morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

True zero day with nothing to do. We ship out Sunday for hardcore! Hey, if you want to send something*, send it to: Matt Degner, AT Hiker, General Delivery, Waynesboro, VA 22980 with a date of June 3 expected pick up date. *letters, card, or even cookies or brownies - all will get shared.(Addendum) The hiker's inn was great! Suzanne is selling it for $329k because she wants to move to her daughter's. Someone please buy this place and keep it open!!
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Damascus

To: Hampton/Hardcore
Miles today: 0.3

Day 1 of hardcore trail maintenance. Otter and I had to get to tent city on the outside of Damascus before 9am. We threw on our packs and were out of Hiker's Inn by 8:30, but got a ride on a pickups tailgate within minutes. Yes, it was a little bit of a wild ride with our packs on and nothing much to hold on to. We did arrive safely though and checked in via the sign in board, It looked like we would be go to work and then head to kincora for sleep. I drove over with Bo-Bo (a previous year hiker) and his new dog Magnet (as in chick-magnet). People were grouped and given tools for their sections and off we went. I was initially in section 8 (think M.A.S.H.) and moved up the hill to 10 when we were down to the fine work. We used a Duff rake to scrap off the duff - the layer of dead material on top of the soil. The other main tool was a Pulaski - sort of a combo heavy duty hoe and an axe. We carved a notch into the side of the hill to create a new trail of switchbacks. The old trail went straight up the ridgeline. Lots of rock in section 8 so it was slow work. Section 9 above us kept sending down rocks and we had to move our team out of the "falling rock" zone. Right at the intersection of the old and new, a rock needed removing. It turned out to be "connected", LOL, but we broke it up anyway with sledge hammers.After the work was done, we ate at the Dam's picnic area. I heard someone giving up their "castle" spot and I jumped on it. I'd been to kincora and knew it was going to be an extremely full house. The castle was mostly empty as it worked out. The only "trouble" was my ride said he wanted to drop us off (to our trail spots) monday instead of tuesday morning. For now that looked okay.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Hampton/Hardcore

To: Damascus/Hardcore
Miles today: 0.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 2 of Hardcore. Second verse same as the first :-) just new location. Another section of trail needing switchbacks. I got bored pretty quick once I saw the "rock crew" needed more stones and went in search of good ones (large enough to be a step with a good flat side). Much more fun LOL. I was even helping Pork Chop, Mountain Dew and Honey-do move a perfect stone across the side of the mountain. They did so slowly and carefully as it was dangerously heavy.Like yesterday they said we added 2250 ft to the trail but I don't know if they deducted the old trail that was closed, so I'm calling it 0.3 miles. I made sure to rehike the new section from bottom to top to claim the distance.Mountain Squid still was dropping us off early (tonight) and Otter got drafted due to his trail spot of Fox Creek. But Squid was so slow we got into Damascus at 1030pm (would have been us at the trail head at 11pm, just crazy), so we headed to Hiker's Inn again (they were full). So we got spots in "the place" with Free and Freechild. Otter and I planned on getting a shuttle with Suzanne tuesday, but she doesn't know that yet, LOL.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Fox Creek Gap

To: Hurricane Campground
Miles today: 6.4

Stopped by the Hiker's Inn and Suzanne says "are you hurt?", I say no "are you sick?", I say no "are you going home?" I say no "well what are you doing HERE?". So I explain about not wanted to be dropped off at the trailhead at 11pm and Otter and I'd like a shuttle if she is available about 10am. She is, so we wrap are gear and store run and get dropped off. She says it's on her, but we have to promise to stay gone this time :-)Otter has a friend, Jamie, staying at a campground nearby so that is our target. Jamie is taking a 2 week summer class for 6 credits. They get 2 credits each in PE, creative writing and, I believe, Biology. As thru-hikers we are allowed to talk to the group and become a writing assignment. They take us into Marion as they need to stock-up and have the room. More town food and less food eaten out of pack . Lots of fun talking with the students (and teachers too). Made for an easy transition back to hiking.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Hurricane Campground

To: Partnership 
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Best feature at this shelter is a local Italian restaurant will deliver! I had a big Tuscan Burger and a canole (sp?) for desert. A fun hike. I am into this hiking stuff. If I go ten or less miles, it doesn't even feel like I went hiking. I think the mid to upper teens is my natural limit. The muscles aren't even working hard. It's like being able to run, but only using the effort of walking. I just don't hardly feel it LOL.On a side note about not feeling, my slight bottom of the foot numbness persists, but is not getting any worse. It's acceptable.Radar* has several pictures on line and I might be in some of them :-) check them out some time - I haven't had the time yet myself though. Might be a job for you, LT Linsa. (tjbaker.smugmug.com) *I meet Radar across the Greyson highlands. Very funny guy. Otter and I had him cracking up that evening.   Everyone was in the shelter and in sleeping bags early due to the low temps so we all talked with the extra "time" before sleeping.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Crawfish Valley campsite

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

A big surprise when I was packing up. A large propane canister half full was hidden at the tent spot next to me. beside packing out trash, I can use that and save more cash.Today was going to be a really big mile day, but the massive uphill before Chestnut knob and the heat laid waste to that plan. On the other hand the view from the knob was totally awesome. The criss-crossing jet contrails added a surreal touch. I set up my hammock inside the shelter, including rainfly, to keep the mice from me. Plus it freed up a bed spot if needed by someone else. The spring was actually just a small trickle, but over time it put out enough to filter. I borrowed another hiker's (the freebird I know) water bag to run my filter out of then refilled his bag and brought it to him so he could do the same. I need a bag too!! Oh, the walk accross the balds at the top of the hill was pretty neat. It reminded me of a movie where a sub takes a group of people to an island and as they climb every higher they progress through evolutionary history (dinos, sabertooth, etc..). Might have been the land that time forgot.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Laurel Creek campsite
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

There was trail magic here, but I wasn't going to be able to make it in time. I did get some leftover TM in the form of chips, couple pieces of cake and ice cold gatorade. Not bad after another warm day. We (Otter, Bellows, Rollo and I) set up camp in the second spot because the earlier leftover food was tossed into the bushes at the first camp bummer bear bait.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Laurel Creek campsite

To: Bland
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Yet another short day of warm temp. Hard to pass up a town stop, so I didn't :-) I got a ride super quick because a female hiker joined me in hitching - thanks Moe!! We stopped at the gas station/restaurant/general store and I got a coffee then walked UP hill down the road to the motel. I left a text for Otter but didn't know if he was going to join me (he did). Texts and phones are so iffy here. With different services (verizon, ATT etc) sometimes we can't get a message from one to the other and since half the time we have no set plan, it can be awkward to coordinate things. Most times I'm first out of camp and Otter is still in slumberland - he makes up the miles in the dark if need be so I'm NOT in any danger of out hiking him LOL. The DQ down the hill gets all our money today! I also arranged a paid shuttle back to the trailhead as it would have been a double hitch to get back.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Bland

To: Trent grocery
Miles today: 18.6

See, I can actually hike more than ten miles in a day. I wasn't sure if I'd make the store before they closed, but I did with time to spare. The sign said they closed at 9pm but they wanted to close at 7pm WTF. I paid to camp but there wasn't anything I could use to set up my hammock. So I had to try the hammock/tent conversion. You use your hiking poles to hold the end up and extra rope to hold the poles and then I have a ground tarp so I'm not rubbing dirt into the bottom of the hammock. Turns out I have 2 tent stakes too few for that to work, but Otter came to the rescue - thanks my friend! The rain did move in but I stayed pretty dry. I woke up and stretched waaay out and pulled a tent stake from the now wet ground but the partial collapse didn't get me wet either. I reached out and put the pole back into position. It was $6 to camp w/ shower and laundry included. Not a bad price. My sleeping bag was damp - it usually is in the AM with dew/condensation. So into the free dryer it went :-) I also got 2 biscuit w/ suasages on the way out. I AM a happy camper.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Trent grocery

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Sweet, My 1st 100 miler week. About 105 really. Miles come easy when I'm not melting due to heat or downpouring rain. I was just heading to the next shelter, but Radar pointed out the Hostel and a new plan was made. I left a note in the log for Otter (yes, he got the message).The hostel was run for many years by a trail lover and now the granddaughter has taken over. Neville has been around hikers for years so she "ain't scared" but her future husband still eyes us with caution or maybe he is just jeolous of all the attention his fiance gets from a large group of male hikers. It's okay Mike, really, we just like a new female voice in this overly male community.Hey a special shoutout to all the people who write in my guest book. Thanks! I do get a chance to read it every now and then and love to see the notes.
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Big slippery downhill into town, but Daddy Long Legs and Sassy Sunshine must have been ice skating champs because they FLEW down the hill and out of sight.Why don't I have many pictures?? Because half my views are WHITE and the other half are cloud filled. Hmmmm, I don't know who to write to about that!!
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero, zero, zero!Flatlander goes High-Tech. I'd seen a new MP3 player from RCA ($30) but I found it for $20. It uses USB WITHOUT a special cable and a AAA battery - so no recharging needed like an IPOD.About my old MP3 player, I loaded a bunch of songs but it turns out that only 5 songs were the correct format to play. So 600+ miles with 5 tunes :-( Oh, yeah, okay I bought a laptop too :-) I'm tired of the hotels with internet access, but all they have is wifi. At 2.7 lbs it is super-lite and I shipped the last of my winter gear home so it evens out. It cost $299 so I have to hike 150 miles to cost average it into my $2 a mile. I can also just bounce it ahead when I want a break!
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Pearisburg

To: The Captian's house
Miles today: 20.1

Didn't mean to be here tonight, but when he showed up the evening before his trail magic party to put up signs, He says come down now if you want. I wanted! Earlier, I had gotten soaked, including my boots. I ended up just walking through streams because it didn't matter anymore. I vowed to do something different next big rain storm LOL. I got an inside spot and started drying my boots and gear. Great guy and fun to be around. He even feed us Lasagna!
Date: 2009-05-30
From: The Captian's house

To: VA 635 Captian's
Miles today: 1.0

We ziplined across the stream to get to his house the night before, so today I ziplined just me across and completed the mile of trail to the next road crossing. This meant I could leave in the morning without crossing the stream and bothering someone for a ride. I hiked in my crocs as the boots were still drying. Yes, dry boots are important as wet feet lead to new blisters.A Fun filled party of maybe over 75 hikers. The Captian had other trail friend helping and they brought tons of food. We played many outdoor games too. I salute you! He is the captian because of his fishing skills - he has many awards for it.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: VA 635 Captian's

To: Laural Creek Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Not a zero - just a quick note that I'm not dead in the woods somewhere. It is currently 11 June and I'm 2 days from Waynesboro. I'll be taking a zero there and try to catch up on what will be 2 weeks of trail hiking. Thanks for the patience!Okay here is the real entry :-)I hiked out of the Captian's up the road to where I'd slacked the3 mile yesterday. I turned into the woods and was back on the trail as planned. Not long after passing the next shelter I was on a high ridge and walked up to Daddy Long Leg, Sassy Sunshine and Stewball. They were just breaking camp. I guess they didn't get far night hiking after all, plus they had to weather the storm that blew in. Glad I was inside :-)
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Laural Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

Wow, two months on the trail and I'm still in good health and spirits. Many hikers have dropped out especially since Damascus. Sometimes the grass on the trail covers the trail. Before this, it was always dead packed earth. The cattle path effect is minimized north of trail days for sure. On a bad note (and because of the grass as noted) ticks are out. I've only had one crawling on me. Otter hadn't seen one ever so I said I'd save the next one so he could see it. I'm still not sure what a chigger is, but I think I was mislead into thinking it was a bright red/orange insect. Sometimes they are 7 mm long - too large for what a chigger has been desribed as. I've heard they can be nasty!
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: VA 624
Miles today: 6.9

Hell of a hot day. Saw trail magic just before the road. Grabbed a coke and a number to Briarpatch's place. Called as soon as I got to the gas station. Got picked up by Mandy and was surprised to find Stewball, Daddy Long Legs and Sassy Sunshine were already there. I left a text for Otter and wasn't surprised to see him later until I found out his phone was dead, LOL, talk about the right place at the right time.The Dragon's tooth is one of those "named" AT places - because of the heat though, many skipped it, but I went down the side trail and climbed up (sans pack). A near 360 degree view and the breeze helped dry me a little. Later I heard a hiker was so dehydrated he got sick. We are a pretty tough bunch that is still left out here so that is seriously ill.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: VA 624

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Another huge "named" day - McAfee Knob and Tinker cliffs. You can see one from the other :-). The traditional photo is from one point looking to an overhang. "Y-knot" took my picture and after a break we were all ready to keep moving because of storm clouds. Otter was somewhere behind so I was trying to wait so I could take his phot because no one was left up there. The storm was moving in and starting to sprinkle with thunder and lighting and as the highest object around, I gave up the wait and headed down (with a purpose, but I wasn't running!). I got to the Cambell Shelter dry and within minutes the sky opened up. Probably 1 inch or more in the 20 odd minutes it rained. Just after it started, Otter comes running into the shelter just soaking wet. He had a lighting strike so close to him at the peak that his hair had stood on end. Good thing I didn't wait up there. No photo for him though :-( I had good data service and called up weather radar and saw it would pass quickly - it did and we all left. Close to Tinker Cliffs it started raining again (no thunder though) so I changed into my Crocs to keep my boots dry and hiked on. When I got to the shelter it was hard to see because a large tree had blocked the entrance path from that fierce storm. I started in the shelter as it promised more rain, but ended up in my hammock @ 1 AM becuase two section hikers were snoring too loud. As it stands, many of us snore, but this was just crazy loud. After I got in my hammock it was blissfully quiet and I was out!!! Sweet sleep and no more rain either!
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Lambert Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

A short day into Daleville. I have learned one thing out here: ridgewalks can be very dry. I am having to pay more attention to when I can next get water. This is even more true since I carry less water then when I started hiking to reduce weight. I will stock up if nothing is close and they day promises to be hot.The Howard Johnson had a pool, but it was so rainy no one I know went in. We decided to zero as well. I bought a new shirt as my "bike" shirt doesn't dry worth a beans even if it is synthetic. I used the old shirt for padding to bounce the computer to Waynesboro. With Flicka coming soon, I was going to have to start a bounce box anyway.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The weather was again rainy and took a zero. Talked with Wombat about Flicka, we agreed to meet in Front Royal on the 20th. I had an ambitious schedule of 15, 16 mile aqverage days. Well within capabilities, but no goofing around. Spent another lunch at the three little pigs BBQ place, yummy.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Daleville

To: Bobblet Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

I was up early like usual grabbed a shower and still had to wait a few minutes until the 6am breakfast was open. I sat with Waterboy and later Aribba came in. I hiked out first and leapfrogged them most of the day. I was glad I hadn't done the 2.1 miles to Troutville as there wasn't diddly at that road crossing. I had passed another country road and 2 men were walking by on it and we exchanged hellos. They wanted to know what I was doing and so I was able to talk about the AT and me thru hiking it. That always seems to get me hyped about the hike again!Day 1 of 15 complete.
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Bobblet Gap Shelter

To: Campsite past Cornelius
Miles today: 19.1

Yesterday, we hiked roughly parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), but today we headed away and down valley just to come back up and around (and up) the other way and rejoin it. I was with Aribba and Waterboy again today. I assume Otter, Bark and Barry are a day behind, but Otter knows my schedule. We stopped at a great shelter before the last big up, but it wasn't far enough for todays miles. We stopped at Cornelius for dinner and moved another 1.3 miles to a campsite. Waterboy started a small fire we all enjoyed, thanks.I made contact with Wombat via text as cell phone coverage was poor and she arranged a four day slackpack with the Dutch Haus B&B in Montebello. Thanks Wombat :-)Day 2 of 15 complete.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Campsite past Cornelius

To: James River VA 501
Miles today: 18.5

Little did I know but Wombat got another text to me (I never heard the phone ring) saying Flicka wasn't coming to Front Royal. Instead she was taking Amtrak to Harpers Ferry with date to be arranged. My challenging schedule was now on hold but I wasn't going to change slackpack plans at this point. They don't call me "Slack"lander for nothing. The story here is I carry a fanny pack on my front. It balances my pack a little and is full of snacks. Bark had been playing around with my trailname as "Fat"lander and "Snack"lander for a while because I'm always eating and not losing wieght, but then I'm not eating ramen - I eat real, everyday food while hiking. Taking that as history, when I was told I was know for slackpacking I coined "Slack"lander as my trailname. I sign the shelter registers as "Slack"lander if I'm slackpacking and Flatlander if I'm backpacking :-)When I got the river, Aribba said Ken Wallace (a shuttle driver from the area) was looking for me. He was tasked with handling my 1st 2 days of slacking and I stayed in Buena Vista instead of the Dutch Haus. It's all good!Day 3 of 15 complete.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: James River VA 501

To: VA 60
Miles today: 21.1

First of 4 slackpack days. Ken picked us (me, Ned the Fed, and The Phoenix) up and dropped us at VA 60 where we hiked south. I did the first 3.8 miles in an hour to walk in on some trail magic. Since I had just finished eating, I just had a coke and pressed on. A great section of trail and always cool to walk past my fellow bubble of hikers. Stewball (and Daddy Long Legs & Sassy Sunshine) had slacked the previous two days, but when he saw me the first thing he yelled out was "CHEATER" now isn't that funny :-)I missed catching up with the first set of slackpackers by just a few minutes and ended up waiting an additional 1:45 but as I wasn't hiking and already had a room, I was happy!
Date: 2009-06-10
From: VA 60

To: Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 16.3

2nd day of slacking. Today Ken picked us up along with our packs. He dropped us off at VA 60 where we headed north without our packs. Ken then delivered the packs (actually my pack and two bags with the contents of NedtheFeds and the Phoenixs packs) to the Dutch Haus B&B.Nothing special about todays hike. Climb up, climb down, climb around... got to the road early. I didn't bother calling for a ride and just walked down the "gravel" road. What a crappy road, the trail was better! Finally hit the pavement and road walked the blue blazes to the store. I bought a couple drinks and a great ice cream sandwich :-) then hiked another 0.6 miles to the B&B. No one was home but my pack was there so I was able to change into my crocs - bliss. Lois came past shortly and we went in. Earl was going out to pick the other two up and they also were looking for me not knowing I was already there LOL. Room place includes shower and laundry for a nice price, but I thought dinner for $12 was a touch expensive. Overall cost including the next two days of shuttles was just fine though so I'd do it again :-)
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Fish Hatchery Road

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 19.9

Slack day 3 of 4. Earl drove us up and pointed out our hike for the day as we went. We usually don't see what we are about to do, so that was neat. Down three ridges and up the dreaded Priest. Hmmm, is that all there was to the Priest it was a long up, but I didn't think it lived up to the hype at all. Just another uphill (shrug). I stuck around NedtheFed and Phoenix all day and this time I waited for a ride :-)
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Reeds Gap

To: Rock Fish Gap
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Last day of slacking :-( Hiking with NedtheFed and Phoenix paid off with a dividend today. Earl brought us back to Reeds gap with our packs and hiker/Trail Angel Raffle Queen meet us there and took our packs to Waynwsboro. She also invited me to join the other two at her house. I thought I was splitting a room with Daddy Long Legs, Sassy Sunshine and Stewball, but they ended up hostelling it. I accepted Raffle Queen's offer when we got into town. The last few miles Phoenix and I got into a pretty good discussion and those miles flew by.The Phoenix and NedtheFed were going to do another slackpack and Raffle Queen looked like she wanted to hike too. I offered to drop them off with her car since I wanted a real zero and she said yes!This ended my week of big miles: 133.1 miles in 7 days and I had room for a zero.