morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Laurel Creek

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Today was my 9th day in a row hiking this trail. I was very tired, and discouraged with my lack of stamina and ready to cry at the drop of a hiking pole. That is why, what happened as the day progressed was purely magical. This was the last day of a 3-day hike that the dad and daughter (Rick and Beth Ann) were hiking, and they wanted me to stay at their home for the evening. Rick's wife Becky was making spaghetti for dinner. I thanked them, but declined as I had reservations made for the motel in Bland. Rick said "Cancel the reservations". I was so tired, dirty, and hot that with a bit more cajoling on Rick's part I agreed to go to their home for the evening. We soon caught up with Blackbird and Rick extended an invitiation to him. He agreed.Rick's truck was at the trailhead and the four of us piled in for a ride to the Dairy Queen in Bland. Honey Do and Aribba were already at the DQ when we got there. Rick extended the offer again. It took a lot of convincing to get them to agree, but they succumed. Then as we were leaving the DQ in walked Bark and Berry, we were not 6 dirty, tired hikers heading to trail magic offered by Rick and Beth Ann!What a wonderful experience was awaiting us....Rick and his wife Becky live in a wonderful home perched securely on top of a mountain. Nestled a short walk down the mountain was a cabin that we hikers would call home for the night.They served us a wonderful spaghetti dinner, salad, garlic bread, red wine and the most delicious homemade cherry pie and chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. A spirited rendition of Happy Birthday was sung to Rick and Beth.After dinner we visited for a bit and then 6 weary hikers made their way back down to the cabing and our comfy beds in the loft. Thank you Rick, Becky, and Beth Ann for a most magical evening at your mountain retreat!
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Bland, VA

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Rick had brought breakfast foods to the cabin last night, so we enjoyed fresh fruit, cereal, OJ, bagels, homemade jams and coffee for breakfast.By 8am we were heading to Bland. I had planned on taking a zero day today, as I was really tired after hiking 9 days in a row. I'm glad I had made that decision as my lower right leg was painful and swollen. I think I really stressed my ankle and shin on some of the steep descents yesterday. So after doing town chores I pretty much stayed in the motel room sleeping and elevations and icing my right ankle and lower leg.Also today I received a new set of Leki Makalu Ultralight hiking poles that Ron had gotten from REI. I had my other poles serviced by the Leki reps at Trail Days in Damascus. Two days out of Damascus the tip and basket came off the left pole while hiking and on the 6th day the tip and basket came off the right one. Ron called REI and told them about the problem and REI immediately sent new poles to him and he forwarded them to me in Bland. So now I have intact poles again and I sent the broken ones back. Thank you REI for the quick replacement of the poles. I can't hike without them.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter, VA
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I met the nicest man in Bland Virginia the other day. His name is Troy, and on most days he shuttles hikers throughout the town of Bland, which is very spread out. He had given me his telephone number the other day, and told me to call him if I should ever need a ride. So, last evening I called him, and asked if he could pick me up in the morning and take me back to the trailhead. I was so happy that he was able to help me out.Troy arrived at 8:00 am, and our first stop was the Subway for breakfast, then on to the trailhead, and I was hiking by 8:50 am. The day was warm and somewhat humid, and it would have been a great hike, as the terrain was not all that difficult. BUT..... my right lower leg was killing me. After talking with a few hikers (and my sister Annette, yesterday), I belive I have a case of shin splints. I know exactly when I hurt myself, it was on the steep descent into Jenkins Shelter the other day. I was hiking too fast through that descent. So now I am paying the price.Four seperate hikers have given me advice on how to manage shin splints, so I now have my right shin taped, and I am doing gentle exercises. Hopefully, the taping of my shin will help control some of the pain while I am hiking.Other points of interest from today's hike: * I saw a big black snake on the trail. He just stayed coiled, laying there in my path. When I clicked my poles (from quite a distance away), he turned his head, looked at me, and just stayed put. So, I made a wide arc around him, climbing into the scrub along side the trail, and continued hiking. I kept checking to make sure he wasn't following me. * It was very warm and humid as the day progressed, and thunder kept rolling through for most of the afternoon. Thank goodness the rain waited until after dark to begin. And once it started it was quite a nasty thunder and lightening storm, with buckets of rain (again!)
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Jenny Knob Shelter, VA

To: Trents Store, VA Rt 606, then Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I literally limped the 6.5 miles from Jenny Knob Shelter to VA Rt 606 today. My right leg is killing me. The topo map was WRONG again today. The maps had been accurate, until I got to Virginia. Now the profiles are omitting huge ascents and descents. How can they possibly miss these topographical features? Anyway, it was a painful, slow hike out to the road today. When I got there I found Big Camera waiting for me. We both tried to catch a hitch, but this was a quiet country road, and those few who did pass us, did just that....they passed us. So we trudged the 0.5 miles up the road to Trents Grocery Store. Thankfully, I was able to contact another Trail Angel to ask for assistance. I met Charlene, and her two college-aged childen Christopher and Erin at Thomas Knob Shelter two weeks ago. Charlene gave me her telephone number and told me to call her if I should need anything when I was near Pearisburg, VA. Well, I really needed help now, so I called her, and she drove 20 miles to pick me up and take both Big Camera and myself into Pearisburg. How can I even begin to thank someone for such generosity???? Thank you Charlene, I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for you.Once I got settled in at the Holiday Motor Lodge (that's a whole other story), I called Ron, and told him my predicament. He will come down tomorrow to take me back home AGAIN, so that I can rest this leg.The Holiday Motor Lodge is quite a culture shock. Thank goodness there are other hiker friends here (Denali, Gorgonzola, Chatter, Ned the Fed), because this place is a bit scary. Ron wanted to come down today to get me because he could hear the concern in my voice, but it is already 3 pm, and I don't want him driving all the way down here through the night. The sight of Sheriff's Officers questioning the tenents of the motel was but one indication of my concerns. I told him I would be OK, there were plenty of locks on my door. It is going to be a long night..........
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Home (temporarily)
Miles today: 0.0

It was a long night....... Comings and goings of the tenents of the motel kept me tossing and turning all night while laying on top of the covers of the bed, under my sleeping bag. Finally it was morning, and all was quiet!Other hikers were getting ready to hit the trail, and I was getting ready for Ron's arrival. He got here by 12:30!!!! We were soon on the road. We stopped at the outfitters in Blacksburg Va, and then had a great lunch at The Cellar in town. Then back on the road. My leg is quite swollen, and I am taking Advil every few hours to manage the pain and inflammation.
Date: 2009-06-10
From: VA Rt 606

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Ron & I drove down to Pearisburg VA yesterday. We dropped off my re-supply box at the Rendevous Motel, and then, because we were starving, and there are very few eatery options in Pearisburg.... we had a late lunch/early dinner at Pizza Hut We then drove back to the Rt 81 exchange and stayed at the Hampton Inn. Had breakfast at the Waffle House this morning (Irene & Armies favorite), then out to the trailhead.Ron took some pictures of me on the Kimberling Creek suspension bridge, which is right nest to Rt 606, then off I went on the dirt trail, while Ron drove off, heading back home.The trail was very kind to me today. The few elevation gains were very gentle switchbacks and there were no descents to speak of. Most of the 7.7 miles was flat, and adjacent to a stream. I walked for miles through tunnels of rhododendron. It was like a walk in the park today. That will change abruptly in the morning, with an immediate 1500 ft elevation gain in a little less than 1.5 miles. I'm pleased that today was an easy day, as I wanted to take it slow and assess the status of my right leg & both feet. I took my time and feel fine.I arrived at Wapiti Shelter at 1:30, had lunch and talked with other hikers who stopped in for lunch. I really wanted to hike further to Woodshole Hostel, but I knew that the plan was to stop here and not to stress my feet and legs more than necessary. So I exercised great restraint and stayed put. Good thing... by 2:30 7 of us were huddled in the shelter since it was absolutely pouring with fierce thunder and lightening. Good decision to stay put. Fr. Mendoza (trail name) was the last to leave the shelter this afternoon. I was pleased to have his company until about 5pm. He is a retired major from the British army. Married to a medical student from Maine and now lives in Seattle while his wife is in school. He is planning to return to school to pursue a degree in nursing! I'm beginning to lose track of the # of men I have met on the trail who plan on entering the nursing profession.It's now 6:30, the skies are darkening with storm clouds and thunder is rumbling. I just finished setting up my tent and thank goodness for that. It is raining again! Still no other hikers here yet.Someone had left a Mary Higgins Clark suspense novel at the shelter. I am bored out of my mind and may start reading it. That means I will have to carry it until I finish reading it. It's a paperback, about 350 pages. Pretty light in weight. Oy Vei!
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Let's revisit last evening and night before I go on to today. Nobody, not one single person, came to the shelter last night after Fr. Mendoza left. So there I was, all alone at Wapiti Shelter of all places. I had a very hard time falling asleep, and then slept very fitfully.I was abruptly woken at 11pm by the sound of a huge crash. My heart was pounding as I sat quietly in my tent trying to figure out what happened. I figured that a huge dead tree that was partly down behind the shelter must have collapsed. In the morning I found that was exactly what happened. It collapsed right on the area that was used for tent sites. I'm sure glad Irene & Armie instructed me on the procedure for locating a good tent site (which is, if you are wondering - don't set up under dead/dying/half collapsed trees -ed)As I had expected, the first part of today's hike was a bit rough. It was very humid, and I had to stop to catch my breath frequently. The cloudy sky darkened as I neared the ridge and then came the thunder. Shortly after the lightening and rain arrived. I quickly put on my rain jacket and rain pants and dove under a clump of huge rhododendron bushes as the rain came down in torrents and the lightening crashed around me. After about 20 minutes the lightening and thunder moved away and I was able to emerge from my "safe place" and continued my hike in the downpour.I arrived at Woods Hole Hostel hot, wet, and tired. I had not slept well last night and weariness caught up with me by early afternoon. I was greeted at Woods Hole by Two Pack! He told me he had been staying here for the past week and had started building a shed for Michael and Neville. Both Michael and Neville were gone for the day taking a yoga certification class.After a tour of the property I took a shower and a wonderful nap, sharing my bed with Tessa the dog. Michael and Neville arrived home at about 7pm, we chatted for a bit on the porch, watching the rain come pouring down (again). Iceman and Cattywampus arrived in the rain.We then had dinner on the porch. Neville and I were the last to leave the table and she told me about her & Michaels upcoming wedding on August 1. Best wishes to you Neville and Michael!I was in bed by 8:45 and fell into a deep, relaxing sleep.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Rendezvous Motel
Miles today: 10.4

Great hike from Woods Hole Hostel to Pearisburg today. The day started somewhat cloudy, but soon turned sunny, breezy and wonderful. I actually had views today! Before I left Wood's Hole I met a thru-hiker, Tully, who came in after midnight last night! Nice guy. The most difficult part of today's hike was the 2.5 mile descent into Pearisburg. I took it slow going downhill so that I didn't aggravate my right shin splint. It took me 2 hours to get from Angels Rest on Pearis Mountain to Pearisburg.Got to the motel, took a quick shower, and then the owner Brenda let me take her car up to town to get some supplies from the supermarket. Thank you, Brenda! You helped me tremendously.Shared my roasted chicken with Two Pack who arrived at about 7pm. Organized my food and supplies for the next week. Called Ron & Irene, updated my journal, iced my right shin and now getting ready to go to sleep.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Rendezvous Motel

To: Campsite along trail
Miles today: 8.4

I took my time packing up and leaving the Rendezvous motel this morning, as I planned on hiking just under 7 miles to the first shelter. The start of the hike today was fairly easy, then the trail ascended about 1500 ft in about 2 miles. Hot, humid weather and a steep climb. I was dripping with sweat. Thank goodness the day turned sunny and clear and then a delightful soft breeze began to blow. The walk along the ridge should have been easy buy my backpack was quite heavy as I was carrying all my gear plus 6 days worth of food. Typically 1 days worth of food weighs 2 lbs, so I had at least 12 lbs of food plus water. Water is also heavy. 1 quart of water weighs 2 lbs. I was carrying almost 4 quarts of water, as the day was humid and I knew that I would be drinking a lot during the day.I hiked alone all day again today. That is the pattern that has developed since I got back on the trail this week. Where is everyone? Iceman told me that there are a bunch of hikers behind us. I hope they show up soon, at least a few of them.Got to Rice Field Shelter at about 4pm. Great views from the hill in front of the shelter. The only problem is that the water source is .3 miles down a steep, very muddy hill. After having something to eat I decided to hike on to a campsite 1.6 miles further down the trail. There is a reliable water source at the campsite. So off I went.It was a very easy hike to the campsite and 3 gentlemen had set up camp there already. The campsite was a nice size, so there was plenty of room for 1 more tent.The 2 men were section hikers from Ohio who have been section hiking the AT for years. Cougar has been sectioning for 10 years, Schoney for 9 years, and today was the first day of the first year for Magilla!Two Pack and SNP stopped for a quick hello before going on to Symms Gap Meadow. You may ask "What does SNP stand for?" SNP = "Snot and Piss", which refers to the 2 bandanas hanging off of her backpack. One hangs on her shoulder strap, the other is off the back of her pack. Each is a different color. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination.
Date: 2009-06-14
From: Campsite along trail

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The day started out with me hiking in a cloud. It started to clear by the time I got to Symms Gap Meadow in 3.5 miles and then the sun came out about 1 hour later. I have found that I have a much more positive outlook when the sun is shining! I hiked by myself all day, but at least there were a few hikers who passed me during the day, so I did not feel as lonely (Phlo, Graveyard, and Jen) Got to the shelter by 3pm to find a huge plastic bag of trail magic (lots of Hostess Cake items including Twinkies which were a big hit with the hikers). I set up my tent and then went down to the stream and washed up & washed my hair. That felt great even though the water was icy cold. Had dinner with Shoney, Magilla and Cougar. Highway Mom (from Edison, NJ) joined us.The flies were pesky so I was in my tent by 7:45, and asleep by 8:30. My tent was within earshot of the very rapid stream, and the sound of the rushing water was very soothing and lulled me to sleep.
Date: 2009-06-15
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

I slept well lasst night, and was on the trail by 7:45. Schoney, Magilla and Cougar wake up really early so I asked them to wake me up also. Thank goodness they waited until about 6am to wake me, but that was perfect.The weather was nice today, started with cloudy skies but then the sun came out. The trail was fairly easy to start, but then a big climb to the ridgeline. I stopped at Bailey Gap Shelter for a snack. Phlo, Graveyard and Jen were just leaving, having spent the night there. As I was leaving Iceman and Cattywampus were coming in for a snack.Sometimes ridge walks surprise you, and today was one of those days. About 2 solid miles of the trail was rocks. Big rocks, small rocks, of all shapes and sizes. Add mud and tree roots and it made for slow going.I finally got to Wind Rock which is a large rock out-cropping with sweeping views of the mountains. It was very pretty, but there were alot of flies so I didn't stay there too long. The rest of the hike to War Spur Shelter was longer than anticipated. The long descent was painful to the feet and toes, as they had previoulsy took a beating on the rocks. Mileage on the signs also had to be wrong. Each hiker that arrived at the shelter had comments (some of them were quite graphic) about the inaccurate distances noted on the signs.Once I set up my tent I went down to the stream, cleaning up and soaked my feet. That felt wonderful and refreshing. Had dinner with a husband and wife from Hatboro PA, they are doing a section hike, and with TNT (Thimble and Timebomb). It was an early night again tonight. In the tent by 7:30, going to sleet by 8:30
Date: 2009-06-16
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: drizzle

I woke up in the middle of the night to sounds of rain falling on my tent. Lots of rain, which continued till morning. It was raining so hard that I turned over and went back to sleep when I woke up at 6:30. By 8am the rain was easing up, so I packed up, ate breakfast, and was out on the trail. It pretty much rained on me the whole day, mostly light shower and mist, but by the time I got to Sarver Hollow Shelter I was soaked to the bone. The hike started fairly easy but soon I was climbing a little over 1500 ft in 2.75 miles. That doesn't sound bad, but there were some pretty steep spots. Did not have a view at all today, as I was in a drippy, rainy cloud.After 10 miles I started on my last climb of the day. I passed the Keffer Oak, the largest oak tree on the AT in the south. It was a beauty. The incline got steeper as I climbed and I huffed and puffed my way to the top. I heard the meowing of a young cat? mountain lion? as I continued up the mountain. This is when my imagination starts to run wild. What if it were a mountain lion cub and the mom saw me. I moved a bit faster till I could not hear the meowing any longer.The ridge walk to the shelter was longer than I expected. The cloud was really thick now and visibility was decreasing, while the winds were increasing. I caught up to Magilla and Schoney and we hiked the rest of the way together. The shelter was .3 miles off the AT down a steep blue blazed trail. The walk down was worth it though. Sarver Hollow Shelter, built in 2001, is a beauty! One of the nicest yet. Aesop, Masley, Freedom and Shelby Hiker were eating dinner when we arrived. Soon I was in my dry sleeping clothes and eating dinner. Today was my 7th day hiking in a row and I was really getting tired, so I went to bed early.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: VA Rt 621
Miles today: 7.3

Woke again to pouring rain. Put on all my still wet hiking clothes and started out as soon as the rain abated a bit.The ridge walk was very difficult this morning as I had to maneuver over huge boulders that were angled at about 45 degrees or more. Plus the boulders were wet and covered with lichen. That made for a very slippery situation. These boulders went on and on for at least 1 1/2 to 2 miles. I did take a hard fall on my left elbow and left hip. Throughout the rest of the day my elbow swelled to about the size of a lemon.It was a shame that the mountain was socked in by clouds because the views would have been great from the boulder field, as it was right on the side of the mountain with no obstructions to a view. Oh well.I crossed the Eastern Continental Divide on Sinking Creek Mountain. Water flowing down the western side of the ridge eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico, while that water on the right of the ridge flows to the Atlantic Ocean.Got to Niday Shelter for lunch just as it started to rain really hard again. Soon Schoney and Magilla joined me. Everyone that streamed into the shelter had harrowing stories about the boulder field on top of the ridge. After some discussion Schoney, Magilla, Shelby Hiker and I decided to get a hitch to Catawba General Store from the next road crossing which was 1.3 miles further down the trail. The road was very rural but thank goodness after about 20 minutes the first car the passed stopped. The lady, Susan, said she would be right back and would take us to the General Store. Soon she returned and we piled into her SUV. The Catawba General Store was a distance away and Susan was very gracious to help us out. All four of us were wet, tired, bruised, and battered and ready for a night off the trail.Cougar came out to the General Store and took Magilla to his truck in Pearisburg. A few hours later Magilla returned to a waiting pizza and off we went to the Super 8 at Daleville. The Super 8 has wasers and dryers, so while my clothes were being washed I called Ron, told him I was taking a zero day tomorrow and he said he would come down! Hooray! Things were definately improving by 100%.After showering and drying my clothes Schoney, Magilla, Shelby Hiker and I went to dinner at the Mexican Restaurant directly in front of the motel. Seafood enchiladas and a jumbo Margarita for me. Boy did I sleep well at night!