morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-10-08
From: Mountain Harbour B&B

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 15.0

It was hard to leave the comfort of the hostel this morning. Terry and Mary Hill are great hosts and have a great hostel. But we got up and out the door by 8am. Hit the trail with the promise of sunny skies today....and so it was, even though we were under the canopy of trees 99% of the time and didn't get to see much of it. Pretty normal day on the trail for us. There was slipping and sliding on wet rocks and roots that were covered with wet leaves, but I think we made it without any serious injuries. There wea one interesting moment that almost ended my hike, if not my life. I was leading the way as usual, now I know why....anyway we were cruising along and we came to a small stream where there are usually some big rocks to step on so you don't have to get your feet wet. So I stepped on the rocks as usual and just as I stepped off the second rock and back up on the trail, Tim says something like 'what the heck' rather loudly. I turned around to see what he was talking about thinking it would be a salamander, or big toad or something like that he had found. To my surprise.....it was about a 4 foot long copperhead snake all coiled up in between the two rocks in the shallow and barely running stream. Tim said that as I stepped from one rock to another, it had struck at me and either missed or hit the bottom of my shoe. We played with it for a few minutes making it strike at our hiking poles a few times, ( boys will be boys ) then we took it down stream a few yards and away from the trail and let it go on its way. Not exactly sure what we would have done if one of us ( most likely the guy in front ) would have gotten bitten. So that was my brush with fate and the excitement for the day. The other mess up was that we had an opportunity to camp at a nice camp site about 5pm after 13 miles of trail and for some stupid reason we opted to go on looking for something better, closer to a water sorce. That was a mistake. After another 1 1/2 hours of hiking and with it starting to get dark, we found a level spot near a little stream and are stealth camping. We are sooooooo tired that we didn't even eat dinner. We just had time enough to set up our tents, pump some water and then it was dark. Tim is already snoring. Good leason to learn I guess. We won't get caught like this again. Anyway, tomorrow the adventure continues.   RIC   aka...Vitaman
Date: 2005-10-09
From: Stealth Camp

To: Kincora
Miles today: 902.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tim from Ohio and I got up at the normal time today and were on the trail at 8am. Daylight is getting shorter so we can't really start much earlier without taking a chance of falling on our heads. We can notice the leaves turning and falling a lot more than when we started two weeks ago. Still hearing the cicadas here and there and also hearing the owls every night. Just incredible natural woodsy sounds and sights you just can't find anywhere but on the A.T..The variety of plants and colors this time of year are so very different than in the spring. So glad I have the opportunity to hike this time of year. Water is getting better and easier to find now. The streams are just a trickle and most springs are still dried up. But there are enough little streams that we find what we need. Tonight we are staying at the ' Kincora ' hostel so I can get a ride into Hampton TN to get my resupply package first thing in the morning before we get back on the trail. We figure it is about 52 miles to Damascus VA and think we can do it in 5 pretty easy days. The temps this week will be in the 70's which is a little hot for me and it has been very humid. Each day after an hour on the trail we are totally drenched with sweat. I'm trying to drink much more water but am still suffering from the humidity. But the adventure must continue so we plod along cussing the heat and dripping with sweat.   RIC   aka...Vitaman
Date: 2005-10-10
From: Kincora hostel - Dennis Cove

To: Watauga Lake shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Tuesday, 10-11-05. Yesterday was ' Columbus Day ', so we couldn't get to the post office, even though we did get to the hostel in early afternoon. Did have time to do a load of laundry and go to the store to get Tim some food for the next few days. Picked up some ' Bob Evans ' sausage and biscuits and a box of donuts for breakfast. Also got a bunch of sodas and bottled water to leave in the fridge at the hostel for other hikers to enjoy when they showed up all thirsty and craving sugar and caffiene. Went this morning to pick up my resupply package at the post office in Hampton TN. as soonn as it opened. By the time I got back, organized and packed up, it was 9:15am before we actually got started down the trail again. I must confess right here......that I had forgotten to get my camera out of the back seat of the car way back when Rsy dropped us off in Hot Springs NC. so I have not been able to take pictures up to this point. However, I have it now and the picture taking has begun. Will get them posted as soon as possible.Soooooooo, on with today. Started off with the trail following a pretty stream, that eventually turned into a nice little water fall ( Laurel Falls ).After the falls, Tim from Ohio and I followed the stream for another mile before it was time to climb out of Laurel Gorge, straight up the side of an incredibly steep mountainside. Well, after a 3 hour struggle we finally made it to the top. What a workout !! No wonder my body hurts. After the steep climb up it was a little easier going for a while although we are high enough up to again have a lack of water problem. I try to drink lots of water during the day, but when you can't find any to refill your water bag you start to go into conservation mode. Went over six miles without finding water and only found it then at a spigot at the Watauga Lake picnic area about 2 miles before our destination of the day at the Watauga Lake shelter. Not knowing for sure about the water situation at the shelter, we filled up all of our water bags/bottles and kept going up the trail to find the shelter. Turns out there was just a little trikle of water coming out of the spring and making a little puddle that we could use to fill up with water in the morning. Good thing there was only two of us at the shelter because I doubt the little puddle of water would have been enough for any more for a while. We almost drained what was there. Don't know how much we take water for granted untill there is a chance there won't be any for you when you need it !!      RIC......aka Vitaman
Date: 2005-10-11
From: Watauga Lake shelter

To: traileside campsite
Miles today: 10.9

Wed 10-12-05 Tim from Ohio and I left Watauga Lake shelter this morning at our usual time....about 8am. Just about drained the little puddle at the spring filling up with water this morning. Tried to leave a little bit in case someone else comes by later looking for some. Started out warm and humid today. My glasses steamed up within the hour and I ended up putting them in my pocket since I couldn't see with them anyway. I'm not too blind without them, everything is just a little fuzzy looking. Drank up alot ( all ) of my water today, almost 2 gallons, but didn't pee once. Sweating it all out I guess. We did manage to find a spring just before lunch time to get some more water, but we have been climbing all day and expect it to be really dry the higher we go.Found a good campsite about 5pm and since I was totally wiped out physically decided to stop for the night. My energy warning light has been coming on the last few days so getting a good nights rest will hopefully give me time to recharge a little. As expected, the spring was dry. Tim decided not to cook, but to have a dry dinner to conserve water. I had enough water to cook with plus enough to start the next day but certainly didn't waste any as we were not sure when we would find more. The night started out brilliantly with an clear sky and an almost full moon. The trees were casting shadows on the tent walls.....very cool. I fell asleep watching the trees shadows from the brilliant moon move back and forth on the tent walls.The trail is still hard, my feet hurt every afternoon by quiting time, but the scenery is tremendous and the sounds of nature are majical. Really like hearing the owls every night ! The leaves are falling much more up at the higher altitude, of course we are about 150 miles father north than when we started back in Hot Springs NC. two and a half weeks ago. Have completed the trail thru all of Georgia and North Carolina now and will complete Tennessee some time on Friday or Saturday just before we get into Demascus VA.RIC.....aka, Vitaman
Date: 2005-10-12
From: traileside campsite

To: Low Gap TN.
Miles today: 13.8

Thur 10-13-05 Tim from Ohio and I woke to a nice sunny, and thankfully, cool morning ( 60 degrees ). Got packed up and back on trail by 8am. I felt rejuvinated with the cool weather and we noticed as we hiked along the top of the ridgeline that there was a thick layer of fog in the valley below us. Didn't really get any good photo ops though as we were still under the canopy of trees. We were a little worried about water as we both were on our last few ounces and luckily we did find a little spring after about 7 miles and found out later there was good water at Low Gap TN, our destination for the night, about 6 more miles up the trail. So the water situation worked itself out for the day before we got too dehydrated, plus we were now coming down off the ridgeline and getting lower in altitude where water is more plentiful. We have sort of figured out by trial and error that the water level is somewhere between 3800 and 4000 ft of altitude. Above is completely dry and below there is water, although not yet plentiful. Looks like it will take several months of rain to restore the water table and get the streams and springs running at the higher altitudes. Tomorrow we should be low enough all day to find enough water as we get closer to Damascus, so that is no longer a concern. There was a good spring at Low Gap when we got there and a good campsite about .1 mile back down trail we passed on the way to the spring. So we tanked up with water and went back to camp for the night. Low Gap is at a road crossing and we wanted to get away from the road noise and any possible confrontation with any of the locals who might not think too highly of hikers. This is Tennessee after all. Again a beautiful bright moonlit evening and a cool night. Should make for a restful nights sleep for my tired aching body. RIC......aka, Vitaman
Date: 2005-10-14
From: Low Gap TN.

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Fri 10-14-05 Vitaman ( me ) and Tim from Ohio got back on trail at Low Gap TN about 8:15am after packing up camp and having a good breakfast. Decided that if the trail is easy today, which we think it will be, we will go the whole 14.8 miles into Damascus today. The temp started out a cool 60 degrees with a slight breeze. Just right for hiking in my humble opinion. We are sure there will be enough water on the trail so we don't fill everything up, just enough to keep us from getting thirsty but not too much to make our packs extra heavy.As we figured there were only three climbs today and they were all fairly short and easy, with the rest of the trail flat or down hill. We made really good time and reached the Virginia/Tennessee boundry by about noon. We talked to a couple of young southbounders who told us there was very little water north of Damascus.....pretty much as we had figured since you climb back up to a high ridgeline and the Mount Rogers area ( 5000ft plus ) for several days.Anyway, we hiked into Damascus and got to the post ofice for our packages by 3:30pm, then went to ' The Place ' hostel to get clean, organized and have dinner and figure out what we do next. As we ate Italian style we talked about the water situation northbound and all the possibilities we can think of running into. Finally we decide that as section hikers, we can sort of pick and choose when we hike and think we can pick a better time with more water available to do the next section north of Damascus, probably in the spring. I wanted to get a little farther this time around but am satisfied that I made it to Damascus in good time and shape under the circumstances. We think the southbound thru hikers should have first priority to whatever water is available and I don't want to get in their way. I have had a great time, saw a different type of trail than in the spring. The sounds, sights, colors and smells are all different in the fall. Saw 4 bear, snorting deer, agressive snake and endless buzzing flys. All in just under three weeks time. It is something you have to actually experience to know what it is really like. It was great hiking with Tim from Ohio again with his knowledge of the trail and I hope his wife will loan him to me again in the spring for a few weeks. So I end my section hike in Damascus VA having completed 460 tough miles of the Appalatian Trail thru Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee this year. The guy at the Mount Rogers Outfitters set us up with a ride to the Tri-Cities Airport where we rented a car and drove back home. I appreciate all the support of the people following my progress who have e-mailed me. Thanks for the encouragement and I hope to see some of you back on the trail with me in the spring going northbound again. Sooooo.....in the spring, the adventure will continue and I will keep updating here in trail journals.   Vitaman
Date: 2006-01-02
To: The Continuation
Miles today: 0.0

Happy 2006 to everyone. Expect you all to make it a great year for yourselves and those you are with. As for me, I will plan at least two section hikes this year. One in the spring in the April to May time frame and again in early fall, about Octoberish. If more time becomes available I will surely take advantage of it. I hope that my hiking partner ' Tim from Ohio ' will be able to join me as his experience on trail and knowledge from 3 1/2 thru hikes is what keeps me out of trouble. I plan to, at the very least, complete the Virginia section this year. Have been told that spring time is the best time for Virginia, so will plan to start out from Damascus sometime in late April.I will make some equipment changes this year to lighten my load. New tent, sleeping bag/pad and maybe a new pack. Think I can shave off 6 to 8 pounds with the new, over the old stuff. My friends in Carmel IN. at ' The Extreme Outfitters ', Jane and Dean, will fix me up with what I need. Can't believe I was so stubborn about using my old stuff and carrying an extra 10 pounds from Springer all the way to Damascus. What a foolish fellow I was.......to put it mildly. Will also have myself in better physical shape this year so carrying my lighter weight pack will be even easier. I like to think that I can learn from my mistakes and carrying anymore weight than neccessary is definately a mistake. My training has already started so as a section hiker I will have my ' trail legs ' right away instead of having to wait a few weeks for them and then when they finally do show up its time to go home. I plan to start with a strong physical ability right from the very get go.There are a couple of friends who want to do some of the spring hike with me and they, or anyone, are most welcome. Good company makes the experience even better. I will update in my journal regularly to let everyone know when and where I will be starting this spring. Appreciate everyones continued support.Everyone remember to take your supplements every day, all day to keep that bod in good shape !!
Date: 2006-04-21
From: final prep

To: Damascus VA.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

One last short entry before leaving for the trail. Lucky Rogers from the Indiana Appalachian Trail Club will pick me up at 6am, then we will drive over to Dayton Ohio to pick up my AT hiking partner Tim by about 8:30am, then it is off to Damascus. We will stay at ' The Place ' hostel Saturday night. Lucky has made arrangements to take his truck up to the Mt. Rogers Headquarters parking lot after dropping us off in Damascus, and then get a ride back to Damascus Saturday night. We will resupply after the first 6 days on the trail from Lucky's truck in the headquarters parking lot so we don't have to waste time in town. When Lucky gets back from taking his truck we will all have a nice sit down dinner at one of the places in Damascus, then get ready to leave at first light Sunday morning. The weather looks a little warm for the first few days, up around the 80 degree mark, then it is supposed to cool down about 10 degrees. I have all warm weather gear this time and my full pack weight with 6 days of food is right at 40lb. My food bag is the heaviest thing in my pack by far !!Anyway, we all seem to be eager to get back on trail again. So........the adventure continues,
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Damascus VA.

To: stealth camping up the trails
Miles today: 4.5

Well, as planned, Lucky picked me up this morning at 5:45am. I had just finished tying my boot laces when he pulled in the driveway. Great timing !! We drove over to Dayton and picked up Tim about 8:30am, again, as planned. We were off to Damascus right away. Only took us 6 hours and 20 minutes. We worked out transportation for Lucky's car with the Mt. Rogers Outfitter folks, who will take it up to the Mt. Rogers Headquarters parking lot where we will be in 5 1\2 days to resupply for 6 more days on the trail.It was only 3:30pm when we got all of that worked out. The hostel where we planned to spend the night there in town was filled with a dozen loud obnoxious young male humans. Knowing we would never get any sleep and would most likely try to kill at least a half dozen of the troublemakers, we decided to hit the trail and get a few miles between us and town. It turned out to be a great afternoon, sunny and 70 degrees. We cruised along pretty well and found a place after 4 1\2 miles to 'stealth' camp about 7pm, set up camp and are relaxing and planning out tomorrows hike. It is soooooooo great to be back on the trail. The smells, sights and sounds of nature really have a way of recharging the batteries. I can explain the scientific reasons for it but most of you are already tired of me spouting natural healing facts, so I won't go there this time.Just know I'm enjoying the first day on trail, with Lucky and Tim from Ohio.The adventure continues !!! RIC   aka...Vitaman
Date: 2006-04-23
From: stealth camping up the trails

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

eathercamp Branch to Lost Mt. shelter13.2 miles. Was a pretty nice day with a couple light rain showers about mid-day. Good temps between 65 and 70 degrees. Cleared up nice in the late afternoon and we expect sunny weather for the next several days. Saw a couple of little garter snakes but no other critters today.Lots of little flowers, different verieties and colors. Took lots of pictures. Have been told there will be some good views the next couple days from the mountain tops so am looking foreward to that.Wore myself out pretty well today so will crawl into my sleeping bag early.Hate to be anti social but I do need my beauty sleep.RIC   aka...Vitaman
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day !! Up and over White Top Mt. and up to the top of Mt. Rogers.Tough climbs on a very rocky trail. My feet feel like they are 3 times their normal size. Took us 10 long hours to complete. Did see several more little snakes, the harmless mouse\bug eating kind and saw several different types of wild flowers down at the lower elevations. Even though this section of the trail is very rugged, it is also ruggedly beautiful too. Good views of the valleys below stretching on and on for 50 or more miles. After setting up camp tonight and just getting dinner cooked, it started to thunder and then rain. Ended up eating my dinner in my tent to stay dry. At least the weather gods let us get our tents set up and our dinner prepared before the rains came. Tomorrow is hump day for this trip. Each time you start a new section, it takes about three days to get your body to accept the fact that you are doing this to it. So after tomorrow my body is supposed to give in and join the program. I hope it really works that way !!   RIC   aka...Vitaman------------------------------
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Tues. 4-25-06. Another long hard day, but also a great day. We went thru Grayson Highlands state park this morning and it was amazing! Think it is my new favorite place on the trail so far. Reminded me of Wyoming, with lots of open territory, and rocks\boulders of all sizes, from pebbles to houses. There are several dozen Ferrel Ponies that live in the park and run free. We found a couple of ponies grazing next to the trail and they had to come over to inspect us. I think they were just looking for a handout. Got a couple of nice pictures with one of them. Once they realized there were no free handouts, they wandered off.Got lots off beautiful scenery shots today. Some of the best of my AT hike. Some early morning shots as the sun was coming up near Mt. Rogers and a ton in Grayson Highlands. I'll get them posted on the web site as soon as I can. I just finished up dinner and barely got my boots off when the thunderstorms rolled in tonight about 7pm. Got a little bit of hail out of one of them, but not big enough to hurt the tent. One of my character flaws is that I like to listen to the rain. Let me tell you, you really get the chance to hear it in a one person tent. Thunder and all !! It really relaxes me and puts me to sleep. It has been raining for an hour so far, so I'm getting sleepy. So goodnight for now.RIC   aka...Vitaman------------------------------
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

Wednesday 4-26-06, After thunderstorms most of last night, woke up to the sounds of Hoot Owls and Turkeys about 6am today. That was really cool! Weather was cool, cloudy, rainy and overcast all day. Walked in the clouds and fog most of the time. Could hardly see anything all day, so we just plodded along. Finally got to our camping area about 5pm tonight and after dinner the sun came out and the birds are singing. We have had lots of rain the last three days and all of the streams and springs are running strong. Much different than last fall when we were forced off the trail for lack of water. Actually I got a lttle sun burned yesterday so a cloudy, rainy day today was probably a good thing for me but I'm ready for another sunny day tomorrow. I'm giving myself an ' atta boy ' tonight because I have now officially completed 512.6 of the toughest miles on the entire Appalachian Trail....and tonight I am really feeling a sense of accomplishment. My feet are not too happy about it, but I sure am.   RIC   aka...Vitaman