morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Elk Park - Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Elk Park
Miles today: 0.0

This morning we were going to stay at Uncle Johnnny's Hostel, as Otter had to return to work and also had to tend to his Father. We found out it would cost us $45 to be shuttled to Carvers Gap, where we needed to continue North to hike the AT. But Otter again offered to take us to Elk Park so we could get a shuttle from the other side of the mountain where it would be more reasonable. Otter, thank you again for all you have done for Diamond and I. We had a great time hiking with you and will be in touch.   We arrived at the hostel, sadly said our goodbyes to Otter and thanked him for ALL he had done, and we stayed put as the winds were 60 to 80 mph., and it would not be wise to hike up on the Balds in that kind of weather.   The hikers that were caught out in the weather were getting the beginning signs of frostbite. Many have been stuck in the hotels or hostels in Erwin. Some are sick, others are reconsidering why they are hiking. After seeing many of the photos and hearing their stories, I can understand how the weather can beat you up mentally, emotionally and physically.   As it turns out there were about seven of us who needed to go back to Carvers Gap to continue our hike, so in the end it will only cost us about $3 each. So that will be the plan tomorrow. I have done my laundry, and have enough food to make it to Damascus, so I am good to go. Now bring on the good weather!
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Carvers Gap

To: Mountain Harbour
Miles today: 13.7

We had a wonderful breakfast with fresh fruit, OJ, coffee, biscuits, croissants with bacon and eggs...MMMMMM! What a great way to start a hike.      Finally we have some slightly warmer, sunny weather to hike in. The winds have settled down to 50 mph on the Balds and it is much warmer now. The snow in the woods is just beginning to get slushy and muddy, so foot placement is slow, especially over rootbound areas.   The Balds were beautiful, but windy making it difficult to cross as I kept getting blown off the trail. At one point Strecth suggested we jump up in the air and see how far away we would land! I would much rather hike in the wind, then in the snow, hands down! I was still trying to imagine the hikers who were caught up here a couple of days ago, and how difficult it had been for them. I even stopped at the infamous "barn shelter" that everyone thought would be warm. HA! They set up their tents in the barn on the second floor and had several inches of snow on their tents. Unbeliveable.      We ran across Stubble who was only going to the next shelter and we convinced him to hike another mile to the hostel, I think he was glad he did.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Elk Park, NC

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I am hiking with Stubbles again; all we need now is Blue. But Stubbles said he got off the trail in the Smokies because of his knees. He tried to call him again, but, Blue never returned the call. Blue, if you are reading this...call us or come to Trail Days. We miss you!       Mountain Mike, Diamond, Stubbles and I left for Moreland Gap shelter. I am concerned as thunderstorms are predicted and I dont want to tent in the rain yet (I am concerned about getting my down sleeping bag wet). So we arrived at Mountaineer Shelter that sleeps 14 vs. Moreland Gap that sleeps six with storms looming. There were many hikers ahead of us and we would get to the next shelter late. So they went ahead and I stayed put, planning to catch them tomorrow at Kinkora. It turned out that they made it to the shelter without it raining and there was just enough room for three...I should have went with them as there could be room for one more.   Alot of people came into the shelter tonight: Lost, Loner, Drip Dry, One-Third, and three section-hikers I had encountered on the trail earlier. They were really nice. This is a new shelter and it is located near a good water source, so I can see why a lot of people stay here. Constructed by the 6th annual Hard Core Trail Days volunteer crew lead by trail steward Bob Peoples. bob is very active in trail maintenance and has done alot for the A.T.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kinkora - Dennis Cove
Miles today: 15.6

Ok, this had to be the second worse day on the trail that I have had. I got up and it was sunny and started to head south for two miles! When I realized I had been hiking in the wrong direction for an hour I was stunned. It looks so different going the other direction! GRRR I was so mad at myself, by the time I got back to the shelter I had hiked four miles and lost two hours. Bet me I won't do that again! (I hope) Now I have the original 15 miles to get to Dennis Cove.      So I am hiking along and the clouds are starting to form...not a good sign as I am going up in elevation to almost 4,000 feet. So when I get to the top of the mountain the skies decide to open up...complete with thunder and lightening, not a good combination on top of a mountain. At some points it came down harder than others, so I would get under some bushes or hemlocks or rhododendruns, make like a turtle and bend over so the rain hit my packcover and ran off. I was surrounded by large trees, so if one was struck, I could be near it. But what else can you do? When it would lighten up in rain, I tried to make it to the next shelter...three miles away...an hour and a half at least walking in slippery mud. Then it began to hail. I have to tell you, Hail HURTS!      It was not fun. I finally made it to the shelter and it stopped raining. GAWD!      So I ate a snack, gripped about the weather in the trail register and then headed back out. Wouldn't you know that it started back up again? Sheesh. So all I can do is walk and its another six miles to Dennis Cove. I had on my baseball hat to keep the rain off my face, and as I was hiking I was watching my footing when "CRACK" I smacked right into a tree that had fallen across the trail. Man that hurt my head! I kept trudging until I got into the hostel, where a woman said it was full. Of course! But it did turn out that she needed three bunks and one was left - SCORE! I took a hot shower, did some laundry and Mountain Mike decided to make a huge dinner for everyone and we all chipped in. So I ate fish, beans, potatoes, zuchinni with onions and topped it off with cherry pie a la mode!       It turned out to be a good day afterall.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Kinkora - Dennis Cove

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up and headed south with Stubble this morning. Mountain Mike is waiting for a mail drop and Diamond said she would catch up.      We passed Laurel Fork Falls and took some great shots. Really pretty and scenic. We almost took a blue blaze trail, but Stubble caught us.(thankfully)      It was a long slow tediuos day for me. I am not sure why, but for some reason I dragged my butt. We hiked near Watauga Lake and Watauga Dam, it was very beautiful. You could see the lake almost the whole way wehiked today as we walked up on the ridge above it. The A.T. crosses the Watauga River on this dam at Watauga Lake. This Tennessee Valley Authority dam, completed in 1948, displaced about 700 people living along the river banks. All told, TVA dams in the South displaced nearly 75,000 people from their homes. The trade-off was flood control, electricity, jobs, and recreational opportunities.      At lunch I took off my shoes and socks and soaked my feet in the stream. It was refreshing and helped alot.      As we neared the shelter though I was dragging again, thankfully Stubble kept telling me it wouldn't be far. We had all the uphills early in the morning and I think it just wore me out to where I had no energy late in the day. We got into the shelter and made dinner and Diamond showed up and so did Bonnie Carolyn. Some weekend hikers set up a tent behind the shelter. Bonnie carolyn was buying food from them and had them cook it for her...she was so funny. We had a great view of the town below and the light kept changing as the sun went down. We couldn't wait to see what the the sunrise would bring.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

This morning I got up early and had breakfast on a big rock overlooking the lake. I watched the sunrise and ejoyed how the light kept changing as the sun rose in the sky. It was fabulous. I felt much better today because I slept like a baby last night.    Stubbles started out and I followed, but then he said go ahead and he'd meet me at the next shelter, so I took off! I couldn't believe how stong I felt. I was hiking like there was no tomorrow! It was great!   I ran into Ohms and Quartermoon and Dude at the next shelter. Diamond and Stubbles showed up for lunch. We decided to hike to the next shelter and see how we felt (15 miles). We passed the Nick Grindstaff Monument¢Nick Grindstaff traveled west to win his fortune but was robbed of all his money during the journey. He then returned to Iron Mountain, where he lived for more than 40 years, becoming one of the region¢s most famous hermits. He died in 1923, and the plaque on the chimney was erected in 1925. A distant relative, Paschel Grindstaff, shepherded hikers through Damascus, Va., during his many years as postmaster there.   I hiked alone again and felt great. I was moving because I passed Ohms and Quartermoon. When we got to the next shelter we decide to continue. Ohms said we were hiking a 3 mph pace! Stubbles was getting tired so I helped him in like he did for me the previous day. He set up his tent and I took a spot in the shelter. I went and got water for him as he looked beat.      Ohms, Quartermoon and Dude decided to night hike into town. Everyone else decide to go into Damascus in the morning. The shelter was full and several people were tenting.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Last ones out of the shelter this morning, but it was okay because it was a short hike. We crossed the Tennessee/ Virginia border. Wooo Hooo another state down! Into the fourth state! Virginia has over 500 miles of the AT in it so I will be in this state for quite a while, and I haven't even hiked 500 miles yet.   We came into town and ate lunch at a little pizza place and Stubbles went to get our "rooms" from the outfitters. I use that term loosely because Stubbles wanted a queen size for himself and we got bunks. This was fine, but they didn't have a key to our room. So, Stubble gave us his key and told us to lock our stuff in his room until we got our key. When we walked into the room we almost died laughing! Stubbles queen size bed ended up being a queen size platform with two sleeping pads for under your sleeping bag...we were laughing hysterically. Then we realized our bunks were platforms too. We all had a good laugh. It was so funny.   So, I am getting my chores done, the usual: laundry, internet and I have to get a mail drop tomorrow after the post office opens, and I may have to pick up additional food. We shall see. I also have to see a doctor as I have the beginnings of a bladder infection and I want to get this treated right away.   Depending on how long that takes, I will get to the trailhead and get as far as I can tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Got up this morning and I went to the Doctor to check out my urinary tract infection. Got a prescription and packed up my stuff to head out. The Doctor said hikers tend to get them because of the hormonal changes that hiking and the physical exertion brings on. I guess that makes sense. My metabolism IS changing. My weight is down slightly and I know my pants and back are fitting a little differently then they had. And there is no argument that my appetite has increased enormously. Anyway, I am on antibiotics for a week and that should clear things up.   I had breakfast with Bonnie-Carolynn, Diamond, Sand-witch, Mountain Mike and Stubble. I picked up my mail drop from the Post Office and headed out onto the trail around 1:00 pm. I know a couple of people that stayed behind to ride a bike down the Virginia Creeper Trail. The Virginia Creeper stretches 33 miles along an old railroad bed from Abingdon to the Virginia¢North Carolina state line. It began as a native-American footpath. Later, it was used by pioneers, including Daniel Boone, and, beginning in the early 1900s, by a quintessential mountain railroad, its namesake, with 100 trestles and bridges, as well as many steep grades and sharp curves. The A.T. shares the Creeper route north of Damascus for 300 yards and again 10 miles farther north at Creeper Junction. I hiked until it was almost dark and pulled into Lost Mountain Shelter with just enough light to get my chores done.   When I arrived, Spike and Sublime were there along with a couple of day hikers. I made diner, got some water, cleaned up and went right to bed. It felt good to be horizontal!
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I left really early this morning...around 7 am. I like leaving early, I enjoy hiking while the sun is lower and the woods is just waking up. I felt pretty good and I caught up with Spike who left the shelter before me. We ended up hiking all the way to Old Orchard shelter together.      We hiked over Whitetop Mountain at 5,520 feet, this is Virginia¢s second highest peak, although the trail does not go to the top. The nearby town of Whitetop is home to a ramp festival, held the weekend after Memorial Day. The celebration includes a rampeating contest thru-hikers have won in past years. Ramps emerge from the forest floor in early spring. The two-leafed greens sprout from an onion-like tuber that can be used to spice up trail meals. Other plants have a similar look, but ramps are identified easily by their smell and taste, which are akin to onions and garlic. In years past, local residents held large music festivals on Whitetop Mountain. In the 1930s, they were so popular they even attracted a visit from then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. We also hiked through the Grayson Highlands and saw the ferrel ponies that live up there.The ponies roam the area and in the spring, you will see mares tendingtheir foals. They are so cool. They will come up to you and if you have food, they love you, if not, they walk away! Some enjoyed being petted, while others didn't. It was enjoyable seeing them.   We hiked up Stone Mountain and we could hear thunderstorms off in the distance, we still had 4 miles until we hiked to the shelter (about 2 hours). We were hoping to get to the shelter before the rain came. When we pulled into the shelter we were able to get some water and eat and soon it began to pour. Spike decided to hike onto the next shelter in the rain. I stayed and got a good nights rest. Trail Dogs were there along with Bucket.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

I slept in today as it would be a shorter day to the shelter. I plan to do some laundry in a ziplock bag and let it dry in the sun when I get there. I may wash my hair if I get in soon enough, we'll see.   It was sunny and hot and I had a good hike today. I have to figure out how many days it will take me to get to Pearisburg so I know how much food to carry. There is supposed to be a big thunderstorm tomorrow. Everyone here only wants to hike 10 miles to the next shelter because it is near Mount Rogers National Headquarters and you can order pizza. Hikers are so easily bought...offer them some food and they will do almost anything! LOL. I am not sure what I am going to do as of yet, because I want to get to Pearisburg and get my shoes. I will check out my maps and the mileage and go from there.   Trail Dogs, Lost, Bucket, Magellin and Sublime are here. Sublime reminds me of Brian alot. He is pretty funny and we banter and joke around a lot. Well, I better go I have to figure out my next 4-5 day plan for food and mileage.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

The plan today is to come into Partnership shelter and order lunch and then move on. Ahh, the best laid plans by mice and men...   It began with hiking through a cow pasture where you definately had to watch your footing! The hike was pleasant and the weather was nice, although rain is called for in the evening. I want to make it to Chatfield shelter so I can be close to Atkins in the morning. That way its a short hike in to resupply and get back on the trail.      I pulled into Partnership Shelter with Lost and we ordered lunch. I had steak skewers and a baked potato with cherry cheesecake...YUMMY! This shelter rocks because it has a solar shower...nice! I took a shower, washed my hair and lunch was ready. By the time we were done with lunch, it was raining. Trail Dogs and Lost went onto the next shelter...but I was afraid. Everytime I have ventured out in the rain on this trip (3 times now) I have gotten completely drenched and close to hypothermia. I was reluctant to go out in the storm and get soaked again. So I stayed put. It was relaxing, and I got some rest so tomorrow I will make it a long day. Anyway...this shelter has it all - A shower, nice privy and you can order food!    Tin Tin hiked in naked while I was at the headquaters getting my food. He said he crossed a road with a van full of people staring at him...hahaha! A lot of people came into the shelter tonight...Joeseph Stalin, Magelin, Bucket, Cheese, Vanilla Gorilla, and more...must be a popular place.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

It was still raining when I awoke this morning and I didn't want to leave for my fear of getting drenched. OK, time to face your fears. I finally decided that if I do get drenched, I will head into Atkins so I can dry off. So out I went. Well, this is the FIRST time I hiked in the rain and did NOT get completely soaked. As a matter of fact, by the time I got to Atkins, it was sunny - NICE!   I had a late start and soon caught up with Bucket and we hiked together. It was nice. We were hiking along when all of a sudden a turkey flew up and scared the crap out of us. Man those birds are big and noisy when they fly! It was weird because we had just been discussing what little wildlife we had seen.   We made it into Atkins and ate lunch and Bucket wanted to split a room with Magelin. So I picked up 3 days of food and I ran into Walking Cowboy. We couldn't believe that oatmeal packets cost $4.50 and a six pack of Miller cost $3.50, so we opted to get our carbs from the beer and split a six pack! Miller Time on the AT! Then we headed to the next shelter. Later Tin Tin and Joeseph Stalin had Star Wars light sabers that they bought from Wal-Mart, and they were fighting with them as they night hiked...it was funny. Those crazy kids!
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

I got an early start today. It is going to be long and tough. A lot of uphill, and near the end of the day right before the shelter, you have to load up on water (extra weight) and then hike 4 miles uphill to the shelter. A lot of hikers were complaining, but my motto is: If you don't like going up and downhill hurts your knees - then go hike on the beach!   I hiked with Walking Cowboy today. It was fun. We passed Trail Dogs a couple of times and they would pass us...we leap-frogged like that all day. We walked through some beautiful farm land and we had to climb over numerous stiles (ladders over fences)and dodge a lot of manure left on the trail. We enjoyed the scenery immensely. It was a nice change from the woods we had been hiking through. I like hiking in Virginia, so far it is my favorite state.   When it came time for the four mile uphill climb, it was the end of the day and we were tired. It seemed like we would never get to the shelter. We loaded up on water and continued hiking. At the top there was two fields we had to cross and it was windy but the views were awesome. I thought the shelter was in the woods on the other side of the second field - nope. More hiking. We finally arrived and the shelter ended up being full - eleven people, some even slept on the floor. Good thing they did as there was quite a storm in the middle of the night and it got very windy, rainy and cold.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It wasn't my plan to hike into Bland, but Cowboy was running low on food and wanted to resupply. When we arrived, we were trying to hitch a ride into town and ended up going to a house and asking for a ride. The guy was really nice and took us the 2.5 miles into town to the grocery store.    I know many of you are thinking - why not just walk? Well, walking on concrete at the end of a 20 mile day is quite different than hiking on softer dirt. And usually by then its around 7 pm or so, you are tired, dirty, and hungry. Plus you have to set up camp or figure out where you are going to sleep for the night. A ride helps out immensely.   Anyway, we picked up a 4 day supply of food and began to hike to the local burger place, when a car pulls up and asks us if we want a ride. When we said yes, they said better yet they would cook us a homemade meal, let us shower, do laundry and spend the night if we would like. Our eyes lit up like Christmas trees. The cool thing is. The people, Rich Beers and Debbi lived in the house that Arvin Shrader built half underground and it was written about in the book: The AT Trail - Journey of Discovery by Jan D Curran (page 229).It was awesome to get some great trail magic like that. Rich and Debi were so hospitable. They even said to tell other hikers if they are in Bland on the weekend, they will do they same for them as well. How cool is that?   The next morning we ate breakfast and Rich drove us back to the trailhead. We were hiking before 9 am...which is just what we were hoping to do.   My faith in humanity is slowly being restored again!
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Bland, VA

To: The Falls of Dismal
Miles today: 20.5

I have been putting in big miles, but for some reason I just want to get to Pearisburg. I want to send some stuff home and lighten my pack. Plus I want to get my shoes. It will be much easier on my feet. It's a double edged sword these towns are. You want to go in and get food, but you want to get away from the commercialism. I guess there is a balance in there somewhere. Having some of the comforts of running water, and electricity, yet being surrounded by the beauty of nature.   Another thing is my senses are heightened. I can smell what dryer sheets people use on their clothes from twenty feet away. I also smell animals too. I can hear and see better, although grocery stores put me on sensory overload... too many colors and sounds. I amd used to blue/green/brown and hearing birds chirping. I also notice how much better food tatse when there are seasonings in them. I have noticed one other thing...I am able to drink all the spring water I want and I don't have to pay for it! Water is our most precious resource. We do need to take measures to protect it.      It was hot hiking today as we were on top of the ridges and there is no water up there for miles. We would hike 7 to 9 miles and not come across a stream, so we had to make sure we carried enough water. The problem is after a couple of hours of this, your water warms up, so it is not so cool and refreshing...but it is wet, and you have to be careful not to become dehydrated, so you drink it regardless. So we finally arrived at the traihead of Dismal Falls and hiked down to set up camp. It was nice and I did sleep better by the Falls and in my tent. I don't have to tell you that the water was plentiful. As a matter of fact when I went to fill my water bladder up, I had a small minnow in it. Walking Cowboy was teasing me about having a fishing license.