morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-02
From: VA. 601 Beech Mountain Road

To: Rhododendron Gap
Miles today: 10.6

We are up at 7:00, showered, ate breakfast. The hosts at the B&B delivers breakfast based on the request submitted the evening before. Went to the PO to retrieve the care package sent by Robert Kolar in TX. Contents were 2 Cohiba cigars, cigar cutter, matches, taffy from Gatlingburg, and misc. candies. Wonderful package from a great guy I have never met - a true trail angel! Thanks Robert. Took the shuttle from Damascus to VA 601 and started hiking at 10:00. Made the 1600' climb (2.3 mile) to Buzzard Rocks in 70 minutes. Took a long break on top of the bald, took pictures and made a call home. Next short break was at Elk Garden. Continued climbing to 5500' to Thomas Knob shelter just below summit of Mt. Rogers, the tallest mountain in VA. Did not thake the 0.5 mile side trail to top since there are no views from there. Decided to go another mile and tent at Rhododendron Gap. Started raining just as we finished dinner. Enjoyed an after dinner cigar (my first in over 2 months. Captive in our tents at 7:30. It is going to be a long night. Only 1686.3 miles to go!
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Rhododendron Gap

To: Hurrican Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 15.2

Got cramps in my leg while it was raining last night. Couldn't get out of tent - MISERY! Leg was a bit sore this morning from the cramps. Rain had stopped but it was cold and very foggy - in the clouds at 5400'. Fixed coffee in vestibule and ate pop tarts. Started hiking with long pants, long sleeve shirt, and NEW rain jacket. Stayed very cool with winds 30-40 mph on open balds. Ponies were nudging my tent when I woke up. Didn't get any picture at this time (Otter was throwing rocks to get them to move on). Got picures of the ponies at Massil Gap 5 miles from camp.   This shelter is not listed in the guide book or on the map. The thru hikers companion listed the trail as 2.2 miles past Fox Creek at VA 603. It was actually 3.3 miles- oh well. We'll adjust the mileage for tomorrow to compensate. Ork and Bean stopped by for dinner and went a bit further to tent. Red, Gut, Sleepy the Arab, Otter, and I are in the shelter. Passed the 500 mile mark today! Only 1669.0 miles to go!
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Hurrican Mt. Shelter

To: Camped 2.6 miles past Holster Rd
Miles today: 14.5

Up at 7:00 out by 8:15. Still last ones out. Gut left around 6:00 to try and go 19 miles to Partnership Shelter for pizza (delivery available). Read notices that Raccon Branch Shelter had been removed. Stayed there about 20 years ago on my first Boy Scout 50 miler. Ran into Gut about 0.5 miles before Trimpi Shelter. He was hobbling and walking very slow. Said he injured his foot on the rocks earlier. We went to the shelter (0.1 miles off trail) for a break and waited for Gut. When he did not appear in 45 minutes, we went back to the trail head to look for him. Otter backtracked up the trail for 0.5 miles and did not see him - so we then booked down the trail to catch him. I was carrying some extra food that Compost left for Gut at the shelter. We never caught up with him. He had either missed the turn to the shelter and the turn in the AT and continued down a blue-blazed trail or got a ride at the next road (1.2 mile). Hope he is OK. We are tenting about 2.5 miles N of the S.Fork at the Holsten River. Only 1656.6 miles to go!
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Camped 2.6 miles past Holster Rd

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

Had deer come by our tents last night. They stomped their feet and snorted at us. Woke up to a light rain. Ate poptarts and OJ for breakfast in tent waiting for the rain to stop- no luck. Packed up quickly. It was fairly cold and foggy. The rain stopped soon after we started hiking so we stopped and shed the rain gear as is very hot to hike in. Hiked fairly slow as Otter was having problems with his feet. Made it to Partnership shelter at 11:15. Very nice shelter with hot shower. Stopped Mt. Rogers headquarters for lunch. Tried to order pizza to be delivered but they only deliver after 4:00 PM - So much for that idea. Back to the Cliff bars and tuna. Spent over an hour here. Tried to make it to Chatfield shelter before the rain but we were 5 minutes too slow. Didn't get too wet. Mapman and Robin came in later. They are from St. Louis and are doing 18-20 miles a day. Too much for us. On to Groseclose (I-81) tomorrow morning for breakfast and shower at the truck stop and mail drop at the motel. Meeting Tony Clark and his daughter there tomorrow. They will hike wilth us for a few miles. Only 1644.3 miles to go.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Crawfish Gap
Miles today: 10.7

Left shelter at 7:30 to get to I-81 (4.5 mi) for breakfast at The Barn Resturant. Had eggs, bacon, biscuits, pancakes, and coffee - GREAT- much better than oatmeal! Got a shower at the truck stop for $5. Washed clothes and picked up mail drop at The Relax Inn. Met up with Tony Clark and his daughter Britney who hiked with us to Crawfish Gap to camp. They will hike back to their car and we will continue on tomorrow. Enjoyed the 1.5 L of wine they brought for us. Routestep came in to camp in the afternoon. Have a 16+ mi day tomorrow with some long climbs so we can stay on "schedule". It's 8:50 - time to go to bed. Only 1634.6 mi to go! YEAH! Loving every bit of it.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Crawfish Gap

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: moderate rain

Well, woke up to another drizzly morning. I guess I'm loving it a wee bit less. Not really. Did breakfast in the tent again. Didn't get hiking until 9:30. Started off in short sleeves and shorts. By the time we did the 800' climb up Tilson Gap it began to cool off and rain much harder so we stoped and put on our rain gear. There was some sleet mixed with the rain. The temp contiued to drop throughout the day. We decided to cut the day short and stay at Knot Maul shelter. Lapdad, Mutt, and dem dogs went past the shelter to tent somewhere down the trail. Routestep, Sleepy the Arab are also in the shelter. Everyone was wet and cold when they got here. Still raining at 6:00. Supposed to clear up with temps above 60 tomorrow. Sure hope the info is correct this time as it is very cold right now. Read in the shelter log: "Random Chuck Norris fact - Chuck Norris can speak braille". Have now completed 1/4 of the AT.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

WOW! Our first 19 mi day! Red Beard came in last night and stayed in the shelter with us. Our day started with a 500' downhill followed by a 600' climb, then 800' down, 300' up, 200' down - all in 4.5 mi. This wasn't so bad, but, then came a 2100' climb over the next 4.5 mi to Chestnut Knob shelter where we ate lunch. We then went down 900' in little over a mile to Walker Gap, then up 500' to walk the ridge of Garden Mtn for about 5 mi. Well, the weather info was wrong again. It never got above 45 all day and everything above 3300' was in the clouds. Of course we had no views from Chestnut Ridge or Garden Mtn because of the fog/clouds. So much for the photo ops of Burkes Garden. The last 3 mi was a 1600' downhill to Jenkins shelter. Red Beard, Otter, Outbreak, Morning Fit, and a section hiker are in the shelter. I am the only one tenting. This is the first time I have seen Outbreak and Morning Fit since GA. Hope to get into Bastain tomorrow before the PO closes to pick up our mail drop. Only 1606.9 mi to go!
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Started hiking at 8:30. Pretty easy day. We had to take the high water blue blazed trail for about 3 mi because the Laurel Creek bridge was out. This saved us from haning to cross Little Wolf Creek about a dozen times. We did end up with a 0.5 mi road walk though. Made it to US 52 about 2:00. I ended up having to walk the 1.8 mi to Bastain to pick up our mail drop, but lucky enough to get a ride from Bastain to the Big Walker Motel in Bland. Otter stayed with the packs at US 52 and caught a ride to Bland. Hope we can get a ride back to the trail (3.5 mi) tomorrow morning. Quite a few hikers here tonight: Lapdad and Mutt, Red Beard, Outbreak and Morning Fit, and 3 others I don't know.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Moving a bit slow first thing this morning. Too much beer and late night TV at the motel. Got shower and ate breakfast at The Snack Shack: 2 eggs, 5 pieces of bacon, tater tots, 2 biscuits and gravy, and coffee - all for $5. Bought new batteries for headlamp at the Kangaroo, packed up and started hiking down hwy to catch a ride back to AT. Walked about a mile before getting a ride. Rode up to trail with 2 other hikers, Bigfoot and Oz (short for ounce because of her light pack weight). Hike was pretty uneventful except for the shortage of water - 10 mi between sources. We made it with a little to spare. So far we are the only ones in the shelter (5:30). Coyotes are yelping down in the valley. Hope they stay away from the shelter tonight. Plan to go to Wapiti shelter tomorrow (14.2 mi). May eat dinner there, get water and look for a campsite 2-3 mi beyond. This would shorten the 16.6 mi into Pearisburg the next day. We'll see. Have completed 591.3 mi so far.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: moderate rain

Bigfoot and Oz came in and tented next to the shelter. Was warm enough last night to not "mummy" in the sleeping bag. Rained for a little while in the early evening. Glad we were in the shelter so we did not have to carry wet tents tomorrow. Took the 0.3 mi side trail to Dismal Falls to have a long lunch but it started raining cats and dogs, so we just got water and left. By the time we put on our rain jackets our pants were soaked so we skiped using the rain pants. Rained pretty hard for an hour before letting up. Made it to the shelter at 3:30, changed into dry clothes and hung up the wet gear. Skunk and Gene are in the shelter with us. They did 23+ mi today - too much for us. On to Pearisburg tomorrow for a motel and a zero day. Pass the 600 mi mark today!
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Got very cold last night, below 40. My old summer bag did not work too well - was chilled all night. Put our damp clothes back on and started hiking at 8:20. The sun was out with a few clouds. Within an hour the clouds were back and the sun ran away again! Took some pictures of Wilburn Valley and Pearis Mtn from the ridge of Sugar Run Mtn. Stopped at Doc's Knob shelter for lunch. Took last break on Angel's Rest just before the 2000' downhill into Buff City. Met a trail angel, Batts, just as we left Angel's Rest. He gave each of us a cold budweiser. He thru hiked in 2001 and climbs to Angel's Rest twice a week with beer and sodas for thru hikers. Walked almost all of the 1.5 mi to Pearisburg before Bill Gautier, caretaker of the Holy Family Church Hostel, stopped and gave us a ride to the Holiday Motor Lodge where will spend 2 nights.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Washed clothes and reprovisioned for the next 4 days. David Bean is going to meet us in 4 days and hike with us for several days. We will get supplies from the "supply boxes" he will bring from Raleigh. The weather for the next 3 days is heavy rain, rain, and more rain with temps in low 40s in the valley (probably 30s on the mountain ridges). Hope I can stay warm at night!
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Symms Gap
Miles today: 11.6

Took shower at motel, ate breakfast at the Dairy Queen, then started walking back to the trail. Well, we didn't get a ride so we ended up walking the entire 1.5 mi. With the town walk it was 3.5+ mi before we started the 1600' climb up Peters Mtn. It was graded pretty well with only a few short steep sections. Once on the ridge it was like a walk in the park. We stopped for a break in the open area at Rice Field shelter. WV was on our left and VA on our right. A large storm was about 20 mi away in WV and looked like it was coming towards us, then it seemed to turn and head east. We decided to hike another 5 mi to Symms Gap. Another strom was to our west and caught up with us about 30 min later. It rained very hard with BB sized hail. That lasted about 20 min and we thought we would be OK for the rest of the day. Well, we were wrong - a very hard rain began falling just as we were setting up the tent. We got the tent up in time but we were very wet. We put a tarp over half of the tent to give us a dry place to pack up in the morning if it was still raining. It's not raining now, but the temp is probably below 40. Hope tomorrow is sunny and dry for a while so we can dry soe of this stuff out. Completed 633.7 mi.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Symms Gap

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

It didn't rain anymore overnight but everything was very wet in the morning. Had pop tarts and coffee for breakfast. Finally got out of the tent about 10, packed up and left at 10:30. Relativelly easy day. Almost flat for 6 mi (just gradual ups and downs) then down 1000' in a mile. When we reached Stony Creek Valley there was a notice that the bridge up stream was out and to avoid having to ford the stream, take the road up the valley for 1.5 mi. We chickened out after looking at the size of the stream and took the road route. The trail went up 1100' to the shelter where it rejoined the road. There was a cooler with sodas at the raod. Just what we needed before the climb. Made it to the shelter at 4:30 after stopiing to get water on the way up. Hung everythiing out and got it prettty dry before a light rain fell. Looks like the clouds are breaking up. Hope it stays that way. Sleepy the Arab and Opa are here now and She Bear is coming in later. 645 mi completed!.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up to another COOL morning. It must still be early March up here in the VA mtns! Slept fairly warm last night with long underwear and long pants and shirt on. Left out about 8:45. The trail must have been relocated because it was not the climb out of the shelter that the profile predicted. It ws about 6.5 mi walking on top of Big Mtn and Potts Mtn. Along the way we walked out to Wind Rocks - nice view of valley below and mtns beyond. Saw some mountain laurel blooming, but too far from the trail to get a good picture. Maybe see more tomorrow. Dropped down 1700' to War Spur shelter for lunch, then crossed Jones Creek Valley and climbed 1700' back up thru Rock Gap and over Jones Creek Mtn andd Kelly Knob, then down 1000' to Laurel Creek Shelter. Rock Gap is where our Boy Scout troop began one of annual 50-milers about 7-8 years ago. 659.6 mi completed!
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Left shelter at 9:20 and were soon walking thru pastures. Climbed over at least a dozen stiles. Passed the 300 year old Keffer Oak. It is over 18' around and the oldest oak in the south on the AT. there is an older one in News England near the trail. We then climbed 1300' up Sinking Creek Mtn and walked about 4 mi along its crest. Took some pictures of Craig Creek valley below. It was then 2 mi down 1500' to Niday shelter. Three section hikers are in the shelter with She bear, Otter and myself. A large group of teenagers are sleeping under a large tarp nearby. They are from an alternative school in VA and are hiking from Pearisburg to Cloverdale/Daleville. Looks like we will be with them the next few days. Meeting David Beam tomorrow to get re-supplied. He will hike with us for a few days.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Niday Shelter

To: Cove Mountain
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

There was a lot of snorning in the shelter last night. I think Gary's dog Pepper was the loudest. When I woke up this morning something was bumping into me. Turns out it was Pepper in Gary's sleeping bag. He could not figure how to get out of the bag. It was very odd to see this sleeping bag jumping up and down by itself. We booked right up the 1500' climb of Brushy Mtn to the Audie Murphy memorial. He was the most decorated soldier of WW II and died in a plane crash near the memorial in 1971. Took picture of 1st blooming rhododendron. Got sodas at VA 620 from trail angel Kentucky Jack (thru-hiker from Louisville, KY) and his friend Jack the Shark from NJ. David and his brother George soon drove up and we resupplied then climbed 500' up Cove Mtn to tent beyond the side trail to the shelter. Very windy tonight, mainly in the tops of the trees. Got my 0-degree sleeping bag back so I should sleep a lot warmer.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Cove Mountain

To: John Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Got a good night's sleep in the tent away from the snoring. Found the 1st tick on my leg last night during dinner. Did the 2500' climb to Dragon's Tooth in about 1.75 hr. It ws very windy and cold (below 40) on the ridge of Cove Mtn. Took some pictures and began the STEEP climb down. There were steel steps in some of the rocks so that we did not have to jump down 10-12' in places. Got a Yoohoo chocolate drink, a grape Gatorade, and a Snickers bar from a trail angel cooler just before crossing VA 624. Thanks to Sue and Jeff Williams of Catawba for the treats. Took pictures of Dragon's Tooth from the pasture. The rest of the day was just a bunch of 100-300' ups and downs to the shelter. Several other hikers came in about 8:00. Some are in the shelter, others tenting. Ran into 2 older gentlemen from again 2 times tgoday. They are hiking from GA to Harper's Ferry - mainly slacking every day using 2 vehicles. 695.5 mi completed!
Date: 2006-05-20
From: John Spring Shelter

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Since we were the 1st ones in the shelter we figured we shold be the last ones out - and we were. Three hikers left for Damascus and Trail Days (September from Raleigh, and 2 from NJ) with a friend who drove up from Raleigh. Silverfoot and Steech headed down the trail. Silverfoot went almost to Cloverdale because she has accepted a job and is getting off the trail. Steech is in the shelter with us along with Gary and Pepper and Bullwinkle. Took picture from McAffee Knob - great views from the overhanging rocks. When we got to Tinker Cliffs took pictures back to McAffe and Dragon's Tooth. Looking forward to a shower at the motel tomorrow where we will near-0.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Lambert Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville, VA - US 220
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Quick trip ito town - 9.4 mi in 4.25 hr. Staying at the Econo Lodge. Got a shower, ate Mexican lunch, washed clothes, and ate pizza for dinner. Walked 9.5 mi to the outfitters but they were closed. Guess we will have to make do for a while. Back on trail tomorrow morning. Passed the 700 mi mark yesterday - YAHOO!
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Daleville, VA - US 220

To: Black Horse Gap
Miles today: 14.0

Had a nice near-0 day in town. David, Otter and I polished off 3 bottles of wine with Triscuits and cheese in the afternoon. Ate pizza from the Pizza Hut for dinner. I pigged out at the continental breakfast at the motel - 7 Krispy Kreme doughnuts, 3 cups of coffee and 2 glasses of OJ. Didn't start hiking until 9:45. The trail was fairly easy all day - less than 2000' of cllimbing in 14 mi. Ended up about 0.5 mi past Black Horse Gap with a nice level tent site beside the trail. We had another 2 liters of wine with Triscuits and cheese sppetizers before dining on pasta primavera for dinner. Had to carry out extra water about 2 mi here but it was worth it. May try to squeeze an extra 3-4 mi in tomorrow (17-18 mi) so the next day with a lot of climbs will not be so long. Out feet will tell us when to stop! It doesn't get much btter than this. Hope to run into a lot of hikers (who were ahead of us) who took off a few days to return to Damascus for Trail Days. Haven't seen some of them for several weeks. The weather has been great the last few days and looks like it should be good for a few more. Completed 1/3 of the trail today when we crossed Trout Creek.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Black Horse Gap

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 14.0

Had a real good sleet last night. The trail was again relatively easy. The weather was great - not too hot or too cold with clear sky. Ran into I'm Still Adam who is now Yukon Cornelius. Haven't seen hime since Fontana Dam. Took pictures at all of the overlooks where the trail crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tenting beside Jennings Creek. Was able to get a weak cell signal and call my wife Elaine to check on my daughter Heather. She had an appointment today to check on her and her baby which was due last week. They have scheduled her to be induced this Friday. Hope all goes well. It will be her 2nd child and my 4th grandchild. Had my first fall today just as I was approahing a shelter to take a break. No injuries as I was able to roll over and land on my pack. Well, at least I was able to hike 739 mi before falling - not bad for an old man!
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Jennings Creek

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Was pretty cold this morning - about 37. Started hiking at 8:00. Long day for us. Had a total of 4700' of climbing and 1700' downhill for a net 3000'. It was amazing to watch spring disappear as we approached 4000'. The trees were just starting to leaf out. Met George, David's brother, on the Parkway 0.2 mi short of the shelter. Ate two super Arby's roast beef sandwiches and drank 4 beers. Great dinner! David left with his brother. Had a wonderful 6 days hiking with David. Sad to see him go. Hope to have him back with us in NY. A few hikers are tenting on the hill above the shelter. As of 9:00 Otter and I are the only ones in teh shelter. We get to go back downhill over 3000' to the James River tomorrow. Have completed 756.4 mi.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: John's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

It finally stayed warm overnight. Actually it was too warm for my 0-degree bag. The mice ran around all night. They really enjoyed playing with the 2 beer cans in the shelter. Today was the opposite of yesterday. We had about 2300' up and about 5200' down for a net 2900' down. So in the last 30 mi we have climbed 6000' and descneded 6900'. My feet are tired! Looks like the next few days will continue with much of the same. Crossed the James River on the 600-foot Foote foot bridge. Otter and I are the only ones in the shelter again. Everyone else is tenting. We couldn't find any good tent sites (we were the last ones to arrive). Boogyman, Bison, Kusta, Rosy Eagle, and Misfortune beat us here. Rosy Eagle is southbound. Misforutne got her name because she usually falls daily.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: John's Hollow Shelter

To: Pedlar Dam
Miles today: 13.6

Terrible night last night. Too hot to stay in the sleeping bag and the bugs (mosquitos and biting gnats) were horriffic. Ended up putting DEET all over my head and arms so I could get to sleep. After a restless night a whiporwill began "singing" at the crack of dawn about 15 feet in front of the shelter. Took me about 10 minutes of shinning my headlamp on him to get him to fly further away to continue his song. Today's hike wasn't too bad - 3300' up and 3400' down. So now in the last 3 days we have been up 9300' and down 7300'. Got a call today that my daughter Heather and her husband Jon had a baby boy at 12:25. Both mom and baby are doing well. Check out my photo of Logan Edward. My son Eric and a friend Bob Harvey met with us this afternoon to hike with us for 3 days. They brought our resupply for the next four days which will get us to Waynesboro. At our request, they brought us each 2 cheeseburgers and a large soda - another great dinner. We started the last leg of today's hike at 6:30. It started raining at 6:35 and rained pretty hard for about 45 min. The trail had ben relocated since our maps were printed so we just found tent sites somewhere north of the Pedlar River.