morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-05-04
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Campsite beyond Wapiti Shelter near View
Miles today: 26.6

Today was a much more pleasant day than yesterday. There was often a relaxing breeze instead of frigid gusts. The terrain was also easier today than yesterday, with most of it well-sloped downhill. The views were also mostly unremarkable. I jogged down much of the downhill in the morning. I took a lunch break at VA 608 after 10-11 miles -- where I met Ice Man and Radish, plus others -- around noon, and hiked another five miles to VA 606, where I arrived just before 2. I turned left and walked a half mile to Trent's Grocery for a nice late snack of a chicken sandwich, tater tots, milk, an apple, and ice cream, plus some resupply food to get me another 80-100 miles.I ran into My Way again there. He mentioned something about an emergency at Chestnut Knob Shelter the other day, which I interpreted as a clear reference to my stuff sack button press accident and explained it to him. Apparently news travels fast and is not always accurate. I know posting it here will spread it even more, but I mainly just want to tell about the happenings on my hike.I hiked another six miles in two hours to a footbridge crossing over Dismal Creek. Even though I wasn't exactly hungry, I decided to take a break. The easy terrain and repetitive nature of the trail was getting to me for some reason. I took some time to reflect and ate a few snacks anyway.I continued for another 40 minutes -- just over 2 miles -- to the turnoff to Wapiti Shelter. Even though it would be a 24 mile day for me, I felt like my day shouldn't be over at this point. It was still about an hour before I usually finish, even though my diversion to Trent's Grocery used up an hour. I also wanted to arrive in Pearisburg early in the afternoon and spend a few hours there. So, I pressed on for about two more miles, mostly uphill, to a dry campsite near a view through the trees. I arrived a bit before 8 and saw another 4-5 tents/hammocks in the area. I set up mine away from them, enjoyed the nearly full moon during dinner, and retired.
Date: 2023-05-05
From: Campsite beyond Wapiti Shelter near View

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 15.5

It was a chilly night and morning, but the sun came out right away, stayed, and it made for a warm day, at least for me. I tend to think it's warm when others might think it's a bit chilly sometimes.I left around 7:45, in bed up and down ridges over 10.7 miles, and got to an overlook next to a power line in a little under 4 hours. So, still pretty easy terrain. Along the way, I met North Star. After another 2 hours mostly downward, I took in more overlooks, including one at Angel's Rest and made it to Cross Avenue.I had read in the AT AWOL Guide that the Angel's Rest Hostel in Pearisburg, about 0.7 miles to the east, did free pickups and drop offs for those staying overnight or doing a day use. So I called they got me, and Mischief checked me in.Once there, I took a shower and started laundry. I noticed that I looked a little emaciated after getting out of the shower, despite eating so much food on trail and in town.I followed a brief trail to the supermarket and restaurants. I ate lunch at La Barranca Mexican Grill, where of course they had Cinco de Mayo specials. I ordered way too much to eat and ended up having a whole plate of food boxed up.After finishing up my resupply at the Food Lion, I decided to tent there, and had some of my leftovers for dinner. Hot Tamale, another member of the crew, took my picture in front of their office.I met Tenacious, PW (Peaceful Warrior), Granny Gear, Feisty, Squirrel, among others. PW used the hostel guitar and played a group of us a bunch of songs. Some about the AT, a Scottish song, and a Mexican love song. Fitting because he is part Scottish and part Mexican. All good fun.Then I hanged out with a later night group by the fire and enjoyed the full moon. By the campfire, one person said he works as a boat captain, and there was discussion about that. Eventually the conversation led to our bodies on trail. One person commented that at the end, all the women look like supermodels, and all the men look like Holocaust survivors!
Date: 2023-05-06
From: Pearisburg

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.5

I had learned last night that I needed to get new batteries for my headlamp. I picked up some strawberries and mini blueberry muffins at the store too, and offered them in the dining area. Someone else had made waffles to offer. I still had my leftovers to finish up, so I had quite a feast for breakfast.While checking out, I ran into Seinfeld, who was checking in. I ran into him the other day at an overlook prior to the US 52 crossing, but didn't know his name. Jolly Rancher drove me back to the Cross Avenue/Angel's Rest Trailhead. I munched on an M&M cookie ice cream sandwich as I got started around 8:45. Boy, does that sound good right now.It was going to be a sunny, warm day. I made my way down over the bridge to the underpass and climbed past the Pearlis cemetery to the Rice Fuel Shelter at 11:45, where there was an overlook. I took my first extended break there, even though I had a big breakfast, started late, and it wasn't quite lunchtime.The weather continued to warm. The trail was starting to get rocky, which slowed my pace. At another overlook, I saw a family of goats resting under the shade of a tree. The shadows from the flights of buzzards swooped over me a few times as I hiked. There was another climb while on the ridge, which I didn't like doing in the heat, but at last it was done.After a late lunch break at the Allegheny Trail junction around 3:45, I eventually descended to rushing creeks and streams in Stony Valley. I reached Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, but at 5ish, it seemed a little to early when the next shelter was about four miles away. The first three miles were ups and downs to avoid Stony Creek, and I heard a bunch of gunshots from a residence as I crossed a bridge over Stony Creek. There was one more climb, but I had initially saw the rise around 400 feet over a mile.Unfortunately, I failed to correctly identify the trough in the elevation profile. The climb was actually about 1100 feet. Hot, thirsty and tired, going up every tenth of a mile was agonizing, even though I stopped for a short break twice. I cursed my way up to the Bailey Gap Shelter, where I found a pretty uneven spot to pitch my tent a bit after 8. Tent spots are pretty limited there. I had dinner and retired.
Date: 2023-05-08
From: Niday Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.7

I started hiking at 7:30. It was already kind of warm. I knew it would be a long day, as I wanted to stop at a nearby convenience store and stage myself for the McAfee Knob sunrise.A brief descent led me to another washed out bridge, so I had to ford Craig Creek. The climb up Brush Mountain wasn't too bad; just moderate and long. A bench was conveniently placed at a point where the worst of the climb was over, and I took a brief break around 9:20. I stopped by the Audie Murphy memorial, then made my way down to Trout Creek around 11:45. I had an extended break there.After getting more water, I started the climb up Cove Mountain and Dragon's Tooth. It was long, moderate, and rocky. It was also warm. A misleading mileage sign discouraged me. Dragon's Tooth was shown to be 4 miles from Trout Creek. It was more like 5.5 miles, according to this year's AT AWOL Guide. There were frequent dips downward, and it was annoying to have to make up the climbing elevation.At last, I reached Dragon's Tooth junction around 3. I drank some water, ate a few handfuls of chips, and climbed up to the overlook. It was beautiful, even if it was not sunrise; of the five times before this that I've been there, four of them were to see the sunrise.The descent down to Lost Spectacles Gap I remember well: steep and rocky. I took my time descending, as usual. The rhododendrons had blooms as I made my way down to state road 624, a delight to see. Normally, I'm backpacking this area in the winter to avoid the crowds.  Not an issue on a Monday.When I got to 624 around 3:50, I made my way to the nearby convenience store, got a small resupply, and had three courses of food: pizza slice, milk, kombucha, and a creamsicle; pinto beans and cornbread; vitamin drink, banana, and BBQ sandwich. All were delicious and satisfying. I chatted with some other thru hikers who were staying at the nearby Four Pines Hostel. Not for me, as I would press on to camp for sunrise photo ops tomorrow.I left at 5. Everything from there to the shelter I had done on a previous backpacking trip: a brief climb and descent, water gathering, a walk through a pasture, more climbs up and down with ridge walking, descent to VA 311, then some ups and downs to the second shelter from the state highway. By then it was almost 9, after close to 8 miles.I was still pretty full from my late afternoon meal, so I just boiled some water to drink with chocolate and chips. I heard a rustle in the bushes and a growl. Figuring it was probably a bear that smelled my food, I started talking and stood up. There was another rustle, but then I didn't hear anything else. I put all my smellables in my Ursack, and did the two double knots, as usual. I tied it to a tree and went to bed.I had no more issues from the bear, but an annoying whippoorwill sang its obnoxious song all night. Given that I had set my alarm for 4 the next morning, I was already having trouble falling asleep.
Date: 2023-05-09
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 17.8

I got up with my alarm at 4. It was easily the second worst night for me on the thru hike so far, after having to sleep in the actual shelter at Davenport Gap Shelter, close to the northern Smokies boundary. I always set up my tent at shelters, except for that one time when tenting was unavailable.Sunrise time was 6:17 at McAfee Knob. I left at 5:17 to give myself ample time for the climb up a bit under 2 miles. Again, I am already familiar with this section of the AT, up through Lambert's Meadow Shelter. Easy and PF beat me to the top. I got there around 6.I have seen sunrise on McAfee Knob twice, previously. It was amazing both times, and was also amazing this time. The sun came up and it was like the heavens lit up. I took many photos while enjoying Carnation instant breakfast and a BelVita bar.I left around 6:45, and stopped by the Campbell Shelter for water and the facilities, then hiked a little over 2 hours to get to another great overlook area, Tinker Cliffs. I took another extended break there, then enjoyed walking along the cliffs.I started the descent down to Scorched Earth Gap, then continued on mostly easy terrain, for a couple hours, with occasional overlooks of the greater Roanoke area. Light showers cooled me for an hour or so.To my dismay, there were several climbs and ridge walks on slanted rocks, though also nice overlooks of a river running through mountains. I just wanted to descend to US 220, where I could eat, relax in a motel, and do gear and resupply errands. I was exasperated that I would have to take the last several miles of the 10.5 mile descent from Tinker Cliffs seriously. It didn't help that the showers stopped and the temperatures were scorching.I finally made it to US 220 just before 3. I checked into the Super 8, showered, picked up a box with my second pair of hiking shoes - though my current pair could have taken me another 130 miles to Waynesboro or even beyond that through Shenandoah National Park. I dined at Three Lil Pigs, which was delicious and had surprisingly healthy side dish options. As a thru hiker, they gave me a free dish of banana cream pudding. Wow, what an amazing meal.After more resupplying tasks, I hanged out in my room, did laundry, and tried to catch up on news and photo uploads. It felt so good to just chill and eat.
Date: 2023-05-10
From: Daleville

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 25.0

This is my attempt to rewrite a journal entry I lost. One of my phones has a damaged display, and I spent an hour or two on 5/15 transferring service.I'd forgotten that I was running low on Vaseline yesterday. As it warms up, I need to cover more body surface area; lately, my armpits were being affected by chafing. I got some anti-chafing glide and ointment at the grocery store.For this reason, I didn't start hiking until about 9:40. Fortunately, the stretch I hiked today wasn't tough, and had some pretty good views. I hiked about 8 miles in three hours and had an extended break. Along the way, I met Hot Lips and Caveman, who I think also had a room at the Super 8. I leapfrogged with them and Mountain Man over our asynchronous breaks during the warm, sunny day.I made it to my first intersection with the Blue Ridge Parkway around 4, where I chatted with a couple touring from the New York metro area. They didn't know they were near the AT! It's my whole life now, so I was shocked.I pressed on and decided to dry camp st the Cove Mountain Shelter. Around 6, I schlepped up three liters of water from Bearwallow Gap. I saw views of the sunset painting the sky and surrounding mountains as I descended Cove Mountain to the shelter. I don't think there was anyone there, but I feel a sense of peaceful solitude when I camp alone. I tented, had dinner, and fell asleep.
Date: 2023-05-11
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite near Marble Spring
Miles today: 24.3

This is my attempt to rewrite a journal entry I lost. One of my phones has a damaged display, and I spent an hour or two on 5/15 transferring service.Today was a punishing day. It was toasty with four long, rugged climbs with little to no views.I started hiking around 7:00 and descended to Jennings Creek.  The first climb up to Fork Mountain wasn't bad - about 1000 feet of climbing over a mile and change. This was all before 9, while the temperature was still cool. I had a breakfast break at the top, which was treed in.After descending past a shelter, the next climb was up Floyd Mountain, about 2300 feet over 4 miles and change. By this time, the sun was roasting me. I got to a campsite about 3/4 of the way up the climb and took an extended lunch break aroun 11:20. There was a spring spur trail there, but it ended up not being worth the time - if someone was in a dire situation, it would be worth the walk. Three bees annoyed me during my lunch break, even after I moved 20 feet away.I ran into a few hikers the rest of the way up. There was a faint view through trees while descending to the next shelter. The next climb was 1200 feet over 4 miles to Apple Orchsrd Mountain.On my way up, there was a good view -- and only decent view for the day -- from the Black Rock overlook. There, I met Hiram Hikes, an elderly gentleman from Maine who was recording there - maybe he's a YouTuber. He started in January, never took a zero, and hates the heat. My kind of guy! He had some weight balancers attached to his pack straps that made it easier for him to keep his back straight while hiking. They hold water bottles, his snacks, and frequently used gear. He said he got them from a place in New Zealand. I'd like to get a pair of those.I got to the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain around 2:30. It had one of the lamest views I had ever seen from a 4000+ foot mountain that had advertised views. I took a break at the next shelter and descended to Petite Gap, around 5:30.By this time my butt felt pretty whipped. I took a short break there to mentally prepare for yet another climb and refuel a little. I took one last 700-foot climb up Highcock Knob - no view, then descended to the Marble Spring area, where I set up camp next to a few others.
Date: 2023-05-12
From: Campsite near Marble Spring

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 27.6

This is my attempt to rewrite a journal entry I lost. One of my phones has a damaged display, and I spent an hour or two on 5/15 transferring service.Today was a fulfilling day. While there were still a number of big climbs, there were also plenty of views and water to satisfy me.I left at 7 again. I saw some more views of surrounding mountains as I descended to James River. About 6 miles in, I took a breakfast and water break at Matt's Creek Shelter around 9:00. I crossed the James River footbridge around 10:00. From there, I had an 1800-foot climb to a junction with the Little Rocky Row Trail, getting there On the way, I met Soundbite and Good.I took an extended lunch break at noon, then descended about 100 feet and ascended 600 feet to Big Rocky Row. Great views on the climbs, thankfully. Then came a descent to Saltlog Gap and an 800-foot ascent to Bluff Mountain, around 2:30.There was a memorial there for Ottie Powell, who died from a fire tower accident. The remnants of the fire tower are still there.  I took a much needed water break - it was pretty hot. A new face, Tracy, was hanging out there, and I also met Whitman, Billy Goat, and Danny Boy, who were part of a tramily with Soundbite and Good, I think. I ran into the two of them again, too.I was basically all out of water, but in a couple miles, there was a plentiful water source near the Punchbowl Mountain overlook. I descended there, and to my great delight, I saw someone there with trail magic! He had two coolers full of water, Gatorade, and soda - just what I needed. I spent at least 45 minutes there rehydrating and chatting with trail angel Jason, as well as Chattahoochee, from Charlotte, and Ricola, from Belgium.Jason, aka Dredd, who thru hiked the AT in '99. I asked if there were fewer hostels and towns to rely on back then. He said, as far as the hostels were concerned, the newer ones are in the north. He lives in Harrisonburg and is wrapping up graduate studies in history at James Madison University. He is in a program to become a park ranger, and said we might see him again at the I-70 junction if he heads to Antietam for a position there.I headed out, got some water, and soon passed the 800-mile marker around 4:30, where I ran into many of the same hikers again. Ricola and I hiked together for a bit. We talked about my Colorado Trail thru hike, which he is interested in doing. European treks also came up, and he has done a number of them. He recommended one referred to as the Alpine Crossing, which goes the parts of Germany, Austria, and ends in Italy. Sounds like fun!I descended to Reservoir Road around 6:00 I think. Many hikers wanted to stop there, but I had an itch to keep going to the shelter, preferably for a privy - another five miles. The trail skirted a reservoir before heading up the Brown Mountain Creek. I got to the shelter area and set up my tent around 7:30 or so. Tracy arrived shortly thereafter, and after some dinner, I headed for bed after a long, satisfying day.
Date: 2023-05-13
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Campsite near Priest Mountain Overlook 
Miles today: 22.9

I headed out around 7 again. To start the day, there was a long, 2700 ft climb up to Bald Knob, over 4.6 miles. Note: Bald Knob is not a bald. I was drenched in sweat when I reached the top of Bald Knob, even though it was overcast with a breeze. After that, it was mostly rolling terrain or downhill. There were three more steeper climbs for the day, but they all involved no more than 800 feet.I am pretty familiar with the AT between US 60 and Rockfish Gap. I have backpacked and dayhiked different sections and loops near that area several times. But this area, like the last two days, had pretty rugged terrain.There was about a mile of hiking in an open area in between Cow Camp Gap and Hog Camp Gap that opens up. It was cloudy, but I was still able to get decent views. After a break at 11 near Hog Camp Gap to get water that took much too long, I climbed up to Tar Jacket Ridge to see more views.I decided to camp near Priest Mountain overlook just south of the summit, so that I could enjoy the sunrise. At 2:30, I gathered four liters of water at a brook just past the Seeley Woodworth Shelter junction, given that I had eight miles to hike from there, with an 800 foot climb at the end.I decided to enjoy the views at Spy Rock for my next extended break, at 3:30. They were great - I have been there a few times, and always recommend the extra 0.4-mile round trip to see it when it is not raining or foggy. The view was clear, but it was cloudy, and the clouds were dark. I decided to press on. Just after 5, it started raining on and off. After 40 minutes of that, it was steady. I put on my rain jacket and continued my way to the overlook, found a spot to camp around 6:30, when the rain stopped. I cooked dinner in my tent vestibule and retired.
Date: 2023-05-15
From: Campsite near Trail to Humpback Picnic Area

To: Rockfish Gap/Waynesboro
Miles today: 13.0

I started hiking at 8. It was overcast and cool. I kept my jacket on most of the day. I arrived to Humpback Rocks and took a brief break at 9:30. It was mostly easy hiking as far as the elevation profile was concerned. Yet, I was a little agitated about small climbs and rocks when I'm usually not. Maybe I need to eat more often. Or maybe I need to relax more sometimes.At any rate, I made it to Paul C. Wolfe Shelter around 11 and had an extended break, even though it would just be a 13 mile day for me. I felt better and finished my hiking for the day at Rockfish Gap around 1:30.But logistics for getting to Waynesboro to resupply were an issue. I had accidentally dropped a sack containing my phone with service. It did not have a protective case, and the screen display was damaged. I had hoped to call a hostel for a ride from the visitor center, but it was closed on Monday.I was a bit desperate, and started asking people near an overlook if they were heading to Waynesboro. No one said they were. I offered someone $20 to get there. She and her boyfriend were nervous about taking me directly, but she requested an Uber for me. I gave her the money, and they left. While I was waiting, one of the other people I asked, Jerry from Nellysford, came by again and offered me a ride. I wasn't sure about the Uber, so I just accepted it and got to Waynesboro around 2:30. Phew! He did not accept payment or gas offer from me.I had a big meal at the River Burger Bar, and it was delicious. Veggie spring roll with sweet, spicy chili sauce, a burger with pimento cheese, bacon, arugula, and standard fixings, a side salad, and a slice of cookies and cream pie. I was not stuffed, but was satisfied.I checked in to the Stanimal Hostel, meeting caretakers Bugs and Frogger. I showered, did laundry, and resupplied. Frogger lent me his phone so that I could call customer service transfer my old, damaged phone to my new one. He didn't demand anything in return, but I offered. I got him a pepperoni pizza for helping me out. Dinner was chicken marsala with two garlic dinner rolls, a side salad, a veggie snack pack, most of a mixed fresh fruit pack, and a chocolate peanut butter milkshake. How do I not get stuffed from all that? Maybe I don't eat enough, or have developed too much of an appetite.Then I hanged out in the hostel before heading to bed. Sometime past 11, Bugs asked if anyone was interested in hitting a pi±ata. A guest, Skittles, was having a birthday gathering. A pi±ata in the shape of a rainbow was there. No one could break it, so people ended up ripping it up on the ground. A bunch of chewy candies, hard candies, and Skittles fell to the ground. Shameless as we were - especially me - we picked up the candies from the ground and ate them.Then I went to bed.