morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

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

Today was a nice day coming out of Erwin and the Nolichucky River. I hiked into Erwin yesterday to resupply lunch food. That is one thing Ihave not gotten down yet with food. It always seems I run a little short all the time. So I did a big mile to get there and everyone was staying as well, Gail, Skywalker, Chuggs, Clay and Navigator. We all jumped on the shuttle and off to the store and Pizza Hut for dinner. I ordered a medium pizza (for myself) with the salad bar. It was so nice to have fresh veggies, something that I always miss when I am camping for long periods. Then to the grocery store and home. The hike today started with a box of Hostess Mini-Donuts a bottle of juice and chocolate milk. Have to say the juice was the best part. 100% natural juice is always the way to go. Then off for 16 miles. I had one bit of rain but it only lasted an hour. I happened to be at a shelter when it started so I waite dit out. We also had some good thunder, as well as sun. The highlight was a bald called Beauty Spot and it sure was beautiful with amazing views all around. Tomorrow will be hopefully just as fun but it will end with a climb up Roan Mountain right before camp. Roan stands a mighty 6,285 ft. withthe starting gap at 4,040 ft. so approximately 2,300 ft. climb in three miles to end the day. Promising to be challenging. Today is is also a special day because I have been out here for 30 days now. It is wierd sometimes for me to think about sometimes taht I have been camping now for that long. Within that time I have:1.) Walked everyday except 2 days.2.) Have been in 4 towns.3.) Slept in a bed 6 times.4.) Taken a shower 6 times.5.) Washed my clothes twice.6.) Rode n a car 6 times.But believe it or not I am truely loving it. The time so far has been an experience of a lifetime. I am excited for the next four and a half months to see where this adventure takes me. Well off to bed and Roan Mountain tomorrow.Tim.
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Today kicked my ass. I guess somedays you walk the trail and somedays the trail walks you. Today was the later of the two. It started with three climbs straight up steep and then back down the other side. Then came Roan Mountain with the shelter at 6,285 ft.. The highest shelter and the third highest point on the trail. Like I said last night about the elevation gain. Ittruely was steep. Everyone got into camp and was just wiped-out and a little frustrated about it. But on the other hand it was one of those days that I feel if I can climb these mountains like today I can do anything I put my mind to. Which feels pretty good. So now I ate well and will sleep well too. The shelter besides being the highest one on the trail it is also a cabin. Built by the CCC as a fire warden's cabin. It is alos located atop Roan Mtn. in a dense pine stand that reminds you of places scary things happen or monsters live. So as the fog rolls through the trees and the storm moves overhead hope that nothing goes bump in the night. See you tomorrow...maybe.Tim.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 14.6

Well, nothing scary happened last night. Nice and quiet in the cabin. Pretty cold this morning and foggy. The hike unlike yesterday was pretty easy. A lot of it was along open balds with great views. I stopped for lunch at the Over Mountain Shelter which is an old barn with amazing views. I missed the first storm today being at the barn. Then while I was in the Roan Highlands and hit by a second rain. It was warm so I didn't need rain gear. The views are nice but could have been better. At the shelter tonight there are ten of us, nice and crowded. Tomorrow I will run into Elk Park for resupply and breakfast then to the trail. Hopefully I can make it quick. The next shelter is 18 miles so hopefully I can make it or there are campsites along the way. So we will see.Tim.
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

The miles say 18.2 but it is more like 21.2 because it was a town day for resupply. I got a hitch in early around 7:30 so I could hit breakfast and the post office. Both successful. I had two eggs, toast, bacon, hash browns and bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. That hit the spot. Then i got my food and the adventure began of looking for a pay phone. After a wild goose chase because Elk Park, N.C. has no pay phones I found one out of town about a mile. Then I called my pack company since my pack is starting to rip and they are on Pacific time. So I will have to call from Damascus, VA in three days. No worries about the pack though since they will send me a new one with no hassles. Back to the adventure. So I then started to hitch back to the trail. Everyone was friendly enough to wave as they drove on by. So after 20 minutes I decided to hike 2.5 miles back to the trail. Finally at 10:30 after changing back into my wet, stinky clothes I was off for 18.2 mile hike. The hike was uneventful and I am here at camp ready for 16.4 mile day tomorrow with some waterfalls and Wataugh Lake with a shelter and a rope swing.Tim.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Wataugh Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Here I am listening to a conversation about calories. Yes, I as well as everyone else has become a calorie counter, but not in the normal. We count how many we are eating. Honey Buns 550 calories, 1000 in Peanut Butter and more. We count everything, trying to consume as many calories as possible. Well the hike today was good. A tough morning with an easy afternoon. Today I forgot my AT data book at the last shelter. What a loss, a ton of info gone. I asked everyone who came to camp and everyone saw it but thought it was to be there. Finally, Hippy came in after doing 24 miles and gave it to me. Thanks Hippy you rock. That is true trail magic. When I thought it was gone for good it shows back up. Well tomorrow I may attempt the Damascus Marathon of 26 miles, or maybe not, we'll see.Tim
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today was easy. The first eight miles was a gentle grade downhill and it took me three hours with breaks. The second half was hotter but easy and I took a bunch of long breaks. I will be out of North Carolina/Tennessee and into Virginia tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. I will then have three states behind me, Wahoo! Damascus should be a good time. I am not sure if I will take one or two zero days. My body is pretty tired but we will see. Off to town and food. Tim
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Damascus Virginia 

To: Damascus Virginia 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well here I am in Damascus Virginia. I have had two zero days and yesterday was 24 miles of slack packing. I have been here for longer than I have wanted but it is necessary and well deserved. Two zero days is good occasionally to let the body recover. I have now gone about 460 miles, not quite 14 of the way, but this town is the mental 14 point. I have also needed to wait for a new pack. My other pack had started to break and after talking with Mt. Rogers outfitter and Jeff (the owner) my pack was too big. So he called Gregory Mountain Products and arranged a swap. I will send my pack back and they sent me a brand new one that fits, at no cost to me. So while I was waiting Chuggs, Skywalker and myself decided to do some miles of slack packing. Slack packing is hiking part of the trail without your pack, so just a day hike. The hike was great and easy. We did 24 miles in 10 hours with two hours of breaks along the way. That way I was not losing three days. Tomorrow we will head off to Mount Rogers NRA. I¢m excited for two reasons. One, it is my old stomping ground. Two, it will be my Birthday. So no better place to spend a hike on your Birthday than a favorite place. So I will now work my way through Virginia, the longest state on the trail. I am hoping it will take four to five weeks to get through. I am hoping to start pushing some big days of 20 plus miles which is possible due to lots of ridge walking. So with two days of rest, and a new pack, hopefully Virginia will roll on by. Thanks to everyone for the Birthday cards. It was great to hear from all of you and all the support from around the country. I think about everyone all the time and hope to see everyone at the end. Until tomorrow.Tim
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a great birthday, probably one of the best. The hike from Elk Garden started with blue skies, then by the time we hit Thomas Knot Shelter the clouds rolled in-then lifted for decent views with great winds. It was so nice to be back at Mount Rogers. Old Orchard was nice and has grown up a ton and the field has gotten smaller. Last night we had a big rain and it rained until about 10:00 a.m. Thanks mom for the birthday cake. Believe it or not it was not stale and still pretty soft and edible. The hike today was nice and easy, so everyone just cruised. It is now raining again, and the shelter is packed. There are Skywalker, Chuggs, me, Nitro, Mike, Hippy, Sunday, Deeds, Icebreak, Flint, Mr. T, Wayne, Digger, Peter, and another guy-so it is packed! During May we had at least twenty days of rain, so everyone is hoping we have some sunny days soon. Also today we finally passed the 500 mile mark and will hit the actual quarter way point in about two days. I have finally hit a daily average of 13.6 miles a day-to finish 159 days, not counting rest days. So now my average should continue to raise, and the days will get lower. So technically, if I have 10 more rest days I hope to finish by October 7th, hopefully earlier. I just need to get out of Virginia by July 4th-so we'll see. Virginia is a huge state. Tomorrow will be a big day around 19 miles. See you tomorrow, Tim
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a rainy day. We satarted with a short hike to a truck stop to Atkins, Va. There we ate breakfast me, Chuggs, Jay, Tommy, and Peter, Skywalker decided not to eat. The food was good as well as cheap. I had bacon, french toast, and a biscut which was gone in minutes. Then had a blizzard for dessert, oh so good. Then hiked 14.5 miles with rain and thick mud. Not too bas, just wet or humid or both. The shelter tonight is packed, eight in a shelter, four tents, and a bunch of Boy Scouts or hoods in the woods ( not sure). All good company. The discussions that we have at night are pretty wierd sometimes. I think that it's because we have been through the same stuff and know each other pretty well. Someone once said hiking is like an addiction, we all walk everyday sometimes to the point of exhaustion. If we end early we feel bad and think that we should go farther even if we have already done 20 miles. When we take a zero day we feel guilty. We must hike no matter what the weather is. We must walk. What an addiction. Tommorrow it i9s to rain again and every day it seems like. Well, I should head to bed for another 19 mile day.Tim
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Last night at Knot Maul Branch the skies opened up to lightning, thunder, and downpours. A bolt hit so close everyone in camp woke up. Everyone weathered the storm except Nitro and Michael who ended up sleeping in a puddle and soaked most of the gear in the tent including the tent. When we started hiking we found most of the creeks swollen beyond the banks, so instead fo hopping over we needed to fourd (sp) small rivers. It reminded me of hiking in Alaska with wet boots. Then we hit the ridgeline with wind and fog. Pretty neat. At the top there was an old fire cabin as the shelter, a nice place for lunch and to be out of the elements for a bit. Then the afternoon was filled with a ridgeline walk over wet, slick rocks which was not much fun at all and just seemed to drag on. Finally, I rolled into shelter around seven o'clock. I made dinner and here is where the day went from bad to worse. As I was seasoning my meal with my spice wheel the top fell off and dumped all my spices in my rice. That included salt, pepper, onion salt, pepprika, curry, and chyenne pepper. I spooned out what I could but that was not much. Dinner was pretty much ruined and I had to eat it anyway. Hopefully, I will make it through the night without a privy run but I don't think so because my stomach is already rumbling. Tommorrow,I will head to Bland Va. for a maildrop. I plan on getting my food, eating some food, and heading to the shelter. I will end up doing 11.5 miles to town and then 3 miles to shelter. After that I hope to do 24 miles to catch back up with Chuggs and Skywalker who aren't heading to town. So hopefully I will make it through the night and into Bland tomorrow. Wish me luck.Tim
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Yesterday wasn't a bad day at all. It all started with a nice creek walk along Wolf Creek, a nice meandering valley along the creek with several crossings. Luckly the water had gone down a bunch so they were just challanging crossings and I was able to keep my feet dry. The only downer was on one crossing I lost my balance and over extended my knee a bit, so it was a little sore and it persists today. So after the the creek I fiinally hit the Bland road crossing. I started walking and hitching to town. I was passed by everyone and ended up walking all the way to town, 2.5 miles total. When I got there I saw Jay, Tommey, Peter and Chef all waiting for Mtn. Squid to return with his car since Pa Squid had come to pick him up for the night. Squid then dropped me off at the hotel and took the others back to the trail. Thanks Squid that was great. After a shower, some food from Dairy Queen and some beers it was off to bed. Just to mention, the Cholacate dipped Strawberry Blizzards from DQ is just devine. Squid picked me up at 8:15 am and a quick stop at the PO and back to the trail. A quick 12.1 milesto camp. I arrived around 2:30 and decided to just realx and enjoy the blue skies and warm temps. I felt a little guilty about not pushing on, but it sure was nie to just relax around camp for the day. As you can see I got a lot of writing done, as well as, some time to just enjoy being out here. Which is by the way what it is all about. Which reminds me about a line from a Sam Bush song "Take your life cause it may come and boy it will be gone soon.".   Tim
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was a very easy day with ridgewalks. I did the whole hike in 9 hrs including two breaks. Last night I was the only one at the shelter which is the first timeon the trip it has happened. It was quite nice. Tonight I am at Wood's Hole Hostel. It is a small place in the woods and is owned by Tillie Wood. Her and her husband , who passed away in 1987, homestaeded the the land since the 40's whne he found the house while studying Elk that use to be in the area. The main house is where she stays and the bunkhouse is for the hikers. Both were built in the 1800's and are beautiful. She offeres a mattresses to sleep on, a sloar showere and a privy. In the morning there is breakfast for $3.50 and I am sure it will be great. It is a quite place to saty for the night, trutly an oasis in the woods. Tommorrow I will be off to Pearisburg for some chores. Hopefully it will just be a stop but I will proboly get sucked in for the night, we'll see. Tim
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: Plaza Motel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

Last night at Wood's Hole I had a tough sleep, the mattress was very soft and had moths flying around my head and landing in my beard. Finally I turned around and fell to sleep. Breakfast in the morning was delcious, we had eggs, sasuage, grits and biscuts. A nice tradional southern meal by a true southern host. During the night the rains came back with a vengence and it rained all night and all day today. At breakfast Ms. Tillie said she was going to town and offered to shuttle packs. So since it was pouring rain I decided to take her up on the offer and slackpack into Pearisburg. I ended up at the Plaza Motel since the hostel was full and did not want to camp in the rain. So an easy and wet day.   Tim
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Plaza Motel, Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was foggy and cold. Just a short day. I was planning on going 19.1 miles but I left town around 12:00 after sleeping in and eating breakfast. I almost zeroed because I was very unmotiveted but after calling the front desk and finding out the place was full I packed up and moved on. Town seems to do that to you, just one big black hole and it is hard to leave. Hopefully tommorrow it will be nice and the rain will leave us for a while. I am feeling very low on engery and motivation due to all this rain we have been having. Hopefully if all goes as planned I will hike about 24 miles and catch back up with Chuggsm Skywalker, Mtn. Squid, Nitro, micheal and the rest of the clan.   Tim
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: light rain

Big Day at 25 miles, longest yet. Nice and tired, so off to bed. I feel very good and strong and miking good time. I am back on schedule and will start to get ahead as I approach the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive in Shenandoah NP. Both total will cover over 200 miles. Good night.   Tim
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Niday Shelter

To: 4 PInes Hostel outside of Catawba, VA
Miles today: 15.9

Today was a nice day since it was short at 15.9 miles compared to the last 2 big days. I finally caught up with Chuggs, Skywalker and Squid yesterday and it was nice to see some familar faces. The hike today had 2 big climbs of 1500+ feet. The first one went up to the Audie Murphy Monument. If you don't know who he was look it up on the internet and find out what his WWII Congressional Medal of honor says, he did some pretty amazing things. The second part of the day climbed up Drangons Tooth. It is an amazing spot, one of the best I've seen. The climb was pretty easy to reach the tooth which is a rock fin protruding from the ground about 7- ft high and yes I was a Dragoon Slayer. Tonight I am at the 4 Pines Hostel, which is a detached garage with mattress and a shower. The owner is Joe Mitchell who gives up his garage to thru hikers and offershtem a shuttle to the store and asks nothing in return. Joe is another one of those people who just goes out of his way to help some dirty, smelly strangers for the night. Thanks Joe for all you do. Things are going prtty well for me, I wish I could say the same for others. Unfortuntly, Chuggs has a prettty big Boil on this side and Skywalker is having major feet issues, huge blisters and even missing all the skin off one of her toes. Hopefully everything will heal soon and the pain will subside. Also hopefully the rain will stop soon which will help everyone mentally and physically.   Tim
Date: 2004-06-09
From: 4 PInes Hostel outside of Catawba, VA

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a great day. No rain, blue skies. The skies clouded up for a bit with a litlle thunder but NO RAIN. This afternoon we climbed McAfee Knob with an amazing view and then off to Tinker Cliffs. The cliffs had great views of the valley and the climbs were not bad at all, so a great day in general. Tommorrow we will go to Daleville, VA at stay at the Best Western at the interchange. I have a food drop coming and I need to get to an outfitter for more socks and a new waterfilter (hopefully a First Need) or at least a new cartridge since mine is clogged. So off to bed.   Tim
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Comfort Inn, Troutville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We all did a short day into Daleville and stayed at the HoJo where I picked up my maildrop. In the room was myself, Chuggs, Skywalker, Mtn. Squid and Burnie. The hotel had a pool and laundary on site. Everyone, but Burnie since she pulled in late, ate at the Pizza Hut and then for dinner Burnie and I went to the Country Cookin' Buffet for an all you can eat. The fodd was good but I stuffed myself so I felt sick all night. Then yesterday we decided to zero and rest. We moved across the street to a cheaper hotel and split into 2 rooms since we all had to walk by the front desk to get in. It was a nice relaxing day with a well deserved nap. For dinner we all went to Shoney's. Everyone had the buffet and I got a dinner since my stomach still was uneasy from the previous feast and Mtn. Squid picked up the tab, thanks. So now today we ware up to today and what a day. With all the calories from the last 2 days I was flyin' 9 hours of hiking with 3 hours of breaks. We also hit the Blue Ridge Parkway, just a nice easy cruise into Bobblets Gap for a hiker feed. What is a hiker feed you may ask, let me explain. It is a type of trail magic that most people know of ahead of time, a party. This was put on my an '03 Thru-hiker named crow and some friends. They brought in a ton of food and by a ton I mean a ton. It includedd 77 hot dogs, 4 king size bags of chips, 4 bags of marshmellows and 2 big bags of Snickers. Also breakfsat tommorrowof coffee, sasuage and blueberyy pancakes. All this food was for anyone who showed up which was 12 people in all. I myself had 9 hot dogs and they were good, espically for someone who is not a big fan of hot dogs. Out of the whole group the most intrestin gperson was a biker from Montrel who stumbled across the shelter looking for a campsite. He was called Loco A BC standing for crazy biker. He is biking from his home in Montrel, Canada south to the southern tip of Argentina. The trip will last 1.5 years and he plans on covering 14,000 miles. When he told everyone how long it was going to take and the miles everyones jaw hit the ground. The only down part was Chuggs and Skywalker took another zero in town, so hopefully they will catch up soon. Thats all form the home front.   TimP.S. Today we passed the 1/3 mark.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was overcast with a few drops of skywater but no rain. Breakfast this morning was excellent with 10 pancakes and 5 patties of sasuage, what a way to start the day. The hike today was quick after I motivated out of the shelter, 18.3 miles in 8.5 hours with 2.5 hours of break. I don't know what got into me but it was great. We even had 2 big climbs, one was 1000 feet in 1.6 miles and the other was 2200 feet in 4.4. miles, I flew up both of them. Here at the shelter tonight are just 3 of us, me, Burnie and Mtn. Squid. A nice break from the crowded shelters the last few days. Also a few days ago I received a trail name of NTT Ranger, which stands for Not That Type of Ranger. It all started from when people would ask me questions about what is this or what is that my response was "I'm not that type of ranger." Then at 4 Pines Hostel we ran into an interpertive ranger and as she was talking about all her parks Chuggs turned to me and said "You are son not that type of ranger." and the name was born. Finally they were able to understand what I had benn saying along. Not that much else to report form the fog.   Tim