morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek, Va 614
Miles today: 17.0

"Life is known only by those who have found a way to be comfortable with change and the unknown. Given the nature of life, there may be no security, but only adventure." ~ Rachel Naomi RemenMay 30, 2010 ¢ Day 55 - SundayI wanted to be at Jennings Creek as soon as possible to enjoy the swim in the warmth of the sun. I left the shelter early and by 2:00 I was sitting on the rocky bank soaking my feet. While waiting for Sherpa, Dragon Tail, Red Stick and Two Rings I went for a swim in one of the deep pools. I met a couple there who were camping by the creek. They were going to the store and asked if I needed anything. Knowing thirsty hikers in the afternoon heat were approaching I said yes, a 12 pack of beer. Everybody showed up and the frolicking in the water began. Cooled down by the water temperature everyone sun bathed on the rocks and boulders of the creek. Boys being boys - we skipped stones across the water and built a dam using the rocks from the shore. Time got away from us and before we knew it 6:00 was approaching. We decided to stay and camp near the creek. The next site over was the couple who started a small fire. Another beer run was made and life was good in the woods. I got up to take care of my bladder and returned to the campfire. Sherpa and Dragon Tail are fussing over something on the other side of the fire pit. Suddenly Dragon Tail stands up and hands me a hiker birthday cake as everyone sings happy birthday to me. Today was my 60th. The hiker birthday cake was an example straight out of the pages of adapting, improvising and overcoming. It consisted of a Little Debbie Zebra Cake (a favorite) with a twig sticking out of the center. They put alcohol hand sanitizing gel on top of the twig and lit the gel as my candle. Out of the darkness, within minutes after receiving my cake, comes a hiker stating he heard someone was having a birthday. I looked up and my jaw dropped. It was Lint, who I hiked with for several hundred miles in '04. I was stoked! After my initial shock, Lint said he was thinking about coming in naked saying he couldn't afford a stripper or find one in the woods so he would be the show. Thank God he came to his senses and walked in fully clothed. It was good to see Lint and catch up on each others adventures. The party went on past midnight. I finally grabbed my sleeping pad and sleeping bag and cowboy camped by the fire.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Jennings Creek, Va 614

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

"Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee." ~ Job 12:8May 31, 2010 ¢ Day 56 - Monday - Memorial DayEveryone woke up later the usual and were walking a little sluggish and holding their heads. Headaches or not it was time to hike and a tough one at that. Most of the day would be going back up to 4000 ft. The humidity was high and the morning temps were climbing with us. I was soaking wet from the sweat and made sure to stay hydrated. Lint stayed with us throughout the day and is spending another day with me on the trail. When Lint finishes the AT he will hike the CDT the Continental Divide Trail next year. When he completes the CDT he will be one of only a handful of hikers to be a Triple Crown Hiker, twice. The Triple Crown consists of PCT (Pacific Crest Trail, AT and the CDT).Looks like my birthday weather held up as we walked towards the shelter under a rock formation named the Guillotine (a steep rock formation on either side of the trail with a large boulder wedged between the opening 20 ft. above floor). Its chilly tonite, the wind is howling outside the shelter and tomorrow a weather front might be passing through.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Big Rocky Row
Miles today: 19.4

"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." Henry WadsworthJune 1, 2010 ¢ Day 57 - TuesdayLint stayed with us at the shelter and went crazy because we still had daylight left and he had nothing to do. Lint said he was going to walk around the shelter so he would not lose his trail legs.The goal for today was to do get into Glasgow as early as possible, re-supply for the leg to Waynesboro and get back on the trail. My personal best mileage before 1:00 was 15 miles. Sherpa, Dragon Tail, Lint and I made the 15 miles to James River footbridge and US 501 (the footbridge is the foot-use only bridge on the AT). Everyone hitched into Glasgow. I was disappointed in the food selection at the grocery/hardware store. Several stores were vacant and the small hotel was closed and for sale. Met triple crown hiker Rest Stop and Triple, Triple Crown hiker Let It Be (triple crown is the AT, PCT and the CDT). It seems this year there are a lot of repeat thru hikers on the trail. We waited out a thunder storm shower and then hitched back to the trailhead.By 4:30 everyone was sitting at the John Hollow Shelter eating dinner. Lint finished first and said he was heading out not knowing where he was going to camp. I took that as a sign he was going back to hiking his own hike. We said goodbye and hoped to meet again somewhere up the trail. Sherpa, Dragon Tail and I decided to hit the climb out of the shelter during the cool of the late afternoon. Midday has been especially hot and humid which definitely caused my Midday Meltdown to be particularly nauseous.Just as we were leaving Red Stick comes into the shelter and decides to join us. The ascent was still a hard and sweaty climb. We found a camping spot on top of the ridge. I was grateful to have that climb behind me.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Big Rocky Row

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: few clouds

"It is essential to believe in magic, as long as you do not rely upon it."   ~ Robert R. JacksonJune 2, 2010 ¢ Day 58 - WednesdayIt was great to wake up on the ridge and know the climb out US 501 (Glasgow) was behind me. The ridge walk was like most passed by huge boulders and slabs of stone looking as if a large hand took wet cement mud and let it run out of their fist. The result is glob after glob sitting on top of one another in all shapes and sizes.I took a morning break at Punchbowl Shelter with Sherpa and Red Stick. The pond near-by is the French Riviera for the frogs. They sit at the water¢s edge half in the water to keep cool, some were in the grass, and others were fighting in the water. The serenade is what I remember from my visit in '04 and the songs of the frogs were just as beautiful today. One particular frog had a baritone croak that sounded like an out of tune trumpet player. He was the Barry White of frogs. The others harmonized higher in tone and they were the backup singers.Several of us were hiking above the Pedlar Reservoir and came to Pedlar Lake Road USFS 38 where a pickup truck was parked and a woman was waving us over. I got to the truck and the woman asked if we were hungry. We're hikers - of course we are hungry! At the back of the pickup a man is fussing with containers. He introduces himself as Flash and points to the woman and said that was his wife Hot Flash. They had both thru hiked in 1987. This is how I vision trail magic, when you least expect it. Some hikers get their panties all between their cheeks because there was no magic at a road crossing, in a gap or mountain road. They expect it every time. If that happened then it wouldn¢t be magic. Timing and being great folks made this trail magic special.We walked through the ruins of a black community of free slaves that use to live on Brown Mountain Creek. A shelter was located in front of the creek with great pools to jump in and cool off from the heat. Spent an hour there and had lunch.There was a long climb out of the valley and about half way up at US 60 Highway my second trail magic appeared. Earl from Daus Haus was waiting for slack packers and asked if I wanted a cold drink. Just what I needed to get me up and over Bald Knob.It was getting dark when Sherpa, Dragon Tail and I decided to hike a half mile off trail to Cow Camp Gap Shelter. A mile south of the trail junction I passed another milestone - the 800 mile mark from Springer Mountain, Georgia.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: clear sky

"The voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes." ~ ProustJune 3, 2010 ¢ Day 59 - ThursdayCow Camp Gap Shelter turned out to be a gem off trail. The half mile off trail was a slight downward hike to the shelter with the vegetation mowed on either side of the trail. The water was a great spring.The day's hike was through a long green tunnel. The sun was up early creating the hot humid air that immediately produced sweat. I can¢t remember how many days it¢s been since my clothes were dry. I reach camp near nightfall and change my hiking clothes for bed clothes. The humidity is so high that when morning comes around I am putting on damp or sometimes wet clothes.The skies in the afternoon started to darken as we had a late lunch at the Priest Shelter. The shelter is located near the top ridge of a mountain called the Priest. Hiking north the climb is not bad, but the descent is long and steep that has caused many shin splints to occur. Just as I left the shelter I heard thunder behind me. A short time later it started to rain and as quickly as it started it stopped. The bottom of the descent I came to a suspension bridge that crosses the Tye River. Trinket, who I knew from the store as a customer, was on the other side of the bridge. Trinket recognized me and produced trail magic in the form of a cold beer. The cold beer was perfect for the climb out of the river valley.When I arrived at the shelter I was pleasantly surprised to find the location in a primitive mountain valley with a rocky stream running in front. I quickly fell asleep to the rhythmic sound of falling water dancing around the rocks.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: scattered clouds

"Come into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher." ~ William WordsworthJune 4, 2010 ¢ Day 60 - FridayThis morning was the earliest I¢ve gotten up - 5:00 AM. Today my goal was to hike 27 miles into Waynesboro, the gateway to the Shenandoah National Park. The trail started off fairly decent and then I got a crash course on walking on rocks, tree roots, rocks, ground, did I mention the ROCKS. The fatigue of walking over any combination of the above brought our daily mileage down. It was in the best interest of all 3 of us, Sherpa, Dragon Tail and I that we slow down. I need to better read the rocks. I also need to learn how to glide, especially over the ROCKS!Hiking north of Bear Spring I saw a yearling bear gallop then stop on a slope below me. Every time he stopped his nose was in the air getting a whiff of hiker funk. Since I was the only one on the trail at this moment it must be me. His nose went down and off he scrambled along side me on the slope. The bear angles towards the trail. A short time later the bear crosses the trail and runs faster up slope. During all this I am on a constant alert for a possible second bear, perhaps a very protective mother bear. Mother bear was not around; probably getting a rest from junior¢s wanderlust.About an hour later I see another bear at a further distance running away from me. I guess the wind blew my scent in his direction.The Paul C. Wolfe shelter was another beautiful design structure in this section of VA.   This particular shelter was roomy and had enough roof and overhang to ride out almost any type of storm. The shelter sits high overlooking a boulder stream. The location of the shelter in the forest mountain valley presented a great viewing area as I was eating my dinner. Sherpa and Dragon Tail showed up and we decided to stay the night and do 5 miles in the morning to Waynesboro.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro YMCA
Miles today: 5.0

June 5, 2010 ¢ Day 61 - SaturdaySherpa. Dragon Tail and I were up early to get into town for breakfast. Halfway down the trail from the shelter I come to a woman hiking up the trail with a homemade backpack. She asked if I was a thru hiker. Yes, I said. The woman then asked if I wanted a hard boiled egg. As any thru hiker would say, yes Ma¢am, I would. Her name is Jason's Mom and she thru hiked in '98. Jason's Mom was on her way to the shelter to make sandwiches for the hikers coming in.We arrived in Waynesboro as the town was waking up. First order of business was to check out the Y (YMCA) for tenting, a shower and where to eat. When we checked into the Y, a zip lock bag of goodies containing soap, shampoo, razors, toothbrush and toothpaste, candy, dental floss was given to each of us. All this was put together by the women of a local church for the hikers. The clerk at the front desk gives us phone numbers of trail angels who will shuttle you to wherever you need to go, a map of the town and suggestions of things to do. I was impressed with the demeanor of the town's people towards the hiker. Walking down the street people would say, "Good morning, welcome to Waynesboro." WOW!The Y has property down the street that is covered in grass and surrounds a spring. This was the area designated for tenting and as the day progressed the tents popped up like mushrooms. There was even a clean Port-a-Potty for the hikers to use.During the afternoon I noticed a problem with the boots I got in Dalesville. By the time I could get a shuttle ride to the outfitter it was closed. I really did not want to zero but tomorrow was Sunday and the stores didn't open until noon. I was at least staying until the problem was solved.A legendary place to eat is called Ming's Garden, one of the best Chinese buffet restaurants on the trail. I have to say not only on the trail but one of the top five I've been to, ever. Other hikers were there, Lint, Rest Stop, Dragon Tail, Two Rings, Orbit and more. The feast was on.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Waynesboro YMCA

To: Waynesboro YMCA
Miles today: 0.0

June 6, 2010 ¢ Day 62 ¢ SundayI really did not want to zero here. However I needed to get my boots taken care of and re-supply for the next phase of my journey. I thought possibly I could leave in the afternoon and make the next shelter before the afternoon thunder showers. By the time I got back from the outfitters the clouds were building and dark with moisture. I told Dragon Tail I was not going out in the storm and he said he wasn't either. In fact I think he was glad I didn't say, "Let¢s Go!". It gave him another day to take care of his foot.By the time I returned more hikers had arrived. I decided to cook for everyone and told them if they buy the food I would cook. The next decision was what to cook. To save arguments I asked one question: who is vegetarian. I told them to trust me and got together with Wookie (my getter) and gave him a shopping list. I made Hobo stew in aluminum boats containing potatoes, carrots, onions peas, stew meat and seasoning, all stewed in beer. It was a hit. Just as everyone was finishing, a family showed up with two buckets of ice cream and cones. They stayed for an hour and visited with the different hikers. Have mentioned how hiker friendly the folks in Waynesboro are? Amazing! I went to bed early knowing it was breakfast at Weasie's in the morning and back on the trail.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Waynesboro YMCA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

June 7, 2010 ¢ Day 63 - MondayWaynesboro was a very good city to the hikers, but I needed to move out of the city vortex and get back into the woods. I met with Sherpa and Dragon Tail at Weaise's home cooked restaurant for breakfast. (I was informed the spelling of Dragon Tail is Draggin' Tail. Makes more sense this way since he is hiking with a Sherpa) A cold front came through during the night lowering the humidity and the temperatures. Today's high was going to be in-the 70's with a low tonite in the 40's. Perfect hiking weather. The three of us self-registered at the southern entrance station to Shenandoah National Park.We spent most of the day in the green tunnel criss-crossing Skyline Drive several times. It was nice to walk on soft tread and semi-level ground. All conditions of body, trail and weather made today's hike a quick and pleasant hike.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

"Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, it (the Appalachian Trail) beckons not merely north and south, but upward to mind, body and soul of man."   ~ Harold AllenJune 8, 2010 ¢ Day 64 - TuesdayThe weather the last two days has been spectacular. Temperatures during the night were a balmy 49 degrees. Once again sleeping in my 20 degree sleeping bag was comfortable. In fact I had to dig out my fleece zip tee long sleeve shirt from somewhere in the deep bowels of my backpack.Sometime around 6:30 I am getting ready to put on my backpack when Sherpa nudges me and whispers BEAR! Across the spring in front of the shelter a bear was roaming the mountain slope. By the time I got my camera out the bear was up the slope and out of sight. Once again I put on my pack and head up the trail with Sherpa and Draggin¢ Tail behind me. I get maybe 25 yards from the shelter when I hear Sherpa give me the cautionary sound of psssst! I turn around and Sherpa is pointing to the top of a 12" diameter tree. I look up to see a large bear coming down the tree. The bear reaches ground and starts walking behind the shelter still full of sleeping hikers. I slowly walked back to the shelter to alert those in the shelter. Everyone came out and we watched the bear move through the forest. I am in the front of the group trying to get a picture. Suddenly the bear turns and is walking towards us. I am amazed at the large girth of the animal. I can see the shoulders pop up as the front feet move forward. Collectively the whole group steps back in awe. The bear's nose goes straight up in the air and is sniffing. Our next move depends what the bear does after getting a nose full of hiker funk. The bear stops advancing and turns away from us and collectively you could hear the sighs of relief. The other hikers are entertained by the bear and the three of us thought it a good time to slip away.We passed Loft Mountain Campground and store and by 11:00 are sitting down having coffee and a pancake breakfast. The rest of the day was an uneventful mountain walk under blue skies, cool weather and green trees. Sounds like a beer commercial, living the life.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

June 9, 2010 ¢ Day 65 - WednesdayThe weather report last night wasn't looking good for today. 75% - 80% chance of rain beginning around midnight. I could not complain after the last two days of perfect hiking weather.The weather folks got it right for a change. Shortly after midnight a light rain fell and it continued that way after sun rise. I felt good waking up under a dry roof and could prepare myself and my gear for a wet hike. I stepped away from the shelter in full rain gear. The rain was falling just light enough to get all vegetation wet and not hard enough for the umbrella. It didn¢t take me long to heat up inside the rain gear. I couldn't decide - rain jacket on or off. I finally took it off because I was soaking wet anyway and left the rain pants on because of the wet vegetation.Most of the day went this way. Around 12:30 Sherpa, Draggin Tail and myself made it to the Lewis Mountain Campground and store. We decided to eat lunch and buy snacks.   Good thing we did, because the rain started falling heavier. The clerk in the store showed us the weather radar on his computer and it did not look pretty. A lot of dark greens and yellows heading for the Shenandoah Valley. The three of us decided to pack up and try to make Big Meadow Lodge before the big storm hit. Throughout the day we encountered deer after deer and several does with their fawns. The closer we got to Big Meadow the more we saw. The deer were not afraid of humans. They stood there looked you in the eye and said, "Na Na Na Na Na you can't touch me." Silly deer. Just before Big Meadow the rain stopped and the sun actually tried to come out.The expected storm fizzled out so we left Big Meadow after our meal. Just before the last of the day¢s light disappeared the shelter appeared. At the end of the day we put 24 miles in the books.The milestones seem to be going faster. Near South River Picnic Area we crossed the 900 mile barrier. Now that's long distance hiking.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-11
From: on a ridge 2.5 miles from Elkwallow Wayside

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: broken clouds

"The days that make us happy, make us wise."   ~John MasefieldJune 11, 2001 ¢ Day 68 ¢ FridaySherpa, Draggin' Tail, Home Brew and I got to sleep in this morning. We were planning to hit the Elkwallow Wayside for breakfast and our last chance for blackberry shakes in the park. Even with the sleep-in we were all there by 8:00 waiting for the store to open. Believe me it was worth the wait.The trail pretty much followed Skyline Drive throughout the day. My pack was light because I had two Pop Tarts left for food, since we were going into Front Royal. I crossed the northern boundary of Shenandoah National Park and was glad of one thing, no more sounds of motorcycles running down the Skyline. Please don't get me wrong I love motorcycles but when I am hiking in the wilderness the last sound I want to hear is a Harley.Got to US 522, the road into Front Royal, by 5:30. I crossed the street and didn't even get to stick out my thumb when a car pulls over and gives Sherpa, Draggin' Tail and I a ride to the doorstep of the Quality Inn. Home Brew showed up a little later so we split the room 4 ways. We showered, bought beer and ordered pizza for a good night in an air conditioned room.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

"There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly." ~PythagorasJune 12, 2001 ¢ Day 69 ¢ SaturdayToday was town day. Go to the post office to pick up mail that did not arrive, re-supply and walk through the historic town of Front Royal. Many of the hikers decided to stay and watch the World Cup game between the US and England. Everyone met at the local bar where the game was being televised. Several British customers also were there to watch the game and cheer England on to victory. The bantering between the two sides made watching the game even more exciting. The game ended in a tie. The US crowd felt the tie was as good as a victory and the Brits looked at it as a defeat. England was favored to beat the US.Hikers met up at Lorod's room after the game for a shuttle back to the trail. The next shelter out of town was only 5 miles away, which gave us a nero, pub food, beer and a good game. Life is good on the trail.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe