morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Moreland Gap

To: Dennis Cove Rd
Miles today: 5.8

Friday, April 23, 2004 Day 40, 5.8 miles (Moreland Gap to Dennis Cove Road)I Left Moreland Gap shelter at 6:35. I arrived at the Kincora Hostel at 9:15. Nice people here. I took a shower and felt 100% better. I called Janet. We tried to contact Mom and Dad so that I could meet them in Hampton instead of them having to drive the winding road (Dennis Cove) out to Kincora, but we could not get them. I finally met up with my folks about 2:00pm, thanks to Adventure and Mello Yello who had met them at the Hwy 321 AT crossing. My lousy instructions and the mistake in the itinerary was the reason for the 2 hour delay. There were a bunch of hikers slacking from 321 to Dennis Cove today, including Just Do It.I ate a great double cheeseburger at the a local restaurant in Hampton. Mom, Dad and I checked into the Holiday Inn in Johnson City. I did laundry, then we ate supper at Wendy¢s.
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Dennis Cove Rd

To: Watauga Lake shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

Saturday, April 24, 2004 Day 41, 10.5 miles (Dennis Cove Road to Watauga Lake Shelter)I got up at 6:00 and drove Dad¢s car over to the Super K Mart at 6:30, where I re-supplied for the push to Damascus. I had my pack ready to go at 8:00. Mom, Dad, and I ate breakfast at McDonalds, then they dropped me off at the Dennis Cove trailhead at 10:15. We had a great visit. We took some pictures and said good-bye.Janet had sent my lighter walking shoes along with my folks, and I sent my boots back with them. I was a little apprehensive about getting rid of the boots, but it turned out to be a good decision. The lighter shoes are great, and I don¢t trip as much. I am definitely losing weight The 38 shorts Janet sent fit with room to spare. It¢s a Beautiful day for hiking. There was fantastic scenery at Laurel Falls and the Laurel Forks stream. Bob Peoples (Kincora Hostel) had a crew of hikers working on the trail at the falls. I was enjoying the level walk along the stream so much that I missed the turn that takes the AT up to Pond Flats. I walked 15 minutes before I realized my mistake. I backtracked. This mistake added 30 minutes and about 1.5 miles to my hike. Later I met Chef slacking South as I was coming off Pond Flats. I reached Watauga Lake at 3:30 and the Shelter at 4:15. It is a very hot day. I¢m the only one at the shelter so far - eerie feeling. I¢m too close to a road, and hope I don¢t have to contend with a bunch of party animals tonight. Tomorrow I¢ll get an early start and will be back on schedule. There is a 2000 foot net elevation gain tomorrow, but it looks gradual on the map. It¢s 5:00 pm and as I¢m sitting here writing, thunder clouds are forming, and I hear thunder. At 6:30 pm the Thunder storm began in earnest. It was still going strong when I fell asleep about 8:00. I woke up at 9:30, and all was quiet. No party animals, thank goodness. They were probably kept away by the storm.
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Watauga Lake shelter

To: Double Springs shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, April 25, 2004 Day 42, 21.6 miles (Watauga Lake to Double Springs shelter)Well no one else showed up at the Watauga Lake shelter last night. Got up at 6:00 and was on the trail by 7:00. It seems like all the birds are competing for attention today. I¢ve never heard such a beautiful racket. There are some clouds, but it¢s warm and no rain. The trail is fairly flat, and I seem to be making good time. Watauga Lake is off to my right. I cross Watauga Dam and start climbing. The climbs are not too steep, and they are comparatively short, and I reach Vanderventer shelter at 10:15. There were two men and a boy getting water there. They were section hiking South. At this point I decided to make Double Springs and attempt to get to Damascus tomorrow. Adventure and Mello Yello will get there today according to their log entries. I got to Iron Mountain shelter at 1:30pm. Now I know I can make Double Springs today and Damascus tomorrow. This will put me one day ahead of schedule again. It started raining about 3:00, hard enough for me to put on my rain jacket. I arrived at Double Springs at 5:00. This is my first over 20 mile day. Only 18 miles to Damascus tomorrow. At 7:00 another hiker comes in. His name is Silver. He started today in Kincora - 31 miles! I thought I¢d done good. He started his hike in Hot Springs 8 days ago. He¢s a madman.
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Double Springs shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

Monday, April 26, 2004 Day 43, 18.3 miles (Double Springs to Damascus, VA) It rained hard all night then let up a little around 7:00 am. I got on the trail at 7:25. There was a steady rain all day, and it began to turn colder around 10:00 am. I wore shorts, t-shirt, and rain jacket. My hands were getting numb and looked like prunes from gripping the wet hiking poles, so I put up my gloves. Miserable weather, but it could have been worse - could be snow and really cold. I crossed US Hwy 421 at Low Gap.Milestone: I exited Tennessee and crossed into Virginia today!!I got into Damascus at 2:30, and walked straight to The Place Hostel. The rain stopped about 2:30 also. I was surprised to see Slainte¢ at the hostel. He was waiting for St.Rick and Selma to get back from the Side Track Cafe¢. They had already zeroed two days and as it turned out would zero one more. It was rather comical watching them toss a coin (best 3 out of 5) to decide whether to stay another day or to go. I called Janet and the folks. Grace has been sick, so I will check on her tomorrow.   Halleluiah!! ¢ I will Zero tomorrow.Who¢s here at The Place: Mumbles, Just Do It, Adventure, Mello Yello, Trunks, Chef, Slainte¢, St. Rick, Silver, and a whole lot of other hikers I can¢t name.I ate supper at Dot¢s Inn with Mello Yello and Adventure.
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Damascus, VA

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 Day 44, 0 miles (Damascus, VA)This is a zero day, and I really need it. I ate breakfast at the Side Track Caf©.   I have a lot to get done today. The first task was laundry. While I was doing that, I saw Mello Yello and Adventure heading out of town. They zeroed yesterday. While the clothes were washing, I picked up my mail drop a the Post Office and took it to The Place. I walked back to the Laundromat and dried the clothes. Next I walked to Food City and picked up a few things, then made up a box to send back to Janet. I ate lunch at the Side Track Caf© (pizza).I bought a lighter sleeping bag at the outfitters ($225.00). I also got the slow leak in my new Therma-Rest fixed. I sent my old sleeping bag back via UPS to Janet. I called Janet at 9:00 pm. Grace is better.Mumbles has decided to quit his Thru-hike, and I watched him leave with his dad. I think they are going to camp in the Grayson Highlands before heading home. After having foot trouble, Mello Yello came back today. He had hiked 14 miles, and was able to catch a ride back with a church group. His shoes did not fit. He bought some new boots and will finish fitting them tomorrow morning.
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Day 45, 15.8 miles (Damascus to Lost Mountain shelter) I left The Place at 8:00, and ate breakfast at Cottage Inn, just on the outskirts of town. Left there at 9:00. The Owner gave me 2 cookies as I left ¢ these will go good with lunch.It¢s another beautiful day, and I took a few pictures. I walked by a lot of streams and waterfalls. This was a good hike. I started out cold, wearing shorts, t-shirt, long sleeves, and rain jacket, but soon I had to shed the rain jacket and long sleeve shirt. The sky was clear. I could see the Virginia Creeper trail below me all morning. I passed Dark Cloud, and was passed by Sunset, Oakie, Circuit Rider, and Sherlock. These hikers are collectively known as the Fab Five, and they have a support truck. I reached Lost Mountain shelter at 4:30. Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Boomer (a section hiker), Chef, The Rat Pat (Big Foot, Dart, Junior, and Ward). Two other section hikers came in later. Adventure is a day ahead of me according to the register. No entry from Mello Yello.
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Lost Mountain shelter

To: Wise campsite
Miles today: 17.6

Thursday, April 29, 2004 Day 46, 17.6 miles (Lost Mountain shelter to Wise campsite)It¢s another clear day. I left the Lost Mountain shelter about 7:30, and my goal is to reach Wise Shelter, 17.3 miles away. I found the Fab 5 camped about 2 miles down the trail, and it looked like they were still sleeping. When I got to Buzzard Rock, Sunset was there, and I got him to take my picture. He said that Dark Cloud would probably quit the trail. There is a lot of beautiful scenery, and a lot of hard hiking over rocks. I reached Thomas Knob shelter at 1:30. It has a solar powered privy. I took a picture. When I entered the Grayson Highlands State Park, I saw the ¢wild¢ ponies, but did not get a picture. I will have to say Mt. Rogers and Roan Mountain have been the most scenic sections of the ATC so far.I reached Wise Shelter at 4:15, but decided to tent .3 miles on up the trail. I hope this is good decision. I am camping by myself, with a couple of other hikers camped nearby.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Wise campsite

To: Trimpi shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Friday, April 30, 2004 Day 47, 19.7 miles (Wise campsite to Trimpi shelter)I ate a cold breakfast and was on the trail at 7:15. No rain last night so tenting was a good decision. Yesterday, as I was rinsing out my shorts and shirt in the creek, I slipped and fell. I didn¢t think I hurt anything at the time, but this morning the middle finger on my left hand was swollen and stiff. Must have jammed it.Milestone: over 500 miles today!!!I had fairly easy walking today, and felt better finishing today than yesterday. The weather was overcast most of the day, and it sprinkled on me a few times. I was able to get a picture of some free roaming ponies this morning, before I exited the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. The sun did manage to peek out a few times.Just after going over Iron Mountain, I heard the strangest woodpecker. It was irregular in rhythm - there were 2 birds, one near, one far. Sounded like they were sending code to each other. First one would peck then the other would peck as if in response. I need to ask Joe Schiller about this. I saw one of the birds high up in a tall popular, but could not make out any markings.Made it to Trimpi Shelter at 4:15. Nice shelter with a fireplace on the back wall.Who¢s here: Just Do It, the Quakers (Gump, Lush, and Gang Busters - father and 2 sons), Cajun man, Easy Duzit and 73 year old Bob Merler from New York.
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Trimpi shelter

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Saturday, May 1, 2004 Day 48, 10.6 miles (Trimpi shelter to Partnership shelter, VA Hwy 16)I left Trimpi shelter at 7:40 this morning. I will make this a short day. I¢m just going to Partnership shelter, 10.6 mi. There¢s a hot shower there. Also a phone at the nearby ranger station where you can order pizza. Got to Partnership shelter at 11:45. Felt a little sluggish today, so I was a little surprised that I got here so fast.There were turkeys out today. I could hear them gobbling through the woods. As I was crossing another pasture this morning I had to veer off the trail a bit. There was a big bull standing in the trail, and he didn¢t look like he was about to move for me. It rained off and on this morning but seems to be clearing off this afternoon.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Just Do It, Cajun Man, The Rat Pack, Chef, the Quakers, and T.T.As a group of us were standing outside the Ranger station waiting for pizza delivery, Adventure drove up. He was saying good-bye to everyone. He¢s getting off the trail for about 6 weeks. His plan is to flip-flop in June.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Partnership shelter

To: Davis Path shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Sunday, May 2, 2004 Day 49, 14.3 miles (Partnership shelter to Davis Path shelter)I left Partnership Shelter at 7:15, right behind Just Do It. TT left earlier and probably will go 25 miles today. It is overcast and threatening rain. I got to I-81 about 1:00pm.From what adventure told me yesterday, I knew Mello Yello was at the Village Motel, so Just Do It and I looked him up. Mello Yello, Just Do It, and I ate Lunch at the Red Barn Restaurant. Then we walked over to the Dairy Queen for a milk-shake, but to my horror they were OUT OF ICE CREAM !!   Just my luck to walk into the only Dairy Queen in the world that is OUT OF ICE CREAM !! Oh well. I re-supplied at the Truck Stop. I called Janet.Mello Yello still has shoe problems, so he will 0 today and tomorrow while he figures out what to do about it. Just Do It and I went on. We crossed several highways today: VA 683, US 11, I-81, and VA 617 near Atkins, VA. We arrived at the Davis Path shelter around 5:30pm. We had some rain today. The temperature is dropping also, mid 40¢s by 8:00 pm. It¢s Good to be in the shelter.Who¢s here: Just Do It and Easy Duzit (me). I thought the Rat Pack would be here, but maybe they were sucked into the vortex in Troutdale.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Davis Path shelter

To: Chestnut Knob shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Monday, May 3, 2004 Day 50, 20.2 miles (Davis Path to Chestnut Knob shelter)Just Do It and I got on the trail at 7:00, and we¢re headed for Chestnut Knob shelter. It¢s a very dismal and cold day. I had to put rain-pants on at one point, just to keep in some body heat. At around 9:30am we got some sleet. Since there is no water at the shelter, we had to get 3 liters each at the spring a mile and a half before the Chestnut Knob shelter.We arrived at the shelter at 5:15. There were two hikers already there - one was Cimarron, who is 81 years old. He was not feeling well. Cimarron is a through hiker finishing up sections he had missed in earlier hikes. The other guy is a friend of Cimarron¢s who is hiking this section with him. About 7:00pm, Christina, a SOBO from PA, came in. She is section hiking, and wants to get to Damascus for Trail-Days.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Chestnut Knob shelter

To: Helveys Mill shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday, May 4, 2004 Day 51, 23.8 miles (Chestnut Knob shelter to Helveys Mill shelter)Just Do It left Chestnut Knob shelter at 7:00am. I left about 10 minutes later. We both had intentions of going all the way to Helveys Mill shelter. However, I caught up with Just Do It after 30 minutes. He said his knee was bothering him on the descents, and he didn¢t think he could do 24 miles today. I figured he¢d catch me when his knee got to feeling better, so I wished him well and went on. Just Do It, who is 63, is a faster hiker than I am when his knees are feeling good.   It was a beautiful day. It started cold, 35o at Chestnut Knob, but by noon I was in t-shirt and shorts again. (Note to the ATC: The trail needs to be marked better at the US Hwy 52 crossing near I-77 and Bland, VA. It¢s a long road walk and not well marked. I wasted about 30 minutes looking for white blazes.) I finally got to Helveys Mill at 6:15pm. King Alabar was here also. There was more climbing today than the maps lead me to expect. ¢The maps lie!¢ is a common Thru-hiker¢s lament. About midway through today¢s hike I had the choice of taking the normal AT route or the ¢high water¢ route. Due to the recent rains I chose the ¢high water¢ route, and I was glad I did. King Alabar took the normal route and had to ford a couple of streams that proved very treacherous. I ran out of film this morning. Too bad. There are some very fine views from this section of trail. The valley known as Burkes Garden a.k.a. ¢God¢s Thumbprint¢ was to my left as I walked down Chestnut Ridge, away from Chestnut Knob. It was spectacular. This valley is full of very picturesque farms. I really needed some film. I believe I had hiked this section back in the 80¢s with Robert Owenby. I need to check on this.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit and King Alabar
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Helveys Mill shelter

To: VA Hwy 606
Miles today: 16.3

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 Day 52, 16.3 miles (Helveys Mill to VA Hwy 606)I left Helveys Mill about 8:00am. Not sure where I¢ll end up today, probably at Va. 606 where there¢s a campground with showers about 3 tenths of a mile from the trail. The morning was overcast and a little chilly. I wore shorts, t-shirt and a long sleeve shirt. I left my gaiters off since they make my feet hot enough to develop heat rash.I met three SOBOs who seemed to be speed hiking. I just did get out of their way ¢ wonder what they were trying to prove? Then I met 5 ladies hiking South. One of them gave me an orange (trail magic). I got to Jenny¢s Knob shelter at 12:00 and had the orange for lunch. The day warmed up and cleared up, and I was in shorts and t-shirt again. Great views of the valleys from Brushy Mountain ridge, especially with the sun shining through the clouds as they were breaking up. But, alas, no film. I got to VA 606 at 3:30. There is a very long and well built wooden suspension walking bridge crossing Kimberling Creek, probably 150¢ long. It bounced in rhythm with my cadence. I road-walked the .3 mile to Trent¢s grocery store and campground, and decided to stay there since I could get a shower and rinse out some clothes. I called Janet, then pitched my tent. I showered, then ate a burger and onion rings at the grill inside Trent¢s store. Also bought some film. I¢m the only one here. Except for the pot-bellied pig 50 yards away.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: VA Hwy 606

To: Doc's Knob shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Thursday, May 6, 2004 Day 53, 16.1 miles (VA Hwy 606 to Doc¢s Knob shelter) I got back to the AT from Trent¢s campground at 8:00am. I met a Thru-hiker named Norway when I backtracked to photograph the suspension bridge. He had camped at the bridge, and was eating breakfast. His plan is to hike at least 25 miles each day in Virginia. I wished him luck with this ambitious goal. It was a sunny day with more great views. I arrived at Doc¢s Knob shelter about 4:30pm. There were several people already there, but there was room in the shelter. Then, at about 7:00 pm, Just Do It arrived. His knee was feeling better. I was glad to see him.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Mockingbird, Jimmy and Dick (two SOBO section hikers), Just Do It, Big Feet, and 3 others. Just Do It knew Jimmy and Dick. He had attempted a Thru-hike last year and had met Jimmy and Dick then about 200 miles North of here. It was quite a coincidence.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Doc's Knob shelter

To: US Hwy 460
Miles today: 8.3

Friday, May 7, 2004 Day 54, 8.3 miles   (Doc¢s Knob to US Hwy 460 near Pearisburg, VA) I left Doc¢s Knob shelter at 7:20am with Just Do It. We arrived at US Hwy 460 near Pearisburg VA at 11:30. Just Do It needed to re-supply in Pearisburg, but did not plan to zero the next day. I¢m meeting Janet here, and will zero tomorrow. We said farewell; He went on to a motel; and I sat down beside the highway to wait for Janet. It was another very beautiful day with great views, but my camera screwed up and rewound after only 12 pictures.At 12:45 Janet arrived with her mother, Jane, and our 3 year old granddaughter, Grace. Grace¢s being here was a pleasant surprise. She did not recognize me at first, since I¢d lost so much weight since March (about 35 pounds).
Date: 2004-05-08
From: US Hwy 460

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Saturday, May 8, 2004Day 55, 0 miles (Blacksburg, VA)We stayed at the Amerisuites in Blacksburg. We visited Virginia Tech¢s campus. Lot¢s of Grey stone buildings. Very large and beautiful campus.Janet seems to have figured out her way around here.Who¢s here: Janet, Jane, Grace, Easy Duzit (me).
Date: 2004-05-09
From: US Hwy 460

To: Rice Field shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, May 9, 2004 Day 56, 8.2 miles (US Hwy 460 to campsite after Rice Field shelter)I spent the morning with Janet, Jane, and Grace. We tried to eat a late breakfast at Cracker Barrel, but it was packed, so against our better judgment we went to Denny¢s. It took over 45 minutes to get our meal after we ordered. I made several calls yesterday and today to: Mom and Dad, Marie and Earl, Joe and Sally, Kris and kids, Jennifer, Brenda, and others. After breakfast, Janet, Jane, and Grace dropped me off at the Senator Shumate bridge (US 460) at 11:45. We said our reluctant goodbyes then I was back on the trail. I reached Rice Field Shelter at 2:30pm. Most of the walk was climbing. A zero day does a body good; my legs felt great and my back was not hurting.I decided to move on another 1.5 miles to a camping area with a spring since there is no water near the shelter. At the shelter were 2 section hikers, Earth and Hawk Eye. Earth has a dog named Nature Also showing up were Pennsylvania Mule, Vapor Trail, and Pilot. We all decided to move on except Hawk Eye. PA. Mule and I camped at the spring. The others went on further. Tomorrow I plan to go all the way to War Spur Shelter, a hike of about 23.5 miles which should be fairly easy.Hope we don¢t get rain!(No Rain!)
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Rice Field shelter

To: Warspur shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Monday, May 10, 2004 Day 57, 23.6 miles (Rice Field campsite to Warspur shelter)I woke up early and was on the trail by 6:45am in anticipation of putting in long mileage. I arrived at Warspur Shelter at 6:50 pm. Taking into account the 1 12 hours for lunch and breaks, it took me 10 12 hours of hiking. This is my longest day yet! For some reason my legs felt sluggish. It was a clear day in the morning. I ate lunch at Pine Swamp Shelter. When I got to Bailey Gap Shelter about 2:00, thunderheads were forming and I could hear rumbling off in the distance. I had to decide: Do I go on and risk rain (8.8 to Warspur) or do I stay at Bailey Gap shelter? I decided that it was too early to quit, so I put my pack cover on and got my rain jacket ready. I also put my trekking poles away. I didn¢t want to be waving metal poles around on top of the mountain while lightening was dancing around me.Who¢s at Warspur: Chigger and Rock Steady, PA Mule, and me.When I arrived, I was dog tired, so I got water, rinsed off in the stream, ate supper, and went to bed. We had a little excitement tonight. Around midnight I woke up. Chigger was yelling, ¢it¢s eating my shoe¢. Then I smelled a skunk. Chigger had left her shoes and socks on the ground, and I guess the skunk wanted a taste of salt. My shoes were on the ground to, so I quickly pulled them into the shelter. Chigger got her shoes back ok, but her socks smelled like skunk. By the way, no rain, just a lot of wind and thunder.
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Warspur shelter

To: Niday shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 Day 58, 18.2 miles (Warspur shelter to Niday shelter)I left Warspur at 7:40. Feel a little more energetic today. I arrived at Niday Shelter at 5:15.PA Mule got his usual early start. Rock Steady and Chigger left after me but passed me in short order. I crossed VA Hwy 601 at Rocky Gap and found Trail Magic there which consisted of a coke and a Hershey bar. I also crossed VA Hwy 42 and VA Hwy 630. I took a picture of the big Keffer Oak tree, and also ate lunch there with Chigger and Rock Steady. This tree is the largest oak on the AT in the South, 18¢ 3¢ in girth. I also saw a rattle snake today. It was about 2 feet off the trail, sunning itself on a rock. I first heard its rattle when I got within about 10 feet of it. I¢m glad he saw me first. I got a picture of it. It was about 3 feet long.I was surprised to see Just Do It at Niday Shelter. He said he had been taking his time.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Just Do It, PA Mule, Chigger, Rock Steady, plus 3 SOBO section hikers.The big story of the day was the rattlesnake.