morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 14.1

So the music and singing last night as it was getting dark was nice---up to a point, but one of the guys playing guitar should not quit his day job. Things quieted down at about 9:00 PM and for the most part I slept fairly well. "Rod Father", who apparently had a "malfunction" with his sleeping pad was jumping off of the top level over Wingman and I and eventually he went down to the cabin below the shelter and lit a fire to get warm. His hurtling off of the upper level platform was a little disconcerting as if he aimed incorrectly, he would have landed on our heads where we had our heads out toward the front of the shelter.It never really rained last night but it was another damp and cloudy day when we got up. OUr food bags did not get attacked either, so all was good as we began our final day on the trail for this trip.I wish the weather had been better for this last section as it was clear that the views would have been spectacular given that the trail ran along side an escarpment for long sections over the day. In some sections we dipped down within tall growth alongside the trail and oddly the temperature went noticeably up in those spots.On the way past Skyland and the horse stables we came across the horse head on a tree in today's picture.We stopped at the Pinnacles picnic ground for water and a break. This is a nice place with a covered pavilion with fireplaces no less.We stopped briefly at Byrds Nest #3 shelter to call Oma from the hostel to get a read on where she was at - and after finding out how far out she was, we opted to keep moving to be at the gap on time.We bypassed Mary's Rock as we were in the clouds and then started the long and rocky descent down into the gap. We only passed one trail runner and one other hiker all day today. There were also some folks tent camping near the last shelter, but we only saw their tent.As we headed down - I had a sharp pinching sensation in my lower left abdomen - I thought it was my pack belt being too tight, but when we got to the restrooms at Panorama to wash and change, I noticed a bulge that was not normal - Wingman informed me I had a hernia - REALLY? That stinks.We saw Katelyn from the warrior project at the rest rooms - I guess she was feeling better but had jumped ahead after taking some time off to get better so she could keep up with the group.We met Oma roadside at the gap - and headed back to the hostel for our last night. Overall I am falling in love with Virginia - and she is not another woman!
Date: 2015-11-29
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Greenie and I have our plans more or less put together for our 2016 section hikes. We will be heading back down to Virginia in mid-April and doing another roughly160 miles starting down near Pearisburg and connecting back up north to where we started last year at Punchbowl Mountain crossing.This year will be a bit different for us in the sense it is the first time we are going to fly to get to the trail head Vs drive. Last year was about 10 hours of driving down and 12 hours back - way too much time in a car to say the least. In the late summer or early fall we will do another 65 or 75 miles up in Maine, pushing us north from Caratunk and getting us up into the 100 mile wilderness. Timing and exact distance still needs to be figured out, but there is time to work on that yet.This will be the earliest we will do a section hike in the season, and the trees will have not yet leafed out - so it will feel a little bit like fall - but I will love the cooler temperatures as I tend to bonk in the heat.Greenie and I have put a rough plan together that will see us finishing the trail within the next three years. I will turn 60 in 2018 and Greenie will be 68 so it will be a good time for us to complete our section hike of the AT. A major change in terms or work or health could change things but at least we have a plan and completion of the trail feels like it is within sight.As for what comes after that? Time and gods good grace will determine what is next. You never know what you are going to get down the road - but Greenie and I have spoken of doing the AT as a thru hike. I know that I have the JMT and the Grand Canyon on the bucket list. My son and I are also talking about doing Mt. Rainier or Mt Whitney.....Puddles is none to happy about either but one or the other would make an awesome challenge.Other than that I have to send out positive thoughts to my friend Haystack, who will be having knee replacement at the beginning of December and the second knee done around March. After seeing how Swampfox has done with his knee replacement - and he has done a lot - I know that with determination Haystack will get back to health and finish the AT. Thanks Swampfox for taking the time to talk to Haystack. I know your conversation gave him a sense that there is light at the end of the tunnel.See ya all down the trail!
Date: 2016-04-15
From: USFS 156 Johns Creek Valley 

To: VA 635 Stoney Creek Valley
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

Greenie and I were up at 5:45 and on the road to town for breakfast and to meet Don Raines who is helping us with transport so we can slackpack the first couple of days. We had breakfast at the Friends and Family restaurant. Don was right on time at 7:30 greeting us with, "you guys look like a couple of hikers".We dropped our car at the finish point and Don drove us around to Johns Creek Valley where we got started walking at 8:30.Along the way to the trail head we saw more deer than I have ever seen in one place and a very large turkey.Today was beautiful weather wise. The trees have not leafed out yet, but the dogwoods and other flowering trees are in full bloom. We passed War Spur shelter where someone was still sleeping at 9:00AM. We stopped at Wind Rock where we had our first vista of the day and took pictures. We met a number of hikers going NOBO including "big Country", who was the heaviest hiker I have ever seen, Puzzles (she) is from Michigan and an older couple from Chicago who were also out slackpacking for the day.We Made Baileys Gap Shelter at 1:45 and took a short break. We had about another four miles to go to our car and we were moving slower than usual with all of the stops to socialize along the way.We stopped at the "Captains" where we zip-lined across the river to get to his place where he provides hikers with free cold drinks and a place to camp. It was about 4:00 when we finished today, but after all of the folks we stopped to talk to and a side trip for a cold soda, it was not a bad day at all.We stopped at a Mexican Eatery in town for dinner and met Ghost, who stayed with us last night at the hostel. Had some good food, funny conversation and then headed out for the Hostel. In the parking lot we met my Son's High School Math teacher and his wife who were also at the hostel last night. They are thru hiking. It is a really small world when you can meet someone from your home town in the middle of Virginia!We also met North Star, a former AMC Cru (hut worker) who will be slack packing the same section we are tomorrow. Don will be shuttling him with us tomorrow morning.Beautiful day today - good miles and feeling strong. Tomorrow is a 15 mile day so we have our work cut out for us.
Date: 2016-04-16
From: VA 641 Clendennin Road/Pocahontas Road

To: VA 635 Stoney Creek Valley
Miles today: 15.3

We met Don at "Friends and Family" at 7:30 and headed to the trail head where we dropped off our car as well as North Star who was going to hike SOBO back to Pearisburg. Don drove Greenie and I around to the intersection of Clendennin Road and Pocahontas road were we started our NOBO hike. This section is a re-route, and we found the trail up to Rice Field a nice walk even with the elevation gain.We reached Rice Field Shelter in short order and stopped to take pictures. On the north end of the field we met a guy hunting turkeys, stopped and spoke a short while and moved on. At a power line cut crossing we saw 3 to 4 deer bolt across the cut. We passed "Goal Digger" as well.We took a short break at 11:00, and then passed an old apple orchard at Symms Gap Meadow.At 12:30 we took a lunch break shortly after Ground Hog Trail.The climb up out of Dickerson Gap was a more painful hike than some of the easier slopes we had tackled that day.The hike down to Pine Swamp shelter was a long series of switch backs. When we reached the shelter we met Spirit of 76 (who had also been at Woods Hole) along with a Mom, Dad and Daughter section hikers.When we got back to the car we headed into town and hit DQ where we met a number of other hikers including Santa Clause, Wonder, Ghost and North Star.Dinner was at the Mexican place again and then headed back to Woods Hole to grab showers and get ready for heading out with full packs in the morning
Date: 2016-04-17
From: USFS 156, Johns Creek Valley

To: Saver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2

Greenie and I had a later start today as we had to return the car to the rental place and Don had another shuttle to run before us - so we got to Friends and Family for about 7:30 AM. We had what was now our routine breakfast - the waitress has started calling me "Hon" so I guess we are becoming regulars here.Don met us at Enterprise rentals at 9:00 as planned and we shuttled off to John's creek Valley where we had started slackpacking on day one. We were on the trail by 9:45. We hit Kellys Knob at 11:45 for a quick break and were at Laurel Creek shelter for lunch shortly after.At the shelter I took off my shoes and socks to dry my feet out - a Pilot is always better when the landing gear is in good shape!About 1:00 it was getting fairly hot. We bypassed water at VA 42 as it looked like the cows had been using it for a toilet but found great water at VS630 sinking Creek. We passed the Keffer Oak shortly after getting water - this tree is the second largest on the trail with the Dover Oak up in NY being the biggest.Then we got a hot and nasty 960 foot climb up Sinking Creek Mountain. We took many stops on the way up and sat for a short while on a downed branch at the summit of the ridgeline.We passed a number of strange rock piles that looked more like burial grounds than anything else - but come to find out that this is how farmers down south handled clearing rocks where farmers up north build walls.We had a bit of a drop down to Sarver Hollow Shelter, and I was so tired at this point and the shelter was so nice (and empty) that we decided to stay in the shelter Vs pitch our tents.There are ruins of an old farmstead near the water source that was really cool. I got nervous about water at this site when I first got near where the water source was, but went down hill a short way to find a good flow of clean water.Bear joined us for the night as it was almost dark. I guess she got side tracked and walked a few miles out of her way before she realized she was not on the trail and had to backtrack. That happens to all of us at one time or another. She is a physical Therapist from Texas and was pleasant company.We bedded down for the night after getting at least a text message out to home to let folks know were were OK. A good first day even with the heat and some rough climbs.
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Saver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I wrote my journal at the end of the day while sitting in my tent. The entry began with "writing this at 8:00PM - One HOT hard-ass day today! 90 degrees, not a lot of shade and the breeze was not helpful in cooling us.We were up at 6:00 AM and on the trail by 7:30. The climb up to the AT from the shelter was not hard.The trail followed the ridge line - with a steep slope in some sections and much of it on rock ledge.Took a break at Niday shelter and watered up there.Watered up again just before the big climb up Brush Mountain. The stream where we stopped had trout fingerlings in it - nice clean and cool water. There was no other water until VA 620.The hike up Brush mountain was continual switch backs that took us into the full sun and then back into the shade of pine trees - back and forth - back and forth.We stopped for lunch in the shade of the pines. I took off my shoes and socks again to dry my landing gear.Stopped at the Audie Murphy war memorial on the ridge line. I made a call home as it was the first signal we had that we could get a call out in a couple of days. Then we slugged our way onto Pickle Branch shelter.At the shelter was an older guy called "bionic man". He is an old "Scouter" and a section hiker as well. He is visiting his 92 year old mother and took some time to get some miles in during his visit.We camped below the shelter near the stream - a nice level area. We were so tired we had difficulty getting a bear bag line up and did not want to eat but did. We finally got the bear bag line up - not in my usual fashion but good enough to get us through the night (more for protection of mini-bears than anything).Closing notes in my journal: "Losing light, Tired...Taking SHORT day tomorrow"
Date: 2016-04-19
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

We were up at 6:20 this morning. Nice and cool at about 50 degrees. We broke camp and moved up to the shelter to do breakfast.We were on the trail at about 7:40 or so. Had a good up-hill to Dragons Tooth. My legs were still really trashed from yesterday - suffering from still being a little dehydrated so Greenie gave me a electrolyte tab for my water which surprisingly had almost an immediate positive effect on my ability to hike. We passed and then got passed by White Rabbit and Large who were at the shelter this morning as well (came in later last night). They stopped, but did not stay at four pinesWe dropped our packs and visited the Tooth - really cool but I was not about to try climbing it as some do.The way down Cove Mountain is really exposed as you make your way down some really open rock faces - would hate to do this section in the rain!Caught up with the Bionic Man after the tooth. Also ran into the couple from Chicago we met a few days earlier.We hit the road and did the short road walk to Four Pines, "the friendliest hostel on the AT".Joe the owner, is a throw-back hippie. He is retired from working for the rail road and runs his hostel on strictly donations.He flies the Confederate Flag off of the duck coop and has a sticker on his car - Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms, who is bringing the chips"There are ducks, Guinea fowl and chickens roaming free all over the place along with a few cats. Two of the cats decided they liked the shade of Greenies and my tents in the back and took up guard outside of our vestibules.It is kind of a rowdy place and sleeping inside tonight could be a challenge, so Greenie and I along with a number of other hikers opted to tent out back for the night. Spirit of 76 arrived later also opting to tent. Cabot and her boyfriend were also here for the night.the first thing we were offered when we arrived was ice-pops and soda, something we both took immediate advantage of.Most of the day folks were playing corn hole, drinking beer and smoking pot.I got a shower and we were driven to the market where I bought a big ice cream and a couple of bottles of Gatorade. One note on the hike yesterday, Greenie saw two lizards and spotted a blue bird.Glad to have a nearo day - I need the break as the heat yesterday knocked the stuffing out of me.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow tent site
Miles today: 16.6

Greenie was up this morning before 6:00 AM. I started packing up at about 6:10. We ate breakfast outside of the hostel as to avoid the crowd inside. We headed out between 7:30 and 7:45.The trail was easy today. Early in the day some thru-hikers passed us as we hiked through some pastures. Greenie marveled that due to his size, there was no way "Big Country" could ever get through some of the stiles as we could barely get through with our packs on.I stopped at a water seep on the right side of the trail just before reaching McAfees knob to water up for lunch. This proved to be the last water until the next shelter.We made great time getting to McAfees knob arriving at about 12:15 or so.We took photos and broke for lunch and hung out a while before moving on.Along the way to Campbell Shelter we met a SOBO hiker that told us that water was flowing at Lamberts Meadow as he spent the night before there. That would help us make the decision to move on if we opted not to stay at Campbell.When we got to Campbell Shelter it was only 2:00. The site was more like a dirt bowl and right near powerlines - hardly an attractive place to stay. We opted to water up and keep moving onto Lamberts Meadow.Tinkers Cliffs were amazing - in many ways almost as dramatic as McAffee Knob and would have made a great place to watch the sun set if there was camping allowed in the area. The trail ran along the steep escarpment for a distance. I remarked to Greenie that this would be a bad place to be if an earthquake occurred. As we started to make the descent, we rounded under the overhang of the cliffs and I again remarked it would be a bad place to be in an earthquake. Further down the trail were some really HUGE boulders that up north we would call glacial erratics - since the glaciers were not this far south they must have landed their by rolling from the cliffs above.We are tenting tonight near the stream at Lamberts Meadow. Ghost joined us here as well. He cowboy camps and would be up and out early in the morning.When we were having our daily "happy hour" greenie set down the tin plate he puts the cheese and gold fish on a rock next to him. A dog owned by a thru hiker that was camping nearby came over to visit and proceeded to spontaneously drool (as in big time slobber) into the plate! Yuck! I sterilized the plate with boiling water when I cleaned up from dinner. I could not help but uncontrollably laugh at the look on Greenies face and the incident itself - another reason why I hate dogs on the trail.We have a short day now into Daleville, which will give us another nearo tomorrow. We are watching the weather for Friday as there are reports of potentially severe thunderstorms. Could be a problem but we will have to just wait and see how the forecast lines up.In all this was a fantastic day with beautiful vistas and lots to see.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Lamberts Meadow tent site

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.4

Ghost was up and out of camp at about 4:30 this morning and Greenie and I were moving at about 5:45 AM. We did breakfast, broke camp and were on the trail at about 7:30.It was nice and cool this morning with a steady and cooling breeze. The skies were mostly cloudy - a foreboding sign of a change of weather.We found the trail more kind and gentle with lots of nice views as we made our way toward Daleville. We passed several hikers heading southbound including a group of older "dads" and a crew of about 30+ kids and adults.We passed at more than one point high tension overhead power lines, one of which hummed so loud it sounded like you could hold your phone up in the air and have it charge itself - that or your sperm was going to swim sideways!We made Daleville and checked into the Super 8 by 11:30.Order of business was showers, lunch and laundry in that order. For lunch I ate all but one slice of a large pizza all by myself!I went to the outfitters for fuel while Greenie walked to the post office to mail some of his and my extra gear back home. Greenie termed it "mailing our fears back home" as when we packed and shipped our gear down to Woods Hole we were looking at snow in the area. Now, almost two weeks later the weather had turned more seasonable so we did not need some warmer gear.I met Spirit of 76 and Cabot at the outfitter who told me that the group was going to meet in the lobby of HoJo's at 6:00 PM and walk to a BBQ place for dinner. We joined the group accordingly which included 76, Bright Side, Cabot and Strummy Stick.We hit trail magic at dinner when someone paid for the groups first round of drinks. Santa and Wonder stopped by as well while we were eating.The conversation got really off color when someone showed a picture of a "Booby Tree" - which precipitated me showing a picture of the "Penis Tree" found just north of Calf Mountain shelter on the right side of the trail has you head NOBO. Needless to say there were a number of wise cracks and a lot of laughing.We are still on the fence on what tomorrow will be weather wise. I actually called a friend who works at the National Weather Service to get his perspective on the forecast. The forecast looks more promising, but we will wait until the morning to make any calls regarding changes on our trip plans.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Daleville

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

We were up before 6:00 AM, dressed and downstairs at the Super 8 for breakfast. I checked the weather forecast and radar and determined we should be good to go. It would be wet, but any thunderstorms would be scattered Vs widespread.We had light rain to start - but it was a warm rain and it felt good. We passed someone tenting alongside the trail not too far out of town but there was no signs of movement inside.WE made Fullhardt shelter in no time. I checked the radar one more time and called home. After a quick snack we were back on the trail.We hit some cold rain along the way so Greenie and I put on our rain coats -something very unusual for us as we rarely have had to use them in all of the miles we have done together.We hit the Wilson Creek Shelter by noon - some 11.2 miles already under our feet for the day. We broke for lunch. A SOBO hiker arrived at the shelter and gave us some good intel on the water situation further north - mainly being that we would not have an issue - so I checked the radar one more time, we watered up and headed out. By my calculations we would not have any really heavy rain or a chance of thunderstorms until around three this afternoon.Our pace was good - but our forward progress was hindered by the fact that someone had grayed the blazes out in many areas in this section.About three miles out from Bobblets Gap, it started to rain hard core. At about a half mile out we had three lightening strikes within a mile of our location - I was practically yelling to Greenie to MOVE IT!We hit the shelter at about 4:00 PM - soaking wet but OK. There was a guy and girl already in the shelter when we arrived (SOBO hikers) who were later joined by another SOBO hiker. Two section hikers showed up later but opted to tent. One of the SOBO hikers shared some tea bags with us which we gratefully accepted as we needed something warm in us to help recover from being so wet.We set up the bear bag line after the rain diminished and set about getting water and preparing dinner.It is now 7:49 PM and I am sitting in my sleeping bag making my journal entry. Tomorrow we will have a shorter day into Jennings Creek road and the Middle Creek Campground where we have a cabin for the next two nights. We also have food drop waiting there for us but I am mostly looking forward to having a bacon cheeseburger and fries from the camp store!