morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Daleville, VA

To: Bobletts Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

I woke up ready to get out of town. It's still raining and the forecast is calling for rain thru tomorrow afternoon sometime. Luckily the trail-head was right next to the hotel, so no long road walk. Since it's raining, I wanted to stay in a shelter tonight. So I have a choice between 11.2 (too short) miles and 18.5 miles (too long). I'm not sure where I will end up.The trail went from Daleville to Troutville. This included going under I-81 and crossing a couple other roads. It felt like miles went by before I couldn't hear traffic.The trail today was wet and foggy for the most part today. I started out in my t-shirt and rain jacket and was okay. Once I got to a higher elevation, it was more exposed and the wind was pretty fierce. So I stopped at Fullhardt Knob Shelter at 5 miles to put on my fleece and eat a snack. Smokey was there packing up. He is doing 28 miles days, so he will pass me later and I'm sure I'll never see him again. Nice guy, but very focused. I met up with Onion as I was coming out of the shelter. We said hello and hiked on. The weather was not conducive to chatting. I met a slack packer going southbound who warned me to be careful at the stream crossings and to be ready to get my feet wet. I ended up crossing 5 or 6 very fast moving full creeks. I took my time on each one, tried to take smaller steps and made it across all them with out mishap. I did get wet feet.I arrived at Wilson Creek Shelter at the 11.2 mile mark around 1 o'clock. Floater and Onion were there and I got to talk with them a little. They were waiting on the final member of their group. Onion's pack frame is broken and she was working with Osprey on the phone to get it fixed. She will get a brand new pack when she gets to Waynesboro. She was very excited that they were going to replace her pack no questions asked. They really seemed to be enjoying their hike. It was too early to stop, so I decided to hike on and try to go the 18.2 miles. I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway 3 times I think. Each crossing had a view, but they were all socked in with fog. Each had a trashcan. I didn't have much trash since I just left town, but I did drop off a few wrappers. The trail pretty much just followed the parkway after I crossed it the first time. I arrived at the Bobletts Gap Shelter about 4:30. Nemo and Spiderman were here. Nemo was debating with himself on whether to go or stay. Spiderman was already settled in. I set up a spot, got water, ate and snuggled in. Nemo ended up staying as well. Another hiker showed up and I said hi, I'm SunSeeker. He said I know you!!! It's LoneStar from the San Antonio Backpacking Meetup Group. We were a couple of the first members of the Meetup Group. We did a couple trips together when I lived in Texas. What a small world. He is out doing a section hike. Short day planned for tomorrow and I'm hoping the weather clears up soon. Nonstop rain sucks.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

According to the forecast, the rain was supposed to start around 4 PM this afternoon. Wolverine was headed the 21 miles to town, while the rest of us are headed for the next shelter about 5 miles before town. We were all up and out of the shelter by 7AM. It was overcast and the wind was back. The sky looked like rain all day.  I hiked with the 3 section hikers for a little while. It is nice to have someone to talk to once in awhile. They stopped to get water, but I had plenty and continued to hike. I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple times and one had a trash can, so I stopped to dump my trash. There were several views again today, but the wind continued to blow like crazy and made hanging around the overlooks a little chilly. No lingering for me today.I had one climb of about 1,000 ft and once again there were lots of rocks, ledges and boulder fields. The climb was a little tough today as my legs are feeling a little fatigued from yesterday, but like everyday I reached the top by putting one foot in front of the other.  I started down the other side and finally ducked out of the wind. Thank goodness. I passed two ladies going up to camp on the top and I advised them not to go up there with the wind and the predicted rain. TalkingBull said they decided not to go to the top and were looking for a spot below the summit.I reached the shelter pretty early and before the rain. It made me quite happy to not get wet today. I won't have to put on wet clothes tomorrow morning. Some slack packer showed up for a short break and then took off again. FireWatcher and his crew showed up a short time later and before the rains started. They were happy about that.  The rains have started and I am under a metal roof. Three inches are predicted overnight and I'm happy to be in the shelter tonight. I will be hiking into town tomorrow in the rain. There is a graduation of some kind this weekend and all the hotels have jacked there prices up to the $180 range. Thank goodness there is a hiker hostel in town and the owner said there should be room for me tomorrow. I feel like I just left town, but hope to make this a short stay. I will be entering Shenandoah National Park this weekend.
Date: 2017-05-05
From: Paul Wolfe Shelter

To: Stanimal's 328 Hostel
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It poured hard all night long. Between the metal roof and the roaring of the rapidly rising creek, the decibel level in the shelter was kind of high. It was a nice shelter with a large porch and I stayed quite dry. All the noise drowned all the hiker noise and I slept pretty good for being in a shelter.  Everyone was happy that the shelter was North of Mill Creek. Yesterday it was a nice little rock hop across, this morning no rocks were even visible. I would not want to cross it this morning. I hiked out with TalkingBull and his group. It was a five mile hike to Rockfish Gap and Waynesboro, VA. The rain had mostly stopped as we headed up the trail. We had to cross many streams with some going mid calf. Feet and boots are soaked! Once the boots get soaked through, I no longer care as my boots were already as wet as they can get. The trail had turned into a creek itself in many places.  We were at the trailhead by 9:15. A guy showed up quickly and drove me to the hostel. This is one of the nicest hostels I have ever stayed. I jumped promptly into the shower and did my laundry in record time! Awesome. Then a group of us were promptly taken to the outfitters and post office. I've never seen a hostel run so smoothly.  When I returned, I was dropped at E&J pub for lunch. I had a very good burger and fries. I was still hungry so I ordered a 1/2 pound of shrimp with coleslaw. The other patrons sitting at the bar with me were giving me some strange looks, but I was hungry! I walked across the street to Kroger for some snacks and walked the half mile back to the hostel.I spent some time on the phone with Mark, my favorite town activity! The rest of the afternoon was spent talking with the other 3 hikers here, soaking my feet in some Epson salt and preparing for the next hiking section. I went to dinner with the other hikers, but I ate a normal size dinner. Haha.  I'm excited to be entering Shenandoah tomorrow. It is just over 100 miles and the other hikers are trying to get through in five days. I'm still quite a bit slower and will take 7 to 8 days to get through.
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Stanimal's 328 Hostel

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

The first shelter is at 7.7 miles and the second is at 19. I knew I couldn't do the 19 without a super early start, so I chose a later shuttle at 11 giving me more than enough time to get to the first shelter.  I still woke up early. Slider and I walked to Taco Bell for breakfast. It was the only restaurant we knew of around the hostel that served breakfast.  Not great, but better then our normal fare on the trail. When I got back, I packed up and was ready to go well before the departure time. It was raining, extremely windy and cold when I finally arrived at the trailhead. I'm telling you, if the shuttle driver hadn't taken off so fast, I would have been back in the car and headed back to the hostel. I saw a group just starting a trip into the park who bailed as soon as they felt the wind, rain and cold.  I put on my rain jacket and headed into the woods.  Once I got into the woods, the trees blocked some of the wind and I warmed up. The meadows and mountain top views I normally like were my least favorite part today. The wind was crazy and tried to steal my hat several times. I passed a couple communication towers and a couple roads. The trail was fairly easy today with some ups and downs, but nothing to extreme. If the weather was sunny and warm I would have enjoyed the hike very much. However, with all the rain the area has had recently, the trail has turned into a muddy mess in many locations and into an actual creek in a couple. I did have a few sections like the picture above that depict the trail as the long green tunnel. The trees are almost all leafed out now. With less then 8 miles, I hiked a leisurely pace and tried to enjoy the day. Wolverine passed me, headed to the same shelter. I saw one guy hiking south and one guy out for a trail run.  I arrived at the shelter and several hikers were already there. As the night wore on, more and more showed up. It's crazy. The shelter is full with many tents and hammocks set up all around. There are 3 thru-hikers and many short section hikers. I am amazed at how crowded it is. I hope this isn't an indication of how crowded the huts are all week. After this shelter, they are called huts thru the Shenandoah's. I've enjoyed interacting with all the people around the fire, but when I started to get chilly it was time to crawl in my bag and write my journal. I hope to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

I don't know how long everyone stayed around the campfire last night, because I promptly fell asleep once I finished my journal. Woke up early as usual and boy was it cold out. I packed up, said goodbye to the other hikers that were awake and was on the trail by 6:45 AM. I ate breakfast while I was walking. Oh I started taking Flonase and my allergies have improved quite a bit. At least my eyes are not almost swollen shut in the mornings anyway. That makes me happy. I was excited to finally be in the Shenandoah's even if it is cold and the wind is still howling. I'm really tired of the wind. I could do with 70s and a gentle breeze that's for sure.  The trail here is definitely easier than anything I've done so far. It has had gradual ups and downs with a mostly manicured surface. I was able to look around while I walked without worrying about tripping over rocks or other bumps in the trail. The wildflowers are still magnificent. Many purple, pink and white varieties to brighten up my day.  The path of the trail left a little to be desired as it seemed like I was just walking from parking lot to parking lot to parking lot. It wasn't taking me to lovely overlooks like it did when it crossed the blue ridge parkway. There were two places that were really nice though: the summit of Black Rock with spectacular 360 degree views and Doyle's River Overlook with a nice view. There was a tourist at the Doyle River Overlook who offered to take the picture above.  I met an AT ridge runner about 4 miles from where I'm staying and she said that the trail gets much better in the central section. She walks and camps from hut to hut in the park throughout the thru-hiker season. What a job!I arrived at the campground, found a campsite for the night and threw my backpack into the provided bear box. I wanted to get to the wayside before it closed for a burger and fries. Waysides are restaurants and a wonderful perk of hiking thru this national park. I ate dinner with Bri and Sitting Bull and had a very enjoyable time getting to know them a little better. I met them briefly at Stanimals and didn't think I'd see them again. It was hard to leave the wayside as it is heated and it felt really good in there.  I came back to my site to make camp and do camp chores except I was able to get my water out of a spigot instead of from a stream. Tomorrow will be a shorter day mileage wise and I'm hoping that it is sunny and a little warmer.
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Bryds Nest #3
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

A guy with a pack moved into the campsite next to me last night and I went over to say hello. I asked if he was a thru-hiker. He replied that he was through hiking for the day, but may go out again tomorrow. Guess he isn't a thru-hiker then. Nice guy out on his very first backpacking trip and just going campground to campground to see if he likes it and an easy way out if he runs into trouble. We met up at the wayside for breakfast when it opened at 8 AM. Nice time.  After breakfast I did a small resupply at the camp, packed up and was out on the trail about 11 AM. Late start for me for sure. I saw Towelie right as I was coming on to the trail and would leapfrog with him several times during the day. He is a fast hiker, but takes side trips and breaks during the day, then passes me again. He is really enjoying his hike and doing it his way which is awesome.The Shenandoahs must me a birders paradise as I saw several different birds I haven't seen before. The only one I know the name of is the Bluebird. I met a couple that were out enjoying the birdsong, but they didn't know the names of the other birds I saw. All the birds are really making my days out here.  I saw many day hikers out today. One couple had to have been in their late ninety's and they were going up mountains with no problem. However, they did stop and check their blood pressure at the top saying they had to keep track of their numbers. They weren't even breathing hard and their numbers were good. What an inspiration to me.  There were many views today as the trail took us around the town of Luray. I saw the same view just a little bit further north each time. One spot called the cliffs was my favorite. Sunny out crops of rock always make me happy and this one had a fabulous view of the town.  I made it into Bryds Nest about 6 PM just behind Towelie and just before KJ. We had dinner together and as we were finishing up a bear just walks up out of the woods. Took some direct action on our part to get him to leave, but he came back. Towelie ran him off again, but we are all wondering if he will be back.Steaks just showed up, so it is the four of us tonight and due to the bear and predicted rain, we are all in the shelter. It's the first shelter in the Shenandoahs that hasn't been packed maybe because everyone else knew about the resident bear. The mice are pretty active already as well. Could be an interesting night.
Date: 2017-05-11
From: Bryds Nest #3

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

There were no more bear sightings last night, but we did have some deer come visit. So an uneventful night for us. It is a very nice shelter with a view of the town below. We could see the lights from below and would have had a nice view of the sunset if it wasn't so cloudy.The rains started around midnight and we had a loud thunderstorm come in for awhile. We were up and packing by 6 AM and I was out of the shelter about 7.  It was not raining when I started out and I got one nice view with fog covering the valleys below, but soon after that it was socked in everywhere. The rains started and I was soon just putting in the days miles. I entertained myself as I walked the miles and enjoyed the morning even with the poor weather.  There was one last wayside in the park that we all planned to go to for lunch. It was the closest one to the trail at only 0.1 miles off trail. When I got there I saw Bri and Sitting Bull again. They were getting a shuttle to a hostel in Front Royal. I ordered a cheeseburger, fries and hot tea and asked where could I eat it. They said outside. They would not let anyone eat inside, so I sat under an awning between two buildings which made a nice wind tunnel. I was wet and cold, but needed to eat. I talked with Bri and Sitting Bull while I ate. Surly showed up, but he's pretty quiet. As I was finishing Steaks arrived. He had tweaked his ankle and had decided to cut his trip a day short. I don't blame him at all and think he rocked his first ever trip. KJ and Towelie arrived as I was leaving.  I was getting too cold and needed to get moving. I've never been happier to encounter a mountain that needed to be climbed. I was soon warm again and the rain had let up. I had less then 6 miles to get to the shelter and a long 6 miles it was. The sky opened up when I was about a half mile from the shelter soaking me thru once again. There were three hikers here when I got there. A south bounder who has pretty much stayed wrapped up in his sleeping bag and two weekenders, Nick and Ted. I can't believe they didn't postpone their trip with this weather, but they said it is hard to get it on the schedule.  While I was setting up my spot Towelie arrived cold and wet. He has decided to set up his tent saying he sleeps better in it. KJ arrived a short time later. Jukebox has also joined us. It is early, but everyone is wrapped up in their sleeping bags and quiet.  Tomorrow I will be leaving Shenandoah and headed to a hostel. The weather will be like it was when I arrived: raining, cold and windy. I had some awesome days in the middle though.  I was going to get a room in Front Royal, but once again I have arrived in a town when something is going on and all the rooms are booked. Not sure what I'll do yet, but I will adapt. I hope there is room in the hostel. I called and tried to make a reservation from Waynesboro, but he said it wasn't necessary. Hopefully, the weather doesn't have it already booked.
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Putting wet, cold clothes on when it is like 40 degrees is really difficult, but that is how my day started. At least it wasn't raining this morning, allowing my body heat to dry my clothes rather quickly. I really love the quick drying material.  The hike was totally shrouded in fog for the entire day, but I was able to get to the hostel before the rains started again. I passed quite a few potential views, but all I saw was white fog. Not very exciting.  The picture above is a Eastern Newt that I see quite often in the middle of the trail. The first one I thought was a plastic toy. I've not seen one actually move, they just hang out on the trail. I had a bit of trouble finding the turn off for the hostel. The directions in the book say turn at the Compton Gap Trail, but the sign post said Chester Gap Trail. It did say it was the last cement post in the park; however, I didn't know it was the last sign post until I reached the end of the park. I pulled out GutHook and it said I went 0.2 miles to far. Ugh! I backtracked and went down the Chester Gap Trail. It was a half mile walk down that trail that I will have to retrace tomorrow.  I will admit that the Shenandoah cement post with mileage information will be missed as I leave the park. They even pointed out which way was North and South on the AT.  I arrived at the shelter and Bluebell and Slider were the only other hikers here. Slider gave me the tour just like he did in Waynesboro. His long section is complete and he is headed home tomorrow. The hostel is okay except it isn't near any restaurants. The owner is taking us to eat at 7 in case any other hikers show up that want to go with us. We do get a free soda and a personal size pizza as part of the cost of the stay, but that pizza didn't stay with me long. I did have a long, hot shower and did my laundry.  I was able to find a room in town for tomorrow night. It isn't anything fancy, but I will be closer to some restaurants and allow me to have a little down time.  Mike, the hostel owner, took us into town at 7 PM to eat. We went to the PaveMint Bar and Grill. Great food and had a large beer selection. Being a Friday night it was very busy. There wasn't much seating and we were sat at a large table with other people. There were other hikers at the table and I was able to see KJ and Shoelace again. I met Shoelace at Stanimals and didn't think I'd see him again. Fun to catch up with him.
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 3.8

I actually slept in till 6 this morning. The rain had stopped earlier then predicted for a change. I only had about 4 miles to hike to town and didn't want to get to the motel before they would let me check-in. I waited till the hikers wanting to make an early start got packed up and on their way before I started moving. I was still ready to go by 9. I had the half mile uphill climb from the hostel to the AT. Of course, that half miles doesn't count. I made it back to the trail and the last cement post in the Shenandoahs. I had 0.2 miles left to hike out of the park at which point the trail changed back to a boulder and rock filled path. I didn't have far to go to town, but the trail was a muddy slip and slide. I had to be careful hiking down into town or I would have easily fallen in the mud.  Being a Saturday, I saw many day hikers and weekend backpackers headed into the park. None felt like talking, but since they were all going uphill, they all had the right away. I pulled over frequently to let them pass.  The white blazes were less frequent while in the park, but like the Smokies, as soon as I left the park the trail was almost over blazed with blazes and signs everywhere. For some reason, it made me laugh.I made it to the trailhead and found two backpackers, one headed to the woods and one to town. I called a taxi and within minutes we were headed to town. The place I'm staying is actually pretty nice. The room is freshly painted and very clean; however, very far from the store and other useful places. I know I ended up walking 10 miles today on my "off" day.I am hoping for a great night's sleep and to get back on the trail tomorrow. I will be leaving Virginia this week! Finally!! I'm very excited, but first I must hike the roller coaster. Virginia is always providing challenges to me. However, the weather is turning very nice this week which has me very excited. Sunny, warm days for the week. Awesome!