morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap campsite
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was the first one in about two weeks that I didn't need my fleece head cap. Maybe spring is coming after all. I spent most of the day hiking with Castenet. However, we don't actually hike together. He's faster downhill and on flats. I'm faster uphill, so we pass each other a lot. The big climb today was up to Big Bald. But I found the downhill to Whistling Gap to be tougher. Lots of folks are getting off tomorrow to go into Erwin, TN, a big trail town. I will not do so. Instead, I'm meeting Judy Friday night at the next trailhead and then we will go into Erwin.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Spivey Gap campsite

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

It rained gently throughout the night but stopped before I got up. It was a nice hike up and down hills until about 11, when it rained for about an hour. After that, it cleared up while I did the long downhill to the Nolichucky River near Erwin, TN. There were great views of Erwin and the area as I climbed down. Near the river, I was lured into Uncle Johnny's Hostel by the sign for 40 cent Snickers bars. I stopped by and got a few. I checked the hiker box and found a couple of oatmeal packets, just what I needed for tomorrow's breakfast. The trail was flat to gradually uphill for the next few miles before a tougher climb to the shelter. Meanwhile, it started to rain again.Yesterday, my toes were bothering me a bit, especially on the downhills. I was thinking that I might need to change to boots a half size larger. This morning, I experimented with tying my boots a bit tighter to keep my toes back from the front of the toebox. That seems to have worked, so no new boots for now. Tonight I am sleeping in the shelter with Matterhorn, Tabasco, Bicycle Barb, Aussie and Nobo Hobo. The folks I had beem hiking with are all spending the night in Erwin.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

I left the shelter at about 7:10. Bicycle Barb & Aussie (a woman from Australia) got out about 10 minutes before me. The day started out foggy and overcast but turned out mostly sunny. The long climb of the day was about 1000 feet up Unaka Mountain. There was a nice stand of evergreens at the summit, 5180 feet. From there, it was up and down, including a surprisingly tough little climb over Little Bald Knob. I intended to meet Judy and my grandson Max at Iron Mountain Gap. We are going to spend a day off in Erwin before I tackle a tough climb over Roan Mountain. However, more than an hour after we were supposed to meet, no Judy!! I wasn't sure what to do, since I was temporarily without a cellphone. Who should appear but the legendary Miss Janet, who came to pick up some hikers to take to her hostel. She let me borrow her cellphone to call Judy. It turned out that Judy and I had crossed signals. She thought we were supposed to meet at the Holiday Inn Express in Erwin. Miss Janet came to the rescue again, giving Judy directions to the Gap. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS JANET!!!!
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

A much-needed zero day in Erwin, TN with Judy & Max. I will resupply, deal with some minor gear issues and psych myself up for Roan Mtn. Max is about 2 3/4 yrs. At that age, they change quickly. After not seeing him for 4 weeks, I notice he is much more articulate than I remembered. He's using complete sentences frequently. At this rate, he will pass his Poppa quickly.There are several other thrus staying at the Holiday Inn Express with us today. They include Judo, Evil Eye, Spock and Sleeping Beauty. Most of them will get back on the trail here in Erwin, meaning that I am about 19 miles ahead of them. I picked up a fews things at the local Wal-Mart and went to Mahoney Outfitters in Johnson City to get a couple items of gear. Nice outfitter with a good selection.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Judy dropped me off a little after 9 a.m. It was great to see her and Max. Today featured a very challenging climb up Roan Mtn., reputed to be one of the toughest on the AT. The day was perfect, however, clearly the best weather since the day I started at Springer. I spent much of the day hiking with or near Autumn Joy and Jason. However, both of them went a little further than me, so I didn't camp with them. Autumn Joy is quite a hiker. She started 5 days after me, and has done several days of around 24 miles. As we talked, she mentioned that her bother and sister in law had come up to see her her yesterday. I eventually realized that I had met them this morning during breakfast at the H.I. Express. When I got to the shelter, there were several people there. But, they all moved on to the next shelter less than 2 miles away. I thought I would be camping near an empty shelter when Gandolf came by. He caught up to me due to me taking the zero day. Looks like he will be the only one in the shelter tonight.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

It was pretty breezy in the tent last night, although maybe that shouldn't be too surprising, since it was in a gap at around 5000 ft. Today was a long day, but not terribly difficult. The weather was perfect again, even almost hot in the afternoon. There are several pretty waterfalls near here, including one near the shelter. Mountaineer Shelter is brand new, built just last year. It has 3 levels and sleeps at least 15, with a spacious cooking area. I'm spending the night with Willing & Able (husband and wife), Bag Lady, and Slinky & Dog (another h&w).
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Two milestones today - the end of my first month on the trail and I passed the 400 mile mark. I'm staying at a famous place on the hostel, Kincora Hostel. Bob and Pat Peoples have been operating this hostel for many years, and the amount of the requested donation has never changed, $4.00. They also do free shuttles into town. Bob is the maintainer for this section as well.It occurred tome today that at this point, the wheat is being separated from the chaff. Some of the strong hikers are starting to show their stuff. Autumn Joy is doing regular 20+ mile days. So is Gandolf. Earlier, he was hanging with some hikers who liked to stay in trail towns and party. He has now left them behind and is doing some big miles. I'm tempted to try to keep up with them, but I couldn't do it for any length of time without injury. Willing and Able are an interesting couple. Willing is a nordic ski coach from Minnesota and is very fast, over 3 mph. His wife Able is perhaps half as fast. He finishes their day's hike by about 1 p.m., and she comes in between 5 and 6. Able has struck up a friendship with Bag Lady, and they generally hike together.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Kinkora Hiker Hostel

To: Vandevanter Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Bob Peoples took us into town to resupply and get dinner. I had a great discussion with him about trail maintenance and other trail issues. Bob offered to slack pack hikers for the first 9 miles, which he said was kind of tough. Several accepted his offer. They may have had the better idea. I decided to get out early and hike with my pack. The day started with a view of beautiful Laurel Falls. Unfortunately, the trail markings aren't too clear around Laurel Falls. Autumn Joy and I spent a while trying to figure out where it went. I finally retraced my steps up the hill and saw that it took a sharp left above the falls. I think the blazes have just become faded where it turns. Then I started a punishing climb up 1700 feet in about 2 miles. This was followed by a long downhill to Watauga Lake, another TVA project. After this was a moderately difficult series of ups and downs to the shelter. I guess the tough morning climb took a lot out of me, because I am really whipped tonight. Leaving out the cold weather days, this may have been the toughest day so far. To top it off, I had to go about 1/2 mile s!traight downhill and then back up to get water. On the bright side, it was another perfect day. I saw my first snake of the hike, black and about 3 1/2 feet long, sunning itself on the trail. Frito says it was probably a rat snake, which are non-poisonous. I'm sharing the shelter tonight with Frito & Dang Dang.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Vandevanter Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Two stunning and novel observations occurred to me this morning: 1. I am not young anymore. 2. Sleep is a wonderful thing. Last night about 9:30, after Frito, Dang Dang and I were sound asleep, several young hikers showed up, including Chico. They must have been hiking in the dark for at least an hour. That's what young hikes do, start late and hike past dark. Sleep is a wonderful thing because I went to bed exhausted, sore and cramping up. I woke up refreshed and with almost no ill effects from yesterday. Rain was predicted for the afternoon, so I got out a little after 7. After yesterday's torturous day, today was much easier, with gently rolling terrain and good footing. About 1 p.m., it started to rain. I got to the shelter about 1:30, and decided to stop. From here it will just be a full day's hike into Damascus, so there's no point in going further and getting soaked. I'm camping tonight with Sailing OK & Chuckles. They've been section hiking the AT over !the past 30 years or so.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: The Place Hostel, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

I was glad that I spent the night in a shelter, since it rained all evening and some of the night. It started again about 5 a.m. but quit before I started out around 7. I enjoyed speaking with Sailing OK and Chuckles, who are nearing the end of their lifelong section hike.This was one of the easiest days so far, even though I did over 18 miles. I got into Damascus around 2 p.m. I was able to get all my chores done this afternoon, meaning that I can get out early tomorrow. Damascus is rated by some as the most hiker-friendly town on the whole AT. Two examples that happened to me today: I went into Mt. Rogers Outfitters prepared to pay $170 for a new pair of boots, because I thought mine were now too small. It's not unusual for your feet to get bigger during a long distance hike. The fellow who waited on me checked my feet and said he thought my boots were still the right size. He suggested that I try cross-lacing my boots to keep my toes back on the downhills. He lost a sale but gained an immeasurable amount of good will. The other happened when I when to the Cowboy takeout place across from the laundromat while my clothes were washing. I asked for the 4 piece box. The lady put 7 or 8 pieces in the box. Guess I looked like a hungr!y hiker. I ate all I could and gave the rest to Logan, who was also washing his clothes.I'm staying at The Place hostel, which is run by the Damascus United Methodist Church. It's in a house behind the church. Everything is really informal here. They ask for a $4 donation per night. A very nice local mission for the church.As I came down the hill, I crossed into Virginia, fourth state on the AT. Virginia is by far the longest state on the whole AT, with over 500 mi. of the trail within its borders.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: The Place Hostel, Damascus, VA

To: Campsite near US 58
Miles today: 17.2

I forgot to mention in yesterday's journal that at the post office I ran into two thruhikers I had spent time with before, Gandolf and Rock Man. I last saw Rock Man in Hot Springs, when we shared a room at the Duckett House.I got up early (as usual) and left the hostel before 7 a.m. Damascus is a mecca for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking and fishing. For the first part of the day, I was close to and sometimes on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a well known biking and hiking venue in south VA. I also passed by several creeks and waterfalls where there is apparently good fishing. Tomorrow I climb the last high mountain on the southern AT, Mt. Rogers. I saw Autumn Joy again today. She took a zero day in Damascus and met her boyfriend. Today, she was dayhiking to a trailhead where her boyfriend was going to pick her up. She is fast enough with a full pack. With just a daypack, she fairly jetted by me. I'm camping by myself (so far) at a nice campsite by a stream. Just a perfect evening after a day with scattered showers.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Campsite near US 58

To: Campsite near Big Wilson Creek
Miles today: 17.1

Today was just a wonderful day on the AT. It began with a climb of over 2000 feet to Mt. Rogers. On the ridgeline there were tremendous vistas and rock strewn landscapes. There have been some wonderful views so far, but today's may have been the best of all. I took a few pictures, and could have taken several rolls. Highlights included the area around the Thomas Knob shelter, Fatman Squeeze Tunnel and the Grayson Highlands area. Tonight I'm camping in a meadow under tall Fraser fir trees. Mt. Rogers is the closest I have seen in the east to the famous western parks like Rocky Mountain and Zions. Just spectacular. This is quite a sendoff for the southern high mountains. The summit of Mt. Rogers is 5729 feet. It is the last 5000 footer on the AT until New Hampshire.I hiked a while with G Smurf, another fast woman hiker. She's just gotten back on the trail after getting off to be with her fiance. He works at VA Tech and knew some of the people killed in the recent shooting.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Campsite near Big Wilson Creek

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 14.9

Last night I heard several coyotes, and one pretty close. During today's hike the AT gradually changed from the "magnificent desolation" of Mt. Rogers back to a walk up and down ridgetops through hardwood forests. I needed to get a few things so I stopped at Dickey Gap. I immediately got a ride from a fellow in a pickup. He retired from the Pentagon and moved to Troutdale. He took me to the Baptist Church hostel, where I'm spending the night. Troutale is a classic southern small town. It's got a post office, a combination restaurant & convenience store, a couple of churches and a bunch of abandoned buildings. Also, plenty of nice people anxious to help out thruhikers. I went to the post office to mail home some things I (hopefully) won't need until New England. A fellow offered to give me a ride to the post office before I even asked. Then I had an early dinner of southern fried catfish. Back to trail food tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Dickey Gap

To: campsite at USFS Rd. 86
Miles today: 18.7

I started the day with the Hungry Man's Breakfast at the Trading Post. That is a huge platter full of eggs, bacon and biscuits & gravy. It was good, but I had to stop after eating 3/4 of it. Another customer at the restaurant gave me a ride back to the trailhead. What nice people there are in Troutdale!! The trail today was a continuation of yesterday's up and down through hardwood forests. It is pretty country here, but I am somewhat spoiled after the majesty of Mt. Rogers. At about 14 miles, I came to the Partnership shelter, a fairly new one with running water and a shower. Plus, you can order pizza, wings and other takeout items to be delivered. Really roughing it, huh? I had the best situation of all, since a bunch of hikers including Sniper and M&M had ordered takeout and invited me to share. Then, I moved on about 4 miles to a campsite. I'm sharing the campsite with Wet Socks. He's another one of those suspicious characters who always has earbuds on. Like me, he admits to being an NPR junkie.It's May first, so I suppose I should be dancing around a maypole or singing "Workers of the world, unite". Instead I'm eating a Lipton Side dinner at the end of another perfect day on the AT.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: campsite at USFS Rd. 86

To: campsite near FS Rt. 86 to campsite north of VA 42
Miles today: 19.4

This day didn't work out like I thought it would but ultimately it came out all right. Initially, I thought I would hike the 7 miles to the truckstop at Route 11 and I-81, then hitch into Atkins to resupply and spend the night at the Relax Inn near the truckstop. As I was hiking down to the truckstop, I met a fellow who introduced himself as ... Warren Doyle. If you don't know Warren, he has been a great friend of the AT for many years. He was looking for Sniper, who I had seen at the last shelter. I told him she was probably just a little ways behind me. Sniper had attended one of the seminars Warren conducts on thru-hiking, and he was going to take her into Atkins. He offered to take me in too if I wanted. I got to the truckstop and quickly saw that it didn't have the food I'd need for my resupply. By that time Warren and Sniper were at the road, and I asked to go to the market in Atkins with them. I quickly got everything I needed there, and was back at the truc!kstop before 11 a.m. Warren and I had a brief chance to discuss some trail issues. I explained my involvement with Cumberland Valley ATC. He said he had worked with the people who were opposed to taking the AT off the roads in the Cumberland Valley in the early '90s. I was not involved in trail matters at that time. Warren and I have a difference of opinion over whether it was a good idea to take the AT off the roads. I think that, on balance, it has been a good thing for the AT and the area. However, I agree with Warren that it was not handled in as diplomatic a way as it could have. CVATC is still dealing with the after effects of that almost 15 years later. It was good to meet Warren and I hope our paths will cross again.After I got back to the truckstop, I did a couple of other chores and had lunch at the nearby restaurant. Since it was so early, I decided to hike some more. I got to the next shelter before 2, so I decided to go another 3 miles or so. However, by that time, the trail was climbing a mountain and there were no flat spots to camp at. Also, it was threatening to rain. When I got to flat ground again, the signs indicated it was a no camping area. The no camping area continued for 3 miles, mostly through pastures. Meanwhile, it was raining lightly and I was getting pretty tired. At last, around 6:30, I found a nice campsite near a stream. I should sleep well tonight. The part of the trail I hiked today reminds me of home, because the wooded areas altermate with pasture lands.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: campsite near FS Rt. 86 to campsite north of VA 42

To: Campsite north of VA 42 to Davis Farm campsite, 17
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: moderate rain

I had a good night's sleep at the campsite. The trail changed from fields and woods lots back to hardwood forests along ridgetops. There were several substantial climbs early, then the trail went over Chestnut Knob, a bald. There were supposed to be views from the Knob, but the fog was too thick to see. I took a break around 1 p.m. at the shelter on top of the Knob. It is the only one I've seen so far that is closed on all four sides. Two section hikers from Florida were going to spend the night there, since it was threatening to rain. I decided to move on for at least a few miles. It soon started to rain steadily. I was a bit underdressed, but I didn't want to get anything more wet before wet before I stopped. I stopped to camp at the Davis Farm campsite, which offers a spectacular view of the farm and surrounding hillside. Davis is the name of the family that settled this area in the late 1700s, so lots of things are nmaed after them. Luckily, my extra clothes and sleeping bag remained dry, so I will be toasty tonight. I was glad to pitch the tent so I could get warm and dry.Since Damascus, I am encountering fewer and fewer thru-hikers. I didn't see any today. I think it is a combination of several factors. After 500 miles many have gotten off the trail due to injury or other factors. I think many of us survivors are traveling at about the same speed, so we don't overtake each other. I hope to see a lot of folks at Trail Days in Damascus in 2 weeks.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Davis Farm campsite

To: Helveys Mill shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: moderate rain

I got a later start than normal, because I had to deal with some wet gear. It rained overnight, but luckily had stopped by the time I woke up. It was overcast in the morning, but didn't rain until the afternoon. I saw Tyvek this afternoon. He is distinctive, because almost all of his gear is made of Tyvek. He is finishing up a southbound thruhike this year after recovering from a back injury he sustained last fall. I'm sharing the shelter tonight with Bowleg and his dog Bono, the Owl and Lil Cubit. Bowleg is hiking the trail with video equipment and is interviewing thruhikers along the way. He interviewed me, then the Owl and Lil Cubit.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Helveys Mill shelter

To: VA 608 campsite
Miles today: 16.8

Another rainy and overcast day, the third in a row. The leaves are almost fully out on the trees now. Within a week or so we will start to have the famous AT "green tunnel" in the wooded areas. Today was a day of ups and down through hardwood forests until I came to Kimberling Creek. It is a fast running steam in full spring runoff at this time. I left the trail for a short walk to Trents Store. It is the sort of take-out restaurant / convenience store common in the rural south. Trents has a campground with a laundry and bath house. Both my clothes and me got a well needed wash. I met Colorado, who is doing a two year southbound thruhike on the International AT. The IAT is comprised of the AT plus two additional segments, one north from Katahdin to Nova Scotia and one south from Springer to Key West.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: VA 608 campsite

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Today was a day of changes. It was clear and sunny after three days of rain. The trail started through hardwood forest, then this changed to mostly evergreens, predominently white pine and hemlock. In the afternoon, there was a long climb to what I think is the beginning of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For the first time, some of the ridge tops have slate outcroppings. I am approaching the part of the trail that runs along the border of Virginia and West Virginia. This will continue for the next few weeks. There were a couple of spectacular views of the Blue Ridge. Tonight I am sharing the shelter with Loner Bohner. After I got to the shelter, I hung my tent out to get it dry for the first time in several days. A day of many changes, most all of them good.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night after Loner Bohner and I went to sleep, three more hikers came in. Two of them were the Owl and Lil Cubit. The third one didn't wake up before I left. Today was a short, mostly downhill trip into Pearisburg. More breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mtns. on the way. This town is very popular with hikers, like Erwin and Damascus. It has a big Food Lion supermarket about a mile from the trail. I went there for a big resupply after picking up the maildrop at the post office my wife sent me. There is a church hostel here that has a good reputation. However, it is an additional mile off the trail. Instead I went hog wild and spent $35 for a room at the Plaza motel. It has 2 double beds, a shower, TV and a phone. Free laundry too, if you wait till the manager is done washing the linens. Wow, this is living!! This afternoon I'm going to go to the library to use the internet. Back to the salt mines tomorrow.