus, I get into my liner and then put the wet sleeping bag on top of it.Would you not know that it dropped to around 30 F?? last night...and would you not know that really none of my clothes dried.A shuttle and a shower and laundry are in order later today after my friend Sharon picks me up.It is 6:00 am and I am on the trail,.no need for a head lamp.It is already light enough out to walk sans head lamp.I hope that Backflip is going to be o.k.Patches will stick with him no matter what.A true friend.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: punch bowl pond

To: buena vista then Front Royal (entry number two)
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fraser FirSection HikerYear eight of my journey from Springer Mountain in North East, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine.Fourth day of this sectionI cross the blue ridge parkway and the Punch Bowl Mountain overlook.I love the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many times there will be a picnic table; awesome views and a very good chance at a natural water source.I am moving pretty quick towards Pedlar Dam.My "date" with Mrs.Sharon from Sharon's shuttles is at 11:00 am.We are to meet at Hwy. 60 near Buena Vista.The trick is that my cell phone is not working very good.Moisture gobbled it up on Tuesday, as you have read.I have a touch screen, thus, I have to "feel" for the numbers and cannot "look" at my contacts list.Judy, a friend back in Georgia has been the "go-between" with Sharon.I have full confidence that the rendevous will work out fine.Stumpknocker was telling me about the DutchHaus last night as we met on the trail. Although I am not super hungry, food does sound pretty good right about now.Some ups and downs along the way to Pedlar allow me to take in the scenery in this beautiful area of the George Washington National Forest.If you have never visited the mountains of Virginia, I highly recommend them. It is truly majestic in this state. The people are wonderful as well.It is awesome being in the Pedlar Ranger District and awesome to know that I can get a Subway Sandwich or a big slice of pizza here in a few hours!!thank you for taking the time to read my journal today. what a beautiful day it is!!
Date: 2011-04-29
From: punch bowl (entry three on the day)

To: buena vista then front royal
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

04/29/2011- Thursday hiking from punchbowl to Hwy 60 Long Mountain WaysideI am wearing out my welcome with multiple entries on the day??My mother, who is a national board certified Librarian and graduate of Appalachian State University and educator of thirty years, would probably agree that I should use multiple entries because of my own personal writing style.I make it to Rice Mountain before 8:30 am.I am excited to arrive shortly thereafter at the Lynchburg Resevoir. Do we serve Lynchburg lemonade here?? for those who know what that is??I am to meet Sharon from Sharon's shuttles by 11:00 am and if there was a time to push hard, it is now.Shuttles are great.They are even better when you "walk" to the final destination instead of walking to someone waiting on you.Bob Peoples taught me the art of that graciously.Little Irish Creek is very beautiful. I take time to stop and drink water and have a break.I hike around the entire Resevoir and do not really find that "perfect spot" to take a picture.I use my elevation profile maps with spurs and ridges to determine how far that I am from Brown Mountain Creek Shelter.I make it to Brown Mountain by 10:10 am with less than two miles to go on a tough up to Long Mountain Wayside.there is always time to pull out the green felt pen and sign in as Fraser Fir with my cosmatic drawing of a pine tree. I leave some hikers words of encouragement before making the ascent to the highway.Again, I drink staight out of the creek. I am rolling the dice are I not??My feet get me up to the highway right at 11:00 am.shortly behind me are patches and backflip accompanied by Peaches and Indy and some other hikers.Svin is dropped off by a shuttle. IT is great to see him again. He has such a calm demenor about himself.Svin, myself and others are blessed with ham and cheese sandwiches from a couple who stop for a picnic.All that I wanted to do is borrow the man's cell phone and he blessed me with lunch;; something that I will certainly never turn down!Sharon is not here yet and it is 11:30 am. I am totally not sweating it. I would rather her be late than the other way around. I can sit here all day long and just take in the breeze and the construction workers working on Hwy 60!!Hey, I like this group. These are good people.have a great day and if you have ever been near Punchbowl and decided to push on--it is one of the awesome wonders of the trail. I highly recommend it/whether tent camping and or staying in the shelter if you like shelters!!thanks for reading my journal.take care.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: punch bowl

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Fraser FirSection HikerYear number eight in my pursuit of Katahdin04/29/2011 day four of this section-entry number four of this beautiful dayAll of a sudden, I am alone at the Hwy 60 Appalachian Trail junction.It is after 1:00 pm and Sharon was supposed to meet me around two hours ago.I am not worried but wonder if there has been a mis-communication as to wherewe were to rendevous.Sharon typically shuttles between Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and Waynesboro, Virginia.Buena Vista is typically out of her normal range of operating. However, she was already down this way bringing someone to Rockfish Gap and we negotiated an earlier pick up time, an early pick up date and an earlier pick up destination.What I will do is travel north via vehicle to Sharon's house to clean up and get a re-supply package.I plan to be back out on the A.T. this evening, God willing and hike south back towards Rockfish Gap.During this section hike, I seriously doubt that I can physcially make it back down to Buena Vista, thus there will be a "pocket" of miles in Virgina that I have not yet hiked.It is my intention to continue to head in a northerly direction towards Maine.This just so happens to be the way that it played out.Around 1:15 pm, a nice lady, probably fifty-five years of age or so pulls over and opens the driver side door of a four door sedan..."I hope that you are David Little, and even if you are not, get in!!!"there was a snafu as to where Sharon was to pick me up and with no cell coverage she was driving up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway looking for me for the past two hours.She showed me grace like no other person and of course, I treated her to lunch and all was good.Sharon, I am so glad we met. You are truly the prime definition of a giver!!to be continued on 04/30 with my southbound section from Front Royal back into Central Virginia.have a great day.take care and thanks for reading my journal..david
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Chester Gap

To: Tom Floyd
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

04/30/2011**entry oneFraser FirSection HikerAppalachian TrailGeorgia to MaineChester Gap to Tom Floyd (southbound)This entry is recorded as Saturday, 04/30 instead of Friday 04/29 because by the time I got to Tom Floyd Wayside, set up my tent and got settled it was well after midnight.Sharon¢s son in law dropped me off @ gate #7-north bound entrance of Shenandoah National Park around 9:00pm.As I got out of the car and grabbed my ¢stuff¢ it was getting cold.The young man who shuttled me asked me if I knew how to get to Chester Gap from here..I simply said, ¢Yes.¢It must be a macho thing because I had no idea where Chester Gap was. I had no idea where the A.T. was and I had no idea where Shenandoah National Park north entrance was.I called Sharon quickly and she straightened me out.Cars are whizzing by as I cross over a very busy highway. I have my head lamp illuminated and find the trail.I start to walk into a field and cut across private property.A trail maintainer or trail angel leaves a note about the water situation at Tom Floyd and leaves a note of encouragement about those who may indeed have the Virginia Blues.The thing about it is the note is intended for a SOBO, which I officially am as of right now.The thing about it is that a SOBO would have only been in Virginia for a few days and could not possibly have the Virginia blues yet.Either way, I appreciated the note of encouragement and the advice about the water.I fjord a stream later in the evening with crocs on. Of course I slip hard and hit my forehead on a rock. Blood is coming out.There is an imprint of my headlamp in the dirt. I guess I took a pretty big spill.I stop to say a prayer of thanksgiving that God is looking out for me.Coming up into the park, I heard dogs barking.I read the warning signs about bear activity and properly hanging a bear bag.Do you reckon that it was silly for me to be walking into the park with 45 lbs on my back, a piece of fried chicken in my hand (had to pack out the chicken bones) and a pepsi in the other hand??I can be so silly when I want to.Tom Floyd is quiet. There is someone in the shelter. I half heartedly hang my bag; not knowing there is a metal post to do so; and snuggle up in my tent and sleeping bag.It is around thirty degrees. The cold clear night feels so comfortable.The views of the lights in Front Royal are beautiful. The entire trail is beautiful.Nite nite-sleep tite ; do not let the chicken bones bite!!by the way Sharon, thanks for everything!! best shower of my entire life-no doubt!
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Tom Floyd

To: Panorama
Miles today: 30.0

Fraser FirYear Eight of my section hike from Georgia to MaineThis section: south boundAfter hiking pretty big days, I will usually sleep pretty hard.I got camp set up around 12am-yes that is midnight and awoke around 6:00a.m.After getting my tent broken down for the day and putting on my pack, I met Gigi Rocks in the Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter.Gigi was the first north bound thru hiker that I had met who had a shelter to herself.She actually did the unthinkable 100 miles or so south from here and had her tent set up in the shelter.I understood why. The trail is for the most part, empty up here.Since driving 150 miles or so north to Front Royal and walking south, the weather and flora reflect winter. Even at 2,500 feet, the hardwoods are bare.I fill out a permit application just north of Tom Floyd and proceed into Shenandoah National Park.The last time that I was in this wonderful park was back in 2003. That was our five year anniversary vacation! We saw thirteen bears and like 24,000 deer in five days time.I started the slow and stead climb to Skyline Drive.I am so excited. What a great day to be in the woods.
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Tom Floyd (entry three of the day)

To: Panorama
Miles today: 30.0

04/30/2011-entry three of the dayYear Eight of my section-hikeThis section-south bound from Front Royal to WaynesboroTom Floyd to Panorama (30 miles)After I get my permit and scramble over rocks to get to Compton Gap, I enter a gravel style trail that you may find at a botanical garden or something similar.I must be near civilization because a lady is walking with two small dogs on very short leashes. The dogs are gasping for air!! When I get up to Compton Gap, I find water and a build a small dam, as a beaver may, I suppose. Although the dam that I construct is a little less formal; a little less complicated!I would not fare so well if I had to do this for my lively hood, dam building-that is!!A few minutes later and I filter water and then have round two of breakfast. After that, climbing, I see evidence from a previous forest fire. The hardwoods, which are still bare from winter appear even bleaker with the stress of the heat that destroyed the area.I meet a guy who is headed north out of the park; he is a very nice guy who asks how far to the road. I encourage him and tell him that he is not far away from the park entrance.His hike will literally be all downhill from here.For me, it is an entry into a magnificent park that I spent a week with my wife some eight long years ago when I had logged less than one hundred miles on the A.T.On exposed rocks, the wind is kicking so I put on a winter hat and consider putting my long pants back on.Spring is about seven weeks behind up here in the Shenandoah. The dogwoods are bare. The black berry bushes are dormant. Some small flowers are slowly emerging out of the ground.So far, so good in the park. The treadway is nice and the elevation gains have been manageable.When people ask me where I am headed, I just say Waynesboro. No need in all of the long- drawn out of starting out headed north, now going south stuff.. just Waynesboro will do just fine, thank you very much.I really do that one of the waysides is open today. I would love to get a coke or two!!Backflip and Patches: I hope you guys are back out there today. I was thinking about you guys when I saw a car yesterday that had the bumper sticker on it ¢this car climbed Mt. Washington¢ after we had that discussion--**to be continued
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Panorama

To: Bearfence Hut
Miles today: 28.0

Fraser FirGeorgia to Maine-Year eight of my section hike northboundSection HikerMay 01, 2011-This section:Southbound-Sunday-Seventh day out on this sectionEntry One of Two on the day.Panorama (2300¢) to Bearfence Hut (3300¢)I slept in this morning and did not get out onto the trail until around 8:00 a.m.I cannot believe that I hiked thirty miles yesterday. I feel great. No wonder I slept in!The air is very dry and my capeline shirts dried pretty quickly on my laundry line last night.Very unlike the first few days of hiking in the George Washington National Forest where everything was damp and wet; the air is very dry and cool.I stop early at Gravel Springs Hut. This is the first hut/shelter that I have encountered since entering the National Park (going southward).There is a twelve pack of beer on the picnic table of Gravel Springs and inside I meet Katmandu and Stillwater from Georgia.Folks, just to put things into perspective: today is May 01. These fine gentlemen started on February 19th! Wow, I remember when I used to do my day hikes in Georgia and Nantahala and meet folks that had only been out a week or ten days.Stillwater and Katmandu are good people. We have a nice chat and although it is May 01 on the calendar, you would not know it by the way these guys are bundled up in the shelter with winter gear on. I just wonder if they have mailed anything home yet. We all know how heavy winter gear can be.A far cry from the eighty five degree heat at Tinker Cliffs the other day!!I am starting to really miss my family.However, I know I will not be out here next year and I want to continue to see as much as possible.A whisper tells me it is not about me. Of course, I do not listen and continue to push on.I make it to Skyland around lunch time and go inside the gift shop and load up on cokes, etc¢¦After getting some goodies and additional post-cards, I huddle under a rock across the street from the lodge and eat lunch and drink cokes.A few north bound thru hikers pass as the rain starts to really pour down.After lunch, I hike with my umbrella and listen to Pastor Houston from Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Great message.Next, I run into Hersh. Another Georgia boy. Nice guy with cool looking dread locks.Hersh is pushing for Thornton Gap. He is going to meet family at the gap and get a ride to Washington, D.C. and of course, go and close down a few all-you-can eats!! Way to go Hersh!!To my lovely wife, I say hello and I love you. To my two boys and our baby ¢to be¢ (due October 23rd) you are so precious and loved so much by your daddy.To be continued¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦.
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Panorama

To: Bearfence Hut (entry two of the day)
Miles today: 28.0

05/01/2011Entry number two of the day- Fraser Fir-section hiker Georgia to MaineThis section: moving southboundThe visibility descending from Skyland is near zero.It is cold.As I pass the side trail to White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run, I have fond memories of my five year anniversary in this park (back in 2003).I remember that we did a thirteen mile day hike and I got us lost.Next, I pass near the Crescent Rock Overlook area and hike through some boulders. Five years or so ago, when we were here, Stephanie hung out at the Cresent Rock Overlook. She waited while I ran past Hawksbill to get the car and come back to get her!!I stop to filter some water just south of Big Meadows. Again, flashbacks.One morning, when we woke up and hiked down the A.T. from Big Meadows, we saw six to eight deer just sitting in the trees. Just chillin.The deer did not budge. They let Stephanie and I walk right past them on the A.T.Back to filtering water, my pump has quit working.I do not have any aqua-fina so I just dip my water bottle into the creek. I have rolled the dice before; so why not do it again??The hike up to Big Meadows Campground from Skyline Drive is harder than I remember! Speaking of Skyline Drive, again, the Park Service has done an outstanding job of "separating" it from the hiking experience on the A.T.Sure, you know it is there, but not really in most cases.I may have mentioned this before, but I got to the Big Meadows store too late.They were closed and some guy that worked there wanted me out of the bathroom like ASAP.I tried to get a couple of pepsis out of the vending machine and no such luck.I call Stephanie from Big Meadows. I miss her. I miss our time here together. I miss those precious boys.I walk out to the fields at Big Meadows and no deer. Last time we were here, there were several hundred deer grazing in Big Meadows at night.The fog and mist makes taking pictures of the meadows very difficult.Speaking of deer, I see two of them a couple miles south of Big Meadows and run into a group that carried a big tent, cooler, grill, etc...about one-half mile from the car. I was shocked to smell such good food this far into the woods.Now, I am on a flat and I am loving it. It is the longest flat of the day.No ups/no downs..just flat. I love it, I love it.Just over five miles to go to Bear Fence Shelter.Who would know that I would get there just after dark.When I got to the side trail, I slipped all the way down. A hiker got up out of the shelter and shined his head lamp to give me a clear path to Bearfence.I was hatin it. The fall hurt pretty bad but I will be ok.I set up on this really lame tent pad and everything was like at this crazy angle.Oh well, it is all good.Good night, sleep tight, don't let the deer bite!!btw.......I hiked with two deer today for like fifteen minutes in the fog! It was totally awesome!!!talk to you later gator!!
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Bearfence Hut

To: Loft Mountain entry two on the day
Miles today: 25.0

Monday, May 02, 2011 entry two on the dayBearfence Hut to Loft MountainTwenty five miles south boundFraser FirSection HikerGeorgia to MaineYear Eight/day eight of this sectionBefore I approached Lewis Mountain Campground and picnic area, I tried to call Stephanie (my wife) on my cell phone and no success!The climb out of Bearfence, as I had mentioned was a bit brutal!I cannot believe that I made it down to the shelter area in one piece.The flat part of the trail south of Bearfence was enjoyable walking.Next, I came upon Lewis Mountain and cut through the campground to get to the camp store.It was an hour from opening, so I used spare change to get cokes out of the vending machine.Talk about cool! I went into the men¢s room to get warmed up as the heaters were on inside!I used the water fountains to get filled up with h2o and then I was turned upside down. Even with maps, and elevation profiles and guide books, I could not locate the A.T.Talk about embarrassment! I threw out all of my trash and headed towards Skyline drive and took a (L). For a few minutes, I hiked along this prestigious road until I re-connected with the A.T and crossed over Skyline and headed back into the woods again! What a genuine knucklehead! I cannot believe that I could not find the trail inside the campground area. It is an indication that I truly do have attention deficit disorder.I spoke to Stephanie and she told me that the United States Government had located Osama Bin Laden and had taken him out. Talk about a buzz kill. Wow.Then I spoke to Bryson and he told me that he had been crying because he missed me so much!Wow. I had to pause for a moment on that one and really question why am I out here for so long?I say so long and I think of Stillwater and Katmandu who have been out here since Valentine¢s Day.But to my son, who is used to being with me like all of the time when I am not working, this is forever.We know that when we choose to do one thing, we get left out on another.I let these entire thoughts sink in as I hike quickly to Swift Run Gap and U.S. 33 in a southerly direction.It is getting hot quick. I start drinking my water as I head up and over Hightop Mountain (3540') and head towards Simmons Gap.A gang of north bounders give me the heads up about a good water pump at the motor pool of the ranger station at Simmons Gap.For that I am so thankful and share the news with hikers for the rest of the day.The water pump is only like five minutes from the trail and well worth it as I stick my head under the water and drink tons of Gatorade and other sodium type drinks.After my fun at Simmons Gap it is onto Pinefield Hut. I hope to make it to near the Doyles River Overlook tonight...to be continued¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦..