morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Damascus, VA - Hike Inn

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

Didn't get much sleep last nite but was still up by 7am. Packed up and put everything in the hallway so Suzanne could get the room ready for the next person coming in. I headed for MoJoe's for computer and cinnamon roll. got the roll but the computer was down. No worries the library will be open today. Ate my roll and headed for the post office, had to mail a bounce box and more stuff home. Then I hit the library and uploaded pictures and finished my journal entries. Walked back to the hostel reserved a bunk for "trail days" so I will have a nice place to stay when I come back on 5/13, 5/14, 5/15. I also called Keen about ordering some water sandels, having them delivered to Happy Hiker Hollow Hostel in Atkins can't wait to get them. Said my "see ya up the trail" to everyone and headed out, hit the trail around 11am.The trail is green now with more wild flowers. The Rhoderdondons are beginning to bloom. I took pictures of flowers today. I also met a section hiker named stray mom and Red Kelty I think is a thru hiker. I had a long climb today but it wasn't bad. At the top was the shelter, it was 3:30pm, the next shelter was 6.1 miles away - going for it. That will mean a shorter day tomorrow.Got to the next shelter around 7pm - hung the hammock, ate some cous cous for dinner (I was hungry), and got water. Now that all my chores are done, I hit the privy (oh yea TN did not have privies (out houses) but VA does), happy days. I crawled into my hammock and journalled, but I am whipped tonite so I am going to sleep. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Started the day at 7:45am, made good time on the trail this am. I have noticed that I prefer to hike early in the morning, the birds are chirping, it is peaceful.This morning I climbed White Top Mountain to buzzard roc - had great weather for views from there but very windy. I tried to use my tripod and the wind blew it over and i got a picture of the sky but I did get one shot of me. I made it down to the road VA 600 for lunch, was stopped by a man ina uniform - they are blasting (which I heard earlier). He had to notify the next man up the trail that a hiker is coming thru, he said I might get help up by the next guy if they are getting ready to detonate. He go ahead but keep moving to stop for lunch or a nap (duh its a blast zone). Hope I see you on the other side.I made it whew. Made it to the first shelter, the wild ponies were running around but not close but I still managed to get a picture of them pretty cool. It was only 3pm so I decided to go 5.1 to the next shelter. but let say it was a long 5.1 miles. To get there I had to go up, on, over, down rocks - many rocks - big, huge, medium, little, pebbles, solid, loose rocks. I finally made it and got to the second shelter at 5:30. I was starving so I ate 2 days worth of food, which was okay this time cuz I had an extra day with me. The plan is to go to Troutdale tomorrow to resupply.It was a hard day everyone is quiet and I am getting tired. I think I will turn in soon. I also think I am going to have to start planning for 15 - 18 mile days ugh! Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap/Troutdale, VA/ Troutdale Baptist Hostel
Miles today: 16.1

Slept good, woke up during the night but slept without the tarp so when I woke up all the stars were above me - beautifully clear night for star gazing. The stars out here are incredible - big, bright and seemingly so close you think you could touch them. Up at 6:30am, on the trail by 7am.I good trail today, lots of water - perfect weather again. A good climb early on and a couple of smaller ones later. A rocky trail coming down from the first climb but I was more surefooted today and was making great time on the down hill. Though I slowed as the day went on but still seemed to manage about 2 mph, about average. Reached Dickey Gap at 3pm - hitched into Troutdale and ate at Jerry's and resupplied there too, 2 days to Atkins. I checked out the Troutdale Baptist Church hostel, pretty cool set up. There was an open bunk so I decided to stay put. I'm here with Dave, Captain Radish, City dog, Southpaw, Bad dinner, Lion King, Carrie/Carl, Kappy, and ickabod - cool bunch of people. Kappy is leaving tonite to go home for a few days personal stuff. Hope to see you back soon.Ate at the diner then hung at the hostel and chilled with the other hikers, some of the conversations we have, I swear nothing is scared out here. Shit seems to be a favorite subject. Southpaw went back to the diner later and brought back 10 cheeseburgers so of course I ate 2 more yum.Now in bed, well top bunk just wood with my top quilt to cover me catching up on todays journal, getting sleepy though. See ya tomorrow.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Dickey Gap/Troutdale, VA/ Troutdale Baptist Hostel

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Oh my God, City dog snored like a frieght train it was very impressive. Southpaw came in to go to bed and heard him and grabbed his sleeping bag and went to the front porch to sleep, but not before coming back in to shut the window so he couldn't hear City dog on the porch. I came out a second later laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee myself. I too grabbed my bag and tried to sleep on the porch. However It was not successful, Southpaw also snored plus I was not comfortable on the hard floor, so around midnight I got my hammock and walked over to the pavillion and hung my hammock over there and finally got some sleep. I woke up at 5:30am got up packed up and walked down to the diner (which didn't open til 7am), I tried hitching a ride back to the trail, if I got one I would hike, if not I would eat breakfast then hitch. I got a ride at 6:50am. So am back on the trail at 7am.Today felt good some up hills but I'm gaining some stamina, flew down the mountain. There were a lot of landmards today tomeasure my progress, I like that. Went through a pasture where cattle were grazing - pretty cool, got some pictures of the cows (gentle souls). Not to many other views as the leaves are out but snapped a few pictures of the countryside.By 11:30am I had hiked 10 miles with only 4 miles to go. I was getting tired of the ups by this time - they weren't big just a lot of up/down, up/down the whole day. The last section was throught a Rhodrodon tunnel no views that went on for a while. Today noone passed me but it was because I had such an early start. But still feels good. I arrived at the shelter (the one you can order a pizza to be delived to) at 1:30pm and Southpaw was here, what the Hell!!! He explained he hitched a ride and they brought him here by mistake (yellow blazer).Caribou/yolo, Nesta were here and I decided to stay put. Then I ordered a large pizza and 2 Liter of Mountain Dew Yummie.Talked to "twotone" back home he mailed my mail drop (should be there Sat) but forgot summer gear box. Asked hi8m to send it to Damascus cuz I am going back there for Trail Days. Also I had made reservations at the Happy Hiker Hollow Hostel in Atkins for Sat. night and looks like I will be there on Friday. so I guess I will go into Atkins on Fri. check on my packages and make a decision there. I don't like the decision making, makes me tired. Rite now all I know is - I had a good day of hiking, I am in my hammock chillin, its another perfectly clear nite and tomorrow I will be back in the wodds hiking. Nothing else matters, life is good.Good NiteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins/Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Same morning routine - it comes pretty easy now> On the trail by 7am, I think I was tired today even though I made good time. The climbs were hard for me today but the mileage came easy. A few views - some good pictures. Made it to Atkins around noon. Went to the "Barn" and had lemon pie. Then called the PO and found out both of my boxes are there - so I hitched to the post office. The waitress from "the barn" picked me up, thanks. Got my boxes and hitched to the Happy Hiker Hollow Hostel, I had two boxes there also. Cancelled my reservation there for Saturday night and got a ride to the Relax Inn (which is close to the trail head). Went through my boxes: one from myself (gear); one bounce box; and one from Keen (new sandels); and the last one from Leslie & Bev and all my health club family. Thank you guys so much!!!!I always can use trail food but my favorite things is the notes, thoughts, & pictures. I love the support. You guys really help me keep going. Now thanks to all of you I will be eating well for the next 6 days. Thanks again guys!About 5:15pm headed back to the "barn" for dinner, saw Graye & Silverback coming to the Relax Inn. They asked where the restaurant was and said they would see me there. I got an 8 oz cheeseburger and fries. I also asked Peggy (the waitress) if she would drop off a box to the PO in the morning so I could get an early start. She said of course. Good, so I went back to my room and got the box and ran into Graye and Silverback again heading to the restaurant and asked me to join them, so I did and ate pie again!! Had fun they are cool guys.Finally I made it back to my room showered again, packed for tomorrow and went to the gas station which had internet and I posted my journal entries - will add pictures later. The plan is to try for Pearisburg, Va and then hitch back to Damascus for Trail days. Well getting really tired now, it's about 1am real time, way past hiker midnight, off to bed for me.Good nightGearbomb ps more to come soon, its hard to find the time but i'm working on it.
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Atkins/Relax Inn

To: stealth/after Lynn Camp Mountian 
Miles today: 17.1

Woke up to rain this a.m. so I decided to have breakfast before I hit the trail. I had a pepsi and ham and cheese omelette. The weather looked like it was clearing, I was on the trail by 7:35am.Today was a good day had many bumps, a large climb but it was gradual and another little mountian at the end of the day. Great weather all day once it cleared up. I walked through grazing cows again but this time I had to shoo them off the trail. It was nerveracking only because they are big animals. Had to shoo them twice today.I got to the shelter at 3pm - could have stayed but pushed on. there was a little mountian "Lynn Camp Mountain" so I decided to cross that mountain and stealth camp in the gap. finaally made it over and found a great site with a bridge and great water source. I camped with Squash and Hoof it. It was a great site, glad I went over the first hump. We gathered wood, set up camp, ate, hung bear bags and had a great fire. I actually stayed up pretty late tonite for being in the woods, i was up till 9pm.Started to cool down so I jumped into my hammock to get warm and plan my next few days hiking. I think I've got a plan! Well was up late last nite and I am having a hard time keeping my eyes open. Maybe frost tonite, brrrrr.Good nightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-09
From: stealth/after Lynn Camp Mountian 

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!Well first good thing, no frost. It was chilly but not bad. Up at 6:18am, packing and on the trail by 7:30am. Started the day with the second and bigger climb that I didn't do yesterday, so here I go.At the top of the climb were grassy fields still heading upward, but the tall grassy was blowing in the wind, there is something very peaceful about the meadows. The meadows offer some great views. The weather was cloudy, windy, and not very warm, but hiking usually takes care of the not so warm part.The rest of the day was filled with Pud's and for fun they would throw in some rocks, okay lots of rocks. Tkhe downhill - it just killed my knees today. First time I had to give them a rest.I have noticed the last two miles of the day always seems to go on forever. I know it is all mental and I need to change that but I am so ready to be at the shelter at that point. Today I played leapfrog with Which Way and Jim from Maine (they are a fantastic couple, I miss hiking with them). Finally after resting my knees, I reached the shelter around 4:30pm. Set up camp and pulled out the warmer clothes, cooked dinner and tended the fire. Around 8:15pm got into the hammock and journalled but now it is time for sleep. I think tomorrow will be more of the same. Want to try to crank out a few extra miles tomorrow to make a shorter day on Tues. Well we'll see, the knees/feet are the boss. Good nightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Everyone said it was cold last night but I was warm & toasty. In fact I woke up last nite and thought I was at home in bed. Good nite last nite.This morning there was talk of breakfast so "Hoof it" was up and out of camp at 6:48am, amazing how food motivates us. I was out about 20 minutes later. We only had 5 miles to the road where the church will pick us up for the breakfast. I made it in 1 hour 40 min. pretty fast for me. About 20 minutes trucks, cars came to pick us up for breakfast. The church was only 3 minutes away, when we got there they had us drop our packs, gave us place to wash up and we went into the basement. There theyl had a table for us and about 6 church ladies waiting anxious to meet us. We had egg casserole, au gratin potatoes, sausages, pancakes, applesauce, OJ, milk, biscuits, plus they told us to make a snack bag with the homemade cookies and granola bars, bananas, & apples, plus they offered us a second plate. Very good breakfast and fantastic people. When we were done they gave us a ride back to the trail head.Back on the trail and very full we began to climb, but the grade was gentle and it was well switch backed. It was a kind trail till the end which had a big steep climb but it was close to the shelter. Everybody (the family) was at the shelter - resting the knees for 2 more 15 mile days. Still having the time of my life out here, doing all my chores even down to bear bagging. Going to enjoy the fire and company now - then early to bed.Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 18.2

Sprinkled a little this morning just enough to get my tarp wet. Packed up and on the trail by 7:18am. It rained for a couple of hours, but the trail was mostly following the ridgeline. I made great time 10 miles in 4 hours thats what it was to the next shelter. I stopped there cooked some lunch and moved on. Again the trail was kind to me plus the rain had stopped. I got to Kimberling Creek at the suspension bridge (which TJ didn't like), there was no camping that we saw so I decided to hike on another 2 miles to the falls. TJ and were hiking together and reached the falls about 45 minutes later. We took the blue blaze to the falls and found a campsite. I went down to the falls, they were small but powerful. Would of been a great place to get into the water where the flow was slow and had pooled up over the smooth rocks but it was still chilly. I did get a few pictures. I went back to the campsite a few 100 yards away and set up camp. I was hungry so I cooked two dinners tonight. Hoof it showed up and is camping with TJ and I. We are all headed to Woods Hole Hostel tomorrow. Not sure if it is going to rain tonite or tomorrow, hope not. Now I'm laying in my hammock journalling listening to the falls. The sun hasn't even set but we are all tired and this is a great way to end the day, 7pm and we are all in bed. I plan to be up early to get on the trail, I am hoping to catch Swift tomorrow at Woods Hole. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Today was one of those days. It was long and hard for me, the trail was easy but it just went on and on. I think it was because I have hiked 10 days with consistent miles and I was getting fatigued. Plus I find when the trail is flat like it was this morning that I get bored with it.I made it to the shelter at 10:15am had an early lunch, ramen & pepperoni (the last food I had), next stop Woods Hole-then back to Damascus for trail days. I won't hike until Monday. But before I get to Woods Hole Hostel there is a significant climb and then more flat ugh.. I have a blister on 3 toes and one on the outside of my right heel (that one hurts).I made it over the climb and barely through the woods that never seemed to end and out to a gravel road and in the distance (150 yards) a small wood sign on a tree, hoof it walked over to the sign it read "Woods Hole Hostel .5 miles", I was so happy I could have cried. I was so ready to be done that day, I had made it.Made it to the shelter around 3pm - what a cool place. Neville and Michael own it, it was Nevilles' grandma's at one time and she took it over last year. She came out to meet us very chatty and cute, Swift and Squash were sitting on the hostel portch relaxing. Around 6pm other hikers began to arrive and the hostel filled up. Conan, Backwards, Josey Wales, tree, Wizard & Doyle, Lone Wolf, and a car full. Lil Budha, who I started with, popped out of the car (crazy high miler, it was great to see him again). All in all there were about 16 of us, full house. We all ate a delicious dinner: wine, burritos, salad (fresh from the garden), homemade bread, and Amish rasberry ice cream cones. Now up in the bunk house getting sleepy - must close my eyes. Tomorrow we will eat some breakfast and then get shuttle back to Damascus.Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Damascus/Trail Days/Hiker Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

OK, I know this is a repeat upon a repeat but I cannot sleep in shelters or apparently bunkhouses - maybe I slept 2 hours. But oh well new day and I am going to have home cooked breakfast and head back to Damascus.Breakfast bell rang around 7:45am, we had biscuits and gravy, homemade bread, grits/cheese all very good. Then we helped clean up and waited for the shuttle back to Damascus. We got on the road around 10:40am, it takes about 1.5 hours to get back, we arrived back at the Hiker Inn around noon. It is fun to see all the hikers that I started with that were way ahead of me. I wish more had come back but I know they are into their hike. Also meeting previous thru hikers from earlier years was cool too. On the Loose who I hiked with is also staying here at the Hiker Inn - fun catching up. Ran into Nature and Bronco, and also saw KY again and met his son who came for trail days.First things first I had to get a box and mail stuff ahead and stuff home. I had recieved stuff in Atkins and had not gone to the PO so I had been humping extra stuff in my pack for the last 10 days, and my pack and been heavy so I am very excited to change out winter stuff for summer stuff plus send extra home. YIPPIE!!! Did a few other errands (eyebrows). Then I walked the street (ha ha) to see who all was here. It was fun seeing many friends from early in my hike.Suzanne (owner of the Hiker Inn) had tickets for the hiker feed at the Baptist church for 8pm for her guest so I picked up a ticket, tried to get an earlier one at the church but they were out, so 8pm it is. While waiting for dinner I sat on the great porch at the Hiker Inn watched hikers walk by and visited with Braid, Kruiser, Vera, Barb, and Swift. We all went to dinner ate to much, which we do a lot in towns.Made it an early night, after dinner it was almost 9:30pm so off to bed I go.Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Damascus/Trail Days/Hiker Inn

To: Damascuz/Trail Days/Hiker Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Well I can't sleep in anymore up a 5:30am is pretty routine.Today I just hung in town seeing more and more hikers as they come back for trail days. The bad thing is a lot of people knew me but I can't remember their names, some I stared with others I met on the trail. I walked to tent city (where damascux; regulated tenting hiker to), crazy place. There were tents scattered throughout the remaining woods and there was poisen ivy all over the place. Damascus is not treating the hikers very well, I would like to see that change. But a good time was still to be had lots of campfires, beer was foaming and weed was burning. They also had gear vendor repair booths - so I took lmy leki poles to have them cleaned. I picked them up later that day, they told me that they had replace the whole lower section and the tips on both of my poles for nothing, how cool is that. While at tent city I met a lot of 2009 thru hikers, it is cool meeting others who have been where you are now and knowing that they all made it.Just wandering around you get a sense of the trail community you now belong to. Life makes sense here - people are happy, giving, and embracing. You ask and give help without a second thought and you do right by everyone. I love it out here.Went back to the Hiker Inn and it started to rain so I went in the bunkroom and called it an early nite. good niteGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Damascus/Trail Days/Hiker Inn

To: Damascus/Trail Days/Hiker Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I had another wonderful, exhausting night in Damascus - something about knowing your not hiking helps. Today is the Hiker Parade (costume) then the talent show. I ran to the dollar general to try to find something to dress up in, came up with something but it was pretty lame. I just hung around the outfitter till the free hot dogs and the beginning of the parade. Okay I couldn't wait for the free hot dogs, I broke down and got a subway, but did have free banana pudding and trail mix.The parade started at 2pm you had your years ex.. 2000ers, 2001.....and so on to current thru hikers and all were armed with water balloons and squirt guns as were the town people. Pretty cool parade - after the parade there was an auction and a talent show. The talent show was fun but I don't know how much talent was really involved. Then just got tired so I headed back to the Hiker Inn to do my food bag and get ready to get back to the trail tomorrow. I had found a ride back to Wood's Hole Hostel, thanks Fly catcher. Back at the Inn Suzanne was having a cookout;, had a nice blue grassy musicians on the front porch, so I ate and sat and enjoyed the music, company - great time.It started to Thunderstorm around 7:15pm, fun to watch from the safety of a front porch. I still haven't had to deal with an electrical storm in the woods yet. Turned in early around 9pm, all in all it was a very relaxing day. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Damascus/Trail Days/Hiker Inn

To: Pearisburg/Holiday Motel
Miles today: 10.4

Up and packed Fly Catcher coming to pick us up at 9:15am or so. She is here. She has an older SUV, one back seat. So we had in the front Fly Catcher, Trinket, Sweet Tea and in the back Squash, Hoof it, Swift, and myself. Squach was the only small one in the back. I sat on one butt cheek and threw my other leg either over Swift or Hoof it - it was close quarters. We stopped at Wendy's to stretch and then I got to spoon with Squash too. It was quite a cozy trip!! But we made it back to Wood's Hole and then we got another shuttle to the trail head.Now off the trail for 4 days you would think we would hit the trail hard, pound out some big miles. Yea no, didn't want to hurt ourselves so we are doing a 10 mile day and taking another zero thats rite another zero (ha ha). It is hard to get back to it with motivation after trail days, a slow start!!! I am now hiking with Swift, we seem to be pretty close in our pace, plus he did a thru last year so he is Mr. Thru Hiker and has all the answers. It rained this afternoon - I was soaked, drowned rat kink. Made it to Pearisburg though. Got a room and got dried off/out. Was lazy and stayed in my room to warm up, watch TV and eat ice cream/pizza.It's getting late, nothing on TV off to sleep I go. Good nightGearbomb