morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-27
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Down to 1 day and a night to go before pulling the chocks and heading out. Driving to Pearisburg on Monday and then to Daleville for shuttle on Tuesday.Final packing done and new carry weight is 31 lbs 11 ozs. FAIL! Failed my expected target of 28 to 29 lbs. I think I've added a couple of extra pounds of food that I don't need to start with, but what the heck, I'm always over anyway. Guess I'll eat more the first couple of days. Everything fits nicely into the new Catalyst. More work to do as I hike and find more stuff to get out of the pack. This year I'll be using alcohol stove only. This will be my first long trip using that cooking method. I don't anticipate any problems but have thrown my JetBoil in the truck just in case. Lots of dehydrated food this trip. Got to love that dehydrator and vacuum sealer.Coordinated with Cedar Tree to today to have a Packa picked up on Tuesday in Atkins/Groseclose at start of this section hike. Also coordinated with Outdoor Trail outfitters in Daleville for shuttle back to Atkins while my truck waits there for my return.Virtually no news on trial conditions north of Mt Rogers, so I'm hoping for the best on that. Western VA had much more snow this year than for many years in the past. Don't know when I'll get to post again once I start walking. Best guess will be Pearisburg, about Apr 5th/6th.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Home

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Tomorrow starts another section. I made it to Pearisburg without any issues. Weather was cloudy and cool all day until I got to I-77/I-81 junction where the rain started. Should be clear by noon tomorrow when I actually kick off.Made contact with Doug from Outdoor Trails outfitter in Daleville. He will shuttle me back to Atkins/Groseclose and then I'm off to the woods.Picked up my Packa rain cover from Cedar Tree at Groseclose today. He starts again tomorrow at Damascus heading south to Erwin. Trails in NC/TN have been hard to say the least according to him.Will not post again until I return to Pearisburg either on the 4th or 5th.This shall be a boring read for while, at least until I can get home and add the spicy details and pics.Rockdawg69 Out for Now!
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Revised, Edited, and Deleted: Finally got home to re-do the journal. So here goes the tale of a mostly boring 3 weeks on the AT. Had a major malfunction right out of the box today - dropped my cell phone in water and had to wait until 10:00 for Radio Shack to open so I could replace it. Bummer! Doug from Outdoor Trails in Daleville hung with me thru the ordeal and then shuttled me to Atkins/Grosecloes crossing. Got to the trail around 12:30 and sent my truck back with Doug to Daleville. This FAIL cost me a couple of hours of hiking time, which was not good for my first day and a 13.9 mile jaunt through a few hills and ridges.   After the several ups and downs on a warm afternoon, I made it to Knot Maul Shelter around 1930 hours, nearly dark in the hills by then. Found a couple of other section hikers already there, both from Orlando, FL area, heading to Pearisburg over next 6 days. After some introductions and chat, hung my Warbonnet hammock right at 2000, in the dark. Ate a cold supper and took a couple of the Ibuprofen vitamins to help with any pain during the night. This was a long day coming from the flatlands and no practice hikes. Got a few nice pics today, particularly of history points and streams.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter Area
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

Finally got away this morning about 0900 after a hot breakfast, which I needed. Another long climb today. Met Aubrey from Piedmont AT Club doing water sampling and recording damage along the trail. We reached Chestnut Knob about the same time Wednesday afternoon. Hot an tiring day. Nothing exciting again. No animals or birds were about, except buzzards. From this knob you get a great view of Burkes Garden Virginia. A bowl in the middle of many uplifted Valley and Ridge province ridges. Took some pics around the knob and then moved on to the stream at bottom of Walker Gap for the night. Uncle Frank (thru-hiker) walked by at 1900 heading o Maine.    Highlights of the day: I didn't die! and around 1930, a pair of turkey hunters drove up the road below me and then started calling to see if they could get a gobbler to answer. Funny! Drive up, slam doors, and then start calling. Turkeys are not that dumb>
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter Area

To: VA 615, Laurel Creek
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

More of the same - up and down the ridges - no happenings except being tired and hot. Many more days of V & R province to come. Good day of hiking with temps in mid-80's. Garden and Brushy Mtns were ragged with rocks.Camped in area at Laurel Creek (VA 615). Nice hanging spot, plenty of water. Tried an experiment with the hammock: Used only one quilt for the night. Woke up cold with CBS (cold butt syndrome) and had to reach out for other quilt around 0100. 39* when I awoke at 0645 - lesson learned - colder in the valley, especially near running water.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: VA 615, Laurel Creek

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: few clouds

Got off early and stopped in Bland, Va to get 2 days food supply. Met a day-hiker couple on FS Road 282 who were slack-packing. Said I would meet them again tomorrow as they were shuttling north and hiking south again.   Got to US 52 and caught a hitch in just a few minutes. Arrived Bland around 1200, got my stuff at the IGA store and finally got a ride out at 1350. Crossed over I-81 on a bridge and headed up the ridge for the shelter. Hot and dry again. Temps in high 70's, low 80's. TOO HOT for this time of year. Reached Helveys Mill shelter at 1545 for a short day and some rest for my feet.    Three section hikers arrive at 1645 for the night - Marshall and son from Philly and William from Atlanta area. A short 3 day hike for them over the holiday weekend. Good nights sleep and good company.   Another boring day in the V & R done.
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Creek Falls, VA 606
Miles today: 18.0

Got out for breakfast at 0645 - ate cold so I could get moving to warm up and make long run to Dismal Creek Falls. Said my goodbyes and headed out into windy and cloudly weather.   Pushed long and hard today to get in position to get to Pearisburg by Monday. I was still about a day behind where I had planned. Met a trail crew from VA Tech Outdoor Club AT 1000 doing clearing and maintenance - males and females. Nice to see some young folks taking an interest in the trail and the environment. Lots of trees, tree limbs and fall from the winter storms all over these ridges. In general, most of the trail to date has been cleared very well.   Crossed Kimberling Creek at VA 606 at 1730 and pushed on the Dismal Creek Falls for Saturday evening camp. Reached falls about 1900 and found it was the most popular place in the neighborhood. Tech students and families camped on both sides. Got water, moved back up the approach trail a few hundred feet and set camp. Cooked from the hammock by using it as a swing - way cool!   Still hot and dry and D--- RIDGES! And, finally some wildlife: 1 gray squirrel, 1 fox squirrel, a small doe, and 2 ruffed grouse. Greening is starting below 3000 foot level. A few wildflowers are beginning to pop.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Dismal Creek Falls, Va

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice night in the woods. Temps got into 40's. Ate a cold breakfast to save alcohol fuel. The new Trangia alcohol stove is using more than I thought it would. It could be that the new Coleman aluminum pots are slower to heat and therefore take more fuel. More experiments needed on this.   Got off at 0815 with the long climb up Sugar Run Mtn looming this morning, about 1500 feet. First 6 miles were a good long steady slope through nice woods following the Dismal Creek headwaters. Stopped at Wapiti shelter for a break and snacks at 1130. Headed up the last 1000 feet and took another rest at 1210 as the road to "heck" was steep and winding. I keep wondering when my legs and lungs will catch up. Finally topped out at 1330. Took some pics from top of mountain. Headed for Big Horse Gap and it seemed to take forever for 2 miles even though it was an old woods road for travel. Hot and dry for last 3 hours and no water until Woods Hole. A long run for 1 1\2 quarts. Big Horse Gap at 1500, was cool but no water. Took a rest and changed plans from Doc's Knob Shelter to Woods Hole Hostel. I need the shower and bunk for a night.   Topped out at Sugar Run Gap at 1600 and made Woods Hole at 1615. One other section hiker was there, but Neville and Michael were away as it is Easter Sunday afternoon. They arrived and we both got settled into bunk house and made meal decisions - he eating with them and I cooking my last evening meal to empty my pack before hitting Pearisburg tomorrow. Spent 2 hours after dinner in good conversation. Need to come back here for a bed and breakfast weekend. They are doing a great job carrying on the tradition set by her grandmother in hosting hikers. Highly recommend staying here if you are passing by.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Great night at Woods Hole. Packed out at 0800 and Neville trucked me to the gap for the hike into Pearisburg. Mostly uneventful 9 miles, except for the sharp pain in my right ankle ligament. I knew I should have brought an ankle brace. Wrapped with an ACE bandage and pushed on. Made Angel's Rest at crest of Pearis Mtn around 1250. Took a couple of pics from Angel's Rest. The 1.4 miles and 2000 feet down from Angels Rest was a stiff downhill.   Got into town around 1330 and picked up my package at the Rendevous Motel, checked in and tried to take a warm shower. Apparently they turn off the hot water every morning- major bummer!!!!!   Finally got everything cleaned and washed and then headed up town for a Hardee's big burger. Hit the bank for some funds and back by Hardees for a Chocolate Ice Cream Float. Sitting there watching the first rain in a week when all of a sudden a hail storm broke out. 1/2 inch hail for 5 minutes. Glad I was inside.   Got a shuttle from motel staff at 1900 to Wal Mart to pick up a Trac Fone to be a stand-in for my new cell that was not charged when I got it and like the dummy I am, I forgot to charge it on the way to Atkins before starting this trek. Hoofed it over to the library with 10 minutes to spare to input a note for the 30th that started this whole mess. Previous notes from that input have been edited and revised. Shuttle picked me up just as the rains came again. Called home for first time in a week and cleared up the outstanding issues. To bed! To Bed! To bed!
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Symm's Gap Meadow
Miles today: 12.3

Had a decent night in Pearisburg last night. Got to see a 2-hour session of 24, my favorite TV drool. Picked up the Trac Fone and hope it works this week until I get to Daleville. Dropped off a package at Post Office of things I don't need, at least I hope I don't need them. Weather is getting hotter so the gloves and fleece jacket are gone.   Long climb out of the New River Narrows gap this morning at 1000. Not much in the way of views from the north side of this valley. Took my time as it was cooler after yesterdays rain and I was only doing a short day. Reached Rice Field Shel;ter at 1400, rested and moved on the Symm's Gap for a cowboy camp in the woods. The TracFone is working okay. No excitment today, however sometime after midnight, a fox ran by and barked at my setup. Guess it was in his path of nightly travels. Shone my lights around to scare him away from my food hang as he could probably have climbed the food tree and ransacked the bag.   Pics to come later. Got some shots of sunset from my hammock.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Symm's Gap Meadow

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Supposed to reach into 90's today so I left at 0715 to beat some of the heat. Next water is 6 miles from here. Most of the day spent on Peter's Mtn walking the VA/WVA state lines. Put your left foot in and take your left foot, dancing the Va/WVA reel on the mountain. Finally reached next water source at 1050 and then Pine Swamp Shelter for a quick snack. Met Tin Man (Thru Hiker) and his 2 compadres at the shelter. All 3 have been crew leaders at Philmont Scout Ranch, so they were moving like the wind on this trip, having started from GA around Feb 28.    Left shelter at 1100 for next 1000-foot climb up Big Mtn. Made the top at 1400 and found Tin Man and one partner waiting on 3rd buddy to fill water bottles (he had the filter). Loaned them mine while I walked the last 1/2 mile to Bailey Gap Shelter. Arrived 1430. The next shelter is 8.8 miles, War Spur, a long way to go after the 2 climbs today.  Water is pretty sparse to that point.  After an hour decided to spend night here. Turned out to be a wasted afternoon, sitting around waiting on dark so I could get to bed. Don't need to do this again. Should have kept walking, since I can camp anywhere I can get water. Looks like rain tomorrow as clouds and winds are blowing in fairly strongly. Hope no thunder storms as walking these high ridges with no cover is not a good thing with lightning around.Highlight of the day: Brand new timber bridge over Stoney Creek. Looks like it cost a bundle with the manufactured wood beams. But NICE work!!!!
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Another day, another set of big climbs (big for me). Ate hot breakfast and left at 0745 for War Spur Shelter for mid-day meal. Got passed by Muffin Mittens (MN ) and The Kid (TN), both TH'rs. They left GA on Mar 1st and are moving at 25 to 30 miles per day. Crested Big Mtn at 1500 in the rain and drizzle. Rocky Gap was exactly that. A  nasty 700 feet climb thru rock gardens, wet, and slick. Finally got a phone signal at 1600 and called in to check on home. Folks are starting to wonder what happened to me. Got to Laurel Creek at 1700 to find MM and The Kid already in the Shelter. We are all wet. Got into some dry clothes and set up the tarp and hammock in some light drizzle and then we all cooked inside the shelter. Good conversation and dry clothes were fitting end to a long day. Wind and drizzle stayed most of the night. Another boring day in the RIDGES! But I did scare up another grouse. Stop the whining, bitching, and pitching a fit; Get over it! Adapt, overcome, move on!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Craig Creek Area
Miles today: 14.2

Still cloudy and heavy clouds this morning. Took time for hot breakfast to get some warmth in the body. Heading past Niday Shelter today so I can get in position for Sunday stop in Catawba, VA for Home Place restaurant lunch. Made a good climb up Sinking Creek Mtn. Finally found some wildlife - 1 doe and then 6 more near the trail, and a ruffed grouse busted loose from a shallow knoll next to the trail. The Kid passed me at 1400 saying he was going to do 35 today to get to Daleville on Saturday to meet Tin Man and his friends. That means he will be night hiking through some rough stuff - like the Dragon's Tooth. We both ate at 1500 at Niday shelter and he was off. I headed off to 2 miles past Craig Creek for another cowboy camp in the woods.   Highlight of the day was the Keffer Oak, a large white or post oak. Supposed to be largest tree on the trail in southern Appalachians. Got some pictures of the Black Knight at the tree. Tonight was colder - mid 40's - but the 2 down quilts made me snug as a bug in a rug.Another virtually boring day in the V & R - almost. Things are turning green really fast now, especially below 4000 foot elevation. Lost of small wildflowers beginning to pop.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Craig Creek Area

To: Catawba Creek Basin
Miles today: 15.7

There would be 2 significant climbs today so that I can be ready for Catawba food stop on Sunday. Temps were in mid 40's again. Clear and sunny day coming.      Had my traditional cold breakfast to get the earlier start at 0800. First climb was about 1300 footer. Highlight of the morning was a visit to the Audie Murphy Memorial on this ridge. He was the most decorated soldier of WW II. He died in a plane crash near here in 1971. Looking at the info on the memorial it struck me that he was a year younger than my dad. So when he was in WW II fighting in France he was only 19 or 20. Pretty amazing heroism for a young kid. Placed another stone on the cairn and left a small American flag - salute.   Moving on - crossed Trout Creek and went past Pickle Branch Shelter (PBS) as it was 0.5 miles off the trail. Stopped for lunch at the PBS junction.    Heading up a long climb to the Dragon's Tooth outcrop was a serious journey. Vertical sandstone beds everywhere. Just when you thought you had reached a peak, another one showed up even higher. But the journey was worth the view. Large crowd of Saturday day hikers on the Tooth. Lots of students and a few old gizers like me. Climbing down was worse than the climb up. Straight off the vertical face for first hlf-mile. Lots of sit and slide 5 footers to get off the rock. I think this is toughest rock section I've seen in almost 900 miles of trail.    Eventually found a beautiful small creek before I got to Catawba Creek. Red buds were in full bloom and water was clear and cold. Hung the hammock on a slope above the creek and cooked dinner by the water. Rinsed out some clothes and myself for first time in a few days and hung out to dry. All-in-all, a great day, even with the climbs and mileage.   More boring stuff huh!   Highlight of the Day: The Dragon's Tooth. Vertical sandstone layers running out to a single drop off point at about 3000 feet of elevation. Could see for 50 miles in about all directions.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Catawba Creek Basin

To: Catawba Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

aaaH! a beautiful cool morning. Started a nice fire by the creek in an existing fire ring. Nice to have some warmth and the time to enjoy a slow start today. Getting lazy! Took off for Catawba at 0900 to pick up 2 days food and have lunch at the Home Place restaurant. Made it to VA 311 at 1200 but could get no ride, so I hiked the mile downhill to the store. CLOSED! Bummer! Waited until 1300 and they did not open. Should have checked the newer guide book as it said no longer open Sundays. So, over to the Home Place after having changed into clean clothes and washed my face, etc. Did not want to gross-out the Sunday diners. Oh Boy! Fired chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, hot biscuits, cole slaw, etc, etc., etc., and topped off with freah peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream. Stuffed! Took a few pics of the Home Place. Highly recommend stopping here on Thur, Fri, Sat or Sunday for dinner or Sunday lunch.   Finally got the courage to head back to the trail at 1530. Owner of the Catawba General Store came out to the junction and offered me a ride to the top of the gap. Thanks Mark. Saved my sorry butt the mile uphill walk on a full stomach.   Slow walked the 2 miles to Catwaba Mtn Shelter for a good nights rest. Got in at 1630.   Counted the food I had left and figured I could make it 2 days to Daleville if needed. Saved a piece of fried chicken from lunch for supper tonight, Uummm good!   Made a couple of calls to home and others as I had signal again for a change.   Highlight of the day: As I was making an organic contribution to Mother Nature at 1000, a wild turkey came over a knoll behind me, saw twin white moons and flushed wild through the trees. Scared him it did!!!!
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Catawba Mtn Shelter

To: Daleville, Va
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Got an earlier start at 0745 to head up to the famous MacFee Knob. 1.7 miles of gradual uphill. Arrived at 0930 to an empty set of cliffs. Sundays crowd was nowhere in sight. A beautiful overlook on shear vertical sandstone cliffs. A couple arrived after about 15 minutes. They are sectioning to CT and had started yesterday at VA 311 crossing. Had done the Springer to Catawba section last year. We all got pictures taken. Called my ol' buddy Cardwell "swampman" Smith to ask if he could see me on the satellite from Google Earth. I was standing there waving my arms!!!!!! Left at 1000   Moved on the next 5.6 miles to Tinker Cliffs, another vertical set of cliffs at the other end of this ridge with another 750 foot climb. Arrived at 1215 to a similar scene at MacFee Knob -all by myself. Could not figure what had happened to the other couple as they had left ahead of me from MacFee. Ate some lunch and enjoyed the views. Found the couple further down the side of the cliffs. They had missed a turn and had gone under the cliffs, instead of having routed over the top. I think they were somewhat worn out from that experience.   Finally decided I could get to Daleville before the outfitter closed at 2000. Now I could get my truck and not waste the afternoon sitting around in another shelter. Called the outfitter to let them know I would be in today. Headed out on the long ridge surrounding Carvin Cove Reservoir - water supply for Roanoke, VA. Hot and dry with clouds building, so I got in a rush. Many stiff rock ledges to get over and then a final drop of about 800 feet in a half-mile or so. Worn out but happy as I topped the last high point on Tinker Mtn and started down.    Got to the outfitter's at 1815 and got the truck and my supply stash. Headed for the Holiday Inn Express for a night or 2 of rest. My feet need it. Weighed my pack at the outfitter's, minus food and water, and it came in at 26 lbs. Tomorrow I'm dropping out some things and changing my sleeping gear to get lighter. Planning a  zero day ( o miles) in Daleville for the 13th and a restart on the 14th - heading for the Blue Ridge -YEAH! My feet are feeling the pain of the rocks. Left foot has nerve damage in all toes and right big toe is feeling the same. Got to get into lighter and more flexible shoes. Pics and better descriptions will be forthcoming. I know, I know = more boring writing so far.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Daleville, Va

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zeroed today. Took care of washing my clothes ,and myself a couple of times. Went to mall in Roanoke to get memory card for the new phone. That did not work out - needs a special memory stick and no T-Mobile stores here. Got a book to read on the trail from B & N bookstore. Headed back to Outdoor Trails and got some new Vasque trail shoes (lowcuts) and a new Thermarest Neo-Air pad. This thing is only 13 ounces for a 20" by 66" regular. Wow, that is light. Re-weighed the pack minus water and food and now down to 18 lbs - a saving of 8 lbs over the hammock rig. However, this means I have to sleep in shelters the rest of the trip - Bah Hum Bug! But the weight savings is worth it for a few days. I'll be able to move faster and further if I need too. Better days ahead in the Blue Ridge.