morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-18
From: HAPPY HOLLOW HOSTEL

To: JERRY CABIN SHELTER
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

LEFT THE HAPPY HOLLOW HOSTEL IN GREENVILLE AT LOG CABIN DRIVE. I STOPPED OFF AT THE LITTLE LAUREL SHELTER AND USED WHAT WAS ONE OF THE NICEST PRIVYS ON THE TRAIL SO FAR AND AFTER THE LAST ONE AT THE SPRING MOUNTIAN SHELTER I HAD TO TAKE SOME PICTURES OF IT. SEVERAL HIKERS SHOWED UP. BOTTOM BUNK AND ALEX SHARED SOME TRAIL MAGIC WITH ME WHEN THEY ARRIVED. GORDON BOMBAY, AQUAFRESH, THE CHINESE TOURIST, AND SHITTY POT SHOWED UP. I AM MEETING SOME NEW FACES. CAMP CREEK BALD WAS A BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB. THE SUN JUST MADE THE FOLIAGE PICTURE PERFECT. THE LIGHTING WAS AWESOME. I HIKED WITH AQUAFRESH AND THE CHINESE TOURIST FOR A LITTLE BIT UNTIL THEY PULLED AHEAD. I COULDNT KEEP UP WITH THEM. I WOULD LATER SEE THEM AROUND WHITE ROCK CLIFFS AND I TOOK A LEFT TURN AROUND THE BLACKSTACK CLIFFS TO RELIEVE MYSELF. THEY CHASED ME DOWN AND TOLD ME I WAS GOING THE WRONG WAY. I CORRECTED MY DIRECTION AND HIKED PAST THE BLACKSTAFF CLIFFS AND TO THE GREAT EXPOSED RIDGELINE ON THE BIG FIRESCALD KNOB AND THE VIEWS WERE AMAZING. WHAT A SET OF ROCKS. CLIMBED DOWN A SET LIKE A LADDER. PACK ALMOST DIDNT FIT THROUGH A SECTION. THE WEATHER WAS GREAT AND I THEN BEGAN HIKING UP TO THE JERRY CABIN SHELTER. BOTTOM BUNK AND ALEX SHOWED UP AND WERE TENTING. SO WAS GORDON BOMBAY. NEW KNEES ARRIVED AS WELL AS THE CHINESE TOURIST, AQUAFRESH, SHITTY POT AND A FEW SECTION HIKERS ARE HERE. THE RADIO SAID IT WAS GONNA BE NEAR FREEZING THIS NIGHT SO I IMMEDIATELY STARTED A FIRE. IT WAS SO COLD THAT AQUAFRESH WANTED TO GET THE FIRE GOING IN THE SHELTER WHICH HAD A TARP OVER THE FRONT TO TRY TO KEEP WARM SINCE THEY JUST DISCARDED THEIR COLD WEATHER SLEEPING BAGS TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD. I HELPED GET WOOD AND TRANSFERED A PART OF THE FIRE INSIDE THE SHELTER. I GOT THEM SOME MORE WOOD AND I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT LONG KEEPING WARM OUTSIDE THE SHELTER UNTIL MY FIRE WAS GOING ABOUT TO GO OUT. I WAS LISTENING TO THE RADIO SOFTELY AND GAZING AT THE STARS UNTIL I FELT MORNING COMING AND WHEN MY FIRE STARTED TO GO OUT AT THE COLDEST PART OF THE DAY I DECIDED TO SLIP OUT OF CAMP UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS. I DIDNT SLEEP A WINK.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: JERRY CABIN SHELTER

To: HOGBACK RIDGE SHELTER
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

STAYED UP ALL NIGHT WITHOUT ANY SLEEP WARMING BY THE FIRE WHILE THE TEMPERTURES DROPPED INTO THE 30'S. SLIPPED OUT OF CAMP. LEFT AT 4:30 AM IS WHAT I WAS TOLD AFTER TRIPPING AND STUMBLING ON A ROCK WITH JUST MY RED HEADLAMP ON AND THEN GIGGLING RIGHT IN FRONT OF BOTTOM BUNK AND ALEX'S TENTS. WHILE COVERTLY SLIPPING OUT OF CAMP. I HAD PUT EVERY SHIRT I HAD ON AS WELL AS ALL MY LONG UNDERWEAR AND MY JEANS AND I HIKED INTO THE DARKNESS. AFTER A SHORT WHILE I HAD TO TAKE A LOT OF THE CLOTHING BACK OFF EVEN THO I COULD SEE MY BREATH. IT WAS COLD BUT I WAS WARM JUST MOVING AND CLIMBING BIG BUTT MOUNTIAN IN THE DARK UP TO THE SHELTON GRAVE SITE. THE SKY BEGAN TO GET LIGHTER AND THE SUN WAS ABOUT TO COME OUT. HAD TO CHANGE MY BATTERIES IN MY CAMERA. I DIDNT WANT TO STOP AND WAS AGRAVATED BECAUSE I DROPPED ALL THE BATTERIES IN THE GRASS. I DIDNT WANT TO STOP BUT HAD TO TAKE MY PACK OFF TO GET MY CAMERA BACK IN ORDER. I GOT TO SEE THE SUNRISE THROUGH THE TREES AND THE TRAIL GOT EASIER DURING THE NEXT FEW MILES AS IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLINT MOUNTAIN SHELTER. I STARTLED WING IT AND DONT PANIC WHILE THEY WERE SLEEPING WHEN I GOT TO THE FLINT MOUNTIAN SHELTER. I WENT TO GET SOME WATER HERE REAL EARLY IN THE MORNING AT THE FLINT MOUNTAIN SHELTER. THEN IT WAS ON TO ANOTHER 1600 FT CLIMB UP FROZEN KNOB BUT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND I MANAGED TO CLIMB THAT WITHOUT A PROBLEM. JUST KEEP GOING THATS WHAT IT TOOK. AFTER DROPPING A LITTLE IN ELEVATION I THEN HIKED UP TO THE HOGBACK RIDGE SHELTER. I DECIDED TO CALL IT A DAY SINCE I DIDNT GET ANY SLEEP. KNOBS ARE STEEP GOING UP. KNEW KNEES WOULD SHOW UP LATER IN THE DAY, A KNOWN SNORER. WHEN THE CHINESE TOURIST AND AQUAFRESH SHOWED UP THEY CHOSE TO COWBOY CAMP BEHIND THE SHELTER TO AVOID HIM. BOTTOM BUNK, ALEX AND GORDON BOMBAY ARRIVED AND DECIDED TO HIKE A LITTLE FURTHER TO THE LOW GAP CAMPSITE. THEY WERE ASKING ME WHAT TIME I LEFT IN THE MORNING AS THEY HEARD ME AT WHAT I FOUND OUT WAS TO BE 4:30 IN THE MORNING AFTER I TRIPPED ON THE ROCK IN FRONT OF THEIR TENTS TRYING TO SNEAK OUT.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: HOGBACK RIDGE SHELTER

To: ERWIN
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: clear sky

PULLED IT OFF. BEST DAY! ARRIVED BETWWEN 6-7 PM. STAYING AT UNCLE JOHNNYS. ITS 1:19 HERE AND I'M IN A SMELLY CROWDED BUNKHOUSE TYPING SOFTLY BEING THAT EVERYONE IS ASLEEP. THE INTERNET IS IN HERE SO MY UPDATING WILL HAVE TO COME TOMMORROW AND I NEED TO BE ON THE TRAIL. I'M ALMOST OUT OF FOOD SO I DEFINATELY NEED A RESUPPLY. PILFERING THE HIKERS BOX AND JUST WAIT TILL YOU HEAR SOME OF MY STORIES AND SOME OF MY INTERESTING STUFF I'VE AQUIRED. YOUR GONNA LAUGH AND SOME. IM TRYING TO NOT BE LOUD AND WAKE EVERYONE UP. GOT HUNDREDS OF PICTURES BUT MAY NEED TO GO INTO TOWN TO SEE IF I CAN GET THEM UP. UPDATE SHORTLY.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: CHERRY GAP SHELTER

To: GREASY CREEK GAP HOSTEL
Miles today: 5.9

LEFT A LITTLE LATE TODAY AND DECIDED IM GOING TO THE HOSTEL AND GONNA HEAD UP ROAN MOUNTAIN TOMMORROW AND OVER BEING RAIN MAY BE IN THE FORCAST. TRAIL MAGIC AT THE GAP. MET SEVERAL HIKERS THERE AT A SMOLDERING FIRE WHO SHOWED UP AFTER I GOT THERE. TOLD THEM MY STORY AND SCORED A POWER BAR. THE ROAD. THATS A ROAD. GOOD THING THEY TOLD ME OR I WOULD OF KEPT GOING. GOT TO THE HOSTEL EARLY. CC TOLD ME THAT I WAS IN A REMOTE LOCATION. I HAD NO CASH JUST A DEBIT CARD AND NEEDED A RESUPPLY. SHE NEEDED THINGS DONE AND I TOLD HER I WOULD GIVE HER A HAND. THE BARTER SYSTEM IN THESE HOSTELS ARE EVER PRESENT. MOWED THE BIGGEST LAWN ONE COULD IMAGINE. I GUESS I WAS TOLD I WHIPPED THAT OUT IN RECORD TIME. WELL I HAVE HIKED OVER 370 MILES. SHE TOOK US OVER TO THE STORE DOWN THE ROAD AND I WAS SHOCKED AT THE PRICES. COULDNT AFFORD ANY OF IT. LOOKED FOR INEXPENSIVE CALORIES. CC TOLD ME I COULD COOK SPAGHETTI IN THE KITCHEN. I GOT LUCKY. SHE PROVIDED THE SAUCE AND VENISON. FULL HOUSE WHEN I GOT BACK. EVERYONE I HAVE HIKED WITH OVER SEVERAL WEEKS SHOWED UP AND I SHARED MY SPAGHETTI. HAVING A GREAT TIME. STILL IN GOOD HEALTH. JUST A FILLING THAT FELL OUT AND A MOLAR THAT HAS BROKEN BUT ITS NOT BOTHERING ME AS MUCH. WELL ITS TIME TO SOCALIZE SOME. GUESS IM A POPULAR GUY ON THE TRAIL. I KEEP HEARING IT FROM FELLOW HIKERS AHEAD OF ME AND BEFORE ME. THIS IS DEFINATELY A INTERESTING ADVENTURE. WISH YOU ALL COULD EXPERIENCE THIS AS WELL. I WILL TRY TO UPDATE PAST DAYS AND MORE AS IM ALLOWED. GOT HUNDREDS OF PICTURES AND WHEN I GET TO A COMPUTER THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO UPLOAD THEM WATCH OUT BECAUSE THESE ARE GONNA BE AWESOME. IM ON DIAL UP AT THE MOMENT.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: GREASY CREEK GAP HOSTEL

To: ROAN HIGH KNOB SHELTER
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

CLIMBED ROAN MOUNTAIN AND RACED THE WEATHER UP TO THE MOUNTAIN. THAT WAS A STEEP CLIMB. GOT TO THE TOP TO FIND BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. RIGHT AT THE TOP IT STARTED TO RAIN SOME. ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER TO FIND A BUNCH OF GIRL SCOUTS THEIR MENTORS AND A BROTHER WHO HIKED FROM GEORGIA, HIS SISTER WHO JUST STARTED A FOUR DAY HIKE WITH TWO YOUNG GIRLS ABOUT 14 AND 15 YEARS OLD. MOE, HIS SISTER, AND THING 1 AND THING 2. THOSE YOUNG GIRLS HAVE LOTS OF ENERGY. IT WAS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND I ANTICIPATED A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT ON THE TRAIL AND IN THE SHELTERS. WITH RAIN IN THE FORCAST FOR THE NIGHT AND EARLY THE NEXT MORNING THE SHELTER WAS WHERE I WANTED TO BE. TURNS OUT MOST CAMPED OUT. I ENJOYED MY STAY ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THEY ALL WERE COOKING WHEN I ARRIVED AND I MOVED IN TO THE SHELTER. BEING THAT IT WAS CERTAINLY A COLD NIGHT I WANTED TO HAVE A FIRE LIKE ALWAYS. WHEN I CAME DOWN OUT OF THE SHELTER I FOUND ALL HAVE LEFT THE AREA AND ALL WENT TO THEIR TENTS. THATS WHEN I SPRUNG INTO ACTION WITH A FIRE. NEXT THING I KNEW ALL THE GIRL SCOUTS CAME BACK TO GET WARM BY THE FIRE. THEY WERE ALL COLD. SO I GAVE WAY AND STARTED TO COOK SOME FOOD. WHEN IT GOT LATE THEY WERE TOLD TO TURN IN. THATS WHEN I MADE THE FIRE A LITTLE BIGGER. A COUPLE OF GUYS CAME OVER AND CHATTED WITH ME FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND AFTER TELLING THEM MY STORY THEY TURNED IN. YOU SHOULD OF SEEN MY FIRE AFTER THAT. AFTER IT STARTED TO RAIN I WAS FORCED TO THE SHELTER AND TO BED.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: MOUNTAIN HARBOR BED AND BREAKFAST

To: MOUNTAINEER SHELTER
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

STARTED OFF TO FIND MYSELF HOLDING UP AT THE MOUNTAINEER SHELTER. FULL HOUSE LOOKS LIKE. GOT HERE IN A NICK OF TIME. RAIN IS FORCASTED. SHELTER IS NOW FULL. ALL MY TRAVELING BUDDIES HAVE CAUGHT UP TO ME. TIMEBOMB, THIMBLE, AQUAFRESH, THE CHINESE TOURIST AND PLUNDER HOW FAR. SOUTHBOUNDERS AND SOUTHBOUND SECTION HIKERS ALL HAVE NOW ARRIVED. BUSY! IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT WANTED A FIRE. WE HAD A GOOD ONE. AFTER SITTING AROUND FOR A WHILE THING ONE GOT SICK LATER IN THE NIGHT. LONG STORY SHORT. SHE WAS ON THE THIRD FLOOR AND I GAVE HER MY SPOT ON THE FIRST. SHE WAS VOMITING. HIKED OFF INTO THE NIGHT ABOUT MIDNIGHT IN THE RAIN. GOT TO A STREAM ON LAUREL FORKS AND SET UP CAMP ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY. THE TRAIL WAS TREACHEROUS SO I STOPPED SHORT. CAN YOU SAY I WAS SOAKED. I CAN.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: LAUREL FORKS STREAM

To: KINCORA
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

WOKE UP TO A GREAT CAMPSITE. WHAT A VIEW IN THE MORNING. PACKED UP AND MADE OATMEAL WHILE DOING SO. EVERYTHING IS SO WET. SLEPT WITH MY BACKPACK IN MY ONE MAN TENT. OFF I GO TO KINCORA THE NEVER CLOSED HOSTEL. WHAT A PLACE. NOW WHAT A CROWDED PLACE. THATS WHERE I FELL ILL. SLEPT SINCE 3 AM. DID LAUNDRY SHOWERED AND CLAIMED A BUNK NEXT TO THE KITCHEN.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: DENNIS COVE ROAD

To: HAMPTON
Miles today: 8.9

HIKED UP TO POND FLATS AND WHAT A CLIMB! 2000 FT UP. THAT WAS TORTURE. FIRST DOWN TO THE LAUREL FORKS FALLS WHERE I TOOK A SPILL WHILE A LADY ASKED TO TAKE MY PICTURE. UP AND OVER I WENT. ENDED UP HIKING WITH THE ICEMAN, CATTYWAMPUS, TARZAN WHO ALL FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO ME AFTER TRAIL DAYS AT THE KINCORA HOSTEL AND SARGE AND HIS DOG JADE. EVERYONE HITCHED A RIDE INTO TOWN AND I HUNG OUT AT THE LAKE. AFTER ARRIVIVING AT WATAUGA LAKE, SOMEONE OUT OF THE BLUE OFFERED ME A RIDE ANYWHERE I NEEDED AND TOOK ME TO BRAMERS CASTLE. THATS WERE IM AT A LITTLE INTERNET CAFE DOWN THE STREET TRYING TO LET MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOW OF MY WHEREABOUTS AND TO GET SOME PICTURES UP.
Date: 2009-05-29
From: HAMPTON

To: BRAEMERS CASTLE
Miles today: 0.0

POST OFFICE WAS CLOSED AND IT STARTED TO RAIN EVEN THO THE FORCAST WAS NO RAIN. THATS WHERE I MET AQUAFRESH SICK AS A DOG. CATTYWAMPUS AND ICEMAN ARRIVED AS WELL. CATTYWAMPUS IS SICK AND HATING IT. THEY ARE STAYING. VOMITING AND DIARHEA ARE THE PROBLEM. IM NOT HIKING IN THE RAIN. SO IM STOPPED DEAD IN MY TRACKS. GONNA REGROUP AND SENT A BOX TO MY BUDDY AFTER UNLOADING SOME WEIGHT. ON THE TRAIL TOMMORROW ABOUT 6:30 AM. ALMOST TO DAMASCUS. TIME ON THIS COMPUTER IS ABOUT OUT. FLETCH OUT
Date: 2009-05-30
From: BRAEMERS CASTLE

To: IRON MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

STOPPED AT THE WATAUGA LAKE SHELTER FOR AN ORANGE AND READ THE REGISTER AND THE VANDEVENTER SHELTER WHERE I COOKED UP A STEAK. HIKED UP TO IRON MOUNTAIN SHELTER. AQUAFRESH, KNEES, CURIO, AND MIKE ALL STAYED THE NIGHT. GOOD THING I DIDNT PUSH ON TO THE DOUBLE SPRINGS SHELTER LIKE I PLANNED ON. RAINED HARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH SOME LIGHTNING AND THUNDER. MIKE, CURIO, AND KNEES ALL TENTED AND GOT SOAKED. GLAD TO BE IN THE SHELTER. MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: IRON MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: DOUBLE SPRING SHELTER
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

HIKED UP TO THE DOUBLE SPRING SHELTER AFTER A LATE START. I FELT TOTALLY DRAINED. WATER WASNT AS AVAILABLE. SOME WATER HOLES DIDNT LOOK VERY GOOD. I FELT A LITTLE ILL, WORN DOWN, AND TIRED. AFTER GETTING THERE AT 3 PM I DECIDED TO JUST TAKE IT EASY. THATS WHERE I JUST LAID DOWN. CURIO, AND KNEES HIKED ON. SHORTLY AFTER IT STARTED TO RAIN. STOPPED AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. SLOWPOKE ARRIVED HEADING SOUTH AND DECIDED TO CAMP OUT. TURTLEBACK ARRIVED AND DRIED HIS CLOTHES AND TENT. HE DECIDED TO GO ON. I FELT ILL AND JUST STAYED IN THE SHELTER. NICE FIRE SLOWPOKE AND I GOT GOING. HE GAVE ME SOME PACKAGES OF ELECTROLYTES WHICH I THINK HELPED OUT. CAUGHT FIVE MICE THAT NIGHT.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: DOUBLE SPRING SHELTER

To: DAMASCUS
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

GOT UP AT 7 AM AND HEADED OUT. STOPPED AT THE OLDEST SHELTER ON THE TRAIL THATS ONLY USED AS AN EMERGENCY. LIKED THAT ONE. NEXT STOP THE DOUBLE SPRINGS SHELTER WHERE I ATE OATMEAL AND SOME GRANOLA. OFF TO DAMASCUS. CRUISED INTO DAMASCUS AT ABOUT 2:30 PM. LIFE IS GOOD. STAYING AT THE PLACE. DID SOME LAUNDRY UP THE STREET AND WILL UPDATE AGAIN SOON.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: DAMASCUS

To: THE PLACE
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

WENT OUT TO EAT THIS MORNING. IM TOTALLY EXHAUSTED TODAY. THE TEMPETURE WAS OVER 80 DEGREES. I DECIDED TO STAY AT THE PLACE ANOTHER NIGHT TO TRY TO RECOVER. I FELT FINE TODAY EARLIER AND ATE A BIG BREAKFAST. I THOUGHT I MIGHT BE SICK AGAIN FOR SOME REASON BUT I THINK IM JUST NOT EATING THE RIGHT FOODS. I MAY BE ABLE TO GET TO SUBWAY FOR A FOOTLONG SANDWICH. MY BODY IS FINE OTHER THAN TOTALLY EXHAUSTED. IVE MET SEVERAL PEOPLE I'VE HIKED WITH THAT ARE AT THE PLACE INJURED. SOME OF THEM WHO HAVE HIKED SOME BIG MILES HAVE BROKEN DOWN. MY BODY CAN HANDLE THE TRAIL, JUST NEED A BREAK. I MAY HIT IT EARLY TOMMORROW MORNING AND TRY TO DO 15 MILES. THE NEXT MOUNTAIN IS A BIG ONE AS I GO BACK UP TO 5000 FEET ON WHITE MOUNTAIN AND STAY AT ABOUT 4000 FOR AWHILE. I SLEPT ALMOST THE ENTIRE DAY. IM BEGINING TO WONDER WHETHER IM GONNA BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE WHOLE TRIP BUT I WILL TRY TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT. THIS IS QUITE THE EXPERIENCE AND CERTAINLY A CHALLENGE. LETS HOPE I CAN GET THROUGH THE 400 MILES OF VIRGINIA IN A GOOD TIME. I WILL NEED TO GET SOME MORE 20 MILE DAYS UNDER MY BELT. MY AVERAGE IS GONNA DROP IF I TAKE TOO MANY DAYS OFF. ALL IS FINE AND WELL. I'VE MET SOME GREAT PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY. I RUN INTO MANY OF THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THIS IS A BLAST EVEN THO IT'S THE HARDEST THING I'VE EVER DONE. I NOTICED I MAY NOT HAVE PICTURES OF THE SMOKIES BUT I WILL TRY TO UPLOAD THEM SOON. I HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL BACK HOME. FLETCH OUT
Date: 2009-06-03
From: THE PLACE

To: LOST MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

HIKED UP TO LOST MOUNTAIN SHELTER. THATS WHERE I STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT. LUCKY ME! THREE YOUNG GIRLS AND A SHELTER TO MYSELF. WHAT A RELIEF. GOT A GREAT FIRE STARTED AND HAD A ENJOYABLE EVENING. CHARLIE THE CHEF, SHANNON AND SARA. CHARLIE THE CHEF IS IN A HURRY TO GET TO MAINE. SHES FROM NOVA SCOTIA. I HAD SEEN HER AT THE KINCORA HOSTEL HEADING TO THE DOCTORS OFFICE AFTER SHE ARRIVED SICK. SEEN HER AGAIN AT A HOSTEL NEXT TO THE PLACE AS WELL IN DAMASCUS. SHES A BIG MILE KINDA GAL. SARA AND SHANNON WERE ON THEIR SECOND DAY OF A SECTION HIKE TO NEW YORK AND ARE JUST A BALL OF LAUGHS. MET THEM EARLY IN THE MORNING SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR OF THE PLACE BEFORE THEY LEFT IN A RENTAL CAR ON MY ZERO DAY. THE NEXT DAY I FOUND THEM UP THE TRAIL CAMPED OUT ALONG A CREEK CLEANING CHOCOLATE AND SOMETHING ELSE THAT GOT MESSED UP IN THEIR GEAR. TOLD THEM TO HAVE FUN AND I WILL SEE THEM UP THE TRAIL. HEADED OFF TO THE SAUNDERS SHELTER TO CHECK THAT OUT AND READ THE REGISTER. MET SOME SECTION HIKERS HEADING SOUTH WHO STOPPED AT THE SAUNDERS SHELTER TO STAY THE NIGHT. THEY JUST CAME FROM THE LOST MOUNTAIN SHELTER AND SAID I SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM MAKING IT. RAIN RAIN AND MORE RAIN. SUPPOSEDLY THERES RAIN IN THE FORCAST AND I NEED TO MAKE SURE I GET TO THE NEXT SHELTER. STRAIGHT MOUNTAIN WAS A ROCKY SECTION ALONG THE WHITETOP LAUREL CREEK. NICE TO GET TO THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL. THAT WAS A PLEASANT HIKE. OVER A NICE BRIDGE AND OFF THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL AND UP TO THE LOST MOUNTAIN SHELTER I WENT. NICE PLACE. MET SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY. YOGI WAS A FAVORITE.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: LOST MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: THOMAS KNOB SHELTER
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: moderate rain

RACING THE THUNDERSTORMS ONCE AGAIN. GOT A EARLY START. STOPPED TO FIX MY BROKEN ANTENNA WITH A NAIL FILE DUCT TAPED TO IT. CHARLIE THE CHEF PASSED ME BY AS I WAS DOING SO. BUZZARD ROCK AND WHITETOP MOUNTAIN WERE SPECTACULAR. STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES ALONG THE WAY. ONCE AT A NICE SPRING WHERE I WAS ABLE TO DRENCH MY SHIRT IN SOME FRESH CLEAN WATER AND KINDA WASH IT SOME. SWEAT VS COLD CLEAN WATER, I THINK I WOULD RATHER HAVE COLD CLEAN WATER. NICE BREAK. HEADING PAST WHITETOP MOUNTAIN RD THE VIEW GOT AMAZING. WHAT A PICTURE. MET A RIDGE RUNNER EARLIER IN THE DAY CLEANING A SECTION OF A OLD HOMESTEAD TRASH PIT CLOSE TO THE TRAIL BY VA 601, BEECH MOUNTAIN RD. HE GAVE ME SOME CELERY AND SAID IT HAS MAGNESIUM IN IT. WHAT A TREAT. ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO SLACKPACK AND OFFERED ME A RIDE TO THE TOP. "NO WAY! I DONT SLACKPACK" I SAID AND OFF I WENT. HE SAID I MIGHT SEE YA UP TOP, THANKED HIM FOR THE CELERY AND HE TOLD ME I SHOULD STOP AT THE HOSTEL IN TROUTDALE. LATER THAT DAY I MET HIM UP TOP AT THE ENTRANCE TO ELK GARDEN. A BUNCH OF WEEKEND HIKERS WERE OFF AS I TOOK A BREAK AND CHATTED WITH THE RIDGERUNNER. HE ASKED ME IF I HAD WHAT I NEEDED AND I SAID YES OF COURSE. TOLD ME TO BE ONE WITH THE ELEMENTS AND I KNEW I WAS IN FOR IT THEN. THE WEATHER HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY. OFF I WENT. AS I TRIED TO CATCH THE GROUP OF HIKERS I GOT TO AROUND DEEP GAP AND THATS WHEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.THE SMALL LIGHT THUNDER AND SPRINKLES ENDED UP BEING A POURING RAIN AND THUNDERSTORM. OH NO! HERE WE GO AGAIN. TOO LATE. BY THE TIME I GOT MY RAIN GEAR ON HUDDLED UNDER A TREE I GOT SOAKING WET. DAMN! CAUGHT UP TO THE GROUP WHO LET ME PASS TWO OF THEM AND THE TRAIL WAS BY THEN A RIVER. MANAGED TO SOMEHOW GET BY THE GROUP WHO VEARED OFF AND I RACED TO THE SHELTER TO SECURE MY SPOT OUT OF THE RAIN. I SAW THE FERAL PONIES UP ON THE HILL AS I GOT CLOSE. DANG IT! GRABBED THE WRONG STRAP AND BUSTED MY CHEST BUCKLE. TRIED TO TIGHTED THE LOAD STRAP AND GRABBED THE CHEST STRAP. I KNEW I SHOULD OF BOUGHT A EXTRA IN DAMASCUS WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE.THE SHELTER WAS FILLING UP AND FILLING UP FAST. CHARLIE THE CHEF DECIDED TO PUSH ON DUE TO THE SHELTER BEGGINING TO FILL UP. TOLD ME I REALLY WANTED TO GO THE EXTRA 5.1 MILES BUT I DIDNT WANT TO RISK THE TORTURE ANYMORE. SHE MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHELTER BEFORE THE RAIN HIT AND WAS DRY AND COZY. IT WAS A FULL HOUSE AND I KNEW SARA AND SHANNON WERE ON THEIR WAY. THEY MIGHT BE LEFT OUT. A THRU HIKER I HAVENT MET SHOWED UP AS WELL. THE SHELTER HOLDS 16 AND IS A DOUBLE DECKER. FOUND OUT CATTYWAMPUS( FORMERLY TWO STICKS BUT SHE LOST HER TWO STICKS AND ICEMAN WERE COMING UP FROM SAUNDER SHELTER. ICEMAN SAID DO YOU GOT ROOM FOR ONE MORE UP TOP THEY SAID. UH YEA ONE MORE. HE SAID GOOD YOU GOT ROOM FOR TWO. EVERYONE SQUEEZED IN AS IT RAINED ALL NIGHT LONG. 21 IN THE SHELTER THAT HOLDS 16. NICE AND COZY.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: THOMAS KNOB SHELTER

To: WISE MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

WENT OVER RODODENDRUM GAP AND WILBURN RIDGE, MASSIE GAP AND INTO GRAYSON HIGHLAND STATE PARK AND THE WILDON CREEK TRAIL. WHAT A VIEW. THE TRAIL WAS SOAKED BUT I LEFT LATE ABOUT NOON FORM THOMAS KNOB. A HIKER GAVE ME A REPAIR STRAP THAT WILL WORK FOR NOW. THANK GOODNESS. I DECIDED TO LET THE TRAIL DRAIN OFF AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. EVERYONE TOOK OFF EXCEPT A FAMILY WHO STAYED BEHIND. ICEMAN AND CATTYWAMPUS TOOK OFF EARLY AS I WAS STUCK IN A CROWDED SHELTER AND TOLD ME TO CATCH UP. WISHED THEM WELL AND I WAITED THE RAIN OUT. DECIDED THE 75 PERCENT RAIN AND THUNDERSTORM WAS TOO RISKY TO GO ANY FURTHER THAN THE WISE SHELTER. PASSED SHANNON AND SARA ALONG THE WAY WHO SAID THEY WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT ME. EVERYONE WAS HEADING TO OLD ORCHARD SHELTER OR HURRICANE SHELTER. MY CAMERA HAS FAILED. THE DOWNPOUR TOOK IT OUT. MANAGED TO GET ONE PICTURE TAKEN UP TOP. AMAZING VIEWS BUT COULDNT DOCUMENT THE RIVERED TRAILS OR THE BEAUTIFUL VIEWS I HAD. THE ROCKS WERE INCREDIBLE. WHEN I GOT TO WISE MOUNTAIN SHELTER IT STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. I TRIED EVERYTHING ALONG THE WAY. I BLEW IN ALL THE OPENINGS TRYING TO DRY IT OUT. IT WAS AN AMAZING DRIZZLY DAY AS I LISTEN TO THE MOZART CAFE THE ONLY RADIO STATION I COULD GET BUT HOW FITTING. BREATHTAKING VIEWS.
Date: 2009-06-07
From: TROUTDALE

To: JERRY'S KITCHEN AND GOODS
Miles today: 0.0

BEATIFUL SUNNY AND HOT DAY! DECIDED THIS WAS TOO NICE OF A SUNDAY TO LEAVE. WENT DOWN TO JERRY'S KITCHEN AND ATE. GOT A FEW THINGS. SP SHOWED UP AND I DIRECTED HIM TO THE HOSTEL. SHEPPARD LEFT EARLY. A COUPLE OF SECTION HIKERS SHOWED UP LATE AND I HAVE NO COMMENT AT THIS TIME.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: JERRY'S KITCHEN AND GOODS

To: MARION 
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

GREAT BREAKFAST AND NICE CHAT WITH A KOREAN AND VIETNAM VETERAN. HIKED UP TO TRIMPI SHELTER AFTER PASSING THE TWO LADIES AFTER BREAKFAST AND JERRYS RIDE TO THE TRAIL. I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND WAS TOLD TRIMPI HAD A NEW PRIVY. BARELY MADE IT. STOPPED IN AND FOUND A NICE SHELTER WITH A FIREPLACE IN IT. GOT TO RUN TO THE PRIVY. OH NO! SNAKE IN THE CEILING OF THE SHELTER . I'M NOT GOING THAT WAY. ABOUT 4 FOOT LONG. YIKES! GRABBED MY PACK OUT OF THE SHELTER AND THREW IT ON THE PICKNICK TABLE. ANOTHER SNAKE. DANG IT. RIGHT NEXT TO THE SHELTER. RAN TO THE PRIVY AND IT WAS BRAND NEW. IM OUTTA HERE. READ THE REGISTER AND GOT THE HECK OUT OF THERE. THE PARTNERSHIP SHELTER HAS THE SHOWER AND THE PIZZA DELIVERY. WELL I WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THERE TWO DAYS AGO. OH WELL. I SAW TURTLEBACK ON THE TRAIL REGISTER AS HE PASSED ME BY WHILE I WAS IN THE HOSTEL IN TROUTDALE. GUESS HE COULDNT GET A RIDE IN YESTERDAY. I FIGURED I WOULD CATCH HIM AND I DID AND VA 601. DECIDED TO HIKE HIS PACE AS HE NEEDED TO SEE A DOCTOR. THE NEXT FOUR MILES WERE RELAXED. GOT TO THE PARTNERSHIP SHELTER TO SEE SOME OLD FRIENDS LIKE GORDON BOMBAY WHO HAS TO GET OFF THE TRAIL DUE TO A INJURY. COLIN AND JOSH FROM ENGLAND WHO I MET AT KINCORA AND THE PLACE. I GUESS THEY ALL PASSED ME WHILE I WAS AT THE HOSTEL. WEIGHED MY PACK AT THE MT ROGER NRA HEADQUARTERS AND IT WAS 60 POUNDS. GONNA SPLIT A ROOM WITH TURTLEBACK SO HE CAN SEE A DOCTOR AND RESUPPLY. LONG HIKE TO THE LAUNDRYMAT AND LONG JOHN SILVER WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. WELL ENOUGH FOR NOW. OFF IN THE MORNING. PICTURES ARE FROM THE LAST STRETCH AND MAY BE OUT OF ORDER IN SOME PLACES. I WILL HAVE TO EDIT AT A LATER DATE.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: MARION 

To: MARION
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

TOOK A ZERO DAY TO HELP OUT TURTLEBACK WHO NEEDED TO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATLY. DID SOME ERRANDS FOR HIM WHILE HE RECOVERED. WHEN I GOT TO THE MOUNT ROGERS NRA CENTER I WEIGHED MY PACK AND IT WEIGHED 60 POUNDS. GOT INTO MARION AND RESUPPLIED SO IM BACK TO ALMOST 70 AGAIN. I WILL BE WEIGHING IT AGAIN WHEN I GET UP THERE TOMMORROW. FEELING A LITTLE ILL TODAY, BUT I WILL BOUNCE BACK TOMMORROW EVEN THO THERE IS RAIN IN THE FORECAST SUPPOSEDLY. GONNA DO ABOUT 14 AT LEAST TOMMORROW INTO ATKINS IF ALL GOES WELL. IM GONNA TRY TO PUSH A LITTLE HARDER IF I CAN HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO CATCH UP TO THE TEAM. MET SOME GREAT FOLKS ALONG THE WAY, AND IM HAVING A GREAT TIME EVEN THO ITS SO CHALLENGING. WHAT A ADVENTURE. A GREAT EXPERIENCE. IM LOOKING FOR THAT IDEAL 24 HOUR HIKE.GORDON BOMBAY I SURE HOPE YOU GET BETTER AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL AGAIN SOON. TAKE CARE OF THAT LEG. I ENJOYED HIKING WITH YA. BEST WISHES GO OUT TO YOU. GET WELL SOON.