morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Kincora Hikers Hostel

To: Vanderventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Eventually a very good day today. I suppose, I earned it. Ideal hiking weather with a bit rock climbing, mostly gentle pathes. Wonderful ridge walk. Shelter on the ridge.3 prepschool deans (one retired). Interesting folk, you bet. They seemd to understand my English without any problems and vice versa. And now I know waht a "Dean" is. But I don't now how to spell it. Hope it is right.The way the story goes, 2 of them wore the same dark-blue long-johns with matching dark-blue undershirts and the third a red long-johns and a bright yellow underskirt. Well, now imagine the 3 Deans cooking their dinner with these small camping stoves we use on the trail. Nevertheless I enjoyed the conversation with them. Only this evening was worth to do the trail. Imagine, Postcard wrote in the registerbook he dreamt of dancing and singing maidens in silk dresses offering him fried chicken - I MET 3 Deans in underwear scampering around a non existing campfire while preparing their dinner in real life ! That beats it !Mercury and his wife Ginger Bear are here and I was glad to meet them again. She seems completley recovered from her injury. Took her 30 days !.It was possibly a stressfracure, she assumes. Mercury let me use his als stove since I was short of fuel and so I could enjoy a warm evening meal. Now Sparepcket seems to have a tendinitis of the flexor tender of her left foot and must slow down. I hope it is not severe since she is very keen to go on.It's amazing how many AT-hikers are suffering from tendinitis. I never heard about that problem on other long distance walkes I did. I admit there are less hikers but in all these years it didn't occur to me at a possible problem at all. Too heavy bags ? Wrong shoes ? Too long daily distances ? Too bad physical condition ? I don't know and I wish all injured and ill hikers a soon and complete recovery.INFO: Ginger stayed a few days at the Campground and Hostel east of Kincora Hostel. She liked this place very much. Bunkhous is very good, owners very friendly, good food, small grocery and so on.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Vanderventer Shelter

To: Cs about 2 m south of Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

And another great day. Cloudy but warm and not too high humidity. Very few raindrops in the afternoon. Reached my goal already before 2 pm, piece of cake, and decided to press on another 8 m to the Abingdon Gap Shelter. About 2 miles south of it I found a nice grassy Cs with water and pitched up my tent. Do I have only 12 miles to Damascus tomorrow and hope I can reach the little village during early afternoon.INFO: Originally I planned to stay at the CS (3500') right (on far side of field), miles 443,7 from Springer which is mentioned in the "Handbook 04". There is a sign "Water", fixed at a tree and I followed the almost overgrown path about 10 min steep downhill. Than the path disappeared. Couldn't find neither water nor Campside.It's 8 pm now. My food bag hangs at the right place, I hope (had to throw the ripe only 3 times !) and hopefully still will hang there in the morning.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Cs about 2 m south of Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

And now: my first Cheeseburger in America !I had to walk more than 400 miles to get one. Can uyou imagine !I entered the Dairy King Diners at the heavy rain began. I have time enough now to sit here watching the natives (actually not Native-Americans), say the people who are living here. And the lively traffic at EAST 58/SOUTH 91/WEST 58 crossing. First time since Atlanta lively traffic again.That was a good 2,5 ridge walk from Watauga Lake to Damascus. I am in Sothwest Virginia now. Ideal hiking weather again. Often I could see the orange Azalees between the lush green of the endless endless woods woods. Not many wildlife. Deer, frogs, salamander, bugs, spiders, etc. Very few hikers on the way."The Place" Methodist Hostel, $4 a day, max. 2 days: "Hey DooSie !" Bell is in. Still suffering from her tendinitis. It seems she has not lsot her good temper and she is very patient. What else can she do ? She must wait. I feel very sorry for her. I share the room with her. This place ist nice. Bell and Trogdor cleaned it yesterday ! Well, it seems I am not the only one who does some sheltersweeping from time to time. I am relieved. And I can't restrain myself from giving the advice: "DO IT !" If you use these places that are given to you almast for free, don't allow that they become stinking, undtidy rubbish dumbs. Show your respect to the people that give them to you and to your fellow hikers that come in after you have left. Please. You might think: "Now DooSie sounds like my mother. Typical German, at the bargain." Well, think what you want. In Europe we don't have places like this and that makes hiking often really expensive. Imagine, you would have to pay the full charge every night you have to stay in a village. And often the B&B's or Hotels charge more money if one stays only one night.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Originally I didn't plan having a restday at this village since I arrived so early yesterday. But it took me so much time to plan my firther way, write the journal, do the shopping, talk with people, ship the rest of the wintergear back to Germany, do the laundry, talk with people, eat lunch, eat dinner, eat breakfast, etc. I said to me: "Better take it easy and walk slow in Damascus."One day more or less is of no account. Life is short, anyway.INFO: Side Track Cafe closed for good.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Nur nicht ungeduldig werden. Ist gar nicht so einfach mit dem Eintragen nachzukommen.Took the Virginia Creeper Trail (former railway) out of Damascus and choo-chooed steadily uphill along the river fast and happy. I know, it was cheating. But this easy walk was a nice change and I liked it. Arrived at the shelter pretty early. This shelter is nice. Nomad is in. Usually a road hiker. Seems to be very layed back. He is retired and about 2 years after his retirement he began with road hiking through US. Many people do that, i didn't know. Usually along HW 50. Now he wants to do sth new and is trying the AT. But he likes road walking better, he says.After a lunch break I set off again. Planned to reach the campside about 3 miles further on. Half an hour later back again. Thunderbooms and heavy rain let my return into the dry and hopefully secure port of the shelter. Trogdor, Crank + Service joined us a bit later just before the rain had a chance to soak them. I took it for a sign and stayed put tonight. Anyway I felt exhausted after my so called "Rest"day. Looking back at this restday: the hour in the landry was the most relaxing time. Sitting in front of the washing machine and watching the machine window is like watching like horses on a sommermeadow:"right turn, splishsplash spilshsplash splishsplash...stop, soaksoaksoak""left turn, splishsplash..............................stop, soak........""right turn, etc."rinse (3 times, cold), drippledrippledropp..., right turn, splishsplash..... stop. Left turn, splishsplash......stop.""spin, roaaarrrrroarrrroarrrr.....stop"rinse.........spin......rinse.FINAL SPIN ! ROOAAARRROOAAAARRROARRRRR!Follows the dryer:"schschschwououoummmmschschschwououoummmm." Hardly anything more to hear.Instead a lot mor movement. Chlothes are flying behind the window like seagulls in a summerbreeze. Constant clockwise turns.Well, I would say the washing machine is definitely more exciting. But the meditative dryer is recommended for the chill out.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Set off 6:45 with BLUE sky ! One of these rare mornings here on which I am tempted to sing like a bird while chugging along the track. I kept my mouth shut since I am afraind the birds could be shocked.This day was a strenuous day and wonderwonderful on, to boot. Lang ascent was worth it: miles and miles of great ridge walk under the blue sky. Fresh wind. A dark cloud in the back. The hike was nearly alpin and took me longer than I had expected. I arrived at the shelter tired but in good mood. Still tempted to sing.A ridgerunner was there and told me before he went on camping:INFO: Racoon Branch Shelter (m 510.5) is already removed and a new one = Hurricane Mtn Shelter (m 503.1) exist.And, is it really worth to mention ?, 15 min after arrival it began....what is your guess ? YES ! EXACTLY ! Thunderbooms, lightenings, raindrops. For about 1 h. Since nobody else was in the shelter I took the water that flew from the shelters roof for a shower. Every cloud has a silver line.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

Very early start again. Meanwhile I learnt to get up, prepare breakfast + get ready to start within almost 1 h without disturbing the other hikers in the shelter. Of course, it depends on the distance privy/shelter and how many fallen trees I have to remove from the privy before I can use it. Sometimes another early bird has breakfast at the same time. I leave the sleepers still wrapped up in their slepping bags like mummies that are waiting for the archaeologist.The trail crossed foggy meadows. Thousands and thousands of yellow and red flowers. Still sleeping. A strong wind was blowing up there on the meadowridges. Sun came out - for a very short time. And soon it felt like rain again. Even a fellow hiker from England: "Near Exeter, Devon.", trailname "Recon out" is amazed about the rain intensity.I must be boring since I am writing about rain everyday anew. But it RAINS EVERYDAY and it is a PAIN IN THE A.. !And worse is the darkness. 3 days now it was so dark already at 3 pm one could think it is already late evening. At this time of the year !. The longest daylight we should have ! This is definitely the darkest early summertime I had in my life, so far.As I was about to sit down for a pee I run into poison Ivy (this plant has a celltoxic and high allergenic oil on its leaves) today. With sandals, without socks and almost without my butt covered. Ojeojeoje ! Just before I settled down I noticed the typical leave constellation and jumped up like a scared white tailed deer. What a luck ! I heated water and cleaned the ankles and feet with hot water and soap and treated the edema with antihistamine lotion. Worked quite well. It still itches a bit. Not too bad.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

Dark morning again. While trudging along (tempted to use my headlamp at 9 am) I mulled over if I really want to spent more of my lifetime in the darkness of this country.It is a pitty. I enjoy the walk. I like the forest. I HATE this no weather that gives me the feeling I'll soon have to use a antidepressivum to brighten up my mood. So, sth would be bright at least. Always milkglass like sky. ALWAYS ! Do the people here know what is a blue sky and stars ? It seems, when I ask them about the weather they don't know what I mean. Perhaps they don't understand my English ? I hope constantly it will change. It doesn't. Quite the reverse ! It is getting worse from day to day. I give it a chance until I reach Pearisburg in a few days. At least this afternoon a bit of a sunshine - and the Virginia Blues disappeared at once. The forest is wonderful with the light in it. Even the dark rhododendron parts are great with this strong contrast between light and shade.Lots of deer i the morning. And one young rabbit. Roger ? We stared at each other for a while. I with glasses, Roger without but with huge eyes until he decided to give way and scampered eastbound.INFO: Partnership Shelter has a warm shower. It is true !      The privy is first class. Smell free (almost) and toilet paper. One doesn't want to leave it. It is a bit like a Wald Disney Shelter. Visitors of the nearby Visitor Center can have a look at thru-hikers live style.      The visitor center itself is closed Saturdays afternoon and the whole Sunday. The room with the sodamachine and the restrooms are closed at that time as well. The phone that you can use to order free delivered meals from a pizza place is outside.      The visiter
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Junction US 11/A 683, Relax Inn

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

"Summertime, and the living is easy...".Despite the Virginia "no weather" milkglassky, despite the everydays afternoon rain which begins to expand during the whole night and converts the soil around the shelters into endless mud areas and the trail into a slippery track, despite I miss a book and culture and good food, despite my "itching disease", despite the mice nippled on my rucksack at chatfield shelter, despite the rip-off at Relax Inn, despite one pole is broken - I feel good !Strange, isn't it ?
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

I felt too good.I am at Plaza Motel in Pearisburg - I've been at better places. But I am very glad I made it after the worst night I'd had for years.During the day the allergic reaction seemd on retreat. As soon as I crept into the mummie - BANG ! The bag brought it bag again. Must have been still some of the poison Ivy substance on the surface although I'd cleaned it with warm water and soap the day before thoroughly, I thought. The itching and burning became so bad, I was tempted to leave the shelter during the nightfor a 2-3 hs walk down to the nearest USForest Service Road (was nicht viel mehr als ein Feldweg ist) and from there another 8 miles to the next farm that is indicated at the map. The shelter was full (6 hikers, including me). But all folk, except Baloo, I'd never met before. I don't remember how, but fortunately I managed to wait until daylight. As it turned out walking down was not a piece of cake along the muddy and slippery trail.The way the story goes: After a short while creeping along the USFSR I crossed a private holiday cabin area that is not indicated at the bloody stupid map. Finally I made out a cabin with a parked car and asked the people if they would help me to reach the next small village: Bland. With a medical aid place. Two old ladies and their nephew Cubert. The ladies fed me with delicious homemade biscuits (best I've had, so far) and bacon. Cubert gave me a lift to Bland. In the medical center they gave me another shot. A patient (Alvada) drove me to Pearisburg and fed me with orange juice and bananas. She is a horse woman and we had a good talk about English, Spanish and Western style riding and the Amish people that are very good horsemen. I really would like to visit them. I was so glad. What a day !Here in Pearisburg I took a room in the Plaza Motel and washed my sleeping bag at least 2 hs in the bath (Was heisst nochmal "Badewanne" auf Englisch ?)and all my clothes in the laundry. Here is also a famous hiker hostel which is operated by the Church of the Holy Family. But I need a sleeping bag there. So, there was no other possibility for me than to go to a Motel. None of the 3 Motels in "town" are very inviting. And I choosed the one where, later in the evening, some pseudo cowboys played original western music in the court. That means they turned on the radio of their pick-up and drank beer and I was afraid that this will be another nasty night again. Oh my God ! But it was o.k. As I asked them after a while to turn off the horrible music they did it at once and were very friendly. I didn't say "horrible", of course.For sure I have to stay off the trail for several days. I must think about how the journey can go on.Here in Pearisburg
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg Library
Miles today: 0.0

1. Chill out at the Laundry. Sleeping bag in dryer.2. TJ at Library3. Greasy, I mean GREASY lunch at Pizza Hut.4. Walk to the Holy Familys Hostel. Got a coffee from Hog. Met Nomad again who begins to like the AT more than road walking.5. Walk back. A car stopped: "Do you want a lift to the laundry?""Thanks so much, but I've go to the library.""Hopp in, I bring you."6. Bought 2 discarded books from the library7. Walk back to Motel. A mini van sopped, already cluttered up with fellow hikers. "Do you want....Pearisburg, I begin to like you. All in all a relaxed day. Still itching.p.s. Thanks for "bathtub"
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Pearisburg Library

To: Pearisburg Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Not a good move. Still kind of a party group inside. Have been here yesterday and the "kids" told me they are going to continuing the trail today. As a matter of fact. they didn't. And so I have changed my quiet Motel room with a bustling noisy place. At least there are good spots to pitch up a tent and the hikers that are in seek for quietness use these possibility. So do I. The place is big enough to find a spot for retreat. I really hope they will move on tomorrow.I am going to this festival place soon. Todays evening and tomorrow we have music in the park. Gospel this evening.This will be the first night back in my sleeping bag. Hopefully it works out well.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Pearisburg Hostel

To: Dinner
Miles today: 0.0

Lazy day. Sleeping bag was good. No new itching. Fell much better.Re-supply for the next 4 days done. Party group gone.Sparepocket arrive. Unexpected. Slipped in the mud and left the trail right at the same USFS Road as I did. USFS 222 - Road of destiny. She's got hurt her hip badly. K-Bear twisted her ankle. But walked on. Yogi twisted his ankle and came off the trail. Three Man is ill. Trogdor arrived and although he is a strong hiker he seemed exhausted and was really fed up with the rain.Not a good section.Now (16:00) we are sitting in the hostel all together. Everybody is waiting for Ray who has us invited to have dinner at his home.I have not so much time left until I have to go back home. 7th July is the day my flight leaves Atlanta. From now on not many possibilities to go online anymore. Happy trails, good luck, good food to all hikers and everybody and thanks so much for the guestbook entries.
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Pearisburg Hostel

To: Symms Gap Cs
Miles today: 15.0

So glad being back on the trail again. And a SUNNY, SUNNY day, at the bargain. AND a SUNNY evening ! It is about 8:oo pm. Hardly a cloud. Didn't stop at Rice Field Shelter. Just HAD to push further on at this wonderful afternoon. Tent up at Symms Gap. Had to carry water a long way. It was worth it ! Evening meal in the sun with a great view over ridges and farmland in the valleys.Left Sparepocket at the hostel in Pearisburg. I am fraid she really felt bad. She went to bed again after breakfast. Nomad is planning to set off from Pearisburg tomorrow although his knee feels bad. I do hope both of them will recover soon. The spot where the hostel is located is kind of a mystic spot for me. It is a very nice area on the top of a small hill with a good view to the ridge one has to walk the next day after leaving Pearisburg. First I hesitated to go there and today it was not easy for me to leave.Dinner with the Smith family was outstanding. Thanks a lot !
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Symms Gap Cs

To: Campsite mile 650.6
Miles today: 16.1

Yesterday evening - best evening out with the tent, so far. Best Cs, sunset panorama view. Todyas morning blue-red sunrise sky.Up,up,up in the best mood. Soon, the usual milkglas sky developed. Only a few sunny spots during the day. Partly strenuous wlk to this Cs. It is not on a ridge, but I have water nearby and I had a bird bath. What I still really need. If I don't have the possibility to have a wash the skin still itches during the night and I hardly can sleep. Especially the ears are still red and a bit swollen. Oh my God ! I hope I don't have to live with this big red ears for the rest of my life.From Bailey Gab Shelter on is a long way difficult walking on a stony, partly slippery path. According to the elevation profil the way seems easy. Bat although I walked quick and with concentration it took me longer than expected. A few deer are stolling around. And many grouse. The young grouse are able to fly now but the family still stays together. So, passing near a group of them they fly off. Not all together. It's one after another and every teenager grouse flopps away to another direction. They are smart. They try to confuse me, the enemy. And they do. It is incredible what a noise it is when such a tiny bird (it is acutally not much more than a handfull) set off. Flapp....., flapp..., flapp, flappflappflappflapp.... It sounds a bit like a small Diesel engine in cold weather. It's a long time ago that I met the last black rat snake. Today I disturbed one and it was so frightened and moved so quick away from me. While moving from the upper to lower slope it has to cross the path and it JUMPS ! across the path. I hpe it did recover soon from the excitement caused by meeting a German DooSie.Today I passed by 2 shelters and read the last entrys in the register books. All hikers were so happy with the sunny day yesterday. Some claimed that it has been the first day without rain since they have started 1 or 2 months before. I was for me definitely the second day (and night) without rain since I entered the Smokies. First day was, I remember well, the 2nd June when I stayed overnight at Roan High Knob shelter together with Sparepocket, K-Bear and One Thing. During all the other time we had at least one heavy shower within 24 hs.
Date: 2004-06-22
From: Campsite mile 650.6

To: Sarver Cabin
Miles today: 15.9

5:30 am first birds are chirping. Still a bit dark but a good feeling. My legs and the rest of my corporeal self and my mind are keen to proceed to the path again. And, surprise, surprise ! Sun out, sunny spots everywhere in the light, green forest. Wonderful !I forged ahead in a brisk manner and the best of my moods. Nice breeze now and there. Soon rolling hills, meadows. Grass and summer meadow flowers until the hips and even the shoulders, drawsy cattle had second breakfast. Or was it early lunch already ? Really easy walking. I even could make out the first dry spots on this 3rd no-rain day. Sky is blue with big cumuli clouds slowly sailing their way like vessels on the sea.What shall I say ? I called it a day, slowed down, descended the long, steep path so Sarver Hollow Shelter, arrived there at 3:15 pm and had an unexpected warm welcome from Tigger: "Meow, meow, meow, schnurrrrrrschnnnuuuurrrr...."I spoke German with Tigger - and you won't believe it ! To be sure that I understand it right the cat spoke German with me, too.: "Miau, miau, miau......feed me ! Quick !"Miau, miau............with tuna fish.Short time later 2 SOBO section hikers arrived and I was told that it is well known from many hikers that Tigger has adopted this shelter and lives there constantly. Well, that means: mice free shelter !INFO: This shelter ist pretty new and first class ! It is definitely worth toe long ascent. The water source is the well of the former farmhouse that is located nearby. Some nice tendpads near the remains of the farmhouse.+IMPORTANT+++IMPORTANT+++IMPORTANT...:Carry additional food to feed Tigger. She doesn't like Muesli.