morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-06-05
From: Daleville (Super 8)

To: Dry Camp MP 752.6
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: broken clouds

We left Daleville in the relative cool of the morning, probably about 65 degrees and headed up the mountain. After checking Guthooks and the posted comments, we knew that we¢d have 10 miles of no water with a questionable source at the end before a climb to a planned dry camp. We loaded up with 3-1/2 liters of water at the last creek and continued up the mountain in now about 85 degree heat with 80% humidity. Ultimately, it was a beautiful day and we had many nice views of the valleys and mountains.When we got to the first road connection with the Blue Ridge Parkway, the president of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA), Ken Bunning, was there with ice cold lemonade and soft drinks for hikers. We were the first, and I drank a liter of lemonade. Thanks Ken.About an two hours later, Joe was parked at a pull out where the AT crossed the BRP, and he had small snacks and water. Thanks Joe. About two hours after Joe, we cross the BRP the last time before a climb to our camp and there was more trail magic. Mr. Mayor, a thru hiker, and his girlfriend and friend were there with pizza, spaghetti and soft drinks. They were just packing up so MoJoe and I were the last hikers to get fed and watered (18 wheeler was there too). So in the end we hauled 7-1/2 pounds of water most of the day and all the way to our camp site. Plus we are loaded for food for four days that we did not touch. Tomorrow we pack heavy once again, full food and water. The last five miles up, 2,500 feet, has no water along the way or at the shelter that we plan to stay at. We plan to cut back on the miles.Something I forgot to mention yesterday is that we met a Ridge Runner and since we are thru hiking, she gave us backpack hang tags. These are two inches across Tri corner shape plastic tags that say AT and the year and signifies that we are thru hikers. They are souvenirs, and if you complete the hike you get a certificate. There are some outstanding issues about the certificate this year because of COVID, but I hope they get resolved soon.
Date: 2021-06-06
From: Dry Camp MP 752.6

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: clear sky

We started the day at 2,000 feet elevation, then went down to 1,200 feet, and then did a 2,600 foot ascent in 4-1/2 miles. The total climbing for the day was 6,000 feet. With another hot day and little water on the trail, the long ascents can suck the soul out of you. We went all the way up to 4,200 feet elevation and saw a very large FAA radar dome that we¢d seen in the distance yesterday, now we saw it up close. Tomorrow we drop down to 650 feet elevation to cross the James River, and guess what, begin another long ascent.Late last evening a hiker, Kitty Hawk, an older hiker, joined us in our tent area. This morning he left before us by about 15 minutes. Later in the morning another hiker that we had met before, Lens, passed us. About ten minutes later we came upon Lens with his phone out and looking at an iPhone on the ground. I picked up the phone to see if there was a name and saw that there were reading spectacles attached to the back. Because of the glasses, and knowing no respected young hiker would ever be caught with those glasses, MoJoe immediately said that the phone had to belong to Kitty Hawk. I said that since Lens is a fast hiker his mission is to catch Kitty Hawk. Long story short, we ran into them later in the day, and Kitty Hawk got his phone back from Lens. We credit this as a team ¢find¢.We are camped tonight at a shelter with over a dozen people. Water is from a shallow rock well. We passed by a boulder stuck in a rock crevasse called the Guillotine.
Date: 2021-06-07
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Bluff Mountain Camp MP 796.2
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

We are camped at the top of a mountain near the foundations of an old fire lookout. We had a hot 3,000 foot climb to get here, pitched our tents, and now a thunderstorm is rolling in.We had another dry trail day but crossed the James River, the largest river we¢ve seen so far. The AT crosses the river on its own bridge, the longest foot travel bridge on the AT. We had occasional nice views of large expanse of wild forests, even though there is a highway, railroad and a hydroelectric plant along the river.At lunch, while doing a tick check, MoJoe found a tick on his leg, which he removed. We made arrangements this evening for a shuttle driver to meet us 13 miles from here at noon tomorrow for a ride to Bueno Vista, and maybe visit a pharmacy besides doing resupply. (Now it¢s starting to rain hard.)
Date: 2021-06-08
From: Bluff Mountain Camp MP 796.2

To: Bald Knob Camp MP 811.8
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

After a rainy and windy night, we got an early morning start so that we would not miss our shuttle ride into the town of Buena Vista, VA. We covered 12.9 miles in 5 hours, although more was downhill than uphill.Our shuttle driver was early, and so were we; so we got into town by noon. Our driver showed us around and left us at the far end of town where we were able to get a free shower at an RV park. We also used the time to dry out our tents.Next, we walked ten minutes to a laundromat and started laundry as we went for BBQ food for lunch. Once lunch was done, so was our laundry, and we went to the Post Office to mail stuff home. I mailed my puffy (too hot), rainpants (you are wet all the time, and I¢ve taken to hiking in running shorts I found), wash cloth (useless, use bandana), and some straps and such. I¢ll have the puffy sent back to me when we get to New Hampshire. After all the chores were done, we went to the Family General for resupply, then to Subway to order food for dinner. By then it was 4 pm and time for our ride back up the mountain. Derrick, our driver, was really nice and pointed things out to us. We did a 2,000 foot climb looking for a campsite and finally found a rocky crag we are calling home for tonight. As I was typing this, I found a large tick in my tent, and thunder is getting louder. Lastly, we passed the 800 mile pine cones.
Date: 2021-06-09
From: Bald Knob Camp MP 811.8

To: Tye River Camp (834.5)
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

After a distant lightning show north of our camp, we broke camp fairly quickly. Last night I could see flashes of light but didn't hear thunder, so I got up to see the far off cloud to cloud lightning. It started to sprinkle just as our day ended, but rain held off so that we could set up our tents and boil some water. Tonight I am making my first Ramen Bomb which is a packet of ramen noodles and instant mashed potatoes. It is a carbohydrate overload, and exactly what you need when hiking. I used smoked bacon potatoes with a beef ramen packet. Mmmm good, but very hot. I found some clean toilet paper today and gave it to someone. The full story is I was hunting for a spring near a trail camping area and found clean unused TP in a freezer bag. So I brought it back to the campsite and placed it next to a fire ring. Just then three hikers showed up looking for the spring, and I pointed them in the right direction. I also told them I had just found clean TP if anyone wanted it. Sure enough, one guy was ¢running low¢ and eagerly took the TP.Now it¢s raining harder with thunder occasionally rumbling through the canyon. I don¢t know how I¢m going to clean up my bomb without getting wet.
Date: 2021-06-10
From: Tye River Camp (834.5)

To: Wintergreen View Camp (852.0)
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Looking at the miles covered today you¢d think it was an easy day. The morning started with a 3,300 foot climb, and by afternoon the rain showers were causing us to slip on a very rocky trail. I twisted each of my ankles and was limping a bit by the end of the day. It was time to take vitamin I. We also got a text that Smiles had slipped and broken a finger. We wish her a speedy recovery.We found a resupply box by a Blue Ridge Parkway intersection which was very good. However, we are receiving resupply packages from home tomorrow, so we really couldn¢t take much advantage of the trail magic. I took a couple of candies and some coffee.The end of the day had us camping at a view spot. All of a sudden the clouds lifted, the sun came out and we had the nicest, almost sunset, since we started the trail. We looked across a valley to a large ski resort perched on top of a mountain. It seemed like they helicoptered in the condos the forest was so close. As I write this we are in a flash flood watch area. Tomorrow is the hike out to an interstate and shuttle ride to Stanimal's Hostel in Waynesboro.
Date: 2021-06-11
From: Wintergreen View Camp (852.0)

To: Rockfish Gap (StanimalÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs)
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: moderate rain

We heard the pitter patter of rain and occasional thunder last night, and woke up to rain. Packing up camp in the rain is one of the worst feelings since you know all your gear will be wet the following night. But not today, as we headed down the mountain for a town day in Waynesboro. We had reservations at Stanimal¢s hostel, including a shuttle ride.Stanimal¢s is a very well run and clean hostel. Red Bread does an awesome job. MoJoe and I had a nice private room with two beds and a TV. We got picked up at Rockfish Gap and while going into town stopped at an Rockfish Gap Outfitter store. We had noticed our pole tips had been worn bare and into the plastic. Rockfish Gap Outfitters had what we needed and took care of replacing the tips. Thank you!I got my resupply box from Donna, including very touching Father's Day cards from the family and some home dried cherries. I also got new shoes, Merrels this time. We did the usual town things including going to an all you can eat Chinese restaurant for dinner. We had dinner with Kitty Hawk and Mackrell. Most of our gear dried. Back on the trail tomorrow and into the Shenandoahs.
Date: 2021-06-12
From: Rockfish Gap (StanimalÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs)

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: mist

After a gut stretching dinner and a peaceful evening at the hostel, I got up the next morning and went to Hardy¢s when they opened at 6 am. I got breakfast and a ham sandwich for lunch. Then I had a couple of bowls of cereal at the hostel. I found a scale at the hostel and have lost 12.5 lbs so far.Because of staffing shortages, Stanimal recruited Obie, the AT yearbook editor, to come by with his special customized bus to bring hikers back up the mountain. I jumped at the chance, and off we went, side window missing and enough stickers and artifacts to look at, we were at the trailhead before we knew it.A couple of miles in on the trail, I found a dirty, wet, dollar bill. Woo hoo. I¢m not going to ask if anyone lost a dollar. The trail today had very mellow grades and good tread. We cruised the 20 miles in 10 hours including stops. There was high overcast and fog all day which was good because we had a 12 mile stretch without water. My new shoes worked out well too.
Date: 2021-06-13
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: few clouds

We are in the Shenandoah National Park crisscrossing Skyline Blvd, the main road. There are big campgrounds in the park, so of course there are the accompanying stores in the park. This morning we were able to get to one along with a dozen other hikers (or more). The store opened at 9 am, and it was like chum for sharks. We hikers rushed in and grabbed beer, shakes, candy bars, etc. then sat outside under a breezeway eating and telling stories. Then the second wave hit, and then a third. It was a good feast. There were also showers available, but we moved on ready to go after having eaten Kit Kat bars, shakes, and bacon and egg muffin sandwiches. I also got a sandwich and corn chips to go for lunch. I am carrying three days of food, but I need to find one more ¢wayside¢ in order to buy three more days worth so I don¢t need to go off trail.We passed by the 900 mile rocks, and also met another Ridgerunner. Only this Ridgerunner works for a club. I may not have talked about ¢privies¢. They are mostly above ground screened latrines that you throw sawdust or leaves in the toilet seat hole after pooping. Some only have three sides and a roof. They are found at shelters or huts.Someone though has to move the poop around when it gets full. And when it gets real full, they move the superstructure over the old pit and let the poop mellow for two years before spreading it in the forest. Well this Ridgerunner¢s, Easy Going, job today was to spread the two year old poop around and pick out trash. Talk about a tough summer job; who wants to sign up? He was fun to talk to and very upbeat after finishing his work today. Easy Going you are amazing.Of course after a mostly foggy day, the sun came out for ten minutes before a thunderstorm came over us and started dumping rain. All my clothes, shoes, and socks are wet and will not dry overnight. I dread tomorrow morning: putting on wet, cold, smelly clothes. But, as Obie says, "hikers hike."
Date: 2021-06-14
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: mist

With nice grades, good tread, and sunny skies, the Shenandoahs were a virtual pleasure cruise. We even had a few good views down into the valley to the north and west of us.We stopped at the Lewis Mountain campground store to eat lunch and buy dinner (sandwich) to go. We also decided to buy enough food to last us through Friday, so we do not need to resupply. This made our packs very heavy for the second part of the day. We passed an interesting cemetery in the middle of the park that had both very old and new graves.Today I found a small metal object that turned out to be a tick remover, so I kept it. Yesterday, a hiker right in front of me found some nice tweezers and gave them to me, so I am more than ready for any pesky ticks. I apply Deet to my legs everyday. However, yesterday a wasp or hornet stung me on the back of my left calf and it got swollen and was bothersome today. I¢ll need to keep walking through it.
Date: 2021-06-15
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Range View Cabin Junction (953.8)
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: few clouds

When we were at Stanimal¢s, a hiker said there is food at every corner in the Shenandoah's. We took full advantage of that fact today. This morning we ran into an AT detour due to construction, and that lead us to the Skyland Lodge (cabins, conference center, the works). The lodge dining room had quite the menu including blackberry compote French toast. So of course we stopped and had a second breakfast there (we both had the French toast). I also bought a roast beef sandwich that I carried and had for lunch at Thornton Gap. Lunch also included drying tents and gear as we had significant rain overnight. I checked radar in the middle of the night, and there were huge storms 50 miles north of us.Later we hustled and made it to Elkwallow Wayside store by 4:50. They close at 5:00. It was enough time to order a burger and blackberry milkshake with a beer chaser. After finishing the pre-dinner, we hiked another mile before stealth camping near a trail junction. I then had a simple Knorr dinner with bacon bits. We are joined by Truck Stop who we¢ve been leap frogging with the last couple of days. He got his trail name because he was hit by a truck last May just before he planned to go on the AT in 2020. He had been in rehab right up until he left for the trail this year. And no rain today.
Date: 2021-06-16
From: Range View Cabin Junction (953.8)

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter (977.3)
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: scattered clouds

We reached our goal camp site around 4:30 today, so we decided to go another 2.5 miles to a shelter. Did we hit the jackpot. This shelter has a wood deck with Adirondack chairs, horseshoe pits, a nice grassy area, and a spring fed shower. It even has a pet shelter bunny.It was also a warm sunny day at the end of the day so we were able to take advantage of the shower and get cleaned up. MoJoe and I even played a little horseshoes. Amazingly, there was only one other hiker at the shelter. I think most hikers went off trail at the prior road that leads to Front Royal. There is a brewery there and most hikers were itching for a beer.Last night we had rain, but my tent was dry by morning. Tonight at sunset, I see clouds forming, but I might still leave my vestibule open. Fingers crossed. Lastly, I am seeing lots of fireflies at night now. Very cool and very east coast. No fireflies in California.
Date: 2021-06-17
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter (977.3)

To: Second Coaster (998.0)
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Before leaving to begin my hike, I had heard that this was going to be a big cicada year because of Brood X. Well, today we finally walked into cicada country as we crossed Manassas Gap and headed north. You see the dead insects on the ground and sometimes in brushy areas. If you spook them, they fly at you. The sound overhead varies from a gentle light snore to 100 people with weed wackers, very loud. Tonight we are camped at a ridge top, and it is a low background noise.Not much to see today outside of cicadas. We are in a narrow forested corridor that is sometimes overrun by creepers or ivy where there is sunlight. The vines kill a lot of trees.We are in an AT section called the roller coaster because there are 10 steep hill climbs followed by as many descents. The climbs are in the 500 to 1000 feet range, so not bad by AT standards.
Date: 2021-06-18
From: Second Coaster (998.0)

To: David Lesser Shelter (1016.8)
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Our wake up alarm today was a pack of coyotes yelping almost outside of our tents at 4:50 am. Oh well, time to get up. Our first stop was a photo shoot at the 1,000 mile marker at the Springer Mountain sign. Then on we went to Bears Den Hostel for breakfast, but we missed the serving. So, on we went down the mountain and across a very busy 4 lane highway with cars zooming past us at 70 mph. We had to run for our lives. On a backroad near the trailhead, MoJoe asked a guy for a ride to the Pine Grove cafe. Jim was kind enough to give us a ride to the cafe. MoJoe was suffering serious hiker hunger and needed a big second breakfast. I got the Country Fried Steak with gravy and an egg bacon muffin to go. We also had double scoops of blackberry-raspberry ice cream. Delicious. We had to walk a mile to get back to the trailhead, but we ended up hitching a ride, so it all worked out.We went past Ravens Rock vista where there were a dozen or more day hikers on the trail and then onward into West Virginia. Cue John Denver, country roads....We were cruising along trying to make it within 4 miles of Harpers Ferry and pass a no camping zone, when we decided why the rush. Nothing is open at 8 in the morning tomorrow and why rush just for a breakfast. So we detoured to the shelter and are staying inside because there is a chance of rain. Kitty Hawk and Truck Stop caught up to us and are here too. MoJoe¢s wife will meet us tomorrow in Harpers Ferry. We may also see Jetpack and Smiles as they are taking a zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2021-06-19
From: David Lesser Shelter (1016.8)

To: Harpers Ferry (1025.9)
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

We hiked to Harpers Ferry today. Harpers Ferry has an old historic downtown area with very old brick and stone buildings. The town has a rich history stretching back to the colonial days through the civil war and industrialization. There are lots of tourists and small shops. We went over the Shenandoah River, passed people getting baptized, and passed Jefferson Rock where Jefferson proclaimed it the finest view.I picked up my new bigger tent at an outfitter in HF that Donna sent me along with a Father's Day card and homemade cookies from Madeleine. I set up the tent to verify everything was there and then sent my old tent back with the help of the outfitter. The old tent was a one person tent, and my pack would get wet and full of bugs (even if no rain) when I left it in the vestibule. The new tent seems huge to me, but now I can keep my pack inside.MoJoe bought me lunch, and we saw Kitty Hawk and Truck Stop come into town. I met Karaoke, who¢d I seen comment in shelter log books. MoJoe¢s wife, Wendy, also came to town (she later gave Kitty Hawk a ride). We got a text from Jetpack, and she invited us all to dinner at an Air B&B house she and Smiles rented. Twigzs, a triple crowner that they met on the CDT, was also in town and staying at the B&B (Anglers Inn).So the six of us had a wonderful dinner in a formal dinner room of the 1873 Victorian house in the historic district. Twigzs made a venison steak in brown sauce with curry potato salad, and  brought fresh greens that Smiles made into a salad. We also celebrated Twigzs and Jetpack¢s birthdays.After dinner, Twigzs took out his fiddle and played some tunes for us. As fireflies flew about us while Twigzs played fiddle on the porch of an old Harpers Ferry home on a warm summer evening, it made the rainy days and sweat all worth it.
Date: 2021-06-20
From: Harpers Ferry (1025.9)

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was our second planned zero (miles) day. I hung around the motel in the morning doing backpacker chores, like back flushing my water filter, and trying to figure out why I bought so much food for three days before a minor resupply. I honestly could not fit all my food into my Ursack. I was going to experiment with Vienna sausages and peanut butter cups. But in the end I jettisoned those items and a few others to make it fit. It¢s going to be a heavy pack tomorrow with the food and a ten mile stretch of no water and heat. Today it was 89 degrees and 80% humidity. You sweat standing in the shade, so imagine doing a climb with a full pack.The afternoon was spent having lunch in HF with Truck Stop, his wife, and Kitty Hawk, and then walking around town. Check out info on the internet about Harpers Ferry, it has a very rich history. Something I didn¢t expect were all the tubers floating down both rivers. If I¢d had known I would have signed up with an outfitter and gone tubing.By the end of the day, I had too many milk shakes and food, and it was all I could do to return to the motel and make final packing tasks and repairs. Tomorrow we leave West Virginia and enter Maryland by crossing the Potomac River bridge. We leave ¢wild and wonderful¢ behind.