morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-06
From: TN 91/Mile 448.6

To: Damascus/Mile 469.9
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: broken clouds

Scars and I got dropped at TN 91 by Steve Campbell around 8:15 and we started our "Damascus Dash" - 22 miles to town, hopefully to avoid winter's mix forecasted.The day began sunny, cool and beautiful. We took on and kept a faster than usual pace over reasonably easy terrain characterized by rolling up and down numerous knobs. There were few notable views (just the usual broad looks at surrounding hills through the trees) as we followed a single ridge on our way to Virginia.After an aggressive morning, we finally stopped at Abington Gap shelter for a brief lunch break. We left the shelter a little after 1:00 and began the final 10 miles. With very few uphill climbs and good conversation, the next 7 miles flew by - my fastest pace of entire trip. With 3 miles to go, we hit the TN-VA border. We coasted into Damascus before 5:00 just as slight rain began. This is a big landmark and we were excited to arrive.We quickly made our way to Old Mill and then dinner at MoJo's (Hokie Pokie, Hungry Cat and Professor).BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-07
From: Damascus/Mile 469.9

To: Damascus/Mile 469.9
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Rest/zero days in Damascus.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-08
From: Damascus/Mile 469.9

To: Damascus/Mile 469.9
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Masters Sunday - rest day in Damascus. (Scars slackpacked the 16 miles between TN 91 and Wilbur Dam Road.)BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-09
From: Damascus/Mile 469.9

To: Lost Mountain Shelter/Mile 486.1
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

After sending food box off to Marion, I left Old Mill and headed down Main Street in Damascus and out of town. Scars had left to get breakfast at MoJo's. Last stop before departing was at Subway to buy sandwich for lunch. Wobbly headed for Creeper Trail and I headed down Route 58 and white blazes.The day's walk was uneventful and bordered on boring. Three climbs and three descents. The weather was cold and grey with 95% humidity. Some of the views of Laurel Creek and the Virginia Creeper Trail were interesting. Scars, Play by Play, Pit Boss and I had fun eating our Subway together. Ran into and visited with Crockett and Footloose.Tented with Scars behind the shelter which was occupied by Professor and Donut.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-10
From: Lost Mountain Shelter/Mile 486.1

To: Wise Shelter/Mile 503.6
Miles today: 17.5

A beautiful sunrise helped start a big day for me - I was climbing both Whitetop Mountain and Mt. Rogers, seeing the famous Grayson Highlands, and meeting my old college friend, Randy Storm. The night had been so cold I couldn't sleep without my balaclava.After an hour of flat or modest descent, the day's climb of 2,000 feet began. The ascent was reasonable but long as the sun tried to clear the morning sky. It was cold and windy. Eventually I came to an uphill grassy clearing that reminded me of the introduction to Big Bald. The view up to Buzzard Rock and beyond to Whitetop was exhilarating with the frosted grass and trees, strong cross winds, and the blue sky fighting to breakthrough.Shortly thereafter I was following Play by Play and Pit Boss straight down 1.6. They expected trail magic from Grumpy and Gucci Girl, who finally showed after we finished lunch. I was getting cold so it did not make sense to hang out. I got a Snickers bar and headed out to climb Mt. Rogers.The weather was improving - the sky was clearing. I was excited as I made the relatively easy climb because it also meant I'd be entering the Grayson Highlands - one of the universally loved spots on the AT. The trail was rocky. Snow and ice remained in the shaded areas. The going was slow.After passing by the Thomas Knob shelter the trail teases the hiker with glimpses of the highlands but both hug the edge of the meadows and ducks in and out of the woods bordering. Eventually the broad views of the grassy highlands (Virginia's answer to the "balds" in NC and TN) and the surrounding mountains were revealed. The afternoon was near perfect in sky and temperature. I saw some of the wild ponies and took in the fabulous views as the afternoon light lengthened - and I openly gave thanks for the day.The trail was often challenging due to an abundance of rocks on the trail and outcroppings to be climbed, which included The Cliffs and the "Fatman Squeeze."I was scheduled to meet Randy Storm, my college roommate and canoe partner at Massie Gap, just north of the highlands, but I was running late due to the challenge of climbing Whitetop and Mt. Rogers and especially due to the rocky trails in descending from those heights.Because I was an hour behind schedule, Randy had begun to hike south, which gave him a chance to enjoy the highlands as well, including some wild ponies.Randy and I made our way a few more miles and tented/camped with friends at Wise shelter: Scars, Sleeves, Odie (SOBO), Crockett, Footloose, Donut, Pit Boss, Professor and Play by Play.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-11
From: Wise Shelter/Mile 503.6

To: Trimpi Shelter/Mile 523.7
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Due to cold, Randy and I got packed up and started hiking by 7:30 without cooking any breakfast. A few wild ponies wandered our site. Professor and Sleeves beat us to the trail.We enjoyed some nice hiking through open meadows in the bright early morning. We walked through The Scales and then stopped for a hot breakfast at Old Orchard shelter after seven miles.The midday and early afternoon hiking was not particularly notable, but the weather was as perfect as we typically followed the tops of ridges. We found a great lunch spot near a mountain stream near Hurricane Mountain shelter.The rest of the afternoon we searched for a good campsite, however, there were none that were obvious and even sites mentioned on the guides. As a result we hiked a 20-mile day all the way to Trimpi shelter and tented there with Donut, Pit Boss, Play by Play and Professor.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Trimpi Shelter/Mile 523.7

To: Mt. Rogers Visitors Center/Mile 533.7
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Randy and I got up and cooked breakfast (it was a most pleasant morning), packed and headed out by 8:15.The morning had some modest climbs but generally was an easier day. The day warmed and we were warm during the uphill portions. Overall though it was a magnificent weather day and the hiking was fun even if there were not any notable views or points of interest.We found a spot by a mountain stream and enjoyed our lunch break. Almost immediately after lunch we entered a Rhododendrum tunnel and followed an old forest company road the last two miles to the Visitors Center, where Randy's daughter Maggie (med student at VA Tech) was to meet us.Just before the Visitors Center we stopped by the famous Partnership shelter - pizza is delivered nearby so those staying enjoyed this AT tradition.We were early so we enjoyed relaxing in the sun. A scale inside the Visitors Center suggested I had lost 34 pounds so far. Maggie arrived on time, took me into Marion for canister fuel and dropped me at the Econo Lodge, where we said goodbye. It was amazing how easy it was to fall back on almost 40 years of friendship and enjoy the two plus days together.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-13
From: Mt. Rogers Visitors Center/Mile 533.7

To: Davis Hollow/Mile 547.2
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After a short walk to Walmart from my motel, I picked up the Marion Transit back to the Trail at the Mt. Rogers Visitors Center. I was hiking by 9:00 a.m. and hiked all morning and had great conversation with The Kid and Soulshine (couple from New Brunswick, Canada).After a couple of challenging climbs we settled into a long descent towards Atkins, Virginia and I-81. Before finishing the day we visited the historic Lindamood School, where we hung out with Donut, Pit Boss and Play by Play and enjoyed trail magic left by a local church.We all then hiked to Atkins and The Barn restaurant to celebrate completing 25% of the AT. After a two-mile hike north of I-81 we found a good campsite at Davis Hollow with a good water source. Donut and Play by Play hiked back to Atkins to bring another round of celebratory drinks, which we named the "Quarter Way Challenge."BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Davis Hollow/Mile 547.2

To: VA Route 610/Mile 555.2
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a night of tenting with Donut, Pit Boss and Play by Play (we slept without using rain flies - and enjoyed a star-filled sky), I left with Pit Boss and Play by Play. We had decided to do a short day into the Quarter Way Inn. The morning was beautiful. I had a chance to call and talk with Cheryl but otherwise the day was uneventful. Moderate hiking with a series of ups and downs as we followed a ridge.Late morning we sweated a lot on the ascents as the temperature rose. It was also the first time any bugs were a nuisance, but evidence of spring was very apparent by new wildflowers. After a couple of climbs and descents, we made out way through a meadow and to a road. A 0.8 mile road walk brought us to the hostel, which is excellent in all respects except no Wi-Fi. Also at hostel are Texas and Stumbles (a couple hiking SOBO).BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-15
From: VA Route 610/Mile 555.2

To: VA Route 623/Mile 575.4
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: heavy intensity rain

[This hike was completed southbound, starting at VA Route 623.]After a shuttle and a couple of significant climbs, I arrived at the Chestnut Knob shelter before midday. The forecasted rain was threatening but had not begun to release its fury. (I ran into a Boy Scout troop - where no one seemed to be having much fun. Then I saw Rumi & Eddie Steady and the Professor.)There were no views at the shelter or from the meadow just below, although one could see that in clear weather the views (including "God's Thumbprint") would be extraordinary. I had a very long descent. I ran into Sharkbait ("Hello Neiman") and later, Play by Play and Pit Bull.The rain came right after those visits and kept up the rest of the day - sometimes hard, sometimes very hard, sometimes intermittent and sometimes accompanied by thunder. It was a day to keep your head down and just make the miles. After the long downhill (where I made good time), I still had 10 miles to go. I was pretty wet but remained warm.I was alone for the afternoon. I listened to music. I had a very brief lunch stop. Despite the weather, I was in a good mood as I pushed out the tough climb over Lynn Camp Mountain as well as the uphills over Brushy Mountain and the last meadow. I did see Scars, Crockett, and Footloose at Knot Maul sheltering for the day from the weather, and later Easily Forgotten & Bunny Tracks (just before they stopped at Bear Garden for night).I finally did the 0.8 mile walk to the hostel and joined Texas & Stumbles, Atlas, and - unexpectedly, Pit Bull and Play by Play.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-16
From: VA Route 623/Mile 575.4

To: US 52/Mile 591.2
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I started the day's hike in shorts and two layers. Initially it appeared that the sun might come out and clear everything early, however, that hope was dashed quickly. In the higher elevations the snow was falling and had been for some time. There was a half an inch on the trail throughout the morning. I quickly added the legs to my pants, a buff, gloves and my balaclava to try to stay warm.It snowed on and off and remained cold. Midday it eased up and appear that sky might be clearing again but early afternoon it started to snow again and remain very cold. The trail was in excellent shape - much less rocky. Yet, due to the eater and the lack of views, it was a "keep your head down and make miles" day. (Much like the day before.) Due to the prior day's rains, it was noticeable how swollen and vigorous the mountain streams and creeks were. In fact, for the first time I had trouble finding a way to cross over a creek because the primary way was flooded.Towards the late afternoon the snow picked up and the day became bitter cold. Consolation for the day was that the terrain was among the easiest in terms of topography of any day on the trail yet. In fact, there was a stretch where the trail followed an old forest road for two or three miles and the trail was almost perfectly flat. The day finished with a seemingly never ending series of small climbs followed by a turn and a dip, over and over, until we came to a gravel road. We had a 0.6 mile road walk to US 52 and Brushy Mountain Outpost, where we enjoyed burgers until a shuttle to the motel. It was nice to be out of the snow and bitter cold for the night as I shared a room with Pit Boss and Play by Play.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-17
From: US 52/Mile 591.2

To: Jenny Knob/Mile 603.1
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

The morning started with a shuttle to the trailhead. Before starting the hike we enjoyed sausage and egg biscuits and coffee. The morning was bitter cold and very windy. Pit Boss, Play by Play, and I did the long road walk down across/over I-77 and then picked up the white blazes leading to the forest. Initially there was a significant climb out of Bland, which was good because it helps us warm up.After an hour Pit Boss and Play by Play moved on at a faster pace and I settled in for an easier, relaxing day. The trail was excellent and relatively easy all day as we stayed atop a ridge most of the day. I ran into and spoke with Turtle and two section hikers going SOBO as well as Teatime and Peak, also going SOBO (started in Duncannon). I did an interview with Mighty Blue for the podcast.Overall it was a quiet, pleasant day of easy hiking. I made it to the shelter around 5 pm. Pit Boss and Play by Play were there. Shocktock joined female section hiker. And late a foreign hiker who did not speak English also tented.The evening was reasonably warm so we could eat and socialize for awhile, but the cold drove us in by 7:30 pm.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Jenny Knob/Mile 603.1

To: VA 606/Mile 609.6
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

I awoke to more song birds than I had heard all trip. The morning was pleasant and warm. I boiled water for grits and coffee. I broke down my tent and headed for the trail. After a quick mile downhill, we crossed VA 611, which marks Mile 600 for 2018. The only real climb of the day was next, which I did with Pit Boss and Play by Play. From there we followed a sometimes rocky ridge line but the topography was generally flat. A two mile descent brought us to VA 606 - the end of my hiking for the day (just 6.5 miles). We walked the 0.5 miles to Trent's Grocery, where we enjoyed burgers and ice cream.Don from Woods Hole picked me up and brought me to the hostel. It was a magnificent sunny, breezy and cool day. I had a massage from Neville and enjoyed a meal with all who were staying there, which included old friends Rumi & Eddie Steady, Professor, Sharkbait, Mouse Trap (from Lithuania), Mom, Ridge, Autopilot, and Dragon (charity for Nolan, friends child with cerebral palsy - FB: Miles for Nolan, pledgeit.org). [The Kid and Soulshine showed up late.]BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-19
From: VA 606/Mile 609.6

To: Woods Hole Hostel/Mile 624.8
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

After a violent early morning rain (I was grateful to be inside), I shuttled back to VA 606 and started my 15-mile hike north, back to Woods Hole hostel. After a short while the rain stopped and it appeared as though the sun would come out. Unfortunately despite apparent attempts, we never had any sunshine all day. It was mostly cloudy, grey and cold.After an initial climb, the trail was remarkably rolling and flat - for many miles as the trail generally followed Dismal Creek passing through an almost continual rhododendron tunnel. Due to the low lying ground near the creek and the rain Sunday and last night, the trail was exceptionally waterlogged and muddy. There were over 20 stream crossings, many of which were flooded, requiring some searching and ingenuity to pass.It was a quite, solitary day - almost depressing due to the dark forests, wet leaves, grey sky and few points of interest. I also couldn't help but recall that I was soon to be passing a shelter where there were two murders many years ago.Just before that shelter (Wapiti shelter), I ran into Jacolope and Ripple (who later showed at Woods Hole) as well as a section hiker (Pacer) by the pond having lunch. From there the trail ended its flat stretch and started the day's major climb. It was cold still so I vigorously started up the ascent to get warm. Before I knew it, I had knocked off half of the climb. I stopped for a brief lunch of cashews, mangos and a Snickers. I seemed to knock off the rest of the hill just as quickly and ran into Atlas at the summit.Atlas and I hiked down together, making good time and arriving at Woods Hole before 4:00 p.m. (Atlas was staying at the hostel as well.)BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-20
From: Woods Hole Hostel/Mile 624.8

To: Pearisburg/Mile 635.4
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

After 0.5 miles back up the hill, I rejoined the AT heading north. The morning was bright and cold. The hiking was surprisingly easy. There was little to see (it was a green tunnel) until midday when we reached the top of the ridge where here were some great views. Before starting the long descent to Pearisburg, Atlas, Blue and Sparks (all slackpacking) caught up to me at the views. The day remained clear but cold. I was not able to hike without gloves until almost noon.It was a long descent to Pearisburg - a bit steep at times, a bit rocky at times - I finished with a road walk into town and a stop at the Mexican restaurant, but just before that I joined Play by Play, Pit Boss, Rumi & Eddie Steady at Dairy Queen.Finally made my way to Angel's Rest hostel. Sleeves was in the room next to me. (I thought he was far north - amazing how so many hikers surge in and out and back in just when you think you'll never see them again.)BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Pearisburg/Mile 635.4

To: Pearisburg/Mile 635.4
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day in Pearisburg. I spent a lot of time on planning (Hardee's) out the next three weeks, especially due to the opportunity to meet family and friends as I near Richmond. I ran into Scars, Crockett and Footloose heading for the trail. I had a quiet afternoon and enjoyed wine, cheese and French bread, but was able to speak with Cheryl, Carl and my father. Eliza, a podcast listener, stopped by to mail a box for me.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Pearisburg/Mile 635.4

To: Stealth campsite past Symms Gap/Mile 650.2
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The walk out of Pearisburg was relatively easy although it involved some road walk, including a long bridge over the New River. As I started the only significant climb of the day I ran into some evidence of the ongoing protest and development of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which apparently is slated to go through Symms Gap - my planned destination for the day. During that climb I ran into Elsa (podcast listener) and her parents. They had just seen a bear and a cub, but they had moved on by the time I got to Rice Field shelter.Rice Field is a grassy meadow that reminded me, although on a smaller scale, of the Roan Highlands. I did have some beautiful views west. The rest of the day was a modestly rolling ridge walk with clouds increasing. I never saw another hiker. There was some evidence of the pipeline protest, including two four-wheelers on the trial near Symms Gap, seemingly on patrol. The hoped for campsite did not materialize so I hiked on. I finally joined two section hikers settling in at a stealth site. After we had tented, Legs showed up and joined us.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...