morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Sarver's Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Well, it was another diverse day on the AT. I saw new wildlife, met more new people, and faced new challenges. I woke up this morning at Saunder's, where I slept like a baby even though there was apparently quite a snorechestra going on. It's amazing what two Tylenol PM's will do. With only 16 miles planned, I even slept in until 7:30. The morning was fairly easy hiking with nice ridgeline views, but it heated up quickly. I took a break with Spicoli at the first shelter 6 miles in, it was almost 80* already at 11:00am.We had a tough climb right after that, another 1500' up to get to the Audie Murphy monument, a tribute to an old war hero who died nearby in a plane crash. Then, it was only 5 more miles to get here. Spicoli and I were a couple of the first to roll in at 4:00, but there's a bunch of people here now, catching up to us from the Captain's. There is Spicoli, Sideshow, Wolfpack, Ninja, Hardcore, Penny Mouse, Water Boy, Arriba, and a couple more just came in. Oh yeah, about that diverse wildlife, I saw a huge turtle, salamaders, "Bambi" - a 2 weekish old deer with spots that barely weighed 20lbs, and a 5' black snake that hissed and rattled at me. Exciting!The plan is to do the 12.5 miles into Catawba, snack on some food, then go up another 4.5 over McAfee Knob tomorrow, one of the most famous picture taking places on the AT. Ninja is planning on going to the next stop, a shelter 23 miles out, which I could do, but I really really don't feel like it. I have to keep telling myself, stick to the plan, stick to the plan. I'm planning on staying the night in Troutville, and she's not, so she is doing the extra push. It's hard to hike your own hike sometimes, Bon Bon is now a solid 20 miles in front of me and I feel like I don't know anyone again. "Hike your own hike" is one of my favorite expressions out here, along with "Never make an important decision during an uphill climb", and one that I made up, "There's a top to every mountain". I believe the hike has been very physically demanding, but from now on it's going to be more and more mentally challenging to keep going. Thank God the girls will be here soon to help liven things up. Song of the day? "I Wanna Hold You Hand", Beatles.Kick: A big climb in big heat. Having to go 10 miles without a water source didn't help either.Kiss: Another day comes to a close, good miles and good times. I'll cross 700 tomorrow and I'm still feelin good.Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 18 more days...
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

What a cool day on the AT, I definitely created some memories today. I climbed over two of the best views in Virginia and lived to tell the tale. I started my morning by climbing Cove Mtn, with the Dragon's Tooth lookout. What a brutal 4 mile climb that was with cold morning legs. The view was pretty amazing, though, and it was cool to stand on top of one of the "teeth" and I made a movie. The climb down was ridiculous, iron rungs and rock faces, it was the hardest downhill in so long, maybe so far.I kept going and hiked through some cow pastures, got chased by a cow for a few hundred yards, got some cold soda trail magic, and climbed back up to another ridge line for another 6 miles. The tooth kicked my butt, and it was almost 90* today so I never quite bounced back. It's been tough getting water lately, the only good sources are where the cows take baths. Literally. I almost got water at a large stream earlier but I saw a cow upstream taking a bath, pooping, and peeing in the water. I'll pass.I got to the road crossing of highway 311 and debated whether or not to go into Catawba. It was only a mile, I had the time, and it was downhill. Plus, I really wanted to send Dani a letter at the P.O. The little general store was great, soda and pizza, ice cream and beer, everything I could ever hope for. But they were out of debatured alcohol, so I'll have to get some when I get to Daleville. Only 15.4 into town, where I will get to stay at another cheap interstate motel, visit a Kroger Super Store, and maybe go to a good BBQ place I've been hearing about.I'm glad I took it easy today, I went over McAfee Knob, one of the most well known places on the AT. It's a very popular day hike, and there are 3 shelters in a 5 mile stretch because so many people congregate around here. Very cool to be able to have my "McAfee picture". Just another 2 days and I'll be crossing the 1/3 mark, mileage wise. I can't believe Ive gone this far.Kick: The steepness of Dragon's Tooth, and the hot heat walking through those cow pastures.Kiss: McAfee Knob and Dragon's Tooth were the best views since...I don't know...a loong time.Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 17 more days...
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Howard Johnson - Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Oh, what a day. The heat returned and it drove me nuts. Even though I was on the trail at 7:30 this morning it was over 80* again by 10:00. I knew it was only 15 miles, but it dragged on and on. Well, let's not sugarcoat it here, I am starting to have a really hard time mentally pushing on. Don't get the wrong idea, I want to finish, I want to do this. But, day to day, hour to hour, I spend a lot of time frustrated or pissed off. Virginia is a crazy place, it's huge and the climbs are not easy. The 80+ degree heat and stifling humidity haven't helped much either. And now we're looking at a couple of days of rain again, cooler temps, but rainy...I guess I can't have it all.At least the second half of my day has been much better. I am sitting in a hotel room, food is at my fingertips, and I just got a letter from Dani that's been waiting at the Post Office for me. The letter just made my whole day. I am going to talk to her soon, too. I am feeling like a pretty lucky guy after all.Only 16 more days until I get to see the girls, I am really looking forward to that. I can push on knowing that they'll be here soon. I never think about quitting, and I don't want to stop, but some days....it's hard.Don't worry, life is good still, I am going to do this.Kick: The heat!Kiss: Dani's letter! And the hotel room, beer, and shower (in that order). By the way, down here you can get a 6-pack of Busch Light for $3.29, or a two liter of soda for $2.19. Ounce for ounce, beer is nearly as cheap as soda. Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 16 more days...
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Howard Johnson - Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Ah, what a wonderfully lazy day. You know how sometimes you just want to call out of work, you're not sick, you just want to take a mental health day? That's what I felt like today, hiking's my job and I feel like I've been working too much overtime or something. At $50/night, staying in town another day was no option. here were shelters out of town at 5 miles, 11 miles, and 18 miles. Normally I'd shoot for 18, no problem, but I laid up here instead. It's turned into a relaxing day.I got the continental breakfast this morning, went back to my room and laid about, and didn't get out of town until almost 11:00 this morning, right before check out time. I meandered up the hill out of town and made it to the first shelter at 12:30, took a good long break, and hummed and hawwed about how much further to go. It wasn't time or energy I was lacking, but motivation. Plus, if I went from Daleville to Glasgow/Big Island, the next town stop, in 3 days doing 18/18/20 like I planned, I'd be forced to spend the night on Saturday. Another $50 stop. So, this way I can take it easy, doing 11/20/23 and end up at a shelter 2 miles before town. I'll be in and out on Sunday morning and be no worse off.I'm feeling better mentally, I got to this shelter at 3:00 and have spent a lot of time sitting and watching the rain go by, listening to the woods, and remembering why it is I'm out here. I am at peace again. Tomorrow will be good, I will be crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time tomorrow, one of 16 crossings between here and Waynesboro. That just seems significant to me for some reason, the Blue Ridge Parkway means I'm close to Shenandoah National Park, it means in some way I'm close to the end of this friggin' state. One good bit of news, I think I'm officially a third of the way through the trail.Kick: Leaving town is so hard. Ninja is ahead of me now, too, and I'm probably not going to see her again for awhile.Kiss: An easy day, and another new group. Here tonight with Mulleigh (moo-lay), Feed Bag, White Bread, StoryTeller, Cass, Papa Squat, Limbo, and Bird. Oh, and today marks 50 days on the trail.Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 15 more days...
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

Rain, rain, go away, don't come back another day! It rained all yesterday afternoon, night, this morning, and it didn't stop until about an hour ago. No breaks or lulls, just heavy rain the whole day. Oh well, I'm at the Taj Mahal of shelters tonight, it sleeps 20, has a nice privy, and is right next to the water source. Oh yeah, and did I mention it stopped raining?Today started tough, I was in a shelter that slept 6, but there were 7 people and all their wet stuff inside. Then we all woke up at different times, changed from dry to wet, tried not to step on each other, I finally got out of there around quarter to 8:00. 2.5 miles in I got to see the BRP for the first time. It's just another road, but it means a little more. I crisscrossed it a couple times, each time coming out to a scenic overlook, one oh those places you get out of the car and go ooh, aahhh. I could see about 100' in every direction and there wasn't a single car on the road.Another 5 miles brought me to the first shelter, where I found a group of 6 guys still in their sleeping bags at 11, hellbent on not moving until the rain passed. I wonder if they ever left. I got water, ate second breakfast, and moved on in the pouring rain. It was another 6 miles to the next shelter, I got there around 1 and had lunch. This one was empty, so I got to sit in it and dirty it all up. I rested for a few, but got antsy and kept moving on. It was 7 more miles to get here, a three tiered shelter that Feedbag, Blink, and I are currently the only ones occupying. All our stuff is strewn about, attempting to dry.All in all it was a fairly easy day, I did almost 21 miles by 4:30. This shelter is making all the difference right now, a touch of luxury living in the woods. Planning on doing 23 miles tomorrow, then I'm not sure. There are a couple options for resupply and I'm not sure which one I'll take. Oh well, only 100 miles to Waynesboro either way.Kick: Everything is soaking wet, my sleeping bag and pad are even wet. I'm unsure about what I'm going to do for resupply.Kiss: This shelter rocks.Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 14 more days...
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matt's Creek Shelter -tenting
Miles today: 22.7

Ah, sunshine! Today was really nice, even with the huge climbs this morning. First thing this morning was a 2200' climb, followed shortly thereafter by a 1200' climb up Apple Orchard Mtn. Apple Orchard was significant because it's the last time we'll hit 4200' until Mt. Moosilauke in NH. It was nice to be at some sort of high elevation again, it really helped keep the heat and humidity down to a reasonable level. It was sunny and 70-something all day. After the two big climbs this morning, it was pretty easy going except for this one climb that was straight uphill for about half a mile. There was a weird weather tower at the top of Apple Orchard that looked like a 30 foot wide soccer ball, all metal. My first thought was man, that thing has to get struck by lightning all the time, but maybe that's the point? I don't know.Right now I'm at Matt's Creek Shelter, it's just me and Feedbag. It's really nice, we're in this "pocket" with a bunch of hikers in front and behind, but not a lot around us. Last night we had just 3 people in that 20 person shelter, it was awesome. I met another trail legend today, Baltimore Jack. He's very talkative and knowledgeable, the guy has hiked the trail like 8 times. Why? How? I don't know, but he was easy to get info from regarding some key areas up ahead. Well, I am now 773 miles into the trail, and I figured I'd update you how stuff is holding up.My tent is great still, I had one night of bad condensation back in Georgia and haven't had a problem since. I can put it up or take it down in less than 5 minutes. My pack is holding up, a few areas of wear, the poorly patched hole in the front from the mice, and my belt is cinched all the way as tight as it can go 'cause I've lost some weight. My sleeping bag is good, getting a little warm at times because it's a 30* bag, but it vents well. My pad is great and I love sleeping on 2.5" of air every night. My boots are holding up, but their days are numbered. The sole was ripping off at the toe on my left boot, but in Daleville I Krazy Glued the shit out of it and then wrapped the whole thing in packing tape and let it dry overnight. 50 miles and two days of rain later, it's still good as new, the only problem? My Superfeet is now glued in on that side, oops. The treads are wearing thin, and I can feel the rocks a lot more. The girls are bringing me new boots, so these will end up with about 1000 miles on them, which I'm very happy with.Everything else is doing fine, I've cut about 5lbs out of my pack since Springer and am real comfortable with the weight now. All is good!Kick: Big climbs with cold morning legs. The bugs are OUT!Kiss: A beautiful day of weather, and I completed 23 miles in about 9 hours, breaks included, and it wasn't even (really) that hard. Breakfast in Glasgow tomorrow morning!Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 13 more days...
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Matt's Creek Shelter -tenting

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Ah, the heat! The bugs! The long stretches of no water! Ah, such is life in Virginia in June. At least going into town was nice, it didn't rain, and I'm still here to tell the tale. I got to the road this morning, 2 miles in, at 8:00 this morning. It was right after crossing the James River on the longest foot bridge on the AT, it must've been over 500 feet. I got a lucky hitch into town, it was only the third or fourth car that drove by in 20 mins. It was a man who canoes the river often and puts in upstream and hitches a ride back to his car. He told me he's been standing in that same spot I was, hitching a ride himself, many times before. I got in 'downtown' Glasgow by 9:00, where the gas station, school, grocery store, and laundromat are all on the same corner. The biggest, newest building in town? The church of course, a dominating structure a "block" away, where all the cars were.I went to the grocery store/hardware store/feed store/balloon store/whatever else he could jam in there store and the Dollar General and got loaded up for the next few days of hiking into Waynesboro. I hung around the laundromat for like 3 hours, doing laundry, charging my stuff, and repackaging food. I wanted to go to Howard's and get a hot breakfast, but they recently went out of business.I go to leave town, walking down to an intersection, and this guy pulls over, rolls down his window , and asks me if I want a ride back to the trail. Heck yes! He's Ken, a trail angel who shuttles hikers daily around here. Perfect. I got back to the trail before 1:00, left the first shelter at 2:00, and proceeded up one of my new least favorite climbs. 2000' in the hot sun, very steep, and endless up to the top of Big Rocky Row. Then another couple climbs, 1500' worth in all, and I dragged my butt into this shelter. This shelter is notable because a small child, about 5 years old, left one day from a schoolhouse to go collect firewood in 1890. He never returned, and they found his body atop Bluff Mtn, just south of here, 5 months later. Little Ottie is his name, and he is rumored to haunt this shelter. Exciting! I'm impressed he made it up that killer climb.Here tonight with Feedbag, Blink, 4 other thru hikers I've never met before and have yet to get names of, and a guy from France. He's doing a 200 mile SOBO section of the AT before going to the West Coast to do more hiking. Damn Frenchies and their long holidays. He's fun to talk to though.Kick: The painful climb out of the river, one of the Top 5 worst yet. Tomorrow, 10 miles in, there's a 3000' climb up Bald Knob waiting for me.Kiss: Talking to Dani in town for over an hour, easy hitches both ways, and knowing an early start tomorrow might help me beat the heat.Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 12 more days..
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: few clouds

Yikes, another near marathon day, it probably would be with all the shelter trails and water trails I took. I totally didn't mean for it to happen, but I got up early to beat the heat and it was beautiful all day. I woke up at about 5:30 and was on the trail just after sunrise. I knew the big climb was 10 miles in, but that those 10 miles would be fairly easy, so I wanted to get 'em over with ASAP. I got to a shelter at 9.7 at about 10am, web blazing the whole way (web blazing is essentially hiking through all the fresh spider webs in the morning, it happens to the first person on the trail). The climb from the shelter was 3000' with no breaks, absolutely endless, up to Bald Knob which isn't bald. I survived though, after sweating buckets for 2 hours. I better planned my water today and I made it up the hill with a liter and a half left, saving myself a 1.2 mile detour to a shelter way off the trail. Out of the gap was another 900' climb up Cold Mtn, another gap, a 600' climb, then 10 more up and down miles to get here. The one big highlight was on top of Cold Mtn, I met a couple of dayhikers who gave me fresh fruit, some pieces of apple and orange. Thanks to them! It put some pep in my step!Overall, another day of firsts, such as:-On the trail at sunrise-10 miles before 10am-20 miles before 3:30pm-First day of ticks, I found 3 today-A near marathon day while doing 5000+ feet up-Fruit trail magicAwesome! And fortunately, there was no haunting at Punchbowl last night. Here tonight with Sideshow and two SOBOs who just started in Front Royal. My feet are good and my belly is full, the bugs were bad but the weather was beautiful. Song of the day is "It's Good to Be King" by Tom Petty.Talk to you all later.Oh, one last thing. I am officially snap happy, I just realized I've taken over 800 pictures so far, more than one per mile!Kick: The big climb.Kiss: Cooler weather than expected (only 80*), and bigger miles than expected. Crossed the 800 mile mark today!Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 11 more days...
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, it's official, I am no longer a purist. Not that I was when I started or anything, but I just blue blazed for the first time today. Blue blazing is when you take a side trail, something other than the AT to get ahead. Usually it is a short cut, and today I tried it out. 800 miles of white blazes, I figured I'd give the blue ones a shot for once. I started out a little late this morning, not getting on the trail until almost 9 because I wanted to sleep in. It was either 7, 13, or 21 to one of three shelters today, so I set out for the further one to set up an easier day tomorrow. The first 5 miles were really good in a 65* fog that was nice and cool. Then I climbed up the Priest, but I got to go the easy route, it was 800' to get to the top and then 3000' down to the Tye River. Another 2.5 miles and I came to an intersection with the Mau-Har trail, which meets back with the AT at the shelter I wanted to stay at tonight. One way goes 7.2 miles, up 2000' and the other goes 3.0 miles past waterfalls and natural swimming pools on a humid 80* day. Well, I chose swimming. The book said it was harder but shorter and boy, were they were right. Really steep and different and not like the AT, it was good to mix it up, and I got to soak my feet and relax in one of the pools for about an hour. Waterfalls all around, relaxing and soaking my feet, clearing my mind and enjoying the feeling of being still. It was one of those moments that I wish I could meditate or something.Now I'm here at the shelter with a couple others, and two SOBOs. These guys, Castanada and Rattle Foot, are doing a double flip flop. Hiking NY->VA, then NY->ME, then GA->VA. They've met almost every NOBO hiker so far, including the first, who started on Jan 1. They have a neat perspective, and told us a lot about the trail ahead. They also started in Bear Mtn, NY on April 15th. They're the first people I've met who shared my start date since...well, I started.Kick: I found out the 3 mile blue blaze still climbed the 2000', just like the 7 mile white blaze.Kiss: Relaxation at the falls.Happy Trails,TransitionJust 9 more days...
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Hostel
Miles today: 20.8

Well, I've made it to Waynesboro, VA. I made it the 20 very boring miles through the woods. I would love to tell a story and say something special, but today was just 20 miles through the woods. That's how I feel anyway, I've been so focused on Waynesboro, like what happened with Damascus, I didn't even care about anything but getting to town.On the other hand, I started out this morning convinced that I would only do 16 miles to a shelter just outside of town, yet I still somehow pushed on. I woke up at the shelter and me and another guy (both using swim trunks as our shorts) both found fresh holes eaten in the netting of our shorts. The mice love anything they can use to make nests with. Mine got a hole in the side near the hip, no big deal, but it's the size of a baseball. The mice ate a hole in the other guy's too, in a slightly, ahem, more inconvenient location.The miles weren't too bad, but there were 16 miles in between shelters, so it was a lot less broken up than it usually is. The big climb of the day was Humpback Mtn, which was a long and steady climb followed by a few short....well, humpback climbs. I was taking it really slow today, I think I'm starting to feel what shin splints feel like for the first time. The 3000' descent down the Priest yesterday took its toll. I got to the shelter at 3:00, on one hand I really wanted to stop to rest my ankle and ice it in the stream, on the other I wanted to be in town with all its little luxuries. Only five miles, one big climb out of the shelter and a cake walk the rest of the way. It took me almost an hour of debating to decide, it was only 3:00 and I didn't want to stop, but I know someone (Cire) who just got off the trail because he gave himself a stress fracture from hiking with shin splints too long. 800 miles in and he has to quit, doctor's orders.Ah, well, I guess you know already that I decided to go on. I figured I could treat my problem better in town than out. Oh yeah, I had some extra motivation, I flipped through my guidebook and found out the hostel cooks a free dinner for hikers once a week. Wednesdays. I'd run through 5 miles of poison ivy with a broken leg for a free home cooked meal at this point, so pushing on is what it took. Waynesboro is a big town, the biggest we've been to yet. It's a touch hitch because you're right next to an off ramp for I-64 when you get off the trail, so the town has set up a series of volunteer Trail Angels, mostly retired people. Give them a call and they'll come pick you up, no charge, they do it because they want to. What a great introduction to town. More on Waynesboro tomorrow, I'll be taking a zero.Kick: Ankle pain all day, a new reason to hate shelter mice, one kinda good view in 20 miles of hiking, HUMID.Kiss: Free dinner, a surprisingly great hostel, town time, talking to Dani.Happy Trails,TransitionOnly 8 more days...