morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-22
From: Bland, Va

To: here
Miles today: 0.0

Christina arrived in wytheville today via bus. She called me from the truck stop and told me that the only taxi service in the area was out of business. She was 15 miles away from Bland. I made a few calls and eventually decided to hitch hike my way to her. I ended up paying some local kid 50 bucks to go and fetch her up from the station and bring her back. I thought the round trip would be around 40 miles round trip. That kid made 50 big ones in a short 25 minutes. But all was well. We hung out int the hotel for the remainder of the day with the air conditinor turned to "ice cube". We took a romantic stroll around Bland and back. The town and its lay out sure does live up to its name.This visit couldnt have come at a better time.
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Sugar Run Gap

To: pond
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

"Cutman" and his son clayton (who hiked a week on the trail) offered to give christina and myself a ride up north to Woods hole Hostel. We decided to hitch north and hike south in the interest of logistics for christinas bus back to Richmond. After a quick stop at the grocery store (yes, bland had one) we were on our way. The weather was warm but the breeze kept the heat to a bearable level. We took it slow and stopped whenever we felt like it. Mostly to catch a view from a scenic vista. We also passed Tucker, Q-tip, glutonous monk, and nuge heading northbound. I hope to catch up to them soon. We camped at a pond near wapiti shelter. Our tent was wedged in between huge rhodendrun aside a flowing river. A very nice spot to camp. We soaked our tired feet in the icy river and strethced out thoroughly as the sun set on the horizon. Walking southbound feels so unorthodox. But, Ill get used to it.Happily
Date: 2003-06-24
From: pond

To: VA 606
Miles today: 7.5

We broke camp by 10 and were on our way south. We stopped at Dismal Falls for lunch. The water was ice cold but that didnt stop me from taking a quick dip. Christina opted to take the long way across the falls by walking, crawling, climbing and tip toeing over rocks and logs. We sat in the sun for a few hours. As were packing up our gear, 50 children came climing down the embankment. Young and old were hanging on rocks boarding the fast flowing water. Eventually a wistle blew! We were sure glad to be safe and out of the way. After walking a few miles we came to a 606 and a suspension bridge where we met quequag and stovetop (two section hikers from somehwere). WE chatted with them for a while. I asked them where the "Troutman" was. They said about a day behind. hmmm i thought. We hung around shooting the breeze with passerbyes. AFter afew hours troutman came limping over the brige. We were very excite to see each other. it had been over 3 weeeks since our last exchange. WE share stories of old and filled in the blanks of our time apart. He has decided to "Flip flop" meaning he will head up to Maine and hike south in the next few weeks. We will see each other again as we pass each other heading opposite ways. We will meet again my friend.We hiked about a mile more where we camped in an enclosed & slanted pasture- like spot. The bugs and the poisonous plants were everywhere but we were tired and didnt care much.
Date: 2003-06-25
From: VA 606

To: Bland
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

WE decided to head back to bland because my foot was bothering me something aweful. We hiked out and hitch hiked. A nice methodist pasture picked us up and drove us back to the Big Walker Motel. We were very grateful of his generosity. He offered to drive me to Pearisburg, VA the following day so that i could continue hiking north and Christina could return to Ricmond. He prayed over us and we were back in a nice air conditioned motel. I have met so many people that have gone out of their way for me as I journey north. My saying it just isnt enough. I have a renewed faith in altruistic nature of man-kind.
Date: 2003-06-26
From: Bland

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

I contacted George Ziggenfus (a retired patsture, hiker, and trailangel) and he gave christina a ride back to wytheville. We parted ways again, but this time with the knowlege that we would see each other sooner than before. She will come and visit me some time around august 8th. I should be somewhere in New York State by that time. I look forward to it every day.The pasture that gave us a ride to Bland picked me up at the DQ and dropped me off at the holy family hostel in pearisburg VA. I stopped at the library and picked up a few packages from myself and grandparents. I decided that i would skip the next 90 miles of the trail between pearisburg and troutville in the interest of time as it correlates with an October finish @ Katahdin. Even though i have hiked this section in the past (with Damon during his 02' hike) I still have a sense of guilt. At that time i thought it was my best option and certainly better than flip flopping from Maine southward. I will most likely head back south sometime after i get to maine to finish the 90 or so miles. I wouldnt consider myself a purist, but I had decided to hike every mile of the trail and thats what I shall do.Gotta Walk-
Date: 2003-06-27
From: Daleville

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

After deciding to jump ahead 90- miles, i had to figure out how i was gonna get there. Bill, the hostel caretaker had offered me a ride for 75 bucks. I wanted to try thumbing first. So i ripped up some cardboard boxes and used a thick black magic marker to make some signs. I used the front and backs in hope that i would get somewhere if nowhere at all. I would go to catawba, Roanoke, Daleville, and Blacksburg. Somewone would have to pick me up i thought. I sat on the road for two hours while holding those silly signs. After lunch at the subway across the street, i finally gave up and called Bill for the 75 dollar ride. WE cruised for an hour and a half on windy back roads. He droppedme off at the outfitter where i picked up a fuel canister. I walked to the trail and started hiking north once again. The guilt previoulsy felt was replaced my a sense of misplacedness (probably not a word). I had jumped at least 4 days ahead of all the people who I had hiked with over the last 6 weeks. Having spent the last 4 days with Christina, i was also feeling rather lonely.I made it to the shelter where i met "mudbutt", "pirate", "bumpkin", and Charlie. I stretched out thorougly, lit some sage and sat in silence for an hour or so. I am ready to put some miles behind me.
Date: 2003-06-28
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 17.0

Today i began a long stretch of trail that runs parallel with the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail crosses it a dozen or so times, but often it avoids the great views that the car travelers get to enjoy. Because of this, some hikers opt to walk the parkway, mostly because the trail offers little to no views. Some think its just not fair. i stayed on the trail and walked the road backwards when i thought my energies would be worth a great overlook to the east or west. I hiked 11 miles and then hitched in to Buchanan so that i could call Christina to wish her a very Happy 24th Birthday. Firstly I sat down to a feast at the local pizzaria where I ate an eggplant parmigana sub, two slices of pizza, and a large piture of lemon ice-water. Christina was very happy to hear from me. She didnt think there were any towns closebye consequently was not expecting a phone call. I was glad to surprise her. We talked for a good hour. I also called home where i talked with Eric and Lauren. Time to hit the trail and walk 6 more. I walked out of town and began hitching. after 20 minutes a mini-van stopped and it was my waitress from the pizzaria. We began driving out of town and i didnt remember any of the terrain. She dropped me off at a local hiking trail which ended up to not be the AT. she had dropped me off where i had skipped 6 miles of the trail. As i walked on the road i started thinking about how i would resolve the situation. 10 seconds later a young guy in a ford focus came screeching bye. He stopped as the techno was booming and aske dme if i needed a ride. I agreed and told him where i needed to go. "Your not gonna call me are you"? "No", i said, "Im too tired anyway". Five minutes later i was back to where i had orginally hitched into town. Things just work out."He that wanders is not lost"
Date: 2003-06-29
From: Jennings Creek

To: Thunder Hill shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

I passed some really great water falls and had lunch at a well designed shelter called Bryant Ridge. I didnt see anybody all day long. It is the second day in a row that i have not seen any hikers on the trail. For the most part, the hikers have dispersed. The distance between these groups is becoming more spread out as i continue on this journey. There are many behind and many more ahead. Oh well. I trodd on regardless.At the shelter i met a thruhiker named Koop, a 67 year old man from lansing Michigan. He talked and talked and probabaly didnt even care if i was listening or not. He seemed to be quite lonely and even commented on a lack of companionship on the trail over the last few weeks. So i listened.The bugs have come out in full force. They were just waiting to come out but with so much rain they were delayed so that they have all come out at the same time. I swore that i wouldnt wear bug repellent with the deet, but I am about ready to crack. Its about time to bring out the bugnet, especially in the shelters.
Date: 2003-06-30
From: Thunder Hill shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Last Day of June:I got an early start today. Koop wakes up at 6 every morning and so i got up as he was rustling through his gear. I was out on the trail at 730, for me a record. I had walked 12 miles by lunchtime when i got to matt's creek shelter. There i set up my hammock in a shady spot. I took a 2 hour plus nap during the hottest part of the day. I awoke, made dinner and packed up. There was a creek that split the campsite with a bridge crossin it. In the creek i noticed a soda can stuck between a boulder and the side of the creek. That may be a full can of soda. Could have been placed there by a trail angel or it could have been floated down the river. I was gonna get it. I had remembered that there was a pair of snakes that owned that part of the river. I noticed that the snakes were perched on the rocks. I waded through the water and got the soda, a full one at that. i was so excited. i sat on the bridge drinking pepsi. I watched the water snake hunt the small minows in the creek. He would place his back end on the land and let his head and body mimic the motion of grass in the currents. Although unsuccessful, he was my entertainment for the day.Later i crossed the James River Brige and left the jefferson national park and entered the George Washington national park.
Date: 2003-07-01
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 52:The day began with two killer climbs from the shelter. They just kept coming and with little reward at climbs end. The clouds had blocked us in but the humidity remained strong. I hit a good pace for the next 3 hours, stopping only once. I took a long break at the Punchbowl shelter and decided to pace the rest of my day out slowly but surely. In the afternoon i was in Lynchburg, VA. The trail passed through the Pedler Dam and the resovoir for the surrounding towns. The trail actually crosses a bridge which faced the cascading waters of the Dam. I sat on the bridge while enjoying the spray from the falling waters. I read my book for a half hour or so. There was a sign which read "no camping, swimming, or fishing". I guess they dont want people hanging around, period.Five more miles and i hit Brown Mountain creek shelter. This area was once a community of freed slaves in the early 1900's. As I walked the trail you could see the debris, mostly rocks and old timberss both scattered and collected. They were at one time primitive houses. The former slaves farmed the area as share croppers. A certain percentage of their crops went to the landlord and the others went to the family or was sold at market value in town. The land was sold to the Us forest service in the 1920's so that it could be used for the Appalachain Trail. I dont know how voluntary the sale was, but i am curious to find out.
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Brown Mountain Creek shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light rain

I ate two candy bars for breakfast and began a 2 miles hike into Bueno vista, VA. The cupboard was completely bare so i had to hitch my way into town to resupply. Unfortunalytely the rains started early and i was forced to hitch in the pouring rain. Sometimes the rain can illicit pitty in passerbyes, but not on this day. I couldnt get a ride, so i started walking the 9 miles down the mountain. The road was curvy, wet, and narrow. The road was used mostly by forestry trucks flying by at 60 mph carrying timbers thousands of pounds in weight. I didnt feel safe at all. After 2 hours i was picked up by a man who owned the montebello Bed and breakfast. He dropped me off at the supermarket.There i ate lunch, shopped, and made phone calls on the pay phone at the store front. Essentially, i loitered for over 2 hours, but noone payed me any mind. How was i gonna get back to the trail? William, a self proclaimed trail angel, sat on the bench next to me and struck up a conversation. He offered his services and i accepted his terms. We talked for a half hour or so and then he dropped me at the trail head. After one hell of a climb in the rain, i made it to the shelter. screw it i thought, Im not goin any further. I was greeted by 12 teenagers in the shelter there as part of a teen adventure program. They offered me dinner and a spot in the shetler, but i decided to set up my hammock despite the rain.A short day milage wise, but i had fun road walking in the downpours.
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: moderate rain

To make up for an utter lack of milage the previous day, i decided to put the pedal to the medal (so to speak) and hike my biggest day so far on the trail. The pouring rains provided very cool weather in which to hike big miles despite wet and soggy feet. The rains subsided early in the evening. while atop Priest Mountain the sun creeped its way through dividing clouds. I could feel the sun abosrb the moisture off my body, clothes and backpack. I arrived at the shelter around 830 pm where I met "shaggy dogg" who thru hiked in 99'. He was leading a teen-adventure trip this year. WE swapped stories and he offered me dinner. I was pretty tired and not feeling at all up to cooking dinner, so i accepted free dinner for the second consecutive night. Boy this trail is good to me. I soaked my tired achy feet in the cold steam and slept well. 27 miles into Waynesboro tommorow?
Date: 2003-07-04
From: harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: few clouds

The 4th of JULY:There is nothing like putting on a wet pair of socks and then to put on soaking wet boots. Nothing compairs to it. Though sarcastic in tone, true in statement. Well, then there is putting on a cold, smelly, and wet t-shirt. I was lucky enough to experience all of the three, in one morning mind you. What a lucky guy. I guess i could have worn my wet socks to bed and worn them dry, but wanted to have dry feet as i slept.I passed many weekenders and day hikers out to enjoy a hike on the fourth. What a beautiful day for it. I was hoping that more weekenders would be sitting back in the woods with the barbq fired up. But, no such luck. About a mile away from the shetler i cam acrros a "jason's mom", a prevoius thru hiker ,who came to the shetler with soda, hotdogs, and other goodies. She gave me hot dogs in a zip lock back. I thanked her and was on my way. I ate hot dogs, drank, grape soda, smoked backwoods cigars and fired up some sparklers that i had found at a hiker box the previous week. Waynesboro tommorow-Happy Fourth Yall
Date: 2003-07-05
From: Paul C Wolfe shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

I walked my five miles into waynesboro in less than 2 hours. i hit up the info center where i contaced a local trail angel who picked me, gave me a tour of the town and dropped me off at the chinese food resturant. Thanks Bill! While gorging myselfr at the ming garden, i met REason and Cruiser, fellow thru hikers who were in town for another day and into the shenandoha national park on sunday. WE talked for an hour or so and parted ways. I went to the shoe store to get arch supportrs for my ailing feet, then to the laundromat to clean clothes, to the music store for some incense, and back to the pay phone to make calls home.Later i made my way over to the local ymca for a shower and pool swim. Luck was not on my side this day. I looked in through the door to see the secretary closing up for the day. It was five minutes past five. It had been 10 since my last shower. I could feel the poison ivy oozing up my legs, i had serious heat rash on my back, and open sores on my ankles and feet. No shower for andrew till tommorow. I had wanted to get out of town the next day around9 am, but the Y didnt open till 1pm on sundays. A shower would be worth the wait. I slept the night in the Ymca park camp ground where roady, seamus,and aaron were also camping for the night. They offered me a few beers. WE made a fire and sat until late intothe morinning.
Date: 2003-07-06
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zero Day:WE awoke the next morning and decided that we would split a hotel between the four of us and hang out int he room for the entire day. We walked down the Quality Inn and got the room. WE showered, relaxed and hustled our way down to the pizza hut for some food and soda. WE watched TV all day long. We wathced VhI's top one hundred one hit wonders, a special hosted by iced-T on the 100 most irrestible women, and E.T, the uncut version.Later that afternoon i showered for the second time and was sure to waste alot of water. What band was it that said "too much of everything is just enough". Couuld of been the Grateful Dead.Leaving for the Shenandoah National Park on the morrow.
Date: 2003-07-07
From: Waynesboro

To: Blacrock hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I left Rock Fish Gap by 1030 am and entered the SNP with my new spenco arch supports. I ran into a few day hikers who gave me a lunch of turkey sandwhichm, cookies and a giant apple. WE talked for 15 minutes and then i continued on. My feet were very uncomfortable. They felt squished by the inserts that i had bought. On the down hill the material got scruned to the front of my boot. I decided to put on anther pair of socks that seemed to solve the problem. About five miles into the park Pertinax and Burger caught up with me. I hadnt seen themn in over 700 miles. They each took a week off to go home. I guess i must have inched by them during that time. I was happy to have a few hiking partners. I have been walking solo for ten days now.The Shenandoah park terrain was moderate and well graded. After resupplying a liter of water at the calf montain shelter the trail was dry for 12 miles (little did i know). Two miles later i was out of water with ten miles to walk in the hot afternoon sun. Good planning "sage" old boy. It was a tough ten miles. I wasnt the only one to missplan between water sources. WE hit the shetler by 7 pm where i met "pipeline" and "little bear". One a southbounder the the second a northbounder. It was nice to have a bunch of people at the shelter
Date: 2003-07-08
From: Blacrock hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

One of the nice things about the park is that you dont have to carry all that much food. There are so many venders, resturants, and park stores for the tourists in their cars. But, they also cater to the hikers who have conventient side trails directly to these services. By lunch time i came across the loft mountain campground. I bought two sodas, a pint of ice cream and some candy bars for later that afternoon. I also called christina, another surprise by callling a day earlier than promised. After another 6 miles i stopped at the shelter for a midafternoon break wher ei met "papa roach" and "Juke", two north bounders who had started way back in march of this year.I limped into camp around 8 pm that night with quarter sized blisters on the bottoms of my rigth and left feet. The inserts had shifted my boots and created a friction, the ulitmate source of these painful blisters. I had to switch back to my old superfeet insoles, at least for a while. The sun fell the air chilled cold and the buggs went away. I cleaned my feet in alchohol and rubbed icy hot on the ball of my feet. Ahhhh, that felt good.
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 20.0

Once again i stopped at a campground for goodies: soda and ice cream are my favorities. Later that evening i stopped for dinner at the big meadows lodge. The customer service guy Hank had a note for me. He told me that Pertinax and burger were up stairs in room 21. I brought my smelly self and stuff up stairs to the room. 60 bucks a night divided by 3 wasnt so bad. I only payed 10 because i took the floor. WE cleaned up and went down for dinner at the restuarant. Thru hikers by their very nature seem to stick out in a crowd, especially ina crowd of vacationers. A few of the waitresses came up to us and greeted us with "welcomes" and "hellos". I think they may have been scoping out our leggs as we walked in for dinner. AFter some good eats i drank some coffee and read my book. WE decided to go down to the bar for some drinks and blues music by lee Banton. The bar gave me weird vibes. And then it hit me; this place remineded me of the hotel/bar in the Shining. Didnt stop us from enjouing ourselves.
Date: 2003-07-10
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another great day in the Shenandoahs! Had great views from Mary's Rock:at one end of the horizon clouds and mists were coming hard, and to the left was sunshine stretching its way through the mountains and clouds. Certainly the hand of God. Sometimes when people ask me "why" I hike the trail, i tell them that i seek to explore the creation of the Gods (plural)."The depths of solitude summoned a spirit of charity and even benevolence grew stronger in my nature through the meditations of these supreme hours on the sea"                     -Captain Joshua slocum
Date: 2003-07-11
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 22.5

TWO MONTHS on the Appalachain Trail in 2002:I saw 5 bears in all today. The first of the day came 50 yards from the shelter. I also saw a mother and two cubs. Mama was walking the road and from the tall grass shot one stumbiling cub and then anthoter.After a hard fought day and much foot pain I stumbled into compton gap where "Grateful Greenpeace" i thru hiker of old has opened a hostel for trail hikers. I had a shower, did my laundry, and soaked my poor feet in an epsom salt bath. We coudnt get into town so unfortunatly i had to settle with whater was in my food bag, whihc was nothing more than candy bars and ramon. I settled for the ramon.The nextmonring mike gave us a ride into town to the post office, market, and the outfitter for a few things. i broke down and bought bug spray and replaced the spoon that i lost with a cool little spork.Two months have flown by me. And such is time. I know that the next three will go by faster. Living deliberately I take each moment as it comes.