morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: moderate rain

I never cease to amaze myself. There was almost a full moon last night and one side of my tent looked like there was a light on outside. I had pretty decent night's sleep.Morning skies were overcast as I starting walking north at 8:31 am. At 9:52 am, while starting to climb Frozen Knob, it started to pour rain. Hardest rain in the last 5 days. It was another one of those days I wished I was somewhere else. It took me several hours to climb the steep mountain in the cold rain. The trail up was like walking in a downhill stream. I said to myself that if I make the first shelter at 8.2 miles I might call it quits for the day. I was just plain cold and miserable. After several hours the rain stopped and I opted to continue, bypassing the first shelter. The trail was like a quagmire of mud, which made hiking like a game of slip and slide.There was a very long climb up Big Bald Mountain. I contemplated stopping and just camping somewhere flat, but I was out of water so I continued walking north. The muddy trail made progress difficult and the squalls of rain would come and go. View from Atop Big Bald It was approaching 7 pm and I finally made it to the top of Big Bald, a huge grassy area on top of the mountain. I thought the shelter was near, but when I checked, it was still several miles away so I continued walking. I finally arrived at the shelter around 8 pm, having hiked almost 12 hours.I think that was the second longest day hike so far. Many people at the shelter, and I'm in my tent now while the rain is coming down in torrents and the wind is howling. I put the tent fly on upside down and now I'm fighting leaks into the tent. What a day!
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Did not plan to make it into Erwin today, but some things are just unavoidable. Was supposed to stop short of Erwin and stroll in early morning, but it wasn¢t meant to be. We awoke at the Bald Mountain Shelter to dense fog moving through the shelter area. Most everything in my tent was wet after last night's torrential rain and wind. Thursday turned out to be drenched in sunshine all day. A pleasant change from the rain. Actually was able to stop and hang things up to dry a bit.Most of today was downhill and the three day old wet socks and shoes were playing havoc on my toes on both feet. First day in a month my feet became an issue.. Waterfall Going Out of Spivey Gap We continued to charge on toward Erwin, TN. Thunderstorms threatened, but we moved on and before we knew it we were standing in front of Uncle Johnny¢s with no place else to go. All our hiker mates from the last few days were there so we decided to camp in Johnny's back yard. We have reservations for the Super 8 in Erwin for tomorrow night, so Friday is now a Zero day.
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero Day in ErwinPhoenix and I hitched into Erwin this morning and got dropped off at the Super 8. Did the Zero day things like laundry and resupply. Suppose to be a rest day, but after all is said and done, it was a very energy draining day. Not much in the way of revitalizing the body.Heard Miss Janet was back in Erwin, so I called her and she said she would slack pack me tomorrow from Iron Mountain back to Erwin, a distance of 20.1 miles. So tomorrow will be a long day rain or shine. Suppose to be a rest day, but after all said and done it was a very energy draining day. Not much in the way of revitalizing the body.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Erwin, TN

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Today was a slack pack in the opposite direction as indicated in my last post. Phoenix (pictured) and I started from Iron Mountain Gap and hiked backed to Erwin, TN. Miss Janet dropped us off about 9:11 am and we started walking south.It was an easy start to the 20 mile day, but there were climbs over Unaka Mountain and Beauty Spot, with some more rain showers thrown in. We finished the long day around 6:30 pm and Miss Janet picked us up and gave us a ride back to the Super 8. She will pick us up at 8:30 am tomorrow and provide us a ride back to Iron Mountain tomorrow where we will walk north towards Virginia and Trail Days in Damascus next weekend.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Stan Murry Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Miss Janet dropped Phoenix and I off at Iron Mountain Gap and we started walking north at 9:24 am. The first 6 miles were up and down, but relatively easy. We then had to tackle the last 6000 feet plus mountain on the AT which was Roan Mountain at 6275 feet. The mountain was a beast! It consisted of two humps with lots of rock climbs and difficult footings.We finished off Roan Mountain around 5:30 pm and attempted to make a run for Overmountain Shelter. Overmountain Shelter is an old barn where they filmed the movie Winter People. I lost Phoenix on Roan Mountain and kept hiking towards the next shelter. I finally arrived at Stan Murray Shelter around 8:15 pm in the near dark. The shelter was empty so I started a small fire for comfort and set up my tent in the shelter since no other hikers were present. About 45 minutes later I saw a light coming down the mountain toward the shelter. It was Phoenix. We¢re now the only ones in the shelter and it's about 10:15 pm. No dinner tonight.
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Stan Murry Shelter

To: Highway 19E
Miles today: 10.6

Just wanted to say thanks to all the people who have signed my guest book. It really helps to hear encouraging words from everyone. I will get around to responding to each and all who have signed my journal book.Phoenix and I were the only ones in the shelter last night. Of course, when I awoke it was raining. I procrastinated in hopes the rain would subside, but it did not, so I packed up and off I went into the foggy, raining morning. Could not see much with the fog, but the trail was a bloody mess. Just a mud quagmire everywhere. As I slipped and slided down and up, I came to the side trail of the Overmountain shelter. 2 miles in 45 minutes.As I continued on, I encountered grassy bald after grassy bald all above 5000 feet. The photo is pretty much what I saw all day. The last grassy bald was like 10 or15 football fields long. Very steep and went on forever. It took me like forever to climb. It seemed like hours went by before I reached the woods again, only to find a path of nasty rocks and roots that slowed my progress even more.I was cold, wet and miserable, so called the Mountain Harbour B & B for a room tonight. The miles today came slow and hard and I earned every one. Never saw Phoenix all day. Mountain Harbour B&B Finally made Highway 19E and walked the 0.3 miles to the B & B. Great place. Here with 6 other hikers. Accommodations are above an old barn. Went out for dinner and resupply and back to the barn for few beers and video tapes. All and all a very hard, but rewarding day. Also nice to meet new friends.Still mixed over reaching Trail Days in Damascus this weekend. At my present pace, I will be there Thursday or Friday. We will see.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Highway 19E

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: few clouds

Nice night at Mountain Harbour B & B. Started hiking about 9:28 am. Today the AT was a nice friend after yesterday's miserable weather. The terrain was easy up and down and the weather was perfect. Drenched in all day sun and cool temps, the day was perfect. A complete change from the beast of yesterday.Didn't see many folks except Nightblind from the B & B. Saw Scarecrow and Solarman briefly, but that was it. At Moreland Gap Shelter with Nightblind in the shelter and me in my trusty tent.Everyone on the trail is pushing hard for Damascus and Trail Days this weekend. I think I will hang back and go into Damascus on Sunday after the crowd leaves. May change my mind, but we will see. I have to pick up a resupply box tomorrow at Laurel Fork Lodge about 6 miles away. I might stay the night.Photo is of the Elk River along which we hiked for a while today.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: US Highway 321
Miles today: 14.9

Woke up in the tent listening to a breezy cool morning with the tent fly flapping. Didn't know how far I would hike today as it seemed all other hikers were attempting to secure some type of transportation to Damascus for the weekend Trail Days Festival.I had a resupply box at Laurel Fork Lodge to pick up, so that was my first stop at 6 miles down the trail. Got hiking at 9:48 am and arrived at the lodge around 1:30 pm. Contemplated staying the night and inquired about a possible slack pack from the trail ahead. One was available from US Highway 321 back to Dennis Cove road where the lodge was located, a distance of 8.9 miles. Why not!Got dropped off by the lodge day manager at 2:00 pm and began walking south. Footbridge Over Laurel CreekI could tell from the north bound hikers it was a difficult climb from the looks on their faces. As I approached what I thought was the bottom of the north slope of Pond Flats, a sign indicated I still had three miles to Dennis Cove road. What was that all about? Turned out to be a boulder scramble along Laurel Creek that was amazingly difficult and took so much more time than anticipated.I finally finished the 8.9 miles in a little over 4 hours. My feet hurt and I still had 0.3 miles of road walk back to the lodge. Just as I was headed up the road, the night manager of the lodge pulled over and gave me a ride. Good timing.Back at the lodge, I ordered pizza and talked to fellow hikers Moleskin and Phoenix Rising. Small world!!!
Date: 2009-05-14
From: US Highway 321

To: 2.5 miles north of Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Saw my first bear today, but more about that later. Hung around Laurel Fork Lodge most of the morning while Moleskin and Phoenix Rising waited for rides to Damascus. The good lodge folks finally dropped me off at US Highway 321 that runs along Watauga Lake about noon. There was a half mile detour because the AT was flooded by the lake.Got on the trail and stopped at the first nearby shelter. The shelter register reported a bear had gotten a hikers food bag. Looking at the line hanging from the tree the bag was hung right next to the trunk of a tree. Not a smart move by the lazy hiker.The trail pretty much followed the mountain around the perimeter of the large lake all day. It seemed like I climbed all day. Around 3 pm I heard some crashing through the woods to my left and saw a 300 pound bear scampering down the hill side. It ran through an open area, so I got a good look at it. The bear was really hauling butt away from me. Good! Seeing the bear put me on alert but nothing else appeared. Hiked until I found a nice camping area. Since most hikers were headed to Trail Days in Damascus, I saw only two female hikers the entire day.Set up my tent and started a nice campfire, but thunder and lightning were all around. Had a quick dinner, hung my food bag and dove into my tent just as the rain came. Storm was pretty intense for about 15 minutes then lighten up. Watauga Lake around which I hiked most of the dayHave about 30 miles to Damascus, which is an easy two day hike. Will hike into Damascus Sunday morning after TD is over. Both photos are of Watauga Lake which I hiked around all day.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: 2.5 miles north of Vandeventer Shelter

To: North of Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Took a while to dry everything out this morning after the thunderstorm last night. Will have to stop along the way today to hang up the tent and fly to dry out. Not many folks on the trail as everyone is in Damascus for Trail Days.Most of the hiking today has been on ridges. Not difficult, just tedious. Past Double Springs shelter around 4 pm and was planning on hiking ¢til 8 pm, but thunder clouds moved in and I had to scramble for a tent location. Found one on top of a hill, set up my tent and the storm never materialized.It's 6:30 pm which is the earliest I've stopped hiking in three weeks I think except to go into a town. Normally I'm finishing up my journal around 10:30 pm in my tent after dinner. It's 7:16 pm and I'm done. I'm out of water so no dinner tonight.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: North of Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

My intention today was to hike within several miles of Damascus and stop and hike in Sunday morning. Well, the curiousity got the best of me so in I went. Arrived just in time for the hiker talent show. Not much talent but a few entertaining performances. Sat on the talent platform for several hours.Big thing of the day was I hiked the 18 plus miles into Damascus with no water. Tough day, but glad I came in. Saw many hikers here that are now miles behind me because they left the trail days ago to hitch into here.There are only two places in Damascus that sell beer, so I went to Dots. Pleasent surprise! As soon as I walked in, I saw a hiker from last year I knew. I said I know you. It was Racoon from 08 and Lipstick was not far away. Small world. Met another couple (photo) who I talked with forquite awhile. Now in tent city with all the drunk people screaming in the background.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was zero day, meaning no hiking. After a raining night in zoo tent city, everyone in town was at the local laundromat. I mean all hikers in town were there. I spent 4 hours there from 8 to 12 as my room at the Hike Inn was not ready until then.Owner Suzanne called and said the room was ready, so I walked the two blocks from the laundromat to my bed. Nice day off getting ready for a long slack pack tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Damascus, VA

To: Elk Garden
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

This is where it all began in 2005. Started my 2005 hike in Damascus from the Hike Inn. Climb out of Damascus was easy and long with many switch backs. Then, a walk through a pasture with some difficult cows and then on to Whitetop Mountain. A long and angry bitch with a tough top. Been there done that. Would not let this bitch do what she did to me in 2005.Great day and view from Buzzard's Rock on top of Whitetop. A little further and the best piped spring on the AT. A nice walk down Whitetop to Elk Garden. However, today's hike happened in reverse. It was a slack pack. Great day helped erase all or any negative memories. On to Mt. Rodgers tomorrow. AT Blazes over Buzzard's RockNed Hamara GA>ME 09
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Elk Garden

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was a great day. Started off with Suzanne, owner of the famous Hike Inn in Damascus, dropping us off at Elk Garden after an early morning tour of the Elk Garden area. I started hiking on this beautiful cool (38 degrees) morning at 7:58 am.The first part of my hike took me over Virginia's highest mountain Mt. Rodgers, at 5490 feet. Then past Thomas Knob shelter and on through Rhododendron Gap and Wilburn Ridge where one goes through Fat Man's squeeze, a narrow passage through a large boulder. Then, on to Grayson Highlands State Park and the famous wild ponies. After seeing the herd of wild ponies, I moved onto Stone and Pine mountains followed by Old Orchard Shelter. I then climbed Hurricane Mountain with ease and found a tent location along the stream that runs by Hurricane Mountain Shelter.All and all, a very good hiking day. Buttercup, you were right; trail legs start in Damascus.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Tented last night along the stream with Bufoor. Had a nice fire and dinner after a long 20 mile hiking day.Started hiking about 9:30 am and made it to VA 650 by 11:15 am. Gary and his dog, Spot, were shuttling hikers to Jerry's, a nearby food house. Gary would drop a group back at the trail and pick up another load headed for food in his pickup. Nice trail magic! Got back hiking with a full stomach and managed to hike almost 20 miles for the third day in a row. Guess my trail legs have kicked in.I will soon switch out cold weather gear for lighter gear in about a week or so which will lighten my pack weight considerably. Also, my bounce box or resupply box is still sitting at home. Have not had to use it yet and don't need much that's in it now.I'm now part of the 500 club, having hiked over the 500 mile mark. Will soon have 25% of the AT completed./images/photos/journals/8215/tj8215_052409_111222_442651.jpg
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a very crowed shelter last night. After nearly three consecutive 20 mile days, I was in no mood for crap. Rules said no tenting at the shelter. Bull!I was last in and first out at 6:43 am. Soon as I started hiking, I had pain in my right shin just above the ankle. First pain on the trail. Made the easy 11 plus miles to Atkins, VA, but sitting here with ice on my leg. Tomorrow will tell, but still plan on my next leg to Pearisburg, where I will change out gear in 100 miles.Most hikers headed on, but a handful are here at the Relax Inn. Weather continues to be excellent. Will likely start scaling back mileage to ward off overuse injuries.Closing in on completing 25% of the AT. Thanks to all who have signed my guest book. Still waiting to get to a computer on the trail. They are either broke or I'm there on Sunday.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Atkins, VA

To: 1.1 Miles Past Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Had ice on my ankle for 6 hours yesterday at the Relax Inn, but didn't help today's hiking. I'm pretty sure I have the same injury I incurred while hiking in 2005. I have an inflamed tendon or ligament that only gives me pain while walking downhill. In 05, the cure was 4 days off from hiking, but can't do that right now. I'm 85 miles from Pearisburg, so will try to limp into that town and then rest a few days. Working on a taping solution to help with the pain while hiking downhill. Can only take so much Vitamin I.Hiked through many farm fields and cow pastures today. In some places had to shoooooo the cows off the AT path. The shelter is going to be full tonightWeather perfect again today. I have a long climb tomorrow to Chestnut Knob which will help my leg as no pain hiking uphill. Had a nice dinner and camp fire along a stream with hiker Basher.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: 1.1 Miles Past Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: VA 623 Garden Mountain
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Another tough day with the injured ankle/leg. Did a tape job, but not much help. Climbed Lynn Camp Mountain with no problem but the steep downhill brought tears to my eyes it was so painful. I thought about leaving the trail today for medical help more than once.Climbed the 4 miles up Chestnut Knob Mountain with no problem; however, the 4 mile walk around the top of Burkes Valley Garden was rocky and up and down. Not sure how I managed to hike 14 miles today. Still about 60 miles to Pearisburg and rest. Hope I can make it. It was a difficult water management day as well. Three of us are camped by the gravel road with no water. No water also means no dinner. Hope tomorrow is a better day. Rain in the forecast for the next 3-5 days. Possible trip into Bland, VA, tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: VA 623 Garden Mountain

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Frankly, I don't know how I've been able to walk the miles in the last few days being in such pain. Didn't rain today, but last night in the tent all went wrong. Somehow got a two inch slice in my sleeping pad. Tried to repair it with patch kit using headlamp, but only half good. Good thing I'll be switching out gear in Pearisburg.Leg was still very sore: just not as sore as the day before. I still need a multiple day rest and still shooting for Pearisburg. Now about 42 miles away.Staying at the Big Walker Motel in Bland. Soaked the leg in water as hot as I could stand. Will see if that helps tomorrow.Bunch of rain forecast for the next 5 days. I can't hike fast so should not alter my daily mileage. Lots of hikers passing me, but not much I can do but stay with the program . If rest does not heal my leg, then I'll have to consider jumping to Harpers Ferry since I've hiked VA.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Bland, VA

To: VA 606
Miles today: 18.6

Got up this morning in the hotel and it took all my effort to get 10 feet to the bathroom my leg was so sore. Took 1000 mg of Vitamin I and lay back down. After an hour or so, I was able to walk down the motel hill for a cup of joe at Dairy Queen. I decided one more day of attempted hiking and I would then seek rest.I walked slowly all day with a few rain showers and incurred some tough down hills. I kinda lost track of time and after hiking over 10 hours, I finally reached VA 606.. I camped by the stream along the road.
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

OK, I'm tired of town life and ready to get back hiking. Leg is still swollen and sore, but I can't hang around here forever. Need to see what my leg can handle. Thanks to all who have offered advice on alternate hiking techniques and taking different doses of medication.Aside from my leg problems, I had a gold crown come off. My world famous Houston dentist, Dr. Jimmy Pinner, and his trusted assistant, Fran, helped me out here. We actually planned for this contingency, and they sent me some TempBond (temporary cement) to get the gold crown back in place until my hike is over.Next, I stepped on my eye glasses, and both lenses popped out of the frames. Thanks to the people at New River Eye Care in Pearisburg who fixed my glasses at no cost.I got my summer gear and sent home heavy winter articles. Pack weight without food and water is now 16.76 pounds.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: few clouds

This morning was pea soup. Could not see 10 feet outside my hotel room. Got started early, but didn't know I had several miles of highway walking before reaching the trail. This was the first time I used my cell phone's navigation/GPS system to locate the trail. Worked pretty well, but still had to walk several miles down Highway 460 over the New River to get to the AT.I planned a short day for my first day back on the trail after taking time off to let my right ankle get better. I made the 1600 foot climb up to Rice Field shelter (6.4 miles) in about 3.5 hours. The sun was out, but the trail was muddy in many places from the previous 5 or 6 days of rain showers. Got to a few places that looked good for tenting, but just way to early and leg felt OK. Tried zigzagging down hill, but not the easiest thing to do on a 12 inch trail. Too many miles for my first day back.Will try to do a shorter day tomorrow provided I can walk in the am. Lighter summer gear is almost like slack packing. Possible rain tonight as I tent near the shelter.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Second day hiking after resting leg in Pearisburg. The long, first day out didn't seem to cause too much pain the second morning. However, we had a strong thunderstorm at 3:25 am, and my tent fly leaked. Obviously needs resealing. I know what caused the problem and will share that issue later when I repair the fly.Very muddy trail today from the 5-7 days of rain in Virginia lately. I was noticing all the debris along the trail and wondered if the trail maintainers had recently been out weed eating the trail. However, I then realized all the cuttings on the ground were the result of the gypsy moth caterpillar eating all the tree vegetation. Very destructive.A lot of people at the shelter tonight. Should have moved on and found a better location, but leg was tired and sore, so decided to stay put. So far so good with the leg.