morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Falls Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

When I woke up this morning, I could hear the wind howling outside the shelter. Luckily the loft of the bard has four sides, so it was just backround noise as I packed up this morning.I was on trail at 8:12 this morning. I spent the first part of the day walking along balds, which are really large open fields. I was walking at an angle the whole time in an attempt to stay on trail against the power and might of the wind. We easily had gusts of upwards of 70MPH. There were times when I had to completely stop and lean into the wind to keep it from knocking me over. It was the most amazing experience of the trip thus far.Once I was back in the trees, I deemed it warm enough to walk in shorts and a T-shirt for the remainder of the day. It was quite enjoyable.I spent the rest of the day walking through trees and interesting pasteurlands of eastern Tennessee.At some point today I made my final cut into Tennessee, saying goodbye to North Carolina once and for all. The problem is that there is no sign marking this border, which is quite upsetting. I celebrated at Apple House Shelter but eating an Oreo, mixed in with some crushed Newman O's.Towards the late afternoon, the clouds became ominously dark, and I was convinced mother nature was going to unleash another round of fury and might upon souther Appalachia, but it held off long enough to allow me to make it to the shelter with out becoming too wet.It is once again raining though, but I am nice and dry in the shelter for the night. I am quite content with it raining at night, as long as it is clear(meaning not raining) during the day.Tomorrow I shall go to Kincora Hostel, where I shall stay with the legendary Bob and Pat Peoples.Tomorrow I shall call my school and see if I can coordinate visiting them in West Virginia, where they will be doing work with Habitat For Humanity.Until then, good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Mountaineer Falls Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road/Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop. Tat, tat, tat, tat. The rain was falling, and I had to prepare to walk through it. This is becoming old quite rapidly.I packed up quite rapidly this morning, knowing I had a hostel waiting for me at the end of the day. I was on trail at 7:45AM, a pretty early start for me.There was nothing special about today's hike. There were ups and downs, twists and turns. Every now and then I would walking along an interesting stream, or pass through an interesting gap.My mind has been with me lately. I spend my days thinking about many different things. This is a low point of my journey thus far. I am looking forward to having high morale again. I am looking forward to rediscovering the reason I am out here.I rolled in Kincora around 2:25PM. I immediately showered and did laundry. Being clean is quite lovely. I enjoy not having dirt on my face or hands. I enjoy smelling like a normal human being.At 4PM I was taken to town for dinner and resupply. I only need three days of food to get me to Damascus, Virginia.Bob Peoples is a wonderful man. He is a nice New Englander, who now lives in the south. He will talk with you about the trail for hours, if you want, and you will most likely enjoy every minute. He is a legend of the trail, and I now understand why. He deserves every ounce of respect he has.Tomorrow I shall walk on. I am now on my final approach to Damascus, Virginia, I will not zero, but I will have some rest. I need to spend less time in town, and more time in the woods.My ankles are starting to hurt me as well. Right now I am wearing trail runners, and I believe I shall switch to regular boots.It is time to prepare for tomorrow.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Dennis Cove Road/Kincora Hostel

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

I awoke at 2:30AM awefully cold. It seems a fellow hiker had opened a window in the hostel bunkroom, and I was quite cold because of it.I then re-awoke at around 7:20AM to prepare for the day ahead. I enjoyed my stay at Kincora's Hostel, Bob and Pat Peoples are wonderful hosts.I was on trail at 8:25AM. When the day startes, I was not sure if I was going to hike 17.5, or roughly 26 miles, This terrain is supposed to be favorable for larger mile days. Who ever came up with that idea must have been loosing their mind at the time, today was hard.After Watauga Dam, there was a lot of up-hill. The trail had little to no switchbacks, and it was rocky with a side of roots.However, once I was on the ridge, there were delightful views. I could see mountains of Appalachia off in the distance, and Watauga Lake below. It was absolutely wonderful.Today also represents my first day without rain since I left Hot Spring, NC. It's nice to not arrive into camp soaking wet. It's nice to be able to look straight up and see a blue sky.The water source for this shelter is .3 mil down a steep blue blaze trail. The water source is a good one, it's just a terribly long walk both ways at the end of a 17.5 mile day.Tomorrow I will try to push 23 miles to Abington Gap Shelter, putting me ten miles out of Damascus, Virginia.It is currently 5:58PM, and the mice are already preparing to wage war against us humans. It's going to be a long and hard struggle, but I think I can overcome their power and might and live to see another day with my food bag in tact.I also found a disposable camera sitting in the shelter that still had 21 photos on it. I will be sure to tell my dad that I take no responsibility for the first six photos on that particular camera.It is time to read "Epic" by John Eldridge.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Vandeventer Shelter

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

Such a long day, and it's mine. The longest day of my hiking trip, and my feet and ankles are considering going on strike because of it. I think I will re-negotiate my contract of service with them.The day started out lovely. I ate breakfast and was on trail at 7:30AM. I hit trail early knowing I had a long day ahead of me.I spent most of the day walking along a ridge that makes up southern Appalachia. There was a wonderful view of the valley I was above to my right, and a never ending forest to my left.The sun decided to come out again today. These two days are my first back to back nice days since the Smokies. I can easily get used to walking in nice weather all day long.The terrain today was quite easy. The first 17 miles north of Kincora are rough, but you can hit cruise control on the terrain I was hiking on today.Towards the end of today I was feeling quite fatigued. These larger mile days take their toll on the human body and mind. My brain felt like it was completely fried when I rolled into the shelter tonight.At the shelter I met a man by the name of Crazyhorse. He says he has thru hike five times over the last 15 years. He told me some interesting stories about his experiences on the trail.Tomorrow I shall stumble my way to Damascus, Virginia, where I shall take a much needed zero mile day. I also need new hiking shoes, the ones I am currently wearinng having just about imploded and exploded at the same time.I seem to have found myself into a void of hikers again, which is quite nice.I think I shall read a book and prepare to sleep. Doing nothing is quite a delight.And that's the way it was.Kirby"If you come to a fork in the road, take it." --Yogi Bera
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Abington Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, Virginia/Dave's Place Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I was not focused on hiking or on the scenery of north eastern Tennessee. Today, I was focused on reaching Damascus, Virginia, which will represent the symbolic start of my march through the Appalachian mountains of Virginia.The sunrise this morning was delightful. I packed up quickly and hit trail at 7:50AM.There was nothing noteworthy about today's hike except that 3.8 miles south of Damascus I crossed into Virginia, home of roughly 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail.I rolled into town at 10:50AM, and immediately checked into "Dave's Place Hostel". This hostel is nice and simple. They key thing is that I can lock my door with all my gear in it, you can't do that at "The Place", leaving your gear vulnerable to being stolen.Once I was showered, I hit Pizza Plus for their lunch buffet, which is all you can eat pizza and salad for about six dollars. These places loose money on hikers.I then proceeded to do laundry and update my journal at the library.Outside the library I met Lone Wold. This man raises a ton of hell on Whiteblaze.net, but he is in fact a very nice man. We talked for a little while about trail related things.I then walked the trail to the outfitter, where I determined what hiking shoes I shall buy tomorrow. I was also told to buy Super Feet insoles for my shoes, but we shall see.At around 6PM I went to dinner at Dot's. Along the way I met The Only Wanderer, I chatted with him for a little while about trail related things. He also invited me to his house for breakfast tomorrow morning, which I gladly accepted.At Dot's I bumped into Lone Wolf once more, I also met Gypsy, Lone Wolf's other half, and Wonder. We chatted about random trail subjects for a while as I ate a delicious dinner.I am now at the hostel, relaxing and preparing to go to sleep.Tomorrow I shall finis my town chores and relax some more. Damascus seems like a good town to take a zero in, and that's exactly what I shall do.Good night, and good luck.Kirby"It was a creed written into the founding documents: Yes We Can." United States Senator Barack Obama, Democrat of Illinois.
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Damascus, Virginia/Dave's Place Hostel

To: Damascus, Virginia/Dave's Place Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Falling asleep on something soft represents the opportunity for me to recharge my sleeping battery. I slept like an angel last night, it was absolutely delightful. I was awake at 7:00AM. By the time I took a shower and relaxed some more it was time to walk the trail to the house of The Only Wanderer. TOW cooked me a delicious breakfast of cheese eggs, biscuits, ham and homefries. It was absolutely delicious. We spent the morning talking about trail related things. It seems TOW is a writer, I will be sure to read his stories onm the Damascus town website. Thanks for breakfast TOW.I then prepared a flat rate box with roughly 3.5 pounds of gear I sent home. It included disposable cameras, rain pants, sock liners, and extra T-shirt and some other small things. It felt good to say goodbye to it all. It will be a delight to have a lighter pack leaving town. Behold the power of a flat rate box.I then went to Sundog outfitter's to find a new pair of hiking boots and a new sleeping pad. I ended up going with Kayland boots, which were 50% off, and a Big Agnes Air Core-REM sleepinng pad. I should sleep a whole lot better now.I then hit Mojoe's Coffee Shop for some coffee and to complete some computer chores. This consisted of checking my email, updating my journal, and reading the New York Times online.Resupply is one of those tedious tasks that need to get done every once and a while. I am at the point where I know what I want and I know where to find it in a food store. I will be carring 4+ days of food out of town.I once again ate dinner at Dot's and it was once again delicious. Lone Wolf says I should be OK going over Mount Rodger's in the rain on Friday, so that's what I shall do.After dinner I had a conversation with David Miller(Awol), author of "Awol On The Appalachian Trail", and co-author of the "Appalachian Pages" guidebook, which I am carrying for my hike. We talked about the guidebook and a couple of other things, it was a nice conversation.I was then invited to play capture the flag with some locals in the town park. It was a great game, and it was nice to interact with non-trail related citizens of Damascus. My knees decided to allow me to run today, which was helpful in the game.I then had a phone conversation with Kinnickinic(sp?), who will slackpack me in a few days, then take me to town to complete some chores.At around 8:15AM, I finally put my food bags together for tomorrow.Tomorrow I will take the Virginis Creeper Trail out of town. I don't care about having a "purist" status, I have been told by some locals that I will miss nothing by not walking the AT.Well, it is 10:31PM, so I think I shall go to sleep.Good night, ans good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Damascus, Virginia/Dave's Place Hostel

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It was 6:45AM, and Damascus was just preparing to start its day. Preparing to leave Damascus was not easy, but I needed to continue my walk north.I packed everything up and was at Mojoe's Coffee Shop by 7:45AM. I sat there drinking my coffee, checking my email, and reading a local paper. I went on Whiteblaze and asked Lone Wolf to come over. I talked with him about several scenarios that would allow me to visit my school on their trip to Franklin, West Virginia. We both deemed all scenarios to be logistical nightmares.We then chatted about trail related thingd fot a while. He is an encyclopedia of trail information, and I enjoyed talking with him.(He does not want me to say this for National Security reasons, but he actually works for the CIA undercover in Damascus, shhh! Don't tell anyone!). This coffee shop had free refills, so I had three cups of coffee there, and took one for the road. I hit trail at 10:00AM. Leaving Damascus, you can take the AT or you can take the Virginia Creeper Trail. The AT starts on the Creeper Trail, goes into the woods, and reconnects with the Creeper Trail roughly 13 AT miles later. I decided to take the Creeper Trail out of town, and I don't regret my decision one bit.The Creeper Trail is slightly(barely noticable) uphill going out of town. It is wide enough to allow a lane for each direction, but not enough for a car. It is completely soft gravel the whole way, allowing for delightful walking.The Creeper Trail crosses over the Wholston River(I believe) quite a few times. I stopped quite a few times on the tressells(bridges), and looked at the river for a little while. There were many trout fisherman out today. I recorded(in my mind) a high temperature of 80.1 degrees F today. There were few clouds in the sky, it made for a wonderful walk on the Creeper Trail.I stopped for lunch at the Creeper Trail Cafe. I had a cheeseburger, fries, and a bottle of soda. It was quite wonderful.The AT and the Creeper Trail had a reunion 1.7 miles south of my destination.The AT from the Creeper Trail to the shelter is nothing special. In fact, I can't think of anything noteworthy.I rolled into the shelter at 2:40PM. I set up my headquarters in the shelter and lounged around for a couple of hours. On a nice day, it is lovely to relax in the sun and doze in and out of a nap.I had Four Cheese Mashed Potatoes and stuffing for dinner, a new meal for me out here.It's now starting to get dark, so I shall prepare to sleep.My destination tomorrow shall be north of here, I know that.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Waking up in warmth is a wonderful experience. This morning was one of those mornings. I packed up in a T-shirt, and I went into shorts right before I left the shelter.The climb out of Lost Mountain Shelter up to Whitetop Mountain was, relatively speaking, quite easy. It was one long switchback, and then your there. On the top there was a nice view with a large open field. I enjoyed a snack and moved on.The climb out of Deep Gap to the side trail leading to the summit of Mount Rodger's was not that steep. What made it difficult was the over abundance of rocks and roots on the trail. I don't like when I am reminded of the Maine AT in southern Virginia.After lunch at Thomas Knob Shelter, I began mr march towards Grayson Highlands State Park and Wise Shelter.In the park I saw the famous ponies that roam there. I took several photos and observed them for a while. I counted 13 either on the trail or within ten feet. These ponies have little fear of humans. It was the most fascinating wildlife encounter I have ever had.I am pleased I am at the shelter tonight. It's looking like mother nature might reck havoc. Luckily the picnic table is under the overhang of the shelter, so I can eat in dryness.Today represented my last day above 5,000 feet until Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. That's a very long way away.Dinner is calling, and I am going to answer.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was 1:45AM, and I was awoken by a sudden crash. It turns out my trekking poles were thrashed to the ground by a strong gust of wind. It then began to rain quite heavily. It made for an interesting night.Wake up call was 6:45AM, and I was on trail at 7:35AM preparing for my 20 mile march.The climb up Stone Mountain was fairly easy. There were plenty og rocks and roots to navigate through.Between Wise Shelter and Virginia route 603 I passed approximately 4,000 weekend warriors. One group of hikers was all females, and the other was a boy scout troop, presumably.Have I mentioned the trail was littered with rocks and roots today? It was worse than Maine in some spots, which is absolultely preposterous.The trail was pleasantly graded though, which makes for easier hiking.The climb up to "High Point" felt like a death march though. Towards the end of your day, the last thing you want to do is have a long climb standing between you and your destination for the night.My home for tonight is Trimpi Shelter. Tomorrow I shall walk 1.5 miles to Virgnia route 672, where I shall be slackpacked to Partnership Shelter and the taken into Marion, Virginia to complete some town chores.Well, I have now walked over 500 miles, and now I shall walk over 1500 more. I don't plan to fall down at anyone's door.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was 6:30AM, and I was already up and moving. I needed to be at Virgnia route 672 by 8:30AM, where I was due to meet my slackpack ride.I crossed a gravel road around 7:50AM, and did not thing it was a Virginia State Highway. I pushed onto the next road crossing, that was where Cookie told me that the last road crossing was indeed Virginia route 672, and the current road crossing was Virginia route 670. Cookie then ran back the 1.2 miles to Virginia route 672 to meet Kinnicinic. She then drove Cookie back to 670, where we formally met. I then ditched my pack and began my walk to Partnership Shelter and Virginia route route 16.we left 670 at 9:00AM, and arrived at Virginia route 16 at 11:04AM. Kinicinic picked us up at 11:30AM and brought us to Marion, Virginia.In Marion Kinicinic treated me to lunch, which was delightful.After lunch she brought us(Cookie, Hardbound, and me) to her gym. At the gym I took three showers and used the swimming pool. Cookie challenged me to a 25 yard race, which I accepeted and won.After that she took us to Food City, where I purchased enough food to get me to Pearisburg, Virginia, where I shall be Saturday morning.After a stop at Wendy's for a milkshake, we were dropped off at Virginia route 16, .1 north of Partnership Shelter.I owe Kinicinic a huge thanks for everything she did for us today. It made my morale much better than it has been of late.The shelter tonight is full. Tomorrow I shall walk north.I hate crowds, it makes my morale low. I prefer a small group of people, with the bulk of the crowd either behind me or ahead of me.I am cold and tired.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

I woke up at 6:15AM, restless, so I decided to start preparing for the day ahead. The temperature was 33.4 degrees F, in mid-April. It made for a lovely morning.I had two oatmeal-to-go bars and an eight ounce carton of orange juice for breakfast. I purchased a six pack of eight ounce cartons of orange juice, and it is worth every ounce.Hardbound and I were on trail at 7:00AM, our earliest start yet.The frost and snow made for a nice change of scenery. I easily built up a sweat going up and down the mountains of southwest Virginia. The downside is that the sweat started to freeze, giving me the chills. It was a version of Catch-22.As I dscended into the lower elevations towards US route 11/I-83, the snow dissapeared. The grass was green, and cows were being lazy in a nearby field.At the road crossing, I had a cheeseburger, fries, and coffee for lunch.This is where Hardbound and I went out seperate ways. He was meeting his parents for the night, and I was hiking 2.7 more miles. Tomorrow I shall do a short ten mile day to let him catch up.I hiked the last 2.7miles to the shelter with Cookie. We talked about many random things.We arrived at the shelter at 12:47PM, and discovered the was source was .5 south on the AT.I grabbed my water containers, and then we were off. There really is no spring .5 south. We ended up walking down a deer path, which lead to a stream. What lead the local trail club to build a shelter with no water nearby baffles me.Mother nature then decided there needed to be snow on the ground. It snowed about one inch. Down here, this was a blizzard. For me, it's just a nuiscance.I am now preparing to make hot chocolate and curl up in my sleeping bag to keep warm.Tomorrow I shall walk 10 miles, which will allow Hardbound to catch up.And did you know that there are stars in the southern skies? Yeah, apparently southward as you go.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up this morning knowing that I did not have to hurry along and hit trail. I knew I had a short day ahead, so I took my time and enjoyed my breakfast. My orange juice tasted especially good since I was lying in my sleeping bag while drinking it.Cookie and I were on trail around 8:10AM. There was snow on the ground and in the trees. I started out in two layers, but eventually went to one, not including the rain jacket I was wearing. When you live in Maine, you can become sick of snow quite rapidly. I was not pleased that it was the middle of April and I was walking through an inch of snow.The climb out of Crawfish Valley to the top of Big Walker Mountainm was a nuiscance. There was no view, and I was immediately sent down the other side. It was completely pointless.However, I did walk through a lot of pasteurlands, which was a nice change of pace and scenery. The farmers were out tending to their duties, and I continued my walk to Maine.The trail then proceeded to cross three roads, while all three guidebooks and the Data Book only listed two. It made it quite difficult to figure out where I was.The climb from the road I assumed to be Virginia route 42 was long, hard, and completely pointless. Once again there were no views, there was a little snow though.Today I also crossed the 1/4th of the trail complete mark, which I deemed to be at mile point 543(2174/4), I celebrated by hiking 7.3 more miles to Knot Maul Branch Shelter, my headquarters for tonight.Hardbound did catch up today, just like it was planned. Tomorrow we shall walk 19.1 miles.I was feeling sluggish all day today, I was perfectly content with stopping after 11.2 miles, a fairly short day at this point.I am feeling fatigued, I think I shall take a nap, which will hopefully lead o dinner.And that's the way it was.Kirby