morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-15
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Damascus and Trail Days are the BOMB! However, Dawn Postma and Patty Stinson are the coolest thing since refrigeration. When we picked up our re-supply box from the outfitters, there was a nice surprise waiting for us. Don and Patty had sent a wonderful can of cookies. We, along with several of our thru hiking buddies, savored them with coffee last night. They were awesome. Thanks ladies. The thru-hiker parade and water battle was a blast. It was a real parade with beauty queens, classic cars, fire trucks and year after year of thru-hikers. The catch is that each year the current crop of thru-hikers is the target of a two mile water balloon, squirt gun, hose, bucket and fire truck soaking. The locals actually spend days stockpiling different ways of projecting water. We were soaked but it was over 80 degrees and the water felt great. What a special little town in a classic tradition. Trail Days was fun for everyone, even if you are not a hiker. Tomorrow we hike!                                 --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Damascus, Virginia

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

My home state is beautiful. Virginia showed off today after a tremendous storm last night. We invited several of our hiker buddies to sleep at our place last night so that they could stay dry. We ended up with seven people sleeping on the floor and porch. It is always nice when you can help other people out.   As I was hiking today, I started thinking about the CCATS Program and wondered how my friends are doing. I know everything is going just fine! But I am curious as to how it is all turning out. A big Hi! to Steph, Terry, Bob, Susan,(L & N) and the rest of the gang. I hope Jay is hanging in there and hasn¢t pulled anchor and sailed away! This hike is more than I could have expected in every way.   It is harder, and yet, much more rewarding than I expected. The change in my fitness is already amazing. It is most amazing that I have not eaten a Rolaids since the second day of the hike. I used to eat an entire roll a day. You just have to love the AT!-- Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

We climbed two beautiful mountains today and had another great hike. First we climbed Whitetop Mountain with its buzzard rock.   We saw a tremendous storm roll across the valley. Fortunately, it missed us. The storm is awesome in its obvious power and depth and when watched from a mountain top, truly spectacular. We had a lunch of peanut butter and jelly bagels while we watched the storm and then we climbed down to the valley. Just as we prepared to climb Mt Rogers, another storm arrived. We were lucky to be at Elk Garden where there is a large information sign that has a small roof. We were able to wait out the storm sitting on our packs; eating M&M¢s and watched natures show. We climbed Mt Rogers after the storm and reached the shelter and had dinner. We still felt good so we put our shoes back on and hiked another couple of miles to camp with the ponies and the Grayson Highlands. We sat among a small herd of ponies, until the sun set and the air turned cooler.      Tough Day!!!                                         ¢Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Campsite

To: Mt. Rogers
Miles today: 15.3

506.9-487.8 = 9.1 WRONG!! It equals 19.1 which is the distance we found ourselves faced with due to my math error. It is a good thing I don¢t have a technically based job. We made up some of the miles last night and all but one of the rest today. We will be back on plan and calling for pizza delivery at Partnership Shelter tomorrow night. I could go on about my math error, but first a story.        After spending the evening walking among the highland ponies, we decided to tent in the middle of the herd last night. When I went outside in the middle of the night to answer nature¢s call, I sensed something near me. As I tried to see in the darkness, I leaned out towards the non-distinct shape only feet from me and the stallion snorted and huffed at me. If I hadn¢t just gone, I would have gone! Just another cool moment on the AT. By the way, I want to thank Bookworm for the ride to the store and back today. What a lovely lady.                                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Mt. Rogers

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light rain

Today was an incredibly fun day on the trail, however, I want to pass on a quick informational message from our sponsor, our feet. ¢Ooouuuccchhhhh!!!!!¢ Foot pain is accepted as the norm our here on the trail. When the pain first began, I assumed it was another temporary pain phase that would last a couple of days and then go away as my feet conditioned. WRONG! I have spoken to many thru-hikers who have told me that the pain never ends for your feet. There are many wonderful things and memories on the trail that Don¢t Mind and I will always treasure, but one of the memories will unfortunately be how bad our feet hurt. This has been an informational message for anyone considering a thru-hike. Even with the foot pain, this is an amazing adventure that is worth every step!        Today¢s picture is of the barn in which we waited out a thunderstorm. It was hilarious. It had a clotheless couch, a shot out TV, a rusted refrigerator and an old space heater all sitting in mud and cow pies! Home sweet home!                                --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Village Motel
Miles today: 11.6

Two hikers enjoying two days of spoils on the AT! Last night we stayed in the Partnership shelter at the Mt. Rogers State Park Visitor Center. This shelter comes complete with hot and cold running water, a shower, privy and two floors of sleeping decks. However, the cherry on top is a free phone at the visitor¢s center where you can order pizza delivery! We ate TWO large double order pepperoni, sausage, onions and green pepper pizzas. Gone, nothing left.It was so cool to be in the ¢wilderness¢ and have a pizza delivered. So that was day one of spoils.        This morning we got up and walked a quick 11.6 miles to the Village Motel. We checked in did our laundry, took showers and watched some golf on TV. Then we walked up to the Barn Restaurant where I ate 2 12 pound hamburgers with onion rings. The waitresses actually came out to see if I could finish the second one. It was no problem. What they didn¢t know, was that we stopped at DQ for chocolate dipped cones on the way back to the hotel. And we are losing weight!                                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-21
From: US11 / I -81

To: Knob Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

A brutally tough section of Virginia made up today¢s hike. We were completely exhausted by the time we set up our tent for the night. The night sky is already filled with stars as I write this entry so it is well past hiker midnight (8pm). However, the hike was as beautiful as it was difficult. With tough ups and downs came the opportunity for tremendous vicus. A lot of today¢s hike was through farms and open valleys. A nice change from the ¢green tunnel¢, that is sometimes the AT. By the way, I weighed myself this morning. I now weigh 192 lbs. I have lost 29 lbs so far. I wish I had jumped on the scale before I had the 2 large pizzas, 2 12 lb hamburgers, 3 slices of French toast, 2 eggs, hash browns, and tenderloin. I would have been in the 180¢s easy! I know I was feeling more fit and I guess, this is evidence to the fact. Don¢t Mind didn¢t get on the scales so I don¢t have an accurate weight to report, but I can tell you she is looking FINE. She has really toned up and it is fun to walk behind her everyday!                                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Knob Maul Branch Shelter

To: Campsite by the trail
Miles today: 13.1

Today was a tough one for me. Don¢t Mind didn¢t Mind, but I was struggling all day. We finally pulled the plug three miles short of our planned destination and set up a stealth campsite just off the trail. I was just worn out. I knew today had difficult terrain features and it was going to be hot, but I was surprised by how much it affected me. We started with a steep 1000 ft climb and descent and then some PUDS ( Pointless Ups and Downs) Then I hit a wall when we had a 4 12 mile climb to the top of Chestnut Ridge. Halfway up, I ran out of steam so we stopped and had a peanut butter and jelly bagel, M&M¢s and a breakfast bar. This made us both feel better and we finished the climb. There was a beautiful view of ¢God¢s Thumbprint¢, a natural depression in the valley below. We then made the error that cost me. We climbed down to the gap and decided to take on a full compliment of water, adding 8 lbs to my pack. We knew we still had six miles to go, but it looked flat on the profile. Well it wasn¢t, and I only lasted for four.Tomorrow is a new day!                                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Campsite by the trail

To: Campsite by the stream
Miles today: 18.6

I am a serious medical emergency waiting to happen. My feet are killing me, my back is having muscle spasms, I have athlete¢s foot on my right little toe and I am fighting chronic exhaustions. Did I forget to mention that I am having a blast? This adventure continues to be the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. I remember the first time I was struck with the idea of hiking the AT. I was in Harpers Ferry and saw three young guys, all beat up and worn out looking , but happy as clams, popping out of the woods and walking across the pedestrian bridge marked ¢AT¢ before disappearing into the woods. I thought to myself they looked so carefree and happy, even if they do look a bit beat up and unwashed. I decided then and there that someday I would be one of those guys popping out of the woods. Today, as I saw my reflection in the waters of Little Wolf Creek, I saw a guy who was beat up, and unwashed, but who looked happy as a clam.                                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Campsite by the stream

To: Campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on plan! Now we need to rework tomorrow so that we can meet my brother Keith and his wife Lisa the next day. When I got my map in the last re-supply, I realized that Keith is meeting me three miles further away than I thought. This time, however, we have two days to adjust to the change and we had a relatively short day, 13.1 miles, scheduled for tomorrow. I can¢t wait to see Keith and Lisa, and more importantly their car!The hike today was short and a lot of fun. We took a lot of nice breaks and quit early. My back behaved itself and I truly enjoyed the walk. Virginia is stunningly beautiful, but none the less different of NC, TN, or GA. Amazingly, each state seems to have a character all its own. So far, I love them all. Virginia will be busy with Keith and Lisa, then Aunt Catherine, Lisa¢s brother, and his family and our nephew, Adam, joining us in Linden to hike through four states. This is all so much fun. Hey Howie and Virginia!-- Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

What a great way to live a day! We spent a stormy night in the tent, but remained warm and dry and awoke to a perfect morning. We had camped very near the trail so we said hello to a few of our hiker buddies who walked by during our breakfast. We started hiking around 9am and walked a quick 6 miles to VA 606 and hid our packs in the woods next to the trail. We walked 0.7 miles down the road to Trent¢s Grocery and Restaurant. Double Cheeseburger, Onion Rings, ice cream sandwich, Cheetos and a large Red Gatorade later and I was a happy man. We grabbed a banana, apple, rice crispy treat, Ho-Ho, Honey Bun, and some pepperoni sticks for a snack and headed back to the trail. We strolled a mile or so and stopped to see the Dismal Falls, which were lovely. Who names these things anyway? Put back on the packs and hiked 6 more miles to Wapiti Shelter and ate Lasagna for dinner at the picnic table. Put the packs on one more time and raced a thunderstorm 2 more miles to a mountain top campsite. We set up before the hard rain and ate our Ho-Hos and the Rice Crispy treat. We are working on a calorie deficit!                                --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Campsite

To: Motel Pearisburg
Miles today: 14.2

It is WAY past hike midnight and I sit down to write today¢s entry. It is always a little weird to leave the woods and change to town time. It is 11:30 pm and I feel like it is 3 am. We have grown very comfortable with rising and setting with the sun, but my brother and his wife provided such wonderful company that we just couldn¢t pull ourselves away. We can sleep as late as we want to because tomorrow is a zero day.         The hike today was fairly uneventful until we began the descent into Pearisburg. It was brutal on our knees and feet. The pain in our legs and feet, combined with an impending thunderstorm, made it frustrating when I misread the map and we hiked past our planned meeting spot and onto 460. We then walked to the supermarket in a driving rain to get a ride back to Highway 100. Keith had only been waiting about ten minutes when we caught up with him, but we were needlessly soaked. Oh well, our luck has been so good it is hard to complain. Must go to sleep now, hard zero day tomorrow.                                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Motel Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero days are usually a race to do all the required stuff like eating, laundry, eating, re-supply packages, eating and post office duties as quickly as possible so that you can put your feet up and eat. Today was no exception. The big event was a drive over to Blacksburg, go Hokies, to visit an outfitter and buy new boots. Both of us have walked over 600 miles in our original pair of Merrill¢s and they are shot. We took over two hours to pick out our new boots. I am concerned because my new boots are heavier and more rigid than my original pair. I¢m afraid I am looking at serous blister potential over the next few days, but I needed to try and eliminate some of the foot and back pain I have been experiencing. We have decided to slack pack 20 miles tomorrow, so hopefully we can break our new footwear in with a little less weight. Once again it is late for a hiker, so I must go to bed. I wan to thank my Aunt Diane for the awesome cookies and my sister Karen and her husband Thomas for the jerky!                                --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-28
From: US 460 Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

Happy 21st Anniversary Don¢t Mind and Don¢t Matter! We celebrated with a slack pack of just under twenty miles across a high ridge separating Virginia and West Virginia. It was a perfect day. We woke up and showered in our hotel room. We walked next door and met Keith and Lisa to go to Hardee¢s for breakfast. We bought an extra biscuit for lunch and headed for 460 where we had left off our hike two days earlier. Keith and Lisa went off to do a hike of their own, slightly shorter, and we headed down the trail. In her new boots, Don¢t Mind was a hiking machine. She flew down the trail and by lunch time we had already hike 13 miles. So we took our time in the afternoon and still arrived early for our 6 pm pickup. Keith and Lisa had scouted out the best restaurants, all one of them, and after a shower, we had a nice anniversary dinner at Anna¢s in Narrows, Virginia. We all went back to our hotel room and they watched up prepare to hit the trail.                                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Campsite by stream
Miles today: 15.2

Finally a perfect weather day!   We have had rain and thunderstorms for 15 straight days, but today was filled with blue skies, light winds and temperatures in the low eighties.   We had our backpacks back on and our one day old boots were itching to do some more walking.   Keith and Lisa had a big breakfast with us and then drove us back out to the trail.   We said our goodbyes and really enjoyed our time with them, and turned into the woods.   The first section showed as flat on the lying profile map, but turned out to be a series of PUDs.   We were already covered in sweat by the time we began to climb the first mountain up to Bailey Gap shelter.   This was supposed to be today¢s destination; however, with the additional miles we walked during yesterday¢s slack pack we are planning to add an additional zero day at Rockfish Gap. This is during our visit to Don¢t Mind¢s parent¢s house.   Our feet are very sore but without blisters. This is about as good as can be expected when you break in new boots while you hike through rock fields!   I am very tired and it¢s after 10, so goodnight!                        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Campsite by stream

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

This is so hard some days and less hard others.   Today was a hard day for Don¢t Mind. Just like me a few days ago, everything seemed to require more effort than it should.   She is a champ and we made it to our intended destination around 8 PM. Our feet continue to hurt and it was a really tough descent into the shelter. We set up the tent right away and cooked dinner. Don¢t mind is sleeping beside me as I write then entry.   It was a tough day!           It would have been tougher if we had not received trail magic 3 times!   First, we found sodas and candy bars about an hour after leaving camp this morning. Then, right at lunch, we found fresh fruit and sodas.   Last, we found lemonade and candy bars about an hour later up the trail. People are wonderful. By the way, we had a lunch of wonderful jerky (great job Thomas), a fresh orange and homemade chocolate chip cookies (Thanks Diane). We are eating well!!        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA 624 Four Pine Hostel
Miles today: 15.9

Don¢t Mind was a completely new woman this morning. She had decided to quit worrying about the negatives and go hiking.   It is a good thing, because it stormed all night and it was still raining hard when we woke up this morning. With our new found attitudes in place, we quickly shook off this problem and plotted our day. As soon as we opened our tent, the rain stopped and the rest of the day was great. There were two major climbs today and Don¢t Mind flew up the first one in record time. I could barely keep up with her. We did nine miles before we stopped for lunch and, with only seven miles remaining, the day looked like an easy one. However, the climb up to Dragon¢s Tooth was more difficult than the first climb of the day and the descent was insane! Hand-over-hand was the only way to negotiate some of the rock faces and it went on for over two miles. By the time we reached the road to the hostel we were exhausted and hungry like we are at the end of every day out here. It is a great way to live.                --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-06-01
From: VA 624 Four Pine Hostel

To: Lambert's Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

What an incredible day of hiking!   We climbed one mountain to reach McAfee Knob. I had no idea what McAfee Knob was, so when I saw the view, it blew me away. We had perfect weather and the view was amazing. Today¢s picture shows me standing on the knob trying no to look nervous. But that was just the start of our day. If you look out from McAfee Knob, you can see a ridge line to your right that runs about seven miles across the valley and then climbs about a thousand feet to Tinker Cliffs.   This ridge line was our playground for the afternoon.   We walked along the ridge for most of the second half of the day in perfect sunlight and with a wonderful cool breeze. As the day quickly passed by, we watched the cliffs loom closer and closer.   The final climb was strenuous. However, the reward was worth it. We arrived at the top of the cliffs around 6 PM and decided to cook our dinner there. So we sat on top of the cliff and ate stuffing with chicken gravy and watched the day fade away. What an incredible day of hiking.        --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter

To: Cathy and Wayne's House
Miles today: 9.4

I love my life!!! This hiking gig is even better when the day ends early with a love one picking you up and taking you to their home for a home cooked meal and easy conversation.   My aunt Cathy and uncle Wayne are super nice people who happened to be related to me and offered their home and hospitality to us this evening and are going to allow us to slack pack tomorrow before meeting us for dinner on the Blue Ridge Parkway tomorrow evening. Cathy met us today after a quick 9.4 mile hike this morning.   We went to the Troutville Post Office and picked up our resupply package.   Thanks to Susan Scott for the wonderful cookies!! I ate two bags on the way to the Cathy¢s house.   They are our favorite kinds.        Tomorrow we are heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sounds like I am getting close to home, but I¢m not ready to stop hiking yet. We are really looking forward to getting to Rockfish Gap and seeing Lisa¢s family for a few days.   Life is great.                                --Don¢t Matter
Date: 2004-06-02
To: Roger
Miles today: 0.0

Whew!!!   Three plus weeks worth of entries completed. The last entry is for June 2.   There have been several questions lately about where the AT traverses.   So, I thought it might be a good idea to post the adjacent picture. DM2 are making good time and staying very close to schedule.    I spoke with Kit on Friday as they were preparing to relax for two days before hitting the trail to resume their adventure.   He said to tell everyone hi and that they are both doing very well - except for aching feet of course. Today they will enter the SNP at the Rockfish Gap entrance.      I want to thank everyone for their kind words in gratitude for keeping up the DM2 journal. And to DM2, keep on hiking.   Roger
Date: 2004-06-03
From: US 220

To: Campsite
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

IF the days get any better, I may never go home! Aunt Cathy made us a marvelous breakfast and took us out to Kroger to buy our lunches for the next few days. She has agreed to meet us on Sunday with a re-supply, so we only have to carry good for 3 days. What a relief that is. She dropped us off at 9:30 on US 220 to resume our hike. She was going to meet us tonight and bring us dinner and our full packs, so today was slack pack heaven. We headed off into the woods and off on another adventure. About 5 miles into our walk, I heard a commotion just in front of and to the left of us. A large turkey hen was throwing an hysterical fit and pretending to be hurt while her chicks were running around everywhere. One of the chicks ran right through our feet and before finding safety under the wing of its mother. When all the chicks were safely tucked away, the hen hurried off confident that she had fooled us with her act. Just another Discovery moment on the AT.                                        --Don¢t Matter