morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-29
From: flint mtn shelter

To: bald mtn shelter
Miles today: 18.8

I would wake up during the night and it was still raining. I would fall back asleep for a few hours and wwake up; still raining. I finally woke up early inthe mourning; still raining. I felt pretty well rested however. I packed up all my clothes, gear, and tent in the rain. Ate breakfast in the rain. Then hiked out in the rain. (It looked like I could have squeezed into the shelter in the day light; the next day Africa actually said to me that they probably could have squezed me. I didn't even check that night thanks to captain jackass) The rain stopped briefly around lunch time but it was only a tease. I ate a large snack for lunch because I didn't want to stop too long. When I approached the shelter for lunch, there was one guy breaking as well. I entered the shelter and he was futzing withhis pack. He didn't even turn to acknowledge me, so I paid him no mind. A few minutes and three snickers later, I asked him if today was the 29h. He simply nodded yes. Several minutes and a few more snickers later, he asked me how far Dimascus was and we had the following dialogue."About 200 miles maybe," I replied, approximating with the hotsprings mileage."Can't be that far. More like 60 or 70," he countered."Perhaps you're right." I said, "I thought Dimascus was around the 500 mile mark." "Its right in the beginning of virginia," he says as he pulls out a map of the entire trail. (its scaled to about 50 miles for every inch or two) I pulled a data book out, crunched the numbers, and said "Its 140 miles from Erwin. Which is is probably 28 from here." "Erwin? We passed Erwin already." "Are you southbound?" "Erwin is north of here," I showed my profile map. "But I passed a sign that said Spivey Gap." [Which is actually north of us]. "No, Spivey gap is North of us," I pointed to the map. "This is where I stayed last. This is where we are, theres Spivey gap, and theres Erwin." "But I saw a sign for Spivey gap." "I don't know how to explain the sign, but if you pass it in the next ten miles, then Erwin is north of here." "I suppose so," he replied, soundinf unconvinced. I asked him a bunch of questions about where and when he started and stuff like that. He answered them fine so I figured he wasn't hypothermic, just plain dumb.
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Bald mtn. Shelter

To: Erwin, TN (holiday inn)
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: moderate rain

Hiked into Erwin today. I decided to stay at the Holiday Inn and pamper myself, and I couldn't get a hold of Miss Janet who runs a hostel in town. She has a big tan van that she shuttles people around in, even if they aren't staying at her hostel. Gas donations are appreciated ofcourse. She is one of the nicest people on the whole trail. I was able to catch a ride to a bluegrass festival of sorts; I think I write about it in the next journal entry. Legs and feet feeling pretty good. Spirits high. Lots of hikers in town. I got to hang out at Miss Janets for a little while. I ran into Headfirst staying at Miss Janets actually. I haven't seen him since the smokies. Apperently he decided to zero in Gattlenburg because of the bad forcast, and he had a tough time hitching out. He ended up being stuck there for several days. Anyhoo, he talked to his recruiter and he has to leave for boot camp in a couple months, so he hitched to Erwin where he will head home to Deleware. He is a good kid, and I don't doubt he was capabable of finishing the entire trail if he had the chance.
Date: 2005-05-01
From:  iron mountain gap

To:  erwin, tn (holiday inn)
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

Today I got my first slack pack experience. I was dropped off by a 2004(I think2004) thru-hiker, Alabama, who was staying at Miss Janets for a while before heading out to hike north. It was great that I didn't hae to zero out today while I wait for the mail. I probably could have made the mail yesterday had I known it was Saturday and started earlier, but this will do. I unfortunately got off to a late start (about 1o'clock) so I had to rush if I was going to make it back to watch the 350th and 351st episode of the Simpsons. I ended up missing them, but caught the season premeire of the family guy, which was hilarious. I practically ran the last 4 miles on the trail. I probably walked about 21 miles total beacuse I had to make it back to the hotel, but it was worth it.
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Iron Mtn. Gap

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got off to a late start today. I was dropped off at Iron Moutain gap around 1 o'clock by Miss Janet. I was pretty much alone all day today. I passed a few days hikers early on, but after that I didn't see a single person. I hiked right up until dark. The sunset was beautifull as I hiked over some open sections to the shelter. I am the only one in the shelter tongiht or around it for the first time. An owl is making a lot of noise, and it sounds like it is having trouble (as if it is coughing sometimes). Its quite humorous. Hopefully I will catch up to Sam and Origami tomrow.
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Campsite (395 mile mark)
Miles today: 20.2

Today was a fairly big mileage day, but it didn't beat me up at all. It was absolutely great walking today. Some of the best so far. I walked over hump mountain today and the weather was gorgeous. The hump mountain area consists of a number of bald mountain offering 360 views at times. I could see down into the valley towns below and turn around see the last mile that I walked almost. I am running into a lot of hikers today both thru and section hikers alike. I decided to stop at a campsite, where I ran into Sam and Origami tenting for the night. As well as Bravo and Astrogirl. On to Kinkora hostel tomorow. About 13 miles away.
Date: 2005-05-04
From: campsite (mile 395)

To: Kinkora Hostel, Dennis Cove rd.
Miles today: 13.3

I made it to Kinkora Hostel today. The hostel is run by retiree Bob Peoples. He is a very sweet man, and the setup here is really nice. Bunks with mattresses, hot showers, two bathrooms. And he shuttles people into town daily. He is very active with the trail crews in this region and is head of the Knights of Columbus for the area here. The walk was easy today, but my knee starting bothering me worse than ever out of nowhere. I was wincing in pain as I hobbled down the trail. I wish I had crutches at the time because that is what I needed. This went on for about 4 or 5 miles when I stopped to look at an old farm pond. The pond was filled with hundreds of newts and tadpoles. I looked at it for about ten minutes or so, and when I started back down the trail, my knee felt perfectly fine. It was a very weird experience, but I was happy it went away. I still walked carefully up to the hostel.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: n/a

To: Kinkora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I was shuttled into town last night by Bob along with other hikers. I gorged on fast food and resuppplied for the next couple days. I bought some Bratwurst and grilled them up when I got back. They were excellant.   This mourning I made peanutbutter, jelly, and bacon sandwhiches, which I paned fried like a grilled cheese. They were tasty. I had about four before I started feeling ill. I pack up all my stuff and made it half way down his driveway before my knee started hurting again. So I decided I would zero out today since I had to be in Damascus on Monday for the mail anyway. I might as well slow down while I wasn't feeling well. This gave me a chance to relax and eat lots of food.
Date: 2005-05-06
From:  kinkora hostel, dennis cove rd

To: campsite 
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

I was fortunate enough to be slacked the first 9 miles today. I was dropped off by a section hiker who was heading near the trail head. I hied back south tothe hostel, ate lunch, and Bob was able to drop me off 9 miles north. I put in a decent day after that and finished with about an hour of light to spare. I arived at the campsite sooner than expected. I will plan a decent day tomorw to put me in short range for Damascus on Sunday. I cant wait to catch another Simpsons episode and Family Guy. I hope they are on again. I might have to make it a ritual to arrive to a town on Sundays now with the new season of Family Guy. That is all for now. I am starting to slep really well out here. My air mattress is one of my favorite gear items.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: campsite (430 mile mark)

To: Abingdon Gap shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Apparently, today is national masterbation day (according to a fellow hiker; although I have not found any sources to confirm this). Looks like everyone will be tenting tonight. In unrelated news, today was the easiest 19 miles ever. Rolling hills all day. I listened to the radio today for the first time. I started the mourning off with Kylie Minogue into "This is how we do it" by (I think) Montel Jordan. Needless to say, I was pumped up for a great day of hiking, and that it was. Weather was good, and the terrain couldn't have been easier.------------------------Looks like most people tonight are in fact tenting. As it stands right now, I might be the ony one in the shelter out of six people. It is only 7:00pm right now, so more could show up. I may push on After dinner to set myslef up for an easywalk into Damascus tomrrow, but right now I am only 10 miles away. It looks pretty easy.---------------------After eating, I went to the shelter to set up my sleeping mat, etc. It was just getting dark when I saw a mouse scurry accross the top of the back shelter wall. The thing was lightening fast. It went right down the cement wall and towards my stuff. I decided to tent after that incident. Its one thing to deal with mice after I have already started to sleep, but these mice were going crazy already. While I was packing my stuff to tent, one mouse ran accross my foot. I set up my tent just as it started to rain. It rained a good portion of the night, and all the while I could hear the mice running around in the shelter. Turns out there was a lot of garbage under the shelter.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Abingdon Gap shelter

To: Damascus, VA ("the place" hostel)
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Easy hike into Damascus today. Probably the easiest ten miles so far. No radio reception though. I am staying tonight at the place hostel run by the church in town. The trail runs right down the main street of town, and Damascus boasts being the friendliest trail town. I hope so.----------------Five of us decided to try to hitch into a neighboring town to catch a movie about 12 miles away. I am currently writing this with my pocketmail in the back of a huge white pick-up truck. I decided this adventure would be more intereting then watching the simpsons. I can always watch TV. I don't always get the chance to take a seemingly safe hitch with five people I basically just met. I think "the hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy" would be an appropriate movie to see tonight. I get a nice scenic tour of the surrounding towns and valleys from hitching around. Makes me wonder why I am messing around with this little device.---------------------------I didnt end up seeing hitchers guide, instead I saw Kingdom of Heaven. Another typical cookbook action flic. It was good for what is was worth I guess. It is now 10pm and we are not even going to try to catch a ride; it was difficult enough during the daytime. We will split a cab for the ride back, which is a sure thing. I, myself, am getting pretty tired. The plan for the next hiking duration is 75 miles to Atkins, VA, where I will hitch back to Damascus for the trail days festivities. There is some decent climbing to Atkins, but I am going to attempt it in four days. I will bring extra food ofcourse, incase that plan is too ambitious. Extra food never hurt with the way I've been eating these days. I don't always have hunger pains, but when I show up to a fast food joint, I just know I can eat a lot. Normal portions just naturally seem small, and that goes for "normal" American portions as well. Thats enough talk about food for now, before I need to eat something else. I will end with: I love chocolate milk!!!!
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Damascus, VA (

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I ended up staying an extra day in Damascus today. I waited for mail that never showed up. I also helped a little old lady setup for the trail days festival. She needed help hanging plastic up in the town hall auditorium inorder to block light from coming into the windows. Two other hikers, Spicy thai and papa bear, helped her hang the plastic up over about six very large windows. I had to climb up about thirty feet to attach the plastic. It took about 45 minutes, but I couldn't say no to a little old lady. They have special powers like babies and puppies.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Lost mtn. shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

I would have liked to have left yesterday, because today there is a chance of thunderstorms. The humidity is higher as well. My music drop never arrived, but I was able to pick up some map sets that were sent to me. As soon as I set out into the mountains, it started to thunder. There was a constant rumbling, but I didn't see any lightening or rain for the longest time. I just walked through non-stop thunder, mocking me at my impending doom. Half way through my climb out of town it finally started to rain. It steadily increased until I was poured on for about half an hour, at which point I was soaked to the bone. The rain let up several miles before the shelter. When i arrived there was a number of people there all doing sections. Five opf them completed south-bound thru hikes last year, and met up to hike into trail days this year. They had some good stories to tell. Three women (a mother/daughters team i believe) were going to hike all of Viriginia (about 500! miles). There was room in the shelter for me although it didn't rain much through the night. I didn't get out of my wet clothes rightaway, but cooked and ate first. Surprisingly, when I changed into dry clothes, my wet clothes were only damp. Its amazing how quicky some non-cotton stuff dries. It's hard to imagine how people used to hike and survive without all this high-tech ultra light equipment being used these days. Even more amazing is how Native Americans used to live off the land. I picture them living with such a vast knowledge of their surroundings, and it makes us look like a bunch of helpless retards walking around with 40-50 pounds of stuff on our back to "survive the wilderness." Nonetheless its still an amazing feet this day in age. So much technology and "advancements" but most people couldn't survive the wilderness if they were dropped off 100 miles from there own home. We consider ourselves advanced, but it makes you wonder if we are painting ourselves into a corner.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: old orchard shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: few clouds

Woke up fairly early this mourning and left the shelter about 8 am. The climb up and over mt. rogers was not bad. I am currently taking a mid-day break at thomas knob shelter in the grayson highlands. Behind the shelter are about a dozen wild ponies. I wouldn't classify them as being all that wild because I am able to walk righ up to them. They love licking my hand and arm. I am a giant walking salt lick to them. The weather is absolutely perfect. The sun is a bit strong, but it feels nice after yesterday's storm. The ponies are non-stop eating machines. They are not very tall, maybe shoulder height. The water source for this shelter is behind the shelter, fenced off in the field where the ponies are. I went down to the spring only to find one of them inside the enclosure, so I decided not to pull water here. I wll just stop for a nice break and dry my boots & socks in the sun.---------------------I read a sign explaining the origins of the ponies. Apparently, in the 1970s, a Virginia farmer was looking to breed a type of horse/pony that could handle the harsh mountain winters. I forget exactly why, but he ended up donating or selling the ponies to the parklands. They survived the winters and actually had offspring in the first spring of being "set free". There are approximately 125 ponies split up into to main herds located on two of the larger mountains. Every year they are checked out and given shots, then excess numbers are auctioned off.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: old orchard shelter

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

Almost a 25 mile day. I believe this is the highest mileage day I have done so far on this trip. It went ok. I was able to get to the shelter before dark, and I took a two hour lunch break. Partnership shelter is awesome. It is right near the mt. rogers park headquarters. There is a phone where hikers can order pizza right to the shelter. Unfortunately it is a $35 minimum, and by the time I got there everyone had already ordered. Luckily, I was able to get some leftover slices from a few hikers. It was awesome. I also had two beers. When I first arrived to the shelter, it was like a bizzaro world. There were pizza boxes strewn about, hikers drinking beer, and even a hot shower inside the shelter. The shower gets hot by means of solar panels. I knew that the shelter was set up like this, but I didn't keep my hopes up about he pizza. It was an awesome time with a lot of hikers staying here (maybe about 15 or so).
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Partnership shelter

To: US 11, Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Quick hike into town today. I ate two meals at the dairy queen. I havent tried to catch a ride to Damascus yet, but it doesn't look like it will be too difficult. major road interstate 81 passes right through here. Now I must go get dessert.---------------------I was able to get a few extra paper placemats and a box the dairy queen uses for their chicken. I then borowed a magic marker from the quick stop and wrote "Damascus: Trail Days" in big bold letters. No sooner did I finish making my sign, a gentlemen walks up to me and asks if I needed a ride. I said I' going to Damascus and he said he was too. He thru-hiked in 2001 by the name of Jabez (I am not sure on the spelling). I had made the sign in vein. Other hikers had similiar luck getting rides. Its as if people were asking us if we needed rides rather than the other way around. I am currently at the laundry mat doing laundry. I will be able to shower over at "the place" hostel. The shower is much needed for I have really developed a stench with the warm weather over the past few days. I smell like rotten onions splashed with ammonia; not very pleasant. All is well and I feel great. There are tons of hikers in town already with tents set up all over. I already ran ! into Slim, Jeff, Amy, Jay, and Jukebox from the smokies. The weather is great. Speaking of jukeoxes, I am in probably the only laundormat with a jukebox. I'd hang out here all day if they had draft beers. I am currently rocking out to Elvis Presley "Suspicious Minds". It is surreal. Lots of friendly faces around.-----------------------------In the park, a good number of tents are set up with vendors selling food and merchandise. There are also a few carnival style tents set up. There was a hiker talent show and an auction of donated gear. There were more vendor tents set up in "tent city". I was able to get my Leki poles tuned up. They cleaned them out, put on new tips and replaced the middle poles which were bent.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Damascus, VA

To: going crazy!!!
Miles today: 0.0

I ended up sleeping under the vestibule/awning of Jay's parents RV last night. It started raining while I was there, so I didn't head out to pitch my tent. I woke up with the birds and the sun just like every mourning. There are hikers everywhere in town. It's pure hiker pandomonium. The hiker parade was scheduled to start around 2 pm, but it started raining right on schedule. The band, etc. cancelled their walking, but after about 15 minutes the rain stopped. From around the corner I could hear yelling and screaming. Several hundred hikers started rounding the corner armed with water guns and water balloons. Each year the parade turns into the largest water fight ever. All the locals and non-hikers are on the sidelines also armed with ballons, water guns, and buckets. I joined the hikers as they rounded the street. I was taking films with my camera, being very carefull not to get hit by the barrage of ballons flying through the air. I felt like I was part of !a camera crew in the iraqi war. No one was safe from the onslaught of water. There were a good number of inocent bystanders getting nailed by ballons and buckets full of water. Some people were taling buckets or garbage pails and scooping up water running down the street from the previous rain. The hikers made it to the end of the street and spilled out into the vendor tent areas where an hour long mellee insued. The best part was people walking out of the vendors getting hit in the crossfire. This one hiker had no remorse or mercy as he would fill up a bucket in a near by river and dump it on unsuspecting people not looking. Some were very upset about this ofcourse, I guess they don't have fun ever.-----------------------------I was able to get my bodyfat checked out as well as stuff like cholesterol. I have 14 percent body fat which is right at the end of the healthy range(14-20%) for men; higher for thru-hiker standards maybe. Some hikers I encountered had 4 percent body fat. I actually gained weight which is a great sign. I lost fat, but was able to eat enough so far to gain muscle mass. I can tell that is the case over the past couple weeks. My HDL cholesterol, the good kind, was exremely high, which is good. The doctor said it was the best he's seen all day.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: US 11, Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

slept in this mourning at the relax inn right near the trail and I-80. I am getting off to a late start today at around 2:30pm. I waited for a shuttle to the psot office and grocery store, but I will still be able to chip away at some miles today. The weather today is very nice, which keeps spirits high. I should be to Pearisburg in about 4-5 days if all goes well. I bought a travel hammock at an auction at Trail Days so I am going to try sleeping in it tonight. Sleeping in a hammmock is generally cold because of the draft below it, but Perhaps my sleeping bag on top will counter that.