morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-10
From: 13 miles north of Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Left camp at 8:30am. Very shortly I saw the famous Greyson Highlands wild ponies. Shortly thereafter, I lost the trail and travelled about 30 minutes before I realized I was off the trail. You say: "How can someone get off the trail so far?" Well, I'm using looking down and must have missed the double blaze indicating an upcoming turn. Then it took me another 30 minutes to get back to the AT.Before too long I reached the Wise shelter. Stopped to take a look inside. You will not believe this: there were at least 30 unopened cans of Budweiser beer stacked inside. They had to be trail magic - no one else was around. What trail magic! they were partially frozen (from the prior night). I don't drink beer so I left them and told some other hikers about them.Speaking of meeting hikers - met two local hikers (including one of the employees of Mt. Rogers Outfitters, in Damascus). I told them about the beer and they looked at me like I was joking. Hopefully, they found it.I had planned on spending the night at Hurrican Mountain Shelter. But then I remember from a prior hike that I could never find it. Was it torn down? Apparently it had been torn down - but a very new replacement was on site. A very nice shelter with close water supply and a view of the setting sun.I also actually had cell reception with "Trail Boss" and could chat while I was eating dinner.
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Hurrican Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

Left camp at 8:30am. Relatively flat terrain permitted a faster pace. Spoke several times with "Trail Boss" on cell phone.Climbed Brushy Mountain (a good climb) and when I got to the top I was a bit winded. The weather was in the 40's and the winds were pretty strong. Right when I was congratulating myself on getting to the top, I made a right around a bend in the trail. There, less than 20 feet off the trail, was a naked couple in the "heat of passion". I kid you not - for real. They looked at me and I kept on hiking - what else was I supposed to do: take a picture of them? They were laying on a blanket. I guess I could have told them that a Thermarest would be more comfortable. The thing that surprised me most was that the weather was so cold - why would they be doing that there?On a different note, I got to Partnership Shelter around 4:30pm. I looked around for the number to the pizza place that delivers. It was no where to be found. Not on the shelter walls; in the journal; or over by the headquarters building (they were closed by then). But there was a yellow pages by the phone and I finally figured out that you should call the Pizza Hut in Marion. By the way, for whatever reason the pay phone has been removed and they have a regular, free, phone in it's place.Looks like a light day tomorrow - only 12 miles to the Relax Inn where I have a food drop to pick up.
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi everyone. Just a quick update because it is past my bedtime and reception on my iPhone is not good.I'm staying the night at the Relax Inn about 12 miles north of Partnership Shelter. Had my obligatory pizza at the shelter last night. Call the Pizza Hut in Marion - yellow pages by phone at Mt Rogers Headquarters.If you stop in town here, try the food at the Barn.Today seemed a good example of what Virginia will be like soon - level enough to really pick up your pace.Probably won't get to completely update this journal until Easter weekend - when Trail Boss will be back visiting for a long weekend.I hope everyone is doing well on their hikes. Thanks to everyone for the journal entries and help provided.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Relax Inn

To: Six miles north of Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 20.0

Left the Relax Inn by 9am. Hiking pace was slowed today by my weight of five days of food. The extra food adds about 8-10 pounds to the pack weight.Also had some steep terrian initially. Weather was fantastic - around 70 degrees. Hiked most of the day in my shorts and t-shirt, just like the summer thru-hikers will be able to do.Met five trail-maintainers along the way. They were marking trees with that red, plastic strips of tape. Said other volunteers would come behind them and do various things. I'm not sure what. They also told me that there is a couple thru-hiking not too far behind me. They are trying to finish their thru-hike by June. Supposed to have started on February 1st - a week later than me. I'll be happy for some company if they show up.Another thru-hiker, Tabasco, has been crossing my path. He is also northbound and is notable for the amazing amount of gear (he says around 65 pounds) he has carried since Springer. Supposed to rain Saturday and Sunday. Shelters look to be spaced about right where I can end each day in them to avoid camping in the rain. Looks like I might make Pearisburg by late Monday afternoon.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Six miles north of Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left for the trail at 9am. 9am is beginning to appear to be my standard time for wrapping up camp and getting on the trail. It's not dark until 7:30 pm so I have plenty of time to get up to 20 miles per day.Soon after starting today's hike, climbed on top of a barren mountain with strong winds. There was Chestnut Knob Shelter. One of the few shelters that is an enclosed (4-sided) stone building. It even has steel cables that go over the building and are planted in the ground. Must have some really strong winds at times. Also, no water at the shelter. You have to carry your water from a pond that is about 1.5 miles south.Was hiking along the trail and saw two, other hikers up ahead. Guess who? Sgt. Rock and Tabasco! Sgt. Rock is heading south after jumping up to Atkins. Tabasco is plodding northward. A light rain started falling around 2pm. I slipped a bit later and came down on my right wrist. Something also poked into the right side of my chest. The wrist bothered me the rest of the day, but was better afterwards. The damage to my right chest would prove to be a bit more of a problem over the next few days (more later).Because of the heavy rain and thunderstorms possible tonight, decided to stop at the Jenkins shelter. Not a very high-mileage day, but good enough with all that had taken place. Shortly after, Tabasco showed up and we shared the shelter that night.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

On trail at 9:30 am. Rain held off (yeah!) and the first half of the day was very nice. Most of the day the terrain was flat enough where I could maintain over 2.5 mph. I thought I would finish the day without any rain, but the rain started the last 45 minutes of hiking. After you walk over I-77, you come upon Kimberling Creek. That's where you have a pretty steep climb to get to the top. I should have been ashamed of myself but I opted to stop for the night at the Helveys Mill Shelter. Arrived at 2:45pm. It's just that the heavy rains were due and the next shelter was to far to reach. Yes - I should be setting up my tent in the rain and using it the way it was intended - but it's hard to get motivated to do that when you have a shelter available.Once again, Tabasco arrived later at the shelter and we exchanged "war stories". He was also in the Marine Corps and we had a lot to talk about.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Tenting spot about 4 miles north of Kimberling Crk
Miles today: 20.0

On trail at 9am. Today was mostly a cloudy, cool, windy day.Made great time today - between 2.5 and 3 miles per hour. I had not planned on doing so, but when I got to the Kimberling Suspension bridge I opted to hike the half a mile to Trent's Grocery. Here I was able to do my laundry, get a cheeseburger and fries from their grill, and buy some great snacks to take back to the trail (would you believe two bottle of milk; a can of condensed milk; two bottles of Root Bear; and two oatmeal cakes?).So I was at the Grocery for about an hour. The entire side-trip from the trail took about 1.5 hours. Even so, I was able to hike on further on the Trail and make my 20 miles for day. Not too bad. I believe Tabasco is back somewhere around the suspension bridge camping for the night. I left him a note on the bridge saying the grocery was open.
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Tenting spot about 4 miles north of Kimberling Crk

To: Tenting spot 3 miles south of Pearisburg
Miles today: 17.5

On trail at 9am. Weather mostly suny with a high somewhere in the 50's. Opted to reduce my hiking pace today because I want to get about three miles south of Pearisburg for the night - then a quick hike into Pearisburg tomorrow for some groceries and some internet updating.During the day I met two female hikers who are section hiking. Nice conversation during which they said on of their husbands could shuttle me tomorrow to the library (which is about 2.5 miles from the trail). I just needed to be at Wade's grocery store by 10:30am. I told them I'd try to make it, but for him not to wait more than 15 minutes. (As it turned out I did not make the location in time - but I really appreciate the gesture).I also noticed my daily mph pace dropped down dramatically due to a large number of small and large rocks embedded in the trail. With my preponderance to trip over things, I just can't afford not to slow down with those rocks. It's bad enough having to hike downhill with all those leaves covering up potential roots and stones.Found a great water source and small tenting spot just 3 miles from Pearisburg. Pretty much protected from the winds since it was down the slope a bit.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Tenting spot 3 miles south of Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night my right chest (where I fell on it) began to bother me more. It had already been hurting when I lay in bed. Now, sneezing/blowing my nose causes pain.I'm in Pearisburg and they have a "medi-clinic" somewhere. I'm heading off to find it and see what I can find out. The funny thing is that there is no pain when my pack is on and I'm hiking. Except for when I do some deep breathing through my mouth while climbing hills. We shall see.Pearisburg is a very spread out town. You walk through on one side and the center of the town (where post office and most food places are) is a mile away. Then, to get to the Hostel or Library or Walmart you have an additional 1.5 miles. Takes a bit of time and there is not much of a shouldar on some of the roads. If you just stay close to the trail you have one, close motel (Rendevous) and one grocery store (Wades).Once I get this chest injury worked out, I want to begin going over (in each upcoming journal entry) some thoughts about how various pieces of gear have worked out over the two months. Some items have been real "winners" while others turned out to be duds.
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Pearisburg

To: Comfort Inn, Radford, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone.Well, Trail Boss made it down to Pearisburg and picked me up for our "once a month" get together. We've opted to head into Radford for several days. There's a lot around here: two universities (Virginia Tech and Radford U.); a number of antique shops (which Trail Boss is looking forward to); and plenty of good places to eat.Earlier today I was waiting in the parking lot of the Rendevous Motel for Trail Boss to arrive. I noticed several hikers heading back to the trail from town. So they are finally catching up to me - and that's great. I'm looking forward to chatting with more thru-hikers and sharing the shelters with more than just the local mice.I will be back on the trail Monday afternoon. It will be nice after my extended hiatus to get back out there.I looked over my existing gear I'm carrying and decided to send just two items back home. One is my micro-fleece bag liner. With my zero-degree bag it is getting warm enough to not need the liner any longer. I hadn't used it at all during the past three weeks.The other item I'm sending home is my Z-rest closed cell pad. During a winter hike a lot of folks recommend using both a closed and open (inflatable) pad for ground insulation. I agree and did just that. But now things are warming up enough that one pad is enough. The Z-rest actually weighs about 4 ounces more than my 3/4 length Thermarest. My preference (comfort wise) is the Thermarest, so the Z-rest is heading home.The 2.5 pounds reduced from my pack weight is a step in the right direction. After carrying a pack that weighs around 40 pounds (depending upon food and water), any weight reduction is a positive.I checked my guidebook and it is approximately 400 miles between Pearisburg and Harpers Ferry. I want to do that in the next four weeks. Averaging 15-17 miles per day is realistic and allows for some zero days along the way. The Shenandoah terrain is ideal for some longer mileage days.Once again, a sincere "thank you" for the words of support everyone has sent to me. Look for me out on the trail and say hello.
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Comfort Inn, Radford, Virginia

To: Comfort Inn, Radford, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

First off, my rib/chest is doing a lot better. Before it hurt to breathe in deeply - not any more. Now I am really eager to get back on the Trail Monday. Thanks to all of you who sent speedy recovery comments - they helped a lot.Okay, I could use some help with my upcoming resupply schedule/locations between Pearisburg and Harpers Ferry. I've looked at both Wingfoot's Guide and Baltimore Jack's resupply suggestions. Here is what I've come up with but you may well have some better suggestions.What I am trying to do is limit the number of resupply stops and also the distance off the trail I would need to travel. Yes, I know it will be a sin to many if I skip Waynesboro, but if the schedule below is viable I really don't need to go into that town.Also, I understand that the logic is to carry as little food as possible and resupply more frequently. So my 5 days of food carried probably seems excessive to many but has worked for me in the past (I guess I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to pack weight).I've only listed one of the Shenandoah camp stores because most don't open until May and most don't have much in the way of hiker food. Lewis Mtn Campground is supposed to be open in mid-April.I'm working on a daily average of 17 miles. Anyway, here's what I've come up with. If you have any suggested comments/changes, drop me a guest book entry.Pearisburg to Troutville - Buy local - Miles covered: 94 - Days of food required: 5Troutville to Montebello - Buy local - Miles covered: 93 - Days of food required: 5Montebello to Lewis Mtn Campground - Mail drop to Post Office in Montebello - Miles covered: 92 - Days of food required: 5Lewis Mtn Campground to Linden - Buy local at Camp Store - Miles covered: 62 - Days of food required: 3.5Linden to Harpers Ferry- Mail drop to Post Office in Linden - Miles covered: 46 - Days of food required: 2.5Thanks.
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Comfort Inn, Radford, Virginia

To: Comfort Inn, Radford, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Easter, everyone.Well, Trail Boss and I are winding up our "spring break". We went into Blacksburg and saw the movie "Vantage Point." We both thought it was pretty good, but we read that the critics thought it was lousy. Shows how much we know, I guess.Worked on reconfiguring my pack since I've lightened the load but will also be carrying 5 days of food for the next two weeks. Without food or water it is now down to 30 lbs. That's about 5-8 pounds less than when I started Springer. Now I'm confident about carrying the weight; am in lighter and better shape (excepting the injury - which will soon be healed). Sure, 30 lbs is on the heavy-side of a 3-season load, but I can be happy with it until the load is lightened even more at Harpers Ferry.Anyway, that's about all for now. Happy hiking and stay safe.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Comfort Inn, Radford, Virginia

To: 4 miles south of Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

Trail Boss dropped me off at the the trail in Pearisburg and began hiking at 11:45 am. Although carrying five days of food, pack is lighter since I sent home my bag liner and some clothes. Climbing out of Pearisburg met Waterbear and StorminNorman. Once up on Peters Mountain it was mostly ridge walking with West Virginia on one side and Virginia on the other. Weather was mostly sunny but cool. Light snow fell during the entire day. National Weather Service says rest of week warmer with no precip.Hiked until 7pm and found camping spot about 4 miles south of Pine Swamp Shelter. Waterbear & StorminNorman night hiked on to the shelter.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: 4 miles south of Pine Swamp Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

On trail at 9am. Saw a number of other bikers (boy scouts, local bikers). Pine Swamp Shelter did not have a roof - must be getting replaced.Got to VA 635 and the sign indicated the bridge over the trail had washed out. Could either ford or take VA635 1.5 miles to where AT crosses. I opted to take the road while Waterbear & StormNorm forded the cold water.Stopped at Bailey Gap Shelter for noon break. Then trail climbed up to 4,100 feet. Planned to do 20 miles today but when I got to War Spur Shelter decided to call it a night with Waterbear & StormNorm.The night at the shelter was warmer (40's). Total. miles today were 17.
Date: 2008-03-26
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked with WB & SN throughout the day with them mostly ahead. Nice weather. Crossed a lot of fields and stepped over a lot of cow patties and climbed over a lot of stiles.Got into Niday Shelter and all of us settled in for the night. As usual I put up my tent in the shelter. We had the place to ourselves. 18 miles hiked today.
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Niday Shelter

To: 1/2 mile North of VA 624
Miles today: 17.0

All three of us basically decided to make today's goal to reach the convenience store off of VA 624 for snacks and junk food (and a gallon of milk for me).Passed by Audie Murphy memorial. WB & SN visited it but I walked past the side trail because I was looking down.Did get to see Dragon's Tooth and take some pictures. Got to VA 624 around 4pm and WB myself hiked to the store while SN watched our packs. We then went about a mile further and camped for the night. After it got dark we got hungry again and WB and I again hiked down to the store - we both like milk and needed mosquito spray.Total miles today - 17.
Date: 2008-03-28
From: 1/2 mile North of VA 624

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today it was supposed to rain heavy in the afternoon. So we all three of us opted to just hike as far as the Campbell Shelter. We had plenty of time to go six more miles to the next shelter but thought the weather was going to get really bad. As it turned out it didn't rain at all.Took some great pictures of everyone out on Mcafee's Knob. What a beautiful sight. My understanding is that the Knob is the second most photographed spot (next to Mt. Katahdin).A few local bikers came by the shelter in the evening but left after seeing us. They had a couple of dogs with them and it was decent of them to set up tents instead of coming into the shelter.We are thinking a out stopping in Daleville tomorrow.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville, Virginia
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

WB & SN made me get up at 6:30am for an early start into Daleville. Left the shelter at 7:30am and we took turns breaking (leading the way on the) trail.Stopped to view Tinker Cliffs. Most of terrain was pretty easy to cover. Weather was cooler (50's) but sunny.Got into Daleville around 2pm. Very spread out town and very busy highways with large trucks. Went to Kroger to resupply. Local guy gave us a free ride to Holiday Inn Express. We split cost and shared a room. Dinner at er Barrel. Waitress gave us a gigantic amount of dinner rolls and cornbread to take back to our room. Washed clothes (it had gotten up to 80 degrees a couple of days and you could tell it from the smell) and finished the night relaxing in the motel's hot tub.
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Daleville, Virginia

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning started off with Water Bear, Stormin Norman and myself in Daleville. We had the AYCE breakfast at the Holiday Inn. A lot of food and we took full advantage of it. Then we looked outside and saw the weather had changed for the worse - cold and sleet/frozen rain was falling. My weather radio says more of the same over the next few days.Let me stress one thing about Daleville - be careful of all the traffic. Especially all the 18-wheelers going down the highways. I had to go over to the truck stop to wash my clothes. I have never seen so many large rigs in all my life.Regardless, we got back on the trail around 12:30pm and hiked past Troutville to the second shelter (Wilson Creek). That pretty much concluded this day, having covered eleven miles. We promised each other we would put in more miles tomorrow.
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was our first day to cross the Blue Ridge Parkway while hiking on the trail. You get to cross the Parkway a number of times and are often walking parallel to it. It was nice we were the only folks (no cars or tourists) in the area. Most of the day it was very foggy and damp. Hard to see where you were heading. There are supposed to be some spectacular views from the Parkway - but we couldn't see any of them due to the weather.It was a good climb over Cove Mountain. This section of the trail is starting to have more and more graded switchbacks, making for a much easier climb.Although it was extremely wet at our shelter for the night (Cove Mountain Shelter) Stormin Norman made a gigantic fire in the fire ring in front of the shelter. As wet as the wood was I don't see how he did it. We hung up a rope and carefully dried all of our clothes near the fire. Given that I had had no dry clothes remaining, I was grateful for that fire.Today we covered 14 miles. I need to average 17 miles per day and know I'm not making that goal. It's just that the weather has been so bad that it is much more comfortable spending the night in a shelter than a tent in the rain. And, Water Bear and Stormin Norman are two of the nicest folks I've met in a long time. I enjoy hiking alone usually, but those guys are top-notch - you couldn't find nicer folks to hike with. However, I know the time will soon arrive when I have to push on further each day and not restrict my daily miles to the shelters.