morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Campsite past Elk River
Miles today: 15.0

Overmountain to Campsite past Elk RiverIt's official, Gravity is a thruhiker.  His feet smell.  Bad.  Really bad.  That mud just does something when it seeps through the shoes, through the socks and interact in some unnatural way all day to create that unmistakeable essence au Hiker.  Thanks goodness for rivers and streams!Today was a much better day for me than the past few have been.  We had a spectacular morning for the Humps, two enormous bald mountains.  We could look back at Roan to admire what we'd accomplished yesterday.  This is one of the most beautiful sections of the southern AT, but also among the hardest.  When I thought I was getting my trail legs we hit this section like a brick wall.  My mojo has been squashed the past several days, and the miles were coming slowly and with difficulty.  Today though, all took a turn for the better and I feel cheerful and re-energized.  The first nine miles came comparatively fast, and we caught an easy ride to the restaurant down the road.  Today was day four of this stretch and the guide book said there was a restaurant up 19E, a road crossing we'd hit today.  We cut it pretty close with just enough food to get from Erwin to Kincora, and a hot meal was welcome.  We all felt self conscious and akward among the other patrons all clean and dressed up in their Sunday best.  We were welcomed and served graciously depite our hiking atire and four days without a shower.  Hiked the last six miles with Spoonie and SciFi, who'd joined us for lunch at the last minute.  It was great fun to walk and talk the four of us.  Took a small side trail to Jones Falls which ended up being a grand cascading falls and quite a surprise.  This section has been re-routed since 2001 and we had no idea these falls existed.  It was an awe inspiring sight to behold, by far the nicest falls we've seen yet.We took a long break, welcomed the opportunity to clean up a bit and headed off refreshed and rejuvenated.  Camping at a grassy open site alongside the trail.  The Elk River is flowing rhythemically forward as the crickets and frogs encourage it onward.  The moon is a luminous sliver, smiling down on us.  My body is tired tonight, but I am getting stronger.  The sleep tonight will be a good one with the river and the creatures all singing me to slumber.Danger
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Campsite past Elk River

To: Morland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Campsite to Morland Gap ShelterWoke up to the same birds and crickets that sung us to sleep. Another clear, warm day greeting us.  The grass was sparkling with dew, and the slugs on the exterior tent wall had created a random walk pattern in slime.  Quite a few slugs out on the tent and pack covers.  They're kinda cute at first with their little antennae.  Then you squish a couple while stuffing away the pack cover and that uranium toxic green goo oozes all over; not so cute.The first half of the day was lovely.  The re-routed trail was a pleasure to walk, and we made far better time than usual to the Laurel Fork Creek, where we stopped for a long leisurely lunch.  Not far after the creek, we were beyond the re-route and as the quality of the trail declined, so did our moods.  Back to steep ups and downs, in forest that was naked and dead feeling.  The sun shone down on us strong, steady and relentless through the leafless trees.The final climb and descent to the shelter was unexpected and especially vicious.  When we did finally arrive we were swarmed by bugs and more than uninspired by the shelter and unkempt grounds.  We decided to cook dinner and afterwards move on a couple more miles to the next campsite.  Asian chicken noodles sounded tasty.  It was a brand and flavor we hadn't tried before, and I can tell you we won't try it again either.  It was so bad, it was inedible, and for the first time ever, we had to bury a dinner.  Of this I am not proud.  So, we had one dinner left.  Cooked that up.  It was edible, but only barely.  I think we're just going to have to keep experimenting with the food.  It is a constant challenge.As we were eating dinner, Spoonie and Scifi showed up.  After the dinner fiasco, the rabid climb and being just plain tired, it was wonderful to see them, and the mood was instantly lighter.  We decided that with only six miles to Kincora Hostel tomorrow, there was no real reason to push it tonight.  So we set up the tent, protected from the bugs, eager to embrace a good night's sleep.  Very excited for Kincora tomorrow.  It was such a special place for us in 2001, with Yogi, Paranoid, Tree, Drew Blue and others.  I know this time will surely be differnt, but Bob Peoples is an amazing person, and I am just looking forward to being around all that wonderful energy for a while.  Bob is more than a trail angel.  He does so much for hikers and the AT, with a laugh that is infectious.  It will be really good to be back at Kincora again.  Thinking I'll get some groceries and cook a big meal for everyone while we're there.  We'll see...Danger
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Morland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: light rain

Kincora!Kinkora means "kinship of the heart."  I am so happy to be in this humble but magical place again.  Though the terrain was pretty rough, the six miles came relatively easy.  We were awake early, and packed and walking by 7:30.  Took a breakfast break in a rolling green pasture.  The sky never really brightened as the morning aged, and the grey clouds looked contemplative.  Spoonie and Scifi caught up with us at our pasture break, and Scifi set the pace for the last four miles into Kincora.  It was an accelerated pace for me, but I enjoyed it for the short distance we had, and talking with Spoonie was a very nice distraction.Before we knew it, Dennis Cove Road was in sight.  We reached Kincora just a few minutes later.  About a half hour after our arrival the clouds stopped contemplating in favor of a decision to rain.  And rain it did, all afternoon.  And hiking out in that rain we were not!  What perfect timing to arrive at a perfect place.  It seems that most of the town days I can immediately recollect were beautiful ones following several crummy wet days of hiking.  But this stretch it was several beautiful, glorious days, followed by arrival here on a lousy one.  That alone made me ecstatic.  The quiet steady drip of rain is exquisitely beautiful when watched from the dry warm protection of the front porch.  Once again, my entire being smiles.Bob hauled all 13 of the hikers here tonight into town for groceries.  We're planning to slackpack 9 miles tomorrow and spend a second night here.  I decided that it would be nice to cook up a tasty dinner, and I have been a little home sick for my kitchen.  So after our hike tomorrow we'll come back and grill some Italian sausages, saute' onions, peppers and mushrooms.  All this will go onto hoagie rolls, covered in marinara and topped with a slice of provolone.  All will be allowed to melt as we enjoy a fresh tomato and mozarella salad.  Yum!  It will be nice to eat a home cooked meal, especially one that wouldn't normally be "allowed" at home.Tonight Bob told us stories of all sorts, he even remembered Gravity and I from 2001.  To top that off, there is a picture that Yogi gave Bob capturing the memorable arm wrestling match between Wild Rose and I for dibs on the "Honeymoon Suite."  It was so neat to see that, and made me feel that I have a place here, even though it is temporary.  Kincora was medicine for me in so many ways in 2001, and my fears of disappointment have been completely exorcised.  This place is medicine and wholesome goodness because of the people who make it so:  Bob and Pat.  I am greatful and honored to have the opportunity to partake of this kinship of the heart once again.Danger
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Kincora

To: US 322
Miles today: 0.0

Kincora to US 322We decided to do a short slackpack today over Pond Flats, and to enjoy another night at Kincora.  It was overcast and a bit drippy all day, but the full fledged rain held off until tonight.It felt great to hike the ~9 miles without a pack on.  The walking felt wonderful without the weight.  We took it easy and had a nice long break at the Little Laurel Falls.  The falls were running strong with the recent rain.  The leaves are quickly coming out in the valley, and making their way slowly up the mountainsides.  The hills look to have beeen dipped from the bottom in lime green frosting or powdered sugar.  The raspberry shrubs are fully leafed out and the big decidous trees are poking out little bright green horns.After a long lunch break at the falls, we strolled the last couple miles back to Kincora.Spoonie and I prepared our dinner, and we all enjoyed the feast.  The only disappointment was that right as we were finishing dinner preparations, Bob was ready to do the grocery shuttle.  We still needed lunches, so Gravity went to get groceries, while we finished making dinner.  By the time they all returned, Spoonie, Scifi and I were done eating.  But I made up Gravity's as soon as he was back, and he quite enjoyed it.  We'll pack out the leftovers to enjoy on trail tomorrow.Danger
Date: 2005-04-14
From: US 322

To: US 322 Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

US 322 to Iron Mountain ShelterThe weather cleared from the past two days of rain, and was warm and sunny all day. Other than four or five miles, the terrain has greatly improved and the 15+ today wasn't so bad at all. Lake Wautauga was spectacular viewed from above in all her spakling glory. We enjoyed our leftover subs from atop the rock cliffs behind Vandeventer Shelter. We took another little break at the campsite where we stayed in 2001. That time we awoke in the morning to six inches of snow, and we lost our glasses when we packed up. Gravity went and explored the 2001 campsite to see if for some unlikely reason he might find the glasses. No luck but it would have been funny if he had, expecially since we've both had lasik!Spoonie and Scifi decided to call it a day there and set up camp. We still had some steam though and decided to push on. We'd planned to camp at the spring .2 miles from Iron Mountain Shelter, but when we arrived we discovered no level tent site. Oh well, .2 to the shelter wasn't so bad. It is getting colder this evening, Bob said it'd probably get down in the low 30s. Despite the cold it is a perfectly still and clear evening. Should be good stars tonight, though I doubt I'll be able to stay awake long enough to see them. Just two more days to Damascus; hard to believe!Danger
Date: 2005-04-15
From: US 322 Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Iron Mountain Shelter to Abingdon Gap ShelterThe crinkle of plastic grocery bags is a surprisingly annoying sound to wake up to at 6am.  The past several nights have been tough being in such close quarters with other hikers.  Haven't been sleeping well, and a girl does need her beauty rest.  Fortunately, I was awakened to yet another beautiful day.  Some time yesterday we hit the "Tennessee Turnpike" and it's been good cruising trail.Bob at Kincora had mentioned a reroute through some farmers' fields, the original route of the AT and what Benton MacKay traversed.  We took an hour long lunch break in one of these grassy fields, looking out at the Tennessee ranges.  The sun was just warm enough and the air calm with only an occasional gentle breeze.  We had to force ourselves to leave our grassy piece of heaven to get hiking again.  Not 15 minutes later I had a viscious encounter with a stick and my knee.  I popped the loose stick up with my right foot right as I was bringing my left leg forward.  The tip of the stick jammed right into my knee.  The blood started flowing and it was quite painful.  I pulled the chunk of stick and skin out of my knee and mopped up the mess.  It hurt pretty badly but fortunately wasn't too big or deep a cut; no stitches needed, just neosporin and a bandaid.  Hopefully that will be the worst injury I get on trail.The stick in the knee combined with the crummy nights of sleep threw my mojo off, despite the lovely morning walking.  By the time we got to Double Springs Shelter, I wasn't sure I'd be able to do 8.3 more miles to Abingdon Gap.  When I told Gravity this, he wasn't too happy, and we discussed the topic for quite a while.  It was just fuel to get up the few steep knobs.  We finally wrapped up the contention and took another lovely break on a small grassy knoll.  We still had plenty of daylight to burn and only 4.8 miles to the shelter.  Knowing that I could take my time, I decided I could do it.  I was quite pleasantly surprised when we pulled in just past 4:30 having done a ~16 mile day. All's good and Damascus tomorrow!Danger
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Damascus

To: US 58 SB Slackpacking
Miles today: 16.9

Southbound for a dayIt is 75 miles from Damascus to Atkins, our next resupply point.  At our current pace that will take about six days.  Six days of food is heavy, and I am averse to a heavy pack.  I was not excited about such a long stretch, and I've been trying to work out some way to spend a little more time in Damascus and avoid carrying six days of food.  Finally, we came up with the solution.  US58 intersects the AT about 17 miles north of Damascus; perfect!  We decided to leave our packs in town, hitch up to that road crossing, and hike south back to town.  We scored a great ride within five minutes of sticking out our thumbs.  It was a spunky retired gentleman who was planning a day hike in the same area.  He dropped us right at the trail and southward we headed.  In 2001 we didn't do this section of trail in favor of the Virginia Creeper.  The Creeper runs parallel to the AT for about 14 miles, and is a lovely, flat foot and bicycle trail that follows along the river.  The AT on the other hand follows an unnecessarily rugged route with two large climbs and no especially special scenery.  It is a mystery to us why the AT doesn't follow the Creeper in this section, but such is the whim of the ATC.  In any case, it has been eating at me that I technically missed this section of the AT, and I wanted to get it done and behind me.  So, we put on the pace and covered the ~17 miles in seven hours, including our breaks.  We managed about a three mph pace for the whole 17 miles, which for us is quite impressive.  Hiking without that pack on every now and then truly is a treat!The reward was even better than the relief of having that annoying section behind us.  We checked into the Lazy Fox Inn to enjoy two luxurious evenings in the comfort of a B&B.  The Inn is right on the river and surrounded by lush green grassy grounds.  Two hammocks swing invitingly in back along side the river.It was a vigorous day pushing our limits, but it felt good to complete our longest day so far.  Tomorrow is a zero day, and I am looking forward to that.  Just a few chores but the rest of the day should be full of nothing at all.Danger
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Damascus Darn Chores!We thought that the few chores we had left for today wouldn't take more than a couple of hours. We had several boxes at the PO including our bounce box and my new shoes and some different lighter weight clothes. I also had several things to send home and we had to prepare and send a food drop to Atkins. So, we hauled down to the PO, picked up our boxes, hauled back to the Fox. Sort through the boxes, take out the guide book pages for the next section and figure out food. Unpack boxes, repack boxes, label and truck back to the PO to send thing's off. Then to the library to check email and various accounts. Lunch. Almost 4pm! Finally back to the Fox to unwind in those hammocks for a couple of hours.When we got back there we found the two couples from the UK. We enjoyed talking with them while watching the ducks run the white water in the back ground.It was pleasant to meet and talk with some new people. Sophie and Craig are doing 500 miles, then off for other adventures on their round the world plane ticket. Ian and Kerry are going all the way to Maine. Good times talking, but by the end of the day I was dumbfounded trying to figure out first where it'd gone so fast. Those darn chores ate up half the day at least! Guess there's not really any such thing as a day off...Danger
Date: 2005-04-19
From: US 58

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

US 58 to Thomas KnobThe morning started out beautifully with Jenny's enormous breakfast at the Lazy Fox Inn. The table was covered with a cornicopia of foods. There were scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, cheesy grits, a large plate of fresh fruit, baked apples, baked pineapple, even a few other things. I know we'll be reminiscing about that spread for hundreds of miles.After breakfast we finished packing up, and headed out to hitch up to where we'd slacked from yesterday. The first ride pulled over within five minutes. The little pickup was full of all kinds of stuff, but we were able to squeeze a little precariously into the back. Thaf took us to where US 58 splits off from the road to Mountain City. Out went the thumbs again and within minutes a gentleman in a minivan picked us up. He drove us all the way to the trail, even though it was about 10 mi out of his way. By 10:30 am we were on our way up the mountain. Our packs were full and heavy with five days of food, and our full stomachs slowed us down a bit too. I was glad that we'd decided to go only 11 miles to Thomas Knob Shelter.After a long but graded climb, we reached Buzzard Rocks. There seems to be a thermal there that the birds catch. We must have seen at least six of the giant scavengers gliding and dipping through the air.The rest of the hike was nicely grade on beautiful terrain. The woods ground is carpeted with green grass and moss, speckled with thousands of tiny white flowers that look like a light dusting of snow. Mt. Rogers is the high point of Virginia and the AT goes within .5 mi of the summit. Since we'd decided on a short day and were so close, we decided to take the side trail up to the top. We dropped our packs at the trail marker sign, and headed up the windy graded trail through the red spruce and fir forest. The summit is simple and humble, offering no views and no alien looking observation deck. Just some rocks with a small USGS marker, surrounded by the same fragrant evergreens. I found the simplicity and lack of splenderous views inspiring in a different sort of way.We made our way back down, grabbed our packs and made it to the shelter, just a few tenths of a mile away. Though shorter, the day tired me out and I was ready for dinner and sleep.Danger
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Thomas Knob to CampsiteToday the trail took us through my favorite portion of the Southern AT, Grayson Highlands.  The highlands are stunning in and of themselves with grassy rolling hills studded with rocky knolls and outcroppings.  The sky is especially big here, and many compare the area to the grassy highlands of Montana.  There is also something else very special about this place; the wild ponies.  The ponies are a special rugged highlands breed that were released in the area to graze in order to control the natural grasses and shrubs.  They were introduced in the early 1900's and have been thriving as 2 small herds ever since. Within 20 minutes of leaving the shelter we saw Senator, another hiker, surrounded by three ponies.  He was giving them carrots and as soon as they saw us they came right up too.  We also brought some carrots for the ponies, and they ate them right out of our hands, and were not shy about asking for more.  We spent several minutes petting and taking pictures.  Next we came up to two mamas with foals.  The mamas eagerly took our carrots and even allowed us to pet the babies.  What an amazing experience!  It didn't take long to run out of carrots, and I'd wihed we'd brought more.  I was just sad that this beautiful section was over so soon.  We vowed to come back another time though and I will look forward to the next time I visit this wonderful place.  And next time, I'll bring more carrots!Danger
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, Va
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Partnership Shelter to Atkins, VAAlthough I was happy that it worked out to stay at Partnership Shelter last night, I had another rough night without much sleep.  Partnership has a large loft and several hikers slept up there while we chose the main level.  All night long every toss and turn both above and below reverberated through the structure and woke me up.  Fortunately Spoonie (who was caught back up, Yay!) was kind enough to give me another pair.  (ed note:  I am assuming ear plugs!)  It was tough getting up this morning though, and I felt pretty spent after that long day yesterday.  I don't think I ate enough and I suspect my electrolytes got wacked with the sweating and heavy extended exertion.  We did finally get going after looking around the Mt. Rogers National Park H.Q. visitors center.  We are now in the land of Brushy Mountain where we crosss back and forth over it several times over the next 100 miles or so.  Yesterday was the first Brushy Mtn traverse, and we had another this morning.  All of the climbs were small today, 500 ft or less.  But, they all felt steep and difficult.  I did feel much better after fueling up at our morning break.  Red Rover and Senator caught up with us at that time, and we hiked most of the rest of the way to Atkins with them.  The miles went fast keeping up at Red Rover's 3 mile per hour pace, and before we knew it we were at the Little Old Schoolhouse which is part of the Living Farm Museum.  We took pictures and looked around the schoolhouse and little museum, then set out the last 2.7 mi to town.It had started to rain a bit as we were pulling into the museum, but it really opened up and came down after we left.  Still about 2 mi from town it began thundering and lighening and coming down with a vengence.  We were soon soaked to the bone.  The lighening and thunder were violent and threatening to us up on an open grassy ridge.  We put the speed on even more after one strike from which we could smell the ozone.  It was a scary walk, but a very fast one and we made it to the Relax Inn safe and sound, albeit wet.The new owner of the hotel is quite nice and very hiker friendly.  It was such a relief to get into a warm dry room and take a hot shower.  We ate some lunch late in the afternoon with Senator and came back for a nap.  The phone rang around 8:30 pm and it was Spoonie!  We were very surprised to hear from her beacuse when we'd left Damascus she was going to slow down to get here on Monday for the PO.  Small change of plans though, and she's here, about which I am happy.The weather for the next few days is looking pretty lousy, so both Gravity and I aren't thrilled about going out in it.  But, this isn't exactly a proper town but rather a little motel, a truck stop and tiny restaurant.  So, we feel we need to move on at least a few mile tomorrow for fear of going stir crazy.  Happy for the soft bed and quiet room for tonight though.Danger