morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Laurel Creek

To: Big Walker Mtn Sawmill
Miles today: 25.0

May 1 Laurel Creek to Sawmill 25Stretch and Boxcar awoke at 6 and were gone by 6:30 so that they could pick up their package in Bastion. Freeze was finally warm so we got a much later start; but the climb was gentle and the birding was great. Adrock caught us and we started making some better time and hitched a ride fromHwy 21/52 into Bland for brunch. The couple was from Missouri and had stopped in because they were from Bland, Mo and you know what? It is even smaller than Bland, Va. We resupplied and hitched back to the trailhead in a huge truck with glass packs and a bed full of beer bottles. He invited us to join him for the Sat night festivities; but we declined. We decided that we would press on through the evening to Trent¢s grocery where there would be campsites, showers; and we would be ideally positioned to be in the first 8 to Wood¢s Hole Hostel and would get to have breakfast with Ms Tillie Woods. We hit Jenny Knob Shelter and to my delight; Strider and his band of birders were there. I hadn¢t seen them since Iron Mtn Shelter on the other side of Damascus. We ate and traded bird logs. He had Blue Winged¢¦I was jealous.   We left full of confidence; but it turned out that Stretch and Boxcar¢s headlamps didn¢t work so the going was very slow and difficult over the knife ridges. Finally around 11:30 we descended to a long suspension bridge across Kimberling Creek and headed for the grocery. Trent¢s was closed; and there were no campsites! So we walked across to the Big Walker Sawmill and laid our bags out on the stacks of lumber. Slumber on the Lumber! Feel good on the Wood. Fortunately; no one would be in early in the a.m. since it was Sun.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Big Walker Mtn Sawmill

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5/2/04                Sawmill to Wood¢s Hole Hostel   14 milesWhat a night! We were all stiff and sore as much from sleeping on the lumber as from the 25 mile hike the night before. When we got to Dismal Falls; we were amazed at how many people were camped there. It was a truly gorgeous spot. Burn, Castro, Sweet Cheeks were there as were Wolf Cookie and Dances with Wolf Cookie and a couple I didn¢t meet. Now our hopes of being in the first 8 to Tillie¢s were diminished; but we pressed on. During our lunch break; we were passed by Slick so that was one ahead of us for sure. Just as we descended towards the hostel; we heard Adrock talking to someone behind us¢¦Yikes! We hurried more and sent Boxcar out ahead; but Adrock caught us. I was glad because I like him and I knew I¢d eat well in Pearisburg the next day anyway. As it turned out, we just made it as the first 8 and Slick; who had napped at the Wapiti shelter after lunch was the ninth. Shortly after we arrived; we had the hardest rain of the trip¢¦so good to be inside. Tillie runs the hostel in May and June every year and this is her 18th year. The house is 1880¢s and the barn they use for the bunkhouse was 1860¢s and was reassembled on the property from its location elsewhere. Eric was there for a couple of weeks to get everything going and keep her company and he was so nice. He has been involved for 6 years and met her through his wife. Tillie lives now in Roswell, Ga where her son is the mayor.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5/3/04 Woodshole to Pearisburg 10 milesIt was 32 degrees upon waking and Tillie rang the bell and we filed in for breakfast to find a roaring fire in the living room. Breakfast was grits, eggs, sausage, and biscuits and gravy. What a treat. We said our goodbyes and headed for Pearisburg and actually did a little better than 3 mph. We lunched with Evelyn at the Pizza Plus ayce buffet and then ran errands.Evelyn and I had Chateaubriand for two and Scallops wrapped in bacon at The Farmhouse in Christiansburg. An 1880¢s building with lots of private tables and alcoves and the food was terrific.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Branch Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Pearisburg to Pine Branch Swamp Shelter 19.6 milesWe woke up slowly and went to breakfast downtown and Adrock got his haircut so he¢d look better to his new bride and we dropped him off at the hostel and said goodbye. We met Kent and Katie from Chicago and their two dogs Pip and Ava and would walk with them for the next couple of days. We all felt an emptiness without Adrock. He was the first person that I knew to leave the trail. We rolled into the shelter and Country and Rambling Man were there. I tented and cooked up my leftovers from the restaurant to the envy of all.
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Pine Branch Swamp Shelter

To: Laurel Creek
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

5/5/04 Pine Branch Swamp to Laurel Creek 20 milesI left early to bird and let the others catch me; but the gray skies made ID difficult. We slowly birded our way to Wind Rock and had lunch there with Kent and Katie. Unfortunately, for us we missed the trail on the way out and got onto a section of the old AT so there actually were some faded blazes. We went an hour out of our way so we lost 2 hours of hiking. K&K, Country, and Rambling Man were staying at the Warspur shelter and we fixed our dinner while Country told us about ¢shed hunting¢. (deer antlers)We left after dinner to finish our hike and gladly so. A new character named Hawkeye was there and was pumped up on something that had him talking a mile a minute. As we headed up the mountain towards Kelly Knob, we found ¢trail magic¢ from Super Dave! What a treat. Orange sodas and Snickers.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Laurel Creek

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: scattered clouds

from home so Evelyn picked us up and we finished the evening in the hot 5/6/04 Laurel Creek to Pickle Branch 22 mileI woke a little early and met Second Chance and Late Start at the shelter picnic table. They had met at a Sierra Club outing just 6 weeks before starting and were doing great. Leki-less and Patrick were there too. Michael; Patrick¢s twin, had abandoned in Damascus. Poor Freeze finally gave up on his new Keets sandals that he bought in Blacksburg and was now walking in his Waldies and we called Gissell and she has mailed his boots to him. The day was hot and clear and we began our climb up to the Audie Murphy memorial. The climb was very steep; but this was the best laid trail that I could remember and we made great time up to it. The sun soon set and we descended with our headlamps to Pickle Branch shelter for the night.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Pickle Branch Shelter to CatawbaWe got up at 6 so that we could meet Evelyn and Stretch¢s parents for lunch.Stretch had her mom pick up 4 Philly Cheese steak sandwiches from Philadelphia so we were excited. We hoped to have dinner at The Home Place because it has the best ayce food on the entire trail; but it turned out that they are only open from 4-8. On the agenda for the morning was Dragon¢s Tooth, a famous rock pinnacle; but it would turn out to be more than that. It was indeed impressive. Maybe 50-60 feet high and Bean and Freeze climbed it for photos; but when we left it the climb down was unbelievably tough. We had to pick our way down the rock formations and we probably made 14 mile in an hour. This was definitely the toughest going of the trail so far. Finally with aching legs and painful knees; we worked our way down the last few rocky ridges and began to descend. We hit the first road and had done 6 miles in 4 12 hours. Yuck! We did pass by the largest tree on the AT, the Keffer Oak, said to be 350 years old. Finally around 1:30 we met Evelyn in the parking lot; but Stretch¢s parents couldn¢t get a room at the B&B so they had gone to find a room and we left the group at the Post Office with Flora and Fauna.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Catawba

To: zeros
Miles today: 0.0

I slept all the way home from Catawba and awoke Sat a.m. with vomiting and diarrhea. That lasted most of the day and I missed Jennifer's party; but by Sunday I felt better though still quite puny. I called Mom for Mother's dayand it sounds like she might have pyelonephritis. I spent most of Mother's day trying to make Evelyn feel better about this adventure. She was in one of herdark moods and I don't blame her one bit; but by Sunday evening she was over it.
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Catawba

To: Lambert's Campsites
Miles today: 10.0

I didn't get stateduntil 2:30. I saw Tailwind and Buckeye and I walked with Buckeye. He graduated from OSU and wants to go to law school. We enjoyed McAfee's Know and Tinker's cliffs as much as any section of trail so far. We must be 2000 feet above the valley. I camped at Lamberts and I saw a deer as I arrived. There was a great stream and picnic table but also my first no-see-ums.
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Lambert's Campsites

To: Bobblitts' shelter
Miles today: 27.0

I made a good start at 7. Met a woman with a beautiful black Great Dane going up to photograph Mocassin Flowers. Very sweet. Saw Star Grass, Wood Anemone, and stopped in Daleville and ate at Bojangles. Long hot day; but I walked with Mainesail and that helped to pass the time. Got to see my first rhododendronblossoms today. GORGEOUS! The mountain laurel is not quite ready yet. Got in late to Bobblitt's Gap and had to stay in the shelter; but Kent, Katie, Ava, and Pip were there as was Ashtray.
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Bobblitts' shelter

To: Petite's Gap
Miles today: 28.0

I got out early at 6:30 while everyone else was asleep and had my breakfarst on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There was a Sharp-shinned hawk there when I arrived and so I scared him away and the birds really started singing.. I was looking across at Flat Top and Sharp Top Mtns.. Two of the Peaks of the Otter. Lots of beautiful Rhodies and fields of pink and white trillium. I was pushing to do 25 today, but I couldn't find the designated water or campsites. Heard and saw Veeries along the mountain where Cornelius Creek shelter is located. Also lots of Blackpoll warblers. Didn't see a single hiker all day. I must be in a gap.. I used my ZEN walking/counting and was really able to focus on the present and enjoy what's around me.
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Petite's Gap

To: Punchbowl shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

I had a much slower more enjoyable hike today. I caught Freeze and Full Moon in Glasgow and had nice lunch with them. Then I climbed out of the valley and had beautiful views of the valley and the James River. Too hazy to be photogenic; but it would be unbelievable in the fall. Punchbowl Shelter is beside a pond; but 3 kids from Amherst were there and had a smokey fire going that really helped with the insects. They were great to talk with and Tasha hopes to begin a SOBO in June.
Date: 2004-05-14
From: Punchbowl shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth shelter
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: few clouds

What a day! I said good-bye to Joe and Tasha and headed off on tenderfeet. I stopped and put rhododendron leaves medially in my boots and it seemed to help that lateral shift and tenderness. I put on moleskin and tape; but true to form; it rolled right off. I hiked through Brown Mtn valley where sharecroppers once lived and learned about ash cakes. Then I climbe up to Long Mountain Wayside and found Strider. He looked gaunt and was hitching in to Bueno Vista for food and a day's rest. We both feel like we have less strength to climb some of these mountains. We are so close to the bonk brink so you have to keep the calories up because you don't have good reserves. Bald Knob was the first climb after lunch and it was tough, but very nice views on top and I saw a Canada warbler. After that I called Mom and she is recovering from her urosepsis. She still sounded weak to me. Then I climbed Cold Mountain and walked along the bald in the sunlight with a cool breeze. It coundn't have been better; but I felt tired, dizzy, confused, and achey. I just sat down in the middle of the trail and started eating. Finally I felt so much better. As I was getting up, a SOBO section hiker came by and his daughter is getting married the day after Jennifer. The run-in to the shelter was really birdy. Lots of Veeries and maybe a Gray Cheeked thrush. I rolled in tired and sore and the shelter was packed with a boy's correctional school outing. The kids were so good. I couln't believe that they had ever been in trouble. They fed me a giant plate of chili and even washed my dishes!.
Date: 2004-05-15
From: Seely-Woodworth shelter

To: Cedar Cliffs
Miles today: 26.0

I said good-bye to the boys and headed up a small climb to Priest shelter; but Istill had no power so I stopped in there and cooked a pack of noodles and pepperoni and that worked wonders. The descent from Priest was 5 miles and awful and an equal match for the 3 Ridges climb up the other side of the Tye River. It was definitely one of the longer toughter ones. I finaly came down to Maupin shelter and there were Stretch and Bean. They electex not to stay at Rusty's so we watereed up and walked 2 moe hours to cedar Cliffs where we camped. The vista is great; but I see lightning in the distance so we may get rain.
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Cedar Cliffs

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Pretty lights after the sunset and a few sprinkles. A high school ROTC group was camped there too and Bean finally had to ask them to hld it down. The few; the proud; and the loud. The no-see-ums ate up Bean; but my Tarptent was perfect. I left at 6:30 and just hit the Humpback Mountain as it began to rain. It felt good for a while; but I evetually donned my raingear to stay warm. Bean and stretch caught me at a food stop(I am still totally out of gas)and they looked rough too so I gave them some of the last of my jerky and we went into the Paul Wolfe shelter and made lunch. I made past again to try to attain enough calories for the remaining 5 miles. I made it; but we were all struggling. Swa a copperhead in the apex of one of the switchbacks and tried to move him to no avail. The Waynesbopro people have a free shuttles and tehy picked me up and delivered me to the Quality Inn. I put in my laundry and headed for Gavid's steakhouse. It is AYCE. DON'T MISS IT!I saw Country and Ramblin Man in a car and talked to them and their family for a while. Stretch and Bean have gone to Charlottesville with family so maybe we will rejoin one another on Tues. I am taking a zero and eating and sleeping until I feel better.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: waynesboro

To: Blackrock Gap Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I set out to continue my trek after nearly a month at home. I was sick with the Giardia and its residua for nearly 2 1/2 weeks and by then I had only a week or so until my daughter's wedding so I have been off for a long time. While I was at home; it seemed almost like the hike had occurred the year before rather than earlier this year; but I was determined to regain my momentum and make it to Maine. The weather was hot and humid; but the trail was the flattest and widest so far this trip. But there were no thru-hikers.I met Sarge again at the shelter and he was hitching rides from shelter to shelter and entertaining whomever he found there; but everyone else was just section hiking. I haven't felt so lonesome since I tried to ride my bike alone across the country in the early 80's. After two days of hiking alone; I called Evelyn and she took me home. I hope to finish my hike next year and I'll try to time it to join the early groups. Thanks to everyone who made my hike thus far so much fun.                                             Lead Dog
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Campgroun
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: moderate rain

It is Day 2 and I got off to a fairly slow start this morning. I left camp at 7 am, but I didn't sleep particularly well. Still there are lots of birds this am and my list is growing. The terrain is fairly gently up and down and the trees are not fully leafed out yet. Lots of blow downs on the ridge tops; but the crews have already cut them and touched up the water breaks. It is another cloudless cool day; but there is a chance of rain this evening. I finally got up the nerve to shave off my moustache that has accompanied me for the past 35 years. I want to see if I look any younger without the gray face. I certainly don't feel younger for it so far. I am at the South River Camp ground and I have just met Sarah Kate "the Skate". She lives in Afton and is hiking up to Front Royal. We hiked together to Big Meadows and we are going to share a campsite. The hike was really nice with a long ridge line walk coming into Big Meadows; but my feet are still really sore. I may have to back off my pace; but the positioning of the campgrounds makes that pretty difficult.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Big Meadows Campgroun

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

It is Day 3 and I slept much better last night after a big meal at the Lodge. Skate and I tried to stay up to listen to the live entertainment; but neither of us could stay awake.. I wrote my postcards and sent one to my friend Joe. I couldn't help but tear up a bit because I know what he is going through is so hard. I don't know if I would have the strength or courage to be in his position and still smile and greet my friends. I hope I can be like him.Skate and I left separately this am. She ate her Kashi cereal; but I waited for the dining room to open for the Blueberry pancakes and coffee...WOW they were so good. The walk to Skyland was nice and I picked up a Veery, Hermit Thrush, House Wren and a Canada Warbler. Not a bad half day!. Met a French Canadien at Skyland who cycled down from Montreal and is going to Damascus and hang a right and go across the country. Met up with Skate at Skyland and had a great Reuben sandwich. We clearly aren't hiking long enough yet because we had to split a piece of blackberry ice cream baked Alaska. The walk after lunch wasn't bad and we had some nice views but the valley have a lot of development.We were disappointed to find that the Panorama restaurant was closed so we had to cook our dinner at Pass Mtn. Luckily; it rained just as we got there so we got a free shower. We turned out to be the sole residents for the night.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a good night in the shelter with rain on the tin roof and someone had written a poem about getting lost on the AT in the register. It was cute.We broke camp early to make it into Front Royal at a reasonable hour. Anyway it was light by 6:30 so off we went. Or rather off she went! She was flying.We were hoping for a breakfast of pancakes at Elkwallow wayside; but it turned out to be little more than a convenience store. Almost at the top of our first climb we saw a mother bear and her cub...cool. We met a couple of ladies at Elkwallow who were section hiking together. They met on their thru hike in NH2 or 3 years ago and have been hiking friends ever since. The afternoon looked like it could rain at any moment but it never did so we had cool pleasant conditions. I say my first Ruffed Grouse. He exploded off the trail just as Skate walked by and he couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 feet away. That will set your heart racing! We stopped at Gravel Springs Shelter for a break and more water and I actually got a good look at a Ky Warbler. Finally; at Compton gap we hitched a ride to town with a German couple working in Chicago who were driving around the country. They had been all the way from Niagara Falls to the Everglades and now were headed back to Chicago. We hit Front Royal;ate Chinese, and crashed after a movie on TV.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Front Royal

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

DAy 5 We had breakfast at Jimbo's and finally got our pancakes with eggs and the works. Skate's sister Emily picked us up after I had done my laundry and drove me back up to Compton's Gap around 11. I'll miss my hiking buddy. She really kept me going through those first few days when it was hard and I was hurting. I picked up my resupply package from a hostel a couple of miles down the trail and I have to say that it looked nicer than the motel; but the town meals were priceless. The walking was pretty quiet. Cloudy, windy, cool. Not many birds or bears around. From Mosby Gap it was like a super highway trail. Of course, that eventually ended; but I walked through or near a couple of meadows and it was fascinating to feel the lift I got looking up at the open sky. I didn't realizehowlong I'd been restricted to the woods. Still the foreset seemed much more open today. Big tall poplars and oaks with lots of brushy understory. Although it is Day 5; I know that I am not fully settled in yet; but I'm opening up and seeing much more than before. The first few days were a mix of aches and soreness and worry that they might do me in again; but now I feel like maybe I am beginning to hit my stride and at the same time I am opening up to the hike and the woods. Pretty much a hiker void with Trail Days going on in Damascus this weekend. This shelter register talks about a copperhead in the neigborhood. I hope not to meet him tonight.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: scattered clouds

No snakes last night and I really slept well. The shelter had its resident Phoebe and she pretty much stayed on the nest all the time. The whole mix reminded me of Prodigal Summer. I met some birders this morning and traded notes. I walked into Sky Meadows Park and that was great. It is sort of o bald with a few trees around the sides. It was fun to have views again. Lunch was by a lovely stream near Rod Hollow Shelter. Only 10 to go to the hostel; but a sign says"Welcome to the Roller Coaster. If you survive; you'll have to stop by the regional office and say Hi" It was a series of up and downs not so wildly different than any other fairly tough climbs; but the trail just went straight up and down. I was cursing the Trail Boss; but at dinner I heard that they don't own enough land to really design a good switchback trail. Still it was pretty discouragingly slow. As I began to tire, I was really wishing for some company to take my mind off my struggle. I hope to link up with Joel and Lauren in Penn.The hostel is fantastic. It is a stone home built by a Washington MD in the 1930's with one room designed for his wife to sing opera. The hikers quarters are really nice and it is cool. The walls are 18" thick stone. And to top it all off; they serve a free dinner...all for $13 for thru hikers. I am doing my laundry again and tomorrow, I'll head on into Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry, WVa
Miles today: 20.0

Day 7 What started as a rather rainy day of hill climbing has turned into a gorgeous day and a ridge walk. I've been hearing ots of cuckoos, worm eating warblers and my first bunch of black throated green warblers. I almost forgot to mention that I am finally in WVa. Virginia was the longest sement of the ATat 535 miles;and WVa has the shortest segment of 17.5 miles.The ridge walk was wonderful and took me to the David Lesser Shelter where I met I Can from Minn. He was waiting for Seneca from NY to join him so I headed for Harper's Ferry. The path definitely turned rocky with abundant poison ivy along the sides so I had to be careful not to misstep and careen int the itchy stuff. Harper's Ferry lies in the junction of the Shennandoah and Potomac Rivers. It sits high on a hill with the rivers below and they join ust past the town. Both are very wide and the view is just spectacular. I'm staying at the Hilltop Hotel which was built by a former slave to honor the site of John Brown's rebellion and death. There is a college here named Storer and it may have a similar heritage. The national AT office is also here so I am going to visit it tomorrow before I move on.