morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Trimpi shelter 

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Well everybody is up early which is a bit unusual .This lucky character his whole being is strange He has previosly done a hike thru in 2008.The trail isvery easy & i made it into Partnership Shelter by midday. FREE hot shower & clean up. A great shelter only the 2nd one on the trail. Lucky mauri bob & rlb are all quite relaxed sitting around enjoying a hot shower & sunshine.The prospect of food from the visitors centre is very appealling. We all headed over to the centre.Pizza would not be delivered until 4pm but the hoagies we could order right away. 5 hoagies(continental roll) to go .while waiting i had a look around the visitors centre quite a lovely display on the history of the park & area.Lucky was trying to ring leki to sort his hiking pole tip as it needed to be replaced. It occurred to me ???why would you ring an major accessory company late on a saturday arvo Thay would not be open Maybe an outfitter would be.Strange. The hoagies arrived .I wolfed down 2 & packed 1 for dinner. When i was leaving the vistitors centre i became aware that the tip on my near new leki hiking pole had been changed .When i walked into Patnership shelter & over to the vistitors centre my pole tips had been changed out. It could only have been done when i was having a shower HHMM not happy In fact im F... angry that someone has messed with my gear. It occurred to me the strange behaviour of my hiking friends. No evidence or proof but now i have a leki pole with 2 very different tip profiles 1 still quite new the worn half way down the plastic holder. Why do shitheads do this to people For less than $20.00 carbon tip. I pulled lucky up on my way out 7 checked his poles .How very bizzare . They were exactly opposite to mine a maching pair his & mine.He had 2 different profile tips as i did. T cannot point the finger but i can ask the question. Once again he is very strange . I was still very angry.Now i have to find replacement parts & my safety is now on the line as i rely heavily on the poles in rocky wet slippery sliding conditions.At chatfield shelter I was still angry. when lucky came into the shelter his poles were packed away .STRANGE. As the trail into the shelter is very muddy slippery & rocky. I confronted him again about the bizzare likeness of our matching pole tips.ell a very angry responce that went on & on From previous experiences with this sort of behaviour ANGER is a smoke screen for the truth. Not a very pleasant experience in the camp tonight. In the morning ive been threatened by a very angry man. thing is ive not accused him of anything just pointed out the bizzarre situation we have . Im more pissed off for safety reasons a & who ever has done the deed is a hiking low life.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Lynn Camp Mnt
Miles today: 20.4

What a great night a ripper of a thunder storm, then being theatened with violence . I just acknowledge his anger & left. Some low lifes are so angry to the core of the spirit body i feel sorry for them.I just have to be careful on decents over rocks and slippery trail.I arrived in Atkin for breakfast .Had an hour sitting & eating.od it was nice just to get away from the shit in the Mnts.I just remind myself to :LET GO & LET GOD: RLB walked in just as i headed out. Hiking was easy then i hit the styles how many???I felt like a goat . Some of the scenery is so beautiful.In the arvo i came across coucha & her friend david sitting in the fields soaking up the sun & drying out there tent.I have to filter water as there is not much water for the next 2 shelters. Scarecrow joined me at a stream & we talked as filterd water . He was getting over giarrdia. Itold him i used to get giarrdia when i lived in HUMPTY DOO.Anyhow hiked up the Mnt to Knot Maul branch shelter . I had 2 dinners & talked with scarecrow. David & coucha walked in & another hiker from japan(Made In Japan =MIJ) came in i left.I wanted to tent ontop of Lynn Camp Mnt.I filterd some more water with coucha & hiked up to the summit of the mnt just in time for a great sunset & hopefully a beautiful sunrise. fell over will trying to hang a bear bag. Thought i had broken my leg but only had a big gash . another day on the trail ends
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Lynn Camp Mnt

To: Va615 Laurel creek
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: clear sky

had a lovely sleep. packed up & on track early Not great views as the trees are big & blocking out the views. ive planned a big day oday . have to plan out the water correctly as there is no water before or after 2 shelters. Makes it interesting for those hikes who only carry 1 litre. i always carry 3 litre.Came across tully & odin up at Springfield ponds. Tully is carrying an leg injury & does not mind walking & talking abit slower pace to be hiked . Interesting young man to converse with.At chestnut knob shelter came across seque & lazer were still in there sleeping gear & bags @ 10.30am. Tully odin & myself rested awhile then made tracks. Not long after came across willow talking to her husbsnd on the phone. Willow is very lovely woman (GA > MA 16 years ago) Probably the oldest woman thru hiking this year. Hugs & laughter as it is lovely to talk to her. we are all planning on making Jenkins shelter but i really wanted a bit more mileage. Tully was in a bad way & decided to stay at jenkins shelter with odin. Willow & i continued onto Va 615 Larel Creek & up into the Mnt ridge line. Found a great camping spot & settled in for the night.Phoned home & to stef time to sleep with a lightning storm cell on the next Mnt ridge across the valley. then a rodent attacked my pack all night . not a good night sleep at all.Willow slept rough as well this night
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Va615 Laurel creek

To: Helveys Mills shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

the usual early get up & go. Breakfast/lunch was not far away but it was hot . Had a little climb to do first. The trail was kind . At Laurel Creek last night a car load of campers came in at 2am to party. Leaving the creek some trail magic of gatorade was left. THANK YOU.Got onto the road access at 11am .TTook 1/2 hr to get a hitch into BLAND .This guy had to be the trail angel as the back of his pick up has 3 cartoons of gatorade. when i got out of the back i asked him if was the trail angel .he just smiled & said yes .These church people are so good to hikers it is amazing and they do a great job that is vert appreciated by the hiking community.Willow & myself got into Bland.4 bananans 1 ltr of choc milk downed in a flash.Then up to dairy queen with a KANGAROO service station .I just laughed as we do not them in Aussie.We decided on a subway instead.Had a great feed & took an extra foot long back to the trail for dinner. Went back to IGA for resupply plus more choc milk & bananas. It was very hot 92F Took awhile to get a hitch back to the trail head.Another church guy who understands our needs HITCH TO TOWN SPEND MONEY HITCH BACK TO TRAIL . Good for business Very Simple . After we were dropped off & it was very hot .Got back to trail & back into the Mnts. Bit of a climb up. we went a couple of miles past the shelter set up camp ontop of a ridge .Didnt sleep to well nor did willow dont know why. Another storm is in the area
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Helveys Mills shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

We actually slept just past Helveys shelter. Willow is good fun to hike with. We just laugh & hike long miles . The time is passing quickly.Willow is a free spirited happily married woman. She hiked the A.T.n 1997?? .Ive learnt about taking time out from the trail to go & do lunch or Breakfast. Plus my body is feeling so much better for not just eating hiker food at set times of the day or it has to be in a shelter ETC ETC.The days are long but enjoyable . found a lovely camp just before WAPITI shelter. Am very tired & slept soundly thank god
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Had a great nights sleep but woke up very tired Its the first time ive wanted to sleep in but have to push on to town. Willow is on a mission. She has not seen her husband for 2 months. We got off to a slow start. Straight up a Mnt.Was not to bad, the switch backs were good. Got to Sugar Run Gap & took another detour to Wood Hole Hostel.t was 11.30 just in time for lunch. It was a trip down memory lane for willow as she stayed here on her past hike thru .Neville (woman) has carried on the spirit & tradition that was set up by her grandparents.Great ambience for hikers .we had lunch & headed back to the trail. I really feel like a siesta,But have to hike another 10 miles. IT started to RAIN RAIN RAIN . I had planned to camp before Pearisburg But it was pouring. I decided to keep going with willow& arrived on the outskirt of town . Got directions to the catholic church hostel.Said goodbye to willow& started my 2.9 mile blue blaze to the hostel.Hopefully will catch up with Willow on the trail soon. The sun is going down . Finally got in to the hostel no dinner. Had a chit chat & catch up withother hikers. Bullet was in Aussie last NOV 2008 to FEB 2009 & loved to talk about his love of AUSSIE . Mainly the east coast.I told him he was just saving himself for the best part of AUSSIE the WEST COAST . There are a couple of different sort of hikers here . The rain is pouring down
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg (Catholic hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

Had a good nights sleep & slept intill 8am. some hikers were up & out at 6am .Have sat around doing nothing . Just waiting for the library to open.Rang Willow while i was walking to the library.She was also walking to the library & was nearly there. We meet on the main road & decided to go get some fruit for breakfast.We Had a fruit picnic outside the library .We both gave the library a miss as we both had parcels to pick from the post office.I picked up my 2 boxes & headed back to the library.Did my internet things & back to the hostel Then to walmart & got my photos developed. Have to have my bounce box ready to go for SAT morn. Went thru the photos & some grate memories came back of the hike so far.For my zero day ive ended up doing nearlty 8 miles.Have gone back into town to do my washing have a subway for dinner.I feel like ive put some weight on I feel really good. found these gross honeybuns with 600 calories in 4 bites x2 aday just right for a good start to the day. Am still planning another zero then one track will rejoin me SUNDAY morning. It will be interesting to she how she has changed & if she is up to the challenges ahead???? Time will tell.Im waiting.At the laundromat i got talking to this great old afro/american BOB we just talked .There is something about BOB.
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Pearisburg (Catholic hostel)

To: Symms Gap Meadows
Miles today: 12.4

Im up early & wanting to be back in the Mnts again. I have to wait & find out where one track is. She has decided to return to the trail & wants to hike with me again.One track was very home sick & dispirited 3 weeks ago. It takes alot og guts to come back to the trail, only time will tell how fairs.But at the moment she wants to hike with me. im walking to the trailhead which is 2.9 miles blue blaze. a car pulls up besides me right outsde the plaza motel.Its one track jim & barb. Hugs & handshakes all round .Her parents are realy lovely . I had to chamnge out my leki tips from the leki thief episode It took a few minutes then down to the shop to hunt for a couple of missing items. said our goodbyed to jim & barb . Then one track & myself were back on the trail & up in the Mnts again. Am not planning to do much as one track is out of condition. the trail is really kind & we were at the rice field shelter sooner than expected.Stunning views over the city below across the valley further out to the Mnts. the weather is glorious for hiking. After our lunch stop at the shelter its back to the trail. My pack is overloaded with food it really is rediculous, at 4.30 we called it quits for the day. im tired & one track is sore. Made a lovely camp off the trail it is warm tonight. One track is srill abit emotional about leaving home again.A few tears shed. she has to grow up sooner or later.that is her journey. had a quite dinner & hung the bear bags to a setting sun. the bugs are rteally annoying.Well im in my tent the suns gone & ive enough for one day .OOps sore 2 grouse today. they really fly off the handle trying to protect there baby chics. vert unusual tactics. Also a couple of deer.Hope one track is not to as we have some miles to do sore. Seque walked past us & informed us off the horde of hikers coming
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Symms Gap Meadows

To: Bailey Gap shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I was really tired & slept well until the wee hours of the morning when a deer came close to our tents Snorting very loudly. I just laid there trying to think what the hell this noise was in my sleep. i knew it was a deer from a previous encounter during the day.. Left camp at 7am. One track was not to bright she had not slept well .adjusting to the trail . we soon passed Seque which we tried to be quite as we passed his tent whispering as we went past :wake up Seque : seque normally sleeps intill 10am& walks all day into the evening.Parts of the trail are tough on one track. Rattler passed us having a break. 10 min later we came across rattler sitting on the side of the trail with a baby dear in his arms. Poor deer had a hiker sox pulled over his head.we took photos of us holding the baby deer. the mother deer was not to be seen but we just released & the baby hung around. slowly it walked offlooking for mum.We encounted 2 more grouse . the last 4 miles into baileys gap shelter is verybeautiful. along the river then a very steep up. most of the hikers are feeling the climb. one track cannot hike any more. 2 hikers told me i had to go down the hill & help her up the hill. At least it was not 20 mile turn around as it was in demascus. filtered some water & headed into shelter.In camp tonight is phoenix rising RLB mauri bob one track nordic & me. Alightning storm is threatning& im tenting. Bugs are very active & its nearly 9pm.Ticks have been coming out in force today Well another day ends
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Bailey Gap shelter

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

Univentful sort of day. limb up to wind rock. New bridge @ johns creek valley.just a day of ups & downs. storms are threatning again. The heat & humidity is rising . Signage along the way is so misleading as to distance to shelters.The storm is right overhead. dont know how far to the shelter. as we enter theshelter the storm hits us.Ive not slept in a shelter for awhile the storm passed & i decided to tent. In camp tonight is phoenix rising mauri bob spreadsheat government as good fiddler savage seque & me . had a pee at 2am no clouds and a full moon it is really beautiful. mozzies have bitten me to death
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I really want to make some miles. The trail is very easy but one track does not want to do the miles as i do . had a lovely surprise this morning. fiddler & good as both played fiddles as we headedut of camp. they are very good and a great way to start the day. Phoenix rising has very bad shin splints & is going off the trail The morning is hot & humid . took some lovely photos of a box turtle & Keffer oak tree. Keffer oak is the largest oak tree on thr A.T.Mauri bob jjoined us for a photo shoot. It was a long climg up sinking creek MntViews were lovely do much greenery. Wild rose bushs are growing up in the mnts & there are lots in the lower meadows Lots of ridge walking with anothe rstorm approaching. took a photo at the EASTERN Continental divide trail Then the storm started to come in. It was a race to get off the ridge & down into the lower gap. Shelter in the forrest rain is quite heavy & lots of lightning .still have 2 plus miles to walk.Im soaked. its wet or sweat.Finally got into shelter & its crowded.ive tented in the rain. I didny want to stop here . Sheters are only a security blanket blancket & a marking point for milege plus a social. Im more used to making 15 to 20 miles aday in this easy terrain. 10 to 14 miles is not enough mileage .Well its just raining & raining. fiddler is playing again . its so lovely out in the bush & a fiddler is making music.Time to sleep
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Niday Shelter

To: Va 311 Catawba
Miles today: 22.7

well it rained most of the night. One track & mauri bob havent slept well. sand flies or as they call them here > no see ums < kepy them awake all night.i slept rather well. fiddler savage & a couple of the other guys had had enough of being bitten & hiked out @ midnight.Im finding it hard to talk to one track. Im wanting her to be able walk morebut she is not capable. she is very strong & determindto keep up with me but shw is not succeeding. This is where HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE is at the fore front of my thoughts. Im on a tight time frame to do this hike & i have to be out of the country at the beginning of OCTOBER. Im not feling well in fact ive just vomited, abit of breakfast NOT GOODMaui bob left then one track behind him. I just laid down for an extra 10 mins. What ever it is will pass. It was a long accent to AUDIE MURPHY monument @ 3100ft >The climb up was really good. every body complained. One track had brought a flag to fly in at his monument. audie wis one of the nations highest decorated soldier & an actor. The monument is where he died in a plane crash. One track also informed me that she is getting off the trail She has had enough. her feet are severely blistered, she has come to the conclussion she is a section hiker. After doing nearly 600 miles its her decision.She was trying to get on VA 620 TROUT CREEK It did not feel right to leave her on this lonely road.I was relieved when she agreed to still walk to Pickle shelter.She set up her tent & we said our good byes.She needs to rest & dry out her feet.I hiked on & soon caught up with mauri bob. Soon we were in the Cove Mnts & Dragon Tooththis spectacular Mnt presented another challenge to come down off.No hiking poles to be used. I was holding onto rocks & tree to decent. I kept thinking of one track & how she was going to handle this decent. It took a long time to decent off the back of the TOOTH. We were on a mission CATAWBA = FOOD AT THE SERVO. Maui bob & myself had an absolute pigout. Pizza choc milk Little debbies snacks. Filled our faces & headed back to the track. Met a bear straight up . we camped in the forrest & hung our food bags justto be safe.It rained all night
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Va 311 Catawba

To: Angels Gap
Miles today: 14.7

Had a good nights sleep .up early & back to the servo for breakfast. the rain is pouring down . After breakfast its back to the trailhead a quick search for the bear Maui bob & myself enjoyed a few fun photo shoots. Bob is fun to hike with, a very interesting man. We hiked to Mcafee knob one of the highlights of the A.T. The rain had stopped & for a pleasant change the sun shone its head off & warmed our spirits.I took the time to get my tent out & everthing that was wet & dried it all out.Took some lovely photos spectacular views allround.It was also nice to feel sun on the body& dry out Also at the Knob was gnarly &blue eyes.Repacked the pack & headed off towards Tinker Cliffs only 5 miles away.very easy ridge walk . The cliff walk was by far the best cliff walk on the trail so far.Great views back to the Mcafee knob & valley & mnts below & far off. avery special treat. It was over before i knew it & heading towards Lamberts Meadow Shelter only a mile away.Got in rather late,had dinner but i wanted to do more miles. it is still 9 miles to US220 Dalesville.tomorrow is saturday & the outfitter is open till 6pm. Im in need of some gear.had quick dinner & said good night to RLb 7 maui bob& took off. i wanted to do 2>3 miles.After about 1 1/2 miles i found this amazing little campsite about 20 ft from the cliffs edge with views over the valley below & out to the distant Mnt ranges.This was worth the effort & to confirm why im out here doing this trail.Im hoping for a blood red sunrise. made some phone calls back home to share this special moment. I feel privlegde to be here . Hung my bear bag & slept soundly with a gentle warm breeze blowing all night.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Angels Gap

To: US 220 Dalesvile 
Miles today: 4.3

After a lovely sleep I awoke to a blood red sunrise. Alot of cloud came into the valley which was bit of a bugger. By the time i had packed up my gear & had breakfast the clouds had all but disappeared. I took some photos (hope they will come out ok). This has been my best camp on the A.T. I just wanted to sit on this Mnt & enjoy the vistas , but time is pressing & ive got to go .The trail to dalesville took longer than i thought.Plus my mileage was out by a few miles,Not to worry. rang one trck she was staying in the howard johnstone Motel& agreed that i could share a room with her .Finally got in to the H>J> & met one track.She told me of her adventures of going over Dragons Tooth in the rain.It was not a very pleasant experience for her . both my kneesare still not the best after coming off the front end of Dragon Tooth.well it was lovely to see one track was safe & sound .Put my backpack away & we headed off to the outfitters.Brought 2 pairs of soxs&liners uperfeet gas canister & a few caribiners a wool t shirt, did some grocery shopping at kroggers.One track brought a new dress so she could look like a girl as she is going home .had a nice arvo relaxing around the pool. 6 pm was dinner at the mexican. it was a fun evening withone track phoenix rising stryder mauri bob myself lazer buttchins willow seque & floyd all came in for dinner.a good time had by all
Date: 2009-06-14
From: US 220 Dalesvile 

To: US 220 Dalesvile 
Miles today: 0.0

up early & into a free breakfast. one track & myself went to Saint Marks Methodist church service @ 8.30am The pastor was alovely guy & made us most welcome. Special recognition for those new comers like ourselves. Once again i was easily the most travelled to be there.the sevice went fast the views from the chuuch take in the most wonderful views. went back to the Motel & lazed out .Trail magic was happening at 3pm tonight at the back of the motel. thru &sectional hikers were invited to a BBQ by a localchurch grouporganised by HEATHER.It was the first time the group put together ti something for the hikers & was aresounding siccess. The way to a hikers heart is thru his/her stomach & these guys succeeded.The exchange of friendship was amazing in particular the music played by the church group ^ the responce from the hikers. Hidden talents exposed & shared. A truly lovely gesture gratefully received.left with a full belly after a photo shoot & headed to the pool. Another lovely day over with .I really needed a zero as my kneees are not right. time will tell .We ended up with willow phoenix rising 40deg one track & myself in our room 40deg was drunk went one for an hour then it was time for sleep.