morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA - Montgomery Homestead B&B
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning I was the first to break camp after a very chlly night. I was on the trail at first light and walked a very fast pace, the town was calling me. On the way here just before town there were hikers camped everywhere, some who had tried to do the 40 mile challege but didn't make it. When I got in town I couldn't make a decision on where to stay mainly becasue I was so hungry. I got breakfast and then decided to stay at a B&B called the Montgomery Homestead. The owner showed me around and let me pick the room I wanted. Tree Trunks came in later in the day and is staying here as well. I got my mail drop and the new pack. Tree Trunks and I went to dinner and I finally had my prime rib that I have been craving. I got my laundry done and started re-grouping my stuff. I also was interviewed by the local newspaper and they are supposed to come by tomorrow to take some photos.
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Damascus, VA - Montgomery Homestead B&B

To: Damascus, VA - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was another hero day with no miles hiked. This morning after breakfast was served I went up to Sun Dog Outfitters to have them help me fix my new pack. The fellow there was very knowledgable and helped me out. While I was there I purchased a different sleeping pad. I need to start getting a better nights sleep on the trail. I'm finding that town visits have a way of sucking the money right out of your pocket with ease between lodging, equipment and food. It really has felt good to stay at this B&B, Suzie the owner is very nice and it feels good to sleep in a bed. On and off all day I have been playing with my new pack trying to figure out the best way to pack it. For some reason it always seems like it's heavier than ever. I really hope this is it for equipment changes. This town is so hiker friendly and there are so many hikers here. I'm staying on the main street so I keep seeing hikers walk in all day. I forgot to mention yesterday I had to purchase new insoles for my shoes, I wore a hole right through one of them. I was able to get 460 miles out of the soles, I'm shooting for 500-600 miles per pair of shoes.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Damascus, VA - Zero Day

To: Lost Mountian Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Well it's true I'm famous, yes I have made the front page of the Damascus Local Newspaper, The Bristol Herald Courier which can be seem at www.tricities.com (5/5/05 edition.) They came to the B&B where I was staying and interviewed me and another hiker, then they came back the next day and took photos. So I was in today's paper. I bought 2 and sent them home. I left Damascus which is a place hikers get sucked into and your money gets sucked away from you too. It is so hiker friendly that you don't want to leave and they have Trail Days too. I am using the new pack and now I'm on my new sleeping pad while I'm writing this. The pack and pad are like night and day compared to my other ones. Soon every piece of my equipment that I started with will have been changed. This is the first shelter in VA that I've seen, quite nice I might add. It looks like I probably won't see some of the people I have been staying with off and on for a while. I'm ahead now and don't plan to attend Trail Days so this will put me ahead even more. It will probably thin out even more at the shelters. After a very pleasant stay in Damascus I'm happy to say I'm glad to be back on the trail.
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Lost Mountian Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

What a difference the new sleeping pad made last night. I got up so late this morning I was almost the last one out. Today was a very nice hiking day, the sun was out most of the day with a cool breeze. I had some awesome views once I got up on top of the mountain. I took my time today and strolled along. I saw my first pony when I got here, it is hanging around the shelter and has become a neusance or pain in the a**. It was trying to get our food when we were cooking. I am sleeping at 5400' so it might get cold tonight. The shelter is located about 1/2 mile from Mt. Rogers summit which is the highest point in VA. I'm sleeping in the shelter because there is no tenting allowed in this area.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke this morning to 3 deer eating grass right in front of the shelter. I did manage to get some pictures. Today I would say has to go into "One of my best days" catagory. The sun was shining and the landscape was very scenic along with the wild ponies of Grayson Highlands. I opted for a leasurly day and did just the 11 miles to Old Orchard Shelter. It was nice to walk fairly slow. I took a long lunch break at a shelter between the last one and this one. I got here fairly early and thought I was going to be here alone. I gathered a bunch of wood for a fire, needless to say now the shelter is full. I plan to get an early start in the morning so I'm still staying in the shelter. I hope the weather holds and it warms up for good. Still missin my darlin, but other than that all is well.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

I'll start the day off by saying Happy Mother's Day, you mothers know who I'm talking about. The sun was shining this morning after showers last night. I took my time packing up today, no sense in rushing. I have been seeing lots of people getting caught up in the 20 mile a day thing, personally I still think for me it is a little early to push much over 15 miles per day. I'm thinking after I get my summer gear in Pearisburg I will gradually pick up the mileage for a bit to keep me on the 12-15 mile average. I have plenty of time in the course of the day to do it, just no desire yet. It turned out to be a very nice hiking day and mild terrain. I stopped in for a snack at the new (2004) Hurricane Shelter, very nice! I got here early afternoon and was a very hungry boy. I had some lasagna with slim jims and cheese crackers mixed in. It really wasn't bad. I have been getting very hungry during the day and right now food is a little tight, but it is still working ok. I will have my drop on Tuesday. In the end it was another very nice day! I have broken the 500 mile barrier!
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Turned out last night it was me and a father and son (section hikers) at the shelter. I don't mind staying in a shelter with just a few people and there were no flat tent sites. Today was another extremely nice day! I hiked 10+ miles to the Partnership Shelter which has a shower, so I took one. You are supposed to be able to call for pizza from the Mt. Rogers Visitors Center which is right next to it, I called but they don't deliver until 4, it was 1:30. I did call my darlin to place my order for my next drop. I also had 4 sodas and then headed out to here where I'm the only one in the shelter. There is a couple tenting here. This is the first for me being in a shelter alone on this trip. It's suppose to rain tonight, so I'm glad to be in here. Just me and the MICE! This was also my longest hiking day.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Chatfield

To: Relax Inn - Atkins, VA
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

I couldn't wait for daylight, even though I was the only sole in the shelter it was tough sleeping. The mice were chewing the place down pretty much all night. I got packed up and after a nice chat with Soynut and Peanut (a couple who tented near the shelter) I headed out. I got to Atkins in time for breakfast. I checked in first, showered and then walked up to the restaurant. I ate a huge breakfast with Maniac and Eagle Eye. They headed off to the trail and I went to Dairy Queen and ate a cheeseburger, fries and 2 cokes. My appetite is out of control. I received my new pack straps and installed them. I think equipment wise I am where I want to be. After a long round about dealing with the equipment, I sent back most of my winter clothes so now there is more room in the pack for guess what? MORE FOOD! By now my conditioning is coming along real well and my body is getting stronger by the day. I miss my Harley bad!!! My spirits are high and my attitude is very positive, so onward I keep pushing! Having good support people is so nice, a big thanks to them!
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Relax Inn - Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

I fell asleep last night watching T.V. I realized, by watching it, all the things I'm not missing. It was nice to sleep in a bed and have plenty of fresh food around. After checking out of the motel I went to the restaurant for one last engorging before heading back into the woods. It seems as though some of the water sources are a bit scetchy, it's very dry around here. I got some water out of one stream today which seemed to make me not feel to well for a while, so my hiking today was a bit sluggish. I'm here in my tent chillin. The trail today almost seemed abandoned. There are 4 other hikers here tonight, but I only saw 1 other thru-hiker today. It will be a shock after Trail Days I'm sure. Today when I got to this shelter I saw what I thought was a bald eagle. It flew over and it looked like it had about a 6' wing span.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got a bright and early start this morning before it got really hot. The terrain today started out mild but before long it toughened up a bit and with the heat it made the going tough, but I endured it. When I got about 5 miles into the hike I saw a turtle in the middle of the trail. It seemed strange just out in the middle of the woods like that. The water situation today was real scetchy and I ended up going about 4 or 5 miles without water. I'm in the condo tonight and very beat up. So I'm crashing now.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Yes it is Friday the 13th but it turned out to be a good one. As I was headed out of camp this morning a small deer was acting a little freaked out, kinda wandering around the shelter. When I got to the first road crossing somebody (Paparazzi) left a cooler full of small bottles of apple juice nice and cold! Then about 7 miles later somebody left some jugs of water on the side of the trail. When I came out of the woods I decided to hitch into Bland to get some food. I went to Subway and got two 12" subs, hitched out and hiked to here. Needless to say both the subs are history. The valley that I am in seems so green with lots of leaves out.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Helvey Mill Shelter

To: Trents Grocery
Miles today: 16.3

The thunder and lightening made me sleep so well last night that I got up real late this morning. I got a really late start today around mid-morning. After taping up the sore spots on my heel I finally got out of there. Today there was a 10 mile stretch without water, then when I got to the next shelter the water was almost 1/2 mile down. I saw another turtle today which looked a little different than the last one I saw. I'm writing this while in my tent with rain pouring down so you get the picture. I'm tenting on a lawn on the side of a small store. There is a shower, washer and dryer here. So I'm showered, washed and dryed and well fed. Now it's time for bed!
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Trents Grocery

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

It rained most of last night but I stayed dry in the condo. I fell asleep and left my pizza on the picnic table and it got ruined by the rain. It was still raining a little when I woke this morning so it was a quick pack up with wet tent syndrome. I walked down to see Dismal Falls this morning. There were some awesome tent sites down there near the falls. I pushed on to this shelter which puts me in striking distance for Pearisburg in the morning. There were some nice views today along the ridge. It's very rocky around the here and there are no tent sites so I will stay in the mouse house (shelter) tonight.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburge, VA - Plaza Motel
Miles today: 7.8

It was a chilly start this morning. It went down to 40 degrees last night. The sun is out just not hot yet. There was only 2 of us in the shelter last night. When I arrived at the road it was about 1 mile to the business area so I decided to walk it. It wasn't really a good place to hitch. I checked into the Plaza Motel about 11 am, showered and then headed for the Chinese Buffet across the street and chowed down. I called the hostel and they delivered my maildrop to me. I got my new shoes, summer sleeping bag and mat. This completes the switch from the winter gear to summer gear. I sent the rest of the winter stuff back at the P.O. What a way to cap the day off, a whining screaming kid in the room next door. Gotta love these no tell motels. Starting to see more hikers in town now that trail days is over.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Pearisburge, VA - Plaza Motel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

I decided to not take a day off, Pearisburg didn't do anything for me so I packed up and headed out. It was a short day to get here but it feels much better than the town did. I was lucky to get a call to Julie to change my maildrop from Catawba to Troutville. It looks like I would be in Catawba on Sunday so I wouldn't be able to get the drop until Monday and there isn't many places to stay. Doc Narly showed up at this shelter and built a beautiful fire. Mr. Clean Jr. is here as well as B-Money and Jukebox. This is a very nice shelter I couldn't pass it up so I'm in the shelter tonight.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Rice Field Shelter

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

I started off with a nice cup of Folgers. Last night was my first night with my summer bag and it was fine. Today was very nice weather for hiking and the terrain was mild. I pushed to here and I have my tent set up behind the shelter. I got into a stare down with a deer today. It was on the A.T. when I first saw it, it walked off the trail and I whistled to it. We stared at each other for about 30 seconds. Today had a 10 mile stretch without a water source. I also had to ford a small river that had a bridge out, it was very cold and felt very good. Bubble Toes and Rawhide where roasting marshmellow peeps on the fire tonight.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

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

Early out this morning after gobbling my poptarts with peanut butter. Gotta love em!! Not long after I started hiking I saw what I think was a Scarlet Taninger bird. I did get a picture of it I think. I also met a class from a college out studying bugs. I asked the teacher about the 2 different bugs I have been seeing, he knew what they were. I can honestly say today my body felt very strong, no pain in the feet since I got my new shoes. What a difference new shoes can make. I got to here and I'm in my tent, it's raining now, there are 2 other people in the shelter. It feels like a big storm is coming in. As always still missing my darlin.
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It is hard to believe that I survived the storm last night in the condo, barely. It rained so hard with thunder and lightening. This morning I managed to get everything packed up including the wet to the core tent. It is tough to get going when everthing is wet. I stopped after about 3 miles and dried out the tent. I saw a snake this morning too and took a pic. I don't think it was poisonous. I pulled in here early today and it started to rain shortly thereafter so I'm in the shelter after a short day. The shelter isn't quite full but there are some section hikers here. I'm happy to be in the shelter after last night in the storm and it is still raining a little tonight.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Niday Shelter

To: John's Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a rough night last night. The boy scout troop from hell came in at the last minute and stired up the area until about 11 pm, then first thing this morning they were up and banging the old pots an pans. It caused me to have an early start. I slayed the Dragon's Tooth today on my dad's birthday, now that was exciting. It was a very jagged climb up and then over it and down. I got down to the road and pushed on to a small grocery store where I devoured 4 hot dogs piled high with the fixins along with a big bag of chips, a Gatorade, a Mt. Dew and 3 nutty bars. I also bought enough food to get me through the next 2 days when I get my drop. Well I went and did it, my first day over 20 miles. I was feeling I could do it and that is what it took. I got in just at dark, I didn't have to cook or do water because I ate at the store. I don't want to make it a habit of doing over 20 miles, but mentally I know I can do it if I need to or if I get behind.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: John's Spring Shelter

To: Lamberts Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I had a nice relaxing start to my day. It is nice to do a short day once in a while too. Today turned at to be so nice which was good because I was headed up to McAfee Knob the spot where your sacred photos are taken. When I got there I was the only one up there, but luckily within 10 minutes B$ and Jukebox showed up. They took my photos and I took theirs. I also walked past Tinker Cliffs which was awesome too. I took a nap on the cliffs and aired out my shoes. I'm presently at a campsite which has deer wandering around it on occasion. Some section hikers are here and they offered me a hot dog which was very good cooked over the fire they made. Today was one of those days with such awesome views that make you realize why you're out here. Today will truely go on one of my best days list. I was so lucky the last couple days with the weather.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Lamberts Meadow Campsite

To: Comfort Inn - Troutville, VA
Miles today: 10.6

It rained last night for a while but it made me sleep better for some reason. I was the first one out of camp, must be the early bird in me. It turned out to be a fairly strenuous 10.6 miles. When I first came out of the woods it was in Daleville, there was an outfitter not far from the trail so I headed there to replace my boxer shorts, shirt and refill my alcohol. When I left the outfitter I went next door to the Kroger's Grocery where I purchased a rotisserie chicken, hit the salad bar plus I got all my other supplies for the next week. I went outside and ate the whole chicken, salad and dessert. I still had to hike 2.1 miles to Troutville which also had a .8 mile road walk to get to the P.O. I got my package, mailed my stuff out and tried to hitch to here but no dice, so I asked a guy who was near his vehicle if he was going my way and he gave me a ride to the Comfort Inn. I had some Big Macage for dinner. It's raining now so I'm glad to be here.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Comfort Inn - Troutville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Even though I was in a hotel I was still keeping hikers hours by getting up at 5:30 am. I decided to head out today, yes that's right leave a perfectly dry hotel room and go into the rainy woods. It started raining lightly by the time I got to the first shelter, when it stopped raining I decided to hike to this shelter. Once I got 2 miles into it the sky let loose drenching me in minutes. A cold rain might I add. I'm in this shelter in my sleeping bag and out of the wet stuff and wondering why I didn't stay in the hotel, but I did get in almost 10 miles. I was able to get a ride to the trail by a trail angel who even has business cards.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a very late start this morning. I waited until the sun was shining so I could dry out my wet stuff. Today I walked along the Blue Ridge Parkway, not on the road but in the woods on the side of it. You would never know the AT was there. I had some flash backs of a Motorcycle trip last year along the Blue Ridge that Julie and I took with our friends Dick and Judy. I have been using a new soda can stove that Julie sent to me in Troutville. It is working well and is much lighter than my other alcohol stove, it's my third stove. I was thinking about the terrain either it's getting easier or I'm still getting stronger. I ate dinner at a shelter about 7 miles before this one, then headed to here just making it before dark. This is a big shelter with lots of people.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.2

Sunshine!! Plenty of sunshine today. It was nice and cool starting off because of the tree cover. I still got my butt handed to me though, lots of climbs today beat me up. I feel I'm making good forward progress though mostly because of the lack of zero days. This afternoon I was sitting on this rock overlook when all of a sudden I looked on the wall right in front of me and there was a big black snack watching me. I got a couple pics. Don't like em. A couple on a V-Star 1100 came to where I was sitting and I showed the snake to them. The overlook is on the side of the Blue Ridge. I talked to the couple for quite a while. I'm at this campsite all by my lonesome. Wind is howling but it is warm. No fire too tired.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a very warm night last night, lots of stars out! Again today the terrain beat me up. When I got down to Matts Creek Shelter I was getting water and a school group of about 30 6th-8th graders came up and basically interviewed me and I ended up hiking with some of them for a couple of miles. It was kind of cool. I did some heady duty sweating today and drank my share of water. One thing about VA is the SNAKES seem to be every where! Today when I got to Old Bluff Mt. I was going to lay down so I found a spot, I looked around it and about 2 ft away was a rattle sanke all coiled up. When I got to this shelter there was a wilderness school group of about 13 girls. Then another Scout Troop from hell showed up. They are everywhere and very noisy. So much for peace and quiet. Holiday weekend so that's what I get. The shelter here is supposed to be haunted but I'm in my condo.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Seeley Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: broken clouds

I barely survived a night with the Scout Troop from hell. I had to speak to them at about midnight so I could sleep, they were so noisy. I packed up quick and was out of there at 7 am. It started out cloudy today but the sun came out later in the afternoon. One thing about today was the smells of all the flowers, plants and grass. It was so sweet then sometimes you would get a bitter sweet smell mixed in, I really enjoyed this. I decided to push to this shelter make for a very long day but it leaves me with very low miles to Montebello tomorrow. I am in the shelter to tired to set up the tent.