morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Lick Creek

To: Campsite near VA615
Miles today: 20.7

It rained during the night but stopped before morning. Still, the condensation was pretty awful.Okay, the trail to Bland (the next town) is, well, bland. Lots of ups and downs with minimal views. Knot Maul Branch Shelter sat on the edge of "God's Thumbprint," the nickname for a crator shaped divit in the mountains and a home of many farms. The Trail ran along a ridge around this geological wonderment but brush and trees made it difficult to see.All morning I kept hearing distant rumbling. When I tried to glimpse the clouds through the leaves, I couldn't see anything. The storms sounded far away but formed over me fairly quickly while I was still two miles from the next shelter.I showed up at Jenkins Shelter sopping wet and shared it for awhile with Lumber, Ski Bum and Quest. Catdog apparently had just left. Seeing the boys there helped with the lonliness. I hadn't seen anyone all that morning until I reached Chestnut Knob, and fell into a few conversations with Lumber about Colorado and climbing before he moved on. Ski Bum passed me shortly after. Now we were hanging at the shelter waiting for the rain to stop.Quest left first, then Lumbar and Ski Bum. I was making dinner while Marathon Man showed up. Then I heard a familiar voice call out in his Georgian accent, "Lonesome Dove!" It was Hawk. He had hiked 21 miles and was calling it a day. I told him I hadn't done enough and kept going.The Trail dropped down a few hundred feet. After miles of no water, the Trail crossed the Little Folk Creek about twelve times. With all the rain, the waterlines were high making crossing slippery.Around seven, I arrived at a modest campground where Catdog, Lumber, Quest and Ski Bum had already pitched their tents. I was so tired that I set up my tarp tent and crawled into bed.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Campsite near VA615

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Eeyew, everything was sticky, moist and chilly this morning. I tried to sleep on my clothes to dry them out but had minimal success. Had to don a cold, clammy t-shirt. Then I had to fold up my soggy tent again. I'm making it sound bad. It really wasn't. As long as I don't wake up to rain I'm usually happy.When I mailed some items of clothing and my 20 degree bag home from Damascus, I knew I was taking some chances. I could see my breath this morning, and I was just the slightest bit chilly. But keeping warm is easily managed these days. You just start moving.The worst mistake is sending my Merrill boots home and breaking in some newly purchased Chaco's. That is not going well. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your frame of mind) I am also carrying some LL Bean dayhikers that I have had for awhile. So, yes folks, I am carrying two pairs of boots. Meanwhile I long for my Merrills again and I want to return the very expensive Chacos.As for other purchases made in Damascus...the fleece blanket serving as my sleeping bag is okay as long as I continue to use the silk liner I purchased in Hot Springs. Eventually, it will get pretty warm again. The socks I bought are fantastic...what are they? Ultimax. I no longer feel the need to remove my socks to let them dry at every break and I am even willing to don a wet pair of these without making a face. The new Pro-light 3 Thermarest is excellent as well, although not as cushy as my previous mattress but saves me a lot of weight. And the new water filter is working fine.The morning went extremely well. Not even a tenth out of camp I found trail magic in the form of a cooler full of juices. Nearby was a waste basket. I could throw out my trash.Walked to US21/52 where Peggy was waiting for Hawk. She calls herself Sagwagon and brought some sodas and Hostess treats for hikers. Catdog and I took advantage of the sun and laid everything out to dry.Hikers from Bland were being dropped off by a couple in another RV. They offered to fill our waters. It seemed like a crowd of hikers were at this junction suddenly. Hawk showed up and drove off with Sagwagon. The RV left and the hikers either went to town or into the mountains. Catdog and I were alone with two miles to the next shelter and another storm brewing east.We were caught in it but it wasn't so bad. It stopped after I got to the shelter and rested. I have a new ailment. Although my right leg/ankle/foot feels better, my left ankle has begun to hurt in the same exact spot. Rest, of course, helps. Doing long miles, of course, exacerbates the situation.Regardless, I headed on to the shelter where I am writing now. The last five miles were excruciating. Why do I do this to myself?I'm here with Woolly and Mountain Dew, the forty-miler guys and a section hiker who realized he misses his girl and wants to go home in Bland.Pop a few Iboprofin, prop up my foot and hope for the best tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

I'm writing this on Saturday. Since Thursday, I have spoken to Chaco and will be able to return the boots for a full refund. I have bought more Ibuprofen, an ace bandage, and have sat around with my foot propped under ice bags while watching Law & Order and the weather channel. I have met many hikers and learned a few things about hikers I have already met. For example, I didn't know Ski Bum was a preschool teacher. Lumber has been thinking about the AT for nine years after attempting less than 30 miles of it in his youth. Meanderthal also took a few zero days because he had a similar problem with his feet. He is also an engaging storyteller. Catdog used to own a few hot air balloons. Wags actually barks and jumps around (usually she's too tired). Saltlick is very homesick.One of my food drop boxes showed up today. Very relieved.At first I thought there wasn't much to this town. But Pearisburg has some decent restaurants including Darlene's for breakfast and dinner.My foot feels a little better and I think we will be able to hit the Trail again tomorrow. Yeah!
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Campsite after Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Two months on the trail and I still learn new things about how to stay dry. We had three storms today.Storm # 1 hit us just after we escaped Pearisburg (I could feel the irresistable draw of the cheeseburgers and beer behind me but did not look back.) We had to cross the New River using the highway bridge. The Trail loops under the highway so we had cover while the skies opened up. Then it broke up or moved on and we resumed our journey.Cuppa Joe, fifteen miles behind us was not so lucky.We reached Rice Field Shelter which is in front of a field and a nice open view of the cities and farms below. Unfortunately, no one wants to stay there because the water source is half a mile away. I relaxed for an hour (my leg was still sore) and then headed on just as a weekend equestrian unit pulled up to say hello.On my way north, I was stopped by the fury of storm #2 near some powerlines. Lightening flashed right above the tower that overlooked the AT. I was just a bit too scared to cross under them until I felt confident the storm had passed. No heavy rain yet, though, until I found the campsite where Cuppa Joe, a Floridian charity hiker named Southern Man, and Catdog were setting up. The rain started then so I ducked into Catdog's tent till it passed over.Note: I hadn't gotten wet yet.When the rain stopped, I set up my tent and ate a quick dinner. I never felt the storms were going to let up. A couple named Eric and Jess showed up and set up their tarptent as well. Then Fire and Ace (formally Dreamer) with their Chihuahua showed up and pitched their tents too. We had our own tent city on a small flat area of woods.I could hear a light rain start as I hid in my tarptent absorbed in The Count of Monte Cristo (ultralight abridged version, of course) when Storm #3 started with a bang like a cannon exploding. We were all blinded for an instant. Man, that lightening was close. Then it poured.I felt pretty secure until I looked down at the netting that connects my ground clothe to the wall of my tent and noticed my floor was wet. Beneath my Thermarest was a flood. I was still dry, but helpless. Surprisingly, I watched the seepage with a curious calmness. I hadn't erected the tent in a gulley or on a hill. It was coming in on both sides. I was unlucky, that's all. And I forgot to dig a trench. While I waited, I pulled my belongings away from the puddles.It was still daylight when the rain stopped. Everyone came out to watch me clean out my tent and lend a hand where they could. Evening entertainment, I guess. Southern Man gave me the ingenius suggestion to line the sides of my tarptent with leaves. They absorbed all the puddles. Cool.I took my chances, and left some stuff to dry on a line. I was sure another storm would make an appearance during the night but didn't much care. I dried the floor of my tent with some donated pack towels and then went back to bed. Show over and darkness upon us, tent city went to sleep.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Campsite after Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It never rained during the night and my stuff on the line dried a bit. I set out as usual feeling optimistic until the pain in my left leg returned in full force.Reaching Pine Swamp Branch Shelter for lunch was a struggle. Needless to say, I was frustrated as I slowed to a crawl. An internal conflict broiled within about whether I should fall behind by hitching to Pearisburg at the next road junction and taking a few days to rest. I decided to hang out at the shelter three hours to figure it out before tackling the next four miles to Bailey Shelter for the night.I was not alone in my pain. Navigator had knee problems too. He was walking with Spider Web and had to let his hiking companions, The Hobbits, run ahead of him since he was slow.The Hobbits were now at Pine Swamp. They had changed their names to River Otter and Firefly but I still get them mixed up.Pine Swamp Shelter had a flowing river so I soaked my leg. I watched my foot turn blue and felt the inflammation instantly recede. Ah, relief.Catdog, Cuppa Joe and others headed on. As Navigator picked up his gear, he made the uncanny prediction that I would be hitching to town at the next road junction a tenth up the Trail.Left alone with two section hikers, I noticed that the pain had ceased. But I was sure it would return as soon as I embarked.Then Kris showed up. A young competent backpacker, he is a recent graduate of the Coast Guard Academy in CT and had 30 days off before his first commission as an ensign would begin. He decided to spend two weeks hiking north on the AT to Buena Vista. Today was his first day on the Trailand he was suffering from severe allergy symptoms. Figuring we could both use the distraction of conversation and I needed to slow down my pace, I suggested we walk to the next shelter together. Sure enough, slowing the pace (and soaking my foot in the icy river) helped. The pain did not return.Kris, who didn't like using trailnames, was having second thoughts about continuing to Buena Vista because of the allergies. I suggested he hold out for a few days. But if he decided to get off, he should go south to the Grayson Highlands. Much prettier.Along the way, we met Hoover and Jitterbug, a couple dayhiking thru VA by tackling a short section south. I had met them briefly the day before and finally offered them my trailname. "Well, we'll see you, Lonesome Dove." said Jitterbug as they took off. Kris turned to me and said, "Don't you find that strange that she called you Lonesome Dove?" I laughed. Actually, no.At the shelter, there wasn't much space for tenting but I won a spot in the shelter. Many hikers were there including Hawk, who showed up near dark. Although a storm came in close to midnight, I think we had almost gone 24 hours without rain.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

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

The Honeymooners dropped out today. They left their address in the registry for anyone to contact them. After the last climb, I don't blame them. Who said Virginia is flat? There's still a lot of work to do even though there are long stretches of horizontal trail. And the downhills still hurt.But today was a good day. Probably the first in over a week where my leg did not hurt too much until the end of the day. I was also fortunate to stop at two shelters with flowing streams so I could soak my foot in chilling waters.The shelter is crowded tonight. Hawk, Catdog, Cuppa Joe are all here along with Worldbridge and Havin' Fun (we met them in Pearisburg and they left a day before us) and Spiderweb. We met two young women--Minus One and No Worries (from Australia) traveling with an older man named Now or Never.The Hobbits have taken a blue blaze for the day to a pond so we won't be seeing them. Coast Guard Kris is still with us and appears to be having a better day with allergies. He was relieved to hear that we all found the recent scramble a bit tiring.I'm seeing more and more people at the shelters these days eventhough they say most drop out by Damascus.A thunderstorm barely grazed us and another is approaching. But for the most part, the day was breezy and pleasant. I'm in my tent hoping to air it out. A little musty from two nights ago.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

This day could be divided into two. The first ten miles brought us out of the woods and through an expansive pasture with stile crossings, cows, flowing streams and nice views. It was very refreshing after being cooped in the thick woods and rain.We also passed the one remaining Keffer Oak, over 300 years old. I was fortunate to be hiking with No Worries at the time and we exchanged turns taking pictures.Then the trail ascended a grueling path with no switchbacks up to a woodsy ridge. As you get higher, the wind picks up. I prefer the breeze because it chases away the gnats that attack your eyes.As I was taking a break with Catdog, Minus One came up the trail followed by a stray kitten from the farms below. Catdog warned her that Wags would kill the cat. She replied, "Good!" Apparently it was driving her crazy weaving between her legs as she hiked. I thought it was cute but we couldn't take it along and made our escape as Wags growled at it.While most of the trail following our climb was flat, we did have some rocky ridge walks that were adventurous, arduous, and fun.The second half of the day was a dilemma. Our lunch break was at a shelter that was only twelve miles from our starting point. The next shelter was a little over ten miles beyond that. In between, there were no campsites nor reliable water sources. Considering my leg usually failing me at fifteen miles, I chose to stock up on water (three liters) incase I decide to pitch my tent wherever. It was very unsettling.We climbed numerous switchbacks up Brush Mountain to a park bench. What a pleasant surprise. Brush Mountain is the home of the Audie Murphy Monument. This would have been a good campsite but a thunderstorm was rolling in and it was only four miles to Tinker Creek. So Cuppa Joe, Catdog and I continued as the rain started.My feet were killing me but my leg seemed to be okay. Unfortunately, Tinker Creek did not allow camping so everyone decided to head up the hill to Pickle Branch Shelter. Not only was it late and dark from the storm, but the shelter was half a mile off trail.I had heard there were people behind me but I felt very alone as I hiked the last mile. The storm, meanwhile, grew intense. High winds were bending trees over. The lightening was more frequent. And the rain was thick. I held back going under a hanging tree limbs and some powerlines. I couldn't see because the rain dripped into my eyes.Soaked to the bone, tired, I arrived at the shelter with enough energy to eat a small meal, change into dry clothes, and crawl into my bag for the night. I figured the rain would stop sometime soon.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, VA
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained all night. That was different from the usual brief storms. I had left my day clothes hanging on a tree. Now I had to don them all clammy and wet. Only way they will dry is if I wear them.It was only twelve miles to Catawba where we had planned to stop for lunch at the Homeplace Restaurant. The first six miles was over Dragons Tooth, slabs of rocks located on a ridge. Although technically difficult at times (we climbed down wet ladders and such), I enjoyed the change.What blew me away was the second six miles. The profile showed a nice easy rolling hill walk. Partly because I had done some long miles the day before and had a weak dinner, I lost all my strength trudging through the second half of the day. It was disheartening. I should be tougher than this and everyone claims you have reached your physical peak after Damascus.The Trail, at one point, went straight up a pasture field into the woods. After a few steep switchbacks, you come across a stile. A stile!? What cow in its right mind would walk up here? I was pooped. I decided to take a badly needed food break and rest before preceeding. I didn't know where anyone was but assumed Hawk and Southern Man were ahead and Catdog was behind. Cuppa Joe, sadly to say, was not going to join us in town for lunch.Finally I reached VA 311 around 1:30. I was sure the plans for the Homeplace Resturant was a wash and everyone just kept going. By now it was a beautiful sunny day. I, however, spotted Southern Man trying to hitch a ride to Catawba and joined him.Catawba has a post office and a general store. That's it, so it seemed. And to my surprise, Hawk was hanging out under a tree eating a sub. The Homeplace wasn't open yet and after the last twelve miles, he wanted to wait till 3:30 for the AYCE meal. Cool. I'll lay everything out in the sun to dry.Shortly, Catdog showed up expressing the same rundown feelings I had from hiking what should have been an easy twelve miles. She also took advantage of the sun and put everything out to dry. Gradually we all cheered up.Then Coast Guard Kris showed up in his SUV with a few hikers. He had decided the trail was not fun anymore and checked into a hotel in Daleville. He was willing to shuttle us around before heading home to MD. Great! What luck. Let this be a lesson to thru-hikers that you should make friends with anyone and everyone on the Trail regardless of their destination.Kris joined us for dinner at the Homeplace, which lives up to its reputation. Then we decided to call it a day and spent the night at the four Pines Hostel nearby.The hostel is actually a three car garage with a shower and mattresses. We were in heaven and spent a good portion of the afternoon relaxing and recovering from the long miles, rocky ridges, and foul weather.Our emotions were worn. We kept hearing about more people quitting the AT. In this week, we had met nine people who had decided it was time to go home. Makes you think.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Howard Johnson Hotel, Daleville, VA

To: Howard Johnson Hotel, Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

A good productive zero day where I bought a 50 degree sleeping bag, ate breakfast at Cracker Barrell, yum!, and washed my musty tent.I also saw the movie "Day After Tomorrow" which had nice effects (except for the wolves--they looked pretty fake) but not much of a gripping storyline for me. I generally love disaster films but was never really in suspence. However, I had to see the movie because my brother worked on it. I searched for his name in the credits but too many passed by after the name of his company, Digital Domain. So, Bill, is your name really there? [transcriber note: Bill tells me it is not.]We kept bumping into fellow hikers such as the Hobbits, No Worries, Minus One, Chasquy (we met him at 4 Pines) etc. Although most had checked out of their hotel rooms, they lingered in this very industrialized town.For restaurants, I have to recommend Three Little Pigs which is in the same strip mall as the food market and the outfitter. There was also a UPS Store there which makes mailing convenient on the Memorial Day weekend. Warning, Daleville is hazardous to walk through--no sidewalks.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

What a fun day. People were in very good moods especially since the terrain was mild and offered some views.I left the hotel at 11 am and bumped into Raven heading to Roanoke to fly home for his son's graduation. Crash-Bang, named because he fell out of a tree at Springer, came up behind and we walked to the first shelter together chatting about movies. I met up with Hawk and Catdog and the four of us headed to the next shelter together. We kept seeing fellow hikers slackpacking south such as Spider Web, the Hobbits, and Chasquy. They got a ride from Navigator who rented a car and will be heading home soon, I believe.Wilson Creek Shelter is located exactly at the 1/3 mark of the Trail. I remarked it was unfortunate that we did not have any beverages for celebrating this milestone. Just as I was finishing speaking, Ron, a developer of lightweight hiking equipment for his company www.mountainlaurel.com appeared from the north and told us that it was our lucky day. He pulled from his very lightweight pack a bag of ice with lemonade, softdrinks and beer!Ron sat with us at the picnic table while we consumed his generous offerings and asked questions about his work. He gave us samples of his products such as lightweight sleeping bag liners and a very durable 6 oz hammock (prototype). What a great way to promote your stuff. Hikers never forget a trail angel.A couple showed up and informed us that Sir Fix-A-Lot had gone off trail.Otherwise, the registries sound more positive these days, the terrain for the next 20 miles seems easy, and life is good.